Master Trainer Prashant

A cold silent night, driving alone with windows rolled down, feeling the wind on my face and breathing an amazing fragrance from the fields nearby.
Crossing MP border (while on my way from Chamba HP to Pune Maharashtra), took a turn and saw barricading, lot of police.
They stopped me for checking.
While inspecting, they found monitors, laptops, other gadgets, few clothes and lot of BOOKS. In every available nook corner pocket of car, books stacked tenderly. Some too heavy, some light and fragile, set with care and respect.
Inspector ordered the microwave to be opened and the cavity inspected. What they found inside: BOOKS again.
He asked me, “What do you do?”

I thought of giving out my card with all the credentials on it but I didn’t do that. I wanted to introduce myself as someone who I really feel that I am and spoke:
“I am a teacher, I teach.”
He: “What do you teach and where?”
I: “I teach about health, fitness and wellbeing. I teach anywhere a learner is present.”

He smiled and uttered, “then teach us something about health.”

In that beautiful late-night hour, I stood there in front of police barricade, with 6-7 police officers and talked about most pressing health issues and how to deal with them: cancer, heart troubles, microplastics, toxins in food, stress, living a long productive life in a strong & fit frame, etc.

As I spoke, I noticed, their body language and expressions changed. Shoulders relaxed, arms down, hands held together, fingers interlocked as in a semi namaste. Eyes which looked at me with suspicion earlier, now looked at me with curiosity and respect. They never imagined that such a casual request from them would lead to this scientific talk from me. Some of the facts I shared were fascinating and eye-opening for them. After 20 minutes or so, some other vehicle came in and I wrapped up my talk. They fondly saw me off in a very respectful way, thanking me immensely for sharing knowledge.

I sat in the car, waved good bye and left. In my heart, I prayed for their good health and life (something I do for all learners whenever I have finished my lecture/ seminar/ counseling). I also was in awe how much we Indians have respect for anyone who teaches us anything. The Guru-Shishya sacred bond even if established for few moments, lasts for eternity. We never forget our teachers. We often miss them. Talk about them. We may become NRIs, IAS, IPS, scientists, majors, captains or king of world, the moment we come across our loving teachers, even if they are our kindergarten teachers, not able to recognize us, we kneel down and touch their feet and wait for them to bless us/ hug us. Such a pure beautiful bond is the bond of a pupil and the teacher. Of all the things I have done in life, of all roles played, it is being a teacher that has brought me most joy, meaning and fulfillment. I start missing my Lt. teacher Kaizzad Sir and then my students who gave me so much love and respect. The association with them is something so dear and so divine to me.

The car is now on the highway. Windows down, breeze on my face, fragrance of green fields in the air. I looked at my books in car and thought about the countless others that I carried in my kindle and laptop and drives.

Thinking about the books, I mentally drifted to my childhood where my affair with books first started. My father had this collection of great books of all sorts: biographies, spiritual, motivational, books on courage, perseverance, morals and values. I used to take them out one by one and read them on the terrace in sunlight or in faint light from torch under the quilt in the middle of night. Many times, I would feel as if the greatest thinkers and teachers and healers from history are right beside me and talking to me through their books. I used to get lost with them in my own world, which was so fascinating, calm, intriguing and enlightening.

These books have made me who I am today. They slowly shaped my mind and my heart. They made me fearless, wise, joyful, kind and spirited. They not only gave me a career; they gave me a special and beautiful life (and an after-life too, will reserve this topic for some other time). Through my seminars, consultations and almost in all interactions, now these books touch many hearts and minds. The influence of great books cast light upon countless souls, for eternity. The great live forever through their writings. Their love, knowledge and guidance are forever.

I am very thankful that my parents let me have access to these books and never said no when I wanted to buy and read more. Now my wife and daughter gift me books. I feel, the wisest most beautiful gift you can give to someone, esp. children, is a good book. Give them books instead of toxic sugary foods & addictive gadgets. The reason the world is so low, depressed and confused today is because we are watching too many reels & OTTs and not reading books. Not reading even a single book in a year. For many, not reading even in a decade. For some, not even in a lifetime.

Of all species on planet, it is only the humans that can plunge into the joy of reading. What a pity it is to have lived a life and left without reading/ loving books. Finding your calm corner with a good book is the most meditative enlightening and elating experience you can have. Books give you a tranquil break from stressed out self and the chaotic world. They bring alive a new peaceful world for you.

Even in this busy life with so many things going on, I still manage to find that calm corner with my chosen book and this keeps me sane, serene, smiling and successful. Every night finds me reading from my book or my kindle. Not watching reels or series or twisting turning in bed (waiting to fall asleep) but calmly reading and quietly slipping into a soothing sleep, with great thoughts and feelings.

This particular pic with books in microwave was shot when I found a place to settle down in Pune and microwave was brought into the apartment. I wanted this moment to be clicked (before taking books out of microwave) and intended to write about this experience. I am glad I shared both with you today. The pic and the experience.

Take care and Lots of Love,
Prashant

Lecture at Concentrix Pune, an incredible organization that came forward to have scientfic seminar series (related health, nutrition & exercise science) to be arranged for their incredible workforce.