Admired, is envied

Can you imagine envy and admiration to be the two sides of the same coin?

Well, I never had inkling that it was so, till I was led to realize that it indeed is so. At least for me, it is—and in no way can it be deemed absolute, as nothing is absolute, in this relative plane of life that we lead. So, we all have our own interpretations, depending on our perceptions…and over time, our own perceptions change, surrounding the same matter. At times we hail it as evolution…and times other, we refer to this change as maturity. Call what we will, but the fact of the matter is changeability is the norm, as well as forte, of life.

Thus, here I am, with my realization that envy and admiration are the two facets of the same face! And even this realization, has added on dimensions—with changes added to it—since the time it was first ‘received’.

But then, only by expressing and explaining ‘how’ one is led to a realization, completes the picture of the realization. Otherwise, simply affirming one’s observation sounds like a declaration absolute.

All realizations result out of experiences varied, and these experiences too change—with it the realizations too undergo ‘editing’. But then what does not?! Though yes, when the realization strikes, it catches one unawares. It comes as an insight, and when it does, the feelings that are evoked are inexplicable…as all feelings are. Yet, it is the genius of Wordsworth that he could capture the inexplicable, and express it so wondrously, as he has done, through the immortal lines: “The flash upon the inward eye, which is the bliss of solitude”, in his very famous work, “The Daffodils”. Indeed, these realizations do strike as flashes—on and seen, through the inner eye—unbeknownst to us.

Gradually the essence of the realization evolves…

The same has happened in the context of envy and admiration…

  

The trigger

It all began with: “Neighbor’s envy, owner’s pride”, the tagline synonymous with Onida TV. Years ago, still a kid, when I first saw the advertisement, I simply hated it. Over the years, the feelings for the same have undergone changes though. No longer is it hated, because now I know it is the creative expression of the person, whose it is. And as each being is unique, so unique would be one’s creations too. As one perceives so one creates.

Opinions might differ—and that they do, more often than not. We might not agree to some or many—as the fact is, as we perceive, so we receive and conceive…and thus we express. Hence, the response to the same differs for different people—and likewise the expression too does. Thus, the philosophy behind “Neighbor’s envy, owner’s pride”, though doesn’t share a place of pride in my consciousness, it is acknowledged as much as the creative expressions of a being, as much as it is thanked for leading me to the realizations and revelations it has.

When I first saw the advertisement as a kid, the visual effect had been nauseating. It was repulsive. I simply couldn’t agree, and thus accept it—and this manifested as my dislike for the same. And even later the dislike could not be converted to a liking for the same.

Though later, it has become more of a disagreement than dislike, transcending the visual impact. The disagreement is with the inherent philosophy of the advertisement.

The disagreement

Primarily, it ‘reaches’ me as an approach which looks to encash the negative emotions. The higher is envy-quotient, higher should be the sale-ability of what the advertisement came up to sell.

Envy is a trait which could hardly be called positive, and pride if not tempered, tampers with one’s life. And all of it is the doings of the ego. We are mistakenly consumed by ego, which we term as self-respect—many a times—as life’s thin line of demarcations are really thinner than the thinnest. It is all about following, “This far and no farther.”

Ego is felt by many as essential, but till it stays within the limits of self-respect. But to still the ego, the mind has to be stilled. It is a task, none would find enviable, and when accomplished one would not even take pride in it, as by then one would have realized that pride too is a dressage of ego!

Hence, the proud use of ‘pride’ and ‘envy’ was not acceptable to me. Little did I understand then about ‘catch lines and phrases’, which, I do now. Now the tagline is accepted, as a point of view of an individual—with every right to one’s views. But it is not the view that is accepted.

I abide by my feelings! I can’t envy anybody’s pride! And I can’t take pride in this act of not envying, as well!

The link

My esteemed readers might be wondering as to where I am wandering with these two words, and what significance does my views about an advertisement carry. But rest assured, wherever we (yes, you too, as you are reading these words!) are wandering, we are, without any envy or pride. 

But definitely with admiration for the philosophy that is unveiled to me, through the philosophy which is not even in sync with me—that of the advertisement. I admire the creativity of a creative being, through whose pen (though nowadays it is through the strokes on the keyboard!) it resulted—and made me go deep within and realize why I do not agree with, what I do not. The reason has to be there—otherwise it would be a biased view. And disagreeing doesn’t mean one has to be disagreeable. Rather now I am thankful to the advertisement, which as a kid I hated! After all, whatever happens happens with a reason behind its happening—apparent or not.

It led me to access what I could, as it led me to the fact that we end up envying what we admire…though the reverse is not true. The link between envy and admiration was thus presented to me—and I could simply accept it with gratitude, and of course, admiration. How things are right in front of our eyes, and how we see them only when we focus and refocus our vision...

And once we realize, what we realize, it all seems so very obvious, forcing us to ask ourselves, “Why didn’t I see/think the same before?”

The same is felt when the link between envy and admiration is revealed, as ‘received’. It seems so obvious now, as it is thus unveiled. Is it not true, that we usually wish to possess those qualities and things which we admire, yet others have it and we don’t? And then, when we fail to, the failure leads (or misleads?) to envy, towards the person and the possessions—material and non-material, the capabilities.

Only that which we admire, and hence like, we wish to ‘have’, and when it is a ‘have-not’, admiration is not—having swiftly given way to envy. It is just a matter of flipping the coin…over to the side that is envy.

The response

Thus, that which is admired ends up being envied. No wonder then that generally the admirable qualities are those which are rendered enviable as well.

It is more of a habitual response that we come up with. Yet can we not change it? We surely can—shift in the perspective is ‘all’ that is required. Though yes, this ‘all’ that is required is a task ‘tall’, as it requires us to come out of the deep folds of habit—and its associated comfort zone. But yes, the task it ‘not at all’ impossible—and on its attainment, it is an achievement admirable.

That which is admirable, remains admirable—it need not be enviable. As the moment it is received as enviable our plight becomes pitiable, for which none, but we ourselves are responsible. A neighbor doesn’t need to envy…and the owner is not required to take pride in owning what the neighbor envies. The choice is the owner’s, as well as that of the neighbor. One can become green with envy, and one could inflate oneself with pride—yet in both cases, ultimately, one finds oneself deflated in life.

Envy and admiration are not next door neighbors. They are residents of the same house. It is up to us, ‘who’ we call upon, and forth. Though admirable is enviable, it is not at all advisable—to envy what we admire, in case we do not ‘have’ what we admire. It contaminates the admiration.

How about acknowledging that which is admirable, as commendable instead? In fact, admiring the admirable, without any envy, is in itself admirable. So, which side of the coin would we choose: envy or admiration? To ‘win over’ life, we know which side to side with. Do we not?

Sushmita Mukherjee,

January 13, 2013

P.S. An evolved version of a blog, written three years ago, “Admirable is Enviable”.

Happy New Year

As we all gear,

To embrace another year,

May our minds be without fear,

With the message ringing loud and clear,

That we are what we are,

And our life too is as we are.

To change all that is 'without'

We have to go within, and live 'inside-out'...

Thus even when we are down, are 'out' never,

Because the mind is without fear.

So may your faces light with smiles ear-to-ear...

Not only this year...

But year after year...

Wishing you all a very peaceful New Year.

Each thing is best in its place

Each thing is best, truly, in its place. This saying of yore carries one of the core messages and the essence of life in a unique way—just as each and everything, every moment, every being in life is unique. Each one (thing) is thus the best that could be there, at that moment, at that place.

And it indeed stands to be hailed as an universal truth; while failing to understand and thus rejecting it, carries the pathogen of discord, whereby all that is different is deemed as an act of defiance (a being, being defiant) to all that one stands for—being and doing. Thus, we create a diseased life—individual, as well as collective; and societies, teeming with technological advancements are found deficient in the understanding of the technology that life is, with its own logic. Hence, the dim situation, reflecting with great intensity the ‘stand’—of one and many and at times, one too many—which stands on an understanding which requires much light.

None can replace any one…as all is…and all are unique.

Sushmita Mukherjee,

December 19, 2012.

Dhanteras

How one is led to, what one is, is never known. And that is why, when one is, the elation knows bounds none. 

 

 

It all happens because what is obvious to all might not to be some one. So it happens that it happened with me...and thanks to a friend of mine, who affirmed that what is revealed to me, is already known. Nonetheless, revelations are always welcome...and hence this one too is being shared here. No more suspense...

 

 

It is about 'Dhanteras', celebrated before Diwali, when ritualistically goodies (could be anything, many things--but not nothing!) are bought. In fact it is deemed as the 'time to shop', hopping shops! As I read (on Facebook) her wishing all "A Happy Dhanteras", the word Dhanteras struck me with the ‘Dhan’ (wealth) of an insight...and so I asked her, "Does Dhanteras stand for 'dhan tera aas'?", which means “Wealth you are hoped and wished for”. And she affirmed.

 

 

At times it felt a bit queer that to invite money into the lives, people spend money.

 

 

But now when philosophically looked at, it is realized that we draw into lives what we give, what we stand for. Life moves on the principles of natural reciprocity. When we give out love we create an ambiance of love...when we spew hatred, hatred is what we generate and get. 

 

 

So this could be the principle behind Dhanteras too.

 

 

Though again, what is the real ‘Dhan’, varies for one and all. I am thankful to Dhanteras and to my friend whose wishes led me to this ‘Dhan’ of Dhanteras...and corroborated the same...and to the moment which led me to it...and of course I am grateful for the insight....

 

 

Had it not been for Dhanteras, 'this' ‘Dhan’ I would have remained oblivious of. 

 

 

"Happy Dhanteras" to all...

 

 

Sushmita Mukherjee,

 

November 11, 2012

 

Intent and Critical Mass

The correlation between intent and critical mass is long proven as it is the intent when reaches a level, becomes the critical mass for that which is intended. At the same time it has been also noted that this critical mass is a very small percentage, in complete disparity with the magnitude of that which is effected.

Thus the article, ‘Waiting To Pick Up A Fight’, by Sadhuguru, The Speaking Tree, TOI, dt. 26/09/12, led to the attainment of the critical mass to manifest that which is being shared now, giving it the final push for its materialization thus. I am thankful to him for the same and the TOI as well.

His article serves as the catalyst because it resonates with a long-standing experience and realization that only a very small fraction, of harbingers of evil, topples the good intents of the majority. Thus the 2-3% becomes significant relegating the rest 97-98%.

Why is it that the force of negativity is more powerful than the positive force? When looked at from the angle of the absolute it is very easy to explain, that even in the upheaval lies the next surge for the natural, evolution, and thus they are evolutionary drivers. Which thus is the same statement expressed in a different manner: that everything happens for the best.

Yet the why still eludes. He has stated that good intents takes into cognizance the collective transformation, while actual positive impact, and a positive consequence, can be had through collective transformation but, operating from the level of each individual. Each individual has to transform one’s own self. That is the sole duty, and the power of being the change does the rest. So, instead of carrying out the good intent outside, that has to be implemented inside first. And in fact this is how life can be lived fully—inside-out.

It is we and only we, collectively, who are the cause of all that is caused, because it is a collective life that we are leading—through the individual fulfillment of goals and desires. When this goal becomes aligned with the purpose of life—realizing and real-izing who we are—the en masse individual transformation would manifest as peace and bliss all around. No cause is outside of us, as we are fully responsible for all that is happening…even if we think we are not even remotely associated with it, nothing is remote from us.

We are intrinsically connected. When one takes a moment off from the thoughts and ‘thinks’ of those times when one’s thoughts did manifest, one would be amazed as to how thoughts indeed are creative. We know not consciously how this happens but it happens that is for sure. Presuppositions are projected and manifested and then we blame others. Yet who places those presuppositions and doubts in the conveyor belt of creation? A moment spared to ponder would remove one from wondering how ‘this’ could happen. Like it or not, all that we see are our own creation—though yes, most of the times unbeknownst to us.

Thus, the negative forces, 2-3%, what are they if not our very own projections? If one could perceive it in a manner so as to ignore the mathematical logic, the traces of the negative influences, in and of the entire lot of us, accumulates as 2-3%, which actually is a mathematical misnomer. It is the collective doubt and apprehensions and thus impacting with a magnitude defying the number it represents. The way out, thus remains the unchanged, despite change being the norm of life. The way is to transform ourselves and the rest gets taken care of. And when the whole lot of us transforms then this residue of negativity ceases to be, it loses its critical mass.

The answer that had been eluding finds its way out as the search, which began much earlier, continued as this article was embarked upon.  So ‘when’ it came in and out seems to be synchronous as only when it came out did it make its presence felt. Though how I am presented with the answer has no significance in this context, but the synchronicity has. As this too is a way of life, as life thrives in its synchronicity and we are all a part of life, moving through, with, in and as this synchronicity.

One could agree with the answer or disagree, but for yours truly this would be the answer till it evolves further. Because any negative force doesn’t have the force to topple the positive force, which is the force of divinity. It is the dormant, but not extinct negativity which erupts…and finds us blaming the so-called 2-3% of negative people for the havoc caused.

The only way out, is the way in…

Sushmita Mukherjee,

September 26, 2012.

PS: Neale Donald Walsch has so beautifully stated it as: “If you do not go in, you go without.”

Posted on September 26, 2012.

Feel and Be the BEAT

When the heart has problems with its beats—skips or has fibrillations—one is said to suffer from various diseases of the heart. Yet dis-ease is also felt when one is removed from what the heart says. It is all about rhythm. When that is disturbed, arrhythmia is experienced—in any and many forms. That is the natural norm—and not man made. Hence is upheld, universally, through the continuum of time and space, with our bodies serving as the space where this universal norm is manifested as the embodiment of its truth.

The beating of the heart (like the breath and breathing) beholds the truth that the Force of Life is still within. So when you wish to access the correct decision, listen to beats of the heart and let your decision resonate with the beating heart. It will never beat you. Failing to listen to it, more often than not, causes one to take a beating in life.

Yet the beauty and generosity unconditional of the Life Force, flowing through us, enables one and all to come back, evolved—to beat the mentality which tries to be led by logic of the mind purely. But truth resides in the heart and not in the mind and truth forces its way out always. So ultimately the mind too beats with same frequency as the heart, realizing that to realize its own infinite potential it has to submit to the heart. This submission is an acceptance with gratitude of truth, and not because of any superiority of one over the other. The heart and mind is in coherence and that is sheer bliss.

This is no small feat…as all our activities becomes features of a being, being truly what one is. In fact this is the step (the decision) through which one finds one’s feet finally in life, with purpose of life accessed and adhered to. That is harmony within and without, attained only by listening to the beating of the heart and what it says.

The harmony and the ease is ushered in by reaching and abiding by a decision which is a perfect fit to the truth of a beating heart that doesn’t beat to beat us, but beats…for us…

Sushmita Mukherjee,

August 26, 2012

The Shaking Spear

What heads, might have shaken the heads of some, with instant recognition of that which is to follows; while others might be gradually shaking their heads as they read along, following, that which follows.

There is no point in ambling along, without this preamble—in this case the reason why I am here with this shaking spear. So before anything else is written the same is acknowledged. Months ago, when I had been privileged to come out with the ‘posts’ on Wordsworth and words’ worth, immeasurable (“What A Design!”, in four parts), I had been asked by my friend Stevem (on www.theglobalconversation.com), what were my views on the great philosopher and poet with the shaking spear. Well he inspired me, and the inspiration becomes the reason. Inspirations are expressed in innumerable ways and they are the reason behind creations too. At times they come from within, while at other times they come from without.

But despite my best intentions, I could not shake the spear of intentions to materialize, before this moment, when it does. I had scribbled some points and even with them serving as the starting point, as I came here, I didn’t know what I could (and would) be writing on Shakespeare that is dependent on me for its unveiling. Beings like him and Wordsworth have been immortalized by their work. Yet at the same time the fact is that as inexhaustible are their works and contributions, so are the discussions. So I am here, egged on by Stevem, knowing fully well that though nothing depends on me to be revealed in this context.  I come with intent to share what I feel about the man with the shaking spear…William Shakespeare. And thus is added a humble view, to the inexhaustible list of commentators, on his work.  

The spear—his pen(in those days there were no keyboards!)—that shook, all, and enthralled at the same time, embody, through what it produced (his works and philosophy), his merger with life in a unique fashion, resulting in his unique expressions. Well, the spear really spared nothing. It soaked in everything—merging with, and drawing from, life fully—creating creations of immeasurable worth.

The Stage

His famous quip, “This world is a stage…,” is so true and at the same time, at times have a prophetic flavor too. The prophetic quality is experienced as life and its various stages are experienced. In fact the stage in itself varies, with different stages in life. Each stage creates a unique stage, involving specific players, who might not be present in ‘an other’ stage or would be (could be, might be) in a different role.

Stage of stages varies. And at the same time, the same stage is perceived—and thus experienced—as a conglomerate of different stages. Shakespeare understood this absolutely and thus is staged even today, with equal fervor, his plays. Each staging of the same tries to bring out something new, hitherto hidden. Shakespeare continues to—and will continue to—wield his spear The spear pierces the receptive with the etchings of new vision embossed forever, indelibly, as it has, since time immemorial. Truly we are all players, on the stage called world, playing our roles and varying our roles as the stage varies.

All that is staged, in and as life, doesn’t keep us caged in the confines of a single stage. Thus, in a single lifetime many lives are lived, with each stage, and each face of each stage, manifesting the renewal of life, within the same lifetime and hence renewed are we all.

Sushmita Mukherjee,

July 27, 2012