An occasional strum

Hand series. Day twenty (I'll move on now and not make this a habit.)

I have been attending a course for the last five days called 'The Art of living.' The idea of spirituality and its independent evaluation is not new to me. My main reasons for joining this course were the breathing excercises and the yoga. There are of course a breed of participants who are rather thrilled since some of the ideas are new and rather surreal to them. These ideas bring a sense of salvation bordering on escape and their initial ecstasy at these ideas are not sustainable. But the yoga is good. Last month I was rather impressed with J and the passion she brought into it. And in a way sold me the idea. Despite an instinctive cynicism, this course is recommended to all who do not expect miracles.

All this, has led to me waking up early before 5, while it is almost midnight for S. The early morning breeze, the grey clouds swept across the skies by the wind, the birds waking up, their calls, everything creates a wonderful setting for yoga or any activity of a meditative kind. A good way indeed to start the day.

Watched 'New York' yesterday. From the start, with wide angled shots of those glass skyscrapers and the whole of Manhattan reflecting on them it was very captivating. The movie was much more than what one would expect from mainstream Hindi cinema. Scenes were fabulously crafted, the recurring theme glided through the crests and troughs with easy, changing its garb to suit the mood. I have a bias for movies where music is one of the prime characters. Here too, the main theme had fair amount of character. The melancholy and joy were captured in the music very well. As for the camera work, I was speechless. The frames are spellbinding. The light, the bokehs, the colours, the strange wide angle lenses with such small depths of field were just incredible. I have a feeling, that the lenses were rather extreme and played a very important role in conveying the story.

But what is a story without characters. Without going very deep into them or their past, the people were revealed through the circumstances they encountered and the tough decisions they had to make. Their dilemmas instantly drew empathy. It was always a call between the heart and the mind, between compassion and values, between love and dignity and so many more. Each situation was gripping and the paths each character took was fascinating to analyze. It was a very well made intelligent film I would recommend too. It left me sad had me thinking. We surely live on the sidelines. Convictions related to our values and philosophy can only put to test under trying circumstances and it is important to remember their fallibility.

I also have to mention Wimbledon. What a fascinating final to conclude with. Much has been said about Roddick and the way he played - very much like a champion. A new avatar. Intense games of tennis can make your heart race and draw you into them and that is what this one did. To witness battles like this, to see the character of the men revealed through the way they fight - this is what makes sport special.

The coffee and chocolate shake were a joy. And life often too short for many limitations.