AHAM BRAHMASMI

The subject for a write-up was decided long ago, but had few questions to be answered before writing. I was amazed by the thought of a transformation on finding the answers, that I would emerge out of the tunnel guided by a ray of hope. But nothing happened so let me share these confusions with few others rather than let the topic fade away.

I have not been pious all my life. But have worshipped every God, animal, tree, and objects which others queued up to worship, thanks to my faith that gave me the liberty, not restricting to a one All Powerful. I pray to Gods when in trouble but readily forget them when things get better.

I spent half my life this way, but not for long. The unexpected happened to humankind which was at the brink of Euphoria that we have known everything. From Genetics to Robotics, Android to Humanoid. A virus took the human race for a ride. The world scrambled for solutions. People distanced from each other, covered their faces, locked themselves behind doors, clapped hands, lit candles and even prayed to their Gods. I too followed all the above.

It had always been tradition for we humans to reach out to the Gods whenever something disastrous happens. This time it was like a supernatural event that prevented us from assembling at worship places. Mankind has always felt safer when assembled in groups, but now groups are considered the most dangerous. Many of my friends isolated altogether, confining themselves to their laptops, mobiles, TV's and washrooms (frequent hand washing). But as always a few took it head on. A Surgeon friend of mine asked "how can an invisible virus stop me from doing what I have thrived all my life, when it is the most needed?"

Yes. How can a virus dictate terms and run the world by bringing the rich to their knees, poor to their verge, the powerful to shatter and all Analogies to fail. Is this the beginning of Doomsday? But one factor gave me a chance to breathe ease. All the infected did not succumb. Many came out without much suffering. What made them so lucky? Is it that the blessed made it and the cursed faded or were the Gods taking sides? A 70 year old recovered after few days of temperature, sore throat and coughs but a 30 year old succumbed showing no major symptoms in the beginning of the infection.

The world was paused and so was commerce. Big Bullies to street side vendors, everyone struggled at their levels. Then, as the saying goes, "If you decide to hang the Capitalist, a Capitalist will sell you the rope". They encashed the fear. Floor cleaners and Detergents emphasized their power over the virus (even a Great President acknowledged). Every manufacturer tried to associate their product with one catchword - "Immunity". Even Bath soaps, tea, biscuits, wash towels and most of our everyday items elaborated their contributions to improve Immunity.

Although a common word, it's significance and necessity was highlighted the most in recent times. It's meaning need not be elaborated, but how and who will acquire it needs elaboration.

Does the one who do regular workouts and physical exercises get full immunity?

Probably not, even a few fitness freaks succumbed.

Are the people with good food habits, planned diets, and no addictions Immune?

Maybe not, as statistics are not convincing.

Are the young more Immune than the elder?

Not necessarily - Indicates the Mortality rate.

Are the vaccinated Immune?

We don't know for sure. But if infected, Mortality chances are reduced.

Now isn't it confusing whether Immunity needs more study than the virus?

Can Immunity be acquired?

Yes. But when is uncertain.

Who can have Immunity?

No special ones. Anybody can.

How to know whether someone has Immunity?

Only when infected.

What determines one's Immune system?

One's Gene, Habits, Lifestyle.

When all these fuss were happening around, I heard a spiritual leader answering questions for his disciplines.

"Can spirituality be acquired?"

"Yes. But when is uncertain."

"Who can attain spirituality?"

"No special one's. Anyone can."

"How to know whether somebody is spiritually enlightened?"

"Only when attained"

"What determines one's destiny?"

"One's Karma."

The last question asked to the guru was,

"Where to find God?"

His simple answer was,

"Search within yourself".

Is not Immunity also the power which we have to find within ourselves? In other words, is Immunity the God within ourselves that we have been searching for so long. Is it not the one going to protect us? Is it not the one going to help us thrive? Is it not the power from the energy within ourselves? Will it be wrong to say, Immunity is the power within us which cannot be measured, realized, predicted, neither created, nor destroyed in a go? Don't we relate all these to the Almighty we believe in? Is Immunity the Aham Brahmasmi we have been searching for?

- A Thought the Other way Round.

Whom Do I Like The Most

         A young colleague asked me casually “Whom do you like the most?”I stared at her and gave a blatant smile as answer. When same question was repeated the next day, though irritated,my reply was the same as before. But this time, the question chose to stay with me. It kept knocking my head. “Whom do I like the most?”....”Whom do I like the most?”.... Arising another question “Whom should I like the most?”

          The “I” in me started deciphering answers of all kinds. As a kid my mother was the one whom I liked the most. I have even starved once to make her wear a new saree and look good. No matter who ever it may be if they were not kind to my mother I have hated them by all means. Even at times my dad had been on that list. But is that the same today? My mother is the same but I am not. Will I starve now to see her dressed well? I cannot skip even an hour as my gastrics won't support. It's not that my emotion towards my mother changed,but priorities did with time. Our needs and priorities even make us stay away for months and years from those, without whom we believed a single day cannot move on. “Like and Love are emotional things don't materialise it” might be the voice of many who read this. But is it not true that emotion and materialism both share the same “T” that is time.

           Time shapes everything. Your likes takes many shapes with time. The like you had for your mother takes a jolt when wife comes into your life. Wife takes a seat back when kids strole in. “How silly?” “My heart has space for everyone” may be the reader's reflux. Yes, heart keeps everyone and everything but who occupies the front seat is the question. “Whom do you like the most?” bangs.

            Parents, Siblings, Friends, Crush, Wife, Children, Grandchildren everyone take the front seat in their own time and turn. But they all get their priorities when “I” need them the most. The “I” in us decides our likes and dislikes. It's the “I” which we always try to cherish, comfort, cradle, convince, and even camouflage throughout our life.

             Many saints and philosophers preached against “I”, but it had always stayed with us covertly and dominantly. Hence I have my answer for the question “Whom do you like the most?” Those who contribute to keep me happy, safe, wealthy, healthy, secured, confident, brave, amused at different times of life, had been the most liked. In other words I have liked those who fulfilled my needs in different ways at different times.

              A fine example being me realised that my daughter replaced my mother gradually over time. It’s not that mothers can be replaced but the warmth of motherhood which I need at this age and time is found in a different person. My needs decide my likes, as “I” am the one whom I like the most.

This writeup may not go well with many as love, like and need are seen mostly as separate things and comparing first two with need is considered inhumane and even a sin. But I wish to be rationale and honest in expressing what I believe as it has always been... 

A thought the other way round