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Karishma, 29, has a condition called Down’s Syndrome.
When I was introduced to Karishma, I was moved by the paintings (150 of her paitings have been sold for $75,000 and all proceeds have gone to charities) which her mother Kalpana, showed me. When I met Karishma and witnessed the exuberance she brought to life, I was wonderstruck. We all suffer from a major condition – that of worry and anxiety. This condition takes over our abilities so many times, causing myriad problems. Karishma is blessed to not possess this and live in the here & now, in spite of the physical and intellectual challenges which Down’s syndrome brings.
It is paradoxical that being fully abled most of us limit ourselves whereas Karishma has taken herself to peak of her being. Her parents and sister and some other divine beings have embraced her to make her feel included without any conditions, bias or difference of treatment. What they have got in return from Karishma is much grander – to learn to live in here & now.
Watch (unless you watch Karishma, you won’t feel included) this conversation to appreciate sacrifice, empathy, adaptability, inclusion and more than anything here & now.
Small Big Wins started in middle of 2020. The primary objective has been to talk to people who are not so famous or known but have done exceptional work. Most of these conversations are with people who have done some real solid social good, while also holding up their selflessness. Their wins in their own words. You be the judge, whether Small or Big.
Coming to my latest conversations with Swami Atmananda Saraswati ji, I would first share in a few words my own journey of searching the higher. This started somewhere in 2012, from reading, listening to Osho, then spending months at Isha Foundation Ashram doing everything in the book there, listening to some globally “famous” masters, I ended up at home. Home meaning our own timeless Indian scriptures – Bhagwad Gita, RamCharit Manas, Upanishads, which reveal that, where only a few blessed revel. I learnt about Adi Shankaracharya and his contribution to Sanatan Dharma. Hearing discourses from different masters, once I came across a discourse on “Atma Bodha” by Swami Atmanada Saraswati. When I tried to google him, I could not find anything. Somehow deep down the searches, I found some co-ordinates to reach him. This resulted in increased interactions and my knowledge seeking got a definite direction. If at all, these conversations would be valuable and known, it would be for Swami Atmananda Saraswati.
It is my great fortune to bring “Who is My Charioteer” to the audiences. For someone Small like me this is a Big win! The Part 1 of this series is titled “Fundamental Understanding about Life”. You will find these conversations starting Episode 59. Just search for “Who is My Charioteer” in the title.