The illusion of Happiness

Happiness,
they say, is,
a synonym if joy,
a symbol of prosperity...

Happiness,
they say, is,
easy to look for,
extremely difficult to find…

Happiness,
they say, is,
for the lucky,
even hard earned…

I DISAGREE

Happiness,
I feel, is,
rarely bought,
always well sold...

Happiness,
I feel, is,
an unknown fear,
a mask of uncertainty…

Happiness,
I feel, is,
a smiling face,
a slowed sullen pulse...

Happiness,
I feel, is,
real-life magic,
the grand illusion...

The (ir)Rationality of Reason

Dear Blog,

William Cowper once said: “The absence of proof is not the proof of absence.”

I just saw a documentary by Richard Dawkins, "The Enemies of Reason". While I completely agree with the fact that the world has been gripped by superstition, I don’t believe everything needs reason. Let us try to understand why people believe in superstition and why to a certain extent, we should allow them to.

Why did people believe in God in the first place? Did the human race start with a belief in God? Why did it happen that so many people had different so many different views about “God”? I believe humans, by nature, need a reason. And attributing everything that happens to a “God” is a reason...!!!

Astrology may completely be a science of coincidences... but then, so are the expert opinions on finance and economy. If finance and economy are completely scientific, why are we facing the meltdown...!!! No, I’m not comparing the two to “unscientific” astrology... but then, all are subject to uncertainties that can’t be explained by any theories.

What is the harm in consulting a psychic if it gives me a good feel? Why do “rationalists” not take it as equal to any other activity that a man can feel satisfied by... something as simple as say, having a smoke...!!! Marketers dupe people about characteristics of products, the government dupes people of policies... what’s wrong with these new age “gurus” duping people!!!

As long as personal beliefs do not interfere with and harm self or others, I believe individual beliefs should be allowed to exist. False positives provide the comforting illusion of meaning. We desperately want to feel there is an organising force at work in our bewilderingly complex world. We want someone to blame when we are stuck by misfortunes and someone to share our fortune with.

Thus, to summarise, I believe, believing in supernatural is wrong but what is more wrong is not letting the believers believe the truth behind their belief.

MMM

P.S. I’m an ATHIEST. I don’t believe someone can govern what I do. But I have utmost respect for those who do. And this is a belief that I do not wish to debate on...

An evening for myself

Dear Blog,

Today was a mixed day for me. The morning was spent trying to figure out the thoughts of one of the most unpredictable yet brilliant minds out there. The next few hours were spent trying to figure out what to write on a "Cheat-Sheet" before finally giving up and deciding to take the bull by the horns.. to cross the river when it comes.. And I was not completely wrong in my decision...

Come 1830 hrs, the fantabulous lump of matter had figured out the teesra while all of us gunned our eyes on the doosra. It was no wonder many of left the exam hall wondering if the course actually made us better at the subject. For few of us, it was outright strange while for others, it was just unknown. Well, the lesser said about it, the better it is...

It was the however, the begining of the evening for myself.
It was close to 2300 hrs. With my head screaming for someone to hammer it down, I decided to say goodbye to the world for the night and take a trip to my dreamland... And I did just that, albeit with a cup of coffee in my hand and not my screeching head. For two hours long, I spoke. I spoke with a purpose... To speak!!! No analgesic works as well as a receptive listener who promises to be there to listen to you.

"Irrational feelings make sense when we understand what's behind them", Author Unknown. My irrational feelings make even more sense when we understand they need not have anything behind them, that is just the way I feel. No questions asked, none given. No explainations sought, none ventured. Just plain words accepted at face value.

Did Alice enjoy her wonderland trip? She sure hadn't visited my dreamland!! It is 0300 Hrs and I've not been at such peace for last one month.

Yours,

MMM

P.S. Suggested Readings:

• Please Listen
  
• The "good" life