Everything around is changing. Surroundings are changing E.g. Mountains are growing / shrinking, rivers are flowing. Body is changing E.g. every cell in the body has died and been replaced. Thoughts are changing E.g. likes / dislikes are changing, beliefs are changing. Life is moving towards death and from death springs new life.
At the first sight it seems that 'Change is the only constant'. However it is superficial. Looking deeper there is a subtle constant that is missed.
My surroundings are changing. My body is changing. My thoughts are changing. Things are happening to me. I am doing these things. This is mine. This is not mine. Everything is happening with I/Me constant as the background.
I/Me constant appears first. Then everything else. Nothing exists without this constant.
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Monday, August 20, 2012
Root IV: 'I' Thought
Root of thought(s) is the 'I' thought. It is implicit in everything that is thought of, everything that is said and everything that is done.
If ('I' exists is believed to be true) or ('I' is defined) then
- 'I Do' layer exists
- 'Mine' and 'Not mine' layer exists,
- World is real
Else
- 'I Do' layer does not exist
- 'Mine' and 'Not mine' layer does not exist
- Absolute Silence is real
End If
That's the difference between Materialism and pure non Materialism as written by an author who has not been able to breach the 'I' thought yet. Else there would be no blog, no post and of course no author ;).
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Root III: Change in Root thought
In ancient times there arose a king who was known for his brutality. It is said that he killed his 99 brothers and several hundred ministers during his ascendance to the throne. Ascending the throne he expanded his empire far and wide.
And then he fought the greatest battle of his life. This battle raged for days killing 100000 soldiers and civilians who rose up in defense of the city. The enemy fought bravely. It seemed like he would not be able to win the war. But then like every winner he found that extra gear to make a final push and win the war. He had done what none of his ancestors could. His place in history was guaranteed.
He wanted to embarrass the enemy. So he took a walk in the city rejoicing his victory. But as he walked he saw corpses lying everywhere. One had lost her son, other his wife, someone had lost their parents. There were burnt houses everywhere. Vultures made the sight even more grim. And then it dawned on him, if this is victory what was defeat?
That was the last war he ever fought.
- The king's root thought was at a point where he wanted to prove his strength by expanding his kingdom through the means of war. From that root thought, "victory and defeat", "strength and weakness" were two natural layers added above the root. But the result of the war removed the root itself. Now victory or defeat, strength or weakness did not matter.
- Once the root of the thought changes the previous achievements or fears disappear all together.
- Change in root is a one way road.
And then he fought the greatest battle of his life. This battle raged for days killing 100000 soldiers and civilians who rose up in defense of the city. The enemy fought bravely. It seemed like he would not be able to win the war. But then like every winner he found that extra gear to make a final push and win the war. He had done what none of his ancestors could. His place in history was guaranteed.
He wanted to embarrass the enemy. So he took a walk in the city rejoicing his victory. But as he walked he saw corpses lying everywhere. One had lost her son, other his wife, someone had lost their parents. There were burnt houses everywhere. Vultures made the sight even more grim. And then it dawned on him, if this is victory what was defeat?
That was the last war he ever fought.
- The king's root thought was at a point where he wanted to prove his strength by expanding his kingdom through the means of war. From that root thought, "victory and defeat", "strength and weakness" were two natural layers added above the root. But the result of the war removed the root itself. Now victory or defeat, strength or weakness did not matter.
- Once the root of the thought changes the previous achievements or fears disappear all together.
- Change in root is a one way road.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Root II: Root is the foundation
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.
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)