‘Pum’, is the first note of wake up alarm in Gautam’s phone, then a silence of a few bars, then ‘pum pum’ and later melody with beats start; but there is no point overloading this space with this extra information. Of course there is a valid reason for this. Reason is that Gautam always manages to gently touch the ‘stop’ button soon after he hears first ‘pum’. Today was no exception. So, after ‘Pum’ at 5.47am Gautam stopped further details of the alarm. You know all that ‘pum pum’ and the melody with beats etc. Phone became quiet and in a few moments withdrew its exited bright good morning smile with a dark huff. Gautam was used to it. His phone always gets upset, if it is not given a decent hearing. But we are not here to discuss Gautam’s love hate relationship with his phone.

Gautam hadn’t slept well last night. There was no one in particular to be hanged for this. No, not getting deep sleep can be attributed to many points. But stupidly all that attribution happens only after he has not slept well. He starts to think of points like, over eating, too much activity before hitting the pillow, too much on his mind etc. Although he had tried to get relaxed when he realized his alertness was still with him, even though its time had long run out. Alertness and sleep have to take turns to be with Gautam. It is more or less like a smooth take over. At one time only one of them can be there.

But in spite of below average sleep Gautam was fine. His ‘yog’ class is at 6.15am. After stopping the alarm, he takes a few moments, just being there. Someone had told him NOT to dive into a new day straight away, but slide into it smoothly and gradually. It made sense to him. He twisted his spine this way and that and in 3 minutes he stood up. He easily fought off his unhappiness at being groggy.

At 6.05 he was walking briskly to Ary Samaj, which about .750 km away. Announcement of winter season has made the sun wake up late. So, exterior wasn’t too bright. His weak eye sight and the distance makes Arya Samaj building seems like a ghost. A faint yellow light in the center indicates some students have arrived.

Inside all the mats were in place. Gautam had to take his place on a mat right in front of the teacher at the center. Everyone avoids that place. It is so in the face of teacher.

“Good morning everyone. Please sit in ‘sukhasan, ardhapadmasan or padmasan. Keep your hands on your knees. Pull in your stomach slightly, throw back your shoulders slightly, keep your neck and shoulder muscles relaxed, gently close your eyes and passively watch your breath. Keep breathing normally. If any thoughts appear in your mind, gently ignore them and bring your attention back to your breath. Normal breathing and watching it passively… Now we will chant Om. Take a deep breath in, Oooooooooooooooooooaaaaaammm…”

After 7 chants teacher continues; this time a little softly: “Enjoy the peace and quiet you gained by chanting Om… and passively… watch your breath.”

From more than 10 years these words have remained unchanged; but Gautam doesn’t mind it. In any case Gautam feels rejuvenated after the class and walks back home briskly.

Gautam’s Enlightenment of the day: ‘You don’t have to be active and reactive for everything that you encounter. Watching it passively also has its own positive use.’