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| Are We Really Alive! |
Every so often, when moments of introspection hit us or we find some isolation or experience a touching event, then our mind is filled with random thoughts! At that point of time is the rare opportunity to reset our perspective on everything around us and reflect upon it through our deeper self or see it from a different plane altogether! When we do this, there is a greater clarity of thought and understanding!
In the modern day hustle and bustle of life, where everything is mostly a struggle and sadly, we do not even see it for it is - life just seems to be racing - all amidst the smoke and dust, noise and lights! If we stop to think about it and ponder (in itself rare), we are so engrossed in the race that we do not even think of taking a pause and 'breathe' to carefully consider 'where do we want to go', or 'how do we want to get there'. How about starting a race (if it must be) after we envision key points like 'where to go', 'how to reach there', 'how long should it take', 'how flexible can the journey be', 'when can we halt to take a breath', 'do I need be a companion' and so on. Unfortunately, if someone decides to reflect on the above points, they are often despised as unenterprising, unambitious and unconfident and not fit for the race. It is time to ruminate... Is the human life all about running as fast as one can? Can it not be about running at a balanced pace? Can it not be running with a league, instead of running alone? Can it not be about the solemnization of being human - blessed with a curious mind to explore and share insights?
In this millennium, meditation is a nice, fashionable and fancy word but not really practiced! We go to places of worship and pray to Gurus and Gods but never really reflect the true meaning of our lives and how better we can live it! Instead we are busy attempting to bribe deities to issue favours to us rather than taking some time in a day to spend on solitary reflection! All that matters is how much can you earn, how wealthy can you get, what position can you achieve, how visible you are or similar aspects! The quality of work does not seem to matter - only the quantum of work, never mind the humongous errors or defects in it! This seems to be the time that hard working or simple souls are considered unsuitable for growth or career! Good ideas are not great ideas unless they are packaged - most often, packaged ideas do not have stuff but are preferred! We have grown twisted ethics and are rewarded for it too - loyalty to your job and company is considered to be foolish! In fact, companies reward those who jump companies! One wonders and wonders...
Similarly, we appear to have forgotten that the mind and soul also needs nourishment else it will vegetate or become vestigial just like any other unused organ of our body! How often do we feed our mind and soul? Muscles need exercise and the mind and soul need reflection and meditation!
Happiness is now mostly material - how big a home do I have, how many expensive gadgets do I own, what kind of car(s) do I drive, how often do I take flights here, there, everywhere! It is all about the number of material comforts and luxuries and where we compare with others - remember, crazy and meaningless race it is! Be that as it may, if we were to even leave aside the happiness quotient for a moment, yet all that encompasses the mind is ‘if we slow down - someone else would take a lead’! It is a crazy race with no mind or soul in it! People seem to forget that when we are born, we are born alone and we get nothing in to this world nor do we take anything from it or go in a group, when we die! Remember, all that we are and know in this world, can cease in a moment just like with the dinosaurs...
Life is a unparalleled gift! We are truly blessed to be human! How we lead that blessed life could decide our future potential after we leave this world! Quality of life is important - it is well known that major ills of this world are on account of unbridled wants which usually stem from unlimited materialism and suppressed mind and soul! Can we live a better life - one which is all about minimalism, quality, thoughtfulness, supporting community and nourishing our mind and soul? We live in a material plane - so it would be foolish to say that asceticism is the answer but we can balance our lives with disciplined materialism and exercising our mind and soul!
Some random thoughts... what do you think...
https://www.mouthshut.com/UrbanHermits
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