Musings 76: Openness?

Openness is a word that is widely used in our conversations. But most of us have not clearly thought about it.

Many of us misunderstand openness to be a state of mind where we expose ourselves to all kinds of contradictory ideas and views, without having a set of ideals for ourselves to stand on. The resultant confusion is what is often referred to as ‘grey areas’. Many a times, what is perceived as the complexities of an issue is nothing more than our own confusions regarding it. It takes an honest man/woman to analyse and understand what is what.

In our discussions, be it at home, workspace, or in social media, we generally don’t accept that we are confused. We may simply don’t know enough, but try to pass it on to others as their lack of understanding. Most of the time people use words and phrases like “shady”, “nuanced”, “has many layers…” etc. when they are confused and too egoistic to acknowledge it.

There is nothing wrong in being confused about something. It is a stage in the natural progression of thoughts. It only shows that we are somewhere between ignorance and clarity. However, acknowledging it is important. Else, we may get lost forever and never reach the shores of clarity.

Some of us get attached to our confusions. Some are even proud of them! Confusion is also projected as a sign of intelligence and deep thinking! A ‘confused individual’ is just a confused individual. He/she is not an intellectual. Yet it is true that many confused individuals decorate positions of influence in our society. They often pass as intellectuals.

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If we are to live a life committed to self realisation (self improvement may be a more acceptable term), we need to adhere to some view of life. We may call it religion, ideology, or simply a value and belief system. Each system comes with its own sets of ideals and practices. If they improve our quality of life and grant a higher purpose and vision for life, we may pursue it in peace in exclusion.

Say, I am comitted to a certain value-belief system, and to that extent don’t subscribe to other systems, yet acknowledge their effectiveness to others, would I qualify as an open-minded person?

There is no reason why I shouldn’t be, provided my acknowledgement of the effectiveness (and therefore, the validity) of other value-belief systems is out my genuine respect for others who follow their chosen path.

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We need people who live their ideals and convictions. Not the ones who sell their confusions.

We need to become such a one, ourselves!

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Śrīnāth Mohandās

March 04, 2017

Musings 75: Are we all equals?

-I-

“No” would be politically incorrect to say. The society that we live in is intolerant to that view. Yet it is worth exploring the ideas of equals and un-equals.

(The society’s intolerance is justified. It rises from the haunting memories of a violent past- the heydays of slavery and other extreme forms of discrimination.)

“We are not the same, but are equal” is an often quoted statement. It acknowledges the fact that people are different and not the same. Except for the similarities that we share as a species, as individuals, the differences are all too obvious- physically, emotionaly and intellectually. Yet we are all equals. Meaning, the “value” of each individual is the same!

What then is the “value” of an individual? How do we measure it? Physical, emotional and intellectual parameters certainly are incapable of determining the value of an individual. That is no level playing field.

So, with half the mind, when we believe that we are all equals, the other half also asks- “but how do I know?”

-II-

If we believe in creationism, that the universe and living beings are “created” by God, then we have an easy answer. “All of us are equal because it is the one God who created all of us and he created all of us equally.” We may replace God with “Nature.” The same argument can be maintained. Yet by that logic, equal status should be equally shared among all things living and non living. But by no means do we (the society that we live in) accept that. Our “we” atmost accepts humankind. Animals and plants born and raised in a country don’t enjoy citizenship rights.

The Semitic religions believe that humans have a superior status because “God willed” so, and all “lesser forms” of creation are created for human enjoyment. These monotheist religions, also are not ready to grant equal status to “infidels” among humans, who violates their conception of God. The eastern religions, at least in principle, accept equal status for all members of creation- living and non living.

-III-

How do I know that we are all equals?

I believe, we can never intellectually “know” that we are equals. Because we are NOT equals by any standards of ‘objectivity’. It can’t be empirically proved. Yet if we claim we are equals, it is ONLY because we choose to ‘believe’ so.

Btw, belief is not a bad word. It is no lesser to logical rationality.

The belief, however, sparks from a deep intuitive feeling of oneness with others. Because, at times, we are able to see ourselves in others!

It is this belief that we are equals that has formed the basis for democracies. The belief is legally protected by a contract- the constitution, and is carefully preserved and propogated through the life of a society, through generations, through education. The idea of ‘human rights’ is but an expression of this belief.

Do I have certain rights as a human being? Yes, I do.

Who has given me these rights?

God/Nature? That will be the route of  the religions (creationism/animism).

It is the nation-state (or let us simply say the society) that I live in, that bestows me “my rights.” It is a contract between the citizen and the state. The moment the nation-state collapse, the citizen that I am, is reduced to an individual who is at the mercy of the law of the jungle- the survival of the fittest.

-IV-

Are we ALWAYS able to see ourselves in others?

Are all of us EQUALLY good at seeing ourselves in others?

“NO” is the honest answer. For every Śankarāchārya/Buddha who attain the non-dualistic vision of the world, there are a hundred thousand (human) brutes who cannot sense the grossest expressions of pain in others. Most of us belong somewhere between the extremes.

It must be to acknowledge this reality- the truth about the world, that the eastern religions- the religions based on Dharma, discuss about a ladder of (spiritual) evolution among living beings.

How much do we see ourselves in others?

How far, wide and deep can we percieve this vision?

-V-

If we acknowledge this ladder of (spiritual) evolution, then our whole argument that we are equals again comes under question.

Am I equal to a Śankarāchārya/Buddha?

Politically, as a citizen of a country, Yes.

Socially, as an individual unit of the society, Yes.

But morally, in terms of the non-dualistic vision of life?

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Śrīnāth Mohandās
February 27, 2018