Recently came to know that the Railway reservation centre at Rajaji Bhavan, Pattom, has been shut down. During my college days, I was a frequent visitor in those premises. In the last seven years or so that I have been in Trivandrum, I have not been there even once. Still, when someone dies, it is […]
Importance of Going to Sleep and Waking up the Right Way
The previous post that gives a Vedantic perspective on artificial life, notes how important the thoughts we leave this world with are, in determining where we go or what we become. This final departure that we call death happens only once in a lifetime. It is a process by which we disconnect with the external body […]
Reconciling Artificial Life with Religion (Vedanta)
The day is not far when robots powered by artificial intelligence (AI) will walk among us. At some point, some of these might even come to life. Since such a possibility may not have been conceived at a time when most of today’s religions originated, or most religious texts were written, followers of some of […]
Transience
Dazzling colors and brilliant lights fade away To silence, the clamour of fireworks gives way Only shreds of paper remain on the ground, Smell of gunpowder in the air hangs around. Of pleasures relished for as long as they last, Vague memories remain, like dreams of the past Of a life well lived, after a year or […]
Is Procrastination Good? Benefits of Procrastination
Is procrastination good? I have been a chronic procrastinator; and a religious one at that. From childhood, I have heard how procrastination is a thief of time, killer of dreams, and destroyer of opportunities. While agreeing that this generally held view is not entirely without merit, life has shown me another, less explored, side of […]
General Category Quota and the Cause of Social Justice
I am generally of the opinion that caste and religion based reservation is a bad idea in a country that claims to be secular. To state that all citizens are equal before the State irrespective of their caste, religion or gender, and then give preferential treatment to some based on the same parameters is hypocrisy. In […]
How Feminism follows from Capitalism and Consumerism
What is generally seen as an expression of freedom and empowerment might, in reality, be a case of clever manipulation. One example that I want to bring up today is of women who are driven to seek a job and focus on their career, thereby “empowering” themselves, “breaking barriers” and “being free”. I think that this […]
What is Sattvic about Martial Arts
Reading my previous post on the three types of enjoyment, where I had classified Martial Arts practice as sattvic, my brother asked me if it was indeed the case. He said that, for some reason, he related martial arts to rajas. I insisted it was not so. Since there are many who associate martial arts with […]
On three types of Enjoyment – Sattvic, Rajasic and Tamasic Pleasures
In the previous post, while discussing the question of when to quit martial arts, it was observed that decisions made before and after practice are likely to be different. Martial arts practice is one of those activities that are initially difficult but become easy and pleasurable as you warm up. This is easy to appreciate in […]
When to Quit Martial Arts?
I have heard (and read) many give advice on when to start practicing martial arts. Most of the time, the recommendation will be either now, or earlier than that! But I have not come across anyone throwing light on when to quit martial arts. I think this is an equally important question to consider, and not […]