Stoicism-Japanese Style

rameshgandhi.blogspot.com

My brother-in-law, Ramesh Gandhi, built a segway to this piece for me.

Ramesh Gandhi is a tremendous Photographer. He is tremendous many many other things too. 

He just posted a beautiful Photograph, on his blog, of coils of rope with a caption "In The Loop".  The text, to paraphrase, says we will all die but do not know when, where and how.

Most of us are afraid of death...........except, perhaps many Japanese.  They are taking the current Nuclear Meltdown with looming death and disaster in stride. I do not see them ruffled. But Western Media seem ruffled that Japanese are not. Media do not seem to grasp Japanese stoicism.

I heard one Japanese woman say, when interviewed, we are all going to die; sooner or later. So, why be ruffled. It is a fact of living.

We all can learn to accept the idea of death from Japanese; a Stoic society

Cell-Phones

I do not take well to gadgetry. Mainly because technology frightens me as do the people who may be needed to fix them if something went wrong, and something invariably does. 

 I get amazed how people simply cannot do without cell phones. They must have great many important things to talk about. I have noticed that peoples' driving  has deteriorated since cell phones have arrived.

I do not have anything important to say nor am I chatty; thus, I have minimum use for cell phones. I use it only for emergencies.

However, I have found the best use for my I-phone. I have downloaded few books on my I-phone. In the middle of night, when I cannot sleep, which happens frequently, I read a book on my I-phone. The palm-size frame is so convenient to hold compared to unwieldy books. A sweep of finger turns the page. It allows me to read without turning on the lamps and disturbing my husband's sleep. It has another great feature of night light which makes it easy on my eyes to read. 

I solve few Sudokus on it too...... so...... I am not trashing my I-phone any time soon.

Pyramid Concept



Pyramid

Pyramid Shaped Peaks

Infrequently I have lunch with a friend.  Among the things we discuss, I often bring up how  societies can be viewed in the shape of a Pyramid. Individuals’ accomplishments or failures in any field in the World; country or society within it, can be graphed in the shape of a Pyramid. 

The inclines of pyramid may vary, but the concept applies. They can be graphed downside up depending upon what subject is being studied. The pyramids can and often will overlap, not unlike Venn diagram.

Mastery of any subject is graduated in any population group. The very best are few and are positioned at the top. The rest who are average and below average will be positioned lower according to their mastery level. The least proficient will form the lowest and therefore the widest base of the shape. For example, in the field of physics the least proficient will be positioned at the bottom. Most fall in this category. But the Hawkings and Einsteins of the world will hold apex position. Between these two tiers lie different grades of genius. 

Similarly, there are many poor at the bottom rung but only few Bill Gates or Warren Buffets at the pinnacle. Between these two extremes there are levels of poor or rich depending upon how one wants to study it. 

In the field of art there are few Van Goghs or Picassos at the top. Rest occupy different levels below them. There are more uneducated than there are highly educated.  I find this to be true in any field; Philosophy, Science, cookery, even sagacity. 

How one measures the excellence or lack thereof in any field is a different matter. I suspect that will be a controversial topic requiring a special discipline to evaluate it. The expertise in this field in turn can also be graphed as pyramid!

Tragedy Tragic-Japan

Earthquake, Tsunami and Meltdown........  

How much more?

Isn't  it enough ?

Tunisia, Egypt and India

These are my mere opinions and  observations.

 If someone asked me today that a rule of the people, by the people and for the people will take roots in Tunisia and Egypt; my answer will be a resounding 'no'; certainly not the type of rule we define as democracy.

In my mind I keep comparing the fight for self-rule in India to what has been happening in the Middle Eastern states. I see similarities between the two, in that, one, they were in most part non-violent fights and two, the incumbent governments were ousted.

What is different between the two scenarios is:

Tunisia and Egypt were ruled despotically by their own people; India, on the other hand, was being ruled by a foreign power. The power which was characteristically different from its own; starting from skin color, to religion, to culture, to food etc.

The fights in middle east are more or less reactionary. Public wanted to get rid of the current despots; but did not necessarily have plans for the future government. Despots were ousted within few weeks. Indian fight, on the other hand,  was a long drawn out fight during which time the plans for the future  government were, perhaps, discussed and laid out. India achieved the self-rule in August of 1947 and had her constitution, as imperfect as it was, drafted by January of 1948.  Democracy took roots in India. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi who started the fight for self-rule held a law degree from London (1891). He started his solo fight against discrimination  in South Africa and ended with self-rule in India in 1947. Gandhi, having studied law, having lived and studied in London, probably, had better concept of what future rule should be like. Also, he was eventually surrounded by well educated and well travelled personnel who had better understanding of British and American systems of governance. Thus, Indian Democracy is a blend of the two, Prime Minister and a President. Irony is, India did not want Britishers but ended up with British style rule.

Having ousted the despots, general public from Tunisia and Egypt are fleeing their own land to Italy. Indians did not do that. Indians genuinely wanted a change with a plan in their back pocket.

This is why I do not believe the Democracy will take roots in Middle East.

Let guests be gods-"અતિથી દેવો ભવ:"

I have decided that I will invite, at the most, only as many guests at a time as my dining table will sit. Advantages are;  proper sitting, manageable cooking, cleaning after and adequate attention to and good conversation with each guest.

Last night we had few friends over for dinner. The men of the group were Bhupen's friends from his BVM Alma-mater. Two of three couples, we had never invited before. We officially christened our renovated basement with their help. All men and two ladies drank alcohol. I had two Gin and tonic with a twist of lime which put me in a sort of flighty mood. All guests brought favors which they did not have to. But, Thanks to them.

The group intuitively gravitated to segregate themselves between men and women.  Finally it happened; we all gathered around the bar and next at the dinner table. Conversations mostly revolved around men's school days. I got to know one of the ladies little better. At one point Bhupen recited his poem he wrote about his years from school days to recent years. This poem was a take on Frank Sinatra song of 
"It was a very good year". I will post it separately in a different post.

Last night's menu:

Each item except dessert was made from scratch at home.

Appetizers:   Dalwadas with fried fresh green chillies (famous treats
                     from their Alma-mater town-Anand)
                     Okra chips

 Entree:         Bengan Bhartha
                     Alu-Lal Mirchi Sabji
                     Poori
                     Kala Jeera Rice
                     Moong Daal
                     Kadhi
       
Sides:           Lightly sauted Guava-Green chillies (My aunt's recipe)
                    Banana/Cashew/Yogurt Mattho

Dessert:      Ras Malai (Purchased)

We enjoyed the evening, I hope our guests did too. I hope we did justice to a Hindu tenet of  hospitality :

"અતિથી દેવો ભવ:" 
(Atithi Devo Bhava-Let guests be gods)