Just the other day, a discussion brewed in our WhatsApp group. This group was started with the intention of educating ourselves and understanding the nuances of the world. We discussed politics, world events, philosophy, religion, ancient history, epistemology, Trump, Vedanta and almost anything under the sun with the hope of peeling open the sleeping inner eye within us to see the bigger picture of things around us.
On one hand, we see some who perceive the world as one going through a 'dystopian age' of 'an age of anger'. These angst-filled people look at the world around them as if it is approaching the end of times. They realise that it is their worldly (?God-sent) duty and the civil thing to push forward their rhetorics to 'correct' the imbalances. They spread anger and negativities to everyone to rise to the occasion to change their dystopia to utopia, knowing well that it is an unattainable dream. This group of people comprise those of the intelligentsia, writers, art practitioners and media personnel. They spur ideas to propel us forward to face all challenges and to be prepared for an uncertain future. Looking at a nihilistic future makes them better in dealing with a catastrophe, should one befall them. Appearing too optimistic, on the converse, may be self-defeating as they would be lulled into their comfort zone. They would forget the survival skills to smell fear with the option to flight or fight.
On the other hand, we have those who, with their blissful look, swear that we are indeed leaving in the golden age. The best time to live is now. With the advent of advances in science, technology and much more, people are living healthier lives, free from various communicable diseases and live longer meaningful lives. They deny that end is nigh. Our knowledge and understanding of the world around us has been incrementally increasing. The truth is out there to harness. The only thing that is holding us down is our ignorance and our inertia. We will never perish us a human race. We are too smart for that. Defeating more massive mammoth beasts in our past, we are now indeed the defacto most dominant species on the planet. Game theory applications predict that it is unlikely that we would annihilate each other as our arsenal of weapons gets too big for our own good. The only thing that could destroy us is a meteor hit, which is beyond our control.
Like the two opposing poles of a magnet, like the Ying and the Yang, like the duality of life, like the opposing forces of Siva and Sakthi, these two effects complete us. We need both parties to help us to be on toes to face an unexpected eventuality, be creative to plan our next move, to explore different dimensions, to remember the glory of past achievements. Like the newest Magnetic levitation train where two opposing poles of magnetic strips push a massive structure to travel forward, it is our sincere hope that the human race does the same.
[Thanks AqS for his invaluable deeds in paving towards the Path of Knowledge]
Brihadaranyaka Upanishad:(recited at the end of the climatic end of arthi, Hindu prayers, when the Jyothi, fire, is shown to the deity. If only the congregation appreciates the true meaning of the verse and put it into practice.)
असतो मा साद गमय, तमसो मा ज्योतिर् गमय, मृत्योर मा अमृतम् गमय
(Asato Ma Sad Gamaya, Tamaso Ma Jyotir Gamaya, Mrityor Ma Amritam Gamaya)
Lead us from ignorance to truth, Lead us from darkness to light, Lead us from death to deathlessness.
On one hand, we see some who perceive the world as one going through a 'dystopian age' of 'an age of anger'. These angst-filled people look at the world around them as if it is approaching the end of times. They realise that it is their worldly (?God-sent) duty and the civil thing to push forward their rhetorics to 'correct' the imbalances. They spread anger and negativities to everyone to rise to the occasion to change their dystopia to utopia, knowing well that it is an unattainable dream. This group of people comprise those of the intelligentsia, writers, art practitioners and media personnel. They spur ideas to propel us forward to face all challenges and to be prepared for an uncertain future. Looking at a nihilistic future makes them better in dealing with a catastrophe, should one befall them. Appearing too optimistic, on the converse, may be self-defeating as they would be lulled into their comfort zone. They would forget the survival skills to smell fear with the option to flight or fight.On the other hand, we have those who, with their blissful look, swear that we are indeed leaving in the golden age. The best time to live is now. With the advent of advances in science, technology and much more, people are living healthier lives, free from various communicable diseases and live longer meaningful lives. They deny that end is nigh. Our knowledge and understanding of the world around us has been incrementally increasing. The truth is out there to harness. The only thing that is holding us down is our ignorance and our inertia. We will never perish us a human race. We are too smart for that. Defeating more massive mammoth beasts in our past, we are now indeed the defacto most dominant species on the planet. Game theory applications predict that it is unlikely that we would annihilate each other as our arsenal of weapons gets too big for our own good. The only thing that could destroy us is a meteor hit, which is beyond our control.
Like the two opposing poles of a magnet, like the Ying and the Yang, like the duality of life, like the opposing forces of Siva and Sakthi, these two effects complete us. We need both parties to help us to be on toes to face an unexpected eventuality, be creative to plan our next move, to explore different dimensions, to remember the glory of past achievements. Like the newest Magnetic levitation train where two opposing poles of magnetic strips push a massive structure to travel forward, it is our sincere hope that the human race does the same.
[Thanks AqS for his invaluable deeds in paving towards the Path of Knowledge]
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