Monday, November 02, 2009

Passers by in Life

Seasons and life have among themselves pretty much the same meaning, in the sense of how they further and remain a cyclical process. The same can be said about the elements of nature too! But when you add people to the equation, there is a vast change in the composition, something much like the law of entropy that was elucidated by Stephen Hawking in his famed Theory of Everything! And just in case you don't know what entropy is, go no further than understanding that it represents the "potential for disorder" in a system!

I spent a small part of the weekend reading In Spite of the Gods by Edward Luce, a book which is said to contain some of the finest analyses of India's strange economic and socio-political growth and tipped to be an insightful read by India's former Chief Executive - Dr. Abdul Kalam, among many others that is!

But that was momentary! As I sat trying to fixate my focus on the book, in the same park which is the venue of my once-in-a-while-solitary-walks, my eyes wandered in observation of people who had gathered there at sunset to either spend the remainder of the weekend in solace or as in the case of little ones - to be engulfed in the blissful togetherness of recreation! It seemed each one of them had a definite agenda in place for the evening to conduct!

Calm and composed, to me, each of them seemed to be engrossed in a journey of sorts - of comprehension, perception and anticipation, such as in wait for something that was to come and that no amount of preparation could help them face that seemingly oncoming blight, if one ever existed, that is!

I was then reminded of a quote, by Chuck Palahniuk that The Times of India carried yesterday morning, which read that "If death meant just leaving the stage long enough to change costume and come back as a new character...... Would you slow down or speed up?"

51 comments:

  1. Insightful Post. The question posed at the end requires some thought - it asks many things including whether you are happy with your present life - always a hard thing to put one's finger on. :)

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  2. I would speed up..."if I had a choice"....so much of foolishness in this hypothetical irrational world they (the media) create for us! :)

    Read Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451, Rak? read it, if not -- it focuses on print media (and the temperature is at which paper burns.....Burn the paper and start original thinking, is the message,

    And then this Jim's thought -- Happiness is MY choice as far as I am alive....can anyone deprive me of that!? (Not talking about a common way to happiness....i take it as the state)

    There's no dount each one of us come with our own purpose and destiny -- can we be happy together? That could be a question...a difficult one at that :)

    Good post, this monday morning, Rak :)

    wishes,
    devika

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  3. definitely speed up! 'cuz there's so much more of the play that's yet to unfold..so much that's still unwritten. And so much more of the audience to perform to.

    I completely agree with Devika. I decide my own happiness. We crib and complain, but the power to be happy lies within us. But sometimes we need a guiding light. And most of us are in wait of that guiding light.

    PS: you were answer questions..some of them..on my last post! :)

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  4. I dont agree with those who said they would want to speed up, listen
    life is like wine, the more u live it the better it is....just let it be in its own speed, it will teach u what it is

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  5. a response after reading to Shahid..

    You are right, Shahid...and I have that urge for life, no doubt...But i find life after-death more fascinating to 'imagine' and to 'experience'....it was only that I meant...and that one I keep thinking about :)

    wishes,
    devika

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  6. But then, do we have a choice with life's ending??

    I know a friend who attempted suicide thrice....and is seeming still trying! :)

    (In Malayalam we a have a movie on the same until he starts enjoying the wine of life -- Dilip playing the protagonist)

    wishes,
    devika

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  7. Chill Shahid, Devika. Life beyond death, who knows if there is something such in existence! I don't really worry about the speed, it is just that I make sure I live a day to its entirety. Good deeds, smiles, helping hands and goodwill is all that matters!

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  8. Jim

    Many thanks! I’m glad you found this insightful and yes that quote there is quite a line that kinda rattles one real hard!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  9. Devika Chechi

    Well, why must you not want to live life according to its normal pace! What if there is something that is yet to happen that might be of significance? Just a thought here!

    Thanks for the recommendation on Fahrenheit 451! I’ll be sure to pick it up on my next visit to Crossword!

    And may-be, just a thought once again……. Don’t you think life-after death may just be life again? :)

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  10. Swati

    Why so? I’m asking you the same question that I’ve asked Devika Chechi? What if there is something that is yet to happen that might be of significance?

    Speeding up will only make one fleet through, don’t you think?

    And hey – I sure will revisit you post! I did a fleet there and see, that’s what happens when you speed up!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  11. Shahid

    Life surely is like wine and matures with age! Ask me about a Bordeaux or a Châteaux! Lol :)

    Cheers mate!

    Rakesh

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  12. Neeraj

    I’m just about repeating something that I said in a comment before and that being life after death may just be life!

    Good thoughts budd!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  13. ha! let me combine this with that self realisation post...to respond to your thoughts....

    You are possibly on the start of self realisation journey...I am half-way back from that point.....its all the same; so I ENJOY the normal pace...live life as it comes....AND just my curiosity...what miracle do you expect, my bachu!?? :)

    & life after death-- let my idea be just within me for now :))

    wishes,
    devika

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  14. @rakesh
    two sides of a coin :) you sped AFTER completeing your part. didn't you? :) what if you miss out beacuse you slowed down? either way you are bound to miss something or the other. and life after death?? in our attempt to understand the elusive, will we not miss out on the richer life that we have in this breathing moment. Isn't it about making the most of NOW? :)The speed doesn't necessarily mean impatience..its yearning to know and live more.


    PS: the you rushed thru the post. you didn't do your part. Thats not being honest! :)

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  15. Devika Chechi

    Oh yes - there is no doubting the fact that you are far ahead in terms of self realization, which has come basis your experience and age!

    But then to rule out the possibility of a significant happening, dont you think that is premature?

    Just a thought!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  16. Swati

    Yes - I must say that I sped past! And I do take your point of view for concurrence since I do know now that you mean speed with a sense of difference as opposed to the meaning of the word itself!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  17. Devika Chechi

    Lol! I like it when you say that! Feels quite like the words of the elder sibling I've longed for!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  18. Oh to make it clear...thats the way I pack off my brother when its hands down with my brother ...You woud know that, i guess, Rak :)

    oh yes....I have your message already :)

    love,
    devika

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  19. Devika Chechi

    Loooool!!!!! I can't help but laugh out loud at that!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  20. Interesting post
    I must read it three times ;)
    Happiness & Healthy is the best we all need in our live !

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  21. Hi Rakesh,

    I am not aware of your philosophy for life and your religious beliefs.

    I believe that we all are created for a reason and that reason is happiness. All said and done it is very difficult to achieve and sustain over our life times.

    As for entropy I think it moves towards zero with age. I somehow get a feeling that the old people in the society feel sorry for the youth about not being happy for petty reasons. what say?

    When we know that our time on the stage is up and we are well versed with the thankless ways of the audience, would we speed up or slow down? How much control would we have then(remember the age)?

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  22. I think I'd slow down. I love life... am in a very happy place right now.
    I love sitting in parks and observing people. It must be weird for passers-by. But now at least I know i'm not the only guy who does it. :)

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  23. That closin lines made me think and I m thinking something after long... Hmmmm

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  24. Interesting ques... Though I wanna speed up but what if there is no afterlife and reincarnation or may be the reincarnaion thingy choose a costume of a pig :-| ohhh I better work on slowing it down :D

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  25. I would speed up!
    You've been writing really thoughtful posts these days..
    btw its always an experience .. observing random ppl.. sitting quitely in a corner ..

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  26. I personally don't believe in life after death.. So maybe I should hurry... :)

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  27. quite an insightful post....but rite now im in my frivolous mood!!....so really cant say anything insightful to this!!!

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  28. Oh god ! what a question ! but yes, surely, as a different character !! would love to see how its to be another person, for a change :D :D :D

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  29. Agree with Anya completely :)

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  30. 'speed' is relative! some moments seem fast and others slow..
    once you leave the stage is another mystery altogether ... why spend 'now' time contemplating on that...
    let us live now and enjoy the moment ..

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  31. Concentration and awareness?
    am i in the right track?Isn't it not the mind which is always moving?world moves becauses it changes.we love to freeze the world and keep with us or throw away...like paintings.but a moving mind without infinit energy can never run with the changing world because change creates chaos..when we cannot record or freeze chaos we try abstract..still will miss the present tense..but if brain can be swittched off after use lot of energy can be saved..and that energy may help us to 'see things'...
    But to be frank with you,i don't know and haven't experienced these things..i just feel like typing 'intelligently' and make a feeling that i know the pace of both..mind and the world..
    am i not being fooled by my mind this very moment..when pace goes mind goes..and when it goes ,my interest to 'type intelligently' may also go..
    Rakesh
    love the sincerity in your posts
    cheers &best wishes

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  32. even though i didn't understand the economic part of this post, i simply loved the quote by Chuck Palahniuk.

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  33. Lovely quote at the end of an intriguing post, Rakesh.

    Many of us live life without knowing the purpose or having goals. For such people, it is a question and a dilemma.

    If one is not clear about the purpose of life, one should frentically work towards understanding that. One needs to seek help of others and get a learned and helpful teacher to understand this.

    Once the real purpose of life becomes clear, life can slow down and we can discard useless and aimless pursuits. We become determined like the ant and focussed like the bee.

    cheers

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  34. Interesting! I liked the way u combined thoughts and reality. what are we at present is important and i never think about next change in life.

    'In Spite of the Gods' seems worth reading book and I'm sure to read it soon. Thanks for the intro.

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  35. Anya

    Thanks very much! Indeed, health and happiness are easily the most important assets that we need to seek in life!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  36. Jayant

    Yes – we surely are created for a reason and that we need to seek at all times by self inquiry and introspection!

    Right you are when you say that the factor of entropy comes to zero with age! But don’t you think that the aged worry for dissatisfaction among youth is valid and justified?

    In truth, it is discipline that needs to be pursued for that is the science that controls the environment around us and also helps us tide over eventualities that may arise!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  37. AJ

    Good to hear you thoughts on this!

    And those park walks and visits are awesome, aren’t they?

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  38. Vee

    I’m glad that it set you thinking!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  39. Sourish

    Reincarnation and afterlife or not, I think the pace of life has to be the way it is without alteration!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  40. Aria

    Why would you wanna speed up? I’m curious

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  41. Mohsin

    Which means you are not interested in living this life at the pace it should be lived at?

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  42. Shooting Star

    Thanks! But do think about the questions here!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  43. Vimmuuu

    Me too! I’d want to be someone very different and perhaps that’s what it is all about. We can’t be the same person twice, can we?

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  44. Deepak

    Why would you wanna speed up? I’d like to know!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  45. Magiceye

    Indeed! I do agree with your thoughts

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  46. MIP

    I cannot by any means challenge anything that you have said!

    I admire your thoughts!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  47. Satish

    Yes – that quote is among my favorites too!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  48. Vishwanath Sir

    Thanks very much! Indeed, one has always in front of him / her, the quest for understanding the purpose, which needs to be taken most seriously!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  49. Jeevan

    Thanks pal! I’m glad to know how well paced you are!

    Also, do read the book! It’s superb!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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