News and Mind Sets

This is a usual routine for the majority these days to get up, find their mobile devices and check emails. Some are much awaited, like replies to the ones sent to friends and relatives. Some come unexpectedly and with equally unexpected news. The email says little and yet speaks volumes especially if coming from someone you have known well and care for. Immediately, your mind springs into thought. What could be the matter? Why was the email not more explicit? Should I call? Should I give more time? Hope things are not that bad! At our last meeting everything seemed perfect. Now, what could have changed? A million thoughts run through your mind at breakneck speed. Next, you think of action. You search through your diary and cell phone for possible contact numbers. After all, the news is unexpectedly and from a person who is close to you but with whom you have not been in regular touch. No number! The person is in an unreachable location right now. The email talks about catching up in March. But, that seems very far away. You sit down and reflect. You hope for the best in the heart of hearts. You ponder on whether telepathy really works. You console yourself saying the involved is strong enough to bear whatever comes. The thought of the involved's well-being nags you as you go around taking care of the daily chores, and other duties. You think of sending another email. You type. You erase. You type again. You hesitate; your finger on the send button. You almost press it but then drag it away. Is this the right time to send the email asking more? Will the recipient be in a mind-set to tell? Again, a million questions. You drag yourself away from the issue. It will have to wait you tell yourself. It is futile to ponder and worry about right now, you tell yourself. It is a struggle between thought and action as are so many situations in life. But, as someone has wisely said, "There is a right time and place for everything." To tap into that and keeping the flow of life is, therefore, key.

Faith, Belief, Religion, God

Often there is a lingering thought whether there is such an identity as God or not? Is it a form, a supernatural energy, or a tangibility given to a ruling ethic that will enable moral functioning of society? Is it a reliance in circumstances where intellect fails or is limited? Is it necessary for this reliance then to take forms of different religions, different "forms" of God, different beliefs and norms to live by? Why cannot each person define his own ethics, norms, his own "God"? Will that not be suffice to lead a life away from the defined evils and sins? Then, is it necessary that religion and God exist for the benefit of the so-called masses who may or may not have the developed intellect to conjure up their own "God"? Will not self-awareness and the need to do conventional good in life lead to the epitome of good karma and in turn the formation of a human society that by and large will be good and one which stays away from all conventional evil?

It is, perhaps, easier to ask questions than come up with a solution. Looking at the history of religion and mythology did there really exist personalities capable of miracle who were later put on a pedestal and defined as God? Were they not mere Earthlings with an intellect in their given time? Did they ever face a situation of limited intellect? Whom did they turn to then to rely upon? To solve their problems and be their God? Will the enability of each individual to have the urge to always do good and turn to no defined evil on purpose remove the need of defined religions and in turn the upheaval of religious wars and mayhem caused by inter-faith beliefs and norms? Is karmayog the solution to all problems? The question still remains whether the ego will always permit good karma. If the done good deed fails to produce the desired results, will that individual then still indulge in ceaseless good karma no matter what the results? Will the human mind gain that capacity to selflessly do conventional good karma notwithstanding the outcome? Will the ego allow that? Will every human in any capacity be able to overrule the ego to keep good karma in order? And then again, how or who will remove the grey area between good and bad karma? Unfortunately, everything is not black and white and can change change shades of grey based on each one's circumstances, background, up-bringing, experience, tenacity, nature, and of course, the in-built ego. So, will the state of evergreen good karma be achieved by development of the intellect to the extent where it can ALWAYS decipher when the ego should or should not be supressed?

On a Rainy Day...

With the skies closing in and shedding in abundance, the day starts on, to some, a gloomy, murky grey note while to some, on a nostalgia invoking, creative, cozy morning to be enjoyed with exercise, followed by a hot cup of tea and warm buttered toast; maybe even a thought provoking film or movie that sets the mood for more creativity. The mind is abound with so many colors, of action, of thought, of hopes and desires, of whys and why nots. The good part is it always finds options in the toughest of situations even. That is the magic of the mind. It is the most unknownest of knowns. Knowns may not be the right word, but let's say a most felt presence, one with life. Well, this again, maybe incorrect to say. Perhaps, the mind lives on with the soul even after death. Considering its vivacity, its profoundness, this very well may be true. The mind, if ever discovered in physical form must be an accordion, or an onion, unfolding in layers, creating something beautiful, having its own ways, doing what needs doing and undoing what it feels should never have been. It is this magic of the mind that enthralls me. It is a beckoning of a good life.

The Turmoil, the Relief

Within each of us, there is a constant struggle for existence, its purpose, and the associated action. Each, a whole in parts. There are always tidal waves of thoughts running through the mind. Some nostalgic, some prompting action, some of the past, some for the future. Sometimes, action occurs instantly, sometimes not so fast. There is pondering, hesitance, fear, apprehension. Sometimes, and unexpectedly so, you become a free-soul, not worried about anything and that is a wondrous state of mind in which, the best of action takes place. The whirlwind of thoughts fast escaping as I try to capture them on the keyboard. It is often though that while engaged in other activities, lots of good thoughts escape never to come back. Techonology, therefore, is a handy tool. Any recording application on your mobile phone now allows you to speak into it at a moment's notice. One needs to be aware and alert to make the most of the modern tech-savvy era.

Drug Addiction

The year was 1987. I had just entered college in Bombay. In the second week itself news of my cousin committing suicide hit me like a hard punch in the stomach. Drug addiction is alluring and suicidal at the same time. Agreed, that even legal medicines are a kind of drug but it is the illegal drugs that cause maximum damage to you as an individual and to society with you as its integral part!

WHY PREVENTION IS NECESSARY?

Ill-effects can range from hair-loss to suicidal depression to dementia. Moreover, have you thought of the example you are setting to those around you? Your children, loved ones, anyone who looks up to you? Why then go down this path that leads to nothing but self-destruction? Your financial life, your social life, your brain and your body is bound to deteriorate due to drug addiction.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

Globally, UNODC (United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime) estimates that, between 155 and 250 million people, or 3.5% to 5.7% of the population, aged 15-64, had used illicit substances at least once in the previous year that is 2010.  Among these, 16 to 38 million are problem drug users! The last available estimate of the global number of Injecting Drug Users is estimated at 15.9 million people.Of these, 3 million
may be living with HIV (range 0.5-5.5 million).Why do you want to be one of them?