Living in Misery- Why Philosophies can’t help it.

“Joy- The happiness that comes from within”, “The Art of living-Manase relax please”- I have read quite a few books on my pursuit of understanding why I am living in misery. One thing good in all these books are they tell small but good stories to explain their ideologies/concepts/philosophies.

One of the biggest impacts of globalisation is the confusion of common man by the books of western and eastern philosophies. Both the philosophies differ on their outlook towards life. Definitely both can’t be practiced at the same time. After globalisation these philosophies were brought in the book form to common man. After reading all these books, he gets confused a lot like me.

When I start comparing Western and Eastern philosophy, the western tells me to try hard, plan for life, be ambitious, dream big and hope for the best. On the other hand the eastern tells me to give up trying, never be ambitious, forget the future, and live in the present.

Practically speaking, my life is mere replica of western philosophy. I believe the society is built on western philosophy. But this life brings me misery. So it’s clear that the western philosophy brings misery to life. That’s why I’m in search of books life the above mentioned.

Those books explained me why I am in misery. They told me that it’s due to pursuit of western philosophy in life. That may be true. They tell me to live naturally to get away from misery. They present a green pasture of life with eastern philosophy.

But I doubt will it be green even after I jump into eastern philosophy. More than that I strongly doubt will I be able to practice the eastern philosophy naturally. The practice of eastern philosophy itself looks unnatural to me.

Osho says love your work. Come on Mr.Osho! I am not able to love my work! That’s why I am coming to you. How stupid I should have been by just thinking that someone else will solve my problem. Ok. I am not able to love my work. Then, you say the same thing in different words, do what I love. Once again it’s a problem. I do not know what I love. I am sorry, I am very common man. What else you want me to do. You want me to meditate. How can I mediate when meditation doesn’t happen to me naturally? You tell me to live like an artist. Yeah! I wish. But I can’t learn to become an artist. Art has to come to me naturally. Isn’t it? You are right in saying that anything unnatural brings misery. But your philosophy of being natural to erase misery is too unnatural.

So what to do? Live in misery. Living in misery is natural. That’s life. Never attempt anything to erase the misery from life. Because it may add more!!!

Vendor of Sweets- by R K Narayanan

nA nice story built on the generation gap between father and Son. We can't say who is right?Who is wrong? Its just result of difference in the speed of reaction to the changes. One is fast. Another is slow. When the son westernize himself with Americal Education , the father believes in the Indian concepts. When the son catches up with "living toghter" with a foregin girl without marrying her, the father is not able to digest that. When the son wants to start the new business with Story telling machine, the father wants him to continue with vending of sweets. When the son talks about funding his new venture with his father's savings, the father refuses to part away with his hard earned money. He considers that as equivalent to squandering the money.

The book brings the 1960s and 1970s South indian life style. In one chapter the father reminisces over his "Ponnu Parkira incident" and his intial life after wedding. Its just great. It brings about how the marriage of our grand father and grand mother had been happened.

Nice Read !

Rejuvenating India- My first Visit to India as NRI

Last week, I visited India for my engagement. My first visit after 80 days stays in Saudi Arabia. The trip was so rejuvenating. Here, I have tried to explore why the trip was so rejuvenating to me.

I landed in Chennai Airport. Never, I have felt so patriotic about India like that. I took a deep breathe. I could smell the pollution. Still, I enjoyed. It’s the air of freedom. I understood the meaning of freedom when, I relocated out of India. Why not put all the Indians in Saudi Arabia for a period of six months. It may improve the respect for the country on everyone's minds!

It's a journey from desperation to cheerfulness. Desperation is not only due to second citizenship but also due to shorter circle of social life. We trim our boundaries to fit into local cultures and policies. Deep rooted cultures, religious fervor, dissimilar languages and distinctive nationalism creates visible barriers to mingle with the locale. This forces us to imitate Indian life in foreign land. It's like Eating India, Drinking India and Sleeping India but Living in Saudi Arabia. Some calls it as adapting to the new way of life. But I say, it’s trading our supremacy, our ego, our values and our rights for money.

India brought me back my supremacy. The given-up ego had taken back its seat within me. Because, I had reached the land where I am as equal as anyone! No one could discriminate me in India. Even though they discriminate, it would be done by fellow Indian, for the favor of fellow Indians. The crude joy of Nationalism filled into my mind.

Suddenly after three months, every minute started counting for me. The slow life in the fast lanes changed to fast life in slow lanes. I was occupied fully. The proximity to the near and dears, the inexpensive air time charges retrieved me from seclusion. Also, the salary in dollar had given enough m-power to play around with mindless shopping, relentless parties and first class traveling. As such it gave me a feeling that I earned that 80 days to enjoy the 7 days in India. But the reality is the payment in dollars not only has bought my brain and hands, but also has taken my heart for free.

Now you could understand why the trip was so rejuvenating for me.

A great book by a great Leader: Winning by Jack Welch

This is the ever best management book, I have read. The book gives an impression of listening to lectures by Jack Welch on various management practices and organizational issues.

The book is very pragmatic. When ever he explains a point, we could relate to our experience, our jobs, our offices, our organizations…

Every one of us comes across several management practices, systems and procedures in our professional life. Without denying, we could accept that most of the practices are being followed ineffectively or just for the name sake. After reading this book, definitely you will be longing,” will not I be part of an effective management system?”

There is a section focusing on career, right job, promotions etc. Must read! One could adopt as the prescription for professional success.

Great book by a great Leader!