Exploring the truth...

It’s the end of 2011 today. I have so many thoughts to put down. Let’s see how I can be short and precise; it’s difficult!
This year was the centenary of discovery of atom. Bohr told a century ago that the entire Universe is made of atoms. Later came electrons, protons, nucleons, quarks, neutrinos, and further down to what has still not been made public. But does it mean that science is ultimate?? Does it mean that everything science is discovering today never existed before?? Does it mean that what science doesn't recognize is superstition??
NO.

Science has become like a religion today; I mean it’s taught in schools from the very young age. It’s the major belief system today. It’s installed a notion in people today that what one sees is true. Well, what science has been discovering from the past two centuries has always existed; may it be X-rays, UV rays, IR, photons, inert elements, quarks or other particles. It’s only that technology has been developing and science only recognizes things that can be detected with present technology, which means there might still be millions of miles to go. I also wrote the monkey experiment in a previous blog. Darwin’s theory is filled with loop holes. Many scientists today believe in and acknowledge pre-historic civilizations, which means that there existed many human civilizations in history whose science was as/more advanced than today's. There have been many discoveries in the past few decades which, if made public, can change the present day textbooks and conventions. Mr. Li Hongzhi explains with a scientific background very clearly and profoundly various so-called-superstitions in his book Zhuan Falun. Even the elite among the intellectuals are awestruck by the wonderful explanations.

What I want to finally convey is: there have been many prophecies and other philosophies about 2012. Science may be true, but its definitely limited. What if the the prophecies are true. We need to look at things with wisdom, higher truth and unlearn. This short movie "Village of the Watermills - Akira Kurosawass Dreams" also gives a wonderful message.

Its time you question 'what if?' and also get answers... :) :) :)
Let us acknowledge n realize this deep within as we bid farewell to 2011. May 2012 lead us to higher wisdom, purity n morality. :-):-):-)

Keep Smilin..!!:-)

Let Go... Fear...

This was a nice and a very critical realization today, thanks to my colleague/friend Srini.

I was also watching ZNMD again today and I have found this one of the best recent time movies I have seen. The learning from it about letting go of all fears is superb. :)

In fact the thought Srini put forward was also similar: People do not take risks and bigger steps as they have Fear... And the biggest fear is the fear of death.
Why does a person even do major operations though they are very painful (and I think an ordinary man always fears pain)? Coz death is a bigger fear and he doesn't mind the huge pain to avoid/postpone death. But without realizing the truth of the reason and the cause.

I recently also came across this on a TV soap - the example here was common cold: if a person suffers from common cold, there are 2 ways to cure it, viz., 1. do not do anything and you will be fine in 7 days, 2. consult a/many doctor/s and undergo medication and you will be fine in 7 days..!! W-O-W..!!

Let go.. Let Go.. Let GO.. is the moral and purpose of human life. If you have got a chance, do interact with people who have seen death and survived; all of their experiences would say that they felt relief, light, free from bondage... Some would also feel a sense of excitement... and yet, none of them would be scared at the moment of death. :) :) :)
And people who experience death and live usually change the entire style of living and then comes the purpose. :) :) :)... the purpose of life...

Keep smiling. :) :) :)

Sion to Sion... with Chandni Parekh

It was 4th of December, Sunday, at Mumbai; a long day, many experiences and a lot of exposure.
I have 4 long stories to share but I will make them short and elaborate on somee\ of them later. ;)

I'd like to dedicate this blog to a dear friend (the day started at Sion where my angel of the day, my friend, picked me up, and ended at Sion where she dropped me back!) who gave me the opportunity to use the day the way it was.

 (In chronological order:)

1. Vikas Khanna: It came as a surprise and a gift to me to meet him. I have been a big fan; a person of that stature and who has achieved what every common man would wish to; yet so compassionate, so nice, so soft spoken, so grounded; the benevolence, the smile, the innocence... he only humbles me more and teaches me to be better everyday. The innocent smile, the charming eyes, an affectionate tone, his belief system, among everything else about and around him; only increased my respect and regard for him. Those 5-8 minutes of time were fantastic. I will never forget the way he taught the two of us to make chai... wow, the way he connected it to a person's life and the confidence he gave... just awesome!!!

2. Debate on existence of God: I don't mind but I won't mention the names here. But trust me, a very well-known and proclaimed religious/spiritual speaker becomes diplomatic on the topic and takes the audience on a ride. It only saddened me. :(
I have an understanding after a lot of deep study that "what you believe Is true" is a wrong notion. 'What is right Is Right. What is wrong Is Wrong.' Right can't become wrong just coz someone believes it. That's an insult and undermining of the great laws of the Grand Universe.

3. Ekatwa: A group of 16 children from the slums of Ahmadabad staged a performance on human values based on Gandhian principles. This was jointly created by Manav Sadhna and Darpana Academy of Performing Arts. The message of Truth, Love and Oneness that came from these children, who hail from backgrounds that will only make one feel pity about, but yet so mature and understanding, was really very touching. Hundreds in the audience were moved . More than the performance alone, it was the values that they gave away that got a thunderous applause (it literally went on for minutes and we were forced to stop applauding) and a standing ovation.
I saw here, in those children and everyone around, what I wished to see in a proclaimed spiritual speaker!
There was peace and bliss, above all emotions, and a lot of wisdom to take away from the entire team. :)

4. The Taj Mahal Palace: Trust me, the reason I went to the book-reading here was the venue, very primarily. But it was an adventure of its kind. I was discussing state-run-media, economic and social conspiracies and movies 'Zeitgeist' and 'Wake Up Call' with my friends at the venue, and, there they were: the elite (socio-economic elite I mean)!! No offence to the good people there (there were nice people too, including the hero of the show!) but I had not seen a bigger show-off in terms of attitude, in terms of lack-of-common-sense, in terms of responsibility towards nature, in terms of the right understanding of and purpose of life, etc... Everything was really so unreal!!

I was aware but not exposed to such extremes (that too in a single day!!): *extremes of moral values, *extremes in thought process, *extremes in socio-economic trends, *extremes in way-of-life, *extremes in the way the life is perceived and understood, and what not!

I expect from myself to share a few more thoughts about the Sunday soon. :)

The day of course was filled with nice friends, nice talks, healthy chats, priceless moments, laugh, fun and frolic, delicious meals and all smiles. :) :) :)

A long sunday... :) :) :)

Keep Smiling.. :) :) :)

Human Rights ??

Human Rights Day is celebrated annually across the world on 10 December.

The date was chosen to honor the United Nations General Assembly's adoption and proclamation, on 10 December 1948, of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the first global enunciation of human rights. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_Rights_Day)

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights had 30 basic human rights as they are in http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/

This day is being observed in many cities across the globe. (http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Day2011/Pages/HRD2011.aspx)

I would like to raise the issue of violation of human rights in China as I feel that's where the torture of people by its own govt. is at its peak and no media has been reporting about it. I really don't know if you are aware of the human organ harvesting that happens in China (http://organharvestinvestigation.net/). This is a case where the Chinese regime itself sells Human organs globally at high prices; and these organs are taken from tens of thousands of Falun Gong practitioners who are in Jails and labour camps. The United Nations and Human Roghts organizations have been documenting the brutal persecution every year since 1999. (http://faluninfo.net/article/1060/).

Many world Govts. have been raising their voice against the persecution and for human rights. The Spanish National Court found guilty 5 top Chinese regime leaders for genocide and torture against Falun Gong in November 2009. The US House of Representatives voted 422 to 1 on House Resolution 605 in March 2010 calling for an end to the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China.

This is a persecution of the basic values that make us human. We all deserve fundamental Human Rights. Around the world, practitioners and supporters of Falun Gong continue their peaceful appeal. A unified global opinion can end the brutally inhumane persecution of Falun Dafa in China.

We look at China as the next super-power and what not. We also talk about world peace. With China being one of the major portions of the world (both geographically and population wise), how can world peace be achieved with such gangster regime torturing its own people to grow

A call for strong support.

Raise your voice :)

A Question... '?'

Its now been very long and many times: I have been asked "what are you doing now that's related to 4 years of your studying engineering?"

I hope you understand what it means and how I should feel...!

I have nothing but one question to everyone else:
"YOU HAVE BEEN BORN AS A HUMAN BEING AND LIVED FOR SO MANY YEARS. HAVE YOU BEEN FULFILLING YOUR PURPOSE ???"

Perhaps, I may get philosophical, but then what is the journey of life all about?

Everyone have their reasons and understandings. I would like to share my understanding:
Human life is about self-realization, about letting go attachments, about enlightening to the truth which is not evident with the present concepts of science n technology. Life is not only about money, or success or fantastic family life.
The biggest notion that people have developed today i feel is "what one believes is right, is right!" I sincerely understand now that this is very limited; as 'what is right is right and what is wrong is wrong.' How could a  mere human's mere belief/thought change the law of the universe?

"What is hurt?"

A friend today asked me: “What is hurt? Why does someone feel hurt?”

We were all born without any notions and knowledge about various feelings we have today. It was always taught and children even today LEARN that one should feel bad when something goes wrong, that hurt is bad, that pain is not-good. A child is taught to cry when s/he falls down, etc. You may not agree with me, but you have to look at the world with a different lens, without the notions, after unlearning...

Things changed when I came across Falun Dafa, a wonderful cultivation practice for the mind and body. Perspective changed every time I read the Zhuan Falun (http://www.falundafa.org/book/eng/zflus.html). I came to understand that pain is not something bad. It’s just the karmic cycle and one has to let go of attachments to not feel hurt.

A short tempered me, an introvert me, a put-the-blame-on-someone-else me, today has changed. Core values for me today are Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance. Today, when something happens, when I feel not-so-good, then, it’s time for me to look within and let go of some attachment that is the reason for this hurt of pain.

Let me give an example: I used to feel very offended and embarrassed when someone bullied me or insulted me or scolded me in front of others. I felt like taking revenge. When I looked within, I saw the attachment to self-esteem, I saw ego, I saw an attachment that said I-am-the-best, or I-know-it-all, or who-are-you-to show-me-the-right, etc. I had to let go. And trust me, once the attachment is gone, it makes no difference at all. The smile on my face even when someone is trying to put me down actually surprises everyone these days.

It’s not that I ignore the hurt or overlook the pain, it’s that it doesn’t exist. And once you let go and look back, it will all seem silly.  After all, an eye for an eye will kill the whole world. One has to fundamentally change one’s conventional thinking. Otherwise the truth of the universe will forever remain a mystery and everyday people will forever crawl within the boundaries delimited by their own ignorance. (http://www.falundafa.org/book/eng/lecture0.html) 

I wondered... as I saw students write a placement test

It’s about 12:40pm and I am now at SJBIT (an engineering college at Bangalore) accompanying my students from SBM Jain College of Engineering (that’s where I work-part time!). About 550 engineering students from 7 colleges are writing their written test for getting a job at Subex, who said that they will take only about 100 freshers across the country this year.

I look at the process and wonder: we have deviated so much from the value systems that we used to follow and have materialized to a greater extent that TRUST, though being a very important factor for anything in life has been defeated by the post natally conceived notions of survival of fittest and competency. Phew!

I wonder: for about 100 requirements, thousands of resumes are reviewed, thousands write exams, hundreds are interviewed, etc... What’s the budget of the entire process? That’s not important now though! I don’t see where the individual’s moral values are checked and considered. Its all skills and skills and skills.

I believe and understand that moral values are what determine the character of a person and not money or fame. I would like to quote Mr. Li Hongzhi here: “No matter how the human moral standard changes, this characteristic of the universe remains unchanged, and it is the sole criterion that distinguishes good people from bad people. . . As a human being, you are a good person only if you can follow this universe’s characteristic of Zhen-Shan-Ren (Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance). A person who deviates from this characteristic is truly a bad person. In the workplace or in society, some people may say that you are bad, yet you may not necessarily be bad. Some people may say that you are good, but you may not really be good.”

We all know that skills can be taught and developed; but moral values need to be cultivated. Where have we forgotten our values amidst this cut throat competition where we are prepared to do anything to gain something?! We have now been living with so many reasons that give us temporary happiness that we have forgotten true bliss. I guess most of us who have got the time to spend with ourselves have had this thought occur at least once: “Am I really happy? Am I actually satisfied? Is there an end to this race?” But again, next morning, we are all running the same race.

I will close with this famous experiment and leave you with a thought:

A group of scientists placed 5 monkeys in a cage and in the middle, a ladder with bananas on the top. Every time a monkey went up the ladder, the scientists soaked the rest of the monkeys with cold water. (The monkeys don’t really enjoy cold water.) After a while, every time a monkey went up the ladder, the others beat up the one on the ladder. After some time, no monkey dared to go up regardless of the temptation. The scientists then decided to substitute one of the monkeys. The first thing this new monkey did was to go up the ladder. Immediately the other monkeys beat him up. After several beatings, the new member learned not to climb the ladder even though he never knew why. A 2^nd monkey was substituted and the same occurred. The 1^st monkey participated on beating the second monkey. Similarly, all the 5 monkeys were replaced. What was left was a group of 5 monkeys that even though never received a cold shower, continued to beat up any monkey who attempted to climb the ladder. If it was possible to ask the monkeys why they would beat up all those who attempted to go up the ladder... I bet the answer would be “I don’t know – that’s how things are done around here.”

Does it sound familiar?

Diwali this time saddened me...

I have been having a thought for a while now with which I feel pained. It started day before morning at about 9:00am when I saw a few kids bursting bombs (crackers!). I was travelling in a bus later that evening when I saw fire crackers in the sky. And I wondered:

I was back to the days when I heard the reason for the celebration for this festival of lights. It was the celebration of victory. With lamps being lit all over and with sweets cooked in all homes, it was very righteous. Where are we today, when we ourselves don’t like pollution, when we talk about carbon foot-print, when we talk about saving ourselves from extinction (I DO NOT believe that the planet we habitat is at stake; I DO believe that it is our human population that is at stake with the modern industrialization and urbanization), when we talk about inflation and recession, when we talk about the child labour that goes into the manufacturing of those harmful things, we still love the noise, the smoke, and the effects it later has on the environment, our health and human psychology. Phew!!

It was yesterday, I had a family get-together dinner party at my granny’s place. Lots of cousins, relatives and friends. Most of them said: they hate the noise, the pollution, etc... but then some of them only told: come, let’s go burst crackers. I wonder: now-a-days, crackers is not only a part of Diwali, but a part of every victory, every celebration. Do we feel responsible at our act of not only disturbing others, but even at our own consciousness? Are we really aware of the accountability we have towards our own surroundings and neighbourhood? (I mean-a rocket cracker just flew inches away from my shoulder from behind me when I was walking down the street!)

Amidst the celebration and lights and colour and frolic, there was a bigger reason that was taking me away, that was putting off my smile, that was saddening me...

I again wondered: Does one ever feel that once moral values are valued, things would change? And if one feels it, what are they doing about it??

Now, I got an answer from a close one: “Don’t wonder so much. The world is what it is because of what constitutes it. And all kinds me elements go into making it.... At times just leave the master to weave his ways and you just marvel at the part u have to play. :-)”

I would still leave you with a thought: "The choice is always going to be between what is easy and what is right."

Keep Smiling..!! :-)