On keeping an open mind

Category: Personal

On keeping an Open Mind.

I'm surprised that Chealsea cancelled her trip because she didn't get a hotel booking! If I got it right, this was one of the reasons, plus some ticketing issues.

I thought she cancelled her trip because of our Diwali holidays, and I was concerned for her - she would have to cancel her Christmas shopping to visit India in Dec.

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Jim's attitude was amazing on his Hyderabad visit. He came with an open mind. He ate at all the places, the ones we used to frequent, he came to office in a Maruti car, he didn't mind making a paan in the hotel (when Jahangir persuaded him), even I haven't tried that. He knew most of the Indian dishes and was open to trying new cuisine. Malcolm was professional and friendly, but Jim was like our friend, and that too, the Chief Technical Architect of the company (this is about my last job) and how can I forget the hug he gave us when leaving for the US, plus during a lunch he said, in front of the team, "Chirayu, you're a very bright guy!" and that was more than what any monetary reward would have given.
I took it as genuine appreciation and I still remember it.
Jim is Jim!

Jim even tried the Kurta-pyjama we gave him on his visit, and he was so happy, he took a pic. in it, in the office! Plus, I remember Jim's green turtle and the fun we had tossing it around in the office. We always used to play with it in our spare time.

If I visit US, I'm definitely going to visit Jim and Rhonda at Madison, WI. Jim, if you're reading this, take care and May God be with you :-)
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I have a thought on this. Personal. No offence meant. No hard feelings :-)

Keep an open mind and things appear as they are.
Pre-conceived notions are the locks on the door to wisdom.

My opinion is, If you think something is bad in your mind, then it will be.

If you eat on the road, and before eating you think I'm going to fall sick, you will. This is my favourite line, and also Achal's.
Dost, burai khaane mai nahin, dimaag mai hai.
Friend, the trouble is not with the food, it's in your mind.

Food is never bad, it is the tongue that tastes, and that belongs to the individual.
(Maybe, a bit philosophical, that's the way, I am).

Let me narrate a story, in short.

An American scholar visits Japan to learn about Zen Philosophy. The American has a lot of knowledge about Zen Philosophy and he is thinking of questioning the Zen Master and proving a point.

The Zen Master's servant comes with a cup of coffee and a jug full of coffee.
He pours coffee from the jug into the already full cup. The cup overflows.

The American is perplexed. He asks the servant.
"Why are you pouring coffee, it's spilling on the floor."

At that moment the Zen Master comes and says, "Son, your mind is like the cup of coffee, already full with your ideas, unless you open your mind, empty your mind, knowledge would spill over and be useless and both the Teacher and the Pupil would be at a loss."

Open your mind and free your soul.

It is a lovely story. Isn't it.
I like reading Zen stories.

Bye for now. I gtg. :-)