Journey of the prayer

I have always been a spiritual person. Since the time I was told by mommy that "God punishes those who speak lies" to the time when daddy manifested the belief  that "Good thoughts are constructive vibrations". 

As a kid, I was pious and god-fearing (still am) and naturally appended every bad consequence to a (completely unrelated) bad deed without batting an eyelash. Such candid logic makes a lot of sense to a kid, I'll tell you.

So, I'd trot across frosty temple floors, inhaling the sublime essence of incense sticks and jasmine flowers nested amidst oil-smeared braids. I would march Thalappolis chanting "Swamiye Ayyappo!" and always envision the strong light of purpose that god was throwing upon my path. 

Listening to daddy's stories cemented my opinions to my conscience and eventually, life felt divine. 

So divine... that.. stepping on crushed lemons and chillies on the road felt like the end of the world.

Orienting my head towards the north direction while sleeping meant headaches and bad luck.

Cutting nails on a day that wasn't a Sunday or Wednesday was out of the question and skipping a bath felt like a sin. 

I never realized how superstitions and fear took over my mind and reigned over it so perceptibly. I was frustrated and habit-bound and I had no clue how to bounce back. When things went wrong, I would childishly blame them on inauspicious events. 

My life sort of altered a little after I read the book "Brida" by Paulho Coelho. ( No, I am not talking about witchcraft and voodoo if that's what you're thinking).The point is that I began believing in vibrations; the chanting of mantras, and the ambiance of holy places that gracefully held these vibrations together.

Seems like a good scientific interpretation too, doesn't it?

I remember a hilarious incident from childhood where I watched the epic horror movie Chandramukhi and threw away the frock I wore to the theatre after reaching home(in the dustbin of course) claiming that a ghost had attached itself to it. As my mom and dad rolled their eyes skeptically, I remained steadfast.

Vibrations are everywhere, I feel. They're in words, in actions and most lucidly, in thoughts. We've heard people endlessly saying that god resides in the heart. Well, I'd rather say there's a arc reactor instead, that sucks in all the shrapnel-like negativity ( Go Iron man! *fist thump*). 

And, it's nothing but good vibrations that fuel this arc reactor..  

So, go pluck that guitar string, splash some water, hear the birds chirp, listen to someone who builds your faith and stay optimistic, because it is the best form of prayer.