Author Archives: memoriesandsuch

In My Hands Today…

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Steeple Chasing: Around Britain by Church – Peter Ross

Churches are all around us. Their steeples remain landmarks in our towns, villages and cities, even as their influence and authority has waned. They contain art and architectural wonders – one huge gallery scattered, like a handful of jewels, across these isles.

Award-winning writer Peter Ross sets out to tell their stories, and through them a story of Britain. Join him as he visits the unassuming Norfolk church which contains a disturbing secret, and London’s mighty cathedrals with their histories of fire and love. Meet cats and bats, monks and druids, angels of oak and steel.

Steeple Chasing, though it sometimes strikes an elegiac note, is a song of praise. It celebrates churches for their beauty and meaning, and for the tales they tell. It is about people as much as place, flesh and bone not just flint and stone. From the painted hells of Surrey to the holy wells of Wales, consider this a travel book . . . with bells on.

The Abundance Principle: Truth or Trap?

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The abundance principle is popular today. It’s the belief that there’s enough wealth, opportunity, love, and resources for everyone. Some call it a mindset shift. Others treat it as a spiritual law. It pushes the idea that scarcity is man-made, while abundance is the natural state of the universe.

But is that true? Does it hold up under scrutiny? Or is it just a comforting story that hides hard realities? Let’s dig into it.

At the centre of the abundance principle is the idea that what you focus on expands. If you live with a scarcity mindset, you limit yourself. You see obstacles everywhere. But if you think abundantly, you see possibilities, take more risks, and attract better outcomes.

There’s some truth here. Psychology and behavioural economics support parts of it. Cognitive priming, for example, shows that what we focus on shapes perception. Optimists often spot chances pessimists overlook. And those who see opportunity tend to act more boldly, which can yield better results.

So yes, having an abundance mindset can improve how you navigate life. But that’s not the whole story.

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Money is finite in any given moment. Time is limited; we only get 24 hours per day. Land, oil, water, and rare minerals are in short supply. If abundance believers deny that, they risk falling into magical thinking.

For example, if you take the principle too literally, you might think, “If I believe in wealth, wealth comes to me.” That ignores systemic inequality, privilege, corruption, and structural barriers. Tell someone living under poverty or oppression to “just think abundantly,” and you risk insulting their reality. So we need to separate mindset benefits from hard material limits. Thoughts can shape action, yes. But thoughts don’t change the raw scarcity of natural resources.

Scarcity has a productive role. Because we don’t have everything, we develop creativity. Scarcity forces prioritisation. It shapes value. A diamond matters because it is rare. If everything were abundant, would anything hold meaning? Economics is built on scarcity. Without it, supply and demand would vanish. Would human motivation remain if all needs were endlessly met? That’s an open question. So before we worship abundance, we should admit that scarcity gives structure to life. Without limits, choices lose weight. An abundance mindset often thrives for those who already have some privilege. It’s much easier to think positively about opportunity if your rent is paid and your basic needs are covered.

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But for billions of people, scarcity isn’t a mindset; it’s survival. A mother in a drought-hit village has no clean water. A child in an underfunded school lacks resources. Can abundance thinking erase that? Not without systemic change. And that means collective effort, not just individual thinking. Abundance rhetoric often shifts responsibility away from social change and onto individuals. That might suit elites who benefit from inequality. So we should ask: Does the abundance principle empower everyone, or only those already comfortable?

Now let’s challenge the scarcity view. Human history shows we keep breaking resource limits with ingenuity. Agriculture feeds growing populations. Green energy reduces reliance on oil. Technology unlocks new minerals in places once unreachable.

Each time we hit a wall, we often innovate our way past it. So while scarcity exists in the short term, abundance may emerge in the long term if human creativity continues. This suggests abundance is not a fixed reality but a moving target we can push toward. That’s a point in favour of the abundance principle.

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Abundance thinking is often packaged as a quick fix. You’ll find it in self-help books, coaching seminars, and Instagram posts. The message: think positive, trust the universe, and all your goals will align. But this risks creating blame. If someone struggles, it’s implied that they failed to think abundantly enough. Poverty or illness is framed as a mindset failure. That’s cruel and misleading. The hard truth: not everyone has equal chances. Luck, geography, genetics, and social conditions matter. Abundance thinking can help, but it doesn’t override brute reality.

So, where does this leave us? The abundance principle has value when used as a mindset tool. It opens people to opportunities and reduces fear-driven choices. But it becomes dangerous when treated as cosmic law or economic policy. We need both scarcity and abundance. Scarcity pushes us to innovate. Abundance thinking allows us to expand possibilities. Together, they create tension that drives human progress. The mistake is treating abundance as a universal truth, rather than a useful perspective.

Let’s press harder. If resources are abundant, why wars over oil? Why mass migrations over food and water scarcity? Why is climate collapse driven by the overuse of limited resources? Can we just affirm abundance and solve these? No. These are complex systemic issues. Optimism cannot generate new water in a dead river. But innovation and cooperation can. Abundance emerges not from belief alone, but from human effort, planning, and shared responsibility.

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This raises another question: Does the abundance principle risk encouraging passivity? Instead of working to solve problems, people may wait for abundance to “flow.” That mindset could worsen the very issues abundance claims to heal.

Still, we shouldn’t dismiss abundance entirely. Studies in positive psychology show people with a belief in possibility tend to recover faster from setbacks. Hope fuels resilience. That’s valuable. So perhaps the abundance principle is less about truth and more about utility. It works if it helps you act, adapt, and persist. Problems come when we confuse utility with objective reality.

From Eastern philosophy, Buddhism warns against attachment, including attachment to wealth or abundance. The focus is not abundance but detachment. From Stoic philosophy, Seneca emphasised preparation for loss and embracing limits, not denial of them. From modern environmentalism, abundance thinking risks ignoring ecological collapse. If we believe resources are infinite, we may overconsume even faster. So wisdom traditions often lean toward balance, restraint, and awareness of limits, not endless plenty. The abundance principle in its modern self-help form ignores that lineage.

One of the key tensions in abundance thinking is between the individual and the collective. On an individual level, it makes sense. Believe in opportunities. Act as if possibilities are open. That can fuel success. But collectively, unchecked abundance ideology may fuel consumerism, environmental harm, and inequality. If everyone believes resources are limitless, who protects finite ecosystems? If everyone is told they can get rich, who addresses structural poverty? So abundance, if applied blindly, can become an excuse for selfishness.

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Maybe the healthier approach is sustainable abundance. That means recognising limits while working collectively to expand opportunity. Not ignoring scarcity, but managing it wisely. Not telling the poor to just change their mindset, but creating systems that expand access. This framing respects reality and still draws on the hope of growth. It blends realism with optimism.

The abundance principle speaks to a deep human longing. We want to believe there’s enough for all of us. It soothes fear and inspires hope. But we must test its claims against reality. Scarcity is real and shapes life. Ignoring it is a mistake. But abundance can be cultivated through innovation, cooperation, and mindset shifts. The principle works best not as a universal truth, but as a tool, a frame of mind that helps us strive for more while facing limits honestly. So next time you hear someone say “abundance is all around,” pause and ask: in what sense? Psychological abundance? Technological? Environmental? Economic? Does it help us, or does it distract us from what must still be done? Perhaps the best answer is simple: think abundantly, but act responsibly.

2026 Week 05 Update

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The first month of 2026 is done and dusted, and I hope everyone is well. I am still in Bangalore and will return home soon. My mum’s both eye operations have been a success, and my aunt’s first eye was too. Next week, it will be her second eye, and what I came for will be fulfilled.

Today’s verse from the Bhagavad Gita is one of its most comforting verses. Krishna reassures Arjuna that sincere devotion, not ritual, not social norms, not perfection, is what draws support from the universe. Devotion here isn’t blind faith; it’s wholeheartedness. It’s the quality of committing to something deeply, honestly, without scattering yourself across a thousand fears. The verse teaches that when you show up fully for your path, life steps in to support you. The Sanskrit words yoga-kṣema are powerful: yoga is the gain of what you need, and kṣema is the protection of what you already have. In other words, you don’t walk alone. There’s a subtle reminder here: when your energy is fragmented, anxiety grows. But when your mind is anchored, you create inner spaciousness, and support naturally finds its way to you. This verse encourages trust, not passivity. It invites you to act with clarity while letting go of worry. Devotion becomes a way of moving through life with steadiness and grace rather than fear and grasping.

Today’s weekly motivation is about being patient. Whether it’s breaking free from old habits or adopting new ones, you have to be patient and embrace small steps. Habits and thinking patterns are built over many years. You’re training your mind to respond in a new way. You can’t go from 0 to 100 instantly! When you’re actively trying to undo old habits, you will face resistance, which can make you feel like your efforts are futile. That’s when you have to trust the passage of time. Small, consistent actions and little shifts in your perspective will lead to lasting transformation over time. The key is to remain consistent, despite the ups and downs.

Today’s quote from Ferdinand Foch, a French general and military theorist who served as the Supreme Allied Commander during the final stages of World War I, speaks to the extraordinary force of inner conviction. Foch is not talking about physical weapons or military strength alone. He is pointing to something far more enduring: passion, belief, and an unshakable sense of purpose. When the human soul is “on fire,” it becomes capable of perseverance, courage, and transformation that no external force can easily extinguish. A soul on fire is driven by meaning. It is animated by faith in a cause, an idea, or a vision larger than the self. History repeatedly shows that people fueled by conviction can endure hardship, overcome fear, and push beyond what seems physically or emotionally possible. Skills can be taught and resources can be gathered, but without inner fire, action lacks momentum. Passion turns effort into persistence and struggle into resolve.

The quote also reminds us that real power does not come from domination, but from inner alignment. A person deeply committed to what they believe in becomes difficult to defeat, because their strength is not dependent on circumstance. Even setbacks can reinforce that inner flame, sharpening focus rather than diminishing it. This is why movements, revolutions, and personal transformations often begin with individuals who carry intense inner clarity rather than external authority. Beyond conflict or leadership, the quote applies to everyday life. Creativity, resilience, and meaningful change are all born from this inner fire. When people care deeply, they act differently. They take risks, stay the course, and inspire others simply by showing up with authenticity and intensity.

That’s all I have the time for this week. Stay positive and see you next week!

In My Hands Today…

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Stuck: How the Privileged and the Propertied Broke the Engine of American Opportunity – Yoni Appelbaum

How did America cease to be the land of opportunity?

We take it for granted that good neighbourhoods—with good schools and good housing—are only accessible to the wealthy. But in America, this wasn’t always the case.

Though for most of world history, your prospects were tied to where you were born, Americans came up with a revolutionary If you didn’t like your lot in life, you could find a better location and reinvent yourself there. Americans moved to new places with unprecedented frequency, and, for two hundred years, that remarkable mobility was the linchpin of American economic and social opportunity.

In this illuminating debut, Yoni Appelbaum, historian and journalist for The Atlantic, shows us that this idea has been under attack since reformers first developed zoning laws to ghettoize Chinese Americans in nineteenth-century Modesto, California. The century of legal segregation that ensued—from the zoning laws enacted to force Jewish workers back into New York’s Lower East Side to the private-sector discrimination and racist public policy that trapped Black families in Flint, Michigan to Jane Jacobs’ efforts to protect her vision of the West Village—has raised housing prices, deepened political divides, emboldened bigots, and trapped generations of people in poverty. Appelbaum shows us that these problems have a common people can’t move as readily as they used to. They are, in a word, stuck.

Cutting through more than a century of mythmaking, Stuck tells a vivid, surprising story of the people and ideas that caused our economic and social sclerosis and lays out common-sense ways to get Americans moving again.

Sacred Stones, Spaces, and Stories: Jyotirlingas Part 4 – Mahakaleshwar Temple

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In the ancient city of Ujjain, perched on the banks of the holy Shipra River in Madhya Pradesh, stands the majestic Mahakaleshwar Temple, a storied sanctuary of Lord Shiva, honoured as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas in India. Mahakaleshwar, meaning “The Lord of Time and Death,” is unique for its south-facing linga or dakshinamukhi, a rare feature symbolising Shiva’s might over death itself. Throughout centuries, the temple has drawn kings, saints, poets, and millions of devotees, serving both as a spiritual epicentre and a monument to resilience amid cycles of destruction and renewal. In Ujjain, the cosmic rhythms of time and faith converge, making Mahakaleshwar a beacon in the Jyotirlinga pilgrimage and the soul of the city’s religious life.

The legends of Mahakaleshwar are at once magnificent and profound, revealing why the temple is revered as the guardian of time. One prominent tale is the Legend of King Chandrasena and Shrikhand: King Chandrasena of Ujjain, a devout Shiva worshipper, safeguarded the city while performing deep meditation. A simple farm boy, Shrikhand, inspired by the king’s devotion, discovered a buried Shiva lingam and began worshiping it. As the city faced invasion by enemies, Shiva appeared in his fearsome Mahakala form, answering the prayers of his devotees, vanquishing the oppressors, and promising to protect Ujjain henceforth. This miraculous event led to the formal enshrinement of the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, considered “Swayambhu” or self-manifested, offering devotees solace from fear and assurance of Shiva’s eternal guardianship.

Another powerful legend recounts the wrath of Lord Shiva during the cosmic Tandava dance at the death of his beloved Sati, after her father Daksha insulted him. Shiva’s dance of destruction in Ujjain led him to manifest here as Mahakaleshwar, “the mightier than time,” eternally transcending the cycles of birth and death. The temple also honours Kalabhairava, Shiva’s fierce aspect, as the guardian deity of Ujjain. According to lore, those who worship Kalabhairava here are protected, further cementing Mahakaleshwar’s reputation as a place to overcome fear and hardship.

Ujjain itself is ranked among the “Saptapuris”, the seven holy cities offering moksha or liberation from rebirth, making Mahakaleshwar a crucial gateway in Hindu eschatology. With roots stretching back over two millennia, Mahakaleshwar Temple is a living chronicle of Ujjain’s history.

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Archaeological records and ancient coins suggest that the original temple may have been constructed during the rule of Prajapati Brahma, with concrete evidence pointing to the reign of the Paramara dynasty as a formative period. Multiple dynasties: Guptas, Mauryas, Paramaras, Mughals, Marathas, and Scindias, have presided over Ujjain, each leaving their mark on the temple and city.

The invasions over centuries were brutal: The temple was repeatedly razed by foreign aggressors. Prominent among these was the destruction during the 13th century by Iltutmish, Sultan of Delhi. Nevertheless, local rulers like Udayaditya and Naravarman spearheaded reconstructions, reinstating Mahakaleshwar as Ujjain’s spiritual heart.

A hallmark of Mahakaleshwar’s history is its Bhasma Aarti tradition—the offering of sacred ash to Shiva, rooted in tantric lore and embraced by successive generations. The continuously burning dhuni or sacred fire in the temple is believed to have blazed for centuries. Ujjain also hosts the grand Kumbh Mela every twelve years, fusing Mahakaleshwar’s ritual power with vast communal gatherings. Through cycles of devastation and revival, the temple has stood as a metaphor for time’s flow and the endurance of faith.

Mahakaleshwar’s architecture is an elegant fusion of Bhumija, Chalukya, and Maratha styles, shaped by the eras and rulers who rebuilt it. The sprawling five-level temple complex is centred on the sanctum sanctorum, the garbhagriha, housing the self-manifested lingam deeply embedded in the earth. Its south-facing orientation sets it apart, signifying Shiva’s power over death and time, a feature central to spiritual and ritual practices.

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The temple towers, shikharas, are adorned with detailed carvings of mythological themes, while wide pillared halls or mandapas invite mass gatherings. Constructed of massive stone blocks and ornate marbles, the temple’s design blends durability with artistry. Within the precincts are shrines dedicated to Parvati, Ganesh, Kartikeya, and Nandi; exquisite reliefs cover walls and pillars depicting Shiva, his vahanas or vehicles, and attendant deities. A distinctive feature is the Kalabhairava sanctuary, reinforcing the temple’s role as a protectorial space. The eternal dhuni is both a literal and symbolic heart of the temple, its smoke infusing the daily bhasma aarti and connecting worshippers with cosmic cycles. The multi-storeyed structure allows for distinct ritual layers, each with its own atmospheric ambiance and spiritual significance.

Mahakaleshwar is famed for its intense, immersive rituals. The most celebrated daily rite, performed at 4 am is the Bhasma Aarti. Priests douse the lingam with bhasma or ashes from the sacred funeral pyres, anoint and dress the deity, then awaken Lord Shiva with chanting, music, and offerings. Only men can witness the actual bhasma application, a tradition echoing the tantric emphasis on transformation through ash and fire. Daily pujas are a cycle of morning, afternoon, and evening prayers, including abhisheka which is the ritual bathing with water, milk, honey, aarti with lamps and conch shells, and the distribution of prasad or blessed food. Mahashivaratri draws throngs from across India for all-night vigils, fasting, and processions. The temple marks other local and national festivals with grandeur. As offerings to Kalabhairava, devotees present liquor, a rare permitted custom signifying liberation from taboo, fear, and the mundane. Local families and temple societies maintain centuries-old traditions, with inclusive efforts ensuring all strata of society participate in ritual cycles. The rituals here are elemental: fusing body, mind, and spirit in cycles reflecting the movement of time and the inevitability of death and renewal.

A visit to Mahakaleshwar is a transformative pilgrimage, set in the vibrant and historic city of Ujjain. Ujjain is accessible by rail and road, with the nearest airport at Indore about 55 km. Pilgrims arrive from across India and the world, often as part of Jyotirlinga circuits or during festivities like Kumbh Mela. Ujjain is known for its welcoming Dharmashalas or pilgrim hostels, bustling markets, and street-side eateries serving traditional cuisine. The city’s ancient lanes, ghats, and ritual spaces evoke the spiritual heritage of the region. Situated on the banks of the Shipra, Mahakaleshwar’s setting connects water, life, and cosmic cycles. Ujjain itself is considered a point of cosmic calibration, India’s ancient prime meridian, from which astronomical calculations are made. Pilgrims recount mystical dreams, moments of deep peace, and miraculous recoveries. The very stones of Mahakaleshwar seem to pulse with time’s rhythm, whispering stories from millennia past. The experience is one of immersion: in ritual, history, and spiritual community, leaving participants profoundly changed.

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Mahakaleshwar Temple, beyond its religious role, has indelibly shaped literature, art, music, and identity in Ujjain and beyond. The temple and city feature in countless Sanskrit and Hindi works, from Kalidasa’s “Meghadoot” to medieval bhakti poetry and modern narratives. The myth of Shiva as Mahakala has inspired tales of divine power and cosmic cycles. Shiva-centered ragas and devotional songs echo in temple halls and city festivals, providing inspiration for classical and folk artists. Painted scrolls, sculptures, and murals throughout Madhya Pradesh reference Mahakaleshwar, his fiery dance, and the city’s sacred landscapes. For Ujjain’s inhabitants, Mahakaleshwar’s festival calendar structures civic life; local customs, crafts, and economies revolve around the temple. The city’s reputation as a “divine timekeeper” arises from the temple’s mythic and astronomical associations. Pilgrimage narratives and experiences are widely shared in contemporary literature and digital media, further expanding Mahakaleshwar’s cultural reach.

Today, the Mahakaleshwar Temple embodies both ancient resilience and adaptive modernity. Governed by the Mahakaleshwar Mandir Trust, the temple organises daily rituals, festivals, and infrastructural development. Ujjain has emerged as a major pilgrimage hub and a heritage destination. Infrastructure improvements have increased accessibility while retaining the temple’s historic ambience. Recent decades have seen extensive conservation: restoring sculptures, reinforcing the foundations, and managing the temple’s cultural landscape. Mahakaleshwar attracts a diverse, transnational array of pilgrims—youth, families, scholars, spiritual seekers—reflecting the broad appeal of Shiva and the enduring relevance of Jyotirlinga worship. Mahakaleshwar’s presence in popular media, documentaries, and digital platforms continues to widen its spiritual resonance in India and worldwide.

Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain stands as the eternal keeper of time, a place where mythology, history, ritual, and humanity converge. As the only south-facing Jyotirlinga, it underscores Shiva’s power over mortality and time, offering liberation, protection, and renewal to all who seek it. In the labyrinthine lanes of Ujjain and the echoing halls of Mahakaleshwar, the cosmic cycles unfold, inviting generations of pilgrims into a dance with the divine. Through destruction and restoration, legend and lived experience, Mahakaleshwar continues to guard the passage of time, remaining a pillar of India’s spiritual heritage and a guiding light in the Jyotirlinga circuit.