The New Order. Its Coming!

We live in a world that is singularly dominated by a thirteen trillion dollar economy. When the markets tumble in the Mecca of Capitalism, the whole world is engulfed in a pall of gloom. Considering that the second largest economy, Japan, is less than one fourth the size of US’, it probably seems reasonable. Only on the face of it, and not if one takes a nice long look at the proverbial larger picture.

Human civilization has been witness to countless shifts in balance of power, changes in socio-economic systems and territorial boundaries. Throughout history there have been various races, dynasties and cultures that have dominated world trade at different points in time and reached great milestones in development. People in some of the earliest documented civilizations, viz.,are our very own Indus Valley Civilization (3300 BC), the wheel-inventing Mesopotamian Civilization (4000 BC), the marvelously versatile Egyptian Civilization (3200 BC) and of course, the mystical Orientals and Mayans (1500 BC), lived complete lives. Different, yes, but complete.

So, the world knew how to live way before Christopher Columbus discovered America in 1498 CE. Humans understood defense, math, science, engineering and astronomy way before the industrial revolution turned it all around to create the new socio-economic order that we supposedly cannot live without - Capitalism. While I am in no way belittling the achievement of the human race in the past three centuries, all I ask is that due consideration be given to the fact that 300 years is only one twentieth the span of documented human civilization (not human existence). It looks like a big deal only because we live in these times, not because it actually is.

We need to look at the supposed economic crisis facing the world, currently, in this perspective. Granted that all countries need to start looking at new markets for their goods and services when the US declines, but that’s what we’ve done through the ages, for God’s sake! China is expected be a larger economy than the US ever was, by 2025, and India is expected to be a close second a few years after. All of this has got to start somewhere… Like maybe, now…?

Ok, too many facts. Reads nothing like a post of mine. Now onto fancy theories…

I’m not at all a fan of capitalism, as is plainly obvious, but what options do we have. Winston Churchill rightly put it: “The disadvantage of capitalism is the unequal distribution of wealth, the disadvantage of socialism is the equal distribution of poverty”. When the flag bearers of capitalism go down, it is highly unlikely that their successors will pick up the pieces and rebuild the same old monsters.

Some trends forebode the new order that might come to be:
(i) Nuclear energy has ensured that no one can actually afford to piss off anyone else, unless we fancy blowing each other off of the face of the earth. Hence we can safely rule out large scale military conquests.
(ii) Organizations across the world are “integrating” backwards and forwards, upwards and downwards, and in any which way they can. The message is clear and simple: everyone needs everyone else. The plethora of trade and economic co-operation agreements reinforce the same message.
(iii) Given the overwhelming power that has been wielded by the US and UN in making countries, ethnic and political groups tow their line, there seems to be not much room for legitimate claim to power if the UN does not agree that the claim is quite so legitimate. China will behave no differently when it rises. There will be large sections of populations who will feel marginalized and hence revolt against such impositions, giving rise to “terrorism” as a parallel order and the only “real enemy”.
(iv) Mankind will continue to explore the universe, and what will come out of it is anybody’s guess. But if it is anything like what we see in the movies, individual nations will be ill-equipped to handle the ramifications of such adventurous explorations.

At a more subliminal level, the complete disregard to the fact that a human being is essentially a spiritual being is my biggest crib with Capitalism and that is also why I believe it will fall. And there’s a strong reason why the countries with ancient cultures will rise again. It is to do with the spiritual grounding that regards all material pursuits as purely secondary. It is one thing to be aware that material pursuits do not a contented life make, but a totally different issue to actually have avenues to explore and revel in spiritual quests. Avenues that provide a foundation for its people to draw the strength and will to brave odds, including decades of hostile occupation and brutal invasions. Avenues that western cultures lack, hence shaking a non-existent core with a simple strike on two tall buildings. After all, the promise of the American dream can hardly be called a cultural tradition and can only get you that far!

Ancient wisdom shuns one up-manship. Little wonder, then, that the world is unwittingly moving towards a kind of co-existence that will reap common benefits, enjoy them together and fight common enemies. If there’s another “world war”, it’ll be with global terrorists or invaders from you know where.

The way I see it, competition will give way to co-operation. Development will be shared. So will responsibility. Individual strengths will translate to collective might. Political systems will remain, but politicians will lead transparent, accountable lives, given the profusion of media and information systems. Individuals will be more equal than they have ever been, more powerful as a people than they ever imagined, more aware of themselves and others and yet more tolerant.

These will be the cornerstones of the new order.

But for how long? And what comes after?

Its taboo. Oooo...

Its been a unique life. I could crib or be thankful that its been a great laboratory that churned out invaluable data that my brain pours through and analyzes incessantly. One of the reasons for this blog is to publish the learnings, maybe it'll help someone else. This post, particularly, is one such...

Why do people attempt suicide?

1. To get attention, not necessarily to die

Scenario 1: We need attention because we believe we aint got the goods to go through our miserable lives. We think someone else might be kind enough to share or even bear our burden. Of course, we are wrong, but we don't like being told so, coz we aint thinkin' straight. We aint in the mood for no logical reasoning or no pep talks coz life in self-pity city rocks! And we'd love for you to join our party.

Scenario 2: The typical "Over my dead body" situation. These are simply threats, to manipulate outcomes.

2. To end pain

"Death, the pain killer" is the motto. Often, after having tried alcohol and drugs extensively. They are most likely to succeed as they mean business.

Whatever the reason, the important thing to remember is that people are not thinking with this much clarity while contemplating suicide and the methods they adopt could kill them. So if this is someone you care about and want to help, cut out the judgment or stay away.

How can you help?

Let's say a person has broken his leg and has to walk around with a crutch till the leg heals. The crutch cannot help the leg heal better. The crutch can only help the person go about his life as normally as possible till the leg heals. If you want to help someone that's suicidal, remember, you cannot solve their problems or ease their pain. You can only be a crutch. Don't ever make promises like "I will make everything OK for you". They'll believe you, and you're toast!

When one is feeling suicidal, the most difficult things to do are the most simple day to day activities as they seem completely pointless. Eating, doing chores, laughing, going to a movie, having simple conversations are all unthinkable. Luckily these are simple things that you can help with. When a feeling of normalcy sets in, it is easier to address issues in one's head.

When you talk about issues with this person, don't try to tell them they are being stupid and are ignoring all that's good in life. Believe me, they really don't care if they are stupid and they are more aware than you are of all the good things they have and still think the pain is overwhelming. You need to help them reflect rather than wallow or feel bad about where they are at. If you don't know how to do this, just say "I know" while they pour their heart out, listen and be there. Hugs are always great. Later, try and find a good shrink that can do the reflecting with them.

Always remember that a permanent solution can only be found if the person realizes why he's doing what he's doing, what he's trying to achieve, and what's not right about what he's trying to achieve. All individuals have the inherent ability to work this out themselves. Apparently, all of us can also walk on water. When inherent abilities have been buried under layers of bad experiences, years of pain and feelings of utter helplessness, it is advisable to leave it to the professionals to dig them out.

In India, suicide help-lines have a long way to go, don't bother with them. Please pick shrinks after a lot of research, for they hold the key.

I needed to write this post for 2 reasons: Firstly, quite a few people have asked me how to handle those who are suicidal. Hope this gives some perspective. Secondly, to set me free.

Taming Dinosaurs

In Jurassic Park, there are these dinosaurs that hunt people down, rip off their heads and snap their spines mercilessly. Well, I was likened to those by an MIS exec at office after I got off the phone with an "un co-operative" vendor, a few weeks ago. Complete with SFX and all. Not cool, ha. So here I am, reflecting on life, yet again...

Anger, when channelized into a tantrum, can be a very powerful weapon, or atleast you think it is. Like anything that gives power, it is intoxicating and addictive, becoming a habit. The feeling of anger works up tremendous amounts of negative energy that either gets released when expressed or stored within when not expressed. Counting to ten addresses the symptom, at best.

The problem lies way deeper. But luckily for people like myself, it has been expounded upon at length by Patanjali eons ago and more recently by Pavlov. "Samskaara" or "Conditioning" is a habitual response to a stimulus, which becomes an integral part of a person's behaviour over a period of time. It becomes so much a part of us that even an expectation of the stimulus will bring about the said habitual response.

Anger and irritation are classic examples of negative conditioned responses to stimuli that accost us all the time. The point to note is that these are "conditioned". Which means we were not born this way, we have sub-consciously worked ourselves into this habit over a period of time, by repeatedly responding in certain ways to certain stimuli.

Enter Robin Sharma. The most significant difference between humans and animals is our ability to be self-aware. According to me, the only way to get to the root of any kind of conditioning is through self-awareness. Awareness of our insecurities, our image of ourselves especially with respect to others, our doubts and fears and our likes and dislikes will invariably point to the sources of anger and irritation. Once we identify and accept these sources and are aware of their implications, the human mind will automatically perform a check before responding to a rogue stimulus the next time and the time after that... Again, conditioning us in a more positive way!

Fear not ye mortals, the beast shalt be tamed.

Desire is the root cause of all evil.

What was Buddha thinking? Atleast we know where he would fit in the communism-socialism-capitalism spectrum.

Or, do we?

Let’s give credit where it is due. We are talking about an enlightened soul. Would he be so naive as to suggest that all humans should stop wanting stuff and become yogis like himself? I think not.

Here’s my take:

Taking off from Morgan Freeman in Bruce Almighty: When have we ever known what to want?. Would you give a little child a sharp knife to play with although the child hollers his head off? How do you make him understand that it is not good for him other than by letting him cut himself?

We all make bad choices. When we refuse to see that we have, and go after things that seem to be running away from us, we are not only blind to our plight, but to the world in general. We hurt people, whether or not we care for them. We indulge ourselves in habits, excuses, self pity and worst of all, the illusion of championing a dream.

Imagine an entire race of people who are up to these things in their own little way. Buddha was enlightened alright! He calls for faith. Faith, that the creator would have given us what we need or atleast the faculties that enable us to get what we need. And this along with the abundant gifts that we have should be enough for a life in this plane. The beautiful world that we so desperately seek already exists, and the perfect life that we relentlessly crave is the one we are living.

There is no sense in hurting ourselves or anyone else in going after anything that we think should be ours. If it should be, it will be. All we can (infact, must) do is work for it justly and not make the joy of working for it contingent upon achieving the results we want.

Life becomes so much simpler. Everybody has the same chance of finding peace and contentment. Everybody deserves to.

O Buddha, what say?