Listen Please!

What we give out is what we get back—this is the first half. What we take in is what we give out—this is the second half.

Together, these halves complete the circuit of karma, the cycle of cause and effect. This is the missing piece, if you like. It may seem paradoxical at first, until we embrace both aspects simultaneously.

But do we truly listen? Most often, we don’t. We rarely notice what—or whom—we lend our ears to. Lost in a superficial, dreamy world, we fail to tune in. Hearing is like a radio dial—you can switch channels, fine-tune your frequency, and suddenly hear the source in a completely different rhythm. Indeed, our ears form part of a womb—a sacred space in which we continuously nourish and give birth to ourselves.

In Odia, there’s a saying:

"Chhuar nimante aahaar aanili, aahaar gilila chhuaku."

Literally translated, it means, "Father served food for the child, but the food ate the child." Yet here, aahaar isn’t just food that enters your mouth—it includes everything you absorb through your five senses: sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste.

Consider, for instance, how people today have become addicted to social media, suffering greatly from what initially seemed to be a blessing. What started as an innocent source of entertainment has quickly become a curse, influencing mental health, self-esteem, and overall well-being.

A seeker of truth—or anyone striving for a better experience of life—must become mindful of their aahaar, aware of what they are absorbing through their senses.

Over time, this subtle wisdom was distorted, tragically forming the basis of untouchability and the caste system. What was originally conceived and transmitted as categories of aahaar was misinterpreted by ancient seekers (Sadhus) who failed to grasp its true meaning. Instead, they misused the idea to divide society for power. Thus emerged the Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras—believed to be descendants of Brahma, the divine architect depicted in the Puranas. But in truth, these were never meant to define lineage. They are symbolic representations of different kinds of sensory nourishment (aahaar) that shape who we become. Not Brahma, we give birth to ourselves based on the choices of our sensory intakes.

There is a meditation rooted in the art of listening: Close your eyes and tune into all the sounds entering your ears. Start with the loudest, then gradually shift toward softer, steadier tones. Eventually, you will turn inward, listening to yourself, your silence, or perhaps a gentle hum resonating deep within. Practice this for a year or two, then revisit these words to validate the truth shared here.

Everyone speaks, teaches, and preaches—but rarely do we truly listen. The day we begin genuinely listening—when we finally move inward—we open doors to boundless intelligence. With meticulous choice of aahaar, we nourish and shape the womb within, gestating a beautiful child who, when ready, will emerge into a new harmony with the world.

I can hear your inner child rumbling, tumbling, and impishly reaching out to twist my ears.

Hey, can you also hear me?

Much Love ??

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