A light upon DARKNESS . . .

My mother's native is a small town in Karnataka, which I visit every year. I have always liked that place, for it lacks annoying traffic and polluted air. There are no bright lights at night and it is a pleasure watching darkness flow out of the vast roof of the world, with million glittering stars looking down upon earth. This beauty carries a huge baggage of inherent truth of nature which the inner eye fails to identify in light. A turn to any direction there exhibits darkness and only darkness. I sometimes wonder who was the first taught man to glorify light and discredit dark. It is this small town and my nights there which inclined me towards the beauty of darkness.

Staring into the dark space, I would many times lose myself in thoughts about evolution, divine, etc. I always feel, darkness being an inextricable part of nature, can extricate mind and soul to the best levels by turning the senses inwards. It is indeed a strong force within itself which can drive recognition of truth beyond oneself and become one with it. History of formation of space says, "Darkness is the first primordial truth that lies at the heart of creation. It is the core of all that is deep, eternal and infinite in the universe. Pervading darkness is the domain of the source of all light and all life - that is god." Often, darkness is made a synonym to ignorance in people, as a result of which the nature's way of expressing truth remains unexplored. But it's true that, darkness as seen in nature expresses truth of life in the simplest way of its existence. What we lack is either a vision to look at it or identification of ignorance in us.

At times, one does not possess courage to accept the facts of life. It requires a positive energy which can blend reality with the senses. It's always true that one can see his/her own "self" more clear and can concentrate well on inner thoughts when the surrounding is dark. As a matter of fact, I have tried relating this concept of concentration in dark to the concept of meditation vaguely. Darkness can be fetched just by closing eyes and this act indeed is a pre-requisite for meditation. Though, meditation involves many other processes, all my above experiences say, darkness plays an important role in the outcome of meditation. Darkness, as is always described, is not just absence of light and a source of fear. But, in its true sense, it is a deep penetrating world which seems endless, as it can engulf one with its dense content and lead him/her to light.

- Jayashree.

Trip to Chikmagalur!!!

We (my Project Team at MindTree) assembled at BSK office on the night of 27th June to enjoy a trip to Chikmagalur. The plan was to reach the EagleEye resort which is situated 80kms further from Chikmagalur, 2100 feet above the sea level and amidst 130 acres of plantation area. A day’s relaxation in the resort along with adventurous activities was there on 28th June and visit to Bababudangiri hills on 29th June. Our buses started at 10.30 pm after the Coconut breaking ceremony and the enthusiasm in the group was high. The bus bustled with song and dance for few hours and finally all were asleep to recharge themselves for the upcoming events in the next two days.

We were in the midst of nature by 5 am when the morning light had just sprayed itself on top of tall trees and a small range of hills. We reached our destination by 6 am and had to walk for around 20 minutes to reach the resort. Our first trek started here, as the main attraction of this trip was trekking. It was indeed a salubrious morning walk accompanied by euphony of birds and was a deviation from air-conditioned and polluted environment. The view from the front of resort exhibited lush green hill which made us still for few minutes. One could have an Eagle’s Eye view of the fabulous Kudremukh peak from that point. We then occupied the villas, tree houses and cottages for rest. The villas and cottages were designed in the form of huts surrounded by green whereas the tree houses were built on bamboos supported by dry trunk of trees. The ambience of the accommodations gave a sense of rejuvenation. Later we assembled for breakfast, as it was most awaited after a special morning walk. We started for Trek and Plantation-Walk after the breakfast and with this the adventure of our trip also started. It was a damp muddy path with small ups and downs in the beginning. As our journey continued, the path gave way to creepers and plants. The screams cause of leeches was heard very often and now all of us were conscious with every small sensation of a prick. Leeches and Caterpillars were now the Center of Attraction, as many even wanted take a snap of them!!! Continuing our journey, we climbed small slippery rocks on the way before reaching a spot with a spectacular view of a green hill spread across a huge area. Elevation was great and we all halted there on the rocks for sometime to capture the picture of such a view. The adventurous part of our trek began when we started descending from that peak. Now the path almost disappeared and we were in a forest like area with slopes which was completely shadowed by canopy of tall trees, resulting in wet and slippery ground covered with shrubs and fallen leaves from trees. Small stems/plants served as a major support while we slid with every step down the slope. Still, our clothes and hands were the evidences of our fall while walking down the slopes as, at least one terrible fall was there in everyone’s account. We then reached the plantation area which was redolent of oranges and had coffee, spices, orchids and medicinal plants. We enjoyed fresh oranges from the trees and reached the resort after a small walk through the plantations. It was time for a heavy lunch as the trek turned out to be a stamina test.

After resting for a while, all of us were set with the lifeguard jackets to go for a Coracle ride. As we had to walk for 10min to reach the pool, screams due to leeches was again prominent in the crowd. Rain on the other hand showered its blessings for sometime during the ride, though we were expecting it long back during the trek. Some of them also jumped into the pool for a swim while others enjoyed drenching themselves in the rain. We were then back to the resort for hot snacks and coffee. Then we started playing Badminton in the rain and it was no less than a knock-out tournament. In the evening by 7 pm, slowly the excitement started fuming around the flames of Camp Fire and the vim of the group was high. The event was as well a rain dance though the roar of fire in rain was magical. Circles around the fire were prominent in the beginning but later the fire seemed to be ignited in each one of us. Now the dance became prominent and fire was left out as we moved to the end. Dinner was now waiting for us, after which we said good night.

Next morning we checked out from the resort and started our journey towards Bababudangiri hills. We reached the start of the hills after the fun filled journey for an hour which included pulling legs, songs and dance. As the bus moved up the hill, nature exhibited all its beauty in the form of green, green and only green. The view seemed like a continuous range of heaps of green grains where one could not take off his eyes. Photography went on almost through all the windows, as the bus moved slowly on the narrow roads. We then reached the top of the hill and it seemed as if we were standing in clouds. Elevation was fantastic and the whole area was covered with fog. We could not see anything beyond 10 feet in any direction. Wind was violent and it was an awesome feeling to enjoy such a beauty. We then boarded the jeeps to reach another peak which was 3 kms from that spot. It was no less than a roller coaster ride on the narrow path to reach the second highest peak of Karnataka. The place seemed like heavens and it was a feast to see nature in all its glory. We then started descending the hill by 2 pm. Though none of us wanted to move from that place, it was inevitable as we could not stop the clock. We had an evening lunch and started our journey back to Bangalore which again was filled with songs and dance.

As a whole, it was an awesome trip which energized us from within, indicating a desire to come back again and again. Thus ended one of the most memorable and cherished trips of my life.


- Jayashree