This poem celebrates solitude as a sacred space of self-connection and inner power.
It reflects the journey of finding wholeness, peace, and strength within oneself—where silence becomes a friend and self-love forms an unshakable fortress.
“A Castle Within”
I am not lost when I am alone,
I am discovering a place my own.
A quiet heart, a gentle sea,
A castle built inside of me.
I talk with self, I laugh, I play,
I find new colors in my gray.
The silence hums a soothing song,
A friend inside me, whole life long.
I sip the calm, I taste the air,
I learn that love is always there.
Not from another, but from within,
A strength untouched by any wind.
So let the storm rage, let chaos spin,
I’ve got my fortress, thick and thin.
I’m whole. I’m strong. I’ll always be—
Yes, I am my own. I am free.
(Vijay Verma)
www.retiredkalam.com
Categories: kavita
Retiredकलम 
Beautiful post 🎸
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Thank you so much, dear.
Your words mean a lot.
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very nice .
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Thank you so much,
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Impressive post sir . You are rocking .
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Thank you so much, dear.
Your kind words truly mean a lot to me. I’m grateful for the encouragement and support—it really keeps the energy going. 🙏✨
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Have a great evening sir.
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Very good evening,
Have a restful night.
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God bless you sir 🙏🙏.
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Thank you so much. May God bless you too.
I’m truly grateful for your kind words—it means a lot.
Wishing you peace, strength, and continued light on your journey 🌿
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Thank you very much sir.
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You are welcome dear.
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Keep rocking sir.
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Thank you, dear.
I appreciate the encouragement—definitely keeping the energy alive!
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Wish you good luck for your health and happy life.
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Thank you sincerely for your warm wishes.
I truly appreciate your kindness and goodwill.
Wishing you the same—good health, happiness, and peace always. 🙏✨
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I am grateful to you for all your love and blessings.🙏🙏
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Thank you so much, dear.
Stay happy and blessed.
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Have a superb day sir 💐💐.
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That is good.
Stay happy and blessed.
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I remain calm in every situation, sir.
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That’s admirable. Remaining calm in every situation reflects a lot of inner strength and self-awareness.
It’s a quality that brings clarity not just to your own life, but to everyone around you as well.
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Sir, it takes mental preparation to remain calm. It also requires controlling your emotions. But following the path shown by my Gurudev has allowed me to achieve all of this.
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That’s truly inspiring. Mental preparation and emotional discipline don’t come easily—they’re cultivated through guidance, practice, and grace. It’s clear that your Gurudev’s teachings have given you a strong inner foundation, and your calmness reflects that deep learning.
Walking a guided path with sincerity like this is a rare strength.
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You are absolutely right, sir.
If we practice yoga regularly and cultivate a little meditation, we can quickly control our senses. The mind is very restless; it must first be controlled. After that, everything else becomes easier.
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Well said. You’re absolutely right—the mind is the gateway.
When it becomes steadier through yoga and meditation, control of the senses follows naturally.
With regular practice, awareness deepens, reactions soften, and life begins to feel more balanced and manageable.
It’s a quiet discipline, but its impact is profound.
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There’s a world beyond what we see. Not everyone can see it. To enter that world, you need meditation.
You need purity.
But with discipline, patience, and perseverance, everything is possible.
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That’s a beautiful way to put it. Meditation quiets the noise so we can perceive what lies beyond the surface, and purity of intention keeps that perception clear. Not everyone is ready to see that world—but for those who walk the path with sincerity and inner discipline,
it gradually reveals itself.
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Meditation is a very ancient and powerful way to know ourselves. If we remain entangled in the illusions of the world, our lives will become mere objects of enjoyment. We must rise above the luxury of enjoyment.
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Absolutely, dear.
Meditation helps us look beyond the fleeting pleasures and distractions of the world, allowing us to understand our true selves. Rising above mere enjoyment brings clarity, purpose, and a deeper sense of fulfillment that no external luxury can provide.
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Through meditation, we can awaken the seven chakras of our body. Each chakra has its own significance. Awakening these chakras destroys all our fears. Our lives become balanced. Our memory power and energy increase.
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Beautifully expressed 🌸
You’re absolutely right—meditation helps us become aware of our inner energy centers, bringing balance, clarity, and calm into our lives. As the chakras awaken, fears gradually dissolve, the mind becomes sharper, and our overall energy and well-being increase. It’s a powerful reminder of how inner practice can transform both mind and life 🙏✨
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Yes, sir, to join the College of Spirituality, you’ll have to leave behind worthless friends like drug addiction, promiscuity, and a corrupt lifestyle. Once here, you’ll meet some good friends: celibacy, good manners, and discernment. With spirituality, all evils are left behind, and our lives become successful.
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Well said. Choosing the path of spirituality is truly about letting go of what drains and degrades us,
and embracing what strengthens the mind, character, and soul. When one cultivates discipline, discernment,
and right conduct, life naturally gains clarity and direction.
Success then is not just outer achievement, but inner peace and self-mastery. 🙏
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Sir, the path to spirituality is very complex. Today, people are lost in the trap of modernization. But peace can only be found through spirituality. And where there is peace, there is happiness and contentment.
I love peace, that’s why I meditate.
Thank you for taking so much time for me.
Your thoughts are very precious to me.
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Thank you for your thoughtful and sincere words. You are absolutely right—the path of spirituality is subtle and demanding, especially in a world driven by constant noise and distraction. Choosing peace through meditation shows great awareness and inner strength.
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Sir, only those who walk the difficult path succeed. We must become strong not only physically but also internally. Meditation strengthens our minds.
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You’re absolutely right. The difficult path shapes character and reveals true strength. Physical effort builds the body,
but meditation builds resilience, clarity, and inner balance—the kind of strength that sustains us through challenges.
When the mind is disciplined and calm, perseverance becomes natural, and success follows with grace.
Thank you for sharing such thoughtful wisdom.
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My Guru dev says all that I have mentioned to you. If we Indians start meditating according to our culture, there will be Ram and Seeta in every home.
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That’s a beautiful and deeply rooted thought. Your Guru Dev’s words carry a sense of cultural wisdom and inner discipline—when meditation and mindful living become part of daily life, values like harmony, compassion, and righteousness naturally find a place in every home. Ram and Sita then become not just figures of reverence, but living principles reflected in our thoughts, actions, and relationships. Thank you for sharing something so meaningful and inspiring.
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Sir, today’s environment has become very bad. If we do not change ourselves and society now, then many problems will arise in the future.
To save the coming generation, it is very important to know about Ram Katha and follow its ideals.
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A beautiful and profound poem, Verma ji. “A Castle Within” perfectly captures the essence of true self-discovery. The imagery of a quiet heart as a gentle sea and an inner fortress is deeply moving. It’s not a poem about loneliness, but about the sacred kingdom we build inside ourselves. The lines, “I learn that love is always there. / Not from another, but from within,” are a powerful reminder of the unshakable strength we carry. Thank you for sharing this celebration of inner peace and sovereignty. It is a truly resonant piece.
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Thank you so much for this thoughtful and generous reflection.
I’m deeply moved by how clearly you connected with the heart of the poem—especially your reading of it not as solitude, but as sovereignty. That distinction matters to me.
Your words about the “sacred kingdom we build inside ourselves” beautifully echo the spirit in which A Castle Within was written. To know that the lines about love arising from within resonated with you so strongly is truly humbling.
I’m grateful for your careful reading and for meeting the poem with such presence and insight. It means more than I can say. 🙏✨
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I like how you encourage others to look within. This is truly what loving ourselves is all about.
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Thank you so much for saying that. I truly believe self-love begins with the courage to look within, to listen, and to accept ourselves as we are.
Your words mean a lot and remind me why sharing these reflections matters. 💛
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Verma ji, love the vivid imagery of a “gentle sea” and unshakable fortress—pure inspiration for self-love.
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Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful words. I’m truly glad the imagery resonated with you—self-love really is both a gentle sea and a strong, steady fortress. Your appreciation means a great deal to me. 🙏
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Ohhh that’s beautiful I love how that flowed with such peace within as we get wiser and it all starts to settle in us as beauty and not we, as change comes it’s hard to embrace until it’s not and then the beautiful of it all shows u so much more.
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Thank you—that really means a lot. You expressed that so beautifully.
You’re so right: with time, things soften, wisdom settles in, and what once felt difficult slowly reveals its beauty. Change resists us at first, but when we finally stop fighting it, it opens doors we didn’t even know were there. I’m honored the words resonated with you, and I’m glad they met you in a peaceful place. 🌿
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Thank you they truly did🙏 have a wonderful weekend
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You’re most welcome 🙏 I’m really glad to hear that. Thank you for the lovely wish—wishing you a peaceful, joyful, and truly wonderful weekend as well. 🌼
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What a lovely poem! This really expresses the beauty of solitude and its strength!
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Thank you so much! I’m glad the poem resonated with you. Solitude truly has a quiet power, and it’s wonderful to hear that the strength and beauty of being with oneself came through in the words.
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A most beautiful poem Sir, filled with emotion and sublime feelings.
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Thank you, Sir.
I’m truly touched that the poem resonated with you and that its emotions came through. Your appreciation means a great deal to me. 🙏✨
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It is always a pleasure Sir!
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Thank you, Sir.
I am grateful for your support.
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Pleasure Sir.
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Thank you, Sir.
Have a nice day.
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Good morning! Have a wonderful day Sir!
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Thank you, Sir.
I am enjoying my painting session.
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You’re welcome Sir, and I wish you a phenomenal session! Enjoy!
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Thank you, Sir
I really appreciate your kind wishes—it definitely adds to the excitement and inspiration for the session.
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My pleasure!
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Thank you so much for your kind words.
I’m truly glad the poem resonated with you and felt timeless—that means a great deal.
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Always a pleasure Sir!
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Good evening, Sir,
How is your day ?
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A lovely day of work on the manuscript. It is my daily chore now until it is finished. Thank you Sir. May you enjoy a peaceful and restful night with sweet dreams.
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That sounds wonderfully fulfilling.❤️
Wishing you steady progress and joy as you continue working on the manuscript—it’s beautiful how it has become a daily rhythm for you.
Thank you for your kind words. May you also have a peaceful, restful night filled with gentle thoughts and sweet dreams. 🌙✨
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Thank you Sir! Many blessings!
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Good morning, Sir.
I am on morning walk track.
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Good morning! I hope you enjoyed a nice refreshing morning walk. It was raining here so no walking today, but I did have to run a few errands. Now I am in my office, at my work on my manuscript as usual, until I finish. Hope you enjoy a most brilliant and wonderful day!
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Good afternoon, Sir.
Thank you for the warm wishes. The rain does have its own quiet charm, even if it changes the walking plans a bit.
It sounds like a productive start to your day—errands done and back to your manuscript, that steady rhythm of dedication.
Wishing you a smooth, inspired afternoon at your work, and may the rest of the day unfold beautifully for you.
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Thank you so much Sir. I look forward to your inspiring and heartfelt wishes and advise, it makes my day more creative and productive. All the best to you.
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You’re most welcome, Sir.
Your kind words truly mean a lot to me, and I’m glad to know the thoughts we share add a little spark to your day.
Wishing you continued creativity, focus, and fulfillment in all that you do. All the very best to you as well.
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Thank you! Hope you have enjoyed a wonderful evening and I wish you a peaceful and restful night.
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Thank you, Sir.
I truly appreciate them. Wishing you a peaceful, gentle night as well—may it be filled with rest, calm thoughts, and a sense of quiet contentment. Sleep well and take good care.
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Thank you so much Sir, you too. Catch you in the morning!
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Good evening, Sir.
Have a restful night.
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Good evening Sir, you too! Good night and have a peaceful, restful sleep with pleasant dreams. Catch you in the morning.
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Good morning, Sir. I am on morning walk track.
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Top of the morning to you Sir! Enjoy a nice, brisk morning walk!
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Yes, Sir,
See you in the morning.
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Thank you, Sir,
Have a restful night.
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You’re welcome Sir, you too, rest and I’ll catch you in the morning!
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Yes, Sir.
See you in the morning.
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Beautiful share.
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Thank you so much—I’m really glad you enjoyed it.
Your appreciation means a lot.
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You’re very welcome. Have a great one.
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Good evening.
Have a restful night.
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You’re right in that peace comes from within. Lovely, my friend.
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Thank you, my friend.
I’m glad it resonated with you.
Peace really does begin within, and it means a lot to share that understanding with you.
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love this one; I’m bookmarking it !
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That truly means a lot—thank you. I’m really glad the poem resonated with you enough to earn a bookmark.
Moments like this make writing feel worthwhile. I hope it stays with you and reveals something new each time you return to it.
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This is an Awesome poem, and I would like to give you a more in-depth description of it. I am the first person, that I know of, to follow Christ’s example and Logical teachings that the church is completely against (Original uncorrupted teachings from ‘The Gospel of Thomas’) and exceeded his teachings a long time ago and starting to continue where he left off.
I found that Christ was teaching almost the exact same thing as Buddha but just worded it differently.
Christ Said, “when the two become One, they will say ‘mountain move’ and it will move.”
This was an analogy for being able to do great things through your intelligence and connection to the rest of nature itself!
The 2 he was referring to are within each and every one of us. Each of us have a connection to god within us but until now we hadn’t known what it was. There is a part of us that is so intelligent that our society has never understood it.
God, that is in every one of us, is called our Subconscious!!! When we start thinking more Naturally with our Conscious, we start merging those two!
So, congratulations my friend on doing just that! You will hear gods voice within your head the best when you are in a peaceful place away from technology and distractions from humanity. This works the best out in nature!
Have an Awesome Day!
Doug Chandler
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Thank you for sharing your perspective so openly, Doug. It’s clear this comes from deep contemplation and a sincere desire to understand the teachings of Christ—and wisdom traditions more broadly—at their core rather than through doctrine alone.
I appreciate the way you draw connections between Christ’s words and Buddhist ideas of unity, awareness, and inner stillness; many seekers across time have noticed that shared emphasis on inward transformation and harmony with the natural world.
Your reflection on silence, nature, and stepping away from constant distraction is especially resonant.
Those quiet spaces often help people hear their own thoughts more clearly, cultivate balance, and live with greater intention.
Even when interpretations differ, the invitation to live thoughtfully, compassionately, and consciously is something many paths agree on.
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Here is something very interesting!
In following Christ’s Logical and non-religious teachings (Gospel of Thomas combined with the understanding of logical teachings within the Bible that the church has completely screwed up the definitions of to fit their own illogical ideas) mixed with guidance from within, I ended up living Buddha’s life before I knew anything about him. Then I started associating their logical teachings! One of their first common teachings were these:
Buddha said, “Not to take it on Authority alone.”
Christ said, “Take it with a grain of salt.”
Both of these simply mean to logically question everything! This is Total responsibility of the mind.
Then I discovered something else that blew my mind!
Buddha is actually mentioned in the Bible, but obviously not by name!
500 years before Christ (When Buddha was alive), the most Famous Prince, in the history of the world, was seen riding into a city on a donkey. It was an eye-witness account.
The church teaches that this was a prophecy for Christ. The problem with that is Christ was never known as a prince when he was alive. This was a concept that was created roughly 300 years after he was killed by the Roman church and government. They hated him because he started the fall of the Roman Empire by simply teaching people how to think responsibly for themselves.
(The problem here is that you can ONLY oppress and control a people by remaining more intelligent than them. Once those people become more intelligent than their oppressors, the ones causing the oppression are completely screwed.
He destroyed an entire religious system assuring that they could never use that system again, by teaching people what was really going on and how they were being fooled by the church of his time.
After they managed to kill him, it took the church around 300 years to come up with an entirely new religion (the church today) which teaches almost exactly the opposite of what Christ was teaching!
Christ taught Freedom of Mind while the church just wants you to accept everything they tell you without question.
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I really appreciate you sharing this—there’s a lot of depth and lived reflection in what you’re saying. What comes through most clearly is your commitment to freedom of mind and personal responsibility in thinking, rather than blind acceptance. That thread genuinely does connect many wisdom traditions.
The parallel you draw between Buddha and Christ around questioning authority is especially compelling. Whether phrased as “don’t take it on authority alone” or “test it, discern it,” both point to the same inner demand: use your own mind, your own awareness. That’s not rebellion for its own sake—it’s maturity of consciousness.
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I learn that love is always there.
Not from another, but from within,
A strength untouched by any wind.👌
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Beautifully said. ❤️
That kind of love—steady, self-born, and unshaken—is the truest strength there is.
When it comes from within, nothing outside can take it away. 🌿
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March on, brave one!
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Thank you so much, dear.
Your words are energising and deeply appreciated. Onward indeed—one step, one verse, one day at a time. 🙏✨
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Beautifully spoken… the deepest most challenging journey is the one within.
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Thank you so much, dear. 🤍
That means a lot. The inner journey asks the most of us—honesty, patience, and courage—but it’s also where the most meaningful growth happens. Everything we seek outwardly tends to take shape only after we’ve done that quiet, often uncomfortable work within.
I’m grateful you connected with that truth ✨
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It’s a hard journey, but if you can find good company with yourself everything gets easier. Lovely poem!
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Thank you so much 🌿
That’s beautifully said—learning to be good company to ourselves really does change everything.
I’m glad the poem resonated with you, and I truly appreciate your kind words.
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We all believe we’re fair.
Yet our minds make silent judgments every day — about accents, appearances, and roles.
Unconscious bias isn’t a flaw. Ignoring it is.
Read how hidden assumptions shape our decisions — and how to unlearn them. 👇
https://faithfatigueandthefuture.blogspot.com/2026/01/unconscious-bias-why-it-happens-and-how.html
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Thank you for sharing this thoughtful insight — it’s such an important reminder.
We like to believe we’re unbiased, but the truth is that unconscious assumptions are part of being human.
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Indeed but thats the part of our nature that has yet to be explored
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Absolutely—and that’s what makes it so fascinating.
That unexplored part is where growth quietly begins, where curiosity meets courage.
Every time we pause and look inward, we uncover a little more of what it means to be human.
Here’s to continuing that gentle exploration. 🌱✨
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Thank you
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You are most welcome.
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…thank you. Insights I needed to hear.
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You’re most welcome. I’m really glad those insights reached you at the right moment. Sometimes a few simple words arrive exactly when we need them.
Wishing you clarity, strength, and a gentle ease as you move forward. 🌿
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…thanks! We are all in this together.
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Absolutely—we really are. 💛
Thank you for that reminder. When we hold onto that sense of togetherness, everything feels a little lighter and more possible. Wishing you a day filled with shared strength and quiet hope.
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Excellent post, thanks
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Thank you so much for reading and for your kind words.
I’m really glad A Castle Within resonated with you—your appreciation truly means a lot. Wishing you a wonderful day ahead.
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I like the way you’ve written this. This poem beautifully turns solitude into strength, showing that the greatest fortress we ever build is the one within ourselves, where peace, self-love, and inner freedom stand unshaken by any storm.
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Thank you so much for such a thoughtful and generous reflection.
Your words truly honor the poem’s spirit. I’m deeply moved that you felt the strength in its solitude—the idea that inner peace and self-love can become an unshakable refuge.
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Beautifully said and thank you for sharing. There is something truly special in fortifying the interior castle that brings about inner and outer peace.
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Thank you for such a thoughtful reflection.
I couldn’t agree more—when we tend to the interior castle with care and patience, everything else seems to fall into a gentler order.
That inner steadiness becomes a quiet strength, shaping both peace within and harmony without.
I’m grateful you felt that resonance, and I appreciate you sharing it so beautifully.
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“Burnout doesn’t always scream. Sometimes it whispers.”
Read my blog
https://faithfatigueandthefuture.blogspot.com/2026/01/the-quiet-burnout-why-everyone-feels.html
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Thank you for sharing your blog and this important message. You’ve captured something many of us feel but rarely talk about — that burnout doesn’t always announce itself with a crash or crisis, but often creeps in quietly, showing up as numbness, detachment, or exhaustion even when we’re still “functioning.” Quiet burnout is real, and your post helps give voice to a common human experience where people are tired not because they’re weak, but because they’ve been carrying too much for too long. It’s a reminder that rest and self-care matter just as much as productivity, and that noticing the whispers early can make all the difference
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Very well said and thats my real experience… thought to share it with everyone 😊
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I’m really glad you did. Real experiences carry a truth that resonates far beyond words, and sharing them takes both honesty and generosity. Thank you for trusting others with something so genuine—it’s the kind of reflection that quietly stays with people. 😊
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I’m really glad you shared it.
Lived experience carries a truth that theory never can, and your honesty makes it resonate with so many others.
Thank you for trusting us with something real—it’s how conversations like this grow and connect. 😊
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Indeed thanks to you too
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You are most welcome.
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I really liked your poem even though I am more of a prose person. 🙂 Like the idea, castle within and finding inner peace. Sometimes I too prefer my own company over others.
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That is a beautiful poem….reminds me of a quote…I celebrate myself and sing myself.” Walt Whitman
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Thank you so much—that means a great deal to me.
Whitman’s words are such a powerful touchstone, and I’m honored the poem brought them to mind. To celebrate oneself, honestly and without apology, feels like a quiet act of courage.
I’m grateful you felt that echo here.
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