theavtalks

[theavtalks]

The illusion of freedom

Are you free enough? Yes, I ask - Are you free enough? The reason why I am asking this question is because you have the answer to "Are you free?" Your answer is "Yes." But, are you free enough?

Since my early childhood, the question of freedom has really intrigued me. The only thing that has changed for me is the absolute meaning of freedom. Earlier, it used to be free from homework, lectures and the responsibilities that school puts on one's shoulders. During college, the meaning moulded itself into the concepts of financial independence. In the corporate, freedom means, umm, sorry freedom is irrelevant there (my manager's probably reading this).

But today, as I am typing this, it means an entirely different concept to me. Before talking about what freedom actually is, let us first discuss who is it that wants to be free. Have you ever given this thought? Who is it, who feels all the restrictions and the confinements? Who is it, who wants to break free? The simple and the most common answer would be "It's me, of course!" Fair enough! let's consider that it is you who is in a constant battle to break free. My follow-up question to this would be, who is it who knows that you want to be free? Now, you cannot say that "It is me". We will have to address the fact that there are two entities - the one who wants to be free and the other, who knows that there is something that wants to be free. Let's understand this with the help of an example:

Let us assume that a person named Arjuna went to a forest for a solo overnight camping trip. Let us consider another person Krishna, who decided to accompany Arjuna but without Arjuna knowing that he is being accompanied. Krishna was a man who was well-versed with the routes of the jungle as he had accompanied many travellers silently. The day passed by and when the sun was settling down, Arjuna realised that he has lost his way deep into the forest and reached some place far away from the decided camping site. This made Arjuna really uncomfortable as the darkness was approaching. Arjuna could not find any way in the dark and decided to make the camp for himself so that he can spend the night in the forest and move out when the sun comes up again the next morning. The silent observer of the story Krishna was aware of the complete situation and was just simply observing all the arrangements being done by Arjuna. The next morning came and the sun was up again. Not only was it shining bright but it was also being too harsh on Arjuna. Depleted of water and filled with thirst, Arjuna continued to search his way to get out of the jungle but failed in doing so on the second day as well. Again, Krishna kept observing all this hustle that Arjuna was doing in order to break free from the tracks of the jungle. Eight days passed by and Arjuna, a boy who came to the jungle for a camping picnic, was now struggling for his life amidst the humungous trees and dangerous animals in the jungle. His stomach hurt and throat scratched. His knees felt numb and he was moaning with pain. A few drops of water had reached to his body in the last eight days and he had been able to manage a few crumbs of food. Arjuna came to the realisation that the time had come and death would take him into its arms anytime. Slowly, his eyes shut to sleep and he lost himself in a vast limbo where nothing can be heard and nothing can be seen. But what? He opened his eyes in some time and couldn't believe what he saw! He saw himself, lying on the trunk of a tree, wounded heavily and incredibly thin. But, how can it be possible? How was he able to see himself? Was it the death that took him away and gave him a glimpse of himself? The truth is, Arjuna had become the silent observer Krishna, who had been observing Arjuna from the moment he entered the jungle. But, how is it possible? Did the bodies exchange or did something supernatural took over? The truth is, Arjuna reached to his destination and had been freed from the jungle. The becoming of Arjuna into Krishna, the man who knew the routes of the jungle freed him for the jungle.

Now, you would be thinking and would be in a fantastic state of absurdity, probably. You would have multiple questions about the story and I will try to answer them with a analogical paragraph:

Consider yourself to be Arjuna. Arjuna's going to the jungle refers to your interaction with this world. Our journey on Earth is finite and limited, just like a planned camping trip. All of us are really confident that we know the way of the jungle (the world), but many times in our life, we lose the right path and are stuck amidst the raw nature that brought us here. We strive and give our best to things and lead ourselves even deeper into the jungle. We work, work and work but unaware of the direction in which the work is being done. In the end, we tire ourselves from the world and sit down, shattered into pieces. Situations that were once unfathomable become true and dance in front of our eyes. We are broken from outside and from within. Finally, the internal darkness of death takes over and shuts our eyes permanently into the wilderness. But, all along this way, one thing that we forget is our very own identity. All the losses and the gains make us so attached to our 'self' that we forget about who we actually are. We mistake ourselves to be Arjuna when our true nature is that of Krishna. We forget that we have been travelling down the road for years and have been simultaneously observing the journey. We forget that we are not the traveller, we are the journey itself. We are the silent observer that sits within and just watches. We are 'the watcher,' as I like to call it. Krishna could have helped Arjuna when he saw that the former was in deep pain. But, he did not. Because, Krishna extends his arm only once Arjuna shows the will to extend his. There is no court of justice in the universe. There is no such thing that is objectively good/bad. Every event, every action is subjective, as per the games of the jungle. Yet, we hold in our minds our own courts, convincing ourselves about the right and the wrong. We forget, that separated from the battle of right and the wrong, is a man who is standing and just observing your misery.

But, do not commit the mistake of searching the silent observer outside of yourself. Do not promote the idea of worshipping somebody and considering that to be something other than yourself. Do not disrespect the person who has been following the path with you throughout the jungle as mentioning him as someone who does not belong to the jungle. If you belong to the jungle, Krishna belongs to the jungle as well. Krishna is as good as Arjuna wants to be. The major difference is that Arjuna feels and Krishna watches and when you are able to watch without feeling, is the time when you become the silent observer. This exact moment is the moment when you become 'free'. Now, you know the ways of the jungle yourself.

So, the answers to the question "Who is it, who wants to break free?", would be that is Arjuna who wants to break free and the answer to the question "Who is it who knows that you want to be free?", would be Krishna. So, aim towards being the silent observer. Be Arjuna but always remember that your highest possibility is with yourself. It is watching and seeing you. Do not lose the path on your own, consult Krishna before you take the next step. He does not respond but he surely nods.

So, I ask - are you free enough?

[theavtalks]

At War

I go outside, mostly for a walk or a run, in the evening when the sun is settling down. Not only the sun, but the people are settling down. Is it in our country only on with the complete mankind, that we see so much of settling down? I see ferries, rickshaws, people returning from their offices. They have been working hard for their livelihood. Yes, they are working hard for their livelihood but are they really living? No doubt they move well, they talk, react, wave their hands and roam on their feet, but are they really alive? They don’t speak much. They just walk, like background characters in a play. But, I see one part of their body that knows how to speak - their eyes. Their eyes are loud, screaming in insanity at the top of its lungs, if the eyes had lungs in some other dimension of the universe. Unable to weep and incapable of crying, their eyes appeal. They say everything that the person can’t. Fatigue from the last night, next deadline to meet, son’s degrading grades and the wait for Sunday - they say it all. They don’t want to be through what they do but they want to be through what they do. It’s an inner conflict, the mind quarrels with the heart and nothing is in cohesion. They’re at war with themselves, surrounded with battles that bind them.

A man needs a war, that’s what I believe. A war big enough to set him free. A war that will end all these petty battles. “Shoot for the moon, you may land amongst the stars” - they say and I agree. 

Man needs a war, war needs a king and there’s only one king. We’re not in the age when we need to physically protect ourselves. The roadblocks are mental and the destiny is liberation. Honestly, this is the true war. In fact, this has been the true war since time immemorial. No doubt, innumerable wars have been fought. But, what for? Castles, queens and kingdoms. There have been a handful who have been at war for liberation. Because, liberation is the superior, the ultimate, the real, the honest and the only truth. Millions of years of evolution, we are a summary of jungle, built with the sand of the land, moisturised with the dew of the leaves and brushed with the hair of a horse. And, we think we are perfect. A constant tussle in the mind, ever-long longing for peace in the heart - don’t you fight these battles? Billionaires commit suicides as well, so clearly money is not an answer. How could it be? Famous people hate the fame and people with names hate those names, so let’s keep aside fame and name too. We make fool of ourselves chasing these elements believing they are the battles that lead to peace but unfortunately, we see more and more misery. 

Does the goal reside in better experiences for the body? Then, why aren’t sex workers the happiest? Are we really the body, or are an observer of it?

Who is it that feels bad? Who is it that faces these battles? Who is that wants to be liberated?

Consciousness, isn’t it? The consciousness does not need battles, it has seen many. Millions of years of history have been threaded on the cloth of consciousness and it has no interest in these battles. Why? Because battles are temporary. When you were 10 years old, convincing your parents to take you to the town fair seemed a really hard battle to fight, isn’t it? You won. Then you arrived in your teenage years and moving on from that harsh breakup seemed so tough, probably one of the greatest battles you fought, isn’t it? But, you won. You got over it. Now, you want to make a living, you want to earn money, buy a house, a car maybe and go on vacations and my god, what all do you put in for it! Time changes and so do the battles. But, did any of these battles lead you to peace? You’re miserable, more than ever. More than you have ever been. Your battles have grown big now, and so has your want for peace but it’s like catching your own tail. Battles are temporary, battles are deceiving, battles are false.

A war is real. A war big enough that makes you attempt the impossible and makes you perish in the process of it. A war that indulges you in it, absorbs every bit of your consciousness, purifies your conscience and blows your mind out of proportions. A war big enough that consumes every bit of your waking hour and extracts the best out of you. A war that has no end. A war that forces you to kill them who you call your own. A war that kills you from inside but makes you from within. A war that kills and makes you at the same time. A war that gives you rebirth. A war that perishes you at the same time. A war that is causes the massacre of contradictions and logic. A war that you hate. A war that you love, too. A war that sets fire to logic. A war that supersedes god. A war that makes you find you.

A war, that brings you at war.

~Ankit Vats (At War | 29/08/23)

[theavtalks]

Memory

The gates of memories, the walls of trust, the rivers of words, made the truth go rust, I listen to chaos, I breathe reckless, I feel the heft, my pitch is deckless //

Streaming streams of steaming dreams,  meaning flames of reigning rains,  praying preys from preying prayers, playing days of playing ways //

I sit still, but life still slits, I slit still, but life still sits,  I still spill, and life still spits,  I still kill, and life fills pits // I rage wars, and you play games,  I stage chores, but you stay slain,  I play chorus, and you stay lame,  I’d stay of course, but you’ll take names //

I fight at day, you sleep at night,  I cry at bay, he holds you tight,  I try in vain, he got you right,  I’d die with pain, then catch a flight //

Tears tear me, fears fear me,  I’m a different man, memories steer me,  I see from far, no one’s near me,  Scars on my face say “Oh dear me!” //

People outside but GOD within,  I’d rather laugh in hell, ain’t no safe heaven,  The game is new, but the game is changed,  I’d rather name a few, but the names are changed. // 

I waste rhymes, like I taste wines,  I chase time, like I paste lines,  I race hymns, like I face crimes,  I waste dimes, like I haste pints //

[theavtalks]

The Veracity of Nothingness

Everything does make sense and does not make sense at the same time. These stars, these constellations, these patterns of movement, and everything that goes witnessed by our sight day in and day out - is nothing but nothing. We try to draw conclusions and reach judgements supported by our rationale so that that inner thirst of ours that’s wandering on a quest to be quenched can be settled smoothly. The mountains and the rivers around us exhibit levity in situations of disasters leaving millions of us drenched with unmanageable sorrow and pain. And, not only on the physical plane, but all the other dimensions that are capable of seeming to be fit in our understanding and the questioning mind exhibit similar parameters. This recondite nature of events leave us all with a question of strong despair - “Does anything actually make any sense?”

We got a thousand of people sitting on managerial positions with their theories and clauses that support their work, with their intuitions and guiding principles that adhere to their current status quo. Everyday, we observe a significant amount of people defending their ideologies and challenging the prerogative principles of those in power, blaming almost every privileged being for their existence while being in utter disturbance themselves. We observe riots, cases of mass killings, rapes, threats, murders, abductions and above all - a greater picture where this world lacks sympathy and concord. Tranquility has ceased to exist and speeches are filled with rebuts. The need to become something has obnubilated an ordinary common life which has more chances of being peaceful than a life abided by the former mentioned principle. All we witness is the paucity of clear thought and sympathy towards situations and people. We have failed to observe that this approach towards life is quite perilous and this poison to become somebody at the cost of cutting throats is plain absurd.

Just under all of this, lies a huge cloud nothingness because that is what the truth implies to and points its all fingers towards. We live on a planet that is a part of the huge solar system, which again, is a part of a huge galaxy, which again, is a part of an even huge cluster of galaxies, finally forming a universe. Luckily enough, you and me are having this conversation in a virtual form where I have written something and you are able to comprehend it. We both can carry out such kind of conversations because on the plane of consciousness, we equate. The human form of intelligence is undoubtedly the most advanced form of consciousness that we are aware of as of yet. From building phenomenal structures of skyscrapers around the world to exploring the limits of human consciousness, people amongst us have proved time and again that it is the nothingness that has to be explored and ironically, the only complete truth that we can ever know takes birth from this nothingness itself. Nothingness doesn’t imply to the realisation of inaction and renunciation, two of the most common words that are associated with it. Nothingness is the realisation of infinite human potential in terms of synergy of powerful actions directed towards a bigger aim of rising our consciousness. Nothingness refers to the intrepid behaviour of human beings in the situations where this life seems to be war-like. Conclusions on this plane are not concluded and beginnings have no end. The human rationale by the superior cannot and should not be dropped but this exploration is possible.

The veracity of nothingness is the realisation of the bigger picture, zooming out situations to focus on the macros and then aligning our actions. 

So, next time you hear from someone that nothing can be done, just know that a there’s a lot that needs to be done!

[theavtalks]

DAY - 16

Fighting the fight is what I aim, when I see you rise in the pain, Fighting for the cause is what I feel to do, when I see I have everything to gain, The storm is near and we are aloof, we are asleep in our holy sleeps, As long as I got you, there are no worries, no matter the water is deep!

Times like sand, slip from hands and make us feel too small, Some things we can't take control of, some things we can't even call, Doesn't matter to me as long as you are here, doesn't scare me at all, I am eager to rise and capable to lift, was never ever afraid of the fall!

Our mind plays tricks, seems it look sad and we think that it is us, It's like a cloud of thoughts and we think it is ours and that's what creates the fuss, Some things we win, some things we lose and you are something I never ever want to, Flowers in mist and my stories in gist, my nightmares at night are something that haunt too!

I don't care what they think, I'll do what I want, As long as I want you, I care for no taunts, This passage is bleeding, with compassion and love, People return, I reject them from above!

I got head in the clouds and I don't wanna be Zeus, When nothing suffices, I don't turn to the pews, Cause you are my church and my holy place, I can confess what I want, no problem I'd face!

So, oh holy spirits and the fathers in heaven, Oh Krishna above and all the holy men, That have ever existed, that have ever so lived, I thank you for her, she's a wonderful gift!

And man, I am so grateful, man I am so buffed, With stalls of contentment, with all rays of love, My dogmas have shattered, this moment feels good, The conventions have been battered, I am happy in my hood!

So, Oh Father Christ and almighty Allah, I say this to you now and exclaim with joy "Wallah!", If more births exist, make me meet with her please, Cause I'd be locked in the basement and she'd have the keys!

[theavtalks]

Puzzled

You have played the puzzle game, haven’t you? I mean, everybody has. Quite intriguing it seemed to see the wonder of fitting pieces with each other and giving them adjacent positions in harmony. Sometimes, they won’t fit in and then we would use logic for their board rapprochement. We would figure out patterns and look into empty spaces so that some meaning could be drawn out from the aura of their individual uncertainty. It was like dwelling yourself in orogeny and witnessing like the gathering pebbles. And, when that last piece was put in to assemble the complete picture, it would bring in a phlegathon into the heart.

Now, if you sit and analyze the condition of the modern day man, it is exactly similar to the above metaphorical anecdote. Today’s man is a piece of puzzle, struggling to fit in, finding empty spaces so that he could be worthy for the whole. But, the irony of the situation is - in the race to fit in with other pieces of puzzles, the puzzle is puzzled himself. He is just following the lead of other pieces and sometimes finds a drop of happiness of letting himself inside the system and feeling a little bit like the others. Any idea of standing out from the crowd seems minatory to him. Man is living on the edge where life is busy wrecking him in a zugzwang state and he thoroughly experiences it with nothing but rage and tears in his eyes. 9 and 5 have become his favorite numbers and he loves to confine himself being aided by them as his boundaries.

After gathering many degrees in various subjects, he identifies and behaves as an ambisinister lost in a skillful market. His consciousness has shifted to a drastically skerric point and unfortunately, there’s no return. He should be busy meditating but he’s grieving over his inability to plan a hegira this vacation. Quite sad, quite not!

Trapped inside the madness of multitude, he rarely gets an opportunity to reconcile with his inner self and look for the only truth. This war inside of his heart and head has drove him to madness and is abstaining him from knowing peace.

All he wants is another puzzle piece to interlock with and hence, complete the picture. So, what’s necessary is a question. Why to fit in? Why not carve the edges in an unusual manner and stand out of the picture? Do you owe something to the board? Or, are you destined to be interlocked.

Are you even clear of your own existence or are you puzzled?

[theavtalks]

Consciousness

Do you know the silent watcher?

Or, are you too busy fighting mental battles with yourselves? How the hell have you become a romantic for materials and ignorant for the truth? How are you happy sitting inside a room dreaming to build a mansion to host a show-off party in the future? How often do you just sit and feel the higher self that you are?

YOU DON’T. And why would you? You’re too busy segregating gods and spangling your little pieces of imagination for nothing but to deceive yourself. You’re too occupied enforcing apostasy and do nothing but adonize your little mind rituals of that please your ego. And when confronted, you cover your explanations in abstinence and ablegate the person who dares to question you. An aberrant doesn’t like himself to be called out one because somewhere deep down there, he knows that he’s off track but is fearful enough to shadow the will to jump on the path of truth.

You’re busy fighting, judging, talking, repenting, crying, suffering, regretting, screaming, recalling, beating, leaving and hell what not. One thing that you’re afraid to do is LIVING.

Sometimes, you break down and feel like the unluckiest person in the universe. It is true, isn’t it?   The size of the universe is 93 billion light years, which means if a ray of light was set free to travel across the two ends of the universe, it would take it approximately 93 billion years to reach the other end. And, then there’s you, who maps this distance to declare self the worst in a matter of 3 seconds. You’re greater than the light, aren’t you?

The only purpose of life is SELF-REALIZATION and the knowledge of the fact that we are the gods. You talk about being a Hindu, a Muslim, Christian or a Sikh. How many of you have read your holy scriptures? You claim about being the protector of your religion and still do not understand what it tends to offer. It is very unfortunate that almost 99% of the people die with nothing but fallacy in their heads. Anger, greed, lust and the want for more has deflected us from the paths we were supposed to be on.

Krishna represents the presence of pure consciousness. So, why do we have boundaries that a certain section of people believe in him and others don’t. The word Allah means one and yet you dare to restrict lives of a billion followers of the god.

Was this how the religion was meant to be? Was this the result that was aimed prior to writing such beautiful pieces of work describing god in a mystery and life as a whole? You think your GOD needs your protection and reasoning to be defended. You’ve grown bigger than him. It’s unfortunate to see a whole bunch of people to play the blame game all day and put their respective god into consideration. It’s not the anger speaking. It’s a pity on all of you who believe that there is literally somebody up there in human form waiting to hear your pleas like a court room and process trials of jurisdiction. You’ve lived a life of failure and trust me when I say this, it has been a waste till now. The purpose has been defeated.

So, give up the questions, give up the doubts, your ego, your self-made image of yours and think with one formless entity - consciousness. Because, all you are is nothing but consciousness and the day you will completely realize this would be the day of your death. That’s why they say: “Die before you die.” Be thankful for what you have and quit for the need for more. Make anger your enemy and gratitude your friend. And, most importantly, forget who you are because there is no YOU.

All you are is a visitor on Earth.

So,

Do you know the silent watcher?

[theavtalks]

The EGO

EGO - The (good) opinion that you have of yourself or the self of an individual.  Well, this is the technical definition of the term or perhaps what the words that you’ll get to see when you google it out. Despite of our encumbrance for technicality, we all have a soft corner for moral adhered definition of terms and the same is the case with the word ‘EGO’.  Not only does everybody know about what it means literally but I am pretty sure that each one of us has experienced what ego is. By ‘us’, I don’t mean us the adults only. A 6 months old baby develops the ability to see her parents/care-takers as other persons and gradually evolves a sense of identification, not only for the other people but essentially for the self. Though, kids develop ego at a very early age but their consciousness does not allow them to identify themselves with it for a much longer time. That is why we say that kids are innocent and selfless, isn’t it? 

But, this tag of chastity remains feathered only up to a certain age. As one evolves from her childhood, she gets a better idea about self, certain behaviours, habits or probably reactions to situations that lead to the development of what we term as ‘personality’. This formed structure of self entrenches various beliefs in one’s consciousness about self that in turn, lead to the development of ego. So, deriving the conclusion for the understanding of the term, ego is nothing but an ‘image of self’. 

Everyone of us has ego. But, to what does it drive us? In my opinion, the existence of ego brings one nothing but pain. The reason behind me saying this is the robust hunger that ego brings along with it. Yes, development of ego is watering the seeds of hunger of satisfaction of self. We, as human beings consider us the top notch intellectuals due to our ability to construct planes from scratch. We are proud and boast about our powerful minds for its ability to make castles out of dunes and even give life to the species.  But, the truth is entirely different. We have been blinded by our accomplishments and our development is the blindfold. No doubt we possess the best brains on the planet but we mistake ourselves for being the master of it. We live in a life long dilemma that we slave our minds but the truth is that we have been enslaved by it. We have been captured in the ropes of materialism and most importantly, the need of power and dominance. We have been squeezed by the necessity to be right in every situation and the requirement to prove ourselves.  People in today’s world are murdering each other for curses and raping women on the streets for their clothes. There are honour killings taking place due to caste difference and domestic violence prevails due to difference in opinions. We live in a society where we talk about living on Mars and ‘Love Marriage’ is still a term. We live in a society where people fight over lands and protest over temples and mosques. We live in a world where owning an Apple product is an economic status while talking facts is nonsensical. 

Just imagine this Earth being created billions of years ago and GOD deciding that wearing skirts is bad for girls. Trust me, we are as small as high as our ego is. And, in our country - India, the case for existential ego is the worst.  People want to be modern - in their attire, not in their thoughts. People want to try drinking the scotch whiskey because that’s what America does but have problems with their daughters marrying somebody who is not from the same caste. People expect their children to excel in life but scare talking to them on topics like sex.  Do you want to know why?  Because that’s what’s the convention says. For an example, if my dad used to beat me daily for not getting good grades, am I supposed to carry that to my own son? The answer is - NO. But, contrary to the fact, many people continue the fashion of convention just for the satisfaction of self. All of us want to live in a comfort zone where our egoistic minds keep on getting fed by conventions and nonsensical rules but we don’t want change. Simply because changing is tough. We want ourselves to be identified with our egoistic minds and spend our whole life embedding the multifarious and pervasive nature of ourselves.

So, I would like to end this by saying that the day when we learn to slave our minds and drop our ego to the minimum, would be the day when we’d be free of all the existing social as well as personal evils. 

THANK YOU!

[theavtalks]

Never complain!

In this modern and fast paced world, all of us are committed to our works and our daily lifestyle. We have become habitual of completing out daily tasks and have found peace in our determined routine. 

It is also pretty evident that we find ourselves in a problem when something goes out of order or when we find something that is not pretty common or usual to us. What do we do in that case? We feel irritated or agitated. Also, it is quite obvious to feel that way. We all are humans and it’s in our nature to express. In fact, the ability to express emotions explicitly is the what makes us different from other creatures on the planet. We are vocal about our choices and are able to take stand for what we feel is right and go against what we feel is wrong. 

But, amidst this emotional expression quality that we possess, there’s one thing that we do on a daily basis and on every grounds: COMPLAIN. 

To complain is to express dissatisfaction or annoyance about something. It refers to a person being vocal about something that left him a sense of incompleteness of order. And, that order is the order of choice, that lattice of thoughts that a person designs in her head. When something external breaks that lattice, a complain takes birth. The reason for a complain to occur is simply our nature to pursue stability. Financially, mentally or emotionally, peace and happiness co-exist when factors seem stable. Clearly, stability has a huge stature in a person’s life. Shaking of this stature is what leads to a person complain.

Why we should not complain:

Our mind is a very powerful entity. Imagination is its fuel. Imagination leads to rise of thoughts and thoughts lead to vision. Thoughts are not rigid, they can be modelled very well. Modelled by whom? Our brain. You all must be aware of the law of attraction that the universe offers to us. “Thoughts become things!” , as they say. 

Actions like complaining and thinking negative give rise to negative thoughts and many more negative possibilities in the future. 

“You are not your mind.” Always remember this. Our mind shows us certain pictures about ourselves and we dwell upon them until something breaks the lattice of our thoughts. We are so engaged in living with self-developed ideologies and image about ourselves that we forget we are nothing but a small and meek creature in a dimension of multi-verses and the existence of around 64 such dimensions. So, complaining is a result of that ego, a sense of self-satisfaction and ultimately an act of fooling ourselves. 

What to do?

All we need to practice is to accept how things are. All we need to do is embrace the situation, welcome it with open hands and believe that we chose it. Dissatisfaction arises from revolt, revolt to the current moment; ignorance of the truth. If we stop protesting against our very own failures and accept things as they are, we’d be doing exactly what’s ideal. The behaviour of acceptance introduces bliss and opens the door for opportunities to flourish. 

Note:  The context that I wrote about is based on self. I deny the practice of self-revolt, not general revolts. Obviously, a person needs to be vocal about anything that is wrong and ensure that things go the right way. What I wrote about is purely based on complains that arise out of us in a personal context.

So, stop complaining and start working!

[theavtalks]

Humans

‘Humans’ - what is the first thing or string of words that comes to your mind after reading this word? The answer is pretty obvious, isn’t it? Us. We are humans. We are homo sapiens. In Latin language, the meaning of this term that represents the most intelligent species on the planet is ‘Wise man’.  So, we all are wise creatures. After taking birth from our mother ape and continuing our identity as the brother species of the chimpanzee genus, here we all are building airplanes out of aluminium and sending space ships in the interstellar space. How did we reach here and our theory of evolution is a completely different topic. What I am going to write about is something prominent. This blog is about us - the modern humans. 

We did evolve with humungous amounts of struggles and sacrifices. Our history is abided by genocides and wars. But here we are today, contributing our existence to the globe. Today’s humans or as we should refer them - the modern day humans are fast paced, productive, output oriented and basically the ones who have learnt to make use of their mind for constructive purposes. Now, the mind; the same mind which once was a tool for survival and played a game changing role in determining the existence of a particular dynasty, still plays an important role in a world where the basic survival skills has vanished and people have started to want more. In a world where organizations run for profit and humans run for them. 

Along with growing into a fast paced and modern version of us, we have grown into a directionless athlete who is running on the track but does not know where the track is going to lead him. We have grown into people who think they control their mind but do not know that our mind is the one who enslaves us. We have grown into a demeaning self-centered race existing in a world where greed runs through our veins and desire fills our mind.  But, have you ever thought who decides what’s right and wrong?  Who decides that it’s not okay to fail or even it’s necessary to go to school? Who decides that getting into IIMs is very much fancy when compared to self-teaching?  Who decides that money means success and vice-versa and beauty is a boon?

The answer to all questions is - US. The humans, who have been playing with concepts leading to more and more people being associated with their mind and ultimately getting identified their mind. All those humans who have been fighting recklessly over temples for nothing more than characters of legends. The characters whose teachings were meant to be our source of life and not themselves. Those people who spend their lives fighting for power which gives them nothing but a stupid satisfaction that they are above than others. All those people and parents who have been following norms avoiding girl children and abandoning wives from the outer world because their “so-called wise ancestors said that.” 

We need to rise above, people. We need to break this streak of demonstrated success. Our idea of success should be happiness and not getting admitted to an A class university for the purpose of earning 2 Lakhs + a month. We need to disassociate ourselves from our mind and take control of it. Billions of people on the planet and nearly all of them fail to realize that GOD is nobody but us. We are fighting over myths and are acting stupid as ever. We are the wisest materialistically but in spiritual terms, there is nobody any more dumb than us. All the birds and dogs of the world live in the moment and don’t know about griefs of past and fears of future. So, why us? Is it too hard to understand that the present moment is all we’ve got and rest is fiction.  Because, the day we start to look ourselves as divine because GOD is nothing but us, is the day we’d stop doing the things we’re doing today. Honestly, I could write 10x of it on this topic and would surely continue the series ahead.

Think about it!

[theavtalks]

Gratitude Piece

First of all, this piece of text is neither an article nor a blog. It is not even a journal or an essay. I’d like to keep it simple and short and term it as the ‘Gratitude piece’. 

Most often, in this busy world and our even busier lives, we get so engaged with the hustle, get so occupied with near future plans and worldly visions that we tend to forget to appreciate and express GRATITUDE.  Express gratitude to people. The people who are always there for us no matter what. Mere telling people about their importance in our lives can do wonders. These people do not demand huge pages of appreciation, all they need is this ‘piece of gratitude’.

The coming section is the piece of gratitude: “Dear person,  Thank you for existing. You make my life way simpler and things would be a million times hard without you. This is a sincere expression of gratitude thanking you for doing all that you do.”

Just this! See, how magical it feels to read this and to me, even more magical to write it on my laptop. It just takes 5 minutes to stop and thank the people who deserve it.  I’ll send this to 5 people whom I want to express gratitude to.

Go feel the thing and share the word to 5 people to tell them that THEY ARE IMPORTANT. 

[theavtalks]

The power of Appreciation

Everybody needs a push, that special extra effort to move a step further. Be it a career’s race or working in home itself, appreciation is needed by everybody and anybody who puts in efforts into something. Appreciation doesn’t necessarily mean boasting about one’s capabilities and achievements in public. Neither does it refer to publishing articles officially for the person. Mere reminding the person of her/his efforts and most important of all, how beneficial and important do those intentions to put in efforts stand does the job. 

Be it the work place, at home or anywhere where work is being done, appreciation is a fuel to the vehicle of efforts. I mean, what else does a person require? Trust me, appreciation can be referred to as the key to productive work. And, by productive work, I an not only referring to the boss-employees’ relation but also all those people who hesitate to appreciate. You never know who you’re motivating. Your one sentence can change somebody’s mindset.  Also, the kind of optimism and positivity you’d be inducing in that person’s life would be commendable. So, appreciate, not just because you should do it but for the other person. SERVE!

So, stop hesitating and start appreciating!

[theavtalks]

Patriotism

“Here is your country. Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural resources, cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage, for your children and your children's children. Do not let selfish men or greedy interests skin your country of its beauty, its riches or its romance.” ― Theodore Roosevelt

‘Patriotism’, according to me is not just a word, it’s an emotion. Also, I don’t think there’s any need for a technical definition of the word because definitions are given for words which may stand as a doubt to some but how can emotions stand as doubts? They are natural and so is one of the most important and strong emotion- Patriotism.  Basically, patriotism means devotion towards one’s country. But, when we utter the word or read it somewhere, an image of our soldiers with guns standing at the borders appears in our minds. Isn’t it so? This is because we associate the word with those brave people standing day in and out for our safety. Those people who serve selflessly and whose devotion have no limits. Those people in the camouflage who swear to give their lives so that people like us, the civilians live in peace. Were they, the solid patriots on the borders destined to do this work? No, this is their extremely high courage and fearless nature that makes them eligible for the job they do. Not everyone has the courage to serve for the nation in the way they do. So, isn’t it our job do do the best work possible from our sides and prove our devotion for the country? Or, is the word ‘Patriotism’ limited to the soldiers only? Don’t we, the proud citizens of the country have the duty to prove our patriotism? But, the question that arises is how can it be done? How do people like us, the civilians, the students, the employees, the private sector of the country do our bit for the nation? The answer is simple: by doing what is meant to be done. Patriotism doesn’t only refer to the image of standing with a gun in hand and firing of bullets to kill the enemies across the order. The enemies are not just the physical men across the borders but many more that dwell inside the country too. And, these evils are much bigger than the humans themselves. Surprisingly, the nation’s enemies that I am talking about are the citizens themselves. The citizens and their acts that lead to the birth of evils like corruption, poverty, harassment, murders, thefts and many more. Aren’t these the bugs that eat our country? So, we the people who stay safe because of the brave soldiers who protect us physically, don’t we have the duty to be bold, stand firm against these internal enemies that eat the nation?  Also, defeating all of these doesn’t require much. Be it corruption, poverty, thefts or any other problem, we find that every problem is interlinked with each other. Humans cause corruption, which leads to poverty. Poverty leads to thefts, thefts lead to murders and many more such examples clearly demonstrate the interconnected networks of these evils that co-exist in the nation.  So, if we all stand firm and decide to defeat all these evils by improving ourselves, our system, our greed, wouldn’t it be considered that we are patriotic? If you think no, then it’s time that you change your thought process. We need to remove the conception from our brains about what patriotism is and must understand that the concept of patriotism is not only limited to our soldiers but also applies on us. We also have the responsibility of defeating the above mentioned evils and serve the nation.

In the end, I would like to conclude by saying that it’s high time we get patriotic towards our country and pledge to give our best to stop the practices that lead to the birth of any of the evils. Then, we’ll know the real meaning of patriotism and be known as real patriots.

[theavtalks]

Terrorism

“With guns you can kill terrorists, with education you can kill terrorism.” ― Malala Yousafzai

The above written quote is probably one of the best and deepest quotes I have ever read. Today, the topic that I am going to write about is a problem that the whole world is suffering from. Terrorism is not just a concept, not just an issue to debate about, it’s not only a problem that we need to act upon. According to me, it’s something integral, something ahead of physical violence. Terrorism is a thought, it’s a mentality and most importantly, an approach. What I want to emphasize on is the fact that the root cause of terrorism needs to be found out and exploited, then only this evil would be thrown out of the world. But, for that, we need to fully understand about what do we mean by the word ‘Terrorism’. Basically, terrorism can be defined as the unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political, religious, ideological or social aims.  We need to understand this definition completely in order to understand the whole concept of terrorism. The word ‘terrorism’ comes from the word ‘terror’. And, terror means ‘extreme fear’. So, this leads to the definition of terrorism as the process of inducing terror or a feeling of extreme fear in the minds of people. Also, as per the definition, it says the unlawful use of violence and intimidation. Clearly, the purpose of violence and intimidation is the induction of fear.  Coming on to the next part of the definition which states the aim of the intimidation. According to the definition, the aim may be political, religious, ideological or social. Therefore, we can breakdown the definition and state it as: “Terrorism can be defined as an activity/group of activities that aim to induce fear by means of intimidation on the grounds of either of the following: poliotics, religion, ideologies or social.”

Now that we know what it means and what is the aim behind it, we’re gonna discuss what bad does terrorism do the world. Clearly, there is nothing positive that can be drawn out from it. But, we can understand what cons terrorism is responsible for. In 2017, an estimated 26,445 people died from terrorism globally. Over the previous decade the average number of annual deaths was 21,000. However, there can be significant year-to-year variability. Over this decade the global death toll ranged from its lowest of 7,827 in 2010 to the highest year of 44,490 in 2014. Not only the death tolls, terrorism has a major effect on the world’s economy too. The most immediate and measurable impact of terrorism is physical destruction. Terrorists destroy existing plants, machines, transportation systems, workers and other economic resources. This leads to direct destruction of economy. Even if you do not live anywhere near terrorist attacks, you might still be negatively impacted indirectly. This is because all kinds of markets hate uncertainty and terrorism creates a lot of it.  Industries like insurance and tourism are also vulnerable to terrorism. Not only the physical and economical impacts, terrorism is also responsible for moral destruction which includes factors like increased nationalism and foreign skepticism. 

ROOT OF TERRORISM We need to understand that terrorism is not impulsive. It’s not something that happens out of rage. The root of terrorism is the thought that leads to its occurrence. That very thought that is instilled inside people who know nothing but to act on that motive. It would be quite controversial if I discuss the actual happenings related to terrorism, so let’s just limit our discussion to the thought itself. The thought that acts as a skeleton for the mentality, that destructive mentality which leads to nothing but sorrow. But, do we ever question ourselves that what is the motive behind it all? Is it the want for power and supremacy? Or is it for the satisfaction that the terrorists get? Is it the rage that those people are holding inside them and has gotten in their heads knowingly or unknowingly? What is it that fills such exuberance inside the people and compels them to perform the tasks that one might be scared of to even give a thought to?  Well, to be very honest, the answer lies with the people who stand in favour or perform the acts of terrorism. But, if I had to give my opinion, if terrorism has a thought as it’s cause, then it is a thought itself that can lead to it’s stoppage too. And, that very thought that can act as an antidote for this widespread bacteria of terror can be developed by education. That is the very reason education is given so much emphasis on because it is the education only that prevents the growing of bubbles of destructive thoughts but introduces an individual’s mind to constructive thoughts that help enrich lives and make the world a better place to live in. All we can do is condemn it(terrorism) to the core and possibly spread awareness amongst people regarding the importance of education and a good thought. 

In the end, I would like to conclude by saying that “we don’t need walls of solid cement to prevent the bombs of terrorism, all we need is a big wall of education to stop the bombs of destructive thoughts that lead to terrorism.”

[theavtalks]

Feminism

“You educate a man; you educate a man. You educate a woman; you educate a generation.”  ~ Brigham Young 

Today’s topic is really very interesting. Let’s have a good discussion on it. Firstly, let’s understand what do we mean by the word ‘Feminism’?    Feminism can be defined as the advocacy of women's rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes. Now, to understand this statement better, we must know what do we mean by equality of the sexes. The human race has evolved. We didn’t drop from the sky, nor did we come here together by an accident. We evolved, over a long period of time, gradually. Not only the humans but the flora, fauna and all the other components that the nature holds evolved to adapt themselves to the surroundings. For a very long time, the males have been a dominant species. Right from their ability to donate for an offspring to their physical strength, males have dominated the league. But, talking about the internal strength, females own the game. The nature has a tendency to balance and hence, both, the males and the females have been awarded with appropriate qualities and features to enable them to work together. Remember the word, ‘together’.

Let me rule out one misconception. The claim that females can’t function without males is absurd.  “A woman without a man is like a fish without a bicycle.” Both can act independently. So, the vision of certain men that corners females as weak, that very vision needs to be cornered.  So, what we learn from the above discussion is that ‘equality of sexes’ is not an option, it must be natural just like other natural things. And, in places where it is practiced, it must not be seen as a glorious task because it’s not what people must be forced to do, it’s something they should realize and see it as their natural duty. Because, if the nature itself didn’t consider equality as an option then who are we to do so? However, since the civilization established, males have been shown dominant as compared to the females. From a kingdom’s rule to market policies, men have been the epicentre of thoughts behind it all. I do not say that this was/is wrong. Surely, men have been at those positions as a result of their skills. What I want to highlight is the predefined outlining structure that put the men in the position of the authorities while the women behind the veil. And, this is what feminism is all about. Identifying the loops where women are suppressed, their exposition and hence, giving them the rights they deserve.

PSEUDO-FEMINISM Now, just like the two sides of a coin, feminism has a bad side too. ‘Pseudo-feminism’ or false feminism refers to a practice adopted by a person who claims to be a feminist but the his/her ideologies differ from the actual meaning of feminism. Pseudo-feminists are basically feminists who act pretentious, who tend to impose feminism over situations and people so much, that it leads to the change in meaning of the word. Feminism is good but when these efforts for saving the rights of women exceed the level which ultimately leads to their fake appearance, the whole essence of the scenario gets destroyed.

So, I would like to end by saying that respect women, speak up against what’s wrong and keep yourself away from anything that exists in excessive amount; be it feminism too.

[theavtalks]

Media

We discussed about ‘Democracy’ in the previous article. Today, the topic that I am going to write on is one of its(democracy’s) pillar: Media. True! Media is a very firm and essential component of a democratic system, not only because they have the task of delivering the news to the people but also is responsible for the formation and change of/in people’s opinion. Therefore, it won’t be wrong to say that media acts as an influencer too. 

WHAT DOES MEDIA INCLUDE? Media includes every broadcasting and narrowcasting medium such as newspapers, magazines, TV, radio, billboards, direct mail, telephone, fax and internet. In short, breaking down the definition of the word, ‘media’, the plural of ‘medium’ is the way for information portrayal. The news channels, mobile applications and social media handles come under media.  Simply, anything that has the capability of transmission can be termed under media. 

MEDIA AS AN INFLUENCER Firstly, we must understand that it is very important for an individual to form an opinion. An opinion regarding any topic, whether right or wrong, but an opinion must be formed because an opinion encourages the power to think and most importantly, the power to act. So, one thing must be learnt by all of us that an opinion has power. We live in a democracy and hence, our opinion matters.  From where do we form an opinion? The media. An opinion is formed over the things we see or learn by the means of media. Therefore, media is responsible for the formation of an individual’s opinion. Not only for the formation but the change of it too. We form opinion on what we see. Hence, media is an influencer.

BIASNESS- THE EVIL  Being the fourth pillar of democracy, media has a lot on its shoulders and is expected to function responsibly. But, unfortunately, media has become the prey of biasness. This is my personal observation of a particular news channel supporting a particular political party. Also, at times, news anchors turn as party speakers which clearly demonstrates their support for that party. The media must understand that it must function independently and most importantly, should stay neutral. The way debates are organized nowadays indicates clear biasness in the speech of the anchors and that’s the worst the media can perform. Also, recently, I saw a report that claimed that a news channel created completely fake report on an incident that lead to hatred amongst communities and religious groups. These kind of activities must be condemned.

Concluding in the end, I would like to say that media must understand its importance in the democratic system and recognize its greatest power to influence people. This will make them to act more responsible and therefore, justify their position in democracy.

[theavtalks]

Democracy

“Democracy is government of, by and for the people.” ~Abraham Lincoln 

‘Democracy’, such a wide and diverse topic to write on. Not only a content rich topic but also an excellent and most widely practiced system of government where the population of a country elect their representatives themselves. You might feel that isn’t it quite usual to have that kind of parliamentary system. The answer is No. There are four major types of government a country can have- oligarchy, aristocracy, monarchy and democracy. All the four concepts of government can be traced back to Ancient Greece. Oligarchy is "rule by the few," and that often means the rich. Many people believe that the United States is now an oligarchy rather than a democracy. Billionaires donate huge sums to candidates and are usually rewarded by the passage of favorable legislation. Aristocracy is "rule by the best," and the concept comes from Plato's Republic. Historically, aristocracies have been based on wealth or land ownership. But other criteria have been used throughout the ages. Monarchies have often flourished alongside aristocracies. Monarchies are ruled by a king or queen. Today, most are constitutional monarchs, and they serve as symbols of the state with few real powers. However, Saudi Arabia is an example of a country where the king still holds great power. Democracy is "rule by the people" themselves or through their representatives. Today, this is the dominant form of government in the West. However, many believe that their representatives do not always act in the interests of the people they represent. 

To highlight the importance of democracy, the definitions of the earlier three were necessary. Democracy is a governance of justice. A democratic government ensures that no rights of any specific community are violated under any circumstance. Where the governance systems like Oligarchy, Aristocracy and Monarchy encourages the rule of the powerful, democracy ensures that only the candidate with maximum votes is elected as the representative of a particular constituency. A democratic government allows the citizens of its nation to protest and raise their voices against any rule imposed by the majority, if they find it inappropriate. A democratic government ensures that no citizen is snatched away from her/his freedom of any kind and if it takes place, she/he is given the chance to stand against it. Summing up, a democratic government is a government elected by the people for themselves. And, there is no doubt in saying that the democratic model is undoubtedly the best system of governance.

THE PRACTICE OF OVER-DEMOCRACY There is no word as Over-Democracy, I just created it right now. You may not know the word but I bet almost all of you have seen it in practice.  By the term ‘Over-Democracy’, I mean the phenomenon of exercise of democracy which lead to vanishing of its actual meaning.  For an example, we all have the freedom of speech and a democratic government must ensure that no individual loses this freedom under governance. But, most of the times, what we forget is, whenever our speech or words hurt somebody’s sentiments, we lose our freedom of speech at that very moment. We have the privilege as long as we know how to conserve it. I would like to merge this with the ongoing circumstances where many people are being reported for activities like getting physical or spitting with the policemen and doctors. Why do these activities take place?  The answer is because these type of people have the ease and loose authorized access to do these type of activities.  We must take a note that us living under an umbrella of democratic governance doesn’t mean we exploit and manipulate the privileges as per our thoughts. Moreover, the exercise of over-democracy is witnessed when people literally do anything behind the covers of democracy.

So, in the end, I would like to conclude by saying that : “If we have big white walls in our hands, we need not spoil them with the colours in our hands.”