Author Archives: Rajiv Kapoor

About Rajiv Kapoor

Rajiv Kapoor was born in New Delhi. He was educated by the Jesuits at St Xavier’s, and graduated with Honors, from The University of Delhi. Rajiv Kapoor did his MBA in International Business from Penn State and is now settled in the US. He has traveled across most states of India, when he was working on modernization of Rice Mills, and understands their diverse culture and history. This book is a historical fiction, dedicated to his city of birth. His extensive research dives deep into a critical moment, in India’s long history, for his latest Historical Thriller “The Peacock Throne Wars”..

Improving Mental Health

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Let us talk about an issue in Health Care that nobody apparently wants to talk about. It is simply the topic of Mental Health, whether it is at an individual level, a community level, national level or at an international level; the basic problem is that people do not want to talk about it. There is “No Health without Mental Health,” slogan appears very right for our times; for it has been conclusively proven, that people with healthier mental attitudes do better in life. Whether it is at an individual level, where a deep sense of positive energy emerges from those who have positive mental health; resulting in their chasing opportunities, which others may easily overlook.
In 2012 over 43 million American over the age of 18 suffered from some kind of mental disorder. Most of these people remain productive citizens but at a subpar level and mental disorder is the greatest drag on human productivity in modern times. By 2030 it is predicted that 6 trillion of productivity will be lost to chronic non communicable diseases but a major portion of this is going to be caused by mental disorders. WHO estimates 800,000 people commit suicide every year, more than double the rate of murder; and mostly in middle and lower income countries.
Even in wealthy America, most states have dismantled the mental health institutions, that had been set up and now a mental health victim is 10 times more likely to be in prison; than a mental asylum or treatment hospital. The US still has 9 psychiatrists for every 100,000 people and the other countries do much worse and the continent of Africa has 1 for a million people. For people fighting debilitating diseases like HIV and Ebola, and genocidal wars, the trauma can have lasting effects on the people. The active community involvement in working with the women from such ravaged countries pays off in the greatest dividends.
As per Insel, Collins and Hyman writing in Foreign Affairs called Darkness Invisible the scale of this problem will grow with longevity and population growth that is taking place across the world. They point to grassroots studies in Congo and Pakistan where simple community worker’s positive intervention with such women led to measurable positive results. The women for example who received such treatment in Pakistan became not only healthier but were more likely to obtain crucial vaccines for their children, while recovering from posttraumatic stress disorder or prenatal and postpartum depressions.
When I started this blog it was meant for faith and hope. I believe it is a noble cause now to try and raise the millions from out of this shadowy darkness that society imparts on the mentally ill. They deserve better and change is possible. We need to draw them out of the shadows of our existence, and bring them into the light of our everyday life.
My belief is that if we all get together and address this issue, it will make a huge difference in the quality of life, of our future generations. Why should that family member be invisible or incarcerated when he/she can be a productive member of our society. We as a community of compassionate, caring people can lead the way and show each person that life is worthwhile, and worth living to the best of our individual faculties. If we pursue positive actions, we are more likely to achieve positive results. Luckily the medications for treating mental disorders, have grown steadily cheaper, and must be made more accessible. Bill Gates are you listening?
Next time you come across an autistic or dyslexic child, or that crazy adult, or harebrained uncle, pause and admire the world; that they see. Join in their reality, and you will find that there are dimensions to our existence; that we have passed by, unheeded. Just like you do not truly play with a child, till you immerse yourself in its world; and see what he/she, is seeing. To understand what a person is going through, one has to enter their world; and then show them the light of hope, and the path to self-fulfillment and happiness. Only then the imaginary world that the child believes in becomes real, and then you find that you are no longer playing with the child anymore. Instead you are helping another human being understand, this crazy game of life itself!

Cry not my Angel of Death

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http://widehdwalls.com/images/big/angel_of_death-603695.jpg

In my annual review of my financial situation, I also called on my Angel of Death loophole; as he is part of the critical framework, for my lineage to succeed or fail. Currently the tax law allows me to pass on appreciated assets to my heirs without any capital gains tax liability, for our deficit strapped nation. I found my Angel of Death crying and very upset as there may be some changes coming and the capital gains tax loophole would go away, removing his powers. He is upset that the inherent inequalities between the top 1% who love this loophole, is up against the ordinary wage earners; who support Social Security, Medicare and other social programs through direct taxes on their income. Meanwhile the wealthy just avoid this obligation and pass their accumulated and inherited wealth gains, on to their heirs at death, without paying anything in the form of taxes to the state.

So a trust fund baby, say Mr. Slim in my example is automatically enrolled by the Angel of Death loophole into the elite, while an ordinary working class baby say Mr. Fat is left to live paying taxes on every income dollar, he makes in his lifetime. Mr. Slim stands to go to the best private schools and universities and remain above the proverbial glass ceiling, while Mr. Fat is consigned to public schools and maybe a community or state college if lucky, and then work on an hourly wage basis for the rest of his life (not even realizing that there is a glass ceiling). Mr. Slim will hire and fire Mr. Fat based on his inheritance and superior circumstances of birth due to ownership of assets. He will pound the gavel of injustice saying that these working class blokes; should work and study harder, to rise out of their poverty reinforcing circumstances.

I consoled my Angel of Death and requested him not to worry and to hush up, as there is no way that the powerless 99% can overcome the powerful 1%. I said that I and my heirs will continue to pay Capital Gains and Income and other taxes, as we need to sell our assets to live, as we are more Mr. Fat than Mr. Slim. The wealthy will ensure that this Angel never dies, as all kinds of erroneous arguments will be made to protect this tax loophole.

  1. Reduction in capital gains tax improves tax collections and allows productive investment in our economy. I do not see billionaires lining up to pay their fair share and instead see tax and financial consultants, spending huge amounts of time helping the wealthy ensure; they can pass the capital gains to their heirs. No productive deployment of capital is possible in a model where huge capital gain investments are kept “locked in”, just to avoid tax, and not because it is best for our economy.
  2. Capital gains help the poor come out of poverty as they encourage innovation and entrepreneurship. In my example Mr. Slim does little or nothing to promote innovation and entrepreneurship because his grandfather left him billions in capital gains, which he will pass on to his heirs on his death, also tax free. Mr. Fat on the other hand may become hugely successful and then end up paying millions in taxes, as he and his heirs will need to continually sell and invest; in new ventures, and risk taking entrepreneurships. In fact this Angel is truly one of death, as it encourages protection of the status quo, and not the wild adventures of swashbuckling pirates needed for development of our economy.
  3. Cutting Capital gains tax will lead to an economic boom. Detailed analysis over a long period has shown that there is no clear relationship between Capital gain’s tax rates and GDP growth as increases in rates have not caused an economic collapse or a decrease in rates caused an explosive growth in GDP.

I pointed out to our Angel that half of our tax code is used to just define the difference between Capital Gains and Income and we can reduce all this complexity by just going to a single consumption tax. The current code is unfair, inefficient and overly complex. When I said that congress can do all this at one stroke, he brightened up considerably. I smiled and said that as it is so simple he need not worry as the Angel of Death, will become the Angel of Life for a new economic boom. It was then I realized that he was happy not at the easy solution but at the mention that only our Congress can change this complex tax law. He passed my financial plan for the year and I left I saw him smiling; as he knew he was secure, as the do nothing congress, will make sure he lives forever.

Music of the universe

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“You know, you come from India and you say, ‘OK, I’m representing a 3,000-year-old history,’ so you think you’re gonna teach the world about rhythms and drums and so on,” he says. “And then you arrive here. You suddenly realize that you know nothing. You’re just one little dot in the painting that is the music of the universe.” Zakir Hussein tabla maestro who played early with George Harrison, and later in the Grateful Dead’s endless jams at their barn cum studio at SF, and many leading musicians over his lifetime, said in retrospection.
With India’s PM Modi showcasing his Vibrant Gujrat model, and a Rs. 100,000 Crore (1B) investment promised by leading industrialist Mr. Mukesh Ambani, the grand show is off to a good start. Why a privileged few are anxious to showcase their interest in an economy, which has been consistent only in underperforming on expectations for the past few decades, is mystifying. Expectations that Mr. Modi and his Finance minister Mr. Jaitely will perform the magical rope trick; on which the Indian economy will climb to the stars, are to say the least high. In many Indian’s mind, the climb to becoming number one in the world is; not how but when. Make in India drumroll marches on the back of its prowling lion and all are invited.

The solution needs a many pronged approach and will be a long and hard journey. With a million people joining the workforce every year, India is poised to become the number 1 workforce supplier for a longtime to come. With a 100 million already issued, the PM’s Adhar Bank accounts, it is going to be the largest exercise of Keynesian economy, at a micro or a macro level. The new NITI body will bring together Centre and State interests and actually work for long term development; as without a strong center, the States cannot develop fully. Grass roots laws, administration and education policy framework has to change, for economic development to take place unheeded. The problems are overwhelming, but as Mr. Modi challenges, he is not looking for incremental solutions but for quantum changes that will radically improve the status quo.

To bring up a judiciary that is at best corrupt and at worst activist to an extreme, meddling in social, political and economic affairs; and make it adhere to the implementation of required justice swiftly, will be tough.
To bring up the education system which is at best misguided, and at worst absent, to a level where India provides the next Doctors, Engineers, Teachers, Nurses, Scientists, Mathematicians and other skilled professionals to the whole world, will be tough.
To bring half its population out of years of servitude to a male dominated society, and into the free world of equal participation and reward, in the form of true woman’s equality; without fear of torture, rape and travel alone in their own city streets, will be tough.

To end the socialist state of government run organizations in all fields of human endeavor like Banking, Insurance, Railroads, Ports, Steel, Oil etc., the state will need to focus on providing good governance. The legacy that we need civil servants, to run mighty entrepreneurial enterprises, probably passed away with the Raj and Nehru. For citizens to be weaned away from the Maa Baap (State as the Mother and Father) complex, in their relationship to the state has to move more towards becoming self-reliant. To become independent in their behavior and thinking for India’s citizens, will be tough.

Each one of us is only one dot in the painting of our universe, as Zakir points out, India will need to stand out with its vibrant languages and contributions to world culture from an enthusiastic young population. They will find their own path to become the number 1 economy in the world. If history repeats India was #1 in GDP from 1 AD to 1,000 AD and may its lotus blossom again for another 1,000 years!

Not another resolution?

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A new year has dawned and hopefully all the resolutions of us needy folks, are holding strong. For once my resolution like many others I am sure, was to lose something; rather than gain something. It is my perennial smoking ban on tobacco in all forms, and my personal dragon rears his head, and blows fire and devastation all around, and drives everyone away. Grumpy and anxious I checked out what may be causing these symptoms. What was taking me riding anxiously through an emotional and psychological roller coaster, is this withdrawal pain, from a life time of habits; which should never have been started, in the first place.
Then I looked around and I recognized the symptoms in a few more people around me. What surprised me was that they were not even smokers or ex-smokers, so the cause I felt must be different. There were clear cases of anxiety and depression and so many stressed friends were all around me that my own withdrawal seemed minor to theirs. I realized that they too were suffering from unfulfilled desires just like I had been when I was trying to fulfill them through smoking. My desires remained unquenched but my smoking grew to monstrous proportions. Some of theirs seems to be tied around money and keeping up.
Money does not necessarily make us happy but the lack (or even the perceived lack of it) can lead to a different trauma, which can cause severe anxiety and depression; in some cases. The outcome of which may result in behavioral actions of avarice and greed which in turn leads to hoarding. We are unable to enjoy what we have, and continue to seek more. It is the ego telling us that we will magically reach a tipping point, where all our possessions will turn us overnight; into a state of bliss, delight and happiness.
This also results in extreme cases into kleptomania, where one steals even when one has enough means to pay for the object in question, many times over. If the lack of money can do this to us, imagine what a lack of love or affection can do to a growing child or a loved one. We squander our most precious resource of time and compassion in fruitless obsessions, overcoming perceived shortcomings in ourselves. To step into the clear light of reality, we have to also step out of these dark places; within ourselves. These unfulfilled desires have not uplifted us, or brought us closer to the bliss that is our birthright. Instead they have warped our world and kept us from our true path.
So my resolution is to unchain myself, from this clinging desire. I walk alone, and yet am filled with the universe, as we are one. My search for greatness outside will never be fulfilled. I need to only light the tiny temple lamp within and burn it, for the greater good. Make my light stronger day by day, and soon it will throw light on that hidden desire; which takes me away from reality. I find this needless feeling of inadequacy, fear and anxiety is not for me; but instead filling me with love, warmth and compassion is a better path. So in the end just be, and let all these clinging desires; fall away by the wayside. Smile as it is a new me, with a whole new life ahead of me, to be peaceful and blissful. Resolutions work not when you look back on them, but when you move forward with them.

A little bliss is life

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“People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they’re not on your road doesn’t mean they’ve gotten lost.”  His holiness the Dalai Lama

I guess I got lost even before I found myself, or learned society’s way to happiness. While my contemporaries were striding into IITs and Ivy Leagues, I was crawling through the complexities of my daily existence; in a fog of chemicals and smoke. Others set stringent targets for themselves and lofty goals for measuring their success. I just had a fuzzy and hazy approach to life in general. Most of my dreams went up to my excitedly pounding brain, or beating heart, only to collapse inward soon after, when the distance between desire and reality became apparent. As my friends started to reach for the pinnacle of their career paths, I was still unable to find my North Star, amidst this quagmire of life’s varied choices.

My early contemporaries in Delhi had bright eyes and spoke of future conquests of new frontiers and scientific breakthroughs, while I struggled late into the black night, red eyed; still trying to decipher Joe Cocker’s rendering of ‘A little help from my friends’ at Woodstock, or Jimmy Hendrix or Bob Dylan’s twanging on his guitar. The Boston professor’s son, who visited; listened to Beethoven, Tchaikovski with his blonde girl friend, and he was very American in his upbringing and conservative in outlook, despite his clear Indian roots. My idea was of a different life style; more in the Haight Ashbury or Soho vein, and a lot loser in concept than his determined life. My offer to introduce them to Pink Floyd and some lazy smoke was harshly declined, and we spent the day studying at the Art Museum instead. Men made it to the moon and more, and I barely made it to Dalhousie; in time for my second Buddhist meditation course, with Goenka.

While others struggled against mighty and at times heroic odds, I dawdled and dithered. Their path seemed so illuminated, bright and straight; while mine was lost in the woods and I often had to backtrack and start again. Like the brilliant plan to do two years of college work in 15 days, for the final graduation in a burst of glory and imagination. Others would look at me earnestly, and define their plans for the next ten years; and then soon move on to even weightier subjects, and I would nod solemnly in agreement. My own struggles were still centered on how to find meaning in my everyday life, and every minute seemed uncertain, and the wind blew me here and there,. on the surface of this ocean of life. My mother, wife and daughter complained I lacked purpose and made great efforts to regulate, support and help to extend my life’s goals, as if I had lost it in the woods by mistake.

Now my contemporaries are happy in all that they have accomplished, while I scrutinize my financial statements hoping to find the clues; to a hidden treasure. My companion’s vacations are well planned and at prestigious locations. I believe a week end searching for that perfectly worthless afternoon; after a morning haze, is well spent. Their companions are social butterflies and gregarious beings, while I am often grumpy at best, and delirious at worst. They love their latest electronic gizmos and are globally connected, while I am still struggling to understand the opening verse of the Isa Upanishad.

They are full of passions, desires and so much more culturally aware, and have stuffed their homes with priceless collections; of their favorite toys. I only seek that emptiness within, wherein bliss blooms like a lotus. It is a different path I know, from the others around me; and moreover I know not where it leads. I seek out my cravings one by one, and examine each one at my leisure, and then cast it away. I become a naked stranger to myself, and find that happiness and fulfillment are my companions on this path. It is not that I have found a unique scientific method, gizmo or drug that is the elixir of desires for eternity. This path of renunciation and compassion is for the poor, depressed, hopeless, faithless fellow creatures of my modern universe. I look in the mirror and find that the more things change, the less lost I become. Happiness and fulfillment have always been here with me, and only when I am lost in this empty bliss, are they found. Wisdom rides my compassion, and my companion complains that I have drunk overmuch, from her fountain of eternity, and our contentment glows.

PS: the symbols on the top mean “I want to go to the cinema” in Blissymbols

“Only that day dawns to which we are awake. “

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In our everyday existence it is often easy to forget that we are humans and as such have certain dreams and hopes that we internalize. As desire for betterment lies within each of us, we strive in our own ways to achieve the fulfillment; of these desires. It is when we get obsessed with these outcomes, only then we start to face problems. When we start clinging to our lover not for pleasure, but for filling some unfilled desire; then the relationships are bound, to get into trouble. Our subconscious mind creates phobias and neurosis where we get trapped into doing actions, which continue to take us away from our desired results.

The masculine force comes up against the female libido and it is bound to fail, as the female is the stronger of the species and can reject the advances and live happily. We cannot make a woman happy; as it is not a happiness that we can provide, as it has to come from inside her. She has her survival skills honed in, and has a support system from her fellow survivors; and they form a formidable network, which men can try to influence, but can never rule. A woman creates her own space and if we are lucky then she allows us into it, and for that we should be eternally grateful. It is the male that needs the female, and not the other way around, and as such we men can never understand, what makes a woman happy? We can only learn to live in the moments, when we come upon a space where we can interact; and enjoy the desires, that a true union creates.

So a new year is approaching and as H D Thoreau pointed out “Only that day dawns to which we are awake. There is more day to dawn. The sun is but a morning star.”

Let us awake to a new day where we are truly aware and ready to use our knowledge for compassion, love and peace. Whether it is the freedom of expression, or the equality of all beings; we owe it to our reality, and strive for only that which is good.  As a New Year’s resolution we can try to give up one of our phobias or neurosis and try to align with our innermost consciousness, which allows us to create hope. Hope is that quality that can raise our aspirations, and make us strive; against unbeatable odds and win. Life is to be lived fully and with all our might. If we lose a series of battles, then instead of despair; we need to relight the beacon of hope, which will lead us to victory in the war of an idealistic existence.

As each one of us looks back to 2014 remember not what we have lost, but what we have gained. We have lost loved ones and loved possessions, but it should not make us weak. We need to strive to renounce all these false realities and cravings, and learn to live with ourselves. Our vast joy comes from the narrowing of the gap between our desires and their fulfillment. The alcoholic cannot just not drink, but needs to get to the root cause of the reasons that are driving him\her to drink. The battle is in the mind and not in the physical world, as a drink is just a crutch we use. To blame others for being the root cause of my unhappiness is a mindset, I need to go beyond. For a true awakening I need to take responsibility for my own actions, and only then everything else falls into place.

Come take this first step with me on the coming new day. Give our women space to live, and then request a place in her created space; and all our happiness and fullfillment of desires will flow from there. Live in this moment and do not let the past rule your actions, as each one of us is a new being, and can take a new road. Open our heart to compassion and give up our clinging to our needs, and become one with our current reality. When the future approaches, face it fearlessly; as the only constraint we have on our achievements, is our self. Learn to lift our spirit as the sun is only a star, but when we say the Gayatri Mantra, we meditate on its life giving force, and then we can strive to be; like it, and bring life to those around us. May we shine like the sun and may the year bring us all that our heart truly desires!

Wealth concentration

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As the slow pace of growth continues in most global economies, banks have nowhere to invest their money; as they do not want to risk giving loans. Forecasts that deposit rates would rise from near zero have been proved wrong for six years running, as the global financial system remained fragile and growth fails to reach pre-crisis momentum. In fact the European Central Bank and now the Swiss Central Bank are charging major banks money, to hold large deposits. The rush of money coming out of Russia and other troubled economies is leading to these negative interest rates, as the Euro and Swiss Franc are being driven higher. This may also lead to deflation which will be the central bank’s nightmare, given the anemic growth rates.

At a time of falling commodity prices like oil at below $ 60 a drop of 50% from recent prices and iron ore at new lows, there is a time for economies like India and China to rejoice; but they are suffering their own growth pains. The Chinese are struggling for a soft landing and the Indians are looking for a hard take off and neither can carry the world economy forward. The beacon on the hill remains the US which despite its dysfunctional government, continues to plow ahead in economic growth. Its old rust belt is suddenly starting to gain in manufacturing activities, and new productivity gains continue to rise; due to innovation and technology breakthroughs. Fracking has finally driven oil prices to levels where we will all have a little extra spending money, in our pockets.

This is all happening while the rich continue to get richer; and the poor are increasing in number and have decreasing opportunities available for education and employment. The digital divide and the disparity in wealth continue to grow. Average wealth of the upper middle class doubled from $ 300,000 to approx. $ 600,000 from 1983 to now. The lower middle class and the poor have increased their desperation in the meantime; and are barely able to make a living wage, much less accumulate wealth. Their world has turned upside down as upward mobility has stalled and the American dream is turning into a daily nightmare. Broken families are struggling just to survive and remain human.

There are no easy fixes, as we are facing a world of uncertainty. While the American consumer continues to be fearless and is ready to start the race to spend even more, the rest of the world is still oiling its economic engine. The race may have been lost even before it began, as the animal spirits that are supposed to encourage economic growth; is strangely missing, in most of the world. The conservatives husband their wealth and the liberals are largely discredited and have been cast into the political wilderness. Obama stands alone while the congress dithers. Senator Warren warns that nobody is looking after the needy and senators across the aisle tell her, welcome to Washington. Jeb Bush will be the next President and then we will have the makings of a truly great nation, as he declares war on Russia, Pakistan and any other nation that the military industrial complex, chose next. Oh and my only wish is that my guardian angel will give me so much wealth, that my grandchildren will happily pay their bankers; to just keep it safe, for their trust fund babies!

Hidden messages

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Do we even notice the messages that the companies are trying to communicate?

Click through to reveal.

The arrow looks like a smiling face, because Amazon makes customers happy. It also shows that Amazon has everything you could want “from A to Z.”

Well if you are like me? then you would be blissfully unaware of these messages, that our brain consumes on a daily basis. From the rays of the interstellar stars long dead that pass through us; to the varied spectrum of rays that our eyes cannot see; to the dark matter that makes up 96% of our known universe, what else is going on that we are not aware of? Even our inner voice is confused, as what it says is conveniently forgotten; cloaked by our desires, we get better at ignoring any hidden messages, due to the sensory overload we face in today’s modern world. It is time to turn off the world, and take some time off; and still this madness, that thrives around us. Chaos is no longer an abstract theory, but fast becoming a way of life; as we strive to succeed, against ever most complex odds.

So step off this conveyor urban belt; and step onto a meadow, or walk along a ridge, and look at the vistas of nature. There is so much more to our existence, than the next consumable item; that we purchase. As our desires increase, we are driven ever deeper into the world of Maya, and our ego blooms. The more we have, the more we desire and yet remain unsatisfied. Even after attaining the object of desire, we need more and more objects; as desire, will never be fulfilled. There is a deep and permanent gap between these desires, and reality. We go on in an endless circle just loving ourselves, and our dear ones, and trying to fulfill our desires. Desire itself is not bad and we need it to better civilization, and our existence. It is when we become slaves of the fruits of our desires, that we lose the simple pleasures of existence.

When we just enjoy that cup of tea, or that sight of a beautiful flower or tree; then we know that nature has its own celebrations with its bounty. The joys of the seasons, the changes in our weather, the wondrous landscape, the running brooks, the soaring eagles, the deep oceans; all show the uniqueness, of our existence. We are born for happiness and delight, but we forget that our nature is in essence a beacon of hope; and all we need to do is light it, with our compassion. Empathy to those around us; is more important; than the next palace, or personal fortune. Being oneself is the simple way to recognize the good in everyone around us. When we conquer our desires; it is not that we become weak, instead we become the hidden force of our universe, and can help spread hope, faith, light and love around us.

 

 

The object of happiness

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THE ROAD TO <b>HAPPINESS</b> – A MUST SEE

One often wonders if being frugal and thrifty; may be the ultimate weapons to use, in the pursuit of happiness. The words of Franklin that, “A penny saved is a penny earned”, maybe the last words in this philosophy, and no wonder we feel great; when we get a bargain. On the other hand if nobody spends, there will be no economy; so spend, we must. The challenge remains on how to remember the important stuff, while leading our everyday life. We need to experience this world; as life is more memorable, only when we make an effort to enjoy our journey here. Above all we need to remember the fact, that happiness is not an object, but just a condition of one’s mind. It is not from obtaining objects that one attains happiness. Objects are transitory and one often loses interest soon after acquiring one.We deserve a good life and life well lived begets happiness.

We need to chill and take more vacations and just enjoy the moments. It is from our existential experiences that our states of happiness arise. We do not need wealth and expensive objects, to make oneself happy. A great time spent traveling and being with people one loves; is a greater boost to the state of everyone’s happiness, than say buying a diamond ring. We do need enough to live comfortably; but beyond that the pursuit of objects, which is becoming a part of modern life, is not sustainable. Hence we see the widespread unhappiness, even as we continue to consume more.

Our happiest moments come from our experiences; and the more pleasant can often revive our spirits, even in the future. It is well known that happier people also earn more, and are often more successful. If we take care of our state of mind and change our thinking, to look at world more optimistically, then the universe will conspire with us. We only have to live here and experience the universe around us; and soon we will have all we need, and our good vibrations will spread outwards. Others around us will become happier, and then we can say in empathy, that yes, this is a life well worth living. So just relax and learn to enjoy this moment, as it is all we have.

The object of happiness lies within me; and let me spread it out around me. Only then can I say, that yes I have lived a good life.

Value education

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Professor K Mohammed writing in the Companion.in in Dec has written very favorably for Value Education across the world. He quotes that the very purpose of : “Education is the creation of a sound mind in a sound body. It develops man’s faculty, especially his mind so that he may be able to enjoy the contemplation of supreme truth, goodness and beauty of which perfect happiness essentially consists”. – Aristotle.

The Prof goes on to say and I quote:

“It is very important to keep in mind that a balanced development of harmonious and integrated personality is impossible if the educational system does not inculcate proper values and morals. Not only in India but also world – wide arouse a cry for back to basic values and for nourishing human values and morality among the youth. Each and every one who is in the field of education should bear in the mind that human being is not a mere matter or material, but they are the only creature in this world having discriminative power to select their own life style. Thus they can be superior with upright morals and characters by doing great and merciful deeds. Otherwise they will be inferior to the cattle and more harmful than the wild animals by doing mischievous deeds. The Holy Quran says “They have hearts wherewith they understand not, eyes wherewith they see not, and ears wherewith they hear not. They are like cattle, – nay more misguided (than the cattle) : for they are heedless (7:179).  If we are looking into the Holy books of various religions we can see that all the religions are arguing for development of values. India is the country where 99% of people are believers and having a heritage of high values. All the education commissions and educationists in India and all over the world are arguing for value education. Thus the system of higher education must be changed into value based education. We can work together for that and buildup a more strong nation.”

There is no question that the teaching of moral and good social and historical cultural values, which show our diversity, while building our common bonds into a human destiny; is sadly lacking, in our modern education system. There is more emphasis on basic math and science and not enough on moral education, or history and the arts. We need to teach our succeeding generations; on how to become better social animals, who take care of our environment and ourselves with a higher purpose. A common core of meditation and study of holy passages should be introduced; as designed by Prof Eknath Easwaran at the University of CA, would be one of the many options. A mandatory course on cultural study of the common values of humanity; and what makes us more loving, compassionate and ready to work with each other as equals, is essential for the development of our young ones.

The Value Education curriculum could be cloned into all divisional locations, in all States of India. The High Schools and Colleges and Universities already exist, and it is only a matter of introducing the Subject, on the Core curriculum of the student skills. This can easily be done through digital and electronic means, minimizing the costs of instruction and need for instructors to travel extensively. After doing introductory sessions for a week; they can work remotely with the students, through smart phones or computers. It will be possible to educate millions in this way as digitization and mass reproduction of high quality sound and video are now easily available; and can be as easily distributed via the internet, or even physically as recorded course materials.

Passages will be chosen from across all religions, and from some of the most saintly and compassionate personalities; who have come before us. They have experienced what it is to have a higher calling, and have said it best. A secular education that praises all higher human endeavors, is needed.

Any secular modern education system that is not based on creating the right values; is a waste, as it will take us further away from nature, and our basic good instincts. As evolving creatures we need to strive for the highest goals, and study is the first step to practice. As we spread awareness and show the next generations the advantages of meditation and high moral values; we can hope finally for a better tomorrow, with less human strife and more human compassion.

Our journey is just a blip on the evolutionary scale of this universe; and we have to teach our children not to destroy the earth and each other, but instead find the way to live in harmony with Mother Nature and to prosper together. We have the whole universe out there to welcome us; if we can only get our minds to rise to the occasion, through the adoption of a better Value Education. Our evolutionary legacy must be to teach our children to lead a life of purpose, in support of humanity’s highest vales.