As always Buddha was walking with a few of his followers from one town to the other. En route they crossed a small rivulet. All the Bhikkus and the Buddha crossed the water body. After crossing some distance from the rivulet the Buddha told one of his disciples “I am thirsty, can you get me some water for me?”
The disciple responded, we just crossed a rivulet a while back I will bring water from there.
Since the group had just crossed the rivulet, the water had become very muddy and turbid.
The disciple thought “How can I give this muddy water to Buddha to drink?”
The disciple came back and told Buddha “The water in there is very muddy. I don’t think it is fit to drink. There must be another water body nearby I shall fetch water from there”
The Buddha told the disciple to go back to the same place but this time around wait for some time. The disciple went back, and found that the water was still muddy, but as the Buddha had suggested to him to wait, he waited for some time.
After some time, the disciple found the mud had settled down, and the water was clean. He collected some water in a pot and brought it to Buddha.
Buddha looked at the water, and then he looked up at the disciple and said “See what you did to make the water clean. You let it be and the mud settled down on its own and you have clear water.”
Meditation is not “doing” it is happening / being; it is effortless.
I heard this story in my Art of Living course way back in 2004.
Down the garden path went Adam
He found and Apple to fathom
He could not understand the depth
Because the apple was from the knowledge tree
Eve was cajoled by the serpent
She forced her husband
Came upon Adm the curse
Life for you will be arduous
Wish Adam & Eve had not walked
Down the garden path
The story sounds so strange, why would God curse any of his / her creation? There are variation to the story that God punish the ground and not Adam. My point has always been – if God isn’t someone who is compassionate, why should we call him / her God?
Story source of the stories of God cursing Adam and cursing ground –
http://www.christianbiblereference.org/story_AdamAndEve.htm
http://www.creationmoments.com/content/why-did-god-curse-ground-and-not-adam
When I read the topic for Loose Bloggers Consortium, the very first thing came to my mind was this video from Kung Fu Panda 2. The other thought was that I have written a lot of blogs related to peace of mind earlier.
The conclusion of every blog post is that peace of mind comes from within and not outside. For example –
In the blog Peace of Mind – I started of thinking peace of mind comes from owning something or being at peace is independent of owning anything? I reasoned out that peace of mind is not in achieving something in life. However, peace of mind is being at peace with our mind in the present. Because the more we think more we complicate life – life is, simple!
In another blog Arrived… where? though peace of mind was not straightforward point of discussion, but something related was discussed. My brother in law asked me a very simple question – ‘what is home?’ ‘what is school?’ How do you define home/school etc” In that same discussion the conclusion was – home relates more to a feeling – comfort, peace.
In one more blog Dichotomy on happiness the question I ask was – happiness requires fulfillment of the CONDITIONS we create for being happy or it is a feeling irrespective of what happens in our life/to us? These conditions, to me, are never ending… as it happens to the squirrel in Ice Age-Trilogy and to Chaipau in Salaam Bombay“. Dichotomy of happiness is you decide on what you enjoy doing or you remain happy irrespective of the situation you are in….
In all these thoughts, the real peace of mind was understood when I first saw Dadaji (Dada Gavande), here is a tribute blog to Dadaji. “When I saw him for the first time, and later as well, I was completely awe stuck, everything, thought and feeling vanished. So much of serenity was flowing off his face that I had nothing to talk or ask.” If you want to experience such peace of mind, you either have to meet an enlightened master or be enlightened yourself.
There were about 10 or more blogs in which peace of mind was touched upon. For more of my thoughts on peace of mind, read What are you searching for? where really the question is to you. In another blog Is religion another organized crime? the point is have religion lost their meaning? In the blog Money what is it? I tried to create another fictitious currency. In another blog Fish will fly in its next birth how my sister tried pacifying her daughter whose fish had just died.
You can read all the blogs searched with “Peace of Mind” as searched term here
This topic for LBC was suggested by Ramana uncleji. You can read other blogs of other Loose Bloggers Consortium members at Ramana Uncleji, Shackman and Lin.
I have always been very critical to Hinduism. When I was young, I used to feel – Ramayana and Mahabharata are well written novels. However, slowly my perception is changing. When I try to relate historical places (such as Panchavati, Nashik or Ujjain) and incidents around those places, you may call those incidents as stories, I think perhaps there is some veracity to these. The other thing I got to know about Sri Lanka tourism is places they show about the time of Ramayana Check Sri Lanka launches new product – Ramayana Trail – http://www.srilanka.travel/travel_news?news=267
Those all points apart, I have always been critical of Hinduism. However, recently, I was listening to some hymns in Sanskrit. The hymn sounds so different and interesting. I could only understand a part of it when I heard it for the first time. Naturally the hymn is in Sanskrit so it was not straightforward for me to understand. The part which I could make out was – “Vanaspateya shanti”. The hymn speaks about peace of biological life or plant beings. It had stanza for peace for everything.
I started searching for this hymn.
I would relate this hymn to another Sanskrit shloka –
ॐ सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः ।
सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु मा कश्चिद्दुःखभाग्भवेत् ।
Om Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah Sarve Santu Nir-Aamayaah |
Sarve Bhadraanni Pashyantu Maa Kashcid-Duhkha-Bhaag-Bhavet |
In the above shloka and Shanti mantra, the scholars are praying for peace for every living being. When we see the kind of violence around us – terrorism or wars – this kind of philosophy fascinates me. The religion evolved in India have the concept of inner search, peace and renunciation. This is something whole world needs to learn from Indian religion.
“I always wonder why birds choose to stay in the same place when they can fly anywhere on the earth, then I ask myself the same question.” – Harun Yahya
Adnan Oktar (born Ankara, 1956), also known by his pen name Harun Yahya, is advocate of Islamic creationism in the creation-evolution debate. He is considered to be the leading Muslim advocate of creationism.
I have wondered about many things in life. It includes creationism, economics and war. Many of the thoughts are posted in the blogs here. Recently, Ramana uncleji commented on my blog post – Free will and Fate.
Sitting quietly. doing nothing, spring comes and the grass grows by itself. Zen
How often we looked at growing grass as the Zen saying states. I’ve a difference of opinion though. The growing grass does not do anything on the surface, but inside it, below the surface too there are a lot of things going on. Struggle of survival, isnt it?
The other thing I wonder a lot about is economics and our interdependence. I know many people do not consider economics as a play of interdependence however they see it has how do I improve my marginal utility. Most of the times this thinking of these smart people is based on “how do I… at the cost of other”. This needs to change. The discourse of economic value has to change. It needs to include everyone. If there is inequality we would not achieve peace.
On the debate of creationism and evolution – I wonder why people keep on fighting about creationism but accept – and use too – scientific discoveries? I liked the way The Buddha kept silent on the question of existence of God.
There are many more things I’ve wondered, why? The most regular point I cogitate is economics and spirituality – interdependent co-arising. This blog is an outcome of the same wandering of mind.
It was topic of Loose Bloggers Consortium for this Friday. Others who have written this week are – Shackman, Ramana Uncleji and Dunnasead.
I received the following message on my LinkedIn timeline.
“I AM SICK AND TIRED OF READING GREAT SUCCESS STORIES & INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHTS, ITS ALL IN YOUR DESTINY, NOTHING IS IN YOUR HANDS, GIVE YOUR DOB, TIME & PLACE OF BIRTH, I WILL TELL YOU THE ENTIRE STORY OF YOUR LIFE”
This is an interesting point. If we look at it from one side it says – We are all forced to be where and what of the fate and there is no control! Right? From the other side we may denounce the statement by stating Free Will (my choice) is what makes me what I am and where I am not the fate.
I remember in one old talk by Guruji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar) somewhere when he said – “All your past was your fate (Karma), all your future is free will.” Interesting, isnt it? There is a balance.
Guruji on Destiny and free will
I was thinking about the balance and with reference to my fate thing. I made these assumptions or conclusions. The fate most probably provides you with situations to succeed e.g. some astrologer would tell you – Your mangal is sitting here and Rahu and Ketu is doing this or that, therefore you are likely to have tough time. And for good situations because of Brhaspati you may get some this or that opportunity you are likely to get promoted, better job etc etc.
I think we must never get in the debate of fate and free will. We just should keep on doing what we do. Results will come when the time is right. I thought for argument sake we may also say that the bad times are the times for preparation, doing our bit of hard work so that we can reap the benefits when our good time arrives. Isn’t it?
I have been reading one or the other story of Father Anthony De Mello’s books – The Prayer Of The Frog Vol. I and Prayer of The Frog Vol. II and share the same here occasionally. The books have small and very interesting stories. One of the story I read was on a balancing act is here –
—
…..or distinctions.
A man was doing his Ph. D in philosophy. His wife realized how seriously he was taking his studies only on the day she said to him, “Why is it you love me so much?”
Quick as a shot he replied, “When you say ‘so much’ are you referring to intensity, depth, frequency, quality or duration?”
By dissecting her petals no one ever gathered in the beauty of the rose.
At times you just need to live and not analyze your life – a big, very big lesson for me (perhaps many professionals) to learn.
Can mobile phones / smart phones make us more spiritual? I asked myself this when I another question stuck my mind – has my ‘attention span’ reduced? This ‘attention span’ question is intriguing. What is the problem of attention span? Well, we lose interest in things happened yesterday. We may just ‘move on’ from any significant happening one hour back. The lack of attention span is blamed to the technology and in some cases to the smart mobile phones.
Before digging this topic further, attention span means – “the length of time for which a person is able to concentrate on a particular activity or subject (without being distracted)”. So in one way it is a problem that we lack concentration. What if we flip the coin and say that is a good thing – why not live in the present.
A case in point of the same is US presidential election. What I read in news is – whatever frivolous news comes in the forefront, becomes obsolete within few hours. The word ‘frivolous’ in previous sentence is calculated and selective because of the most talked about candidate in election. It is interesting that this ephemeral nature of the news or short attention span can be observed in twitter trends. Any breaking news stuff becomes “what was that?” after few hours. No one seems to care about any ethical question, event or comment. In no time we have a new entertainment (breaking news). The problem is such that grave questions are buried due to short attention span.
An example in Indian context – ‘Corruption’ was a huge point of discussion three years back. A political party came into existence due to the same. Apparently this party is not willing to take case of corruption seriously now – be it case against former CM of Delhi, CWG, talking about prominent political family or the political party or any other cases of corruption raised by the people associated with this new political party.
This seems to be true that technology has put us into a situation when we lose interest in everything happening around us in no time. I’m sure in future the duration of lose of interest will be few seconds – sooner or later. Since technology is growing at fast pace, ‘later’ is likely to happen soon, who knows?
Well does not it mean we – humans – will become more meditative? Because in meditation our effort is to be in present moment. Since, meditation is not ‘doing’ therefore will technology make us so helpless or so efficient that we will effortlessly be in the present moment?
Effectively, mobiles or the problem of attention span is a two way sword, isn’t it? It is upto us to maximize the utility from it. Would we or the next generation be monk with mobiles?
I was fearing writing this blog last week, however I could not resist myself. Actually I feel I am too small to write on this big personality.
Last week India celebrated 125th birth anniversary of Dr B R Ambedkar. I have immense respect for Baba Saheb, as he is called. He was (I would say ‘is’ even till today) one of the most educated politicians India ever had. He was a lawyer, the chief architect of Indian constitution, an economist and a social reformer. If someone can boast about a PhD he/she can talk about only one big University unlike Baba Saheb – Columbia & London School of Economics. Well, many politicians may call themselves as lawyers & social reformers, however there is a huge difference between Baba and these so called reformers of our time or for that matter lawyer.
On social reforms, how many Indian politicians can say that they have moved generations on a specific path – path we may question though. How many Indian politicians can say that they have offered opportunities to the generations for growth and equality – the opportunity we may question though. None of any other Indian politician could do and has done – just name any Ms Mayavati! Mr Nitish Kumar! or a leader from Maharashtra Ramdas Athavale! No, no one can be even named with Dr Ambedkar.
We, in Mumbai, celebrated Baba Saheb’s birthday last week with a lot of pomp. Some areas (I know of Chembur) people made huge rangoli in many others there were temporary gates made, in many other areas hoardings were pasted with wishes on 125th anniversary of Baba Saheb. However, there was a question in mind when I was seeing the celebration in Mumbai. What message Dr B R Ambedkar would give to these people?
Actually, this celebration is nothing new for me as an Indian. We in India have the habit, or you may call it reverence in refined words, that we eulogize such personality. It has happened with Shirdi ke Sai Baba, Mahatma Gandhi et al you just name any. The question to ask is – what have we learnt from them? What would be just one message they want to give us?
Coming back to Baba Saheb, I was wondering isn’t it more political than spiritual or social to celebrate the birthday? The problem with any established practice is – even if the person is reborn those who have made something a practice / a ritual would not accept this reborn person’s teachings. They would rebuke him/her. Be it Jesus, Mohammad or Baba Saheb.
I love Baba Saheb for many reasons some listed above; his choosing Buddhism too is a reason because I believe Buddhism gives a person the right to question, questioning self, questioning established rules and concepts. But, has the community learnt anything about Buddhism from the social revolution Baba Saheb tried to bring to the community? Many converted to Buddhism, but what about inculcating the basic tenets of Buddhism? I asked one of my friends – Buddha never preached harming animals, why do you eat non-veg, forget meditation, forget eight-fold path, answer the basic thing? Nope you have not learnt practicing being vegetarian – which is a practice done at least twice a day. Have you heard of meditation? Nope. What are the steps of eight-fold path?
I am confident that had Baba saheb be alive today – he would have made only one statement for the masses – Appa dipo bhava “Be a light unto yourself”. Forget these rituals forget these political stands. Your growth is in your hands. Why not use the money spent on putting hoardings for some other constructive work, say scholarship for a student?
A last word – Even if you do not want to learn being a light to yourself follow the path of Baba Saheb consider education seriously and try to be like him, how many would take this idea seriously?
I have written on interdependent co-arising often. In the name of growth we are industrializing. In industrialization we are harming the environment. Today or tomorrow some or the other generation has to either take the brunt of it or change the course. If not we, who else?
The air I breath, you breath it too. If the air is polluted both will suffer. If the climate is changing it is not just New York in USA or Mumbai in India or Guangzhou in China is in trouble. We all would get affected.
This video is a must watch for those who are even remotely interested to understand carbon emission and interdependent coarising.
I would urge you to watch this video. A parting though we must ask ourselves is – what are we doing? We at least can reduce – driving needlessly, usage of AC or any other thing that increases our carbon footprints. Isn’t it?
