Please find the previous chapters of this fiction
“And once the storm is over, you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won’t even be sure, whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm’s all about.”
― Haruki Murakami, Kafka on the Shore
Our small kayak sailed far away from the beach now. I could see glimpses of the distant sand island now coming nearer surrounded by a necklace of frothing turquoise waves. We reached the shores of the sand island. A local boatman fastened our kayak to the pole of a wooden sea bridge. I jumped out to the white sand following Kartigeya. A single parasol was standing in the middle of the small beach. A couple and their toddler in beachwear were relaxing under it. The baby was playing in white sand with plastic scoops. They were too much into each other and barely paid any attention to the intruders. The small island stood idyllic and ethereal like a paradise in the middle of the ocean.
My heart was brimming with gratitude. I walked joyfully around the frilly edges, exploring the area. I dipped my feet into the playful waves. Shoals of fish of all colors, spots, and dyes were swimming all around the water. I was mesmerized by the deepest of blues, shiniest of yellows, mystic black, fiery reds, and spotted angels. How did they amass so many divine colors? Something blithely moved near my feet, and I stepped back in alarm. It was the tail of a huge electric ray. It could have caused a mild electric shock to my feet. I moved back and walked towards Kartikeya who was sitting far away along the stony edges of the beach holding a fishing line. Wet sand glistened on his muscular shoulders. He looked all Zen and calm like a Buddha stranded on a sand dune. He had long curly auburn hair which flew lightly around him in the sea breeze.
Kartikeya beckoned me to sit near him. The silence surrounding us was palpable.
This is such a heaven on earth. But something is missing. I felt the same yesterday, sitting on my easy chair and watching the glorious sunset. A deep feeling of existential dilemma. A lack of joy. This feeling is haunting me for eons. I would have to come back again to experience the bliss. Tears rolled down my cheeks. I tried to hide my face with my hair while sobbing uncontrollably. I felt the weight of Kartigeya’s arm around my shoulders.
‘’C’mon ‘’ He said softly.
‘’ Why are you not feeling happy in this most exotic place on planet earth?’’
‘’I can’t experience this beauty fully. I am missing something. I am missing someone’’ I sobbed.
‘’ Your mind is playing pranks with you. Control the minions of your mind ‘’ He said softly.
This is the second time he is mentioning the minions of the mind today.
‘’What are the minions of the mind? ‘’ Wiping my tears, I cheered up for a meaningful conversation with Kartigeya.
I felt happy deciding to explore this magical place along with this companionable man.
‘’ The mind works through your five senses and these are the minions of the mind. ‘’
I sat in attention while he continued,
‘’ Now you are here, but you are elsewhere too. Your mind is taking you away from experiencing the present moment’’ He tugged at the fishing line.
A bright red snapper glistened in the sunshine. He carefully removed the fish from its hook.
‘’ Remember the epic battlefield of Mahabharata. The bravest and most skillful archer among the five Pandavas Arjun is having five horses on his golden chariot. Lord Sri Krishna is holding the reins of these five horses. Do you know, these five horses are symbolic of our five senses? The greatest warrior Arjun surrendered his five senses to Lord Krishna so that he can win the epic battle against Kauravas. We, simple humans, are also fighting our small battles every day. If your five senses are pulling you in different directions how will you win any battle? How will you enjoy anything ?’’ To win and have control of every situation first we need to tame the five minions of our minds’’
‘’ Sounds humanly impossible’’ I felt helpless.
‘’ The answer is to remain deeply rooted in the present moment. The present moment can be achieved only through meditation. By observing one’s own breath in stillness. Looking inward is the only way of putting reins on the five senses which are trained to look outwards and take you away from focusing on the present moment‘’
‘Just be ‘’He said in a kind voice.
It was time to go back to the beach resort. We got up and walked silently toward our kayak. I felt calm. A certain joy filled my very being. I forgot the fact that I didn’t eat a morsel of food for many hours now. There was no hunger or thirst. I felt foolish and empowered at the same time in the company of this stranger.
Gautama Buddha’s sayings rang in my ear ‘’ “No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.”
The Buddha was smiling.
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