The basic-instinct level of Mr. JAkhtar's reasoning is so pitiable. Apparently from the talk he only allows as much "refinement" to human beings as Freud.
Seems like he hasn't read anything on latest cognitive science which is heavily "borrowing", "patenting" and digesting (ripping-off) concepts from Yogic Practices. In fact these "results" prove that Science was handicapped with low-tech instruments till now and with improvement in diagnostic tools it's becoming more and more aware of the tip of the iceberg.
I wonder if he could muster the courage to say the same
thing about his own "religion" or even a minor "Imam" of India/Arabia?
Freedom of speech is taken as an opportunity to engage in mud-slinging
in street-style "fights" instead of intellectual debate and give and
take. Wow!! No wonder he's able to churn out stuff for Bollywood. Understand the words and common phrases used to "push the right buttons to tug at emotions" and you've got a ready-made formula for success. It works (in Bollywood). A cynical person indeed.
He insists that humans are just worms wriggling out of the mud with a bigger brain/mind that's all. All the poetry etc are just "brain-rooms for relaxation".
Any other state is not to be discussed. The "discussion" quickly transforms into name-calling and cussing at the street level. All kinds of angry and intentionally hurting invectives are thrown around by this "cultured gent". He uses playing-to-the-gallery techniques to score quick-audience-points with his followers. The amount of angry heavy breathing he goes through shows how much he is in control of his own bodies "vitiated chemical soup".
Sadhguru on the other hand is trying to talk of higher, finer and subtler things only for the cuss-ion to be dragged to yet lower levels. Such intellectual pricks as JAkhtar should be left alone to wallow in their own pride and "success". The name of the topic itself is loaded against Sadhguru as it implies a Five-Star-Cult but soon gets silenced (without reply) with the good work being done by Isha Foundation.
Note: This post came about from effects of a discussion on FB about ongoing changes in Indian governance by Narendra Modi. Thanks to Jyoti R. Shah and Ravindra Nadkarni for sharing their views on the matter. I thought it proper to only include my thoughts on the matter in this post as their views helped crystallize much of what I've written here.
“When elephant trainers in India catch a baby elephant, they tie one of its legs to a post with a rope. The baby elephant struggles and struggles but it can’t get free. For days the elephant pulls and strains at the rope. Gradually it learns that struggle is useless and it gives up.
When the elephant grows up, the trainer keeps it tied to the same rope in the same way. And even though it can now break the rope and get away, it stands passively and waits for the trainer to come and get it.
It has developed what is called learned-helplessness. It has learned that the struggle is useless as a result of repeated failure experiences earlier in life, the elephant has learned a self imposed limitation.”
Hasthyaayurvedam: Though
this chaining method is crude it's used commonly, apparently there are more subtle
and gentle ways to train elephants as per "Hasthyaayurvedam" (Elephant
Ayurveda) but this may be a lost art now : namboothiri.com/articles/hasthyaayurvedam.htm
I remember reading a story book from Kerala called 'Chatu The Elephant Boy'.
It's
about a Royal Mahout family that falls from grace when the King's
dearest Elephant goes into Mushth and kills the Royal Mahout due to
callous treatment by one of the assistant mahouts.
The normally
kind and gentle elephant goes berserk and runs away into the forest. The
Mahout's son/nephew Chatu vows to find the elephant and bring it and
the Royal Mahout status bestowed by the King.
Chatu is aided in
this impossible task by his grandmother and her hermit brother and the
family's best kept scriptures on Elephants written in ancient Sanskrit.
The
book truly delves deep into what an Elephant thinks and feels, what
affects its moods and rhythms. How a good mahout must go beyond
brute-control and become a true-friend to the elephant. It even talks
about
the use of marmas and herbs to help control and heal elephants. Ankushas
then become merely ornamental or to be used in dire-situations as a
mere touch or even glance is enough to direct the elephant. It becomes
more of a partnership than master-slave relationship.
Chained Baby Elephants, Mind-Blocks, License Raj and Development :
Common man is the most powerful person who
doesn't know his/her own power. What the removal of red-tape, and setting up of good-governance
does is to simply free the common-man from the chains of bureaucracy and unnecessary authority!!
Like the baby elephant who's been chained
since childhood the concept of freedom and the fact that it is no longer
small but a full grown elephant will take some time to sink in.
That is why young people who are not conditioned by years of repression
do so well in taking advantage of changed circumstances. They simply do
not have the mental-blocks and respond to changed conditions instantly
and naturally.
Successful Indian children in US have 3 things that help : 1) Parents helping/egging them on 2) Resources to fulfill their potential. 3) And of course lack of mind-blocks/license-raj as in India.
Nature vs. Nurture: US
being an extremely 'individualistic' country doesn't believe in
enforcing values on children. They must struggle to find their own way
which is good if they manage to do so.
Indian
parents however have very clear idea about what constitutes success.
They ensure that the child will succeed whether it likes it or not.
An
in-between path where parents are open-minded and have resources to
evaluate and help children find their own path this will lead to
successful as well as happy children.
If
Indian society becomes more open from restrictions we may see such
explosion in growth at individual and societal level here too.
Narendra Modi is the first Bharatiya Pradhaan Mantri born AFTER Independence from British Raj. His Independence Day Speech 2014 was radically different from those of preceding PMs : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOwD2S3oHjU
The country is having the highest young demographic in the world. ALL these youngsters (including myself) are born AFTER independence. However India being a conservative country the transference of mind-blocks is quite high across generations. The lack of self-belief is passed down from generation to generation. However it gets watered down in each subsequent generation. Especially the generation of tomorrow is growing up in a land of plenty compared to it's predecessors. How will this affect the self-perception of a young nation wanting to achieve and succeed?!!
There is much to Hope for Bhaarat the evergreen land!! My motherland!!
Note : Thanks to Uday Kadle for posting the above post on FB and triggering of this long train of thought into a comment and eventually a blog-post.
What would you choose from the below choices ? :
In 'Barista' we'll put in a
tip for the English speaking waiter for a coffee "worth" hundreds.
We'll pay Rs. 30 for a small cup of "American" Sweet Corn as the server
wears plastic gloves and a red uniform. Is McDonald's burger any better
than local bakery? Not at all!!
This is just Behavioural Economics!!
I
WAS thinking about this strange behaviour for a long time and I think
I've got a few ideas why this happens.
1) Overheads :
The bakery/Mall goes to lots of pains to put in ACs, Soft Lighting,
Escalators, English speaking employees with plastic serving caps/gloves
and a Manager with a polished English accent in leased upmarket High-Class
areas.The owner expects a premium return on investment doesn't he?!!
2) Perceived
value-addition : Advertising selling soaps and chips makes them worth
more by associating Film Stars with their products. The local chips
maker doesn't do this and reduces his costs. Coke is just coloured fizzy
sugar water. Difference is packaging and perception creating overheads. Comparatively the Thela seller might not even own the Thela he peddles around. Low overheads and good profits.
So it's OK, right? What matters is the Profit Margin for the seller. Both Premium and Retail middleman are surviving.
As
for the farmer the retail price and wholesale price are quite unrelated
in ANY field. Recently I got sold an electrical tool for MRP of Rs 150
which I found out was available to the electrician at a special price of
Rs. 80. This was just a 15 meter spring made out of metal worth maybe Rs. 20?!!
Each person takes his cut and lives. The end-user is many times unaware of the extent of these behind-the-scenes commissions.Forming
a co-operative like Amul might be a better idea to take over the market
themselves than to stay poor and isolated by choice.
Verghese Kurien
talks about this process of getting organised in his book "I Too Had A
Dream" :
3) Optimization : We optimize for the common case i.e. we buy potatoes
everyday and understand that we have to economize somewhere.
4) Culture :
In fact by making the context as Western and Alien as possible the (not
so) simple middle-class person is overawed by the Halo. We act
differently in different contexts. So even though Lays is manufactured
locally we pay American prices for a perceived American product. In fact
we wonder how it is cheaper than most US products. In Indian context we
are bound to bargain and follow the cultural cue automatically.
Keeping a copy here of this superb info as sometimes good info disappears when link is broken
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
|| Shree Swami Smaarth ||
Namaskar
Nisha Ji, It's very pleasing to know that you have celebrated both the
festivals. Nishaji, Shree gurumauli always says that our Sanskruti has
been saved by Ladies. So you should keep doing seva and motivate others
in the same. I am sending the infrmation about Khandoba Navaratra. I
have got the inform. from San-var-Vrat-vaikalya & Mhallari
Mahatmya books. Please inquire question of benefits of all on group mail
so that all will be benefited.
Martand Bhairav Shadhratrausav
Khanderay Navaratra (Champashashti)
(Margashish Shudhha 1 To 6 i.e. 10th Dec. to 15th Dec. 2007)
The 6th Day of Marathi month ‘Margashish’ (Margashish Shudhha 6) is called as Champashashti. In
Maharashtra state this day is celebrated as the festival in the name of Khandoba. The story behind this is as follows –
Story:-
Long time ago there were two devils namely Mani & Malla. They were
tormenting/ torturing the good, virtuous, righteous people. So Lord
Shankar took incarnation of Martand Bhairav and battled with them on the
mountains of Manichal. During this battle devil mani surrendered to
Martand bhairav and devil Malla was died. As the devil malla was
defeated by Lord, this incarnation of Lord is called as Mallhari [Malla +
Aari = Mallhari. Aari
means enemy or the one who defeated to somebody]. This battle was
happened in Margashish Pratipada to Shashti for Six days. So these days
are celebrated as Dev-Dipavali as well as “Khandoba Navaratra”During
these days Nanda Deep is lightened 24 hrs.. Flowers of Marigold
(Zendhuchi fule) are very much liked to Khanderay. Khanderay is the
family deity (Kul-Daivat) of most of the families in Maharashtra .
Zezuri, Nimgao, Pali, Naldurga are some of the pilgrimage places of
Khanderay. In some of the families this Navararta is worshipped as
Kuldharma-Kulaachar. On this auspicious occasion of Kulaachar following
vidhi is done.
Poojan
Vidhi:- In this Navaratra “Ghatstapana” as like Devi Navaratra is done.
The only thing is that “Taak of Shree Khanderay” is kept on Ghat. The
poornapatra is kept on Ghat. Some Akshada or betel leaves are kept on
the poornapatra and “Taak of Khanderay”is put upon that. Other deities
should be kept in Devghar only and not on Ghat because Ghati basavane
means to give rest. As ‘Malhari Maharaj’ lead the battle so he take rest
on these days and not other deities take rest. Daily do Panchopchar
poojan of Khanderay by keeping some distance. Do not touch the deity.
Recite mantra “Shree Mallhari Martanday Namaha|”. Khanderay likes
Bhandara i.e. Halad (Turmeric) so offer Bhandara daily. On last day (On
Champashashti) after doing Panchopchar poojan Tali Pooja is done. Tali
is filled as per instructions given in “Malhari Mahatmya” book. Ashtadal
is made of rice (tandulacha Ashtadal Karava) in Poornapatra. Bhandara
is kept on that. In the centre of the
Ashtadal Betel nut, coin, leaves of betel and coconut are kept. Poojan
of Tali is done. All men & children of the family should keep hands
upon the Poornapatra and lift it thrice and touch it to foreheads of all
saying “Yelkot Yelkot jay mallhar Sadanandacha Yelkot Mhalasakant Kade
pathar Ki Jay!”. Some Bhandara is offered to Lord and put the
Poornapatra down. Do this process thrice. At some places following
Jay-Jaykar is done as -
Sadanandacha
Yelkot, Yelkot Mallhar Yelkot| Har Har Mahadev| Chintaman Moraya|
Bhairobacha Chandoba| Agagadbamb Nagara| Sonyachi Jejuri| Motyacha Tura|
Nila Ghoda| Pathi Toda| Kamar Kargotaa| Bembee Heera| Galyat Kanthee|
Mohan Maala| Doevar Shela| Aangaavar Shaal| Sada Heelala| Jejuri jai|
Shikar Kheli| Mhalasa Sundari| Aarati Kari| Devaa Ovali| Nanapari|
Devachya
Shrungaara Kot Laago Sheekharaa| Khanderaayachaa Khandaka| Bhandaraacha
Bhadaka| Bol Sadanandaacha Yelkot||
{"Yelkot" is word which is being in use since this Incarnation. Actually Khandoba is the family deity of 6 crore
devotees. The meaning of Yelkot is God of Six Crore devotees (Yel means Six and kot means crore)}.
After
that the coconut is brocken and Prasad is offered to firstly Lord and
then to all the family members. For Naivedya – Bajarichi Bhakari (Roti
of Bajra), Paticha Kanda (Chive), Navya Vangyache Bharit (Bharit of New
Brinjal), Nava Lasoon (New Garlic). Pooran-Poli is also offred to lord.
Aarati is done. The Aarati of Mhallhari is given in Mhallhari Mahatmya
Book. The head of the family preferably men should keep fast for 5 days
and on last day fast should be break. Paarayan of Mhallhari Mahatnmya
should be done in 5, 7, 11 nos. in these days. This deity is very much
simple & he gives us all blessings. He is incarnation of Bhola
Samb Shankar. He is very quickly propitiate
upon his devotees. There is one real story given in our Mhallhari
Mahatmya by Shree Gurumauli. The story is - When King Aurangajeb
destroyed temles of Hindus, nobody reacted or opposed to him anywhere.
But at Jejuri there were Five hundred righteous, virtous fellows who are
great devotees of Khandoba. They decided to fight the battle with 1.25
Lac soldiers of Aurangjeb. Seeing their righteous motto Lord Kandoba
made a trick. Near about Lacs "Bhunge" (like bees - I don't know what to
say to Bhunga in English!) were came to defeat Aurangajeb. Knowing the
reality Aurangajeb offered one diamond of worth Rs. 1.25 Lacs at the
feet of Lord Khanderay. People call that diamond as "Savva Lakhacha
Bhunga".
I will send the Aarati of Khanderay tommorow.
Note: Referred books "San - Var - Vrat - vaikalye" and "Mhallari Mahatmya"
Western Philosophy has Right and Left i.e. Capitalism vs. Communism. These are antagonistic forces and have markedly polar and divisive views.
This post is a critique of typical Leftist-Liberal quotation below extolling the virtue of Love/Peace vs. Hate/War.
Like most Western constructs it believes in duality. So no wonder that it confuses Love and Peace as opposites of Hate and War as if these 2 artificial pairs are indistinguishable.
If our immune system were not to defend itself against external and internal enemies we wouldn't last a day.
Love and Peace are important most definitely. However they can best be promoted in an environment of physical and mental security. We don't live in an ideal world by any leap of imagination. So till we suddenly discover Eutopia - "Good Fences make good neighbours" with good security to keep them effective.
Like we need doors, windows and gates to keep out unwanted things or
people we also need police, soldiers to act as the immune
system/guardians of our society. Conflict is inevitable sometimes. If you can avoid conflict good otherwise keep a strong stick.
Prime example being Tibet. Without our armed forces we would be taken
over by "friendly neighbourhood spidermen" in minutes. As it is India is
being attacked from outside and inside by proxy fighters like naxals
and terrorists.
So what does Dharma have to say on this matter? Is it Rightist or Leftist? Answer
is "It is Neither" as far as I understand it. It all depends on the situation. There are umpteen stories which account for various different circumstances in which 'Different Right Ways' are advocated. Because life is dynamic and response should also be dynamic. If at all it could be said to be Centrist where the
Center lies in Ritam/Satyam. Dharma is based on understanding Satyam
(Reality) as it IS. NOT as we would want it to be i.e. Paranoia or
Eutopia.
Like
the Sadhu Snake which got stoned to death due to blindly following
ahimsa, it is better to bare your fangs and hiss to prevent casual and
wanton cruelty by less spiritually-evolved beings.
In fact Ramakrishna Paramahansa advised 2 different personality students to respond to a boatman's insult to their Guru in diametrically opposite ways. The aggressive disciple was advised to be meek and the meek one was told to stand up for his Guru. More of a Centrist approach to reduce domination of Rajas and Tamas respectively.
As
far as I could understand a highly advanced soul like Ramakrishna
Paramahansa died due to his immune system being so Sattvic that it was
no longer Rajasic/Tamasic enough to distinguish between Aham (Self) and
Tvam(Not-Self). I assume he viewed the Cancer cells giving his body a
lot of pain as valid as the body they were consuming. Rajiv Malhotra gives the very same analogy in his video talk below.
When
we are not spiritually-evolved enough to be like that we should be
careful not to quote high-sounding Vedanta quotations etc. while being
highly materialistic in day-to-day matters.
Only
when the words ring true in 'Manasa, Vacha, Karmana' (Thought, Speech
AND Actions) in all matters personal, societal and spiritual will be we
truly practising the Vedanta which we preach so freely (to others).
Rajiv
Malhotra talks about this wanton quoting of Vedanta in matters relating
to Society but hypocrisy in highly ambitious personal matters esp. by
Western educated Indians : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7SPkhWWTok
In fact first the Colonial West (incorrectly) tells us that Hinduism is about pro-Spiritual and anti-materialism.
Then when we follow that we are blamed by the same West for being apathetic to social participation etc.
We need to work out our own solutions as per our own ideology without having any "difference anxiety".
We need to "Be Different" in an increasingly uni-polar world.
Rajiv Malhotra talks about the effects of Colonization of our minds in his book "Being Different : An Indian Challenge to Western Universalism" : http://youtu.be/VP5gPVW3XDM?t=1m11s
========================
Note : I'm
not a master of Hindu thought by any measure. But I just thought about
what has happened by mis-applying such high-sounding advice by Indian govts.
Difference in body-language of Manmohan vs. Modi while meeting Chinese counterpart :
Q) In the pictures above which picture makes you think of 2 kings on equal footing...?
To paraphrase the Alexander and Pururava story (or Porus as he was describe in West)
"How should you act in front of another King?"
"A King should act like how he treats other kings - in a Regal Manner".
===============
Video showcasing relation between Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh:
When the position of a PM is like this within his own party what can one expect in front of global leaders.
Sanskrit being a highly scientific language is
easy once you know the logic behind the language. It's also a highly
accurate and precise language What You See IS What You Speak (and
vice-versa).
+ 5 Rows starting with main aksharas : Ka, Cha, Ta, ta, Pa + 5 Columns for Hard, Hard+Exhale, Soft, Soft-Exhale, Silent-Nasal + 5 Rows x 5 Columns = 25 Consonants
Note: 0) Different Vargas press tongue (or lips) at 5 different locations in the mouth. Soft Palate Soft+Hard Palate Tip of Tongue on Hard Palate Teeth Lips 1) SilentNasal : This is the Nasal variation of the consonant. Consonant itself is silent but modifies the Nasal sound by changing the shape and volume of mouth. You just press the tongue as for first letter silently and create a nasal sound (Anusvara)
2) The first Varga(Row) called Ka-Varga consists of Ka and its variations. Same rule applies for the other rows identified by starting akshara. So from starting syllable you can generate 4 variations. And to create 25 consonants all you need is 5 starting letters and 4 Variations each. Simple!!
