Friday, August 17, 2007

Nirvana in the classroom

I am stuck in a really boring training session. As the Instructor drones on and on about Privacy Policies, my drifts away to get away from something that has no weight in my scheme of things.

I notice my colleagues for the first time. They are from different parts of the world. Some are listening attentively; some are trying to fight the look of absolute boredom on their faces. I look around the room and realize that all of us are here because this is necessary to make us more competent communication people who will not make gaffes that will make some lawyers rich. It is an important class but if someone were to appear and say that he has three tickets to eternal freedom from work and a life without worries of money or job security then I think everyone will jump at the chance.

How many of us are working because we like it? Most of us work because we need to work, as it is the way the world is wired. From childhood to adulthood one spends most of his time in a cramped classroom preparing to work in a cramped cubicle. And when one reaches that cramped cubicle, one saves and scrimps for that cramped Apartment a.k.a dream house. Is that what life is all about? Somehow I don’t think so.

I think life happens to a 'few of us'. And this 'few of us' make the living population of this Earth. Somewhere in the cauldron of this galaxy some chemical reaction took place making the Planets and the stars and beings that could move and think. I think each and every one of us here is among the lucky few who were products of that chemical reaction that enabled us come into existence. We are the lucky few who are not floating around the Universe as gas, dust and other particles.

Given a choice between life and nothingness, I guess the obvious choice is “life”. It makes sense now. What thinkers and philosophers were trying to say. That life is a gift. Be happy for being an assembled being of this Galaxy than a disassembled scattered cloud of gas, acid and other matters. And make use of this opportunity to experience the joy of being alive before you die and disassemble to being the dust of this universe.

Among the people who are alive today, how many realize that we have a precious few years of “life”? Not many I guess. Perhaps that is why Buddha left everything to attain eternal peace. He realized that he had only one life to live and hence removed everything that might interfere in his quest for the perfect life, the perfect happiness.

Well I am not saying that all of us should head for the hills. That would not be feasible besides there are too many of us and too few hills. And the environment pollution would be catastrophic!

But since none of us know what is going to happen after death, why not make the most of it? A lot of religious teachings are beginning to make sense now. Now only if those religious teachers were as direct as I am [:p] I think we would have a perfect world. (Please note God, the power of blogs!! :p)

Nirvana in the classroom: Like someone said that darkness is the absence of light moi the great fraud Buddha says that life is a fluke, a stroke of luck. Be happy that you got lucky and enjoy it while it lasts.

Now I wish someone would “educate” my Boss *sigh* He has threatened me with death by stoning if I don’t complete this training. Doesn’t he realize that he is taking away precious minutes of my life on earth? Brrrr To think that I am writing this, my 150th post under the Instructors nose makes me feel so deliciously cheeky :p

13 comments:

Alexis said...

Excellent post. So the training sessions has its uses. Otherwise how would you have realized the value of life :-)

Be happy that you got lucky and enjoy it while it lasts. Nice one..

ap said...

Brilliant.....but the qn remains unanswered!! :)

neermathalam said...

wow....
i luvd this post....
also because it is written in a class...

they say...stolen mangoes are more delicious.

Dhanush | ധനുഷ് said...

Most of us work because we need to work, as it is the way the world is wired.

How true.

And thats when I think to leave this job and roam around with My Red and Camera. When Can I do that?? And after reading Chasing The Monsoon by Alex Frater, I too want to chase it, at least from Trivandrum to Mangalore. When can I do that??

P.S. I am already in the hit list of my relatives for doing the Himalayas. And in turn they are now threatening my parents for allowing me to do all these rides.

Oononnum bere oru paniyumillanjitta ee bikumeduthu angottum ingotumokke karangunne
Himalayatheennu Vanna Bikeaa .. onnu thozhuthekku..

These are some of their sample comments :)

Excellent Post. No wonder this is the Launchpad of Thinking

Jiby said...

don't give me anymore naughty ideas, Silverine...i don't know, i feel like crying now!

Unknown said...

From childhood to adulthood one spends most of his time in a cramped classroom preparing to work in a cramped cubicle. And when one reaches that cramped cubicle, one saves and scrimps for that cramped Apartment a.k.a dream house. and into a cramped coffin.

Perhaps that is why Buddha left everything to attain eternal peace. He realized that he had only one life to live and hence removed everything that might interfere in his quest for the perfect life, the perfect happiness. But but but.. no one knows about the life after.. wouldn't it perhaps be something like giving up the present for an unknown future?

Well I am not saying that all of us should head for the hills I have this obsession to head to the hills, become a monk and brew beer and drink it all up.

Lol.. such thoughts coming outta training session. me says, you got to have more of such sessions ;)

Mind Curry said...

i been looking for that hill for a while now :) nice thoughts..

Jaalakam said...

Great philosophy in simple words. Great post.

' Experience the joy of being alive.'

If u won't be angry with me, shall I read between the lines? :)

Is it recommended for for those who have no other hope ? I mean, a last resort?

Hey, dont be angry with me...
I am smiling.. because I like u..

Paresh Palicha said...

Mata Silverine, your wise words brought some sense in my head. We all are in a rat race to prove our worth to someone who may or may not matter to us in the long run. Is it that easy to opt out?

mathew said...

introspective thoughts happen during boring lecture sessions...you have proved it again..

you have stated it matter of fact ..and thats the best part..

btw congrats on ur 150th post..!!!keep posting as always.. :-)

silverine said...

Alexis: Thank you :) "the value of life" is exactly what I was trying to deduce!

AP: Thank you :) I think the promise of heaven and hell was a carrot and stick policy to make us behave during our 'tenure' here on earth :p

neermathalam: Thank you :)

Dhanush: Thank you :)Those comments say a lot. People with blinkers will never see the full picture. I think we should chase our dreams when we are not slugging it out in the rat race. Ride during weekends and blog about it so I can burn with envy :p

Jiby: *hugs* Wish we could all succumb to naughty ideas
:p

J: "wouldn't it perhaps be something like giving up
the present for an unknown future?

I am not telling anyone to give up the present. All I am saying is let us be thankful for the gift of life and lead a quality life where work and personal priorities are given equal weightage :) And heading for the hills is something I will def do, so give me your address in the hills and I will drop in for some free beer LOL!!

mind curry: I have found mine :)

jaalakam: Thank you and I am not angry :) And there was nothing between the lines. Just me under the impressions that I have the answer after this post :)

Paresh: I am not asking anyone to opt out :) This was just me trying to analyze why life is considered so "precious" :)

mathew: Thank you dear :) Introspection or brain death, those were my only two choices :P

ToOothlEss WOndeR! said...

I love what i do,
and i love to run off too.

Everyone says the beach house was a bad idea,
But what the hell, life is not just for diarrhea!
:))

Cheers to life! *clank*
:)

silverine said...

toothless wonder: You are right and wow...those lines rhymed!! :)