Life and freedom – It’s just a feeling; freedom is not the absence of commitments, but the ability to choose - and commit to oneself - what is best for the individual!
The more it’s rejected and denied, the more interested we become. This scenario will simply keep recurring as long as we refuse to risk everything for what we believe to be our real reason for living. "All we have to do is to pay attention; lessons always arrive when we are ready, and if we can read the signs, we learn everything we need to know in order to take the next step".
But what happens, where there is "no next step"!
We humans have two great problems: the first is knowing when to begin, the second is knowing when to stop. We suffer because we refuse to understand one another.
We try our best not to remember and not accept the immense magical potential we posses, because that would upset our existing neat little universe. Yet.........
People are not unhappy all the time. They love. They enjoy work. They enjoy friends. Yet they feel this profound sadness, as if their soul is losing love as if it were losing blood!
We don’t have the courage to follow our dreams and to follow the signs. Perhaps that’s where the sadness comes from.
We all live life with the basic principal "what the eye doesn't see, the heart doesn't grieve over"!
The universe takes care of correcting our mistakes. Suffering and tragedy, they happen because they are a part of life. The universe tells us when we are wrong by taking away what is most important to us! In love there is neither good nor evil, there is neither construction nor destruction, there is merely movement. And love changes the laws of nature.
In contradiction, love grows in strength. In confrontation and transformation, love is preserved!
Love is an untamed force. When we try to control it, it destroys us. When we try to imprison it, it enslaves us. When we try to understand it, it leaves us feeling lost and confused.
Despite this there is hope.
Believe in signs, believe in fate. Every single day life offers us a chance to make the best possible decision.
Why should we then fail?
Why, then, do we loose connection with our life and freedom?
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Chinese Soft Power
Soft power, a term coined by Harvard professor Joseph Nye in 1990, refers to the ability of a state to get what it wants by attracting or persuading others, as opposed to using coercion, most often represented by military might.
Soft power is about people volunatrily seeking to assoicate with, or emulate another country's culture, lifestyle and values. Dipolmacy, cultural exchanges and dialogue forums are soft powe tools; more abstract examples would include democractic ideals, hollywood, bollywood, nike, coke - anything that makes the weilder of soft power appealing to others.
Brand China seems to be in deep touble. This week, flammable childrens pyjamas, formaldehyde laced clothes joined a growing list of China-made goods that foreign regulators, particularly USA have rejected. This incldes recall of 20 million unsafe toys, tainted food products and faculty tyres.
Chinese officials have gone on a PR offensive.
China has retunred a few USA goods alleging them as sub-standard, and hitting back calling it "Whasington's increasing protectionism".
China at home is like America during the industrial revolution - struggling to develop rules for its chaotic factories - China abroad resembles the USA of that time, too - far more influential nation than other exisiting powers care to admit.
Apart from "Made in China" crisis, other problems bedevil the image China presents to the world including environmental diasters, human rights, corruption and rampant piracy.
Yet (a small example) , unlike the IT system which was still not in place a month before the start of the 2004 Athens Olympics, China has already completed the IT infrastructure for next years Beijing Games.
For any country, hosting the Olymoics is a matter great Pride. But for China, a nation so self-conscious of being a nascent superpower, the games are also been explicitly linked to its "soft power".
A super power is emerging over the long haul and its establishment is viewed with a complicated range of emotions - desire, fear, loathing and suspicion.
Just ask the USA.
Hey, India - where are you?
Soft power is about people volunatrily seeking to assoicate with, or emulate another country's culture, lifestyle and values. Dipolmacy, cultural exchanges and dialogue forums are soft powe tools; more abstract examples would include democractic ideals, hollywood, bollywood, nike, coke - anything that makes the weilder of soft power appealing to others.
Brand China seems to be in deep touble. This week, flammable childrens pyjamas, formaldehyde laced clothes joined a growing list of China-made goods that foreign regulators, particularly USA have rejected. This incldes recall of 20 million unsafe toys, tainted food products and faculty tyres.
Chinese officials have gone on a PR offensive.
China has retunred a few USA goods alleging them as sub-standard, and hitting back calling it "Whasington's increasing protectionism".
China at home is like America during the industrial revolution - struggling to develop rules for its chaotic factories - China abroad resembles the USA of that time, too - far more influential nation than other exisiting powers care to admit.
Apart from "Made in China" crisis, other problems bedevil the image China presents to the world including environmental diasters, human rights, corruption and rampant piracy.
Yet (a small example) , unlike the IT system which was still not in place a month before the start of the 2004 Athens Olympics, China has already completed the IT infrastructure for next years Beijing Games.
For any country, hosting the Olymoics is a matter great Pride. But for China, a nation so self-conscious of being a nascent superpower, the games are also been explicitly linked to its "soft power".
A super power is emerging over the long haul and its establishment is viewed with a complicated range of emotions - desire, fear, loathing and suspicion.
Just ask the USA.
Hey, India - where are you?
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Making good men Better men!
Last evening my friend took me to this amazing place for dinner. Its called the "Freemason Club"and is located across the road from my office, in a discreet heritage building, which for some reason I ignored since I first landed in Singapore in end-October 2005.
While the menu boasted off serving pasta, continental and north Indian cusine, we had some amazing Chicken Tikka Masala, Palak Paneer and Prawn Masala with Naan.
Excellent food and service in the least expected place!
All evening, we were very curious to know about this Club which has some amazing history attached with it.
The uncle (in Singapore everyone is either called Uncle or Aunty, irrespective of age) outside at the parking lot told us this used to be an "all male member" club! and has only recently allowed non-members and non-males to partake its food and revel in its history!
So after a good meal we were indeed proud - two women, have yet again conquered another male bastion :). We were actually the only 2 women (She a local Chinese Singaporean and me the proud Indian) at the club last evening.
My friend, all the way back home, kept wondering what "Freemasonry" was all about. So I very relegiously did some research for her this morning and here is what I found out.........apprantly, Freemasonry has been called many things (some untrue and unflattering) but, in short, freemasonry is a system of learning designed to make good men better men. Spirituality is a part of freemasonry but it is not a religion.
Freemasonry began in Singapore in 1845.
Last evening, my friend and I created our own little history, meeting at a century old English Lodge, meant for making "good men better men" .
BTW - Sir Stamford Raffles was a Freemason. A good man, who laid the foundation of a better Singapore.
While the menu boasted off serving pasta, continental and north Indian cusine, we had some amazing Chicken Tikka Masala, Palak Paneer and Prawn Masala with Naan.
Excellent food and service in the least expected place!
All evening, we were very curious to know about this Club which has some amazing history attached with it.
The uncle (in Singapore everyone is either called Uncle or Aunty, irrespective of age) outside at the parking lot told us this used to be an "all male member" club! and has only recently allowed non-members and non-males to partake its food and revel in its history!
So after a good meal we were indeed proud - two women, have yet again conquered another male bastion :). We were actually the only 2 women (She a local Chinese Singaporean and me the proud Indian) at the club last evening.
My friend, all the way back home, kept wondering what "Freemasonry" was all about. So I very relegiously did some research for her this morning and here is what I found out.........apprantly, Freemasonry has been called many things (some untrue and unflattering) but, in short, freemasonry is a system of learning designed to make good men better men. Spirituality is a part of freemasonry but it is not a religion.
Freemasonry began in Singapore in 1845.
Last evening, my friend and I created our own little history, meeting at a century old English Lodge, meant for making "good men better men" .
BTW - Sir Stamford Raffles was a Freemason. A good man, who laid the foundation of a better Singapore.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
A Fortune Teller Once Told Me
When someone sees the same people everyday, they wind up becoming a part of that persons life. And then they want the person to change. If someone isn't what others want them to be, the others become angry.
Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how others should lead their lives, but none about his or her own!
And when each day is the same as the next, it's because people fail to recongnise the good things that happen in their lives every day that the sun rises.
At a certain point in our lives, we lose control of what happens to us, and our lives become controlled by fate. People loose the ability to choose their own destinies. And this seems to be the worlds greatest lie!
People learn early in their lives, what is their reason for being. Maybe thats why they give up on it so early, too. But thats the way life is.
I dont know what my destiny is? I dont know if all I want to do is settle down, have a high flying career or keeping searching for that elusive treasure called 'ultimate happiness'. Utopia!
Apparantly, destiny is supposed to be what I have always wanted to accomplish.
But what it is that I want to accomplish?, I still dont know!
If its happines I am after, then it seemingly is around every corner. Becuase I remember an old chinese monk once telling me that the "secret of happiness is to see all the marvels of the world, and never to forget the drops of oil on the spoon"
But I'm like everyone else - I see the world in terms of what I would like to see happen, not what actually does. Perhaps thats why I still dont where I am headed. I am still restless.
But the fortune teller has convinced me that God has prepared a path for everyone to follow. We just have to read the omens that he has left for you. And they say, "when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it"
"Patience is genius" - thats a virture I still waiting to fullfill, in turn for the Uninverse to conspire to fullfill my ultimate destiny.
Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how others should lead their lives, but none about his or her own!
And when each day is the same as the next, it's because people fail to recongnise the good things that happen in their lives every day that the sun rises.
At a certain point in our lives, we lose control of what happens to us, and our lives become controlled by fate. People loose the ability to choose their own destinies. And this seems to be the worlds greatest lie!
People learn early in their lives, what is their reason for being. Maybe thats why they give up on it so early, too. But thats the way life is.
I dont know what my destiny is? I dont know if all I want to do is settle down, have a high flying career or keeping searching for that elusive treasure called 'ultimate happiness'. Utopia!
Apparantly, destiny is supposed to be what I have always wanted to accomplish.
But what it is that I want to accomplish?, I still dont know!
If its happines I am after, then it seemingly is around every corner. Becuase I remember an old chinese monk once telling me that the "secret of happiness is to see all the marvels of the world, and never to forget the drops of oil on the spoon"
But I'm like everyone else - I see the world in terms of what I would like to see happen, not what actually does. Perhaps thats why I still dont where I am headed. I am still restless.
But the fortune teller has convinced me that God has prepared a path for everyone to follow. We just have to read the omens that he has left for you. And they say, "when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it"
"Patience is genius" - thats a virture I still waiting to fullfill, in turn for the Uninverse to conspire to fullfill my ultimate destiny.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
The life and time of Baaji - my late grandfather
Many many years back, I once asked my late grandfather (my mom's father) - the only man I really really respect, admire and loved to death - "why people are sad" ?
"Baaji" (we all used to call him that) - was a very tall handsome man, looked like a Pathan - very fair with silvery hair, who had seen many horrors in his lifetime (during partition) told me "Thats a simple answer Beta" - "all of us are prisoners of our own personal history. We all believe that the main purpose of our life is to follow a plan. We never ask if that plan is ours or if it was created by another person. We accumulate experiences, memories, things, other peoples ideas, - all this is more than any ordinary person can possibly cope with. AND THAT IS WHY WE FORGET OUR DREAMS"
I remember telling him that he was lucky he knew what he wanted out of life, despite all the tragedy he went through in the early years of his life (just before my mother was born in 1947, during the India-Pakistan partition), whereas I dont even know what I want to do!
He brushed me off saying "ofcourse I knew".
He asked me how many people I knew who say - "I have never done what I wanted but then, thats life!. If they say they haven't done what they wanted, then, at some point, they must have known what it was that they did want."
"As for life, it just a story that other people tell us about the world and about how we should behave in the world"
He went onto say that " even worse are those people who say : I'm happy because I'm sacrificing my life for those I love"
(I have always meant to tell him that I know he perhaps was reffering to me and my life!)
(BTW - whatever he said - its still applicable to me! I am still the same old drifter not knowing what I want to do with myself and my life!)
God granted Baaji dignity and respect by giving him a very peacful death on 5th September 1995.
"Baaji" (we all used to call him that) - was a very tall handsome man, looked like a Pathan - very fair with silvery hair, who had seen many horrors in his lifetime (during partition) told me "Thats a simple answer Beta" - "all of us are prisoners of our own personal history. We all believe that the main purpose of our life is to follow a plan. We never ask if that plan is ours or if it was created by another person. We accumulate experiences, memories, things, other peoples ideas, - all this is more than any ordinary person can possibly cope with. AND THAT IS WHY WE FORGET OUR DREAMS"
I remember telling him that he was lucky he knew what he wanted out of life, despite all the tragedy he went through in the early years of his life (just before my mother was born in 1947, during the India-Pakistan partition), whereas I dont even know what I want to do!
He brushed me off saying "ofcourse I knew".
He asked me how many people I knew who say - "I have never done what I wanted but then, thats life!. If they say they haven't done what they wanted, then, at some point, they must have known what it was that they did want."
"As for life, it just a story that other people tell us about the world and about how we should behave in the world"
He went onto say that " even worse are those people who say : I'm happy because I'm sacrificing my life for those I love"
(I have always meant to tell him that I know he perhaps was reffering to me and my life!)
(BTW - whatever he said - its still applicable to me! I am still the same old drifter not knowing what I want to do with myself and my life!)
God granted Baaji dignity and respect by giving him a very peacful death on 5th September 1995.
I me myself
I remeber reading somewhere, sometime, something which I thought as attributed to me......which I think went like this......
Its important to let certain things go. To release them. To cut loose. People need to understand that no one is playing with marked cards; sometimes we win and sometimes we loose. Dont expect to get anything back, dont expect recognition for your efforts, dont expect your genius to be discovered or your love to be understood. Just complete the circle of life. Not out of pride, inability or arrogance, but simply becuase whatever it is no longer fits in your life. Close the door, change the record, clean the house, get rid of the dust, Stop being who you were and become who you are!
If I was not I, I would be nothing - and that seems to me quite marvellous.
Its important to let certain things go. To release them. To cut loose. People need to understand that no one is playing with marked cards; sometimes we win and sometimes we loose. Dont expect to get anything back, dont expect recognition for your efforts, dont expect your genius to be discovered or your love to be understood. Just complete the circle of life. Not out of pride, inability or arrogance, but simply becuase whatever it is no longer fits in your life. Close the door, change the record, clean the house, get rid of the dust, Stop being who you were and become who you are!
If I was not I, I would be nothing - and that seems to me quite marvellous.
The choice?
Mediocrity and annonymity are the safest choice. If we opt for them, we'll never face any major problems in life. But if we try to be different........then?!!
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Freedom of the Self
Free - are we as individuals? Its just a feeling.
Feedom is not the absence of commitments, but the ability to choose - and commit to oneself - what is best for the individual!
Feedom is not the absence of commitments, but the ability to choose - and commit to oneself - what is best for the individual!
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