crystaling_simplicity

After watching Jeff Orlowski’s documentary- ‘The Social Dilemma’ which explored the impact of social network on human minds and behavior, I recollected customary childhood words of caution of my father-

DON’T EVER BELIEVE ON ANY STRANGER. NOTHING IS FREE IN THIS WORLD. DON’T GET BLURRED BY THIS EYEWASH. ALWAYS USE YOUR COMMON SENSE.

This documentary beautifully bells one of the superactive cats which have professed most of our active time i.e. screen time. Other pre-existing cats like television drama series, endless (sometimes senseless) broadcasting on news channels, story filled newspapers, sale advertisements, etc. have been a-bit successful in trying to numb our senses for centuries, but this super active cat has penetrated our lives at the deepest level and is influencing the whole generation.

The network has spread its matrix in all spheres of our lives. It is altering our reality and generating phantasm, sucking our precious time, feeding on our energy, and ultimately wasting life.

 The cats have created the world of consumerism defining our lifestyle. This "stranger" is now dictating our daily choices.

Consumerism, a mere tool to experience the luxury of life, has enslaved us. The network-age is serving a wide range of "customized menus"- both good and evil. It is becoming a constant threat to our wit. The primary instinct of self-preservation is pounding on our inner conscience. This pounding wants listening. It is high time to be alert from this "stranger".

Free login, Free products, or Free data- all seemingly endless advertisements - are Trojan mount sent to capture our free will and send us to an infinite spiral of wants. We cannot surrender our intuition to anything served in the label of FREE. Rather it must be our “own” choice to “decide” the amount of time to spend on FREE things and not the pressure created by blurbs.

A sense of belonging or fulfillment has been viciously linked with products or internet sites.  During times like COVID, when we are away from human contact, these sites are clinging deeper into our minds. We the “Social Animals” are being “emotionally used” by marketing strategists.

 It is a peak time to question- Are we becoming “emotional fool”? Are we just the marketing spin-off??

SERVICES AND PRODUCTS ARE JUST TOOLS, NOT LIFE- this is a big-time sensitization which has to be realized by each one of us.  Our self-worth is not associated with likes or views or associations with brands.

The judicious use of tools is of utmost importance to get maximum benefits out of it and thus curtailing daily dilemmas from our lives.

Our human brain is a supercomputer. It primarily works in association with our sixth sense while processing information. However, keeping our brain engaged in unnecessary dilemmas reduces its efficiency to process the information. With time, engaging in these unchecked networks paralyzes our sixth sense and enslaves us. And the irony is- We espoused these networks at our own FREE CHOICE.

But as ‘they’ say- Where there's a will, there's away.

Here is my way out.

I have begun my social de-addiction through HEALTHY OBSESSION. I came through this term ‘Healthy Obsession’ while reading the book named “The leader who had no title” by Robin Sharma.

For me, this healthy obsession is like developing a burning desire to do great work. It serves as a vehicle to help me express my absolute best. I have started to realize that becoming addicted to the building of an exceptional life which offers extraordinary service to other human beings is truly wonderful. It is being in the process of shifting from chaotic complexity to elegant simplicity.

 When in any dilemma, I follow this self-made… self-explanatory “guru mantra” …AIRDROP!!!

 

AIRDROP is an Acronym for

 A-   First Acknowledge my emotions

I-     Listen to my Intuitions/ Gut

R-   Read to know more about the dilemma

D-   Discuss with real people… in real-life… and not some stranger on the network

R-   Re-Check this new information…. through reading or further discussions or listening to my intuitions

O-   Opt for the correct choice

P-   Practice this choice… learn from it….and move on 

 

The real solution for any dilemma is through thorough work on ourselves. AIRDROP is like a capsule that activates dormant inner power. It helps me in being actively human, appreciating the flaws, and not looking at others to like me. It is one step towards ‘me’ becoming my favorite person.

 Otherwise, also, life is all about Love, Learn, and Experience. 

Originally published on-

https://wisdomekta.blogspot.com/2020/10/redeem-life-out-of-social-dilemma-my.html

“People do act against their moral convictions and this is an unhappy fact about ourselves”.

The Difficulty of Being Good: On the Subtle Art of Dharma tries to answer the frequent confronted questions-

●       Why be good when being bad is considered to be cool?

●       Why do bad habits shine over truthful acts?

●       Why believe in Dharma or Adharma of the act?

●       Is a "bad person" always bad? Does not the "good" occasionally become bad?

●       What’s the point of being a bigger person??

Gurcharan Das tries to find meaning to the word Dharma in this book through the Sanskrit epic Mahabharata. It tells tales about a million years old characters from Mahabharata, analyzing their actions, illustrating their predicament, and the moral implications of their actions. Each chapter focuses on a different character, and examines an episode from the Mahabharata, about the character, and looks at the virtue of the situation.

Various episodes like Duryodhana’s envy, Draupadi’s courage, Yudhistara’s duty, Arjuna’s despair, Bhishma’s selflessness…. categorically depicts the moral haziness and uncertainty that one experiences as common human beings are discussed in detail.

The book is centrally pointed on the day to day life issues, both private, and public life, and the spirit of Dharma, a key concept in Indian philosophy for righteousness.

While reading the book, one may wonder whether a person can be categorized as intrinsically good or bad!! I mean…. Isn't there a Raavan hiding in each of the righteous Ramas of the world? Doesn’t poison rest inside the throat of Lord Shiva? Wasn't a part of Voldemort there in Harry Potter himself? 

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“What sort of ideas, I wondered, might help to give meaning to life when one is amid fundamentalist persons of all kinds who believe that they have a monopoly on truth and some are even willing to kill to prove that.”

In general, most people love modesty and hate artificialness. They all say life is too quick for all plasticity. Yet tiny ego and pride sometimes show its strength from time to time, without even a clue as to what this stubborn ego is up to.

The problem arises when ‘radical’ individuals through lenses of acquired knowledge label this ego as truth. However, many times, this is nothing but an acquired identity based on acquired qualification, position, relation, religion, or caste. And when this acquired identity is deemed as true-identity, the actual truth holds a rear saddle to life. The radical individual wants others to conduct by this identity.

The obligation of being HUMAN is overwhelming now. With more opportunities to gain knowledge, talent, skill, or money, there is a genuine need for a rise in humility. Diminish this false acquired truth. Our dharma as of today remains at par with the age-old struggle to settle conflicts, power games, greed, competition, and jealousy.

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“Nature is full of examples of dharma-like goodness. Dolphins will help lift an injured companion for hours to help it survive. Blackbirds and thrushes give warning calls when they spot a hawk even if it means risking their own lives.”

"The comparative study of empathy: sympathetic concern and empathic perspective-taking in non-human animals" at Cambridge Philosophical concluded that a broad range of social species can conduct civilized behaviors like to calm, help, or rescue other group members from distressing situations. This is the absolute dharma taught by Mother Nature i.e. providing sympathetic concern and empathic understanding to every breathing around us.

Bhagawad Gita has also spelled out the concept of “Swa-dharma” i.e.

“One’s duty, though devoid of merit, is preferable to the duty of another well performed.”

The dharma may be contextual or may differ from person to person but the notion of good…feeling positive emotion…. is absolute. The real answer to dharma, as per my view, is “swadharma” and that will be obtained from listening to one’s inner voice. 

(Do you want to enhance the power of inner voice - Check my mantra 'AIRDROP' on https://wisdomekta.blogspot.com/2020/10/redeem-life-out-of-social-dilemma-my.html )

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And at last, here are another favorite quotes from this book-

"It is the way it is".

With recent COVID times, when we can do nothing to repair or deter the way things have evolved in 2020 besides obeying protocols, these words of Shri Krishna from this book holds the supreme truth. It is the easiest answer to all life-complex-questions. It helps in finding peace with problems when reasoning ceases to function.

And manifestly, Peace is the basic dharma of our soul.

Original posted at

https://wisdomekta.blogspot.com/2020/10/book-review-difficulty-of-being-good-on.html

While working on my next book review, a thought struck and remained stick in my head till midnight. And I just couldn't resist to share on my blog.

Sometimes our egos make us think and act as if we are immortals. Few of us show as if all others are beneath them and they are above all. But what we forget is, there is some natural power above all who is viewing all our intentions, actions and continuously making a checklist.

One of the powerful natural tool is Law of Karma.

The root of the word Karma comes from the Sanskrit word kri: कृ. It means “to do” or “to act”.

12 Laws of Karma

Researching on topic led me to 12 Laws of Karma. They are not laws but rather more like lessons.

 Karma can be compared to Newton’s law of cause and effect. These laws are constituents or links in the circular chain life. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. 

Karma is a belief that whatever we do will come back to us, either in this life or the next. It is embraced by followers of Buddhism, Hinduism and others around the world. For some, this is not only deeds, but thoughts and words as well.

1. The Great Law- Whatever we put into the universe will come back to us.
2. The Law of Creation- Life does not happen by itself, we have to make it happen.
3. The Law of Humility- We must accept something before we can change it.
4. The Law of Growth- By changing ourselves, we change our lives.
5. The Law of Responsibility- We are responsible for what happens in our lives.
6. The Law of Connection- The past, the present, and the future are all connected.
7. The Law of Focus- We cannot think of two different things at the same time.
8. The Law of Giving and Hospitality- Our behavior should match our thoughts and actions.
9. The Law of Here and Now- We cannot be present if we are looking backward.
10. The Law of Change- History repeats itself until we learn from it and change our path.
11. The Law of Patience and Reward- The most valuable rewards require persistence.
12. The Law of Significance and Inspiration- Rewards are a result of the effort and energy we put into it.

Karmic justice is an opportunity for us to learn a lesson (called experience) and make the necessary changes to break the negative cycle. 

Changing our karma is a gradual process and what we do today will definitely change our future lives…. in tune of the kind of karma we do today.

It is a universal truth (whether you believe in it or not) that a lot of the suffering in this word is a direct result of inaction.Karma teaches us to act. To do. We need to start thinking, acting, and doing good.

Original post at-

https://wisdomekta.blogspot.com/2020/09/the-law-of-karma-what-goes-around-comes.html

As the "seasons of a new beginning” has arrived, there is a buzz on online market portals with lots of advertisements and sales. Our emails and messages are filled with information about various new launches of products and deal with already existing ones. It is indeed a time for festivity putting a strain on our pocket.

The world thrift day is a reminder to our purses that we must be wiser to preserve for rainy days. World Thrift Day is commemorated every year on 31st October worldwide and on 30th October in India to encourage the savings and financial security of individuals and nations as a whole. 

For me, this C+ Pandemic year has delivered different meaning to happiness and left me wondering about a new theory of spiritual materialism. 

Spiritual materialism is the belief that a certain temporary state of mind is a refuge from suffering. An example would be using meditation practices to create a peaceful state of mind or using drugs or alcohol to remain in a numbed out or a euphoric state or temporary feel-good state by shopping or gaining some material. 

To avoid such spiritual materialism and becoming wise in my pocket, I am swearing to abide by the following set of rules. Hope this shall help you too.

1. Avoid emotional shopping – Be it because of some emotional advertisement or because of the reaction of a recent purchase by a neighbor, I am not getting my purchase driven out of such trivial emotion. 

2.Priorities- I comprehend that this boundary-less unlimited option of international marketing is infinite but I choose to prioritize. And judiciously decide my purchase.

3.Recycle- This year my main showcase for the hall is recycled old non-functional watch into a creative photo frame. Articulating my creativity shall not only bring out a masterpiece (finger crossed) but helps in de-stressing and makes me atmanirbhar.

4.Sticking to Budget- I have assigned a quantity and budget to be spent on stuff. Be it the number of dishes to be cooked…. to the amount to be spent on the purchase of clothes…. to decorate. I am even planning to budget-ize on the purchase of crackers!! This hopefully keeps the pocket-burn in a safe zone. 

5. Being happy- This Diwali is going to be away-from-Family-wali-Diwali. But being happy is a state of mind. So, this time more video calling and long chatting with my loved ones is the goal. If the mind is happy, its emotional quotient is high. Internal satisfaction leads to lesser drifting of mind for outer excuses to search for happiness.  

Being Internally Content is my self- slogan on this thrift day.