There is
a fascinating word in some languages – ‘taseer’. I will not attempt translation
or etymology. But some illustrations are in order.
If dry
fruits or nuts like almonds are eaten in the form in which they leave their shells,
their ‘taseer’ is very warm, that is, they provide one’s system with a lot of
inner warmth; the ability to ward off the cold of the climate. I can picture a
child in the rocky reaches of Afghanistan munching on these nuts of various
types… But in warmer climes, the warmth they provide is not required, and often
leads to pimples and sore throats and other more serious discomforts.
Now see
how mother’s wisdom prevails. If the
same almonds are soaked overnight in water before they are eaten, their ‘taseer’
changes. Their heat goes out, leaving behind undisturbed a wealth of minerals
and unexplained nutrients that work miracles!
The same overnight
almonds peeled, ground and soaked in milk, make a ‘thandai’ that wards off the
heat of the ‘Looh’ that scorches the plains in summer. The ‘taseer’ has changed
again!
(A
tribute to the westerly ‘Looh’ and its sister from the east, the ‘Purvai’, is
paid in a previous post, ‘Let There Be Rain’).
I will
beg your indulgence as I now digress from the trodden path of ‘taseer’.
Let me
apply the term to a stone; a hard unyielding lump of creation that blocks a
traveller’s path, or stubs a toe, or rolls down a mountain to maim or bury, a
dangerous weapon in the hand of one who would hurt…..
….till
the time its ‘taseer’ changes….
…and it
forms a brick in the wall of a home or a place of healing and worship, and it
is sculpted to expose from inside a beautiful figure of love and art, and it is
a flung by merry children to peels of laughter as it plops into a pond, and it
forms the tab in a game of hopscotch, and it piles up with others to form a
majestic mountain.
The thing
of misery is now an object of love, fun, worship, admiration, awe.
I leave
it to you who read these words to apply the concept of ‘taseer’ to anything; a
gun, a sword, an army, weapons, knowledge, science, …..
…..words.
And
wealth in the sense of riches or money; think of its ‘taseer’ when it is used
with questionable intentions; recognize the change in ‘taseer’ when it is put
to use for helping, loving, spreading joy, alleviating pain, bringing smiles.
Opium... on
one hand the mother of modern medicine; on the other, the father of the worst
narcotic drugs.... ‘Taseer’.
Everything in creation has dual ‘taseer’, and it is the way it is used, the intention of the user, which gives it character.
Everything in creation has dual ‘taseer’, and it is the way it is used, the intention of the user, which gives it character.
And Life?
Which way is this life to be lived?
Remember,
oh heart, ‘taseer’!
“Zeina Glo brings you
the radiant glow of inner peace, good health and attendant beauty.
Zeina Glo helps you strip off layers
of inhibitions, hesitation, and cynicism, allowing your thoughts and emotions
to flow freely.
Zeina Glo helps to douse the flames
of insecurity and guilt, to open the windows of mind and body to the cool fresh
breeze of love.
Zeina Glo encourages you to
spread inner peace, good health, radiance, exuberance, warmth,
joy and the glow from your inner being.
Zeina Glo brings the beauty of your
own thoughts back to you!!”
For, questions,
criticism or advice, please post comments here, or write to zeinaglo@rediffmail.com or zeinaglow@gmail.com
