Aditya Ravi Shankar

Our natural inclination leads us to idolize individuals who embody perfection and whom we hope to emulate one day. These idols serve as a source of inspiration, imparting valuable lessons and behaviors that align with our vision of perfection. Through their influence, we draw closer to our internal goals, even if articulating them is challenging. Absorbing their wisdom aligns us with our self-image. However, it is crucial to express gratitude and let go when the time comes, acknowledging that clinging to their teachings hinders our progress towards our own version of perfection. It is not because our idols are flawed, but because their concept of perfection differs, and their path diverges from our own. Following their footsteps delays our journey and may steer us in the wrong direction. Thus, we must learn to move forward, releasing attachments and seeking new directions, as our true purpose lies in continuous growth. In our pursuit of perfection, we realize that even our idols have l

 I once had a remarkably unique experience that completely shifted my perspective on life. It all began with someone saying just two simple words: "Thank you." Now, under normal circumstances, such an exchange wouldn't strike me as anything out of the ordinary. However, this particular instance was unlike anything I had ever encountered before. You see, it wasn't just the auditory aspect of those words that affected me—it was the profound sense of connection they carried. In that fleeting moment, it felt as though the entire world had ceased to exist, leaving only the two of us. All I could perceive was an overwhelming wave of gratitude emanating from that person towards me. Time seemed to stand still, and it appeared as if this profound moment would endure indefinitely. This inexplicable occurrence defied all logic. Words were not meant to possess such power. They were merely a collection of sounds we articulated based on learned patterns, prompted by social cues and

In the pursuit of grand dreams, I often witnessed them shatter into countless fragments, leaving me disheartened. Yet, I questioned whether scaling down my dreams to realistic proportions would rob them of their essence. Was it possible for dreams to remain dreams if they became smaller and attainable? Driven by this uncertainty, I delved deep into the nature of my dreams, seeking to unravel the reasons behind their fragile demise. To my astonishment, I stumbled upon a profound realization: dreams didn't inherently require shattering. Even dreams that never materialize possess their own intrinsic beauty and perfection, capable of enduring indefinitely. It wasn't the dreams themselves that shattered; it was my love for them that faltered when they failed to manifest. I had failed to see that these dreams were perfect from the start; it was my perspective that had become clouded. And so, a transformation occurred within me. I relinquished my tight grip on dreams, releasing them i

 After much self-reflection, I've become attuned to the telltale signs that signal my need for sleep. It starts with a subtle tiredness, a restlessness that creeps in, and an undeniable struggle to maintain focus. These cues serve as my gentle reminders that it's time to indulge in a little nap—unless, of course, it's the end of the day, in which case, bidding adieu to wakefulness becomes my priority. However, here lies my predicament: the desire to sleep, yet the inability to do so. I had initially thought that writing an article on insomnia would be a surefire cure for my own somnolence. Alas, it seems that hypothesis couldn't be further from the truth. Instead, an unusual fascination has taken hold of me as I contemplate the direction this article will take. It's a hazy journey, for sleepiness permeates my thoughts, hindering any attempt to craft something truly captivating. Instead, I find myself observing a stream of words cascading onto the page, wondering whe

In the pursuit of learning, the ultimate goal is to achieve effortless mastery, a state often referred to as subconscious competence. It is the ability to perform a task without the need for conscious focus or effort. During my own piano journey, I stumbled upon a remarkable discovery that revolutionized my learning experience. By incorporating specific techniques, I unlocked the potential of my subconscious mind and witnessed tremendous growth in my musical abilities. One technique that proved highly effective was practicing with a metronome set to every quarter note. But here's the twist: I would then challenge myself by playing with one hand while engaging in other activities, such as sipping tea or allowing my mind to wander freely. Surprisingly, this unconventional approach allowed me to identify hidden weaknesses lurking within the depths of my subconscious mind. Ordinarily, when confronted with these weaknesses, one might compensate by consciously exerting control and focusi

Writing is a nuanced process that defies conventional expectations of monumental creation. Rather than constructing from scratch, it often feels like piecing together fragments that gradually form a cohesive whole. In the past, I saw writing as the act of stringing sentences together, aiming to create a larger context. However, the mere notion of this greater context hindered my ability to begin. How can I fit the initial word into a broader framework when I haven't grasped its essence? Placing a word within a sentence became a challenge, as I struggled to comprehend the sentence itself. At best, I could capture my present emotions through sentence fragments, allowing them to flow towards coherence with subsequent words. Perhaps, over time, these sentences would converge into something more profound. Yet, if this is my approach to writing, how can I ensure that my words resonate with meaning? The truth is, I can't. And I've come to embrace this uncertainty as an integral pa

There was once a time when I had this mysterious feeling that I assumed was boredom. Now I’m not sure if that’s what this feeling really was. The thing is, I can never really be sure whether a feeling is what I think it is or that I’m even using the right word for it, because I have no way to show this feeling to someone else and verify that I have the right name.  That’s the problem with feelings. It’s really hard to show someone your feelings. It’s equally as hard to describe them using words. Words are in fact a horrendously inadequate means to convey emotions to another person, so we can never be really sure whether they feel the way we do, even after we express our feelings to them.  I also don’t know of any way it is possible for someone to hear or feel someone else’s emotions without the other person saying a word. At least, I don’t think I’ve met anyone who could hear other people’s emotions.  If I had met someone like that, I’d have loved to ask them to listen to my feelings a

Have you ever marveled at how effortlessly babies learn new skills, like crawling, without any elaborate planning or complex strategies? Meanwhile, as adults, we tend to overcomplicate everything we do. We meticulously plan, seek motivation, and analyze every step, often hindering our progress. Perhaps there is something we can learn from the simple yet effective approach of babies. Let's explore the fascinating process through which babies achieve their goals and how we can embrace a similar mindset to achieve success in our own endeavors. The Child's Mind: Goal-Oriented and Uncomplicated Babies possess an innate ability to focus on a goal without overthinking or doubting themselves. Their thought process is as simple as "There. I want to go there," without the burden of justifying or analyzing their desires. They instinctively understand that the desire itself is reason enough to pursue it. Embracing Effort and Persistence When babies encounter obstacles or experien

As a passionate writer, I have encountered the frustration of writer's block, where inspiration seems to elude me, and words fail to materialize. These moments of creative stagnation used to weigh heavily on me, as I yearned to produce captivating content that would impress others. However, a shift in perspective led me to a profound realization: the true essence of writing lies in self-expression, rather than seeking external validation. When I began writing from the depths of my emotions, unburdened by concerns about others' opinions, my creativity flowed effortlessly. The Quest for Approval In my pursuit of overcoming writer's block, I initially focused on impressing others. I sought techniques and strategies to win over readers and create content that would be universally appealing. However, this approach stifled my authenticity and hindered my creative flow. I came to understand that genuine writing should transcend the desire for external validation and embrace the po

In our quest for personal fulfillment, we often find ourselves juggling multiple goals, ranging from financial success to health and hobbies. Determining which goals deserve priority can be a complex task. Is money more important than pursuing a specific hobby? Is health more valuable than wealth? Alternatively, is it possible to approach all goals with equal importance and devote time and energy to each? By embracing a slower pace and relieving the pressure associated with goals, we can explore the benefits of simplicity and discover a path towards steady progress. The Dilemma of Prioritization Choosing between money, health, and hobbies can feel like an impossible decision. Each goal holds its own allure and significance, making prioritization a challenging task. However, it is essential to recognize that prioritization does not necessarily mean assigning greater importance to one goal over another. Instead, it involves finding a harmonious balance and allocating resources effectivel

Have you ever found yourself reflecting on a past failure, contemplating how you could have handled it better? Whether the failure occurred recently or many years ago, it is not uncommon to experience a sense of regret. However, upon closer examination, regret can serve as a valuable catalyst for personal growth and learning. By visualizing ourselves solving past problems with the benefit of our current experience and hindsight, we can recognize that we have acquired the knowledge necessary to overcome those challenges. Regret, then, becomes a gentle reminder that there are still lessons to be learned and areas of growth to explore. Recognizing the Power of Experience When we reflect on a past failure and envision ourselves navigating the situation with our present experience, it signifies that we have gathered knowledge and insights since that time. Our ability to identify solutions and avoid repeating past mistakes demonstrates the progress we have made. As such, dwelling on the fail