the inner voice

There's something profound that happens when a spiritual figure reaches a certain level of authenticity and grace—they cease to belong to any single tradition and become a beacon for all humanity. My family and I had an unique opportunity to participate in a papal address by Pope Leo XIV at Vatican and this truth was strikingly clear and in a way was amplified, where I witnessed firsthand how genuine sanctity dissolves the artificial barriers we construct around faith and community. This is true across other religions as well and some of my reflections are based on this experience. What struck me most wasn't just the Pope's words, but his ( in this case the papal team ) deliberate acknowledgment of every person or group or institution present, regardless of their background or beliefs or language. In that moment, the Vatican wasn't just the seat of Catholic authority—it became a space where the universal human longing for connection and meaning could flourish. The Pope...

A s someone interested in human perspectives and stories, Trinny Woodall's quote, "Age is irrelevant, it's about the energy you bring," caught my attention. She expressed this PoV over a lunch interview, the Financial Times was running with her. For a very long time, time management was touted as an important skill. Of course, it is and will remain so, but I've come to believe something even more fundamental needs to be taken care of. More so, since the world is increasingly volatile and uncertain. With everyone 24x7 connected, time has become fluid and all-pervasive, and its management is losing relevance. Managing energy has become the key. Our calendars are often choreographed to maximize efficiency, operating under the flawed assumption that our energy is infinite when clearly it is not. Managing energy manifests in multiple ways: a) Activities - how one structures the day, allocating high-focus tasks to periods of peak energy while reserving routine work for...

One of my most memorable visits has been to Barabar Caves. Therefore this one is also a photo blog.  Nestled in the rugged hills of Bihar's Jehanabad district ( India ) lies one of India's most remarkable yet underappreciated ancient wonders - the Barabar Caves. As the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India, dating back to the Mauryan period (321-185 BCE), this architectural marvel offers an extraordinary window into ancient India's technological sophistication and spiritual diversity. India has many rock-cut caves or structures, such as Ajanta, Ellora, Badami, Varaha, Elephanta, Kanheri, and many many more, but this one is the oldest!! The caves were commissioned during the reign of Emperor Ashoka and his successors, as evidenced by inscriptions found within. As I walked on the same steps that Emperor Ashoka took, and probably sat and prayed where he may have done,  I felt deeply connected to my past to the grand history of India. That feeling deserves a separate post. W...