One of my favourite articles on Soul Mates published in The Hindu

A MATE FOR THE SOUL

Do soul mates exist or are they just an idea?
Soulfully yours Your soul mate can be anybody, it does not hinge on romantic notions alone

Do you sometimes feel that somebody special with whom you have a deep and mysterious connection is out there somewhere waiting? And at an auspicious moment if fate intervenes you may be united as you are destined for each other.
‘Soul mates’, a term used to describe someone who makes us experience life in a deeper way has of late evoked a lot of passion, hope and excitement especially among the young who are bent on exploring life with all its in-depth philosophies and complexities.
Quite interesting is also what a soul mate means to different people. But do soul mates really exist or is it a mere fantasy and dream conjured by the hopelessly romantic and starry eyed? Romantic vs platonic
Sandeep Vasanth, a student of architecture, says, “soul mates definitely do exist. A soul mate is someone with whom you have a deeper connection. This relationship opens our eyes to a new perspective of life. Apart from the comfort factor, the trust, sharing and caring with such a person brings out the best in you.”
The word soul mate was by no means coined recently. It was described by Plato as a person’s better half. Many who have experienced the presence of soul mates swear their lives have been enriched.
Geetha K. Nambiar, a homemaker and an ardent believer says emphatically, “soul mates certainly do exist according to my personal experiences. A soul mate is somebody with whom you feel an instinctive bond that brings out the best in each other. The relationship can be
romantic or platonic. A soul mate can be a friend, colleague, business partner, close relative, spouse etc. It can also be an individual of the same sex.”
Elizabeth Kurien, logistics manager of a shipping company who agrees adds, “A soul mate can suddenly walk into your life and create a deep, fulfilling bond. Though I have intimate friends a soul mate is above all that. For there exists a deep, silent communication and understanding.
It is an awesome link that gives us deeper insights into life. But do not expect and wait for your soul mate to turn up and then marry because a soul mate need not always be your spouse. It is best to marry someone whom you find compatible enough. For sometime waiting for a soul mate to turn up can turn one into old bachelors or spinsters.”
The views of the older generation offer insight into the evolution of the term. Poothatta Narayanan, a septuagenarian says, “a soul mate earlier was always of the opposite sex and was someone with whom you shared a mystical and divine bond. It was a companion with whom you embarked on a spiritual journey. Radha and Krishna are the perfect example in mythology. However today soul mates though still an overpowering relationship has taken a more earthly level.”
Delving deeper, does this awe-inspiring bond – a blend of the sublime and the earthly – appeal only to the artistically and philosophically inclined? What about those in scientific and medical fields? Are they skeptical?
Dr Rajan Thomas, M.D., clears such doubts. He says, “I definitely believe that there is a soul mate for most of us and maybe for everybody. It is someone who makes us blossom. The emphasis here goes beyond from a mere physical relationship to a deeper emotional bond. Your soul mate thus can be your spouse, relative or anyone with whom you sense a deeper understanding. Often only when a person exits from your life and you begin to miss him dearly you realize that soul mates exist.”Unconvinced
However many are unconvinced. A. P. Prabhath, senior officer in a tea company feels such relationships exist only in dreams and fantasies and blames the media and movies in doling out mushy, romantic tales. He says, “Movies glorify love and romance to gigantic proportions giving it a glossy and unrealistic touch. Many fall for this. However in reality it is different. For intimate attachments and ties can lose its charm and magic once you enter into a close relationship. And whether soul mate or not you find that like any other relationship you have to work hard and make adjustments to keep it going.”
But many whose lives have been illumined by soul mates believe in this relationship with their hearts. The essence of this awe-inspiring bond lies in a profound connection that transcends from the mere physical and the romantic to something deep and inherent in our sub-conscious.
Those who feel soul mates are an illusion and a figment of one’s imagination are entitled to their own judgments. Yet on reflection does this illusion lie in the belief of soul mates or in its disbelief? For nobody can deny that great relationships and bonds give one hope and make life worth living. They uplift you to greater heights and of course nourish your soul.
HEMJIT BHARATHAN
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I AM HERE TOO

The temple trees swayed rhythmically
In the late evening twilight glow
As I made my way towards it
The swans wading in the lake adjacent
And the surrounding serenity
Filled me with an irresistible peace.
Already thus drenched in divine light
I climbed up the steps leading to the temple
But for a moment paused
And looked back
As if I heard God call my name in the soft breeze
To tell me,
"I am here too"

CHAOS v/s CREATIVITY

"You don't have to be crazy in the airlines, but it helps", said Eddie
Rickenbacker, a hero Pilot of World War 1 and former President of
Eastern Airlines. Sound wacky? Not really for in today's chaotic world
not just in airlines alone but in all fields this statement however
eccentric it may sound holds good is the unanimous opinion.

In today's fast, hi-tech world the frantic and turbulent race against
time stands out in stark contrast to the gracious, caring and
sensitive approach of yesterday. The earth today whirls dizzyingly
unlike earlier when there was a sense of time and place and it rotated
at a snug and cozy pace.

Is man thus losing his direction in keeping pace with this high-speed
and furious world? Is this drift natural or is he being displaced and
defeated? Not exactly. Viewing this awesome trend as a process of
evolution it is best to move along with the crowd than swim against
the tide, fight a losing battle and drown. Because there is more than
one thing to be said in favour of this mad, frenzied and wild universe
with all its commotion and confusion. For looking deeper it has been
found that chaos can be creative.

"You need chaos in your life to give birth to a dancing star",
prophesied Nietzsche the philosopher. For many new ideas, exciting
discoveries and strategies are born when our minds are taxed.
Initiative and ingenuity result from brainstorming sessions. It is
said that chaos and order are just opposites but not enemies. Many
great ideas and inspirations thus arise from anguish. Helen Keller
often reflected whether she could have done so much for humanity if
she was not challenged by her multiple disabilities. For it is amidst
crises and disorder we search for answers to get out of the rut we
seem trapped.

A life eternally rosy and comfy would be deprived of quality and
brilliance, due to lack of chances to strive for excellence. Our best
moments often occur during tumult, clamour and discomfort. Lack of
challenges and trials in our lives would be a slow death of our
talent, potential, abilities etc. Our skills would never be put on
test. "It is the tension between creativity and skepticism that has
produced the stunning and unexpected findings of science", announced
Carl Sagan the astronomer.

Charles Darwin was in a tormented predicament when his dominating
father enrolled him for medicine, which he hated. The sight of blood
unnerved him and he often fainted for surgery classes. It was during
such moments of distress he discovered his true vocation as naturalist
and not a doctor. Problems thus should not be viewed as obstacles but
opportunities to discover ourselves. They are the key to creativity.
The overlooked fact about uncertainties and trials is that if handled
deftly instead of making our lives miserable they foster our
imagination, inventiveness and resourcefulness.

Archimedes and many other discovers of ancient and modern times
admitted that it was a creative stress pounding in them that led to
path-breaking inventions. Galileo deified the outdated views of his
age, as he was disturbed and restless at the way the world thought.
Fluctuations, pandemonium and tension make us dissect ourselves,
reflect upon life and do some deep soul searching. In these moments of
retrospections lies the solution to many dilemmas

So accept chaos into your life. Never dread or run away from it.
Consider it as a positive phenomenon. Face trying situations with a
calm demeanor. Never worry. For worrying about problems does more harm
than the actual problem. Overcome turbulence and havoc by meditating
and deliberating upon them with restraint and view them as
opportunities to prove your mettle. Chaos and crises are valuable
lessons in life.

For our universe itself it is said evolved from the chaos of an
explosion that led to the Big Bang theory.