I was on chapter four of a translated version of The Bhagavad Gita when I realised how close I was to it’s postulates when I penned down “A Coup” some years ago. I have since noted striking harmony in the text and the thoughts of current spiritual gurus like Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. This is one reason why I was able to rush through Baruch’s Spinoza in no time.
Just when I thought I’d give up heavy texts for a while, I chanced upon what appeared to be a travel-book. Written by John Binias, a fairly young and seemingly prominent playwright in Great Britain (as it is humorously known by its inmates, quips Binias himself), the book is titled “Loco”, as in locomotion and movement in general, frequent use; I was however, not perceptive to the Spanish slang implying- completely insane. The entire text is based on an inward/outward journey of a young, loco, and independent traveller. It divulges fitting philosophic thoughts of the 21st century without making a fuss about politically correct statements and/or forming biases. It felt rather like a very truthful account of the traveller. Of course, I am not in to writing reviews, but this book, although not light as I had thought, was fresh and comical. Enjoyed it.
September promises to be a busy month which is why I decided to create a log on the first blooming day. There are lots of tests/examinations/deadlines this month and coupled with the monsoon, it makes for one hellish experience. When I grumble about the monsoon, I express my disapproval of rain’s little children– slush, muck, mosquitoes, traffic congestion, power-cuts, delays, potholes, inundation etc. Its the rain that I like.
…was thought to be insane. He was in a mental institution and was given shock treatment. He battled it all to write a book that was, is, and will always be so profound, and deeply moving yet disturbing that they all salute to him today.
Wikipedia has a compilation of some of his most fascinating thoughts. Read these. Robert M. Pirsig remains my sole inspiration as far as analyzing, thinking, and living is concerned. I do of course turn to Ian Anderson to seek attitude and musical inspiration. But this man Pirsig is in a world of his own.
I had wandered off to deep, deep space. In search, in pursuit of an image unimaginable. He watched me as I covered another light year. He wasn't very happy with what he saw. "Its pointless," he growled, for he realised that after coming this far into space, every light year that I covered resulted in the same familiar picture- a few hundred billion galaxies around me.
He just could not tolerate what I was doing."You are only avoiding work. Look around. Everyone is working, working hard to be somebody."He further pointed out the only reason I was able to come this far in the first place. He says I had seen pictures taken by the Hubble Space telescope, the Voyager, the Nimbus and all other machines built by man for that purpose alone. The brain had very intricately spun out what appeared to be a real time motion picture using up those images. Man's work was responsible for what I was doing and, unless he built a better machine, my pursuit was pointless. He believes what every man over thousands of years has been made to believe. The plants, the animals, humans, and each and everything that breathes are all cells, units that comprise of a more massive organism. An organism no one has seen. An organism he calls God. All the work that these do contribute to the working of God. A mistake receives punishment…the system. They all must work.
"What's the point of that?" I argue. "No point apparently, but God likes the better man. We compete. We are quite willing to destroy and disturb others just to be number one."
It still does not convince me. There will always be people who are better, more reliable, more efficient, more intelligent, faster, stronger, till they all become like machines. They won't be any spontaniety. We will have one big solid, rigid world. When will they turn to me? When will they be what they are meant to be-part of nature? That ever so spontaneous being whose movements nobody can predict.The funny part is every time I surface, I am suppressed. I only surface when good music's playing, when he is burdened with work and when solitary. But all it takes for him to take over is one unstisfactory performance in a routine test. Will I always be suppressed like this, never to be wondered about?I am never too far away, I am he; he is I and we coexist. The trouble is, that they'll all see him, observe what he does and appreciate his accomplishments. They will never see me.Its a coup, I tell ya. A coup, that's what it is. Sadly. In the words of Ian Anderson of the Jethro Tull, from a song titled -'Inside'
"…All the places I've been, make it hard to begin, To enjoy life again on the inside, but I mean to. Take a walk round the block, and be glad that I've got, Me some time to be in from the outside, and inside you.
I am sitting in the corner feeling glad. Got no money coming in but I can't be sad.That was the best cup of coffee I ever had,And I don't worry 'bout a thing 'coz you've got me, Here on the inside, outside so far away.
Take a walk in the park, 'coz the wind in the dark, Sounds like music to you while I'm thinking, it does to me.
Counting lambs, counting sheep, we will fall into sleep, And awake to a new day of living, and loving so…"
