Rene Descartes, a French philosopher once said: 'I think, therefore I am'. I am thinking so my existence is established. The next question which bothers me is “I”. What is “I”? Whom we refer as “I” when we say “I am”? If I try to put my doubt simply the question is slightly different than “who am I?” Surprisingly a lot of work has been done to find out answer of the question “who am I”. The most difficult looking question has some ready-made
answer in various books and articles. Then there is a devil in me who asks a question, why are you bothered to discover who r you? How does it matter? Enjoy your life when you know the end is certain. Sometimes, devils' also get philosophical.
It looks very confusing but in reality it’s very simple. As long as I am happy and enjoying my life, nothing matters. Nice conclusion but have I ever thought that lot of things matter simultaneously to make me happy.
Then I thought of myself. Something others will also agree. I can not withstand indefinite wait. Success makes me happy. Incomplete tasks; both personal and professional, bothers me. When I lie, for any reason, I feel tensed. There are lots more similar things to list down. If I have to derive something from above, being happy is easy. Simply wish that you do not have to wait, you are always successful, you never lie and you never leave any task incomplete. Most of people will say it’s impossible. Bhagvad Gita has its saying too on this, that is, define your Dharma, the goal and do your karma for your Dharma, involved positive action, without bothering results. How one should define Dharma? Again we will have to resolve the purpose of our life or in other words the answer of the question who am I.
Back to “I think, therefore I am”. How many of us think that they really think? If I make a theory on this philosophy it would be: “My existence starts with the thinking and quality of the thinking defines our identity. And if I can find my identity, “Who am I?” is answered.”
Showing posts with label PHILOSOPHY. Show all posts
Showing posts with label PHILOSOPHY. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
GOLDEN LEAVES
I saw a young man in hurry to catch the local train with a purpose. Then I saw a young boy moving his buffaloes in open field to feed them and enjoying alone by playing with a cricket ball. I also sew a sweet young couple moving along a village road, calm and cool without any talk. I see lot of similar and different people moving around with and without a purpose with some or other emotion without demonstrating any. Then I ask few questions to myself. Who among those are happy? Who among those going to create history? Who among those is both successful and satisfied with his or her success? Who among those inherited a lot to make his given identity and who’s going to create the same?
Then I saw a huge vegetation of forest land with dry but golden leaves waiting to disappear just before fall. I got some clue and some of my answer. The trees and disappearing golden leaves signify completion of a life cycle and transformation into a new one. End is not the right word so I am using completion which is destined. Good or bad, fruitful or fruitless the trees will lose their leaves. However; just before disappearing, leaves become golden representing prosperity which seems to be notional but actually not. Philosophically completion is good as it is followed by transformation and reincarnation and sets a fresh start. So in the end (actually at the completion) everything is good. All of my questions remain insignificant at this conclusion. Is that what Bhagvad Gita says as ultimate detachment?
I tried to derive the answer from Bhagvad Gita itself. The building block of human life cycle, philosophically, can be categorized into inherited wealth (money, language, religion, society etc. at the time of birth), learning (knowledge, attitude, skills, insights etc), Application of learning (KARMA), Wealth creation (Knowledge, money, language, religion, society etc) and finally dissipating wealth. In the whole process there is no physical gain. That’s why Gita questions attachment with physical gains. There should not be any confusion with inactivity. As there is a gain, the golden leaves, and the base of reincarnation, called spiritual gain. Spiritual gain comes from KARMA, the right activity for right purpose, the DHARMA, the ultimate goal. (DHARMA is not religion specific; it means the ultimate goal of human being). To know KARMA, adequate knowledge and adequate health is required to apply knowledge. This is where inheritance becomes important which is basically BHAGYA, the luck and it’s not in any one’s hand. So the only thing left is KARMA to gain real wealth. So the sights I mention in first paragraph have no difference. The real difference if can be measured with spiritual gains it would have been very easy to answer all my doubts. Even though, if I assume happiness close to spiritual gain, it’s almost impossible to decide by just watching. The rural boy playing with cricket ball and buffaloes could be happier than the chairman of a multi billion dollar company. Its difficult, so no measurement, no confusion. At the completion every things going to look like same, like golden leaves. Let’s gain a better root to make sure the new leaves waiting to sprout is more beautiful and healthy.
Then I saw a huge vegetation of forest land with dry but golden leaves waiting to disappear just before fall. I got some clue and some of my answer. The trees and disappearing golden leaves signify completion of a life cycle and transformation into a new one. End is not the right word so I am using completion which is destined. Good or bad, fruitful or fruitless the trees will lose their leaves. However; just before disappearing, leaves become golden representing prosperity which seems to be notional but actually not. Philosophically completion is good as it is followed by transformation and reincarnation and sets a fresh start. So in the end (actually at the completion) everything is good. All of my questions remain insignificant at this conclusion. Is that what Bhagvad Gita says as ultimate detachment?
I tried to derive the answer from Bhagvad Gita itself. The building block of human life cycle, philosophically, can be categorized into inherited wealth (money, language, religion, society etc. at the time of birth), learning (knowledge, attitude, skills, insights etc), Application of learning (KARMA), Wealth creation (Knowledge, money, language, religion, society etc) and finally dissipating wealth. In the whole process there is no physical gain. That’s why Gita questions attachment with physical gains. There should not be any confusion with inactivity. As there is a gain, the golden leaves, and the base of reincarnation, called spiritual gain. Spiritual gain comes from KARMA, the right activity for right purpose, the DHARMA, the ultimate goal. (DHARMA is not religion specific; it means the ultimate goal of human being). To know KARMA, adequate knowledge and adequate health is required to apply knowledge. This is where inheritance becomes important which is basically BHAGYA, the luck and it’s not in any one’s hand. So the only thing left is KARMA to gain real wealth. So the sights I mention in first paragraph have no difference. The real difference if can be measured with spiritual gains it would have been very easy to answer all my doubts. Even though, if I assume happiness close to spiritual gain, it’s almost impossible to decide by just watching. The rural boy playing with cricket ball and buffaloes could be happier than the chairman of a multi billion dollar company. Its difficult, so no measurement, no confusion. At the completion every things going to look like same, like golden leaves. Let’s gain a better root to make sure the new leaves waiting to sprout is more beautiful and healthy.
SELF CONCEPT
Recently I came across a forwarded email on speech made by Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Anna Quindlen at the graduation ceremony of an American university. There was something which made me to reflect on some of the important aspect of life.
The self concept within us can be considered to be self centric from the periphery of life; but it is not fully true. After education we, most of us, take an aspiring career and fix our routine into some well defined commands. In profession we focus most of our energy to fulfill expectations of the organization. Remaining energy is used for the expectation of parents, spouse and children. The only personal expectation which drives us seems to be promotion, salary increment or a better job in highly competitive environment which is least of personal in nature. All these convert our life from hours to days, days to years, and years to ages and in return we make stress as part of our life. By definition, in the case mentioned above, we are selfish but actually we are not as hardly we are doing anything for our real self
In the process we lose our actual requirement of real self. Have we ever reflected to notice that how quickly we are losing our hobbies, friends and love in the journey of life. Can we recall things which fascinated us and we ever thought of living with those. Hobbies for example, books, movies, travel, writing, sports or anything for that matter, can you recall the last time you actively participated to your satisfaction. Take your mobile phone and check the numbers of your old college friend and ask yourself when last time you have talked to them and shared your feeling as you used to do in college days. Think of your parents when, last time, you’d delighted them as you used to do throughout your childhood like your first step, first word, first result, first achievement and then many. Actually we are missing the real happiness which is eternal; instead we are in search of pseudo worldly things and assume those as source of happiness which is very temporary.
It is right time to rethink and discover source of eternal happiness for our real self. If we are successful in doing so the definition of “selfish” will be changed with a positive meaning. And believe me if you successfully discover real you, the other professional and family expectations will also be in right place.
The self concept within us can be considered to be self centric from the periphery of life; but it is not fully true. After education we, most of us, take an aspiring career and fix our routine into some well defined commands. In profession we focus most of our energy to fulfill expectations of the organization. Remaining energy is used for the expectation of parents, spouse and children. The only personal expectation which drives us seems to be promotion, salary increment or a better job in highly competitive environment which is least of personal in nature. All these convert our life from hours to days, days to years, and years to ages and in return we make stress as part of our life. By definition, in the case mentioned above, we are selfish but actually we are not as hardly we are doing anything for our real self
In the process we lose our actual requirement of real self. Have we ever reflected to notice that how quickly we are losing our hobbies, friends and love in the journey of life. Can we recall things which fascinated us and we ever thought of living with those. Hobbies for example, books, movies, travel, writing, sports or anything for that matter, can you recall the last time you actively participated to your satisfaction. Take your mobile phone and check the numbers of your old college friend and ask yourself when last time you have talked to them and shared your feeling as you used to do in college days. Think of your parents when, last time, you’d delighted them as you used to do throughout your childhood like your first step, first word, first result, first achievement and then many. Actually we are missing the real happiness which is eternal; instead we are in search of pseudo worldly things and assume those as source of happiness which is very temporary.
It is right time to rethink and discover source of eternal happiness for our real self. If we are successful in doing so the definition of “selfish” will be changed with a positive meaning. And believe me if you successfully discover real you, the other professional and family expectations will also be in right place.
HOBBY VS PROFESSION
There was a story on Warren Buffet. In his childhood he used to study annual report of various companies during his vacation. That was not intended to become biggest investor. Rather it was derived from his own deep interest to understand financial of a company. We call it a hobby. Fortunately Buffet’s hobby become instrumental to his success as there was no difference between his hobby and profession.
All of us have some or other interests. Only few of us posses their interests as their profession. Not surprisingly these people are more successful and satisfied in their life. When your interest become your profession, you put your passion to work along with your knowledge, skills and attitude. Moreover, when you work passionately your quality of experiences and learnings become higher. There are lot of examples in our surroundings. Most of the known sportsmen, actors, artist, musicians have followed their hobby passionately to make that their successful profession. There could be unknown people from the same category struggling to leave a mark but I am sure they must be at least satisfying their inner voice.
I am from the other category of people who’s profession and hobby are not same. However; I can derive one conclusion from the above to answer the biggest question of how to get exceptionally successfull career.
In life sometimes undoing things is not easy. For people like me, at 30, if its not late then at least not viable to pursue new career in the area of biggest hobby or interest. However; converting my profession into my biggest interests or hobby is the easiest option. Option is easy, but execution is not. Converting your profession into your hobby will require an honest effort from your inner self. There is no formula of quick conversion but an honest approach will change your professional outlook and success.
All of us have some or other interests. Only few of us posses their interests as their profession. Not surprisingly these people are more successful and satisfied in their life. When your interest become your profession, you put your passion to work along with your knowledge, skills and attitude. Moreover, when you work passionately your quality of experiences and learnings become higher. There are lot of examples in our surroundings. Most of the known sportsmen, actors, artist, musicians have followed their hobby passionately to make that their successful profession. There could be unknown people from the same category struggling to leave a mark but I am sure they must be at least satisfying their inner voice.
I am from the other category of people who’s profession and hobby are not same. However; I can derive one conclusion from the above to answer the biggest question of how to get exceptionally successfull career.
In life sometimes undoing things is not easy. For people like me, at 30, if its not late then at least not viable to pursue new career in the area of biggest hobby or interest. However; converting my profession into my biggest interests or hobby is the easiest option. Option is easy, but execution is not. Converting your profession into your hobby will require an honest effort from your inner self. There is no formula of quick conversion but an honest approach will change your professional outlook and success.
CONFUSION
There are three types of people in the world. I will explain this with an analogy of a farmer seeding his field for a healthy crop full of grains. Type one people are exceptional achievers. They get level field, healthy seeds and healthy environment. They only sow to get healthiest crop and healthiest grain. I will explain second type later. Before that here is third type. Type three are just opposite of type one. They do nothing. healthy or unhealthy, good or bad, they do not sow at all. There is a law of nature which every one knows. You will get good crop only if you sow good seed. But for the third type of people opposite is not true. Because its not like if you do not sow anything you will not get anything, instead you will get something in either case. In this case there will be weeds which will not only spoil your level field but also kill the fertility of the ground.
Now the great type two people comes into the picture. They are not given any level field. Their fields are full of weeds created by type three people. These people are real hard worker. They will first remove weeds, then they will cultivate field to make it level and suitable for sowing. Then they will sow and wait for result. And because of lost fertility of ground they will only get variable results in the form of unhealthy to semi healthy crops and grains.
My confusion is on law of Karma. People in type two are basically honest and hard working. They give their full efforts but in return they are still underachievers.
In a society type one and type two can be correlated with high class and the class wanted to upgrade to high class. Type three is parallel to the group institutionalizing evil and crime in the society. This is true in an organizational perspective too.
Confusion number two is instead of cleaning the weeds why not to clean up type three people itself. This could be biggest task to debate for execution. But at least a healthy education system, goverment and society can start the process. The effort will be useful for all of us. Who does not want level playing field and healthy conditions?
Now the great type two people comes into the picture. They are not given any level field. Their fields are full of weeds created by type three people. These people are real hard worker. They will first remove weeds, then they will cultivate field to make it level and suitable for sowing. Then they will sow and wait for result. And because of lost fertility of ground they will only get variable results in the form of unhealthy to semi healthy crops and grains.
My confusion is on law of Karma. People in type two are basically honest and hard working. They give their full efforts but in return they are still underachievers.
In a society type one and type two can be correlated with high class and the class wanted to upgrade to high class. Type three is parallel to the group institutionalizing evil and crime in the society. This is true in an organizational perspective too.
Confusion number two is instead of cleaning the weeds why not to clean up type three people itself. This could be biggest task to debate for execution. But at least a healthy education system, goverment and society can start the process. The effort will be useful for all of us. Who does not want level playing field and healthy conditions?
ACQUIRE POWER
Some interesting inferences from “Bhagwat Gita”* on Power.
Sun is the only known source of all the energies available on the earth. Spiritually we believe Sun acquires all the powers. Both statements are similar but look different in different context. Here is an analogy of Sun to understand definition of power.
Sun is powerful because it gives energy to all the planets surrounding him. This energy is the key of existence of all of us. Sun gives moon an opportunity to shine. And moon is known for its beauty and shine of its own. Sun never withdraw his light to moon. Sun creates order around him. For millions of years and for further millions to come, all the planets around him will be in order. All the planets are in harmony and follow certain rules. They follow one rule, the order. And this rule is same for all. By this rule sun creates justice and fairness.
So the deduced definition of power is like this. Power creates harmony and order around it. Power gives energy to others dependent on it. This energy creates self worth among all under the source of power. Power gives others an opportunity to grow and shine. Power believes in justice.
Here is the simplest formula to acquire power. Start giving others power and opportunity. Create order and justice around you. Respect self worth of others especially those following you. Once you get power, use it for universal harmony. Remember power unemployed is like power not possessed.
*“Bhagwat Gita” is vedic (Hindu) mythological holy book.
Sun is the only known source of all the energies available on the earth. Spiritually we believe Sun acquires all the powers. Both statements are similar but look different in different context. Here is an analogy of Sun to understand definition of power.
Sun is powerful because it gives energy to all the planets surrounding him. This energy is the key of existence of all of us. Sun gives moon an opportunity to shine. And moon is known for its beauty and shine of its own. Sun never withdraw his light to moon. Sun creates order around him. For millions of years and for further millions to come, all the planets around him will be in order. All the planets are in harmony and follow certain rules. They follow one rule, the order. And this rule is same for all. By this rule sun creates justice and fairness.
So the deduced definition of power is like this. Power creates harmony and order around it. Power gives energy to others dependent on it. This energy creates self worth among all under the source of power. Power gives others an opportunity to grow and shine. Power believes in justice.
Here is the simplest formula to acquire power. Start giving others power and opportunity. Create order and justice around you. Respect self worth of others especially those following you. Once you get power, use it for universal harmony. Remember power unemployed is like power not possessed.
*“Bhagwat Gita” is vedic (Hindu) mythological holy book.
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