Srabons.de

Dream, Determine, Develop

Author: Srabon Debanath

  • The Exotican Diary

    Look at that!!
    What an exotic creature this post colonial world has brought into the post modern world!
    Look at the representation, I didn’t change the location, yet the location has itself changed. Within that, I lost my sense of identity myself. For which, I am constantly trying to recreate and rediscover myself.

    I didn’t just lose myself, but also the sense of time, space and belonging. Yet the irony is that I have become restless to find myself, and where I belong. Neither could I fit myself anywhere, nor could I be a part of any community to it’s best.

    Yet the irony is that as a Bengali boy, I am trying to be an English man in the Western world.

    A new half-caste is on the rise….

  • How I was influenced to cook by cultures …

    Food is very important part of almost every culture. Good food is always a signature of a rich culture and being a good cook is a signature of a cultured man. Therefore, I think, it is really important not just to know cooking but to have your own style of cooking. I was brought up in a Bengali lower middle class family. Even though I was born and brought in a lower middle class family, my parents were always passionate about food. As a teacher, my father might not have earned a lot of money but he was so fond of food. And so is my mother. My father might not have been able to manage smashed potato and lentils at the end of the month, yet he always bought the large fish from the market, when he had the salary. Bengali culture is not just rich in terms of food. but also its people are also foodie. Coming from a cultural Bengali family, I cannot but maintain the tradition. It is my utmost duty also to pass it to my future generation.

    Besides, being highly influenced by other cultures as well, I must admit that O, myself also became a good chef. I have also managed to create my own style of cooking. One habit I built up is that I never follow the traditional style of cooking but always create my own style. That is why most of cooking are free style cooking and I love it. It brings me joy to cook food for me and for my family. Not just that, as a cultural Bengali man, I also love to share food with people. I just love it.

    However, I must admit, that in my childhood, I was highly influenced by my Bangladeshi Muslim friends. My friends use to invite me to their house. Even though we belong to a single Bangladeshi, Bengali culture, due to religion, there are slight differences in foods. For instance, in my Muslim friend’s family used to garlics in lentils soup which was barely used by my mother. Honestly speaking, I liked it very much when they used Garlics. Besides, my Muslim friends used to make different types of cakes and pithas during the Eid festival that we, as a Hindu family barely made. However, in my village home, my paternal Aunts used to cook those cakes and pithas.

    For my higher studies, I moved to Germany. Here I got the flavour of multinational or international cultures. I used to live in a dorm where different people from different cultures and countries and different parts of Germany used to live together. I loved it especially when it comes to food because, we used to share food a lot. Two of my German friends, Leon and David, has always shared food with me and so did I. I remember the day, when I offered David, Bengali style fried rice. He liked it so much that he brought Leon, and Moughat too. So, I had to cook them Biriyani as well. They liked it so well, that since then they became my very good friends and we started sharing food with each other. Apart from it, I used to like the food served in our canteen. That was not just delicious but also uniqe. Because, they always followed the freestyle recipes with pick and mix combos.

    After coming to Germany, I had also tried other cultural foods like Turkish Döner and Durum, Greek Pita Gyros, Afghan Samosa, Italian Pizza, and Pasta,French Baguette and Croissant, Swiss Rolls and cake, Czech Gulash, Pakistani biriyani, North and South Indian dishes and so on and on. Furthermore, I used to go to a South Indian temple. I always went there for their delicious. I never missed any big South Indian Hindu festivals. I must admit that I just love their foods:

    All these cultural influences do not just made me a foodie but also, a good cook. Because my Bengali taste buds just got better with the taste other cultural foods. It is so delicate that I thought it is necessary that I create my self made versions of it. Just like the Turkish Döner were never Turkish food but invented in Germany by Turkish people, my foods are also something like that. You will get both eastern and western taste of foods yet you will be barely able to say which one actually it is.

    However, I have made a personal web book of my favourite common dishes that I gave birth to, mixing the eastern and western flavours and dishes. I hope, you will like it.

    Block for sharing the link…..

    Thank you for reading the post. I hope you liked it. Hit subscribe and and like, if you really like it. I appreciate your effort. Have a nice day !!

  • Spaghetti aller Stefan (Stefan’s Spaghetti)

    Hello everyone, today I’m going to show you recipe made by flatmate, Stefan. That’s why the dish name is Spaghetti aller Stefan. Let’s deep dive into it and explore how to cook it.

    Ingredients: Spaghetti, Cheese, Tomato sauce, feta  cheeses, Tomatoes, capsicum, onions, garlic,  salt, black pepper, Paprika sweet, paprika spicy powder, rosemary, basilikum and oil.

    How to cook it like a pro?

    The first start boiling your spaghetti with a little bit of salt and oil. Take spaghetti according to your need and use almost around double amount of water. While it boils, chop 2 large size Onions , 3/4 Garlic cloves, 2 tomatoes, 1 capsicum medium size and feta cheese. Chop everything as small as possible. When you are done chopping, take some oil in a pan. When its hot, put the onions and garlic in it. When they are a bit brown, add the cut tomatoes, capsicum and feta cheese in it.

    After 3-5 minutes of frying them, put the tomato sauce in it. Then add salt, black pepper, Paprika sweet, basilikum and paprika spicy powders according to your taste and add a bit of hot water (so that the gravy doesn’t become so dry). In case you like ot dry, then you don’t need to add water.  Styre the recipe for around 10-12 minutes and it will be ready. Within this time, the spaghetti will also be boiled enough to eat.

    Take out the water from Spaghetti and take it in your plate. Serve the sauce on the plate. We did topping with only Cheese.

    Topping: You can also do the topping with basilikum leaves. I also prefer coriander leaves (although it’s not that a common practice, yet i like it).

    Thank you for reading my blog and I hope you like it. If you like it, feel free to subscribe it. I wish a nice day.

  • Things I stand for

    The Journey of Becoming

    Every sunrise reminds me that transformation is not an inevitable rhythm. it is a story of constant evolving and becoming into someone better. It all begins with understanding the matrix of life, the pattern of reimagined talent and intelligence. It just needs a visionary eye to look at and for. When we understand, we recognize, we connect.

    Life starts with observing and experience. Therefore, the moment we learn to see beyond the picture, the story that lies beneath, we start seeing the greater picture of life. it just evolves when we know by unfolding the truth just like how flowers blooms. The observer does not just experience, he unfolds every bit of it, step by step, inch by inch, he, therefore, transforms into an obsolete being with whom no one can connect. He becomes unpredictable, yet constantly reshaping his perceptions, his emotions.

    The one who sees beyond the materialistic life, and values has the ability to lead the human kind towards the true enlightenment. True enlightenment comes through a process of seeking and acknowledging what we stand for. Only the light bringer sees the truth that he can show to the seekers. He is fiercely motivated to show the light to the non enlightened. Therefore, he dreams, he determines and he develops himself consequentially removing the darkness of ego.

    A true empath has the courage to motivate and cultivate positivity. It enables him to share the light of knowledge to the dawned beings. He establishes optimism to enhance their quality, capability and eradicates the nuances of illiteracy. He has the courage to keep creating the hope even when the world feels heavy.

    Then again, when the world is in trouble, it needs someone to take care of, to show the people why it is necessary to be friendly with the earth so that the mother earth remains capable of sustaining and surviving through the highs and lows of life. It does not cost extra to be ecology and environment friendly.

  • How to start a yogic life?

    A yogic life isn’t just about postures—it’s a way of being. It’s about cultivating balance, clarity, and compassion in all areas of life. Whether you’re seeking physical well-being, inner peace, or spiritual growth, starting a yogic journey can transform the way you live and relate to the world.

    1. Begin with Intention, Not Perfection

    Ask yourself why you want to start. Peace of mind? Health? Purpose? Once your intention is clear, you can start from where you are. You don’t need to touch your toes on day one.

    2. Create a Sacred Space

    Dedicate a small, quiet corner in your home for daily practice. A yoga mat, candle, or even a plant can make this space feel welcoming and personal.

    3. Commit to Daily Rituals

    Consistency matters more than duration. Even 10 minutes of meditation or a few rounds of sun salutations can set a powerful rhythm for your day.

    4. Breathe Consciously

    Yogic breathing (pranayama) is the bridge between body and mind. Start with deep belly breaths or learn simple techniques like alternate nostril breathing (Nadi Shodhana).

    5. Nourish Your Body Wisely

    Explore sattvic food—a vegetarian diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, and grains. Eating mindfully can become a spiritual practice in itself.

    6. Learn from a Guide or Community

    Find a teacher or local class, or join an online sangha (community). Shared practice and wisdom can support and inspire your journey.

    7. Embrace the Yamas and Niyamas

    These are ethical guidelines at the core of yogic living—non-violence, truthfulness, contentment, self-discipline, and more. They’re not rules, but reflections for deeper living.

    8. Be Gentle with Yourself

    Transformation takes time. Yoga teaches patience, awareness, and acceptance—on the mat and off.

    Living a yogic life isn’t about renunciation—it’s about returning to what truly matters. Start slowly, stay curious, and let the practice unfold organically.

  • Self-care in the modern age

    The modern world is full of confusion, stress, workload, emotional attachments, selfishness, jealousy, anger issues, Oedipus complex, childhood trauma, abandoned child syndrome, and whatnot. Human suffering has become a norm in our societies. We suppress our thoughts, ourselves. Yet the question arises, can we go beyond our sufferings? Can we break the matrix of all of it? I always ask myself this question. I always ask myself this question, as I am a seeker. I did not just limit myself to Hindu identity but also roamed everywhere irrespective of eastern and western. modern, traditional, and old; religious and spiritual; and so on. Ultimately I found the answer. The answer lies in knowing the self, sharing love, and giving back to nature, the universe, and human society by not expecting anything from it, simply by communicating your needs. That’s what breaks yourself free from any kind of barriers of the suffering.

    Now that I know the answer to it, what actually helps to break the matrix? Self-care, definitely, yet how do you do it? Let’s break it down. Here is what I do.

    The first step is to break down self-care into the three spheres, dimensions, or levels, however you want to define it. The first one is the materialistic level, the second one is the philosophical level, and the third one is the spiritualistic level.

    The first general step, what I name the materialistic level of self-care, is simple. You need time for yourself, just for yourself, so that you can listen to yourself, your thoughts, and your body. To listen to your body, you can do yoga/meditation. How do you do it? Do Pranayam (breathing exercises, and it will help you to reduce your stress), or sit still without doing anything (focus on your body; the traditional will tell you to focus on your breathing, but it makes me nervous, so I focus on the whole body), closing your eyes or keeping them open, and do mudras (it will help you to be in the present), spend some more time in the shower, or be in the bathtub for a long time. FYI, these exercises will help you to deal with your external level of struggles.

    Do you think you crossed that level? Do you think you can deal with your material gains and goals soundly? Well, not everything will be as expected as you want, yet the universe will adjust it. If the answer is no, then it’s better to remain in the first one, or else you will mess everything up. If the answer is yes, then deep dive into the second one. How do you do that? Ask yourself if your instinct says you are. Then hop on! Get ready for the philosophical sphere.

    The philosophical level is quite interesting. It is an amazing journey to know yourself. The first step in this level of self-care is to know yourself. How do you know yourself? Start questioning yourself. if you think you live on your thoughts. Wake up every day and set the right set of questions every day. For instance, “Who am I? What is my purpose in the world? How am I going to serve in this world? How to break the matrix? How to make myself free from anything?”

    If you are healed enough in the first level, the answer would appear automatically in your thoughts. You do not need to force your mind. All you have to do is to hold on. You will go through a lot of struggles; your mind will trigger you through guilt, suffering, traumas, panics, and so on. FYI, these struggles are not your external struggles anymore. It is your inner struggle that is pushing your boundaries to expand, to extend, and to be subtle.

    The second step is to know the answers from your thoughts. Your thoughts will tell you why you are here, what your purpose is in this world, and what you are supposed to do. It is just that you need to listen to your tells. However, as you go through the inner world struggle, you need to relieve yourself differently. You can chant mantras, you can pray to your deity, and you can surrender yourself completely to the universe. You do not seek validation from the external world; you do not do people-pleasing anymore. You will be completely alone because you won’t try to please anyone but will be brutally honest. However, what you can do is to keep your temper lower and gently ask them even though they won’t try to understand you.

    The philosophic realm will show you the multiplicity of the reality. You will notice split realities where you can separately distinguish simultaneously experiencing your inner world and external world. Your emotions would make a reading and translation of your realities. Try to listen to it subjectively or objectively. You will notice the meaning is coming out, and it will automatically be aligned to it. All you’ve got to do is collectively remember what you went through. Try writing your stories, listening to the tales of others, or perhaps anything you can relate to.

    The philosophic realm before your spiritual realm will reframe your identity. So, choose your identities carefully. For instance, Puritanism can be a perfect example. I may not be puritan in a sense of identity framework or religious sense, yet I have a sense of puritanism, where I see babies as a form of puritanism. In this sense, I can sense my older soul rebirthing into a baby soul, where I am aging,, yet my soul remains childlike and playful as a part of my living being. You would notice people would judge you as immature, childish, and so on.

    One of the interesting things in this realm is that you match energy, or, so to say, you can relate only to those who are on the same level of energy. You will experience their stories due to some sort of commonality between you both. It is like magic where you unexpectedly end up meeting. Besides, your aura becomes magnetic; any type of determined identity will match you to the same frequency-level souls.

    What are the other things that you will notice?

    You will see, you have a quite positive aura around you. Nature will feel close to you, animals would love to be around you, children would try to communicate with you, and strangers would stare at you and smile. at you, and so on. Yet those who are at a low frequency level would envy you, would try to snatch things from you, and try to destroy you both mentally and physically. Yet what you do is rather stay still and enjoy the changes in your life and be in motion with happiness. Hurrah! Then you have learned to take good care of yourself. You start to enjoy inner bliss, peace, and yourself. How does it feel? You would feel no necessity to react; you would rather be more empathetic, more open, more loving, less emotionally detached, less expectant, and more free and innerly content. Nothing at this level from the outer world would hurt. Because you will be subtle from deep inside.

    The spiritual realm is the ultimate reality of the matrix. In this level, you will only focus on yourself. Not just the self, but a deep dive into the world of inversion. You will recognize the inverted world where you bring out the subtle versions of yourself as you would enjoy the varied levels of self. You will feel the need for authenticity then. Your inner child will tell you to be honest with your authentic self. The lotus of your life will start blooming, and you will see yourself within you. Ever watched the movie Inception? Just dream within a dream, the same way you will see the self within the self. What do you do in this level? Start exploring your inner world, your inner world where your voice, your aura, and your expressions come from.

  • With what I want to retire.

    How do you want to retire?

    I would rephrase the question with what I want to retire with and then answer it.

    Hello everyone! Good morning from Germany. Today I am going to write about what I want to retire with.

    I have always had the keen passion for good books irrespective of its language and origin. The thing is I like to know the experiences and their stories. However, it’s not that I read a lot of books. I do more or less. But I save more for laters.

    This year I have grown a passion for collecting books and Germany is like heaven for it. During the summer time, you would see people keeping books outside to share with others and I qiite like the idea. Therefore, I collect the books and make my shelf look beautiful. It looks lovely to see the classy books in my shelves.

    I don’t read much of the book but I store them. It’s like saving for the winter. When I will be incapable to work or I retire, I will use them for my Winter. They will keep me warm and have good memories and stories. I find it quite to fun to do it. Imagine, I have all the classy books that I want in my shelves and wouldn’t it look fantastic? I love it!! ❤️

    Thanks for reading my story. How about you?

  • One of my favorite moments….

    Describe one of your favorite moments.

    Hello everyone, I hope you guys are doing well. Today I am going to write about one of my favorite moments in my life. It happened few weeks ago and was quite a nice interaction. Let’s deep dive into it.

    Whenever I have free time I go for a bike ride full stop it has become one of my favorite things to do full stop apart from it, I really like to take pictures whether it’s mine or others. So that day I went for bike ride with my tripod so that I I could take pictures of me. It was around 10 or 11 am. The weather was really sunny and windy. The place is called Reinhausen, where I reached by bike. Suddenly, I saw  an Apple garden. And I thought I could take some good pictures here and therefore I parked my bike and started taking photo of me.

    The photos came out really nice and suddenly and an old lady came. Around eighty years old.

    She asked me, what are you doing here ? there is no ripe apple at this moment.

    And I said, I’m taking photos.

    She said, but there is no ripe apples.

    I said, I am taking my photo . would you like to see it?

    I got close to her and showed her the pictures that I took.

    She said, you took really nice photos.

    I said, thank you very much.

    Suddenly I noticed, she had a nice dog with her and it was so cute that it felt like you was smiling .

    I asked the old lady, your dog looks very cute . Can I take some pictures of it?

    She said, yeah sure go for it.

    I took some pictures of him and then showed it to her.

    She said,  wow, the photos are really nice. Will you give me the photos please?

    I said, yes sure. Do you have any WhatsApp or email ID where I can send you the photos?

    She said, no, I don’t have any .

    I said, oh then I guess I cannot give you the photos. I’m sorry .

    She said, I live here (showing her finger towards the village). If you go there you will find my name. she also said the house number. If you go there and look for me you will find me out.

    I said, okay I will try it out. Would you like to have the photos printed? If you like it then I can bring it to you.

    She said, yeah sure I would love it.

    I said, okidoki then I will send you the photos.

    And it’s been three or four weeks that I haven’t sent her the photos. I hope I will send her the photos tomorrow and I’m very excited about it. And I hope she will like it.

    Thank you very much for patiently reading my post. I hope you enjoyed it. Have a nice day!

    How about your memorable moment? Feel free to tell about it. Thanks.

  • The notable things happened today

    What notable things happened today?

    Hello Everyone!

    I hope you are doing well. Today I am going to write about the notable thing happened today. Let’s deep dive into it….

    As usual, I started my day waking up at 7 o’clock. I went for a walk and was chanting Mantras all the way. Unlike every other day, I did not meet many people, not even any natural things that could light me up. It was quiet, yet enjoyable. I came back home, and then, as usual had my breakfast with my flatmate. And then I showered and prayed my prayer.

    The interesting thing happened later is that I knew what to do today. A plan hit my mind toay. It said, let’s not follow the usual routine today, rather go outside and write down what are the significant things you have done from 2022. It would be a good habit to note it down and track my progress. As I look into smaller things for progress, it’s quite impossible to see any progress from outside. People would barely recognize the changes I have brought in my life.

    As thought, I went for a ride outside and then rode for around 45 minutes. One of the good things about Germany is that Germany remembers the age of its villages and cities and its histories. I live in Göttingen and then rode to Diemarden. It’s one of the thousand years old village in Göttingen district. People barely know about it.  However, I went there and found this beautiful place. I decided to study here. I quite loved the place.

    The top view from the settings

    I sat there for around 2 and a half hour. I read Germans but sadly didn’t do the writing part. But it’s still okay because the place was really cool and I had fun learning German language.

    I love this places where I can read quietly and enjoy the nature. It’s utterly fun.

    How about you guys? What have you done today?

  • My Passion

    What are you passionate about?

    Hello everyone, good morning. I hope you are all doing well. 

    I am a man of diverse passion. Ever since I started self exploring, I found out, I have a diverse set of passions and hobbies. It’s quite an interesting revelation for me.

    I am passionate about flowers, nature, books, travelling, photography, going for a walk alone,  I like looking at the stars, the night blue sky, the blue water, the colors of the rainbow, the morning sunshine, the birds, the animals. I love babies irrespective of gender, animals and what so on. I like to think, to read book, to learn new things. I like to cook new foods, watch interesting movies, listen to epic music, play games. And what so not?

    I do everything with passion now. It feels good. It makes me feel alive, be in the moment.

    Thank you.

    What about you? Let me know. Thank you for your time.