Whats does Success mean to you ?

What does success mean to you?

Many years ago, being graduated as a Computer Engineer and working in one of the prestigious organizations in the R&D team then, I resigned and took a break.

I became a professional photographer, and I felt successful there too.

Then, for personal reasons, I had to return to IT after a 4-year gap.

It was quite challenging at that time for me,

I was failing interviews,

I had lost confidence in my coding

And every time I opened LinkedIn, I saw everyone else growing in their careers, while I did not even have a job.

Eventually I joined a large organization and started working in Big Data in 2012. That was the beginning of the path that led me into AI and LLM architecture years later.

When I joined back IT, I was quite surprised to see that my break, and choosing a unique career path, had given me a vast perspective, maturity, where people continued to grow in a vertical path of role-based progression. I also noticed that I was so assertive, could talk to people at all levels irrespective of hierarchy. My short varied, experience had made me more mature and more fulfilled.

Since then, success for me has been Fulfillment.

My Career has been my own navigation, with 0 competition with anyone else.

It is purely,

where I want to be,

how I want to be

what I want to contribute.

I have made multiple decisions to choose a challenging path over a straight or seemingly easier one, inclined towards a deeper experience, that can make me more mature.

Over time I have learnt to be PRESENT - Here and Now. 21 years of inner exploration does teach you that, and it turns out presence is not separate from leadership. It is the foundation of it.

And I feel super successful in life, because I can enjoy everything that I have.

Time with my loved ones, friends, health, wealth, abundance, work, meetings, challenges, AI, art, you name it. If it is in my life, I have chosen it and I am loving it with all my heart.

It has not been easy to be here feeling this way, and I had to choose the paths less trodden, multiple times, but it is so worth it.

This is success for me.

The definition of success for me is completely different from what the society or the systems train us for.

What does success mean for you?

What do you think is the greatest luxury of life ?

I love luxuries...I have always wished to live a life of Supreme Luxury... 

Growing up in a humble family, I thought that luxury was in the material luxuries of money, clothes, cars, five-star hotels, vacations in beautiful places...

While these have a role to play, but soon I realized that on the pyramid of luxury, material luxuries was the minimum experience of luxury.

As my experiences of life grew, I learnt that luxury was to have a lot of free time with myself, and the freedom to make my own life choices, living a life on my own terms whatsoever. These are no more luxury for me, but a solid foundation of living a fulfilled life. 

But as I am maturing and learning, I realize that the supreme luxury of life is something that most people miss.

Supreme luxury of life is …

To be able to touch our loved ones while they are alive and around us. The luxury of human touch and feeling the emotion associated wirb it…

It may be the blossoming heart, of feeling my child's breath on my face as I wake up, and being in the eternity of this moment

It may be feeling the touch of my beloved and an electric signal passing through me...and feeling grateful for the deep, old bond which is still so new and alive every moment.

It may be seeing the wrinkles, greying of hair on the faces of my aging parents, and their faces becoming more beautiful and child like....feeling the gratitude of being present with them in each passing day

It may be to hold my old and aging mother, as if she is my daughter....haaaaa!!!!!!!!! what a supreme luxury it is to simply be able to experience life in ALL its RICHNESS, in ALL its colours, in ALL its ALIVENESS

Luxury to me is a heart warming chit chat with a beloved friend...and the gratitude of us wanting to meeting each other, inspite of the years going by...

Luxury is to have the power to stand up for those beings (human, animal or trees) who cannot stand up for themselves, and the moment of TRUST, a VIBRATION,  a soft look in their eyes...

HA! What a supreme luxury it is!

And somtimes, luxury is to just sit on the swing, and do nothing...

Oh! what a supreme luxury it is to BE ALIVE, and EXPERIENCING ALL the LITTLE THINGS of LIFE.

It is always the LITTLE THINGS that make it all valueable at the end

not the one big vacation, or the one big party, or the one expensive car...

In the PYRAMID of LUXURY, 

LOVE and the EXPERIENCE of it in all its beautiful forms shades of life, is the ULTIMATE Luxury.

There is beauty in everything and everyone around us, 

the SUPREME Luxury is to see it in the mundane, routine life, and transform it into something EXQUISITE.

My heart throbs with gratitute for blessing me with this life of SUPREME LUXURY. 

The dream that woke me up...

Last night before sleeping, I asked the universe for inspiration. And what came was not what I expected.

I had a dream.

In the dream, "I was hiding with my child in a large dark building, and I was hearing the noise of bullets outside. From the window I noticed some gunmen came and shot bullets at some random people, and there were just some dead bodies lying around. I also saw some people/leaders who had an agenda.

While I was still hiding in the large dark building, looking out of the window, when I looked around me, my child was not there.

What I experienced in the dream cannot be expressed in words, but I felt like to just go out in front of the bullets to find my child,

and I woke up...".

As I woke up from what I can later call a nightmare, I was so relieved to find my child sleeping safely beside me

I felt tremendously grateful to be safe and secure and that my family is safe and secure.

What I saw in my nightmare, is unfortunately a reality for so many people in this world.

Being a human and having lived and worked with people from many diverse cultures, I can quiet safely confirm, that what most human beings want is the safety and well-being of their loved ones.

Years ago, I asked myself a question: What can I do to make this world a better place?

And I found an answer that changed everything: "If you want to change the world, change yourself first."

So I did.

I spent years working on myself, to transform:

my anger into patience,

my anxiety into self-trust,

my fear into courage,

my emotional instability into stability,

my mental turmoil into deep inner peace,

my attachment into compassion.

I have learnt to be compassionate to others because I have been tremendously kind to myself.

This is what meditation did for me. Meditation is learning the art of knowing the self through many different ways. 

---

For me, it all begins with Being Human.

Being kind to ourselves first. Because we cannot be kind to others unless we know how to be kind to ourselves.

This is how I am trying to make this world a better place. By being human. By being compassionate. One person at a time.

This is why I do what I do. This is why I share. Not because I have all the answers, but because I found an inner light that transformed me from within and I have seen it do the same for others, again and again.

What do you think? How can we make this world a better place? We are here, this earth is our home, and we must do something to ensure our next generation gets to live a beautiful life.

If something in this letter stirred something in you, trust that feeling.

You are already on the path.

With warmth and light,

Tanu Shree

Let us celebrate - Being Human

Let us celebrate the joy of

Simply Being Human...
of simply relating with another human being 
from any religion, class, creed, color, gender, country or culture with
the same heartful SMILE,
the same warmth ...
the same heart to heart conversation.

Oh, what a Joy it is!
of simply being a human

Let us celebrate the joy of 
Simply Being Human...
of sharing another human's sadness
of sharing another human's happiness
of being with the other in pain
of being with the other in celebration

Oh, what a Joy it is!
of simply being a human

Let us celebrate the joy of 
Simply Being Human...
of not feeling lonely 
of sharing the hugs with the loved ones
of remembering the memories, both happy or sad..
of the magic of waking up to this beautiful life each day
of seeing our loved ones growing old each day
but with the bond deepened through love and care

Oh, what a Joy it is!
of simply being a human

Let us celebrate the joy of 
Simply Being Human...
of including others into our lives 
and experiencing our hearts opening up 
to more and more fulfillment
to more and more joy
of simply being human

- Tanu Shree

My daughter asked me - Mama, why do we celebrate Women's Day?

"My daughter asked me, 'Mama, why do we celebrate Women's Day?'
"My dear child," I said, "there is a history behind it."
"Tell me about it, Mom."
"Sure. You must know, sooner rather than later, the value and the struggles behind this celebration."

"I was born in India. My mother (one of seven sisters) had to struggle to get an education and to work. In those times, women were not given basic education, and they were not financially independent. They were trained and prepared only to get married and serve the man and his family. Their life decisions—such as getting married, becoming a mother, and others—were not their own; instead, these were generally taken for them (with a few exceptions)."

"Because my mother struggled for her education and job, I did not have to go through the same struggle. I had to fight for other rights as a woman, especially in terms of the equality of women and men."

"For many centuries, women have been treated as a secondary gender, and somehow they were conditioned in a way that made them lack self-respect and basic freedom. After centuries of standing up for one's rights, many of us have reached a point where we are financially independent, have self-respect, and feel empowered to make our own life decisions."

"But my dear child, freedom always comes with tremendous responsibility. When I know I am powerful, I need to be sensitive, empathetic, loving, and fearless, so that my freedom serves me and does not further cage me."

"For example, woman's freedom is not about dressing like a man or becoming an imitation of a man. In fact, being a woman means being deeply feminine—so fully comfortable in one's own sensitivity that the beauty of femininity blossoms from your aura."

"Being a woman is having immense self-respect for being able to create another life and nurture it. Being a woman means cherishing the openness of the heart to care deeply for all beings—human beings or animals—just as Mother Nature cares for and nurtures us all."

"And my dear child, when a woman truly discovers her inner strength, she also supports the man in being a man. Like Shiva and Shakti, they unite to become ONE whole—knowing fully well that they are already whole, already ONE with all that exists."

"Celebrating Women's Day is celebrating that humanity has come a long way in honoring women—and yet it still has a long way to go, until the day when there will be no need to celebrate Women's Day at all."

- Tanu Shree

Are you using Technology Or are you being used by it ?

Some of us belong to a generation that watched technology grow from almost nothing to the exponentially expanding world of AI we live in today. We grew up outdoors—no TV, no phone, no gadgets. Just long afternoons, friends, family, and unhurried conversations. And now? We can work from home. Groceries arrive at the door. Flights and trains are one click away.

So the question arises: Was then better, or is now better?
For anyone who has learned to use technology without being used by it, this era is truly wonderful. Used consciously, technology gives us something priceless: time.

As I write this, I’m sitting in warm sunlight, feeling its soft rays on my hands while children play downstairs. I’m grateful I don’t have to stand in long queues or push through crowded stores. I can design my days with intention. We don’t have a television at home, and we keep our mobile usage disciplined. Because of that, we spend real time talking as a family—sharing daily dinners, heartfelt conversations, sometimes with soothing music in the background. We go for walks. We dance or paint with our child. We read every day. The possibilities feel endless.
Technology has given me more time with myself—but only because of this:
I remain the master of technology. I use it; it doesn’t use me.
No endless scrolling.
No reacting to every notification.
Clear boundaries around work and devices keep us present and aware.

Yet the irony is - we are constantly trying to reclaim time through AI and automation, while forgetting how to be free and being with oneself.

Learning to be free is becoming significant in the age of AI.
Learning to master technology — rather than being mastered by it — will determine whether we benefit from this technological revolution or feel overwhelmed by it.

So how do we do this?

The Three Simple Practices

1. Create gadget-free spaces
 No mobiles or gadgets in the bedroom
 No devices in common family areas (keep a dedicated gadget corner instead)
 No phones or TV during meals — just family time, presence, and gratitude for food

2. Protect personal time
Schedule boundaries on phone and mute notifications during personal hours.

3. Respect transition hours
Avoid screens at least 1–2 hours before sleep and for 1 hour after waking up.
Using phones before sleep disrupts rest and can contribute to insomnia. The moments before sleeping and after waking are deeply influential — whatever we consume during these times settles into our subconscious.
These are ideal hours for meditation, gentle music, reflection, reading, or a quiet walk.
Begin your day by connecting with yourself — not with a screen.
 
By practicing small acts of digital discipline, we often discover greater happiness, deeper relationships, and improved productivity.

Do you already practice any of these habits? I would love to hear your thoughts.

- Tanu Shree

The Power Is In You

Nothing in this world,

can make you sad—
except your own self.

The power is IN YOU.

Nothing can make you anxious or depressed,
except your own self.
The power is IN YOU.

Nothing can make you angry or hateful.
except your own self.
The power is IN YOU.

But I understand your pain.
I understand your confusion.
No one has ever talked to you like this.
No one has ever told you
that the power is IN YOU.

Or maybe someone did,
and you took it lightly,
and you took your weakness seriously.

But, my dear one,
let me remind you again—

Let nothing of this world
make you happy or sad,
anxious or peaceful,
angry or patient,
depressed or joyful,
hateful or loving—

except your own self.
The power is IN YOU.

Reclaim your power.
Reclaim your glory.
Because—

the Power is

IN YOU.

- Tanu Shree

Honoring the Masters

For me, A Master is the live example of our ULTIMATE POTENTIAL.

The master knows, 

The master guides,

The master reminds

Of

Our Limitless Being

Our Oneness with the Supreme Consciousness.

I bow down to all the Masters!

- Tanu Shree

2026 - Let us bring our attention to the Present Moment

Life is mysterious, we might know it or not. 

The one who dives into one-self, find the deep mysteries that life has to offer ...
That is also what makes life fulfilling. 

When I see 2026 - a whole New Year ahead of me,
I see INFINITE POSSIBILITIES!
I see opportunities to live at my peak potential
I see millions of moments available 
To be loving,
To be peaceful,
To be creative,
To be joyous,
To BE with the loved ones with the whole of our presence.

Even though the whole new next year is available to us,
The beauty is...
that it all begins with just
ONE MOMENT AT A TIME
JUST THIS MOMENT
JUST THIS NOW

When this moment is lived with our total presence,
our total attention brought to the present moment,
with ALL of our senses here and now ...
Our eyes are looking around at the people and everything that is surrounding us in this moment.
Our ears listening to the sounds, without any judgement ...
Our senses of smelling, tasting and feeling with total awareness, whatever this moment is offering to each one of us, wherever we are....

It is such a precious little moment 
When lived with our total presence HERE and NOW
This LITTLE PRECIOUS MOMENT has the potential
To transform the entire year, and our entire life
Into a WONDER FILLED ride.
Just ONE MOMENT AT A TIME
Just THIS MOMENT
JUST THIS NOW

Life IS Mysterious,
This MOMENT HERE AND NOW is powerful
but it also passes by quickly
the moment our attention moves away to the past or future.

In 2026, let's bring our attention to the present moment
and 
live as Presence every moment
and
see the MAGIC of LIFE Unfolding for us. 

Happy New Year!

With deep gratitude, and blessings for a wonder-filled year and life ahead!


Tanu Shree

healandknow

Be a Light Unto Yourself

Website | Instagram | Youtube | Blog

Let us Reflect on the Life lived in the past year

Reflections are powerful.

Spending some time with oneself,  reflecting on how we have lived the life in the past year. 
Was I able to BE in the moments?
or 
the moments just passed by without me even realizing it.

Did I experience some moments of peace, gratitude, lovingness?
or 
was it full of stress, anxiety and restlessness?

For a few days, let's take a break and see the life that we have lived, and also reflect on how I want to live the next year.
Let's write down, what is it that I want to do in the upcoming new year.

What are my priorities? 
How do I want to live my life?

In the initial years of my life, I used to ask myself this question a lot, 
If I have to live my life all over again, would I like to live it?
I found that my answer was "No", but then consistently asking this question,
I noticed my answer changed to "Yes".
It is always "Yes" for many years.

What changed is that I intentionally prioritized time on what makes me truly happy instead of just living a routine life. 
I prioritized time spent with my loved ones, and not using my phone.
I spend a few minutes of my day reading, or painting vs watching Netflix.
I started relaxing more and more while doing the little things and even my work productivity improved exponentially.
Small changes when done consistently transform the course of life in the long run.

But it all started with writing down my reflections and asking myself this question.
So, this December I am going to take a break and reflect again on the life lived in the year 2025 and how I want to live my life in 2025.

I am going to visit my reflection journal and see how I started my new year and whether, I really used my time wisely or is there still a scope of improvement.
:) :) :)

Do share your stories if you feel like. It would be inspiring for me to know how you have felt about my newsletters :) 

The Power of Gratitude

The one most powerful feeling and action that has the power to instantly change our state from unhappy or low to peace and happiness is Gratitude.

Gratitude is not just expressing thank you in words. 

In truth, Gratitude is a hearful acknowldgement of the countless blessings that have been bestowed upon us every second, 

Or the heartful recognition and appreciation towards others for their action of kindness towards us.

When we feel gratitude in our heart, sometimes, we cannot express it in words, and it can only be expressed through tears of joy in our eyes. Tears because we feel so loved by that power that has brought us to this world and that is taking care of us in inexplicable ways. 

Most of us have countless blessings, each day that we wake up healthy, with all our body parts intact, eyes that can see, limbs that work perfectly, ears that can hear, mouth that can talk and enjoy the tastes of this world, a sharp mind that has helped us to have a great career in one of the best companies in the world. Each day we see our loved ones, our kids, partners, pets, family and friends are all healthy and taken care of, wherever they are in the world. In this cold winter, we have a warm home with all possible conveninecs of clean water, a kitchen full of food, clothes to keep us warm. We have jobs, that give us enough money to take care of all our material needs, and while many do not have jobs or struggle with daily needs, we are blessed to be working. We live in a country that is safe, and we have clean air to breathe, a support system around us for difficult times. This list is endless.

In our daily lives, we tend to follow a routine and be robotic (there are exceptions), that make us take a lot for granted and hide the countless blessings bestowed on us.

Recently I had a small slip from the stairs and injured my ankle. After 3-4 weeks of bed rest, when I felt both my feet walking normal, I was dancing and celebrating movement like never before. It is easy to take everything and everyone for granted. Practicing Gratitude enables us to realize the countless blessings that go unnoticed in daily lifes. But practicing gratitude needs effort and discipline to remind ourselves how blessed we are.

I practice gratitude just before sleeping, and immediately after waking up. I play some calming music before sleeping, and with eyes closed and hands folded, I count my blessings and let my heart be overwhelmed with gratitude. I sleep with this feeling and after waking up, it is easy to feel grateful. I also have stickys of on my bathroom mirrors, workspace, bedside etc, to remind myself to feel  grateful.

Try it for yourself and see how relaxation comes easy. The more we feel gratitude in our hearts, the more we feel like we are so well taken care of. And the more we attract great things in life and more and more abundance.

- Tanu Shree

How to be happy, peaceful ???

We might be aware or not but most of us are striving every-day, doing everything that we can do to find peace and happiness.

The question is then why don't we feel peaceful or joyful in our lives consistently. Why is it that those moments are momentary?

Through my 20 years of meditation practice and observing myself and willing to evolve, I have realized that Peace and Happiness are easy. Like, if we observe small children, they are always happy and at ease in every moment. As adults, somehow, we begin to hold onto something very tight that makes us feel tensed and unhappy through various situations.

Let us try an experiment to understand this.

"Close your fist very tight.

Now try hard to open the fist but without actually willing to open the fist.

Now....just stop closing the fist. Stop the effort that was needed to close the fist and.... magic happens. The fist opens by itself."

To open the fist, there was nothing that we need to do. We just need to drop the effort to close the fist, and the fist opens by itself.

Likewise, in our individual lives, we are holding onto many different things, our habits, our desires, our egos, which keep us away from peace and happiness that is already here, already within us.

Meditation to me is a medium that can simply show us where we are stuck. As we become aware of our patterns that are keeping us stuck, we can then transcend these patterns to allow us the freedom to be happier, peaceful beings.

Last year (in 2024), I had observed various patterns that are keeping me unhappy (in certain situations). This year (in 2025) I have an intent and inclination to transcend these limiting patterns, and let myself be free, happy and peaceful consistently in every situation.

What is your intent for the new year?

With the start of the new year, let there be new beginnings in your lives in various realms. 

My heartful wishes for you for the new year is a Healthy Body, a Joyful Heart, a Peaceful being and a Happy Family.

- Tanu Shree