The tower had collapsed. All the hard work done by everyone involved was now useless. The king was furious. My vision of building the tower that will take me to the moon has been destroyed he thought. He had to find a scapegoat.
You workers did not do a good job of construction! roared the king. But sire we are the best and the most passionate workers in the entire kingdom said the workers. How can we mess up the best work we ever got? May be the problem was with the material we used. But oh king I imported the best material in the world from the neighboring kingdom. May be the problem was with the mixture created to hold the material together. No that can never happen I used the best techniques to verify that everything was right. May be the problem was with the guards who did not guard the material right. Well, we have served the kingdom even at the cost of our lives. How can we do such a thing? May be the architecture of the tower was not right? The architecture was the best that could ever be. You can check with anyone in this world. May be the problem was the ground that was chosen to build the tower. But that is the hardest ground in the entire world and we have treated it likewise. May be the problem was with the feasibility study that we did. We did the best study based on the data available to us. We also did a new discovery on the way that people find it difficult to breathe after reaching higher altitudes.
All of this was true thought the king. So where was the problem? Then one citizen got up and said may be the root thought of building a tower to the moon was wrong in the first place.
- Root thought is like the foundation of a building.
- If the root is incorrect any thing built on top of it will fall.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Root I: Getting to the root
The Vindhya range geographically separates the country into northern and southern part. The two villages at the foot hills of the Vindhya, one on the north and other to the south, have been inhabited from times immemorial. They have been friends, enemies and rivals at different points in time in the history.
Today the villagers like to talk about the golden past. One story that is often repeated is that of a hero who despite all odds defeated a demon with infinite heads. As in all the stories the hero cared for the people while the demon troubled everyone. But the catch was that the hero had finally killed the demon, when the demon had kept its weapons aside and was drinking water. We heard this story from several people and each of them had a different interpretation of it.
Interpretation 1
Demon troubled everyone. It's fair to kill the demon in any manner. The hero was from our village. The demon was from the other village.
Interpretation 2
Hero defeated the demon in an unjust manner. The hero (who is actually the demon) was from the other village. The demon (who is actually the hero) was from our village.
Interpretation 3
This was just a story to show the contemporary world of the win of good over evil. Look at our contribution to the world. Such nice literature.
Interpretation 4
Don't believe in the story. It does not hold in today's world.
Interpretation 5
Who cares? See the state of our villages today. We like to live in the past and that is responsible for our downfall.
Interpretation 6
Let's use the principles of this story to make progress. If we could do it in those times then we can do it now.
For the next few days we were intensely debating on what was the right interpretation. Based on the features of the demon we can identify the village one said. But the village that was powerful at that time might have changed the story said the other. Demon had to be killed to bring peace to the society said one. But unjust killing is not right said the other. Good won over evil said one. Hero was as bad as the demon. Look at the way the hero killed the demon said the other. It was a never ending debate.
With our discussions in full flow we entered a dimly lit hut where we were invited for dinner. An old woman was cooking on a cook stove (chulah). We had not noticed any of it as we were engrossed in our discussions.
As the dinner was served the old woman asked us a few questions.
1. Can the hero still be a hero for everyone although he had committed the sin of killing? No way we said. A hero should always do all things in the right way.
2. Can the story be a win of good over evil for everyone? No way we said. Hero was worse than the demon at the time of killing.
3. Can the story hold good for everyone today? No way we said, there are too many differences in opinion even among us.
And then in a very low voice she thundered. What if the hero and the demon were one and the same person? What if hero represented the good thoughts of the person and the demon represented the bad thoughts that keep arising no matter how many times you try to kill them? What if the story is a struggle of that one person to cleanse the internals?
Then how does it matter if good thoughts kill the bad thoughts in any manner? Isn't the story good for all now? We did not have any answer.
Messages presented in this post:
- Stop looking externally. Turn inward.
- Simplifying will take you to the root. Going to the root will simplify.
- Going to the root is like peeling the layers of onion.
- Root is the foundation on which other layers are built.
Today the villagers like to talk about the golden past. One story that is often repeated is that of a hero who despite all odds defeated a demon with infinite heads. As in all the stories the hero cared for the people while the demon troubled everyone. But the catch was that the hero had finally killed the demon, when the demon had kept its weapons aside and was drinking water. We heard this story from several people and each of them had a different interpretation of it.
Interpretation 1
Demon troubled everyone. It's fair to kill the demon in any manner. The hero was from our village. The demon was from the other village.
Interpretation 2
Hero defeated the demon in an unjust manner. The hero (who is actually the demon) was from the other village. The demon (who is actually the hero) was from our village.
Interpretation 3
This was just a story to show the contemporary world of the win of good over evil. Look at our contribution to the world. Such nice literature.
Interpretation 4
Don't believe in the story. It does not hold in today's world.
Interpretation 5
Who cares? See the state of our villages today. We like to live in the past and that is responsible for our downfall.
Interpretation 6
Let's use the principles of this story to make progress. If we could do it in those times then we can do it now.
For the next few days we were intensely debating on what was the right interpretation. Based on the features of the demon we can identify the village one said. But the village that was powerful at that time might have changed the story said the other. Demon had to be killed to bring peace to the society said one. But unjust killing is not right said the other. Good won over evil said one. Hero was as bad as the demon. Look at the way the hero killed the demon said the other. It was a never ending debate.
With our discussions in full flow we entered a dimly lit hut where we were invited for dinner. An old woman was cooking on a cook stove (chulah). We had not noticed any of it as we were engrossed in our discussions.
As the dinner was served the old woman asked us a few questions.
1. Can the hero still be a hero for everyone although he had committed the sin of killing? No way we said. A hero should always do all things in the right way.
2. Can the story be a win of good over evil for everyone? No way we said. Hero was worse than the demon at the time of killing.
3. Can the story hold good for everyone today? No way we said, there are too many differences in opinion even among us.
And then in a very low voice she thundered. What if the hero and the demon were one and the same person? What if hero represented the good thoughts of the person and the demon represented the bad thoughts that keep arising no matter how many times you try to kill them? What if the story is a struggle of that one person to cleanse the internals?
Then how does it matter if good thoughts kill the bad thoughts in any manner? Isn't the story good for all now? We did not have any answer.
Messages presented in this post:
- Stop looking externally. Turn inward.
- Simplifying will take you to the root. Going to the root will simplify.
- Going to the root is like peeling the layers of onion.
- Root is the foundation on which other layers are built.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Choose
It was 5 pm in the evening. A stranger from far away land reached the village outskirts. A huge structure was being constructed at that very place. Hundreds of workers were working hard to complete the construction.
The stranger went to a worker who was sitting on a rock. The worker was tired. What is being constructed here? asked the stranger. I don't know and I don't care said the worker. I don't even know why I am here. Go get lost. The stranger was taken aback. But without much fuss he stopped the conversation and went ahead as if nothing had happened.
It was almost 6pm and all the workers were leaving for home. The stranger caught up with one of them and asked what is being constructed here? We are constructing a temple here. You know what I am getting late for home. My family is waiting for me he said. The stranger smiled and let him go to his home.
It was now 8 pm and there was only one worker still working. What is being constructed here? the stranger asked. We are constructing a temple here. Come here, this structure that I am building has great significance. And that structure that I have built will help people coming from far away places. The one that you see towards your right is specially made for the god. The conversation continued for another hour or so.
In the entire story who do you think is the better man and why?
1. The first worker
2. The second worker
3. The third worker
4. The stranger
5. None
And don't make the mistake of analyzing it from the perspective of just work or temple construction or organization or family or success or failure etc. Go to the root.
The stranger went to a worker who was sitting on a rock. The worker was tired. What is being constructed here? asked the stranger. I don't know and I don't care said the worker. I don't even know why I am here. Go get lost. The stranger was taken aback. But without much fuss he stopped the conversation and went ahead as if nothing had happened.
It was almost 6pm and all the workers were leaving for home. The stranger caught up with one of them and asked what is being constructed here? We are constructing a temple here. You know what I am getting late for home. My family is waiting for me he said. The stranger smiled and let him go to his home.
It was now 8 pm and there was only one worker still working. What is being constructed here? the stranger asked. We are constructing a temple here. Come here, this structure that I am building has great significance. And that structure that I have built will help people coming from far away places. The one that you see towards your right is specially made for the god. The conversation continued for another hour or so.
In the entire story who do you think is the better man and why?
1. The first worker
2. The second worker
3. The third worker
4. The stranger
5. None
And don't make the mistake of analyzing it from the perspective of just work or temple construction or organization or family or success or failure etc. Go to the root.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Motive
As they were getting down from the rickshaw, the driver volunteered to pick up their luggage. That in itself was a strange sight. Under normal circumstances you always end up convincing the rickshawala on why the total fare should be far less than what he is demanding. But not in this case. Irfan carried the luggage and accompanied them to the hotel. But there was no accomodation available. He voluntarily took the luggage back into the vehicle. He then took them to another hotel and repeated the same routine. Finally, after one more try they got a good accomodation. Irfan stayed with them until all the formalities were complete.
30 Rs is the fare he said. Are you sure they asked? Yes, he replied to their surprise. They gave him Rs 40 and asked him why he had taken all the trouble and why was he not demanding more money. You folks are from a different part of the country and you are visiting my state Gujarat. Tomorrow you should not go to your state and start speaking badly about my state was Irfan's reply.
What does a man think at the age of 69? What is your motive for working at this age? I asked. He was the general manager at a prestigious company and had long retired. He was now working to help youngsters manage their finances well. Years ago my I had achieved my goal to move about in a chauffeur driven luxury car he started. But today I donate my earnings to an NGO in Pune. I also give new clothes to the under privileged children on the occasion of Diwali from these earnings. He was silent for a while.
Today I drive a scooter to save on fuel, he continued. No, my priority is not to save fuel on the planet. But the additional amount of money that I would spend on fuel might take away a morsel of food from the children.
30 Rs is the fare he said. Are you sure they asked? Yes, he replied to their surprise. They gave him Rs 40 and asked him why he had taken all the trouble and why was he not demanding more money. You folks are from a different part of the country and you are visiting my state Gujarat. Tomorrow you should not go to your state and start speaking badly about my state was Irfan's reply.
What does a man think at the age of 69? What is your motive for working at this age? I asked. He was the general manager at a prestigious company and had long retired. He was now working to help youngsters manage their finances well. Years ago my I had achieved my goal to move about in a chauffeur driven luxury car he started. But today I donate my earnings to an NGO in Pune. I also give new clothes to the under privileged children on the occasion of Diwali from these earnings. He was silent for a while.
Today I drive a scooter to save on fuel, he continued. No, my priority is not to save fuel on the planet. But the additional amount of money that I would spend on fuel might take away a morsel of food from the children.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Minute
Once you cross this field, beyond the bridge is your destination said the man working in the field. Thanking him we were walking briskly to witness the finals of the football tournament in the neighbouring village. Come on we don't have time to pick up that mango. The match is just about to start.
It was one of the most awaited moment in recent days. Everyone in the village was talking about it. We were all discussing strategies to defeat the neighbouring team. It was a rivalry that had a long history and today was the moment for the players to leave their mark. It was an exhilarating experience to be there.
Just as the match was about to begin, we could see a familiar face appearing from far away. The man we saw in the field was running towards the ground.He was gasping for air. There was an urgency in his voice. We heard that a few children had fallen sick and needed to be transferred to the hospital in the nearby town immediately. Everyone was shocked.
The rival team groups had now merged into a single group. The ground was empty within minutes. Opponents were now working together to help transfer the sick to the hospital. People were calming down the parents. It was truly a remarkable moment in the history of the two villages.
Today we just stand up in silence for one minute to console the one who is not amongst us. Even bomb blasts at a stadium don't stop a game from being played.
It was one of the most awaited moment in recent days. Everyone in the village was talking about it. We were all discussing strategies to defeat the neighbouring team. It was a rivalry that had a long history and today was the moment for the players to leave their mark. It was an exhilarating experience to be there.
Just as the match was about to begin, we could see a familiar face appearing from far away. The man we saw in the field was running towards the ground.He was gasping for air. There was an urgency in his voice. We heard that a few children had fallen sick and needed to be transferred to the hospital in the nearby town immediately. Everyone was shocked.
The rival team groups had now merged into a single group. The ground was empty within minutes. Opponents were now working together to help transfer the sick to the hospital. People were calming down the parents. It was truly a remarkable moment in the history of the two villages.
Today we just stand up in silence for one minute to console the one who is not amongst us. Even bomb blasts at a stadium don't stop a game from being played.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
A Stroll
It was noon and I was walking towards home. I was looking for a way to quench my thirst when I saw a fruit vendor selling tender coconuts. Immediately I started walking towards him.
He was sitting beneath a huge mango tree on a little home made seat. Behind the tree was a small house surrounded by a hedge. His elderly mother was sitting in the verandah cleaning rice. There was a little tailor shop where his wife was sewing. Two kids were playing in the verandah with their grandfather.
As I reached near the tree I could see that the vendor had cleaned up the area surrounding the tree and sprinkled water on it. I could here a prayer song playing softly on the small radio kept under his seat. On a wooden table he had arranged different kinds of fruits in an organized manner. Coconuts were kept on a sack by the side of the table.
I asked him for some coconut water. With a well sharpened knife he cut the top portion of the coconut, put a straw in it and gave it to me. While I was drinking the sweet coconut water in the shade of the tree it was refreshing to observe the serene scene.
He was sitting beneath a huge mango tree on a little home made seat. Behind the tree was a small house surrounded by a hedge. His elderly mother was sitting in the verandah cleaning rice. There was a little tailor shop where his wife was sewing. Two kids were playing in the verandah with their grandfather.
As I reached near the tree I could see that the vendor had cleaned up the area surrounding the tree and sprinkled water on it. I could here a prayer song playing softly on the small radio kept under his seat. On a wooden table he had arranged different kinds of fruits in an organized manner. Coconuts were kept on a sack by the side of the table.
I asked him for some coconut water. With a well sharpened knife he cut the top portion of the coconut, put a straw in it and gave it to me. While I was drinking the sweet coconut water in the shade of the tree it was refreshing to observe the serene scene.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Scorecard
It was truly a nail biting finish at the Eden Garden’s. I was reading an article that was describing the last few moments of the game in a ball by ball manner when I realized something. No, not that the team was assured of the numero uno spot for the year. Nor the fact that the team was assured a large sum of money.
I was looking at the score card. Four players had scored a century each. Three bowlers had performed very well in the match. What struck me was that these players belong to different parts of the country (North, South, East, West and Central). They believe in different faiths. They were brought up in different backgrounds. Yet they had come together and played as a splendid unit to chalk out one of the biggest wins.
In the current turbulent times when the country is being divided on so many trivial issues, our cricket team has set a great example of unity in diversity.
I was looking at the score card. Four players had scored a century each. Three bowlers had performed very well in the match. What struck me was that these players belong to different parts of the country (North, South, East, West and Central). They believe in different faiths. They were brought up in different backgrounds. Yet they had come together and played as a splendid unit to chalk out one of the biggest wins.
In the current turbulent times when the country is being divided on so many trivial issues, our cricket team has set a great example of unity in diversity.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Respect
As we stepped into the college we were greeted by a humble person in mid 60's. After the initial greetings we were served tea and biscuits. We then began introducing ourselves. He was the final person to speak.
He had achieved a lot over the years winning several awards and recognitions. Then at the age of 58 or so he had decided to leave all that glory and had come to the college with one passion in mind, betterment of the younger generation. As we introduced the concept we were trying to implement he was immediately able to visualize it and thus was able to provide some great suggestions we had not seen at all.
Amidst our conversation he gave us an interesting perspective. He said he always respects and supports a decision made by person around him. It does not matter if the decision is not completely right but the person has put in thought behind it and he respects that.
Those simple words got me thinking for a long time. Many a times we have a tendency to be absolutely critical of the entire work and the person who did it just because 1% of it was not done in the right way. Before we speak in disrespectful manner we should first realize that the person did 99% of the work in the right way.
Students call him Pitambare sir. He is the Dean Training and placement officer at Sinhagad college of Engineering. He is also known by a nickname "naukri.com".
He had achieved a lot over the years winning several awards and recognitions. Then at the age of 58 or so he had decided to leave all that glory and had come to the college with one passion in mind, betterment of the younger generation. As we introduced the concept we were trying to implement he was immediately able to visualize it and thus was able to provide some great suggestions we had not seen at all.
Amidst our conversation he gave us an interesting perspective. He said he always respects and supports a decision made by person around him. It does not matter if the decision is not completely right but the person has put in thought behind it and he respects that.
Those simple words got me thinking for a long time. Many a times we have a tendency to be absolutely critical of the entire work and the person who did it just because 1% of it was not done in the right way. Before we speak in disrespectful manner we should first realize that the person did 99% of the work in the right way.
Students call him Pitambare sir. He is the Dean Training and placement officer at Sinhagad college of Engineering. He is also known by a nickname "naukri.com".
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Star
The sun had set and in no time it was dark. We were still trying our best to find the lost cricket ball in the bushes. Why did he have to hit the ball so hard at this hour? A few of us were complaining. After much struggle we were still not able to find it. Finally we decided to come back early in the morning to continue our search.
Five of us were then strolling towards home. Look at the moon one among us said. Look at the beautiful crescent shape added another. Yes and do you see that star asked a boy who was elder to us. Yes we can see the star, we said. You will have to wait for some time for that star to enter into the crescent. You will then see the crescent and star symbol in the sky. Wow! we said.
For the next hour we were patiently waiting for the star to move and enter into the crescent as is shown in all the pictures. When that did not happen we wished for the moon to move towards the star. After a while some one had come looking out for us and we had left for home.
For another year or so we would look at the moon and any star nearby and wished for either the star or the moon to move before we realized we had been tricked.
Five of us were then strolling towards home. Look at the moon one among us said. Look at the beautiful crescent shape added another. Yes and do you see that star asked a boy who was elder to us. Yes we can see the star, we said. You will have to wait for some time for that star to enter into the crescent. You will then see the crescent and star symbol in the sky. Wow! we said.
For the next hour we were patiently waiting for the star to move and enter into the crescent as is shown in all the pictures. When that did not happen we wished for the moon to move towards the star. After a while some one had come looking out for us and we had left for home.
For another year or so we would look at the moon and any star nearby and wished for either the star or the moon to move before we realized we had been tricked.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Coin
I met them exactly after one year. Just as before we were engrossed disucssing various errands we had undertaken in the last one year. While I was engrossed mostly with work and re-creation they had come to realize the limitations of old age and were learning to adjust to this new adventure. Yet our conversation's always had something for me to learn.
They had reached the bank 15 minutes before the closing time. They had verified that the bag of coins contained exactly 100 dollars. Although the bank agent was wrapping up her work for the day, she greeted them with a smiling face. They handed the bag to the agent and asked for a 100 dollar note in exchange. She verified the amount and was about to give the 100 dollar note when she noticed something. She took out a peculiar looking one dollar coin.
Are you new to this place? she asked. Yes we are. Look at this coin carefully said the agent. It is made of silver. Ah! yes we never noticed it. Only a few thousand coins of these type were minted a few years ago on the occasion of president's birth anniversary. The cost of this coin in the market will be about 50 dollars. I don't know how much a numismatist will offer you. Here is the 100 dollar note and here is your special coin. Keep it safely.
They were wonder struck with the honesty the bank agent had shown.
They had reached the bank 15 minutes before the closing time. They had verified that the bag of coins contained exactly 100 dollars. Although the bank agent was wrapping up her work for the day, she greeted them with a smiling face. They handed the bag to the agent and asked for a 100 dollar note in exchange. She verified the amount and was about to give the 100 dollar note when she noticed something. She took out a peculiar looking one dollar coin.
Are you new to this place? she asked. Yes we are. Look at this coin carefully said the agent. It is made of silver. Ah! yes we never noticed it. Only a few thousand coins of these type were minted a few years ago on the occasion of president's birth anniversary. The cost of this coin in the market will be about 50 dollars. I don't know how much a numismatist will offer you. Here is the 100 dollar note and here is your special coin. Keep it safely.
They were wonder struck with the honesty the bank agent had shown.
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