FUNDAMENTAL HAPPINESS - ONE YEAR OF BLOGGING! UNMISSABLE POSTS

FUNDAMENTAL HAPPINESS - ONE YEAR OF BLOGGING! UNMISSABLE POSTS

Hey Guys!

I have completed one year of blogging on FUNDAMENTAL HAPPINESS! To date... my first post was uploaded on 23 July 2013. So today is the first anniversary!

When I look back, I find exciting things have happened. This blog has clocked more than 10,200 page views (you can see the counter, at the top right part of this page). The geographical spread is interesting: India (5800 page views), US (2343), France (167), China (162), Ukraine (146), UK (136), UAE (96), Russia (86), Germany (58) and Netherlands (46) are the top ten, followed by Italy, Canada, Australia, Philippines, South Korea, New Zealand, etc. 

In October, 2013 my book ARE YOU REALLY HAPPY? was published. I have made lots of friends through Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn and Twitter where I post links to my blog. Meanwhile my book received international recognition as  Category Finalist of the Eric Hoffer Award in May, 2014. It has been an incredible journey. :-)

FUNDAMENTAL HAPPINESS:
I could gauge from the comments that most of you have not found the stuff heavy. That is wonderful. Many readers of my book and this blog have written to me that they got stirred up and a bit rattled by the stark truth. That too is excellent news. Getting shaken out of our stupor is a vital first step towards true happiness. At our core we seem to know about this truth but do not pay much attention to it. 

Really speaking, what I write is fairly straightforward. No myth, no occult. Pretty logical. Yet, the vast majority of humanity misses this simple point, and they suffer: consciously or, unfortunately, in denial. Ironically, those suffering consciously have a way through it, if they choose to take it. Others will first have to break the wall of denial.

It is an excellent idea to read the posts slowly and keep going back to earlier posts. The same applies to my book. The thoughts seep in. They gradually overcome the resistance inherent in human beings.

So, I decided to give here a summary of some of the posts that could be a worthwhile re-visit. Read them slowly. It will be fun. Also, you get a ready index at one place. You can click any of the links below:

Series 1: You too can taste FUNDAMENTAL HAPPINESS

Series 2: Accepting UNHAPPINESS

Series 3: We are Fundamentally Unhappy beings

Series 4: Three kinds of people suffering pain

Series 6: Is this blog only for those feeling depressed?

Series 9: Our journey towards FUNDAMENTAL HAPPINESS must necessarily be actionable and take into account our practical lives

Series 10: How to go about it?

Series 14: Accept Nothingness!

Series 19: We 'create' UNHAPPINESS for us all the time

Series 23: We find 'difficult persons' all around us; do we pause to take a look at ourselves?

Series 26: Does Spirituality imply religion, mysticism, occult? The answer is 'NO'

Series 30: Don't shun things in the material world - just go beyond them

Series 34: Psychological Depression Vs Uncaused Depression

Series 37: Uncaused Depression is a sign of Spiritual Growth. Celebrate it! Embrace it!

The journey towards FUNDAMENTAL HAPPINESS is not a one time unidirectional travel by a bullet train. You do not have a single starting point, ending at another specific point. There will be several back and forth movements. For, we humans have the habit of falling back to the 'old ways'. We start craving for happiness. The more we strive for happiness, the more unhappiness we are likely to witness. Once we 'give up', we move towards a life of peace and joy. Our mind could scream at us: don't give up! If we listen to the mind, we might slide back to the basic human unhappiness.

It is a slow journey towards infinity. Enjoy the journey itself. It is hugely enriching and rewarding. Don't lose heart. Keep reading.

Cheers!

Deepak Chatterjee

chatterjee.deepak33@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/deepak.chatterjee.944

@Deepak33C

If you are following this blog through email, the post that you receive in your in-box does not have the blog archives and other features. At times the formatting is not good. For a better view you can see the entire blog at: 

http://fundamentalhappiness.blogspot.com/

FUNDAMENTAL HAPPINESS Series 37 - Uncaused Depression is a sign of Spiritual Growth; Celebrate it! Embrace it!

 Uncaused Depression is a sign of Spiritual Growth; Celebrate it! Embrace it!

Hello Friends,

What do we do whenever we are confronted with a situation that plunges us into depression? We may try hard to set things right by removing the cause of unhappiness. That's natural. By all means we should do it. If we are successful, we are done with it and the matter happily ends there.

What if we cannot do much about the situation? We continue to feel bad. Some try to brush it aside. Others may try to deny that they are unhappy but with little success. Those who do not deny may, at times, indulge in something else: self pity. Indulgence in self pity is often very tempting - it gives a false sense of relief. It actually reinforces the psychic pain within us. Can you think of other alternatives? Blaming others?

In all the alternative responses described above, there is one common thread: that of resistance to the pain of unhappiness, struggle or fighting it. Especially when it is not in our hands to change our circumstances.

I have to state from my own experience of dealing with depression in my life that there is yet another approach to this: just accept the depression, feel it closely, observe what it's doing to you internally, focus your attention on it, without any analysis of the cause of the depression. It may appear difficult, rather even a ridiculous thing to do, but do try it. In some hours, you might find a space between yourself and the depression. In time it certainly will loose its severity. It can actually melt away. But the moment you lapse into the thoughts of what caused this unhappiness, how it could have been avoided or whom to blame, you've lost it. Please remember this catch.

We do not realize it, but our resistance to depression or anxiety, actually increases the pain!

This posture suggested by me works best (and it is actually easier) when we confront UNCAUSED DEPRESSION. All of us would have felt depressed, low or in a bad mood, for no reason at all. Our normal reactions to such a state include distraction, getting busy, in the hope that the depression will fade away. Worse, we might try to fabricate 'causes' for this unhappiness, and see who or what can be blamed for this state. That too is tempting; it gives a false sense of comfort, but internally, the pain accumulates. 

I had written a post in this blog titled: "We 'create' UNHAPPINESS for us all the time" (Series 19 on December, 25, 2013). Those interested can read it: please click here.

You will find a more detailed explanation of this UNCAUSED DEPRESSION in my book ARE YOU REALLY HAPPY? Depression, angst, meaninglessness, emptiness, sense of void, fear of death, all of these are manifestations of the true human condition, at the very core of our existence. Humans have learnt to keep themselves distracted from feeling this FUNDAMENTAL UNHAPPINESS by doing a thousand things, many of them important, some seemingly important, the rest plain mundane stuff.

So, many of us escape noticing this basic truth of human existence and lead what they think is a 'contended life'. Many get hints of it, and avoid it by getting 'busy', entertaining themselves (for they were probably experiencing 'boredom' or 'loneliness'). As I have stated before, some may get into the more destructive mode of falsely 'creating' external reasons for this suffering. Finally, some who have the courage to acknowledge that their depression has no external cause may wonder what to do and even end up with psychiatrists. 

This basic human condition has been captured beautifully in many outstanding works of art, literature, movies, even architecture!

My years of experience with depression have taught me that such UNCAUSED DEPRESSION is actually not a mental disease. It is a sign of early SPIRITUAL GROWTH. A psychiatrist will try to pull you down through medication or counselling or both, to help you again feel like other 'normal' people who do not feel depressed like you. That, at best, works only for some time.

Instead of being pushed down, the remedy is to allow yourself to grow further, and enjoy the bliss of FUNDAMENTAL HAPPINESS! And, full acknowledgement followed by dropping all struggle or resistance to this pain is the first step. 

This is one of those dilemmas that humanity is not ready to face. We are trained, both by instinct and experience, to move away from pain. On the contrary, I am suggesting that you move into the pain! That, ironically, is the truth. 

Friends, this is not a one time exercise to cure yourself of depression. The new found peace and joy has to be continuously renewed by maintaining the stance: the stance of surrender. It is a life long journey into a new world.

Yes, there is no way out of this unhappiness. The way is only through it! This is not only my own experience, but has been documented by many. The complications arise when bombastic words and concepts are used in spiritual literature. This complication drives people away from any talk of spirituality. Many confuse it with the occult! Really speaking, the process of moving up the spiritual ladder is a straightforward process. 

Most think spirituality is religion. What I write about is plain non-religious spirituality. Yet, while you practice it, you are free to continue with your religious beliefs. You can also continue with your usual, practical life, but with a more aware stance. That makes all the difference.

Tell me, should we not celebrate depression? Try it the next time you feel depressed, especially without reason.

Cheers!

Deepak Chatterjee

chatterjee.deepak33@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/deepak.chatterjee.944

@Deepak33C

If you are following this blog through email, the post that you receive in your in-box does not have the blog archives and other features. At times the formatting is not good. For a better view you can see the entire blog at: 

http://fundamentalhappiness.blogspot.com/

FUNDAMENTAL HAPPINESS Series 36 - A Liberal and less Prudish Society could help reduce Crime against Women

 A Liberal and less Prudish Society could help reduce Crime against Women

Hi Friends,

The rampant instances of rape in the state of Uttar Pradesh, as well as other states in India, have caused alarm and disgust. Naturally so. Voices of concern have been expressed at international fora as well, including the United Nations.

One reason for this increased incidence of such crimes could be that more women are today coming out, relatively with less fear, and registering complaints against the criminals, instead of silently suffering. Media reporting in India is also sharper and quicker than what it used to be decades ago. 

Rape is one of the worst forms of violation that a human being (mostly women, sometimes also men) can be subjected to. Some other forms of human degradation that come close to it are third degree torture, physical abuse and extreme humiliation. In all these cases, apart from the physical pain, it is the 'self' that takes a severe beating. The sense of self gets mauled at the hands of fellow beings! Has it occurred to you that only human beings are capable of being so cruel? Animals often fight over territory or mates or food. But that is more instinct driven. It is not planned. Animals are also known to strategise, mostly for survival. But I have never heard animals subjecting another one to cruelty for sheer sadistic pleasure.

There is definitely need for social change in the manner in which women are seen as objects in a male dominated society, through better education from early childhood. But these are all familiar arguments which have been around for long.

As I mostly do, let us examine this crisis from the spiritual perspective. My first argument is, what I keep stating, that human beings are FUNDAMENTALLY UNHAPPY. This unhappiness manifests itself, at the very core of human existence, in different degrees. Those who wish to do a quick recap, can read Series 3 (click here) and series 4 (click here). 

Most of us are oblivious of this basic inner condition. We do get hints, but either we distract ourselves from it, or blame it on something external. Some of us feel it strongly but are in denial. They are more likely to 'manufacture' external causes for their unhappiness. The intensity of this inner pain can be devastating. The problem gets compounded when, backed by strong denial and an egoic self, this suffering is taken out on others. Outwardly such persons may look quite OK, except when they are overtaken by some rage, jealousy, anger, that triggers the inner condition. They can get pretty much out of control and can cause harm to others, including blaming, humiliation or even physical abuse.

Of course not all acutely fundamentally unhappy persons are likely to be rapists. But the converse is probably true: all rapists, terrorists, hardened criminals, are certainly persons who are in the throes of extreme unhappiness at their core.

They are 'unconscious' of their suffering, like a patient in pain put under anaesthesia. I am not suggesting that all of them could become criminals. In fact, the educated and well heeled within this class is unlikely to commit a crime like rape, unless it is a reflection of a very crude display of power and control.

Society as a whole consists of a huge collective FUNDAMENTAL UNHAPPINESS. When this unhappiness is unconscious due to lack or absence of self awareness, society suffers at the hands of fellow human beings. Most criminals, including rapists and terrorists, are 'unconscious' people, and a big threat and menace to society.

Interestingly, the persons who are able to feel this human pain within and are consciously suffering, instead of trying to attribute it to some 'manufactured' external cause, are least likely to cause harm to others. Being conscious of your inner pain through awareness, makes you more human. Such persons are authentic and can easily move towards FUNDAMENTAL HAPPINESS. They are able to break free from many man made structures in society. Most of us who lack awareness, are comfortable to work around laid down structures and constraints. Women get the worst deal in such rigid societies. We only give lip service to the concept of freedom. Secretly, we prefer a restricted society, that is convenient to many of us.

Of course, we need tough laws, better policing, quick justice. At the social level, education will help up to a point. What is badly needed is more spirit in society, that brings more happiness, through self awareness and, consequently, more freedom. An aware person, will not easily be able to hurt any life form, leave alone human beings.

As I have premised in my book ARE YOU REALLY HAPPY?, the burden of this collective human misery itself will, hopefully, prompt mankind towards more awareness, and hence a movement towards FUNDAMENTAL HAPPINESS. If all the 'unconscious' people could display some courage and peep inside to face the muck within, they can all spring towards JOY and PEACE.

Instead of waiting for that, let us impart simple spiritual inputs to children from school. Children have less resistance, and they might imbibe the insights faster than hardened adults. Unfortunately, spirituality is almost often confused with religion. I have been blogging on this subject for almost a year. I have not used a single religious symbol to explain anything.

I repeat, much of the lack of self awareness comes from too many constraints created by society itself. So many things are illegal: adults watching pornography, gay sex, dance bars, prostitution, all in the name of protection of women and weaker sections. This has created a prudish society. Can you image an unmarried couple checking into a hotel room in India? No one bothers in developed, western societies. 

Those who have watched the Hindi movie, Queen, would have had a taste of a free society, when they saw the lead lady, played by Kangana Ranaut, share a hotel room with three men in Amsterdam. It helped her break free from the constrained way she was brought up in India, and she was able to reject the same boy, who had earlier rejected her for marriage. This sense of freedom, backed by saner laws is of paramount importance to restore some sanity in current Indian society. I doubt if any of the rapists from the fringe sections of Indian society, have ever spoken or played with girls as youngsters. It would have been frowned upon. The plight of young girls would have been worse. 

Being in touch with yourself adds spirit to life. And, spirit is the solution to so many problems we face in the modern world today: crimes, hatred, torture, abuse of human rights, pollution, cruelty to animals... 

Let us hope better sense prevails.

Cheers!

Deepak Chatterjee

chatterjee.deepak33@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/deepak.chatterjee.944

@Deepak33C

If you are following this blog through email, the post that you receive in your in-box does not have the blog archives and other features. At times the formatting is not good. For a better view you can see the entire blog at: 

http://fundamentalhappiness.blogspot.com/

FUNDAMENTAL HAPPINESS Series 35 - Is the Era of Rented Intellectuals Over in India?

Is the Era of Rented Intellectuals over in India?

Hello Friends,

My book ARE YOU REALLY HAPPY? has won an international recognition:

Series 35:
This post is a sequel to Series 33 titled Spiritual Secularism, Spiritual Liberalism, Spiritual Hindutva (click here to read) that I posted on May, 9, 2014. I had written how, often, in the garb of taking a high moral ground or an esteemed value system, we pursue an agenda. I had also written how, most of us educated, 'intellectuals' have been inauthentic, irrespective of which side of the political spectrum we adhere to, those who swear by secular liberalism as well as those who find fault with it. This phenomenon has been fairly widespread. 

Authenticity is a matter of spirit. It does not have much to do with honesty. For, very often we are 'technically correct' and hence, honest. But if there is a motive hidden behind our stance, we are being inauthentic, even though factually right. It is for each one of us to judge, based on our intellectual honesty, whether we have been authentic.

Ironically, by secretly being inauthentic, we might successfully score a point or win an argument, but we personally pay the price for inauthenticity, by moving away from FUNDAMENTAL HAPPINESS. Readers of this blog as well as my book, ARE YOU REALLY HAPPY? will appreciate this dimension. Inauthenticity is the source of all misery and grief. We might cleverly deny or avoid it, but that's the truth.

I had written Series 33 in the backdrop of a very nasty debate leading up to the Indian elections. The results have surprised many. 

Post election results, one class of intellectuals are finding themselves very uncomfortable: the secular, liberals. Even economists with leftist leanings. Somehow in India, if you uphold liberal values, it is expected that you ought to be left leaning. It has become impossible for anyone to not agree with the left ideology, and still be counted as a liberal. This hypocrisy has been the worst outcome of INAUTHENTICITY. 

I repeat what I had written before. A secular, liberal framework is an essential and inseparable dimension of our nationhood. The solidity of this framework is enshrined in our Constitution with numerous institutions standing guard to ensure that this value system prevails. Any breach of this principle needs to be punished with severity. Lapses do occur and it would be incorrect to say that the guilty are always caught and punished. But we are progressing as a secular, liberal democracy with all its infirmities, warts and all.

The manner in which some intellectuals, including liberals, journalists and economists, had risen to become the sole conscience keepers of our nation had become disturbing. The agenda was clear. There was a huge stake in somehow maintaining status quo. Why? Was there a symbiotic relationship with the establishment? Was there a vested interest? Which is why I have used the term 'rented intellectuals' in the title of this post. Inauthenticity was screaming from much that this intellectual class was voicing.

Mercifully, I find some change of heart, or possibly, a change of tack. For, denial is rock solid and it takes time to acknowledge. In fact one famous journalist openly admitted to the widespread goof-up. I admire his courage. Those interested can click here to read it: A missive to distraught liberals.  

This phenomenon is not peculiar to India. Interestingly, the term 'embedded journalism' first came to be used in the media coverage of the invasion of Iraq in 2003. This practice has been criticised as being part of a propaganda campaign with a bias sympathetic to the invading forces. The whole world knows that the entire premise of the attack on Iraq was based on lies. The truth always comes out - sooner or later. Unfortunately a lot of harm is caused, often irreversible, by the time the truth is revealed.

While the days of such entrenched liberals may have got over in India, one has to be careful to see that the opposite class of vested interest does not get embedded now in the space vacated. We, all citizens, have to be alert and true to ourselves to see that no more games are played. The nation pays a very heavy price. Let us stay clear of the extreme ideologies, Left or Right, and let us focus on what is correct for the nation. Differences of opinion should always be given space and respected. Opinion that is not backed by dogma (secretly supported by ego) or some ulterior motive is always worth considering. That is the stuff of honest opinion. Therein lies the importance of AUTHENTICITY.

One last word: freedom of speech and expression must be upheld under all circumstances. We have had too many books being banned or withdrawn, artists and authors banished from the country. The law of our land is not fully tolerant of the highest standards of freedom of expression. Let us display the courage to amend laws, if necessary. If you don't like some opinions or expressions, either ignore them or challenge them with your own opinion. Creative expression has to be allowed unchecked. In a free-wheeling culture, those operating with agendas are going to get exposed in the midst of healthy debate. 

Cheers!

Deepak Chatterjee

chatterjee.deepak33@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/deepak.chatterjee.944

@Deepak33C

If you are following this blog through email, you will notice that the post that you receive in your in-box does not have the blog archives and other features. At times the formatting is not good. For a better view you can see the entire blog at: 

http://fundamentalhappiness.blogspot.com/

views are personal

FUNDAMENTAL HAPPINESS Series 34 - Psychological Depression vs Uncaused Depression

Psychological Depression vs Uncaused Depression

Hello Friends,

Amazon (USA)

Amazon (UK)

Amazon (France)

Amazon (Germany)

Amazon (Canada)

[You can now also buy the e-book version of ARE YOU REALLY HAPPY? in India from Flipkart. You don't need a Kindle device to read in this format. Click here: Flipkart e-book]

Here's a new post. An understanding of the crucial distinction between the two kinds of depression mentioned in the title of this post is crucial. I keep getting questions on this from interested readers of this blog as well as of the book ARE YOU REALLY HAPPY? These point towards need for greater clarity. Readers appreciate the nuanced difference, seem to understand, but do have lingering questions. That's very good. It's only when a new idea agitates and excites your mind that questions come forth. 

We do feel unhappy due to real events surrounding us. But this unhappiness is temporary. It could be due to financial loss, tiff with someone dear, health concerns, job stress etc. The unhappiness goes away when the cause is removed or addressed. Or, often, with the passage of time, we move on and the unhappiness is shed. This is PSYCHOLOGICAL DEPRESSION. At times, this depression persists, far beyond what one would have normally expected. Depending on the severity, one may even run to a psychiatrist. 

It would then be worthwhile to be aware that there is another unhappiness that pervades our being at the core of our very existence. It is there without any reason. This is UNCAUSED DEPRESSION. It has nothing to do with your circumstances. This blog and my book ARE YOU REALLY HAPPY? are all about this fundamental human condition. If you still have doubts, well, the way we avoid loneliness, keep our schedules packed with activities, fully structure even 'free time', run after things, and dread boredom are some of the signs that we do get faint hints of this basic human condition, which we somehow manage to keep under wraps. Similarly, don't we at times find ourselves in a 'bad mood' or on a short fuse for no apparent reason?? 

Yes, we rush to give 'reasons' for all this. All we need is a little authenticity and courage to take an honest look at ourselves. Don't blame yourself. This is the fundamental human condition from which we all seek redemption, but end up doing the opposite. There are numerous plays, films, works of art that have intensely captured this FUNDAMENTAL UNHAPPINESS that is stubbornly entrenched in human existence. 

Now, what happens is that this uncaused depression, which is normally deeply embedded and hardly noticeable, often gets triggered when we are psychologically depressed. The two kinds of depression get mixed up. We feel both, but ascribe all unhappiness to the known external causes. Sometimes the external cause may have become irrelevant, but the basic human unease is still there - just under the skin. So we continue to feel depressed!

In many cases, the fundamental inner condition of human existence, uncaused depression being one of them, gets fully exposed. Something that was conveniently locked up within us is now revealed. The irony is that this is actually good news! For you are now feeling yourself more than ever before. You have risen in spirit. You need to rise further to feel the JOY of existence.

Unfortunately, the psychiatrist community does not yet recognise this spiritual dimension. For them it is all about 'altered brain chemistry' that has to be set right with medication.

It is a futile exercise trying to segregate the two kinds of unhappiness. But, being aware that part of it could be the fundamental uncaused kind, itself helps. 

Rather, I have stated in my posts that you can use any kind of unhappiness as a portal to move through it towards FUNDAMENTAL HAPPINESS.

I have been through all this, which is why I have a strong motivation to make people realize that this fundamental unease within human beings is real. But it can be transcended by honestly acknowledging it, giving up all struggle and defence against it, then walking through it to the other side to witness JOY.

I recommend that you go back to Series 10 (click here), latter parts of Series 12 (click here) and 13 (click here), and Series 16 (click here) where I have described the practices in detail. You can go back to any Series by using the Blog Archives on the right panel of this page. It helps to keep revisiting the pages and allow the idea to seep in. For full details and more practical examples, you have to read the book.

What about those who consider themselves happy? I have covered that in Series 6 (click here). You can go back to it. Have fun!

Come on friends, have faith in yourself and your consciousness. This is a golden opportunity available to everyone to bring a qualitative shift in our lives. For how long are we going to lead a life of diversion and distraction? Let's get real. And, from that position of awareness, let us also enjoy what life has to offer us.

Cheers!

Deepak Chatterjee

chatterjee.deepak33@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/deepak.chatterjee.944

@Deepak33C

If you are following this blog through email, you will notice that the post that you receive in your in-box does not have the blog archives and other features. At times the formatting is not good. For a better view you can see the entire blog at: 

http://fundamentalhappiness.blogspot.com/

views are personal

FUNDAMENTAL HAPPINESS Series 33 - SPIRITUAL SECULARISM, SPIRITUAL LIBERALISM, SPIRITUAL HINDUTVA

SPIRITUAL SECULARISM, SPIRITUAL LIBERALISM, SPIRITUAL HINDUTVA

Hello Friends,

We, in India, are in the last stage of national elections: the last date of voting is May 12 with results out on May 16. About 815 million are voting!

This election has generated the kind of heat and nerves never seen before. I have written in Series 31: Indian Elections: Human Angst and Beyond (click here to read) how this election has been reduced to a die-hard support for, or a visceral loathing of, one particular politician. The concurrent themes related to this are secularism versus communalism, liberalism versus fascism or even a doubt on whether growth and development can coexist with liberal democratic values.

I have written about how we humans have the need to stay within familiar comfort zones to keep the basic human unease in us under check. I have also written how politicians and voters on both sides of this divide have been forced out of their traditional cocoons.  We do so many things to keep this fundamental UNhappiness under wraps. A life of predictability, known patterns, helps in evading this basic truth of human existence. Readers of this blog, and my book ARE YOU REALLY HAPPY?, will understand this recurrent theme amidst all I write. 

Now, let us look at 'liberalism' and 'secularism' from a spiritual perspective. What is this spiritual perspective? Let me rush to add here that it is non-religious. Religion is not necessary to gain spirit in your lives, though some may find it easier that way; I have no quarrels. For a more detailed elaboration on this please read Series 26 (click here). 

Simply speaking, spiritualism is a more honest (authentic) acceptance of your SELF, including all the biases, prejudices, negativities, weaknesses and insecurities. Once you do that, all the positives in you can bloom. You can still hold on to your beliefs (including political beliefs or ideologies), but from a position of AUTHENTICITY, which is our basic truthfulness.

A lot has been said, as part of the on-going political debate, on the need for liberal and secular values. There is no denying the centrality of such ideologies being firmly entrenched in any democratic system. But, I feel sick the moment I sense an AGENDA behind all such voices. The moment you are following any agenda through an act that is ostensibly very noble, you have moved away from spirit. You are no longer authentic. One can honestly question: is the majority of the liberal chatterati pursuing an agenda? 

This is equally true of the other side who are questioning such voices and giving a counter argument. This too ostensibly often appears to be very noble and fair, but can have a motive embedded in it. When they send a subtle message favouring Hindutva, I often suspect a motive. True, Spiritual Hindutva is automatically secular. There is no debate there. Similarly spiritual liberalism and secularism are essential values to uphold. 

I suspect, that neither side is 100% authentic. In the election slugfest, their inauthenticities get exposed. Their comfort zones get demolished. The deeply entrenched human angst surfaces and the battle gets murkier. Really speaking, there is a range of authenticity from 0 to 100%. The committed voters, the ideologically blinded ones, will not care for truthfulness. But the vast number of ordinary voters with bread and butter issues, the so-called less literate or aware, can make out the difference in the degrees of authenticity. And they will always vote according to their gut feel. So the side that people sense to be more authentic will win. 

The irony is that both sides give cogent arguments against the opposite view. Arguments are often very powerful and convincing, for they come from the mind. We humans are extraordinarily intelligent. There is no match for the complex ability of the human mind. As I keep saying, this hyperactive mind is the cause for the basic human unease and the consequent human suffering. The mind is an excellent tool. But we forget that it is only a tool and instead we have become the mind. We keep creating unhappiness for ourselves all the time. Little wonder that we are witnessing so much negativity during elections this time. I have also written on The Spiritual Politician in Series 25. Readers can click here to read it.

If we only step back a bit and observe ourselves we can find some inner peace. Both sides will probably start viewing each other with less suspicion and hatred. There will be mutual respect. For the sake of our nation, we need to build that mutual self respect.

Right now, I'm worried. There is so much loathing on either side of this divide, I don't know how the side that is elected will function. Let's hope the angst will gradually subside and better sense will prevail amongst the political class. For you, me and generations to come, this angst needs to be transcended towards FUNDAMENTAL HAPPINESS. That, of course, is the on-going theme!

Cheers!

Deepak Chatterjee

chatterjee.deepak33@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/deepak.chatterjee.944

@Deepak33C

If you are following this blog through email, you will notice that the post that you receive in your in-box does not have the blog archives and other features. At times the formatting is not good. For a better view you can see the entire blog at: 

http://fundamentalhappiness.blogspot.com/

views are personal

FUNDAMENTAL HAPPINESS Series 32 - ACCEPT NOTHINGNESS !

ACCEPT   NOTHINGNESS !

Hi Friends,

I uploaded this post on 24 Oct, 2013. I have re-posted it with an appropriate title: "ACCEPT NOTHINGNESS". If you go to the Blog Archives, you will notice that I have given titles to all my posts, to make them identifiable. Accepting nothingness is one of the most powerful spiritual exercises.

I am back. I am incorrigible! I keep coming back. It is my life's mission to take this message on the possibility of tasting FUNDAMENTAL HAPPINESS to as many people as possible. From the responses I get and the viewership across the globe, I get a sense that many of you are connecting with my proposition. 

It is also my keen desire to help all those who may be suffering from un-caused depression, anxiety, emptiness, meaninglessness or despair, that is often diagnosed as 'clinical depression'. I wish to hold out my own example as someone who has been through all that and today does not need medication or mood altering drugs to stay happy. So, read on.

Some of you would have tried the initial exercise that I described about feeling different parts of your body, and then feeling your entire body internally. You will discover an energy flow within yourself. Witness that energy quietly. Apart from doing this exercise when you are free from distraction and noise, I also suggested that you gradually cultivate the habit of doing this also during brief intervals that you get amid a busy life. You can do this while waiting in a queue, waiting at the boarding gate at the airport, or while stuck in a traffic jam.

Have you noticed how we feel satisfied when we keep our schedules fully packed? We might complain that we are too busy, that there is no free time. But, secretly, we are comfortable that way. Imagine yourself suddenly confronted with a situation that you have nothing to do for a full day! Let's say all your planned programs for a Saturday get canceled. Also, imagine that the friends you could possibly connect with are also busy elsewhere. So you have nothing to do! Now, that could be a terrible situation to be in, at least for most of us.

Now here is what you can do. ACCEPT the situation that you have nothing to do. Your mind will be fidgety, looking for a way out of this loneliness. Do not fight your mind. Just observe it. Take a decision that today you will do NOTHING. Be with the nothingness. 

There are a few things you can do when you are doing nothing. Wherever you are, look around. You will notice many things. Can you notice the empty spaces around everything? Or, more specifically, do you notice the space, the emptiness, that has allowed all things to be? Do not try to objectively reason out this "nothingness". Your mind will love doing it, and once again you will get trapped. Whereas if you have the courage to just peacefully face the nothingness, and also witness your uncomfortable mind, without fighting it, in a while you might discover a peace you have not felt before. This is where sensitivity is important. Sensitive persons, who are able to hold this position for some length of time, may be able to feel that peace and joy spring from within. 

Those who have been too engrossed in the external, material world, with their possessions, positions, position-power, or essentially all ego driven attachments, may miss these subtle messages from within.

Which is why I have suggested right at the beginning that you question your attachment to all these 'things'. Fathom yourself bereft of all these things. You need not give them up completely. Just question and notice how you are clinging to them. Having moved up the spiritual journey, now enjoy them from a new vantage point, from a higher vision.

Once you develop this ability to notice the emptiness around you, and see things in the backdrop of this nothingness, the beauty of the same things will increase manifold. The same mountains or trees that you were seeing earlier, will now appear alive and rich!

Here is a picture that I took in 2012 of Lake Michigan, USA from my room in the Kellogg School of management at the Northwestern University, where I had been for a course.  

I was spellbound by the sheer beauty of the scene outside. Notice the beauty of the trees with all leaves shed, against the vast openness and the expanse of the sea! You actually develop a new vision. Not only that, you can listen to music too from a different level. You start seeing things and listening to music and other sounds, like birds chirping or water flowing, from the level of being. 

Keep reading. Cheers!

Deepak Chatterjee


chatterjee.deepak33@gmail.com
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http://fundamentalhappiness.blogspot.com

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