Book conversations: Emotional Traumas

My review of the book, An Insider's View of Emotional Traumas by mental health counsellor, Dinesh Kumar:

http://www.mapsofindia.com/my-india/reviews/book-reviews/book-review-an-insiders-view-of-emotional-traumas

Article on safety of instant noodles

What is MSG?  Is lead present in instant noodles?  How harmful are instant noodles if these substances are present in them?  Find out in this medical educational article:

http://www.mapsofindia.com/my-india/health/how-safe-are-your-noodles

Book conversations: The First and Last Freedom

There are many philosophical tenets, but perhaps none as unique as Jiddu Krishnamurti's.  It is just simple, and radical.  It is radically simple.  This is typified by his response as recorded by Aldous Huxley - who does the foreword in this book - when asked about what is to be done about the vexing issues of existence: do nothing.  On the face of it, it seems a stupefying response.  But what Krishnamurti actually means is to not do anything in terms of rituals, religiosity, dogmatic belief, and yes, even following a guru.  

Instead, he advocates looking at yourself.  As in the physical, and more importantly the mental self.  That is, as he puts it, if you know the one that can be known, then perhaps the unknown would reveal itself to you.  That is to say, it is futile to hanker after god-realisation and give up on phenomenal existence in favour of an ascetic lifestyle.  He even suggests that staying with and adhering to a guru's advice - something that many faiths insist upon as a prerequisite to spiritual life - as being redundant in the pursuit of equanimity.  Quite simply because the guru cannot do it for you; you have to bring about the internal changes yourself.  

By internal changes, he suggests that each one of us observe and understand the workings of the mind in its totality: its good moments, its ugly leanings, its prejudices, its emotional upheavals; the works.  It helps if you are totally honest with your every feeling, thought and inclination, and not repress anything.  Because, as he says, forcing the active mind to become still, or stopping your thoughts will not cut it.  On the other hand, a state of 'alert passivity or 'choiceless awareness', wherein you are quietly observing the mind and its changes in a pliable manner, is what is going to create a state in which god/truth/love manifests itself.  

The book is divided into two main parts.  In the first part he provides his insight on issues such as belief, action, fear, simplicity, awareness, desire and function of the mind.  In the second part, he answers question asked him by the curious members of the public.  In all, these chapters together provide a amazing overview of Krishnamurti's philosophy. 

If you have pored over life's never ending adversities, if you want to know how our internal state affects the society around us, if you want to find out how awareness is god-realisation, and how the future is nothing but the past, then read this revealing account by one of the most unique thinkers of our age.  

And yes, putting Krishnamurti's advice into practice can be immediately undertaken, as you do not need to seek anything or anybody, you do not need to go on a pilgrimage, and you do not need to indulge in a ritual of any kind.    


Image source: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41P1yyCiu7L._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg  

Being inhuman

Recently we have seen two occurrences which show us in a poor light as a people.  

One of course, is idol worship.  Blind idol worship; the kind that makes you lose your sense of reasoning.  Idolatry at its worst.

Now before I sound like a missionary, let me clarify.  

I am talking here about the superstar and his fans.  No prizes for guessing which one.

When he was sentenced, they came out in hordes to support him.  'We are with you' they said, regardless of what he had done.  

Then when he was granted bail, they rejoiced.  So much so that he had to tell one of them off for climbing dangerously high on to a vantage point to see him - or so it seemed from TV reports.  

Cut to the southern state and its sycophants.  

When she was jailed, people wept.  They beat their chests.  Injustice, they lamented.  

When she had to step down as CM, the stop-gap man cried while taking oath.  So did the rest of the ministers.  It was as though they were swearing allegiance to her and her principles, and not to the constitution.  

Whatever the legal shortcomings in these two cases, they have served to expose our ailments as a society.  

Blind hero worship - where fans believe that their favourite hero could do no wrong, and that he is above law.  The gap between the on-screen persona and true life personality seems to be non-existent in our country.  

And sycophancy - where obsequiousness rules roost.  It is worth noting that the lady in question also had an on-screen persona once.  

Humanity, law & justice, democracy, human rights, impartiality.  What the hell are all those?

To put it shortly, there is probably no better term than Being Inhuman.

  

Article on asthma

Medical educational article on asthma in India:

http://www.mapsofindia.com/my-india/health/growing-problem-of-asthma-in-india