hmm..that's interesting: October 2012

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Surprisingly honest scripture

I don't know all the stories that different religions have, to explain how this universe was created.

The one in the bible is probably most widely known. It's pretty neat and tidy - God created the different elements one after the other in a week. Whether this is to be taken literally or metaphorically, who knows? (I hope no one takes it literally). Islam probably attributes everything to Allah. Have to read up about other religions but I wouldn't be surprised if some Supreme being is given credit.

So it was refreshing to see at least one scripture admit that they don't really know how all of this started and who, if anybody, created it. This scripture is the Rig Ved. Specifically, the hymn of creation in Book 10.

What pisses me off is that very few Hindus seem to be aware of this. Throughout my childhood and teen years, the pujas and rituals were mostly about the different Gods and their stories. They're fun and good for moral values (and bad when they try to inculcate a fear of God in kids). But reading this particular part of the scriptures really makes me want to read more -

From the translation by Ralph T.H. Griffith

1. THEN was not non-existent nor existent: there was no realm of air, no sky beyond it.
What covered in, and where? and what gave shelter? Was water there, unfathomed depth of water?
2 Death was not then, nor was there aught immortal: no sign was there, the day's and night's divider.
That One Thing, breathless, breathed by its own nature: apart from it was nothing whatsoever.
3 Darkness there was: at first concealed in darkness this All was indiscriminated chaos.
All that existed then was void and form less: by the great power of Warmth was born that Unit.
4 Thereafter rose Desire in the beginning, Desire, the primal seed and germ of Spirit.
Sages who searched with their heart's thought discovered the existent's kinship in the non-existent.
5 Transversely was their severing line extended: what was above it then, and what below it?
There were begetters, there were mighty forces, free action here and energy up yonder
6 Who verily knows and who can here declare it, whence it was born and whence comes this creation?
The Gods are later than this world's production. Who knows then whence it first came into being?
7 He, the first origin of this creation, whether he formed it all or did not form it,
Whose eye controls this world in highest heaven, he verily knows it, or perhaps he knows not.

The last part about how the Gods were created after the creation and that perhaps even the one who seemingly controls everything doesn't know where all this came from, is really brutally honest.

I like that a religion has the guts to admit 'I don't know'. It also feels good to know your ancestors had a spirit of curiosity.

Friday, October 26, 2012

Inferiority complex

I was at a conference recently where a lot of speakers were from different countries in Europe. It was hard to ignore their accent and usage of English. One speaker, I think she was a native of Scotland but living in Oregon, pronounced 'aqueous' as 'a quiz' and had other quirky twists. Several presentations had minor typos in the slides (which is kind of bad practice in scientific presentations).

The remarkable thing was, none of them had even a hint of regret, despair or guilt for not being able to speak 'correct' English. Of course, almost all of them periodically and jokingly apologized for their 'poor' English. But it was apparent that they did so out of politeness. The audience too did not seem to mind these lapses and differences.

I couldn't help comparing this scenario with how a person from India speaking poor English would be perceived by fellow Indians in a similar situation. There are so many examples I've seen - if someone can't speak English fluently, they are considered fair game for ridicule and mockery.

Yes, there are some jerks and show-offs who try to use English to hit on girls or sound scholarly (and end up falling flat on their faces). But for every such person, there are many others who have not had the opportunity or did not feel the need to learn the language very well. Their thoughts and ideas are often needlessly sidelined. Why not pay more attention to the content? You can be articulate in your native language too.

This is of course not a new issue. Some would attribute it to the Macaulization of Indian education, others to liberalization and westernization. I don't know the root cause. But there definitely is a deep-rooted inferiority complex among many Indians when it comes to English. Those who have had the privilege (and others who have worked hard) to learn the language often look down upon the 'natives'. We have politicians and celebrities reminding us of their degrees and educational pedigrees. I wonder if this is a sub-conscious attempt to mask their own inferiority complex.

It doesn't look like any of this will change any time soon though. From anecdotes, I can see that the number of middle-class households where English is the main language (proudly) spoken at home, are increasing. The gap between these folks and the 'natives' seems ever expanding.

Monday, October 15, 2012

Things to remember for the next marathon

1) Take cross training and core workouts as seriously as keeping up the weekly mileage.

2) Do speed-training

3) Remember to study the starting area layout for 'gear check'.

4) Invite some friends to the race. Apart from sharing your happiness, they can also click photos and hold your gear for you.

5) Book a massage appointment BEFORE the marathon for a 1 or 2 days AFTER the marathon.

6) Figure out how you are going to get back home after the run, BEFOREHAND.

7) Buy as many gel packs as your belt can carry. No miserly behavior there.

8) Make sure you take a dump, clear your nose, have nipple protection, vaseline for intertriginous areas, and sweat band before the run.

9) Get your shoelaces tight. Check once just before starting.

10) The slow miles should be only the first 3-5 ones. After that pick up speed or you'll lose momentum. Let yourself run and be exhausted. You have the gels and water.

11) The most refreshing food to be had during the race is oranges or grapefruit.

12) Stop with the internal dialogue after 20 miles. There's no point in quitting after 20 miles anyway (unless it's an emergency). From 13-20 keep telling yourself that it's just an hour or so more and the more you keep going, the sooner it will be over.

13) Have really good party plans. Run hard and party hard.

Friday, October 12, 2012

Changing the concept of when a day starts

Just an experiment.What if we started thinking that a day starts at 9 pm instead of when one wakes up in the morning or at midnight?

Well, you could have a rocking start to the day with friends, dancing, parties and booze. Or you could start the day by spending time with family. Or waste time in front of the TV. Or if you are the organized disciplined types, you could start the next day by getting your clothes and food ready.

The next best thing about this day is you get to sleep right away! If you are anything like me, you love sleep. You'll be getting good sleep for several hours, not just a little nap.

Ok, so nearly half the day is over, you've enjoyed your time till now AND you are well-rested. A good time to run or work out or simply go for a walk. It's fun to take a break right in the middle of the day have coffee and breakfast.

And all you have to do now is squeeze in a few hours of work before the day is over and you get to food and fun again. If you are a work masochist, think of this - you will be working 'late' since the day ends at 9 pm. But who cares? The next day is going to start with fun and sleep.