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Religion, Arts and Understanding Life
The following topics are considered: Introduction Religion and Politics Political Ideologues Numerous Dichotomies God and Justice The Force, Energy and God Scriptures and Psychology Arts References and notes: Star (*) followed by a bracketed number (#1, etc) identifies applicable specific reference and notes. Introduction Comparative religion, arts and science are tools for understanding life. Terrorism was examined from social and cultural angles in previous article. Second article on introduction to Understanding Life series of four articles discusses how religious dogma is exploited by political establishments. Life is dynamic and ever changing or evolving. Known is history, unknown is future and present is what counts. Understanding life challenges mind. Life revolves around belief systems, arts and material world. Tools for understanding life include comparative studies of religions, art and science. The tools define the various people groups – cultures and societies – across the world. Religions and Politics We have … Read entire article »
Filed under: Hinduism, India, Islam, Pakistan, Politics, Vedic Knowledge
Golden age of Muslims by Saeed Mirza
I appreciated an introduction to the life of three young Pakistani women in theUS by a US based Pakistani free lance journalist (#1) (#1, etc means see references and notes). The brief stories the journalist narrated invoked many thoughts. I started with my belief that if we take away the bondage placed on women and the Miskeen (#2) by nations there is hope not only for women every where but also for humanity. In this two parts researched series first I will review Saeed Mirza’s book (#3) and then present in next part additional research that offers clues to Tides of Ideas that have benefited humanity as scholars from all across globe for 3,500+ years have continued to make progress in scientific knowledge. The second part will present my observations to explain factors that were necessary for the … Read entire article »
Filed under: Hinduism, India, Islam, Vedic Knowledge
Zakir Naik and Idol worship
The field of consciousness as we know has originated from the Indian sciences, expounded further by Sri Aurobindo and further propagated by westerners like Ken Wilber. It is a science which revolves around the art of detachment to free the mind from attachment to name, fame, power, lust, greed, anger etc which blinds the person from perceiving the truth and obstructs the psychological evolution. “tvamev matach pitach tvamev, tvamev bandhuch sakhasch tvamev, tvamev vidya dravidam tvamev, tvamev sarvam mam devdev” 1: You Truly are my Mother And You Truly are my Father . 2: You Truly are my Relative And You Truly are my Friend. 3: You Truly are my Knowledge and You Truly are my Wealth. 4: You Truly are my All, My God of Gods. The Indian thought perceives mother as divine (matri devo … Read entire article »
Filed under: Christianity, Featured, Hinduism, India, Islam
Does Social Acceptance Equal Self-acceptance?
Social acceptance—the need to fit in with those around—has always been central to human existence. It affects both genders and people of all ages, races, and faiths, regardless of rank or class. Self-acceptance is the concept of loving and being happy with who you are now, in spite of deficiencies. The Upside? Validation is vital to an individual’s existence as an independent entity. Most humans have three acquired needs based on sensory contact (through the six portals of sight, smell, hearing, taste, touch, and thought) with the external world: Identification with a group Language, culture, rites, rituals, communities, religions, political parties—all exist to nurture people’s sense of belonging, to create a forum for expressing shared views and experiences. Social integration is great in that it provides opportunities to learn about other races and cultures, promoting harmony … Read entire article »
Does “Instant Gratification” Qualify as a Virtue?
Patience used to be known as a virtue, but is virtually unheard of in the present-day culture of immediacy. Today’s children don’t even know the meaning of the word. People want everything, and they want it NOW! Investors expect instant wealth from their financial ventures. Customers expect that they’ll look skinny after spending a week at the health club. Students expect perfect scores on tests for which they study the night before. Short-term rewards, short-term gain, instant messaging, instant feedback, instant food, instant cures, even instant movie-watching—instant gratification has infected the world faster than AIDS. The Upside? The proliferation of technology and electronic devices—the epitome of instant gratification—revolutionized the transportation industry and transformed time management worldwide. Our ancestors walked, for the most part, rode domesticated animals, or rowed small boats. As civilizations evolved, … Read entire article »
The Dream of Vishnu (Part 2) – Nothingness?
The Dream of Vishnu (Part 2) Nothingness? The Buddhist conception of nothingness today is grossly misunderstood. Many people ask that if the ultimate reality consists of nothingness or emptiness, then why even do anything? People prescribing to such point of view also state that it is all maya, then why should we even do any dharmic actions? Such people see futility in doing their righteous duties for the welfare of the society or dharma. It is similar to the situation of a shattered Arjun who found it useless to fight his enemies on the battlefield consisting of relatives and friends. The war of mahabharat should not be judged as a good war or a bad war but a dharmic war. Is non-doing of one’s own duties really futile? Is inaction same as renunciation … Read entire article »
Filed under: Hinduism, India, Vedic Knowledge
Does “Net Worth” Stack up against Sense of Worth?
This haunting dialog from the 1975 Hindi movie Deewar captivated audiences (link below) and rocked the movie scriptwriting industry. The onscreen characters of Shashi Kapoor (SK)—the poor, but happy guy—and his brother, played by Amitabh Bachchan (AB)—the rich, but unhappy guy—are having a heated argument about SK’s “adarsh” (ideals) and “asool” (convictions) in contrast to AB’s flamboyance of wealth. AB arrogantly barks, “Aaj mere paas buildingay hai, property hai, bank balance hai, bangalay hai, gaadi hai. Kya hai tumhare paas?” [Translation: I possess buildings, property, a bank balance, mansions, and cars. What do you claim to possess?] SK utters with great pride, “Mere paas maa hai!” [Translation: I have my mother.] *** Who doesn’t want to reside in their dream house in a sought-after neighborhood? Or drive their dream car(s) or have the kids attend private schools? … Read entire article »
Promotion of Indian culture and ‘minority appeasing’ Secularism
Every country’s primary education revolves around its history, languages, philosophies, art, culture and sciences. Ancient greece is characterised by greek philosophies and sciences, egypt with pyramids and the science behind it etc. It is only natural for any school of a country to be teaching the ancient language of that country along with the philosophies. Would it sound logical to a rational mind if, in his own family, someone else’s lineage and history is given more importance and taught to him than his own? Would it be hypocritical if his own history is given much more importance to him than someone else’s? Similar is the case with India. Today, if one vouches for the promotion of Indian culture, sciences or dharma (righteousness, ethics and duty) as expounded by Veda, Gita and … Read entire article »
Filed under: Christianity, Hinduism, India, Islam, Media, Politics, Vedic Knowledge
The Dream of Vishnu: Shunyata or Infinity? (Part1)
Dream of Vishnu : Shunyata or Infinity? That man who uses the mind for reins and the knowledge for the driver, reaches the end of his road, the highest seat of Vishnu. Than the senses the objects of sense are higher; and higher than the objects of sense is the Mind; and higher than the Mind is the faculty of knowledge; and than that is the Great Self higher. And higher than the Great Self is the Unmanifest and higher than the Unmanifest is the Purusha: than the Purusha there is none higher: He is the culmination, He is the highest goal of the journey. (Katha Upanishad, Kena and other Upanishads, Page 115, 1.3.9-11) A thought cannot be measured nor can it be known as to when it began. It can also … Read entire article »
Filed under: Hinduism, Vedic Knowledge
Is Your EQ Consistent with Your IQ?
EQ or Emotional Intelligence (popularly referred to as EQ) is a term that’s been around a while. Author Daniel Goleman brought it into prominence in the 1980s with his best-seller, you guessed it, “Emotional Intelligence.” What is EQ and how is it different from IQ? And, why does it matter, anyways? IQ, as we know, is an individual’s ability to learn, memorize, problem solve, reason, communicate, and process information. Scientists believe that both genetics and the environment can influence an individual’s IQ and that it cuts across gender and ethnicity. Myriad tests are available on the market that assess IQ and are used by educators as predictors of a student’s educational achievement or “giftedness.” The higher the score on these tests, the higher your IQ — it’s that simple. For example, the … Read entire article »
Filed under: Hinduism, India, Vedic Knowledge
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