Saturday, April 23, 2011

A Debate worth having and not

The classic debate of whether to follow instinct or institution.

To succumb to the oft quoted adages of life or else, laugh out loud and go wherever your body plants its next foot. That is more like an explorer. Going with the flow, as they say. But beware, by definition, going with the flow will give you the pain of upstream and the ecstasy of downstream alike. However, you'll enjoy the illusion of having made your own decisions. The mental grandeur of being a maverick. The delusion of bringing the sands of time to rest and conjuring up your own whirlwind.

That is how it goes with instinct: incredible but inconsistent.

Now, for someone more inclined towards the long accumulated ancient wisdom that dictates decision-making for the more mature proportions of society. It is a beaten path but it promises assured returns. And if you do wait long enough, you'll realise it does deliver on its claims. The process in itself is not exhilarating though, more method than madness, more pattern than chaos. Sourced from ancient folklore, garnished with generations of experience and imparted with a tone of caution; this wisdom gives you the flavour of the times gone by. However, in doing so, it naturally restricts you from writing your own theories on success and how to achieve that grail of a prize.

That is how it is with wisdom: bland but certain.

People from both schools of thought try and implant their learning into their offsprings through the much touted process of conditioning. It should be noted, however, that neither group has shown a greater proficiency at the art of life, if there is one like that. Neither has a stellar achievement that can belittle the other. Some say that both are just two separate ways of fulfilling the pre-ordained destiny.

Finally, if you're trying to figure out which way to go (in case the conditioning hasn't aligned your cognitive compass yet), you're doing it wrong. Trying is futile, you can't choose. It will choose you, or rather already has. The best option here is to believe you already have it. It rids you of the need to decide and puts you right into action.

So breathe easy, groove to the inner beat and as preach the gyrating women on my television screen :"let the music play".



© Copyright rests with creator: Aabhar Dadhich.
"You have all the weapons you need. Now, fight!"

2 comments:

Aparna said...

I have a thought that says "If it was meant to be, you'd have found it impossible to think otherwise". So ya, in that way, the choice is made for you.

aabhar said...

yeah that sums it up very well. which is why all worry is irrational. yet there is not enough courage to let go.