The Essence

Looking at our old pictures, we often think – Is that really us? Just a few years ago, with neat hairdos and simple clothes, we looked so vibrant.

My teenage daughter, Vrinda, has recently become more interested in hair color, stylish clothes, shoes, and other fashion trends. One day, during a relaxed conversation, I decided to share a story with her.

A Silly Story –

“Once upon a time, a villager discovered an ancient bread-making recipe. He bought a machine and used the best ingredients, but he didn’t get the expected results. Can you guess why?”

Vrinda thought for a moment and guessed, “Maybe he forgot the main ingredient, or the ratio was wrong.”

I smiled, “Everything was perfect, but he forgot to switch on the machine.”

Vrinda rolled her eyes. “That was lame. You can be silly at times.” 

“True”, I admitted. “But we do this to ourselves, too. Despite eating the best food, we sometimes don’t get the desired results. To properly digest food and absorb its nutrients, we need vitamins like B12, C, D, Plus – Probiotic, and protein. I call it PP. Without them, even the best food is wasted.”

I continued, “The villager switched on the machine but still did not get the results.”

Vrinda, now visibly bored, guessed, ”The factory’s main power must have been off.”

“Exactly, I said, “The main power of our body is our mind. When the mind is relaxed, the whole system works magically.

You may not believe this, but I used to be very different. I was lazy, unmotivated, and easily overwhelmed. Winters were unbearable, and I used to spend most of my time in bed. I frequently fell sick. Often depressed. My favourite pastime was sleeping or watching television.  

“But everything changed gradually with meditation. At 50, I feel younger than I did at 30. I enjoy winter session, and haven’t been sick in ages.  I have started learning classical music and Kathak. My mind is more receptive and simple than ever. I love my daily routine. Meditation has opened my factory’s main point. And when I feel good inside, I eat right too.”

Vrinda asked, “What is simplicity?”

“To be”, I replied. It’s not easy to explain, but let me try. A child can be jealous, greedy, yet still be innocent. How? Because a child expresses exactly what they feel. Grown-ups, on the other hand, often do the opposite. 

Vrinda nodded thoughtfully, “People find children cute even when they are angry, their behaviour isn’t judged.”

“Exactly,” I said, “And they are not worried about being judged. That’s what makes them natural and spontaneous. Acceptance from parents helps the most – it creates a safe space for children to express their emotions freely.”

Vrinda asked, “How to deal with anger? Should I try to think positively about the situation?”  

“If a machine isn’t working, will positive thinking fix it? People might judge you, but let them.  Take space and let the process take time inside you. The mind will wrestle with the thoughts like  ‘It’s a small issue, let it go… No, I need to correct this…I should teach them a lesson, be the bigger one…they cannot take me for granted…it will be a loop for long and exhausting.”

Vrinda signed, “Yes. It is a torturous inner conversation. That is why people escape to their phones and other distractions.”

“True, I said. “But inner work means facing those feelings. It is not at all easy, rather the most difficult task in the world. Therefore, we have Kirya yoga meditation techniques. It has a simple and effective way to work on our minds and thoughts.”

Vrinda smile fainted, “Hmm… maybe one day I’ll give it a try.”

I smiled back, knowing that seed of change are often planted in a quiet moment.

Essence
As parents, we gently guide,
but can’t always see what dwells inside.
Each child is an individual soul—
We do our best and let it go.
Let them make their own free choice;
Not every step needs our voice.
What matters is—
how the soul grows through it all.