According to my understanding, 'I', 'we', 'everyone', 'everything', the 'universe' and the multitudes of others we don't even know that exist, and 'anything' else I've left out is all part of that great 'MAGNIFICENT ENERGY', that most of us fondly call 'GOD/ALLAH/BHAGWAAN/MALIK'.
I also understand that 'ME'
(for all future references we shall call that divinity ME, coincidental I know for ME is I and I is ME, ahem, moving on from this mediocre observation)
So, I do understand that 'ME' is above all judgements, is loving and since it is everything and everything is it, it keeps no judgment for anything that we do. So, what we sow we reap. Fair and simple. We practice our free will, and, so we must accept the consequences of that free will.
While I truly believe every word I have written and stand by it, I'd also like to believe that 'ME' adapts to a personality according to the way one lives his/her life. So, for me, my 'ME' seems to have a sense of humor. Teaches me lessons when I am least expecting it. But, I'm not the one to complain.
After that little crash course on the basic principle of our (or just mine, wouldn't wanna force my thoughts on anyone else) very own beings' cosmic laws, I shall get on with my story. The lesson I learnt.
Life's been good now a days, after struggling hard, sunk my teeth into something I could professionally call my own. So, here I am thinking to myself, finally AKSHAY DOGRA seems to be arriving. Being loved and accepted for his work and not for who he is associated with(Yes, yes, every now and then I will refer to myself in third person). So, basking under my very own little sun shining on my little world, I knew things will only look up. To be clear, I know that whatever love or appreciation or recognition I get, no matter how widespread or limited, I am forever grateful, for such things are showered upon without expectations, selflessly, unconditionally. (while you read these lines imagine a soft emotional background score, more effective!)
Ok, so we have established that I am now a little established in my professional life. Family, Friends and people I don't even know confirm that every now and then by approaching me. Especially the wonderful people who have otherwise nothing to do with me, would walk up appreciate my work, its good to see a smile on their faces. Good for my ego too, right? Yes it is. So, I walk around whenever in public knowing people are turning around giving me a second look. This is not about fame as much as it is about recognition of work. For an actor, to come on National Television and not be recognized is a sign that somewhere his product that he acts in is not being viewed henceforth, rendering his/her job sort of, of no significance. We as actors help convey stories and entertain. So, I say, recognition is a big reward for the job we do to earn our bread and butter.
And, I say to myself everyday now, the rewards are coming in. And, for all the other worldly desires that arise due to this, take wings. Now, in my mind, a better paycheck, a better car, better cellphone, better laptop, and of course time to own a house in Oh so freakin unnecessarily expensive Bombay, is all within my reach!
Suddenly, AKSHAY DOGRA sees himself in the mirror and doesn't see himself as just about any other guy, but a wee bit more special, for only someone special would receive love from people he/she doesn't even know right? (now, all of this is building up in the subconscious, mind you, before you the reader, begin to make any judgments). So, I am special, I walk around with that knowledge. The inner self smiles and when people turn around with that surprised expression. I know what they are saying, the mind mouths it exactly at the same time they move their lips from a peripheral distance, "arre, woh Akaash hai!!", taking it in, playing it cool, this new AKSHAY DOGRA walks along pretending to be just like anyone else.
Anyone reading this right now, would think, So what's new, we know this condition. It's called VANITY!.
And, this is exactly what this little (or not so) musing is about. 'Vanity', 'Aham', 'I' or largely known as 'The Ego'.
Ever since, I decided to start working in front of the camera, to become an 'ACTOR', my life has been one roller coaster ride. I have to say, it has accelerated my spiritual journey. I have gone past so many barriers, crossing the hurdles that the life of a commercial actor comes across.
One must think, that for a person who's on such a ride of life must surely be absolutely sorted, at least, thats what I always thought. That every difficult moment I passed, I would think I am wiser, while, that is true but only for that moment, because once it's passed, a new alien situation will present itself, testing you teaching you a lesson, the true lessons you/me/everyone is here to learn. Now, I keep reminding myself of that every now and then, but I am only human, so I forget, oops!
Past couple of months, I was busy realizing other spiritual goals while going about my corporeal/materialistic life, that I forgot that one basic principle of the spiritual self. And, that is exactly what the Almighty 'ME', decided to teach me.
Parallel to my life, is running the life of another gifted individual. I don't know much about him, other than what ever I see on various public platforms he might appear on, and I might have seen him on.
As, someone mentioned every person in the world has at least 7 lookalikes, and this one seems to be mine, or I his. Whichever way you wanna see it, we lookalike.
There he is, living his life on the other side of the city, working on the big screen. And, here I am on the other side every now and then coming to the TV screens, Monday to Friday 'Don'tcha forget to watch'. We are both Actors, and thats where I thought the similarities ended. But, I guess as people have been pointing out he is mine and I his mirror image.
It all started from an innocent comment from a friend one day congratulating me for 'Ashiqui 2', then more friends joined in. It was amusing, and, to me only a short lived comparison.
Again, disregarding such comparisons, 'the AKSHAY DOGRA' went about his life, taking in the appreciation, the second looks from strangers, the wide eyed affection, the awed gesture of asking for a picture or an autograph, when suddenly I felt a spike in the number of people approaching me. I thought to myself, 'not bad, I am getting popular, considering my shows off air!'. Of course, such revelry was, but, short lived.
Ashiqui 2 was a success, the man, my lookalike was a success, so a natural rise in his celebrity status was inevitable. Well, If ever I cross paths with him, I would love to tell him all about it, I have experienced it first hand.
Moving on, for an actor his image is created by the perception of his/her audience and we begin to live that. So, what happens when that very image suddenly starts getting opaque (for lack of a better word).
I have had people come up to me and appreciate me for my work, but then, suddenly I had people coming over and congratulating me for the work of another person. It was funny at first, actually it still is sometimes, but, I guess it all started spiraling out of control from the night when a group of friends placed a bet on who I was, So sure were they on who I was that for a split second I would have gone along with the charade of being the man they so wanted me to be.
Slowly, actually, no not slowly but rapidly the number kept growing, in fact I have been called a liar for saying that I am not him, I have seen people feel disappointed, because I would tell them I am not him. A pretty and very smart girl even called me rude, when I offered to show my drivers license as proof of me being (a better looking version... aah vanity again ;) ) a guy who just looks like him, and it doesn't help that my wife who was with me at the time insisted that I, Aditya shouldn't disappoint a fan! Sheesh, word of advice, your partner and your friends no matter how much they love you, will always be ready to have some fun at your expense. I am still planning a diabolical plan to get back at my wife for doing that to me, but, unfortunately, she's way smarter than I am.
But, that is a story for another day, I digress. The truth is that every thing must happen for a reason, even the minutest, inconsequential experiences that seem out of place when we look at them in isolation. Looking back at the larger picture, when you run your life, with whatever's happened in the past like a movie you will see everything fits so wonderfully. That everything has a purpose. That little fight with the rickshawala you didn't think matter, your laptop, cellphone, TV set giving up on you when you are deep into something. Everything happens just they way it's designed to.
This is where cause and effect comes into play, the universe just works for you, with its pure and simple laws of nature that are equal for every being on this planet. It is the ripple effect, whatever you chose to do or not do, it will create ripples in the little pond of your life.
I believe with every ounce of atom in my being that everything that happens or at least that happens to me is there to help further my real goal in life, to nourish my soul, to educate my spiritual energy, to elevate my aura/aatma/energy to the level of the Devine as that is the one and final goal for all of us on this dimension/plane called earth.
So, what have I learnt from this experience. Humility. It is fairly easy to feel celebrated, to feel like you are above those few people who give you attention and put you on a pedestal (and I haven't even experienced one percent of the fame that engulfs a film star) and you begin to float above all, feeding all that is but junk food for your soul, force feeding it at that! So when the Universe/ME watch you wandering off your path, it gives you gentle reminders, it acts as your wake up alarm. Most of the times we are so comfortable in the cozy bed of thoughts we have created for ourselves that we put these alarms on snooze. But, the universe isn't some stationery inanimate alarm clock that you can ignore. It is, after all your life force, so the gentle reminders become a nudge and GOD forbid if you ignore that, well lets just say, sugar coating it, you WILL be pushed off the bed. If that doesn't wake you up either, then, it's sad but hey, there's other lifetimes, karma's going to catch up, but be strong you'll be able to sail through the Karmic storms.
So, I would call this a gentle reminder from the universe to me anout humility. I am grateful enough to have people around me who have become great friends and have tasted success that I haven't reached yet and yet they remain rooted to their souls, humble as ever knowing for a fact, that they are just working and the celebrity status that has been endowed upon them is inconsequential, for it is here today but may not remain with them forever. Everything changes, every second. That is the law of the universe.
I understand that now, thanks to the gentle reminders and the friendly footnotes from my friends and family, that's what they are for. Sometimes, the ones who love or whom you love will say or do something that might hurt you, but they are only helping you in your spiritual process. So, all we must do is learn our lessons, do our spiritual homework and when the day comes for our judgment, lets just say, I want to pass that with flying colors (a set of angel wings on my back will do just fine for that ;) ).
Ending this little musing I pray, that, all, who are on the right path and those who are lost, open their eyes to the gentle reminders and nourish their souls. Because, it is true what the wise ones say, the day you stop learning, will be the beginning of the end for you.
Well, let's just hope that day never comes, for anyone. PERIOD.
May there be Peace and Love. Always.
I also understand that 'ME'
(for all future references we shall call that divinity ME, coincidental I know for ME is I and I is ME, ahem, moving on from this mediocre observation)
So, I do understand that 'ME' is above all judgements, is loving and since it is everything and everything is it, it keeps no judgment for anything that we do. So, what we sow we reap. Fair and simple. We practice our free will, and, so we must accept the consequences of that free will.
While I truly believe every word I have written and stand by it, I'd also like to believe that 'ME' adapts to a personality according to the way one lives his/her life. So, for me, my 'ME' seems to have a sense of humor. Teaches me lessons when I am least expecting it. But, I'm not the one to complain.
After that little crash course on the basic principle of our (or just mine, wouldn't wanna force my thoughts on anyone else) very own beings' cosmic laws, I shall get on with my story. The lesson I learnt.
Life's been good now a days, after struggling hard, sunk my teeth into something I could professionally call my own. So, here I am thinking to myself, finally AKSHAY DOGRA seems to be arriving. Being loved and accepted for his work and not for who he is associated with(Yes, yes, every now and then I will refer to myself in third person). So, basking under my very own little sun shining on my little world, I knew things will only look up. To be clear, I know that whatever love or appreciation or recognition I get, no matter how widespread or limited, I am forever grateful, for such things are showered upon without expectations, selflessly, unconditionally. (while you read these lines imagine a soft emotional background score, more effective!)
Ok, so we have established that I am now a little established in my professional life. Family, Friends and people I don't even know confirm that every now and then by approaching me. Especially the wonderful people who have otherwise nothing to do with me, would walk up appreciate my work, its good to see a smile on their faces. Good for my ego too, right? Yes it is. So, I walk around whenever in public knowing people are turning around giving me a second look. This is not about fame as much as it is about recognition of work. For an actor, to come on National Television and not be recognized is a sign that somewhere his product that he acts in is not being viewed henceforth, rendering his/her job sort of, of no significance. We as actors help convey stories and entertain. So, I say, recognition is a big reward for the job we do to earn our bread and butter.
And, I say to myself everyday now, the rewards are coming in. And, for all the other worldly desires that arise due to this, take wings. Now, in my mind, a better paycheck, a better car, better cellphone, better laptop, and of course time to own a house in Oh so freakin unnecessarily expensive Bombay, is all within my reach!
Suddenly, AKSHAY DOGRA sees himself in the mirror and doesn't see himself as just about any other guy, but a wee bit more special, for only someone special would receive love from people he/she doesn't even know right? (now, all of this is building up in the subconscious, mind you, before you the reader, begin to make any judgments). So, I am special, I walk around with that knowledge. The inner self smiles and when people turn around with that surprised expression. I know what they are saying, the mind mouths it exactly at the same time they move their lips from a peripheral distance, "arre, woh Akaash hai!!", taking it in, playing it cool, this new AKSHAY DOGRA walks along pretending to be just like anyone else.
Anyone reading this right now, would think, So what's new, we know this condition. It's called VANITY!.
And, this is exactly what this little (or not so) musing is about. 'Vanity', 'Aham', 'I' or largely known as 'The Ego'.
Ever since, I decided to start working in front of the camera, to become an 'ACTOR', my life has been one roller coaster ride. I have to say, it has accelerated my spiritual journey. I have gone past so many barriers, crossing the hurdles that the life of a commercial actor comes across.
One must think, that for a person who's on such a ride of life must surely be absolutely sorted, at least, thats what I always thought. That every difficult moment I passed, I would think I am wiser, while, that is true but only for that moment, because once it's passed, a new alien situation will present itself, testing you teaching you a lesson, the true lessons you/me/everyone is here to learn. Now, I keep reminding myself of that every now and then, but I am only human, so I forget, oops!
Past couple of months, I was busy realizing other spiritual goals while going about my corporeal/materialistic life, that I forgot that one basic principle of the spiritual self. And, that is exactly what the Almighty 'ME', decided to teach me.
Parallel to my life, is running the life of another gifted individual. I don't know much about him, other than what ever I see on various public platforms he might appear on, and I might have seen him on.
As, someone mentioned every person in the world has at least 7 lookalikes, and this one seems to be mine, or I his. Whichever way you wanna see it, we lookalike.
There he is, living his life on the other side of the city, working on the big screen. And, here I am on the other side every now and then coming to the TV screens, Monday to Friday 'Don'tcha forget to watch'. We are both Actors, and thats where I thought the similarities ended. But, I guess as people have been pointing out he is mine and I his mirror image.
It all started from an innocent comment from a friend one day congratulating me for 'Ashiqui 2', then more friends joined in. It was amusing, and, to me only a short lived comparison.
Again, disregarding such comparisons, 'the AKSHAY DOGRA' went about his life, taking in the appreciation, the second looks from strangers, the wide eyed affection, the awed gesture of asking for a picture or an autograph, when suddenly I felt a spike in the number of people approaching me. I thought to myself, 'not bad, I am getting popular, considering my shows off air!'. Of course, such revelry was, but, short lived.
Ashiqui 2 was a success, the man, my lookalike was a success, so a natural rise in his celebrity status was inevitable. Well, If ever I cross paths with him, I would love to tell him all about it, I have experienced it first hand.
Moving on, for an actor his image is created by the perception of his/her audience and we begin to live that. So, what happens when that very image suddenly starts getting opaque (for lack of a better word).
I have had people come up to me and appreciate me for my work, but then, suddenly I had people coming over and congratulating me for the work of another person. It was funny at first, actually it still is sometimes, but, I guess it all started spiraling out of control from the night when a group of friends placed a bet on who I was, So sure were they on who I was that for a split second I would have gone along with the charade of being the man they so wanted me to be.
Slowly, actually, no not slowly but rapidly the number kept growing, in fact I have been called a liar for saying that I am not him, I have seen people feel disappointed, because I would tell them I am not him. A pretty and very smart girl even called me rude, when I offered to show my drivers license as proof of me being (a better looking version... aah vanity again ;) ) a guy who just looks like him, and it doesn't help that my wife who was with me at the time insisted that I, Aditya shouldn't disappoint a fan! Sheesh, word of advice, your partner and your friends no matter how much they love you, will always be ready to have some fun at your expense. I am still planning a diabolical plan to get back at my wife for doing that to me, but, unfortunately, she's way smarter than I am.
But, that is a story for another day, I digress. The truth is that every thing must happen for a reason, even the minutest, inconsequential experiences that seem out of place when we look at them in isolation. Looking back at the larger picture, when you run your life, with whatever's happened in the past like a movie you will see everything fits so wonderfully. That everything has a purpose. That little fight with the rickshawala you didn't think matter, your laptop, cellphone, TV set giving up on you when you are deep into something. Everything happens just they way it's designed to.
This is where cause and effect comes into play, the universe just works for you, with its pure and simple laws of nature that are equal for every being on this planet. It is the ripple effect, whatever you chose to do or not do, it will create ripples in the little pond of your life.
I believe with every ounce of atom in my being that everything that happens or at least that happens to me is there to help further my real goal in life, to nourish my soul, to educate my spiritual energy, to elevate my aura/aatma/energy to the level of the Devine as that is the one and final goal for all of us on this dimension/plane called earth.
So, what have I learnt from this experience. Humility. It is fairly easy to feel celebrated, to feel like you are above those few people who give you attention and put you on a pedestal (and I haven't even experienced one percent of the fame that engulfs a film star) and you begin to float above all, feeding all that is but junk food for your soul, force feeding it at that! So when the Universe/ME watch you wandering off your path, it gives you gentle reminders, it acts as your wake up alarm. Most of the times we are so comfortable in the cozy bed of thoughts we have created for ourselves that we put these alarms on snooze. But, the universe isn't some stationery inanimate alarm clock that you can ignore. It is, after all your life force, so the gentle reminders become a nudge and GOD forbid if you ignore that, well lets just say, sugar coating it, you WILL be pushed off the bed. If that doesn't wake you up either, then, it's sad but hey, there's other lifetimes, karma's going to catch up, but be strong you'll be able to sail through the Karmic storms.
So, I would call this a gentle reminder from the universe to me anout humility. I am grateful enough to have people around me who have become great friends and have tasted success that I haven't reached yet and yet they remain rooted to their souls, humble as ever knowing for a fact, that they are just working and the celebrity status that has been endowed upon them is inconsequential, for it is here today but may not remain with them forever. Everything changes, every second. That is the law of the universe.
I understand that now, thanks to the gentle reminders and the friendly footnotes from my friends and family, that's what they are for. Sometimes, the ones who love or whom you love will say or do something that might hurt you, but they are only helping you in your spiritual process. So, all we must do is learn our lessons, do our spiritual homework and when the day comes for our judgment, lets just say, I want to pass that with flying colors (a set of angel wings on my back will do just fine for that ;) ).
Ending this little musing I pray, that, all, who are on the right path and those who are lost, open their eyes to the gentle reminders and nourish their souls. Because, it is true what the wise ones say, the day you stop learning, will be the beginning of the end for you.
Well, let's just hope that day never comes, for anyone. PERIOD.
May there be Peace and Love. Always.
