Tag Archives: Harmony

Dharma, Harmony, Search for truth, Spiritual journey, Truth

Honest exchange #1

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between Naresh Jotwani and Jayram Daya

Naresh Jotwani:

Namaste, Jayrambhai!

I summarise my views on Advaita very briefly, as follows:

(1) I believe firmly in the truth of Advaita, and like to conduct my life — to the extent that is possible! — in consonance with Advaita. 

(2) For that reason, I am extremely sceptical about anyone claiming ‘God-given’ rights or ‘God-given’ identity. Very often, ‘God-given’ rights exclude totally any matching ‘God-given’ duties and responsibilities! In other words, ‘God’ is defined by people merely to suit their needs and instincts. 

(3) A broadly accepted list of virtues in our tradition is this:  generosity, morality, renunciation, wisdom, perseverance, forbearance, truthfulness, determination, love and equanimity.

I take these virtues as being universal, and respect greatly any tradition which regards these virtues as primary — whether or not the tradition claims to be blessed by a ‘God’. 

(4) In ‘materialistic pursuit’, many wrong actions are justified in the name of ‘God’, ‘manifest destiny’ … or some other BS. 

I would appreciate very much your views on this broad topic.

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Dharma, Harmony, Search for truth, Spiritual journey, Universe

WHY NOW?

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by R. Srinivasan and Jayram Daya

R. Srinivasan:

My question is: Why do our thoughts on life, death and other spiritual issues crop up only when we grow old, and usually face a health crisis? Then we start wondering about the futility of life’s material pursuits. Why are we born, only to die eventually? What is the reason for the life-death cycle in this universe in the first place? What is its purpose? 

I share my thoughts and questions here as a seeker of truth. I have been exposed to many views on this subject, starting from my childhood, and through reading and listening to our traditional philosophy. But I am still asking this basic question again and again, without attaining clarity in my mind.

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Civilization, Dharma, Harmony, Life, Psychology

Two Powerful Words

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by Naresh Jotwani and R. Srinivasan

Should I try to be a moral person? A nice guy? A law-abiding citizen? Or would that turn me into a loser? An impractical dreamer?

How do I become a winner? A realist?

Can I become a cunning operator in a philanthropist’s garb? Is that option available to me? Or only to some billionaires? Is greed really good – as they say on Wall Street?

Questions, questions … and more questions! But – alas! – no clear answers!

In the hope that a discussion around such questions would be of interest to everyone, we attempt here an exploration of some basic issues.

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City, Economy, Harmony, Life, Small town

Village, Small Town or City?

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by Jayram Daya, R. Srinivasan and Naresh Jotwani

The choice of where one would live, work and settle down is never a simple or an easy one. Many people spend their entire lives in their hometown, never having to make that choice. Many others have that decision forced upon them by economic or other compulsions.

Nevertheless, the factors that might typically affect such a choice can be explored in an objective manner. At least that is what we have attempted here!

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Harmony, Inequality, Law, Life, Society

THE LEGAL SYSTEM AND HARMONY

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by Jayram Daya, R. Srinivasan and Naresh Jotwani

In a few previous posts, we have discussed harmony of mind, body and spirit (here), harmony with nature (here) and — somewhat indirectly — harmony in a society (here). On the last point, harmony in a society, clearly the legal system also plays a big role. The ideal, of course, would be that the legal system adds to societal harmony. But can this ideal ever be attained, given human nature and the working of a modern society?

The legal system is a practical, administrative necessity in a modern society. Without a proper legal system, a modern economy cannot function. Harmony figures nowhere in the stated goals of an economist or a business titan; and only a very simple-minded person would assert that the legal system adds to societal harmony.

Thus we have a seemingly unavoidable tradeoff here between two goals — economic performance and societal harmony — both of which are desirable for a society. Three views are presented here to get you thinking!

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Communities, Economy, Harmony, Life, Society

COOPERATION, COMPETITION – OR BOTH?

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by Jayram Daya, R. Srinivasan and Naresh Jotwani

Cooperation and competition both play a role in our collective life — sometimes more of this, sometimes more of that. However, a self-styled ‘capitalist’ sees red at the mere mention of cooperation, whereas a self-styled ‘communist’ argues for forcefully imposing cooperation on the whole society.

Suppose we put all such western ideologies to one side and ask: What does our lived, empirical reality say?

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Ecology, Evolution, Harmony, Life, Nature

NATURE DEMANDS HARMONY

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by Naresh Jotwani

We often hear the phrase survival of the fittest, when it is used with reference to evolving natural eco-systems. However, for two reasons, this usage can mislead. One reason is that survival may be wrongly taken to mean the survival of an individual, whereas its correct meaning is the survival of a species. The second reason is that the central, crucial criterion of fitness is left unspecified in that phrase.

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Body, Harmony, Health, Mind, Spirit

HARMONY OF MIND, BODY, SPIRIT

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by Jayram Daya, Guest author

Preface: Here our good friend Jayram Daya shares with us the story of a deeply personal journey of recovering his health. On this journey, he discovered the huge importance of attaining full harmony of mind, body and spirit. Further along the same journey, he discovered the unity of all existence.

It is truly a remarkable story! Pain is turned to gain!

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