धर्म एव हतो हन्ति धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः
तस्माद्धर्मो न हन्तव्यो मा नो धर्मो हतोऽवधीत् ॥

A Personal Quick Peek

Pagoda — meditation retreat

Meditation

This is my secret to a happy way of life. I practise Vipassana as taught by the late Shri S.N. Goenka in a long tradition of teachers coming from Myanmar, erstwhile Burma. The technique is genuinely pragmatic: focusing on one’s own respiration to calm the mind, leading to a stage where observation of bodily sensations becomes second nature. The key to success, as in any discipline, is perseverance. Over the years I have experienced profound transformation through dedicated practice, which has proved immensely helpful in every walk of life. I can certainly recommend such silent retreats to anyone sincere and on the path of self-discovery. However, I would note that it is not suitable for everyone; the mental disposition of a seeker needs to be in the right frame—that of acceptance. What makes these retreats especially valuable is their non-sectarian, non-dogmatic format, rooted in the Theravada tradition where the Buddha’s actual words have been preserved.

Four pillars of Chhayawaad literature

Literature

Poetry is a powerful art—much like an encryption, capable of expressing the core of human emotions in minimal words, making it a science in itself. I find Hindi poetry, especially from the Chhayawaad period (1922–1938), particularly fascinating. This poetic style emphasises a classical approach with Sanskrit vocabulary and strict metrical rules. My favourite poetess is Mahadevi Verma, one of the four pillars of Chhayawaad. A melodious recitation of her work “Jo tum aa jate ek baar” can be found here. My favourite poetic composition is the grand epic Kāmayāni by Jaishankar Prasād, another of the four pillars. Here is a beautiful vocal rendition of a gem from this era called Madhushāla, composed by Harivansh Rai Bachhan, music by Jaidev, and sung by the famous vocalist Manna Dey.

Indian classical music

Music

Music strikes me as one of nature’s more astonishing tricks: at its core it is an entirely mathematical phenomenon — precise frequency ratios, rhythmic cycles, harmonic intervals — and yet its effect on the human psyche is something no equation comes close to capturing. That gap between formula and feeling is, I think, one of the genuine mysteries.

I truly relish compositions in Indian classical music, particularly the Hindustani style. I find the Dhrupad style of vocal singing especially calming — the Alaap, that long unhurried opening improvisation, is as close to meditation as music gets. I love the Thumris & Khayaals of the legendary Bade Ghulam Ali Khan and the Ghazals of Mehdi Hassan. The sitar compositions of Ravi Shankar and the flute of Hariprasad Chaurasia I find particularly soothing.

Hiking and outdoor exploration

Activities

Long-distance hiking (especially in mountains) and cycling are two of my favourite ways to spend free time — there is something about moving slowly through a large landscape on foot that clears the mind in a way not much else manages. I also enjoy cricket, badminton, table tennis and inline skating whenever time and circumstance permit.

For films and series, I am drawn to adventure, fantasy, and sci-fi above all else. The Lord of the Rings trilogy is my benchmark — not for the battles, but for the world-building and the moral seriousness underneath it all. The German series Dark is probably my favourite TV series: genuinely mind-bending, and very on-brand for someone who thinks about spacetime for a living. Lost follows closely. In sci-fi, The Expanse is in a league of its own — hard physics, real consequences, no hand-waving.