Perceptions / Tendencies

Perceptions/ Tendencies:

I have begun to feel, since a few months, that ‘perception’ is what the definition of life is all about. Since perception is relative for you and me, so is our individual outlook towards life. Thus is there anything ‘absolute’ beyond our relative perceptions – something that is universal (as a phenomenon) and exists despite our existence? Maybe yes. The idea of absolute is realized through the idea of relative. How does perception help one to understand life? A few examples that I wish to share through my life:

Students: The younger generation is full of aspirations – hopes, urges, instincts, naïve, confidence (to the extent of being detrimental), fashion conscious, brand conscious, experimental, and putting ‘I’ above everything else. Their mind seems scattered in a thousand places at the same time and they treat ‘time’ as if it was unlimited and unchanging. This ‘tendency’ of the young minds doesn’t dampen at all. No matter what we expect them to do and for the values that we wish to install in them, they will continue to do things by their natural tendency. This should be understood by successive elder generations. These young minds will take things their own way, interpret things their own way and will not ‘follow’ things because it is laid out for generations. They will ask a thousand questions and probably what they require is a direction to explore the bewildering possibilities that the world is creating for them. Are you ready to be their guide??

My generation: I witness/ perceive a ‘transformation’  - a change of Order from the traditional to the contemporary order. It is a volatile world to be a part of – possibilities and awareness of the pitfalls….one voice pulling in the temptation of newness and the second voice calling for stability of the established practices. Both voices are valid in their own right. We were brought up in the foundational values of our parents (joint family) when things were too simple, less choices (or no choices at all) and more intimacy of relationships could be accomplished. These values have made their mark on us. However, we deal with younger generations that have a different take on these values and what we may have considered valid or proper, is not necessarily valid for them. We have reached an age and by the kitty of experiences we have achieved, we realize that there are hues of grey in life. Good and bad exist around us. It is our choice as to what we need to do. The pace of life bewilders us and we don’t quite get it when there is a hyper activity around us. We are focused, but we need to keep our guard against false temptations. 

My parents and older generations: They have lived their lives in those times when things were simple and straight and predictable. The slowness of life has given them immense intimate stability of the heart. They were brought up in scarcity and no choice – so they have developed unlimited compassion and acceptance. They feel things rather think about them. They only ask for our time. They only ask that their concerns are heard and acknowledged. They have done their bit. Now they retrospect and bask in the memory of their own trials and achievements. They have immense faith in God and have immense patience to see things happening around them. Their energy might not be at optimum level, but their spirit in unwavering.

I feel, every generation exhibits a tendency towards living life. This tendency has to be felt, not repelled or denied. The tendency is a part of us – it will wax and wane and probably transform into something else. Feel this subtle force inherent in all of us – there is no stopping it or curbing it. It is there and it will express itself despite whatever happens to the world. 

Thus, understand the tendency of Existence.