I am not sure of where, how and why Friendship's Day originated. Its just another day. I can relate the bonding in friendship to a deep state of meditation. We see our friends as they are, accept them as they are, isn't that what we strive for in meditation- see things as they are and accept the reality? In the bond between 2 individuals there is clarity, purity, love, empathy and compassion, genuineness in intent and selflessness. There is no deceit, no pretensions. Like most 'younger lot' put it 'I can just be myself with my friend'. Its got a profound meaning, if we could pause and think.
Being selfless in friendship is so underrated. It teaches you a way of life! If only we expand our horizon and look at this world as full of friends.Being selfless dissolves the ego, when we find ourselves in situations where a person needs help, their needs takes precedence over the 'I'. That's what friendship could teach and that's when we have the wisdom from friendship, connect the dots and see the bigger picture!
Friendship involves as much effort, attention and time as being a good son, brother, father etc..Think about this, a stranger is someone else's friend, he has his own innate good qualities and flaws too. So while we see our friend 'as they are' and 'accept them as they are' why cant we do the same with a stranger? We can ! That's why I think a being a good friend leaves us being a good human.
Haven't we had a situation when we honk at the person for some mistake he did and later realize the car and the person within? It turns out to be a friend of yours? I have. I could see my reactions, and impulses change right there from anger to a silly laugh. Why? If you are a good friend you know why! Question is, why cant I do that with all? Sure we can.
Let us not exploit the relation for our own convenience, 'indulgence'. The bond is sacred, like in all relations so when we commit to it let's mean it!
Should I say Happy Friendship's day? Never mind..yes, its just another day...
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Freedom through Wisdom
The fabric of society has a complex mixture of people belonging to various cultures, ages, races in pursuit of different stages of freedom -Physical, Social, Emotional and Intellectual. So one set of rules to control, streamline or educate fails. Everyone has their own set of theories, ideas and attitudes that they swear by depending on their own stage of personal growth they are in. Mostly the one group of majority with affluence, might and power that has 'like views', and that likes to listen to only the 'like views' prevail, sadly.
We all, well most of us believe bigger, faster and complex systems are better.Corporates and businesses have successfully used their marketing skills to turn unnecessary things into necessities. Economics is all about meeting man's WANTS and NEEDS and the line between the two seems to be fading fast, least the ability to see the difference by the common masses is not too bright. Anything that cannot be measured or proved has no place in the 'System'. Most don't even relate to such ideas. Even the education system fails in making the kids understand bigger, faster and complex is not always good rather creates a fascination for it. Dig their grave and talk about their freedom!
No talk on freedom can be complete without discussing happiness. Happiness we look for externally through satisfaction of our senses via sight, sound, smell, taste,touch and not to mention thought. Consumerism is the brain child of man's own failure to understand what is and quest for happiness through the external stimuli. Happiness from within? Oh please no more of these abstract ideas. Can I buy it? If I can't and if its not out in the market, such thing don't exist. Right?
Pursuing any innovation,even an idea or a technological advancement IN ISOLATION has most times been disastrous, has it not? All things in this world are interrelated with one another, said the Enlightened One. Who Einstein?
When we arrive at a day when the competition in business is not amongst the 'like' producers,between politicians, and when its with the intellectual might of the consumers, the common masses we will have real freedom. Such intellectual might cannot be achieved in schools or the environment around. It comes from within, nowhere else.
"Modern man does not experience himself as a part of nature but as an outside force destined to dominate and conquer it" E. F. Schumacher. What Schumacher?
P.S: Influenced (ofcourse!) by P.A Payutto's works on Buddhism and Economics.
We all, well most of us believe bigger, faster and complex systems are better.Corporates and businesses have successfully used their marketing skills to turn unnecessary things into necessities. Economics is all about meeting man's WANTS and NEEDS and the line between the two seems to be fading fast, least the ability to see the difference by the common masses is not too bright. Anything that cannot be measured or proved has no place in the 'System'. Most don't even relate to such ideas. Even the education system fails in making the kids understand bigger, faster and complex is not always good rather creates a fascination for it. Dig their grave and talk about their freedom!
No talk on freedom can be complete without discussing happiness. Happiness we look for externally through satisfaction of our senses via sight, sound, smell, taste,touch and not to mention thought. Consumerism is the brain child of man's own failure to understand what is and quest for happiness through the external stimuli. Happiness from within? Oh please no more of these abstract ideas. Can I buy it? If I can't and if its not out in the market, such thing don't exist. Right?
Pursuing any innovation,even an idea or a technological advancement IN ISOLATION has most times been disastrous, has it not? All things in this world are interrelated with one another, said the Enlightened One. Who Einstein?
When we arrive at a day when the competition in business is not amongst the 'like' producers,between politicians, and when its with the intellectual might of the consumers, the common masses we will have real freedom. Such intellectual might cannot be achieved in schools or the environment around. It comes from within, nowhere else.
"Modern man does not experience himself as a part of nature but as an outside force destined to dominate and conquer it" E. F. Schumacher. What Schumacher?
P.S: Influenced (ofcourse!) by P.A Payutto's works on Buddhism and Economics.
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