To Like or Not to like !
Transcript of To Like or Not to like !
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To like or not to like!
This essay dwells upon the futility of most human endeavor to rest its life upon likes and dislikes. The
lure of our personality, which is nothing more than a bunch of habits conditioned by time and space,
leads us to repeated disappointments in life. What adjustments do we have to make, to get rid of this
trappings, of our own personality? Lets think about it, further.
The beautiful colors in the skyI was driving down the hill (towards east) on the 164th Street SW near Lynnwood, in the state of
Washington. The North Cascades were looming at the eastern horizon. It was that time of the day,
where the Sun is quickly heading the western horizon, so the further you look east (towards the
cascades), its grayish (darker by the minute), while itsorange towards the West and bright blue right on
top of the car. Its amazing how one continuous canvas is sprayed with wide variety of colors dark gray
on one end, to bright orange
in the other, with purest blue
in the middle. The irony of all
this suddenly struck me.All
this beauty is resting upon a
nonexistent substratum called
sky. But if sky was truly
nonexistent, then are these
colors mere hallucination?
They seem so very real! But
real to whom?Me. But what
do I mean by real? If by calling
the beauty of the color
pageant in the sky, real, am I
saying anything that is
beautiful, however temporary,
qualifies to be real? In this
case the temporary, changeful
phenomenon of colors rests upon an un-definable perhaps nonexistent entity called sky! Life is full of
such contradictions, which we rarely enquire into.
Now consider the colors on display, the gray, the blue, the pink, the orange.where does the orange
end and the blue begin? Is there a specific line where we can point to and ascribe as the line of
differentiation, between the orangeness and the blueness in the sky? We can perhaps mark out a region
in sky where this transition happens but the region would be vague and vast.
Our life itself is like that sky, which shows various colors in the form of experiences birth, growth,
youth, middle age, old age and death. In between these milestone markers we change a lot both
physically and mentally. At various points in our lives, we trick ourselves into believing our current state
Figure 1: Orange to Blue
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of personality as our very Self. When in reality its just a
passing color combination, in the grand scheme of things.
What we call life is a series of changes from birth to death.
Yet the ascription of finality and absoluteness to certain
theories, principles, beliefs, moods, attitudes, affections,
anger, happiness etc at various points in our lives, is the pitfall
in our human existence. Why is it a pitfall? It is because we
cant consistently be peaceful and limitlessly enthusiastic, in
our lives, due to our inflexible adherence to them. The
principles that promoted our well being at one point end up
being shackles at later point. But we are unable to recognize
the shackle, let alone giving it up.
How much sorrow and disappointments we subject ourselves
to, by mistaking the sky (here sky life) to be Real, when its
ever changing and non-eternal. By committing ourselves to aprecise location in the sky, as the transition line from Orange
to the Blue (here its analogous to an inflexible adherence to
a particular sense of right/wrong or like/dislike) we open
ourselves to the immense possibility of being proven wrong by life and thus suffer from limitless
disappointments.
This makes me ask the question, can I ever risk being precise about a transition line from Orange to
Blue? Shouldnt being vague or vast in my estimate, increase the probability of my success and lower the
risk of disappointment? Similarly in life, if see people and personalities, from a broader and more stable
perspective we stand a better chance of a) lowering our possibilities of disappointment b) leaving doorsof self-correction and evolution open and c) enjoy life in total.
What do I mean by broader and stable perspective?
A more stable and broader view pointIn science (physics-math) there is a word called locus which means a set of points or a path in space
wherein an object can traverse according to certain predefined conditions. The circle is the locus of an
object traveling around a fixed point in space, with the precondition that it shall always travel at the
same distance away from the point.
Figure 3: Example locus of a circle.
Figure 2: From birth to death.....
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Similarly the locus of earths travel around the sun is an ellipse.
Now what is the locus of human minds observation of all phenomena in nature? Its locus is based on
the precondition that the observer or the individual mind, considers all that it sees and experiences in
life to be real. How real? It could be absolutely real or relatively real. Now if we take an absolute stance,
in our evaluation of life, we cannot but be disappointed, time and again. If we treat life at best as beingrelatively real, our locus of observation will have to transfer from shifting sands of time and space, to a
more stable position. Is there anything stable in life, from which we can observe life itself?
If there is something stable in life, it ought to be the unchanging witness of all changes in life. Who or
what or where is such an unchanging witness? If we attribute unchanging witness-hood to say Time or
Space or Fate or Chance (randomness), we find their definitions are permutable since they arise out of
our own mental constructs. If we say God, which seems like a better answer, its still relative to our
mental concept of Godhood. So clearly the
greatest common factor in life is our own
mind which has observed life, since
inception. One objection to this statement
would be Mind also changes all the time; its
just made up of various changing thoughts.
Then the reply would be in the form of
following questions: - Is there a portion of
our mind which has remained the same since
the earliest memories we have? What is it
in us, which hasnt aged? What is it in us
what has remained a mute witness to all
vagaries of life? What is it in us, which isawake when we dream and is awake even in
deep sleep? Thus, that which is there in
waking, dream and deepsleep, since our
childhood and that is not tarnished by
experiences of waking, dream and deepsleep
is our very unchanging Self. The element of
consciousness that creates in us a sense or
power of awareness cant be simply dismissed. It is present while Im writing this article, while you are
reading this article, while we are dreaming universe after universe, night after night. It is even present in
dreamless sleep. How so?! We know this because we happen to recollect that we slept peacefully, uponwaking. How can you recollect, unless its been confined to memory? How can something be confined to
memory, unless it was witnessed? So the witnessing is going on all the time, not just in waking and
dream but in deep sleep too!
Figure 4: The three states of consciousness, discussed in
Mandukya Upanishad
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After further such persistent thinking or introspection, if we shift our allegiance from our current
personality (which is nothing more than a bundle of all habits under flux), to the element of ever present
conscious observer in us (lets call it our Real Self), we shall be treading on stable ground.
Once we shift our locus of our selfhood to this Real Self, the next step is to ask or enquire into the
values, ethics, rights, wrongs, likes, dislikes etc in life. If from the standpoint of the unchanging or RealSelf an ethic or valueor like or dislike is examined, its lasting value or the lack of it, shall be revealed to
us. This way we shall steadily alter (or temper) our current personality based on the first principlei.e.
who we really are, as opposed to what the world around us or our fickle past habits, would have us
believe.
Revisiting the colors in lifeIf I have shifted the vantage point of observation from my apparent self (accrued personality) to the
Real Self (witnessing mind divested of personality) and then stare at the sky above my head, while
heading east on 164th
ST SW, what do I see ? I see the same colors, the same beauty but without the
earlier conviction or doubt about its reality or illusoriness. I knowits unreal yet I know its beautiful. I know its beautiful because
my mind thinks so, not because the beauty is inherent in the sky
(which is non-existent) or the choice of colors which are purely
incidental.
Now how will I see my son, friend, father, boss, wife, teacher,
colleagues etc, in life? They are as it were various specimens of
my race, who see the world through their respective minds. Their
experience is causing them to talk, walk in a certain way, just like
my past impels me to. All I have to do is play my part, as per the
rules set in front of me, by the society, family etc, when in reality,
I the witness of this play, am truly unaffected by the rules of the
environment. The portion of the mind, which has the tendency to
accrue personality modifications (i.e. my apparent self), might
still undergo changes, but the witness in me, is still the witness,
just as it always has been and shall ever be. I should remind
myself constantly that being the Real Self is my entitlement and
that the apparent self is the vehicle traversing in time-space,
approaching the Real Self.
Quick Reference:Kindly read
Shri Swami Vivekananda
masterly exposition titledReal
and Apparent Man.
http://ramakrishnavivekananda.info/vivekananda/volume_2/jnana-yoga/the_real_and_the_apparent_man.htmhttp://ramakrishnavivekananda.info/vivekananda/volume_2/jnana-yoga/the_real_and_the_apparent_man.htmhttp://ramakrishnavivekananda.info/vivekananda/volume_2/jnana-yoga/the_real_and_the_apparent_man.htmhttp://ramakrishnavivekananda.info/vivekananda/volume_2/jnana-yoga/the_real_and_the_apparent_man.htmhttp://ramakrishnavivekananda.info/vivekananda/volume_2/jnana-yoga/the_real_and_the_apparent_man.htmhttp://ramakrishnavivekananda.info/vivekananda/volume_2/jnana-yoga/the_real_and_the_apparent_man.htmhttp://ramakrishnavivekananda.info/vivekananda/volume_2/jnana-yoga/the_real_and_the_apparent_man.htmhttp://ramakrishnavivekananda.info/vivekananda/volume_2/jnana-yoga/the_real_and_the_apparent_man.htm -
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Figure 5: Excellent analogy in Mundaka Upanishad on the concept of the Real (Witness) and the Apparent Self (Doer)
Approaching the Vanishing Point
Figure 6: Vanishing point where two parallel lines - the Real and the apparent selves meet!
Upon the same tree there are two birds of beautiful plumage, most friendly to each other, one eating the fruits,
the other sitting there calm and silent without eating the one on the lower branch eating sweet and bitter
fruits in turn and becoming happy and unhappy, but the other one on the top, calm and majestic; he eats neither
sweet nor bitter fruits, cares neither for happiness nor misery, immersed in his own glory. The poor lower bird
went on eating the sweet and bitter fruits again, until at last he ate one that was extremely bitter; and then he
stopped again and once more looked up at the glorious bird above. Then he came nearer and nearer to the other
bird; and when he had come near enough, rays of light shone upon him and enveloped him, and he saw he was
transformed into the higher bird. He became calm, majestic, free, and found that there had been but one bird all
the time on the tree. The lower bird was but the reflection of the one above.Excerpts from the lecture
given by Swami Vivekananda, titledWhat is religion?
http://www.ramakrishnavivekananda.info/vivekananda/volume_1/lectures_and_discourses/what_is_religion.htmhttp://www.ramakrishnavivekananda.info/vivekananda/volume_1/lectures_and_discourses/what_is_religion.htmhttp://www.ramakrishnavivekananda.info/vivekananda/volume_1/lectures_and_discourses/what_is_religion.htmhttp://www.ramakrishnavivekananda.info/vivekananda/volume_1/lectures_and_discourses/what_is_religion.htmhttp://www.ramakrishnavivekananda.info/vivekananda/volume_1/lectures_and_discourses/what_is_religion.htmhttp://www.ramakrishnavivekananda.info/vivekananda/volume_1/lectures_and_discourses/what_is_religion.htm -
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At some point in life, the apparent self, shall merge into the Real Self and this drama is over. Till that
Vanishing Point where the apparent self no longer is apparent, this journey shall continue. In the
meanwhile we have to recognize that all distinctions and opposing viewpoints in life are bubbles waiting
to burst. If the bubble bursts due to nature pricking at them, without our permission, we feel the pain.
All inter personal relation issues, angry outbursts, sadness in life, are symptomatic of this bubble burst
against our will. But if these bubbles burst with our permission, due to the new found interest in us, to
align with the Real Self, the pain becomes conspicuous by its absence. Why would I fret and fume over
disagreements, when they are just passing colors in the canvas of my life?! I would now learn to agree to
disagree, so that I can continue my journey towards the vanishing point, without risk of emotional
derailment.
Another way of looking at this journey is as follows. In this journey, we are all actors. Few of us know
we are actors, many dont and there are a few among us who are (as it were) in the middle. The
actors who know their roles and stick by them are smart (they are the liberated ones, free &
peaceful!). Those who arent aware that they are actors, dont life their life well. They fall prey to the
demands of the roles in the form of their own whims and fancies, many of which are unfulfilled. The 3rd
category or the ones in the middle, know they are acting but are unsure how well to go about it?Its
for the 3rd category of actors that the temples, books, religions & philosophies, Gurus etc exist. I belong
to the 3rd category; Ive identified the flaw of the apparent self and understood from the reliable
sources, backed by my own reason that my entitlement is being the Real Self, not just worshipping it.
God or time or space or work or religion or family or people or emotions or reason or philosophy or
mundane events or government or children or all isms or all processes or a simple pair of worn out
shoes or anything for that matter.are all various names to the one contiguous Divine Whole.
Never stop seeing the big picture. Do not, my friend, take anything so seriously that it damages your
equanimity. Nothing in life is worth brooding over. There is no resentment that is worth its pain.
Observe the vanishing lines between the Orange and Blue in the Sky of your life. Appreciate thevagueness and vastness in life because from it springs peace and creativity.
Figure 7: "Never stop seeing the big picture"
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Hopeless at the womb and hopeless at the tomb, yet feigning hope in the midst, most human lives are
characterized by personal likes and dislikes masquerading as universal right and wrong. This
quintessential human delusion (i.e. resting our life upon likes and dislikes) gets by as the source of our
strength, when in reality its a lifelong disease eating into our ability to live fully, peacefully. Accept life
holistically, not segmented by your likes and dislikes. Call the bluff on your own personal likes and
dislikes. Do not be screwed by them. If you want to be angry for the last time, be angry at your inflexible
adherence to your likes and dislikes and be done with it for once and for all.
Parting commentsIn my new found enthusiasm, stemming out of the recognition of the possibility of living my life out of
the Real Self, I define the word special to mean non-different. If I do that I can honestly and boldly
venture to say, each day of this new-year 2014 is special and so is each moment. I carry no hope
resting upon my likes or dislikes and Im thus mentally relieved. There is no liberation or bondage or sin
or merit or such complicated shackle. If such fancies are to be seen, be rest assured the bubble is
waiting to burst and let it, what do I care?! Im just an actor going about my business of recognizing the
vanishing lines between the orange and blue, in life.
If this assertion of mine is not tenable to you, it means one of the two (amongst perhaps many things).One, its either too personal an understanding that Im trying to unsuccessfully philosophize and/or
articulate. Two, your mental makeup does not allow for this kind of adjustment. Either way, I have out
of good intentions decided to share my views on this topic, so that a) Its an opportunity to hammer my
head with this thought process and b) hope this contemplative process can precipitate your mental
revolution, by being catalytic at best. Lets kill this two headed beast called relativity, characterized by
likes and dislikes.
Once someone asked a famous movie director What is the difference between an Actor and a normal
person?The answer given was The Actor is same as the normal person in all respects, only he shows
more of himself or herself on screen. In our case, I would say Let us be philosophicallywell-tuned
actors, same as anyone else in essence, except we show less of our non-self on the world screen.
Dear Friend - Be Thou a good actor. Life-Fully. Why so serious?!& Happy New Year 2014
Can one live in and as the Real Self? Yes thus lived Shri Ramana.