Pantheism...

Most of my trips to India are pretty simple.. airport.. flight... car... home ! None of my trips have involved an eight hour stay at the Mumbai Domestic Airport! This was a first! Little did I know that due to some unexpected turn in events, I will realize 8 hours to be a too short period of time. 
I met a lady from Amsterdam... who was as I , waiting for her not so early morning flight to Chennai. So we got talking.. and I learnt something. A new word, a new concept and new world which opened the flood gates to immense possibilities ! I also realized during our brief interaction that this lady, knew more about India and our history & culture than I did ! ( quite shameful actually) 

But anyway, Just sharing this new exploration... 

Mans Journey towards Pantheism…

Since Birth, our parents and elders try to teach us the right way of living life. The way of life which God approves. We are assessed constantly based on the good deeds and the wrong doings in life as perceived by God, which eventually concludes our afterlife. We, on whole Indian children are God Fearing people. We pray, we please, we follow, and we put our faith and belief in an entity, which surpasses all boundaries of practicality, logic and science. Because we are still kids. We are still being nurtured and taught. We are not supposed to question the Gods. They are above everything tangible, above everything we perceive as reality.

When we grow up, our world, which is devoted to the supernatural existence, is introduced to new concepts of science – The pioneers of a new cosmos – Galileo, Copernicus and Da Vinci. They test your faith and introduce you to an entirely new concept of coherence and reasoning which makes one think – What exactly is god? Is it just a myth, which our ancestors have customized as set rules in society?  To define a way of legitimate actions, which they perceived to be right and were passed on for generations as preaching of God? Are these concepts manipulated and paraphrased into something unrecognizable losing the actual truth in translation? When after crossing thousands of light years there doesn’t seem to exist heaven or hell in either direction, the consequence of death ceases to exist. 

 When you learn about Evolution, you believe more in science than ever. The concepts of Adam-Eve, Creation-Destruction all start seeming vague. We start questioning our religion, our understanding and our judgment. Combining this curiosity with today’s society where crime is like the first reality in India… it takes a lot of effort not to turn towards questioning the past.

Todays India, where rape and murder occur as a second reality, where selfishness and greed are the new standards of living, where people are materialistic and shallow and no one is bothered about anyone but themselves, is entirely paradoxical to the vision we were brought up with.  Where is God now? Why is there no punishment? Why is there so absolution? Why is conscience (which is merely a reflection of gods rulebook) the only thing that has ceased to exist today? Now, we are not kids anymore. We can question religion. We can form our own beliefs. We now choose to be people of Science abandoning our faith in something superior to mankind.  We turn towards Atheism.

Now we are living a life, which does not believe in god. Which believes in science. We put all our faith in science. But then, some unexplained things happen in life – like a close shave from an accident, some wishes coming true, an escape from a scary situation, which again pulls us towards thinking “thank god”. There – Back where we started. Now we are totally confused. We have neither concept nor conviction of our belief. This is when we start venturing for a new faith. New beliefs, which will help us, see the best of both worlds. Which is keep us rooted to reality. To Sanity.  To substance.  Now we start thinking about Pantheism.

We start believing in Earth rather than focusing on something beyond imaginary. Beyond human. Beyond nature.  Fully embracing the beauty and extravagance existence of this planet forms the anchor our life needs. And once we start believing in the beauty and outrageous sustenance this land has cherished us with, we go back to the basics. To prove a point. We reacquaint ourselves with our own religion with a completely new perspective. A completely new dimension, which reiterates mythology in concurrence with nature.

The three Hindu Gods – Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh.  Confirming the basic belief that everything carnal has to go through the basic cycles – Creation, Existence and Destruction, Lord Brahma is the creator of this world, Lord Vishnu is the nurturer and Lord Mahesh/ Shiva is the destroyer.  When we think about Creation and faith in these terms, the differences between Hinduism, Christianity and Judaism cease to exist. The only reality remains - our Tangible, very definitive and materialistic Earth.  The beginning and End of every existence and the answer to every curiosity. The elucidation of every concept, which questioned our existence. 

After so many myths, beliefs, facts, stories, questions and so many different perspectives to the very thing everyone is concerned about – Absolution & Death. No one knows what created us… no one knows what happens to us when we die. There are theories, hypothesis and vague explanations of things, which are unavoidable. No one can state for a fact that God exists or not. Something Supernatural exists or not. But as humans, as people of science, as pragmatic people that we call ourselves, we have to believe in some power, which keeps us rooted to reality. We conceive that to be Earth.

PS. The lady, who taught me so many things ... is apparently a huge celebrity in Holland! 

FAITH - A lost Virtue ?

                What do we mean by progress? Does the economic boom, and spread of technology appease the needs of a community who dreams of emerging as a Developed nation one fine day?

                In my days in USA, I have seen people who live with the misconception that We, Indians are blessed with an intelligent brain, which is the backbone of America’s Success and will always be.  I really don’t understand what reaction would do true justice to this attitude. Leave apart the shallowness of that concept; the diminishing levels of trust and authenticity pose a bigger concern. How difficult would be for me to order a beautiful flower basket for my mother, on Mother’s Day taking into consideration the fact that the world is such a small place today!!! All I had to do was select my desired gift and pay. I was really feeling guilty for expressing my concern regarding the issue as I was a bit apprehensive about it. Will the flowers reach? Will they reach on time? Will they exploit my money? Being an Indian, keeping so less faith in our own countrymen made me feel really low. But what did I know, that I was apprehensive not because I didn’t know these new people, but because I know ‘Indians’ very well. 

                It has become our signature somehow – to break rules, to exploit people, to see self profit in every damn aspect. And above all, most of us are self proclaimed Professors. Who have the responsibility of spreading the totally wrong notions with utmost confidence.

                So coming back to my story- The flowers- They reached all right, but were not what I had expected. The irony here is , I had expected that they won’t be what I was expecting. Then what’s the fuss about? The fuse in my head burns when I ask for an explanation and get an answer “ You placed the order, and you got the flowers, then what is your problem?” – as if he is trying to tell me that I should be happy I got them at least , not worrying what they are . Funny nah !!!

                Well arguing with him made me realize it was pointless. And I really should be thankful that I got them at least. This leaves me with a thought that should this have happened here , in the US, will it have the same conclusion? So , what’s makes this country what it is? It’s not money, it’s not power. It’s not politics and it’s not research. It’s PEOPLE. It begins with people and ends with people. The faith. The humanity. The discipline. The Honesty. These are the things which make a country successful. The attitude of people, the way of looking at things, and a completely “un-selfish” way of living.

                Unselfish in what way ? No one is that altruistic. But there is a difference. Again… When I was in school there were many Indians attending the same class as mine. The main focus was of not to gain knowledge or learn something new. But it’s to finish the class somehow and jump to the next. They will copy Assignments, alter home works, cheat with programs and somehow finish their submissions to get a passing grade. Why do they look for the easiest way out?  They exploit the professors trust in them .

                At work , taking prolonged lunch breaks which last for more than 90  mins , run home before hours , chit chat at work or give excuses to get a break. Again they exploit their employers trust in them. In every scenario, we end up exploiting someone, or looking for way as to how can we gain more . How can we bend things in our favor. Why?  Can’t we just let the things take their natural course and let them be ? Why do we have to make signature moves all the time?

                And its not only ethics, its normal attitude. I believe , if there are 3 Indian’s in a room and 1 American, people should talk in a language which everyone will understand. And not chatter in Hindi which makes the other left out person feel uncomfortable. But paradoxically the most common thing to perceive is a bunch of Indians making unnecessary mockery of the only American in their own language which portrays poor humanity. And then people complain that Americans are racist!!! Why shouldn’t they be? What people don’t realize is they don’t dislike you because of your color, but it’s because of your behavior.

               For every chance I get, I try to prove I am not like other Fellow Indians. I try to prove I am different. Not to others but to Myself. That I am not like others. I will not look for the easiest way out of every situation. I will never exploit my professor’s trust or my employer’s faith. I will try to prove I have more in me, which compels me to prove myself more worthy in a competition as opposed to demeaning my opponents. If I am so annoyed with these habits and traits of typical Indians why should Americans be an exception to this? Instead of blaming them, it’s time for introspection. Not everyone is typical!!! But most of them are.

               To those who believe us to be the so called the backbone , I would just like to say if ‘typical’ Indians continue to behave the way they always have , Its only a matter of patience we will be welcome in this country. Back bone will be an extinct concept. Instead of perceiving this idea of self importance they should consider returning back to reality.  

              On this topic I can go on for hours together. But for now, All I can conclude is it’s not the place, it’s the people in it. Faith is a big word which is taken very so lightly now a days. Being intelligent or being brilliant is too long a target to even think about. We have to be better humans first. It’s time to think . And it’s time to change. We who can think rationally can bring about this change. So let’s try. Let’s change the signature of our youth, and make it more respectable. More deserving. More Indian.

Wishing all of you a very happy republic day!!!

             'Republic'...The dictionary defines it as the right of commonality to elect the people who they think are deserving to run their nation. But sometimes I feel, does it really make a difference? Coming from me , who has never voted once in her life ... or coming from those who see no point in voting anymore, are we really the people who care about who is running this country ?
              Days have passed, and so have years,but the motto of elections still remains the same - " Reduction in unemployment", "Reduction in poverty","to control taxation" and "to curb terrorism" . As a nation, as a country have we really grown? Have we changed at all ? Or are we the same since 60 years, facing the same problems we faced 60 years ago? has there been any improvement at all ?
To counter that there has been some increase... the population, Amount of Brain drain... , Number of states in the country... , the rift between the rich and the poor...amount of money in the world bank, the size of terrorist clans, number of rapes in the cities, prices of vegetables, and the percentage in tax! (to name a few)

              Do we take our voting rights seriously? Are the people contesting elections worthy enough to think about the society ,apart from their bank balance? What do these politicians have in mind when they stand for elections? Do they bear the sanctity and the courage which takes to run a community? what are their motives?
               Seems like the term defining India as a 'developing country' will soon cease to exist.If all the country is left with, are people who are living there just because they didn't get a chance to settle abroad, politicians who are finally "thinking about " - thinking about the country because they have reached their account limit... or  frustrated , tired and helpless citizens who have to fight for their right to live with respect in their own country. how will this country call itself 'developing'?, when all the factors leading to progress slowly seem to diminish!!!
               When will we grow above our petty issues of separating states,  educating taxi drivers or fostering a terrorist (who btw eventually learns Marathi but residents don't !!! ) or blaming the occurence of any tragic social event on some movie ... when will this never ending blame game cease? Who should take the responsibility of the  issues haunting the indian society ?
               We should . We are responsible for todays scenario in every sense. We the people, who take pride in saying 'we broke the rules' are responsible for corruption. we, who have no respect for the law, are responsible. We, who are so self engrossed , that we end up exploiting every opportunity we face , are responsible. we have no discipline in our blood. We are taught to break rules, bribe , lie , do anything to 'survive'. Todays India is our reflection. Our attitude, our discipline, our behaviour and our approach all have given birth to the Republic of India we see and pity today.
               So let us make an attempt to change ourselves, to change the people around us, to nurture the hope, that one day we will become a part of India we all will be proud of. And like education, any change begins at home. So lets make a move and brace ourselves, change ourselves, educate ourselves for a better tomorrow. For a better future. Let us be the politicians, the community will fight to vote for, let us be the leaders who have no better interest than the renovation of todays scenario, let us be the society who values and respects every human and animal alive. Let us be a parent, for a better tomorrow.

Happy Republic day.