What Are We Willing To Pay For?

Do we value intangible wealth?

It has been my observation that the majority Asians are quite willing to pay for material goods that represent wealth. Many (not all) however are reluctant to pay for quality services or intangible wealth, with the exception of paying for brand names and the prestige associated with them. I have seen this first hand among Indians, especially the newly rich in India.

Do you agree? What do you see around you?

Background:

Coming from a historical (many generations) background of poverty and hunger among the vast majority of the population, it is perhaps understandable that many Asians value tangible assets as representing wealth. Gold, land, material goods, luxury goods are classic examples. People who acquire a lot of money are willing to pay, and pay a premium for these kinds of assets that they can see, feel and touch. People aspiring to be wealthy seek to acquire these kinds of assets. 

In the terminology of economics, these could be classified as goods. There is another element of wealth in economic theory - the intangibles. These are things you cannot usually see, touch or hold. They include services and intellectual properties (a fancy name for good, clever and useful ideas).  Services can be anything from someone taking your order and serving you a cup of coffee to someone giving you useful information, knowledge or advice - such as a doctor or a lawyer. We all NEED to pay for it. Often, we don't realise that the smile that comes with the service is also paid for. That is why the corporations in the USA are very strict with their employees on this issue. Many have been fired for not smiling. 

By the way, how much would you pay for a smile? Historically, some very wealthy millionaires have paid heavily for the smile from a waitress!!

One had better learn to pay for good knowledge, advice or information (a fancy term for a lot of gossip) too! It is big business these days and in the future.

These  intangibles are also considered wealth in their own right. In fact, sometimes in the 80s, if I recollect correctly, there was a famous milestone marked in the USA - that nation's GDP, for the first time had 'services' sector valued more than the 'goods' sector. It indicated a trend for the future. Today, the majority of the wealth, the world over, is in fact intangibles - the services and intellectual properties. 

There is another kind of intangible that people usually pay for, often disguised under the title of intellectual property - a feeling of prestige and belonging to the elite. This is not strictly a product or service in itself.  This is usually linked to a tangible product or a service that people can either touch or feel or experience. Brand names goods and luxury items are good examples of this. The actual goods or service would be just as useful without the brand name. Often we pay more for the brand name than for the value of the material goods or service itself.

I believe the vast majority of the wealth in the world today, especially in the more advanced economies, is intangible wealth in the services and intellectual property category. One needs to appreciate it more, and be willing to pay for these even in the process of accumulating more wealth for ourselves. It makes sense that we will value things we are willing to pay for.

The hype and brand name category is quite high up there too, in the scale of things, but I would not necessarily pay for a lot of it myself.

What do you think? How are the feelings of those around you towards these different kinds of wealth of the future? What are they willing to pay for?


Copyright  (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2015
All rights reserved 

A Thank You For Life

Thank you Father,  thank you Mother!
Thank you for giving me life.

Thank you Mother, thank you Father!
Thank you for giving me your life.

Thank you Father,  thank you Mother!
Thank you for helping make my life.

Thank you Mother, thank you Father!
Thank you for letting me live my life.

How can I ever repay you?
What can I give back to you?

When I see my own children I realise I must have given back to you, in some measure, what they give me.
It is the joy of giving my life to them.

I hope that we may always be family in any more lifetimes there may be.

I want to give the joys of receiving and receive the joys of giving with you always!

Thank you Mother, thank you Father! And thank you my children!


Copyright  (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2015
All rights reserved 

The Nicest Things About: Australia

1. Capable People - Most men and women are very capable in many life skills from cooking, organising, mechanical, automotive to gardening jobs.People have hobbies that require skill.  Very independent and hard working nature. Very good at improvising and clever in setting up their surroundings and home. Perhaps this has to do with a long tradition of a vast land with sparse, small communities separated by great distances.


2. Acceptance: Once people know you and like you as a person, they accept anyone - no matter what their race or nationality with a true open heart. This is different from superficial politeness, kindness and niceness shown in some other countries towards immigrants. Here people literally treat you as family or how they would treat their own family. In some countries people treat immigrants as a bit superior or inferior. Here it is as true equals. It takes a while to figure it out with one's own experience.


3. Home/Work Balance: People really know what to value in life. They have a long tradition of  built in healthy balance between work and home/social life. Good number of public holidays, school holidays, work hours such that everyone can have time with their families, penalty rates for overtime or beyond normal hours.  There is a history of shops closing in the evenings, on weekends and holidays so that everyone can enjoy time with familes and friends. This is now being eroded by misguided policies by following the 'American/USAnian way' by those in political power. Australia, it can be seen clearly, has a mindset between the British and the USAnian one. Mostly they even have their fences or walls between houses of half the height between typical British ones and USAnian ones! While they are more British in character, there seems to be an aspiration among many to become like the USAnians.


4. Healthcare: An excellent, wise and good policy, that again is being dismantled brick by brick, slowly, in following the American way  - pushing up costs and driving people to forgo care or bankruptcy. Here again, a great system that was perhaps the legacy of the British mindset and culture that is now being corrupted from above by those in power and vested interests. While the trend is not so good, it still exists and provides a great service and back up for Aussies. Rarely is anyone bankrupt because of a serious illness.


5. Following personal passion: Most people try and follow a passion in life rather than take the first job that comes by. Because of the good social support and medical care (if the need arises) many will not jump in desperation at the first job or stick with a bad situation at work as those in the USA  or in other countries do by design. This has been the traditional mindset. In someways, it is understandable. Customer service and attitude of dealing with people was not the best in Australia because most seemed to feel that they did not have to please anyone.  I remember going to an electronic store to buy adapters for my appliances from the USA and India upon my arrival here. One store had one of them. The second store I went to, had all I needed but the price on the adapter I saw in the other store was higher. I mentioned it to the person who was supposed to help me and he brusquely told me to go and get it from the other store if I wanted to! I was surprised - in the USA he would have been disciplined if not fired. Then I realised that this was a different country and culture.

There was not much danger of getting fired for poor service (difficult to get a replacement and tough laws against 'unfair' dismissals) and even if they did, most did not worry too much. They would never starve or be desperate. There is a postive side to this that people can wait and find a job that fuels their passion and realise their potential. This too is being changed slowly but surely to go the USA way with a large intake of new migrants, skilled and motivated to work. They want to keep the motivation ongoing.


6. Dignity of labour: One can see this in practice and the best I have seen among the countries I have lived in. This is evident in observing daily life - almost everyone,  a taxi-driver, a waiter, the janitor or a prostitute, people are treated with respect as default. They display a great amount of self-respect too. There is no tipping required for service and so no one has to lower themselves. A sincere thank you or note of appreciation is always welcomed and reciprocated. The current Indian Prime Minister Modi referred to this feature that he too had observed in Australia when he had visited it a long while ago as a private individual. He rightly said that was something Indians could learn from and practice when they are back in India.


7. Open spaces/playgrounds: Every suburb and area even in the middle of the capital cities - has open, public spaces for walking, playing and communing with nature. This is surely one of the best features of Australia in making wise use of its space by not cluttering it too much. Rich or poor, you will always find a nice green or healthy open space to walk or to go on a picnic. Children will find proper playgrounds.


8. Barbies: The Australian Barbie is not the plastic doll. It is the famous Australian 'barbecue'. It represents getting together of the family and friends, sharing a meal and drink, chatting. They do this on most holidays and national days. It is truly something to experience the friendship, relationships and is one of the great joys of living. Other cultures too have such gatherings under slightly different settings. The Aussie one manages to retain its distinct character despite assimilating input from everyone. There is beer and sausages, but people can add chicken tikka or a fancy shrimp or vegetarian patties and even bring French wine to it. It will still have the guys firing up the barbie, doing most of the cooking and serving, while chatting with their mates. Women too will find the gossip as delicious as the food. The children might play a game of cricket or kick the Aussie Footy Ball around. The atmosphere is absolutely great it can last afternoon until late. You never want it to end. Everyone helps in cleaning up afterwards. If you get invited to one in Australia, it is a good indication that you are 'in'. A lot of significant, important life, business/personal discussions and decisions happen around the Aussie 'Barbie'.



9. Mateship, helping hands and volunteering: Almost everyone I know here volunteers or does something for others. Even people in wheelchairs. From organising and running the neighbourhood sports clubs -cricket, footy, rugby, tennis or library or driving someone to the city hospital for the Red Cross, or delivering meals on wheels to those who cannot cook. It seems half the country's most rewarding and fulfilling human work is run by volunteers. On top of this, it is almost a tradition (seen more in the countryside) for anyone to step in and help a neighbour or someone in need on the roadside. From the countrywomen's association to the Rotary Club or Lion's Club or some made up club - people in their late 70s, 80s and even 90s are active doing something for others. People will get together and do things for their mates or colleagues or a neighbour without being asked. This is an energetic, giving nation.


10. Fair Go: An Aussie might come across as rough and gruff in their language and appearance to an newly arrived foreigner, make comments that some will feel are 'racist' even, they will tease you a fair bit and will not sympathise with those who whinge or complain or act like a victim. There is something about the Aussie spirit though - to give someone a fair chance to show their mettle or do  job or run a business. People will give them a fair chance to make a success of themselves. Perhaps this comes from a long history of accepting the poorest or least well-to-do immigrants (for a long time only from White Europe), but giving them a chance to succeed in their own business or trade. Many have come penniless and have made fortunes here. That tradition of giving someone a chance to succeed, fail a few times perhaps, try again and get back on their feet, is something clearly observed in Aussies. They will make jokes about the Indian, Chinese, African or Vietnamese people but will go and try out a new ethnic restaurant, even in a country town, just to give them a chance to prove themselves. If they like it, they will continue to patronise the business or honestly let you know otherwise.

11. Honest and direct (Mostly): This is often commented upon as the Australian roughness, coarseness or lack of sophistication. I however feel that it is very typical of Aussies to say something that might sound a bit harsh and then observe your reaction. If you do not overreact, take it with a sense of humour or give it back with a smile, they will laugh and accept it and you too. There is a culture of teasing, coarse language, but with a good, kind heart. The moment they feel you are not doing well, there is usually surprising kindness or tenderness. Most Australians seem to believe in being honest and direct and not necessarily apologetic about their views, even if they are not politically correct. The measure of fairness in them is when they accept you with such imperfect or biased views as well. Most do.


Copyright  (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2015
All rights reserved 

Better in the West - The human values in practice

The best of human values that are practiced better in the West


1) If something does not seem right in your vicinity, do something about it, not just complain.

2) Accepting people with their faults, failings and failures and still supporting their pursuit of personal happiness.

3) Preparing for adversities well in advance, practicing and stocking up on resources

4) Treating pets and animals with lots of love and care

5) Making their immediate physical surroundings clean and organised

6) Telling close friends or even strangers honest opinions or judgments when you think they are wrong. Not falsely trying to save their face.

7) Putting in energy, effort in pursuing and enterprise

8) Investing time, energy and effort in developing new ideas. Taking risk for huge potential benefit.

9) A sense of humour in almost all situations

10) Respecting a person who stands up to you despite your active opposition

11) Helping the poorest in one's own country, city, neighborhood or immediate surroundings


Note:
All human values - the best and worst of humans- are common and practiced everywhere. It is just they may be practiced to different degrees. I am only looking at a statistical average and a subjective one at that.

These are just my personal opinions based on my observations.
Some may disagree. You may have a different list of things that you consider belong here, so please post them. I suggest you NOT turn this thread into a negative one of what you think is NOT the best or what you think is the worst human values in the West of East.

I have a western friend who says he is working on a similar list of values he thinks are practiced better in the East. We will wait for him to post it in the future.

Copyright  (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2015
All rights reserved 

Example and history of mixed Hindu, Muslim and Sikh devotional music from India and Pakistan

The following is a devotional hymn from the 'Shabad' or the 'Word' of

Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism is in the common layman's language

of those days, and is still easily understood by anyone with an

average knowledge of Hindi or Urdu. It is titled  'Koi Bole Ram Ram'

and often sung in the Sikh temples. Here is its translation. It also

sung in Hindu or Muslim homes. There are plenty of such devotional

songs that are common, there were common saints for Muslims and

Hindus, and they are still worshiped today!!

The Hymn is as follows:
“koee bolai raam raam koee khudhaae ||
Some call the Lord ‘Ram, Ram’, and some ‘Khuda’.
koee saevai guseeaa koee alaahi ||1||
Some serve Him as ‘Gusain’, others as ‘Allah’.
kaaran karan kareem ||
He is the Cause of causes, and Generous.
kirapaa dhhaar reheem ||1||
He showers His Grace and Mercy upon us.
koee naavai theerathh koee haj jaae ||
Some pilgrims bathe at sacred shrines, others go on Hajj to Mecca.
koee karai poojaa koee sir nivaae ||2||
Some do devotional worship, whilst others bow their heads in prayer.
koee parrai baedh koee kathaeb ||
Some read the Vedas, and some the Koran.
koee oudtai neel koee supaedh ||3||
Some wear blue robes, and some wear white.
koee kehai thurak koee kehai hi(n)dhoo ||
Some call themselves Muslim, and some call themselves Hindu.
koee baashhai bhisath koee suragi(n)dhoo ||4||
Some yearn for paradise, and others long for heaven.
kahu naanak jin hukam pashhaathaa ||
Says Nanak, one who realizes the Hukam of God’s Will,
prabh saahib kaa thin bhaedh jaathaa ||5||
knows the secrets of his Lord Master.”

Keep in mind, these are the words of the founders of Sikhism, who also raised a militant group to resist some of the conquering Muslim rulers. They knew and preached the same religious principles even though he resisted so-called Muslim rulers politically and in battle.

Such was the spirit of religious faith and principles in India even during the violence that historians write about - it was rulers and politicians as mischief makers then, just as now. The common people never go about wantonly killing each other over religion.

Most in India and Pakistan, are familiar with the musical maestro

Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Wikipedia has this to say about him

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (13 October 1948 – 16 August 1997) (Urdu: نصرت فتح علی

خان‎) was a Pakistani musician, primarily a singer of Qawwali, the

devotional music of the Sufis. Considered as the greatest voice ever

recorded, he possessed an extraordinary range of vocal abilities

and could perform at a high level of intensity for several

hours. Extending the 600-year old Qawwali tradition of his family,

Khan is widely credited with introducing Qawwali music to

international audiences. He is popularly known as "Shahenshah-e-

Qawwali", meaning "The King of Kings of Qawwali".

Born in Faisalabad, Pakistan, Khan had his first public performance at

age of 16, at his father's chelum. He became the head of the family

qawwali party in 1971. He was signed by Oriental Star Agencies,

Birmingham, England, in the early 1980s. Khan went on to release movie

scores and albums in Europe, India, Japan, Pakistan, and the U.S.A. He

engaged in collaborations and experiments with Western artists,

becoming a well-known world music artist. He toured extensively,

performing in over 40 countries.

The date was 31st December 1989, and at Ramgarhia Sabha Gurdwara(A

Sikh Temple) Slough UK , a Musilm was singing “Koi bole Ram Ram (A

Hindu God) “. For people present, there were no separate religions

“Allah was Ram” & “Ram was the Guru”. By performing this song, NFAK

proved that “music has no Religion” & “Religion could never bound

NFAK”. This pious though by NFAK truly justifies the following tribute

by a fan

'Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, when he sings, the GEETA, the KORAN, the

BIBLE,the Sri Guru Garanth Sahib Ji , all are turned into music…a

harmony with the existence …the godliness of the Universe can be

felt.'

Copyright  (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2015
All rights reserved 

All Religious Conflicts Are Ultimately The Creations Of Mischief Makers?

All religions and spiritual philosophies seem to have a common set of good values that none of us really can disagree with. These have to do with how we treat each other, show love, tolerance and kindess, do the right thing even if it is hard. They have to do with fairness and justice in our treatment of each other that will lead to peace and harmony.  The only 'unfairness' they would recommend would be to treat others 'unfairly nice or kindly' as a starting point.

I believe the very nature of such a message is what attracts people to a religion. Even if someone is born into a family that claims to follow a religion, it is their own understanding of the goodness in that, that makes them want to follow. I have rarely heard of or seen anyone say they were attracted to a religion because it encourages injustice, unfairness and justifies us in mistreating someone else. If someone claims such, let us count them out for the purposes of this discussion. They belong to a separate category - a very important and dangerous category, which we will look at later.


Now, I believe that people who are attracted by the message of good in a religion are inherently good people who want to follow the message and actually treat each other well with fairness, justice. The only unfairness that they would like to mete out or receive would be - 'being unfairly nice or kind to someone willingly'.  Would you agree upto this point?

Given nothing else but the true spirit of religions, most people would get along relatively well if both are good natured. Human nature is such that it constantly militates against being an ideal follower of the good messages in our religion and all religions. Jealousy, hate, anger, resentment against injustice or insults all crop up and demand action on our part. While our religious or personal philosophy is supposed to help us respond in a better fashion than a knee-jerk, ill-considered reaction, we are not always perfect in our responses. However, when surrounded or guided by people who are not involved in our personal issues of grievances we can normally achieve reasonable response and maintain the goals of our religious beliefs, in real life.

I contend that given nothing more than a bunch of people having to live together in the same town or village or society, it is no wonder that most good, decent people of differing faiths, differing races, differing cultures can usually find a harmonious and amicable balance and live together for many, many years. Gradually, many of their shared languages, practices, music, literature and cultures will merge, overlap while people still retain a large amount of their original, distinct identity.

I believe it takes deliberate mischief, for someone to deviously push their own agenda of greed for power or wealth or control to set people against each other, create and sustain conflict, create and sustain real and perceived injustices and causes to turn religion into a weapon to be used for their nefarious purposes. I believe it is such that has ALWAYS created and sustained religious conflict.

Were the original people who were inspired by the messages of the Hindu Vedas, the life and messages of Jesus, or the messages of Buddha or Prophet Mohammed, or any 'saint' or even 'cult leader' not good people who were sufficiently inspired and passionate to lead a better life and treat each other well?

Never mind what someone else claims the core beliefs or messages of their own or somebody else's religion are. Let us never let another person define these for us. Let us each personally define what our faith or religion means in how we want to treat others, particularly those of a different religion or faith. Misinterpreting the basic messages of one's own religion or someone else's religion is common and let us not get into that game. It always fudges the issues. That is why I would never let George Bush define Islam for me. I would not even let him define Christianity for me! I would look at people who are better role models and even then I would have to exercise my own brain, thinking and judgement.

So, I believe ALL religious conflicts are ultimately the work of mischief makers - power grabbers, thugs and looters who will use the ignorant or foolish mases for their own purposes and let them do all the fighing and dying, while they sit back and enjoy the power, wealth and control they crave.

Some religious conflicts are recent, appearing after hundreds of years of peace. Some are entirely new. Some have gone on for thousands of years. But fighting and killing (at least on one side) is always the work of mischief makers. Once it starts from one side the other responds by defending itself from extermination or in simple retaliation. Of course our own foolishness often contributes to keeping this cycle going on.

They say - 'ultimately all politics is local'. I say ultimately, ' ultimately all  religious conflicts are political' and hence by implication 'all relgious conflicts are local political issues'.
Political issues are mostly created by mischief makers, and sustained by foolishness of others.

Without these wicked people, most would co-exist relatively peacefully. The thought of people not being susceptible to manipulation, hate-mongering and not taking someone else's interpretation of religion over their own personal idea, must be the biggest fear of mischief makers and hate-mongerers.


So, what do you think? 

What do you think are the roots of mischief making in the conflict between Christians and Muslims - one of the longest on-going religious conflicts or wars in recent history?  Someone wrote that they have had conflicts since the 7th century. How did it start? Who were the mischief makers then?

- What and who keep it going today ? Are they not so many examples still of many Christians and Muslims living peacefully, when it comes to civil society (not to be mistaken for the political or relgiious leadership)? 

- Who are the mischief makers now? Who are all the fools now?



Copyright  (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2015

All rights reserved 

Life As It Flows By

As the days slip by quickly, flowing swiftly like water in the creek near my house after rains, I don't seem to have time to pause and take a breath at leisure.

It seems like an endless cycle of well known, familiar chores keep me moving like a programmed robot. This is life with school going children. There are routine chores - making breakfast, packing their lunches, driving to school, making their evening snacks, driving back, making dinner, helping with homework, driving them to their games, dance practice,  tuition, shopping, cleaning, laundry, gardening, planning meals and snacks,the odd doctor's appointments, meeting with the teacher, playing with the kids, maybe going for a little walk or sitting on my computer to write up such blog posts. There are regular school excursions from which they might need to be picked up late. Make sure everything is ready for tomorrow before turning in earlier than the kids to go to sleep.  Teenagers apparently do not need as much sleep as I do. Waking up early to start over the next day again. Occasionally waking up in the middle of the night when I can hear them coughing or sniffling with a stuffed nose or a moaning with a sore limb. Give some medicine or massage while half asleep and get back to bed.

Sleeping in late on one day of the weekend if there is no early morning match to go to, or going to a eat out or a visit to the temple or a friend, rarely. Holidays are a bit different but even busier, to keep the kids busy and engaged, to take them to their friend's houses or the movies or shopping or bowling or a footy match. Now they want to do things with their friends, so I run a taxi service. 

They want something 'different' to eat during holidays or on some days.Trying to work out new recipies that their palates can accept and enjoy can be challenging.

This is the routine, if everything goes fine and nothing breaks down - the car or the tap or the oven or the computer or printer.

One cannot seem to remember  what we did which day, which month or year, unless of course, something different and out of routine happens. Some injury, or illness, or something breaks down, a big spill in the living room or on their good dress, some last minute drama, some quarrel between the kids or a sudden burst of laughing and sharing of something funny, a bit of sad news from family or friends breaks the routine. The car might break down, some vandal spray paints it while parked outside, there is an incident in the neighborhood and the police show up, there could be heartbreak with the daughter's friends or the teacher being 'not understanding', some trouble with the kids' learning or disappointment at something, son has not the right size and type of clothes to wear at the last minute as we are about to leave  (he seems to be growing at the rate of an inch a day), when the kids are hungry after they have eaten all I made going by their usual appetite and they want more, so we rush across to the shops to get some fast food, fast. Or on a hot, hot day, I forget to get ice-cream by the time they are back from school and I do a sudden run.

It is these unusual occurrences that make lasting memories that I can recollect at the end of the school year, or after many years have passed. I am sure I will miss this when this blur is gone too.

This is life!

Copyright  (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2015

All rights reserved 

Goodness for Goodness's sake

Teacher: "What is goodness in people?"

Student 1: "When someone gives money to someone else in need, or helps them in times of trouble, we call their actions 'good deed'. It is supposed to reflect 'goodness' in the person."


Teacher: "But is it really always so?"

Student 2:"I reckon it should be. Isn't it always so, Teacher?"

Teacher: "Ok! Lets take an example and study it. Can you tell me of an actual 'good deed' as you describe it and let's see if it indeed reflects goodness in the person who did it. Can any of you tell me of a well known recent good deed in the news?"

Student 2: "I saw this interview in TV with a stranger who helped a local person. He was a tradesman who supports a family with two children going to school and an old parent who is ill. This stranger who needed some work done, gave him a job to do and paid him well above the market rate. That way he was able to afford some medicines for his old parent. The family thanked this stranger."

Teacher: "It seems like he did a good deed. What else did you see? Did the stranger say why he helped this man's family?"

Student 2: "Yes, He was very humble. He did not claim any credit for his actions.  He said it was expected of him by his faith and his religion that asks its followers to help others. He also said that where he came from, people were mostly well off and they helped those less fortunate. That is how they lived apparently."

Teacher: "I see! How did it make you feel to hear him say that?"

Student 2: "I wished we were like that too. I wished we were all mostly well off so that we could help the less fortunate. I wished we did not have to have someone come from far away, to help the poorer among us."

Teacher: "Did he talk a lot about his faith and the place he came from?"

Student 2: "Why, yes! He did. He told us many words from his language and his faith. He described life in his hometown well. Made me want to go and see that place. I felt bad that we were not like that man and his people."

Student 1: "Now was that man good or not? Was is it not Goodness in him?"

Teacher: "Well, I think he did do a deed that was good as it helped the tradesman and his family. As for Goodness, it does not appear to be the only reason behind this man's actions. In fact, that may not be a reason at all! "

Students 1 and 2, with surprised expressions: "What?!! Could you explain, Teacher?"

Teacher, calmly: "Sure!"

Teacher continues: "Why should one be good or kind to others? There could be good and not so good reasons. The best and only good reason to be 'Good' is for its own sake - for Goodness's sake. Any other reason is less than best or even bad."

Students 1: "How can one tell the difference between good reasons and bad reasons for being good?"

Teacher: "Good question! That is the key! How can we tell? Let us look at it carefully.
If we are good just for the sake of being good and the feeling it gives us, the only reward, it is the best form of giving. While recognition and appreciation for that might come about by someone accidentally coming to know about it, that will not be sought. It will not be the reason why we want to be good or help others. A person who does such good deeds, if they are done in private, will not feel the need to talk about it or publicise it. They will not feel a need to pass on the credit to their brand of religion or faith or their society or culture. Goodness or kindness is an individual act and if there is no other feeling or motive than satisfaction at being good, there will be no effort made to seek anything else. 
While the tradesman should be just as grateful to this man as to anyone who did this act out of only goodness, ALL of us should watch carefully to see if the samaritan expects something in return that is not good."

Student 2: "So, what should we understand from this story? Should we not help others like this man did? Should we not try to help our own people in need? Should we not try to become like them?"

Teacher, smiling: "Good questions, but one at a time please! 

Yes, we should help each other like this man did. 

We should also work to become more self-reliant and be in a position to help our own people more.That is how we should channel our feelings - those of feeling bad about ourselves' when you hear such stories.

However, we should be careful not to turn against each other because of these feelings. 

To resent ourselves and our roots is the negative way and will lead us to even more misery.

Just transplanting ourselves somewhere 'better' is not the answer. I hope we do not only try to escape our home and our responsibilities to improve ourselves. 

 If we go somewhere, let us take something valuable to contribute and give them, in return for their hospitality and acceptance of us! Let them hear of a story of how someone from here helped them, but in a slightly different way. 

Remember, there are still people in that man's hometown who could legitimately use help from a stranger from here. It will always be so. We humans can always learn and accept help from others.

Let us be good for only Goodness's sake, nothing else. 

Let us not try to be falsely humble and credit our religion or social system for our acts. Let us be good not because our brand of religion says so - there is nothing unique about it. ALL religions, faiths and social systems have the same common set of ideals. They all suggest that is the best way to live - by helping others. 

Let it be our conscious, individual choice and let us not seek any other rewards other than the quiet self-satisfaction of being good. That way, we WILL make our religion, our society and our culture truly proud, without having to crow about it!"



Copyright  (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2015


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