“Back home at Florence, we look for romance and joy in everything about life and savour the natural order of evolution. Receptivity to and acceptance of life demands our negotiating through the progression of the body, heart and mind to the spirit, punctuated by interplay of content (X-axis) and cosmetics (Y axis).

Physical space relates to our first meeting when everyone was a stranger to everyone else in the class and we meant nothing to one another. It took on a while before we conceded space to others, conquered our self-consciousness and let loose our curiosity to invite others into our space.

Emotional caring: Soon thereafter, some found my ‘Indianness’ fascinating while the others appreciated my sense of dedication to learning Shehnai. When I exercised care in reciprocating their sentiments, a chemistry of mutual acceptance began to stir up feelings for each other.

Mental meaning: The protocols of the heart-to-heart chemistry cleared the way for a confluence of the minds. To the uninitiated mind, the relentless riyaz to perfection demanded by our ‘Ustad’ is an invasion of our mind and body. Once the mind comprehends the meaning behind the pain of practice, it craves for this punitive rigour and regimen in anticipation of the sheer ecstasy that is set to follow!

Spiritual being: When acceptance is spontaneous and implicit, a sense of abundance ensues and dissolves all inhibitions. India is uniquely gifted in mastering this system of learning of Guru-Sishya parampara. Perched atop, the ‘Ustad’ owns our souls so completely, that we surrender to his demands with devotion that you call bhakti. This is what makes India so special for me.

Pity that the virtues of speed learning and Western commercialism have undermined the values of true learning at schools that a rich vocabulary and perfection in phonetics, devoid of the essential accompaniment of social grace, are mistaken for content while they are mere cosmetics. True communication relies on discovering of the essence of our relationship.

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