You Know

First You Know

then you think

then you struggle

then you slow down

you      then     think      carefully

then You Know.....   again

this knowledge invites happiness

then you quote

then you struggle

you      then     think      carefully

then You Know.....   again

On the fallacy of "acting like a grown up"

There are two types of people around us.
One, who act like a grown up.
The other, who don't act.

People who act like a grown-up are confused about the notion.
They think something happens when they pass a certain number of times around the sun.
As if every time you go around the sun, the smile on your face should slowly dissolve into a serious expression.
The spring in the step, should slow down to a measured draw.

They emulate someone else they saw while they were young.
That someone else at that time seemed all-in-control and "grown up".
A lack of introspection lead them to believe that acting like being in control, is in fact the real thing.

We see these people all the time around us.
They will stand on the side, afraid to make mistakes.
Afraid to loose a game they have never played.
Asking themselves the same question "What will the grown-ups think ?"
"Would the grown-ups do this ?"

And then there are those who do introspect.
They know "grown-ups" is a mythical creature.
That our emotional maturity doesn't depend on what someone else thinks.
Because "someone else" hasn't got the time to look at them.
That "someone else", is too busy looking at themselves.
Or worst, looking at themselves in someone else's eyes.

So to all standing on the sidelines - you are grown up.
No one needs to assert it other than yourself.

Loose yourself a little.
Join the crowd if you enjoy the dance.
If you don't enjoy it, that's fine too, you will find something else for the child inside you.

Body guards in heaven

Went to heaven one night
but it was light all right
and knocked on the door
to find they were closed

So I stood outside,
While the sun silently snored,
And stars blinked sleepishly
for my fortunately soul

I peeped'n through the opening,
and saw the whole roll,
fat lawyers and skinny singers
and their body-guards with holes

I said to myself
"buddy, you're dreamin' a lot"
You ain't sinned enough yet
to earn ticket to this hall

So I came down to mother earth
and slept on its grass
it was one of those nights
but it was light all right..

On Doubt and Faith

Doubt.
It isn't useful in itself, unless faith stems from it.

Imagine two mountains and you are on one of them.
To get to the other side, you want to build a bridge.
You can start on the side you are.

Doubt is like a bridge.

It appears in the form of a seed.
Then it grows into a brick that can break your previous ideas, conceptions, patterns, etc.
Then it starts growing.. taking the shape of a bridge.

The more you think the more rapidly the bridge grows.
It starts out slowly and then it catches speed.
Faster and faster.
Then it starts to slow down, as if the concrete in this bridge has started solidifying.
Then it comes to a point where it just stops.

When you stand at the edge of this bridge, the other mountain seems closer.
You can see some trees as well, make out their branches as well.
But you can't jump, this bridge is still too short.
If you stop now, then all your synthesis & analysis would go waste.

I think that's what happens in most of the cases.

But sometimes, we don't abandon the bridge.
Those times, we pick one of the few possibilities and start following them.
Imagine these possibilities as extensions of the bridge.
You can't see if they do end up on the other mountain but they certainly take you farther than your doubts.
There is one difference though.
These extensions are not permanent, you can stand/walk on them just as long as you keep moving forward; or keep actively exploring the doubt.
As soon as you stop, you are back on the bridge.

Eventually one of the extensions leads to the other side and the bridge of Doubts becomes a 4 lane highway; solid and stable.

Doubt in it self would never lead us to the other side.
Doubt plus these extensions will.
These extensions are, as I understand them, faith.

Doubt alone is akin to surrender.

Doubt is a journey.
It should always be.
It should never be a destination.
Else we'll never be able to get to the other side.
Else, we'll all be sitting at the edge of a half finished bridge.. looking at a mountain we'll never be able to explore..

What people should we surround ourselves with

Average time on this planet : ~28,000 days (see foot notes)
Leave out the first 15 years : ~22,500 days
Leave out the 1/3 time we'll spend sleeping : 15,000 days

In these 15,000 days we have a choice everyday.
A choice, about what people we want to engage most ?
This decision will influence our goals, our peace of mind, and most importantly our happiness.

Always being surrounded by good people helps us :

• Lead a genuine & conscious life
• Create long lasting friendships
• Connect deeply with others
• Each meeting with them is fulfilling and filled with experiences to remember

Below is what I've learned and continue to learn.

I follow the basic rule of "remove the bad & increase the good".

Eliminations - Reduce the time you spend with these

1. Run away from pretentiousness and pretentious people.

2. People with bad habits making no attempt on improving them.

3. Impatient people - usually accompanied with curse words :) 
Their is a prayer in Aitreya Upanishad with the first line as "Vang mA Manasi Pratishthitā" - meaning let my speech be established in my mind. (See full prayer in the foot notes)

I think it's very important to use good words because unconsciously all our words do affect our mind & body.

Our biggest achievement has been to know that our mind can alter our body and our body can alter our minds.

Speak as if every sentence you utter is a wish that will be fulfilled..


5. People who are late all the time; repeat - "all the time". It's understandable that people are late some times.

But if they are late all the time then it usually means that they don't value your time and probably theirs either.

6. People who gossip or discuss a lot about other people
If they talk down or controversial about their friends or family. And won't say it to their face.

This usually shows a lack of character.

Discuss ideas or at the most news, discussing people is a waste of time, unless you are actively trying to help the person.


Additions - Spend more time with them

1. People who express original thoughts.

Not to confuse with those who throw facts around. Facts can be read freely EVERYWHERE !

Original thoughts come when facts are sought after, understood, thought out and distilled internally.

2. People who are genuinely helpful. They usually form deep relationships.

If they are pretentious or associate with pretentious people all the time then I try to avoid them.
Since mostly their helpfulness is not sincere and just a facade.

3. People who are continuously improving themselves.
Either professionally (trainings, certifications, etc..)
Or personally : reading books outside their work circle, exploring things they haven't done earlier.

These people love gathering new experiences rather than "things".
They are usually open minded and accepting of opposing thoughts and views.

As always, feel free to poke holes.
Always eager for thoughtful criticism :)





Foot notes
Mantra from Rig Veda (Aitreya Upanishad)

ॐ वाङ् मे मनसि प्रतिष्ठिता ।
मनो मे वाचि प्रतिष्ठितम् ।
आविराविर्म एधि । 
वेदस्य म आणीस्थः ।
श्रुतं मे मा प्रहासीः 
अनेनाधीतेनाहोरात्रान्सन्दधामि ।

Meaning:
1: Om, Let My Speech be Established in My Mind,
2: Let My Mind be Established in My Speech,
3: Let the Knowledge of the Self-Manifest Atman Grow in Me,
4: Let My Mind and Speech be the Support to Experience the Knowledge of the Vedas,
5: Let what is Heard by Me (from the Vedas) be Not a mere Appearance ...
6: ... but what is Gained by Studying Day and Night be Retained.



Time on planet earth
These are rough calculations.
Average life expectancy of Males in US = 76 years
Number of days = 76 * 365 = 27,740 = ~28,000
If you are a women, you're lucky :) you get ~1800 more days !