Monsoon rains have started in Hyd now. It's so good to see the rain after so long. There is something about this rain, that brings life back into your life. I don't know what, but I like to wake up hearing the sound the rain.
It's nostalgic, maybe because I don't have to go to school that day. Regardless, sometimes I like to soak up in rain and sometimes I just feel like reclining under the bed against the backdrop of the sound, knowing fully well that I am well protected. A deep sense of security overwhelms me.
Sometimes, I just like to peek outside the window with a cup of steaming coffee in my hand and watching those flowing waters and ripples all around it. Rain means so much to so many people and animal as well as plant life. I just can't really pinpoint why we all like rain but it is what it is. I don't care, I just wanna enjoy rain and go to sleep now.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Monday, October 22, 2007
Street Smarts
IF God asked me "if you wanted to have one thing, what that would be". I would say I wanted to be a street smart. Nothing less, nothing more. I need no money. I need no fame (good fame I mean), I need no, well that's pretty much it. With that and with others I already possess, I could easily survive. And get whatever I want. Because then it would have given me the ability to trust the right person. And most importantly the courage to stand up for the music instead of running away :)
I have observed street smartness in action in one of my friend. We landed in CBE from US with so many luggages and stuff. At the airport, we were approached by several auto and taxi wallahs. My friend avoided two of them who tried to lend their hands with our luggages. Those guys wanted the business badly or it maybe their way of snatching away. Many people would have just accepted their invitation and gave them what they wanted. But the problem with this, you lose the leverage. So my friend picked the one who is idle, now he had the leverage. He was able to negotiate a reasonable price. My dad uses the same technique. They are all street smarts.
I lack this completely. Psychologists say that there is a phase in child's growth where the child would assume it is the center of the world. ie all events external to it are revolving around it. Slowly, it realizes that this is not true and starts adapting itself with the world, realizing that it is part of the world. This phase develops when the child spends lot of time with other kids or meet newer people. Sometime for someone like me, transition from center of the world phase to this phase do not happen timely or completely. The main effect of this when the kid grows into an adult is that he or she feel isolated from the group most of the times. And during trying times, the person faces the problems all alone. The strength to survive comes from within than without.
I have observed street smartness in action in one of my friend. We landed in CBE from US with so many luggages and stuff. At the airport, we were approached by several auto and taxi wallahs. My friend avoided two of them who tried to lend their hands with our luggages. Those guys wanted the business badly or it maybe their way of snatching away. Many people would have just accepted their invitation and gave them what they wanted. But the problem with this, you lose the leverage. So my friend picked the one who is idle, now he had the leverage. He was able to negotiate a reasonable price. My dad uses the same technique. They are all street smarts.
I lack this completely. Psychologists say that there is a phase in child's growth where the child would assume it is the center of the world. ie all events external to it are revolving around it. Slowly, it realizes that this is not true and starts adapting itself with the world, realizing that it is part of the world. This phase develops when the child spends lot of time with other kids or meet newer people. Sometime for someone like me, transition from center of the world phase to this phase do not happen timely or completely. The main effect of this when the kid grows into an adult is that he or she feel isolated from the group most of the times. And during trying times, the person faces the problems all alone. The strength to survive comes from within than without.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Blaming God
It's easy for us to blame God for our miseries and sufferings. Especially when a particular event could not be reconciled into our existence and that stops us from moving forward.
It also depends on your relationship with God. He is a friend to me. So our dialogues are also such. Like when God says, I have never seen a human being like you, and I sayI have never seen a God like you. My mom used to say, no matter what happens, don't ever curse God. Her relationship is more like a devotion mixed with fear.
Very recently, a US senator sued God. His complaint was something like this:
To seek a permanent injunction against the Almighty for making terroristic threats, inspiring fear and causing "widespread death, destruction and terrorization of millions upon millions of the Earth's inhabitants."
And guess what, God responded with.
"I created man and woman with free will and next to the promise of immortal life, free will is my greatest gift to you,"
After a traumatic event, there are two ways to look at it. If you wallow in your self pity, and say I don't deserve this and it could have been lot better, then you lose. On the contrary, say if you look at it as "thank God, it could have been worse", then you win. Easier said than done, this seems to be the correct mindset to have and the one that help us to move forward.
It also depends on your relationship with God. He is a friend to me. So our dialogues are also such. Like when God says, I have never seen a human being like you, and I sayI have never seen a God like you. My mom used to say, no matter what happens, don't ever curse God. Her relationship is more like a devotion mixed with fear.
Very recently, a US senator sued God. His complaint was something like this:
To seek a permanent injunction against the Almighty for making terroristic threats, inspiring fear and causing "widespread death, destruction and terrorization of millions upon millions of the Earth's inhabitants."
And guess what, God responded with.
"I created man and woman with free will and next to the promise of immortal life, free will is my greatest gift to you,"
After a traumatic event, there are two ways to look at it. If you wallow in your self pity, and say I don't deserve this and it could have been lot better, then you lose. On the contrary, say if you look at it as "thank God, it could have been worse", then you win. Easier said than done, this seems to be the correct mindset to have and the one that help us to move forward.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Spiritual NeuroScience
Well, what can you say, when science starts questioning the existence of God. Not long ago it was a God gene and now it's a God helmet!
When something like belief in God is so universal, scientists start looking into the genetic composition for answers. What if there is a gene that predisposes you to believe in God? Hey, not a bad premise at all. After all, belief in God during adverse times does help the individual to cope and survive. What if that gene was selected in a fitness enhancing way?
Now, it seems they might have actually found some God spots in the brain. Not one, but many that all work together to give a mystical experience. Constantly meditating upon a thought or deity, does change the chemical/physiological makeup. Maybe irreversibly.
What is interesting in this latest finding is what UGK said about his vision after what he calls 'calamity' that happened to him, that changed his 'state' forever, to a 'state' that he refers as 'natural' state. He said he has lost his 3D vision. That he can only see in 2D. Lot of aspirants after the awakening has confirmed that have transcended beyond space and time.
Scientists report that during these highly serene states, the part of brain that they refer as parietal lobe that controls navigation and spatial awareness becomes inactive and the part of brain that they refer as right pre-frontal cortex that controls self control and concentration becomes hyper active.
However, this study does not conclude anything as far as beliefs are concerned. Non-believers would continue to take this as evidence that God does not exist. Believers would continue to take this as evidence that God exists and the human brain offers a way to realize him.
http://www.sciam.com/print_version.cfm?articleID=434D7C62-E7F2-99DF-37CC9814533B90D7
When something like belief in God is so universal, scientists start looking into the genetic composition for answers. What if there is a gene that predisposes you to believe in God? Hey, not a bad premise at all. After all, belief in God during adverse times does help the individual to cope and survive. What if that gene was selected in a fitness enhancing way?
Now, it seems they might have actually found some God spots in the brain. Not one, but many that all work together to give a mystical experience. Constantly meditating upon a thought or deity, does change the chemical/physiological makeup. Maybe irreversibly.
What is interesting in this latest finding is what UGK said about his vision after what he calls 'calamity' that happened to him, that changed his 'state' forever, to a 'state' that he refers as 'natural' state. He said he has lost his 3D vision. That he can only see in 2D. Lot of aspirants after the awakening has confirmed that have transcended beyond space and time.
Scientists report that during these highly serene states, the part of brain that they refer as parietal lobe that controls navigation and spatial awareness becomes inactive and the part of brain that they refer as right pre-frontal cortex that controls self control and concentration becomes hyper active.
However, this study does not conclude anything as far as beliefs are concerned. Non-believers would continue to take this as evidence that God does not exist. Believers would continue to take this as evidence that God exists and the human brain offers a way to realize him.
http://www.sciam.com/print_version.cfm?articleID=434D7C62-E7F2-99DF-37CC9814533B90D7
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Misbah enters the hall of fame ...
... along with Klusener and Gibbs.
I was wondering what Misbah must be feeling now. Come on folks, without Misbah's 4 sixes, Pakistan would never have gotten to that position in the first place. But he did lose his cool at the crucial moment. His choice of shot displayed arrogance and total disregard for the bowler and to the team that appeared to be winning most the time. He definitely should have given some respect. Misbah would continue to be criticized irregardless, for sometime. Perhaps, he could take heart in Klusener's reply - "Hey, nobody died".
I was wondering what Misbah must be feeling now. Come on folks, without Misbah's 4 sixes, Pakistan would never have gotten to that position in the first place. But he did lose his cool at the crucial moment. His choice of shot displayed arrogance and total disregard for the bowler and to the team that appeared to be winning most the time. He definitely should have given some respect. Misbah would continue to be criticized irregardless, for sometime. Perhaps, he could take heart in Klusener's reply - "Hey, nobody died".
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Baba the movie
I was in Dallas when I saw Baba with my coworkers. My friend who is a Kamal fan but watches Rajni movies for the sole purpose of writing critiques, brought with him a Mexican friend. He wanted to show his friend the taste of Indian movies. What better choice than a Rajni movie would have been more appropriate?!
Just like how Kamal's debut as a director in Hey Ram, Rajni's debut as screenwriter was laudable. Not many enjoyed a different Baba Rajni. But I enjoyed it thoroughly. Maybe because I was able to identify with the character Baba.
Many felt that the kite scene was overdone but it made good sense to me. Rajni could have easily done away with just one kite scene, but if you follow through the doubts in the mind of Baba, you would be able to appreciate more. And the realistic depiction of events resulting from Baba using his 7 mantras, was too good. All kudos to Rajni for his excellent screen writing!
Just like how Kamal's debut as a director in Hey Ram, Rajni's debut as screenwriter was laudable. Not many enjoyed a different Baba Rajni. But I enjoyed it thoroughly. Maybe because I was able to identify with the character Baba.
Many felt that the kite scene was overdone but it made good sense to me. Rajni could have easily done away with just one kite scene, but if you follow through the doubts in the mind of Baba, you would be able to appreciate more. And the realistic depiction of events resulting from Baba using his 7 mantras, was too good. All kudos to Rajni for his excellent screen writing!
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Divine Purpose
I, like everyone else, believe that there is something more to life than that appeals the senses. Believing in something that does not exist might also be a serious neurological problem. The question is - is there a divine purpose to our existence. An interesting quote:
"It's funny how all living organisms are alike - when the chips are down and pressure is up, every creature on the face of this earth is interested in one thing and one thing only - it's own survival"
WE like to believe there is something extraordinary to our human lives. A divine purpose that transcends everything. A immortal soul on a mortal body. Lot of people have died believing this. They needed to believe. I understand that. Otherwise this life becomes pretty meaningless. I would say, understanding otherwise also brings lot of meaning to your life. It liberates. It might be the Truth after all.
I always used to joke that we (friends) are no different than anybody else. We are as clueless as many of the great people - past or present. I mean, we are in the same boat as say Carl Sagan or Steven Hawkings, when it comes to philosophy of life. They know more than us to tell us there is nothing. They are just in a different dimension, that's all.
My friend and I are supremely convinced that there is no nobler purpose than to survive and procreate or survive to procreate or procreate to survive or whatever that suits you. We see there is no difference between humans and other species, except for the functional difference ofcourse. All religions try to reconcile this particular fact into our existence and fail. For example, Buddhists and Hindus believe in the wheel of rebirth, which puts our species in the top of the evolutionary ladder and other species in the lower rungs. Christians on the other hand say God created animal and plant life to serve us better.
There are so many species out there that die immediately after procreation. In other words, their only purpose is to survive long enough to procreate. Nature has second thoughts about this mechanism, though it technically works. Because those species are still here surviving. But Nature found a better way - that is to survive and procreate as often. These species including our own, has a better chance of survival. Even though, societal factors and other artificially induced forces are changing this equation, for us the humans and for other species as well. But that's fine, as artificial as it may sound, it's still natural.
Some experts believe that death is an evolutionary adaptation that Nature never intended for us to find. Only species that is aware of death are humans. And all what the other species is aware of is pain. Where pain is synonymous to death. These species never "think" of death like we do. They run away from pain or perceived pain and that's all they need to do to survive better. That doesn't mean awareness of death and superior intellect accompanied by it has made us to survive better. Only time can answer that question. What if we nuke each other tomorrow and only species that has survived it are the roaches? So Nature can only create perfect species and it's up to the religion or society to create perfect beings. I am not sure they have succeeded in doing so, the last time I checked.
Anyway I have deviated from my original point, which I don't what. So we have decided to stop it right there in our quest for Truth and embrace existentialism whole heartedly. At the same time keep seeking passively. One day, we will know, why we are here!! or maybe we won't :)
"It's funny how all living organisms are alike - when the chips are down and pressure is up, every creature on the face of this earth is interested in one thing and one thing only - it's own survival"
WE like to believe there is something extraordinary to our human lives. A divine purpose that transcends everything. A immortal soul on a mortal body. Lot of people have died believing this. They needed to believe. I understand that. Otherwise this life becomes pretty meaningless. I would say, understanding otherwise also brings lot of meaning to your life. It liberates. It might be the Truth after all.
I always used to joke that we (friends) are no different than anybody else. We are as clueless as many of the great people - past or present. I mean, we are in the same boat as say Carl Sagan or Steven Hawkings, when it comes to philosophy of life. They know more than us to tell us there is nothing. They are just in a different dimension, that's all.
My friend and I are supremely convinced that there is no nobler purpose than to survive and procreate or survive to procreate or procreate to survive or whatever that suits you. We see there is no difference between humans and other species, except for the functional difference ofcourse. All religions try to reconcile this particular fact into our existence and fail. For example, Buddhists and Hindus believe in the wheel of rebirth, which puts our species in the top of the evolutionary ladder and other species in the lower rungs. Christians on the other hand say God created animal and plant life to serve us better.
There are so many species out there that die immediately after procreation. In other words, their only purpose is to survive long enough to procreate. Nature has second thoughts about this mechanism, though it technically works. Because those species are still here surviving. But Nature found a better way - that is to survive and procreate as often. These species including our own, has a better chance of survival. Even though, societal factors and other artificially induced forces are changing this equation, for us the humans and for other species as well. But that's fine, as artificial as it may sound, it's still natural.
Some experts believe that death is an evolutionary adaptation that Nature never intended for us to find. Only species that is aware of death are humans. And all what the other species is aware of is pain. Where pain is synonymous to death. These species never "think" of death like we do. They run away from pain or perceived pain and that's all they need to do to survive better. That doesn't mean awareness of death and superior intellect accompanied by it has made us to survive better. Only time can answer that question. What if we nuke each other tomorrow and only species that has survived it are the roaches? So Nature can only create perfect species and it's up to the religion or society to create perfect beings. I am not sure they have succeeded in doing so, the last time I checked.
Anyway I have deviated from my original point, which I don't what. So we have decided to stop it right there in our quest for Truth and embrace existentialism whole heartedly. At the same time keep seeking passively. One day, we will know, why we are here!! or maybe we won't :)
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Free Will
This is a good topic I used to discuss with my friends. I really like to think that there is free will. Only because I want to take credit (and painfully the discredit) for what I have done. But does free will really exist?
According to one of my friend, everything is controlled. Literally everything. The fact that I am writing this itself is controlled, according to him. He always defends his reasoning based on a past event. Let's say, why 1947? Why not 1948 and so on? I don't really have an answer to that except that a past event is the best possible that could have happened under those circumstances.
Another friend echoes the above feelings but his explanation is slightly different. He argues that the choices we have in the present moment is because of the past choices we have made. So we really are not free to choose as per our will. The decision we are about to make is already decided in part or whole.
Well, as far I am concerned, I like to believe we are free to choose. It's possible that we are preprogrammed to choose in a particular way, we still have various choices to choose from under that realm. It might so be that the choices are limited, but they do exist nevertheless. Given a moment, there are choices that are predetermined (or fate) and there are choices that are not.
And that's it abt that.
According to one of my friend, everything is controlled. Literally everything. The fact that I am writing this itself is controlled, according to him. He always defends his reasoning based on a past event. Let's say, why 1947? Why not 1948 and so on? I don't really have an answer to that except that a past event is the best possible that could have happened under those circumstances.
Another friend echoes the above feelings but his explanation is slightly different. He argues that the choices we have in the present moment is because of the past choices we have made. So we really are not free to choose as per our will. The decision we are about to make is already decided in part or whole.
Well, as far I am concerned, I like to believe we are free to choose. It's possible that we are preprogrammed to choose in a particular way, we still have various choices to choose from under that realm. It might so be that the choices are limited, but they do exist nevertheless. Given a moment, there are choices that are predetermined (or fate) and there are choices that are not.
And that's it abt that.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
The Truman Show
I saw this movie with many of my friends in University of Arizona's theatre 'Gallagher' back in 1999. I still remember a comment made by my friend after the movie, "what an extra ordinary concept and what if". Who can forget the joyful Truman's greeting "Good morning, if I don't see ya, good afternoon, good evening and good night"!!
This is one of the greatest movies that moved me, especially with respect to the philosophy. Other movie that touched me similarly is the Matrix trilogy. Both questioned the existence of free will and how that is personally important to everybody, whether that is imagined or real.
In this movie, Truman goes away in the end. Not because his life was a tv show and being watched by millions of people. But because nothing around him was real. His life was controlled in all aspects. The choices he faced in his life were all controlled. The characters he faced lied to him just so the show could continue. In essence, there's nothing he could really do and say he did it. How would you feel when you discover that your parents, friends and wife are all made up and part of a show whose sole purpose is to generate money?
It also brings up another point which was touched upon in Matrix. His life was normal. He never complained until he grew suspicious about events surrounding him. Like the Architect (read God) says in Matrix, that 99% of the test subjects accepted the program as long as they are only aware of choice at the sub conscious level.
This is one of the greatest movies that moved me, especially with respect to the philosophy. Other movie that touched me similarly is the Matrix trilogy. Both questioned the existence of free will and how that is personally important to everybody, whether that is imagined or real.
In this movie, Truman goes away in the end. Not because his life was a tv show and being watched by millions of people. But because nothing around him was real. His life was controlled in all aspects. The choices he faced in his life were all controlled. The characters he faced lied to him just so the show could continue. In essence, there's nothing he could really do and say he did it. How would you feel when you discover that your parents, friends and wife are all made up and part of a show whose sole purpose is to generate money?
It also brings up another point which was touched upon in Matrix. His life was normal. He never complained until he grew suspicious about events surrounding him. Like the Architect (read God) says in Matrix, that 99% of the test subjects accepted the program as long as they are only aware of choice at the sub conscious level.
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Anything I write here in this blog and in this site, are my expressions and opinions, and hence cannot be used in the court of law. As it's easy to add, edit and delete (including this disclaimer) once someone gets access to the account details, any information in this blog should be verified with me personally.
Saturday, September 8, 2007
September Madham!
Something tells me that this month doesn't look like it would augur well for me like the last one. Hope this month goes on peacefully around the world. There's a bit of self-interest there. Why this year and not the last one or the one before that? I don't know. As I said something tells me!
My instincts are never wrong. If I look back, everytime I went against my instincts I got into trouble. Let me tell you, whole lot of big trouble. Life and death kinda trouble. Didn't quit when I had to. Didn't run when I had to. And so on.
I can proudly say that I have been venturing into unchartered waters for so long, I don't even know if I will ever see that land again. It's kinda interesting, as you don't have to think very far ahead. It's been very simple day to day decisions. Work, booze and sleep. Maybe watch a movie or two in the process.
I got one of the best advice anyone could give to me at the time of my trouble. You have not committed a crime, then why are you running?. Well, he said it in a more emphatic way in his own style, a style that's only unique to him. That's correct, why am I running? I have not done anything unlawful. Well, I am not running now. I have gone and in a safe and well trusted environment. I don't know. Maybe by running, certain things could have been avoided.
Fear is a funny thing, quoting someone or something. Philosophical bent of mind always asks why? Can fear be overcome? Can fear be rationalized? You can't as it seems to be triggered from that part of the mind that has no consciousness. Maybe you can with sufficient training.
Whatever it maybe, the question is what if I would never be able to find or know the Truth behind God's creation? I don't know who said, but I think it's Carl Sagan, that, God needed humans to marvel His work. Have I lost the chance already?
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