Why Shalinism?

No, I am not here to start a new religion.

Shalinism is an “ism” exclusively for me
It is a melange of things from my upbringing and surroundings
Being born and raised in Montreal, Canada
by Maharashtrian (Indian) Roman Catholic parents that immigrated
from Vasai-Virar, Maharashtra, India in the 1970s

It is a reflection of my life experiences and exchanges with the
people in my life and those who I cross paths with
It’s where I embrace the things that resonate and
come undone from the things that suffocate

The making of convictions from encounters and revelations of my own
not simply those that have been passed down through tradition
The wanting to learn and grow from everything within me and around me
The universe within and without

Ever changing through trials, triumphs and defeats
A series of phoenix-like rebirths and baptism by fire in the same lifetime
Fluid yet maintaining authenticity, keeping intact my integrity
so that above all, I am unabashed and unapologetically true to me

Attempts have been made to label me:
trailblazer, warrior, freespirit, black sheep, go getter, laidback,
dutiful daughter, rebellious child, loyal, renegade, mother hen,
prankster, party girl, pious, spiritual, crazy, angel, bitch, gentle,
aggressive, patient, impulsive, calm, passionate, feminist, archaic,
liberal, conservative, audacious, modest, sensitive, strong, emotional…

I am everything and I am nothing
A walking contradiction embodying duality
A multidimensional being
Undefined, unbridled, limitless
Neither imperfect or perfect
Can’t pigeonhole Shalini or Shalinism

It evolves as I evolve and grow
It becomes what is necessary in the now
It is the forging of a path that I walk alone
It is my journey

I believe more than following anyone or any ideology, we were meant to follow our hearts.
For the most part I’ve done that throughout most of my life.

At our core we are pure love, compassion, vulnerability and strength.
Where there is authenticity and integrity, there is vulnerability and these three things create genuine connections and safe spaces with others. For what else do we live for other than human connection in our human condition.

Follow your own “ism” so long as you harm no one else or yourself.

What is YOUR ism?

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I…I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.” -Robert Frost

“Water is fluid, soft, and yielding. But water will wear away rock, which is rigid and cannot yield. As a rule, whatever is fluid, soft, and yielding will overcome whatever is rigid and hard. This is another paradox: what is soft is strong.” ― Lao Tzu