Take Care

It is said that where science ends, religion and philosophy begins. This would essentially mean that the people of the world can be divided in two classes. Believers and Reasonable. This is a very crude classification, but let’s say this is how it is for time being, an assumption at this point of time. Now let us analyze or try to see thru these two points of view the present series of unfortunate events that are happening all around us and life in general.

The believers have very strong faith in the being of God. And believe that most of the things happening around us are controlled by God (in fact all things, not just ‘most’ of them). And, also, that our own deeds are precursor to the kind of situations that we land up in. It’s the good that we do which returns to us. The same is true with our bad deeds. There might be some delay but the justice is delivered according to our deeds. It’s our Karma.

Fate is another strong article of faith, which implies if certain unpleasant events happen to us it was simply our destiny or we are being tested. If we hold on to our beliefs and have faith in the Supreme Power, we would eventually be rewarded. In this world or the Hereafter or the next life (believers in reincarnation).

These people with unflinching and unquestionable faith would say that in these difficult times we should pray and do good deeds to ward off the evils we are facing. God wants us to come closer to him and this is one such opportunity to reflect on oneself.

At the other end of spectrum is a person standing with rock solid statistics and scientific studies and reasoning. To him, all the things that happen in this world, good or bad, are outcome of some series of events. And these events are triggered by a cause. What follows are the effects. It’s all bound by the cause and effects theory, the rules of science and Mother Nature. He does not believe in a Supernatural One, who has unleashed a scourge on the mortals. He puts forth a reasoning which none of us can deny. It all happened because of this and this lead to that and has eventually completed the circle. He says life finds a way, even in the most difficult and adverse conditions, only the form of life changes.

Just as a disease is caused by a virus or bacteria, we can counter its effects by creating an antigen. And once we have the cure, we’ll find the vaccines. It’s a riddle that we have to decode. And this is not the first time we are faced with such dire situations. Time and again we have conquered the impossibles.

 “We have artists with no scientific knowledge and scientists with no artistic knowledge, and both with no spiritual sense of gravity at all. And the result is not just bad, it is ghastly. The time for real reunification of art and technology is really long overdue.”

These are the words from “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance” by Robert Pirsig. The extremes. This clearly discards the assumption that we made in the beginning of the passage.

There are people, normal people, and people like you and me who don’t fall in either category. Neither do we have unflinching faith nor do we trust the world around us. We’re fooled by the con of men on both sides of the spectrum.

However, we are having an advantage in our favor. We don’t have hard feelings towards anyone else and we can live in harmony. Helping each other, taking care of the unfortunate ones, consoling and sharing grieves of suffering people. Rejoicing the success of fellow humans. We don’t have to score points.

In these difficult times what we need to do is have faith in Almighty and do our bit by taking precautions. Don’t panic and fear, because these lead to disoriented reactions which we cannot afford. Be prudent. Act out of firm knowledge and reasons, rather that out of fears.

Take care…