A Philosophy: Part IV: WOW - Worthy Of Worship

A Philosophy - Part IV

WOW – Worthy Of Worship

The things that are worthy of worship are
- Absolute Truths (Creation, Existence, Change, Destruction, Energy, Light)
- Eternal Phenomenon (Fire, Rain, Wind, Heat, Force)
- Eternal feelings (Love,  Lust, Anger, Joy, Sadness, Anguish, Greed, Passion, Detachment, Attachment)
- Eternal values (Peace, Justice, Calmness, Truth, Honesty, Non-violence, Cunning, Beauty, Skill)
- Sustaining materials (Earth, Sun, Moon, water)
- Life (in all its forms)

By 'worship an object', we mean
- Regarding it as important
- Respecting it
- Focusing attention on it
- Making effort to learn about it and understand it
- Finding practices, that are of value, involving the object
- Deifying the object in any form, of personal choice, without injury to others

By the above principles, one can visualize the worship of various objects in varying forms.  Some may worship an object by giving it a human form or a form of a mythical creature. One may use different words to describe the same object, in a different or the same language. One can ascribe other characteristics to make an object appealing for worship, easy to remember and differentiate itself from other objects of worship.

Not all people have to worship in the same form. One may worship through speaking, meditating, rendering art, music, literature, poetry, story to glorify an object of worship. One may worship truths and principles or values like Creativity, Peace, Honesty, Truth or Love wherever they are seen or encountered in reality or even as a character in a story. 

If we consider each object of worship a GOD, then we can have many gods. The object of worship represents the GOD. So, the real GOD is not a representation, but the value or principle which is the object of worship. A person exhibiting Creativity, or Honesty, or Passion or Skill becomes the representation of that value or principle which is being worshipped. That person is a deity of the moment. It is always the principle or value that is GOD, not the person or the character in a story!

The right way of worship helps us put into practice in our life and enjoy the pleasure of eternal truths, absolute truths and good values. It enables us to use our material world in a nobler fashion than we would otherwise.


Copyright  (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2014

All rights reserved 

Of Lions and Mice, Of Men and Animals Really

Of Lions and Mice,

Of Men and Animals really!

There is a land where most men are called ‘Lions’! Women are called ‘Lionesses’.  All in the hope that they live up to the reputation of that noble beast - the King of the forest. You have surely heard of the last name ‘Singh’  which means ‘Lion’. There is ‘Kaur’, which means ‘Lioness’. This land is part of India, the northern part. Most famous among this land is the region of Punjab! The world knows the Sikhs, who all have ‘Singh’ as the compulsory part of their name. The women are all named with ‘Kaur’ as the compulsory part. This tradition is widespread across all of North India – from its west in Punjab and Rajasthan, through Haryana, Himachal, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, all the way to Bengal! The name is written as ‘Singh’ or ‘Sinha’. It means the same. Singapore got its name from the Lion too! In Sanskrit it simply means ‘Lion-Town’!

From a look at Indian history, it is interesting to note that one courageous man in Punjab, offered to take under his wing, one male child (usually the oldest) from every family and convert him into a ‘Lion’ – a courageous and capable warrior who was universally respected and looked up to as a ‘Sardar’ (leader) in times of trouble or when invaded by outsiders. This lion was always ready to put himself and his life on the line for the general welfare of anyone in society. He was ever ready to sacrifice his life if the need arose. These lions raised the pride and self-confidence of a docile population that was used to being walked over, trampled upon and generally ruled by anyone who passed by with a few soldiers and weapons.  The reputation of these ‘lions’ grew over the centuries and it was rightly so! It was an honour to be called a ‘Singh’. The word of their courage, physical and moral grew to such an extent that people started to have ‘Singh’ as their family name all over north India, In Rajasthan, down to Gujarat in the West, Nepal, Pakistan, and up to Bengal and beyond in the East. 

The original Sikh community was and is still represented in the army in unusually high percentages and numbers. 

Of course, as time went on, the last name ‘Singh’ carried on regardless of the actual nature of many who carried it. All ‘Singhs’ did not turn out to be noble warriors. Many were farmers, traders and even menial workers. But the original ‘Singhs’ from Punjab retained their original reputation and do to this day – they carried on their distinct appearance – groomed, uncut hair tied up in a turban.  They stood out clearly in any crowd. Of course, there were other courageous people. These lions inspired large parts of the Indian sub-continent.

However, along with these lions there also lived a large number of rats! Men who should rightly be called ‘Mice’ or ‘Snakes’! Only, there is no such last name!  They are not distinct in appearance. It is all in their hearts. They grew in larger numbers and have dominated the politics and rule of India for a long time. Some are even named ‘Singh’, but appearances can be deceptive! Many that valiantly shout bravado and roar like a lion back home in India, in their own domain, become like timid mice (that will not even squeak) once they enter a foreign country. They will not raise their voice, leave alone their hand. They will quietly, put up with all kinds of insults, injustices and work quietly to make a life for their family. This is the predominant mentality of Indians!

It is strange that we use the names of animals to honour and insult other human beings. I am sure we all can identify among ourselves people who are –  Lions, Tigers, Bears, Donkeys, Jackasses, Dogs, Bitches, Foxes, Cows, Pigs, Rats, Skunks and Snakes. We use the name of a poor animal which lives a pretty honourable life. I suppose in the animal kingdom, the word ‘Human’ would surely not be a compliment – the animals may not have a word for the ‘devil’ but I suppose they could justly use the label ‘Human’!


Copyright  (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2014

All rights reserved 

The Way To Defeat A Lion

There once lived a pride of lions in an ancient forest. The leader of the pride was also the King of the forest. He was known to be strong, fierce but fair and generally peace reigned in that area. There was a natural order of life, everyone took just as much out of the forest as they needed and that was OK. When someone went off the rails or drifted into excess, the King and his pride restored order. The forest enjoyed a long period of prosperity and became famous for its prosperity and good life of its denizens.  All species in that forest co-existed mostly in peace and mutual dependence. There chose to play a symbiotic role that benefitted their society and gave the best from their inner nature as a species. Even the sheep and goats from the nearby villages, which came to graze in some meadows adjoining the forest were safe from the lions. They knew and respected the rule of the humans who shepherded them. Unless provoked or in extreme situations, they lions hunted within the forest, when they needed food. The lion cubs even played with the little sheep. The villagers too respected the lions and their cubs and the rules of the forest. They knew one would not come to harm from another.
On the outer fringes of forest lived a pack of Hyenas and Jackals who ran a pack rule. They were powerful as a group and united for common benefit, but were given to excesses, meanness and survived by cunning more than might or a sense of justice. They were highly envious of the forest ruled by the pride of lions. They always coveted the abundance of the forest and wanted to take it over. They found it hard to do so by a straightforward attack. They tried a few times and had to retire in defeat and loss. 
One day, as the jackals held a gathering, one of the oldies came up with an idea. He said, “I think I know how to defeat the lions!”
“How?” asked one of the pack leaders.
“Have you all seen how the lions and their cubs are friendly with the humans and their cattle? The lion cubs even play with the little sheep,” answered the old jackal.
“Yes, we know! It is not possible to turn the humans against these lions,” said the other, “If anything the humans hate us. They respect the lions and the forest.”
“Would it not be good if the lions were like sheep?” said the old jackal, with a cunning smile.
“What?!! A lion is a lion and a sheep is sheep. How can one be like another?” exclaimed the pack leader.
“Just for a moment, imagine if the lions were to behave and think like sheep, how good would it be? The sheep are timid, and believe they need someone to look after and protect them. They trust themselves entirely to the humans who benefit from them and protect them as their property. If the lions were like sheep, they would be worse off than the sheep. The humans will NOT protect them – thinking they are strong and can take care of themselves.”
And so it happened. The cunning jackals befriended an ewe who had once lost a little one in the forest many years ago. Her little ones used to play with the lion cubs of the leader of the pride of lions at the banks of the river that ran along the borders of the forest. The lion cubs used to follow the little sheep, even suckle with them at the ewes. They were good friends and spent a lot of time together. Often the cubs walked back home late in the evenings. No one bothered them and the forest was safe for them. The cunning jackals asked their ewe friend to stay at the back of the herd and lead the cubs farther and farther away from the edge of the forest. They did not return to spend enough time with their own family and pride. They grew up thinking and behaving like sheep. So, over the next generation, when the cubs grew up to be adults, they did not feel or think like a lion. They thought like sheep! They did not have the self-confidence or pride in themselves. They ran away in fright at the sight of a pack of jackals! 
The cunning jackal’s plan was complete. That was the end of peace and prosperity in the forest. It became a jungle, all animals looking out for only themselves. There was no longer any security. Every animal looked at the other with suspicion, which was further fed by the jackals and their cohorts. The forest fell into ruin..
This is how a truly wise old saying  came into being – “The way to defeat a lion is to make him think he is a sheep.”


Copyright  (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2014
All rights reserved 

Winners and Losers

Winners And Losers

                                                                        

It was during my first year in the USA, as a student, that I first heard some person refer to another person as a ‘loser’. This girl we knew had been treated badly by a very popular and talented boy that she regarded as her boyfriend. He was a champion athlete and apparently from a very well-to-do family. He had won many trophies and some of the fame had gone to his head. Finally, all her friends suggested she dump him and move on. I knew both and honestly told my friend, “I think he does not take you seriously now and has definitely treated you badly. It does not appear that he will change towards you. You should definitely consider calling it quits and move on. It is better that you know now, earlier than later. It would be been worse if you had gotten married. I don’t think he deserves you and you don’t deserve to be treated like this.” Another girl, a friend of this girl said with feeling, “Just dump him! He is such a loser!” Everyone chimed in and repeated it. Finally, the poor, sad girl said it with great vehemence, “Yes! I have decided. I am out. He is such a LOSER and I am going to tell him so!!” A cheer went up.

Earlier growing up in India, I had read the expression “You are a loser!” or “He is a loser” when reading literature. It had always struck me as odd and I felt I did not understand the cultural context in which it is said and what it meant. Now, I had heard it first hand as a neutral observer knowing what had happened and as it was said spontaneously. It still struck me as odd. I realised that an Indian in India would have said something different – words to the effect “You are a nasty or bad person and I don’t want to have anything more to do with you”. It was only after having lived in the USA for a while and experienced the dominant culture there that I understood how and why it is said so. ‘Loser’ was being used as an ultimate offensive put-down word, meant to hurt the feelings of someone, to induce a feeling of worthlessness. It was a deliberate, cruel, psychological attack. But it would only have an effect on someone who thought the same way. I realised it would not have the same effect on the intended target from another culture, who did not base their self-esteem on being termed a ‘winner’ or a ‘loser’.

The way we understood winners and losers in India was – in most situations and competitions in the world, there is usually, technically, just one winner (an individual or a single team), all others are losers. Unless there are just two competitors, there is always a majority of losers and a small minority of winners in any competitive arena. Another way of winning was through sheer luck, as in a lottery or draw. Winners in this had no more talent or skill than the rest, so losers were just not lucky!

 Most of us in the world, by an overwhelming majority are ‘losers’ and perfectly, happy, good self-confident people. While there is honour in winning, there is no dishonour or shame in losing. Dishonour or shame came from not playing by the rules. One would never call someone a ‘loser’ as a put down in the India that I grew up in India when we grew up. It was hurtful to call someone a ‘bad’ person, a ‘dishonourable’ person by citing their offending acts that were beyond dispute.

I understood why the people in the USA use the term ‘loser’ as a derogatory one. It seems to stem from a culture where ‘winning’ is worshipped, applauded and valued. It has been for a long time and over a period of lawlessness (might is right). The actual means of winning was not considered important to remark on. All dishonour vanished when someone ‘won’. The ‘losers’ were the unfortunate ones. This seems to seep deep into the culture of the USA and the culture and outlook that emanates from it. Everyone wants to be a ‘winner’. They even say this in coaching and at school when they want to boost morale. They give prizes to everyone and say “Everyone is a winner!” It seems rather illogical. Why not accept that only a few will really ‘win’ on merit or luck and that is no negative reflection on someone who does not?

I note with regret, these days, when I often see many Indians use the same term “You/He/She is a loser!” They are all trying to ape the people in the USA. It is so incongruent with reality and our culture, where many ‘losers’ were revered, looked up to, admired and respected as saints or leaders, because they were honourable, good people!

What happened to such simple, clear words such as ‘bad’, or ‘evil’, or ‘nasty’ that could be used more accurately? 


Copyright  (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2014

All rights reserved