Warrier's Collage on Sunday August 4, 2024

Welcome To Warrier's COLLAGE On Sunday August 4, 2024 🙏 M G Warrier A Collage Snippets Fear Most of us live in fear. Some of us camouflage our fear in different ways. As a child I was afraid of my parents, teachers and some of my elders and neighbours. I was told if I was godfearing I need not be afraid of all others. I couldn't understand or put into practice this due to various circumstances. Slowly I came to know that those who are stronger didn't fear the weak. If you have the support of a stronger person, your fear of a third person who is weaker than the person supporting you gets reduced. I started adopting various strategies to feel stronger and more courageous. The strategies included improvise my own health, nurturing friendship with stronger people, being part of "dare devil" groups which later on graduated into joining strong organisations. Some of these strategies were expensive in the long term. Like, being active in trade unions resulted in being disliked by management. Management displeasure affects you and your career progression in multiple ways. Sacrifice Once when I entered my senior's chamber during the last Century, some serious argument about some work that landed both of them in some trouble was going on between the boss and his junior. As the atmosphere was tense, I moved out. Boss called me back and asked me to take a seat and wait. I was not aware of the background of the heated discussion. It continued : Boss : "Mr X, in this situation, you know very well that if the reputation of either of us is to be sacrificed, I will make you the scapegoat..." Having extra freedom with my boss, without knowing the issue, I intervened : "Sir, sorry to come in between. That's wrong leadership strategy for a person with your background. A leader always offer to 'sacrifice' himself. Those around will ensure that their leader is safe. So, no sacrifice or scapegoat!" At this stage my Boss decided to postpone the discussion with X, allowing X to leave and opted to take up my work. B Opinions https://m.economictimes.com/opinion/speaking-tree/a-volcano-of-opinions/amp_articleshow/112204863.cms Synopsis The article addressed the phenomenon of people having opinions on all topics, despite often being poorly informed. It highlighted the issues with uninformed opinions and advocated for acknowledging one's limitations. The importance of making informed decisions and thinking carefully before speaking was stressed, suggesting that admitting a lack of knowledge can garner respect. C Revisiting Aparokshanubhuti by Shankaracharya Book on my table : 1938 edition of the translation of the book with brief notes by Swami Vimuktananda(July 1982 reprint) The 80 plus page book in small print purchased for Rs5.90 in 1982 is one of the books I go back occasionally. Swami Vimuktananda in his 3 page preface (September 10th, 1938) gives an impressive introduction to the text containing 144 stanzas : Aparokshanubhuti: Of Sri Shankaracharya (Self-Realization) https://amzn.in/d/03vV5Kah D Collage Food for Thought https://m.economictimes.com/opinion/speaking-tree/garnished-with-love/articleshow/112146189.cms ET dated July 31, 2024 E Finding happiness within : Contributed by Vathsala Jayaraman A rich man had a pet dog and took care of it very carefully. However the dog did not like the food provided by its master. It roamed in the streets in search of food, but in vain. At last it found a dry bone and it started chewing the dry bone. As the bone was very dry, it pierced the jaws of the dog and blood started oozing out of the jaw. The dog felt that the blood was oozing out of the bone and went on chewing the bone. A wise dog looked at this and said, "Hey, the blood is coming from your gums and not from the bone." The dog said, "Until I bit the bone my tongue has not known the taste of blood. So the blood is coming from this bone only. Don't try to play trick on me.'' Ramana Maharishi used to say that people who say that happiness comes from external objects are employing Dog's logic. But actually, before we come into contact with the object, there is a desire to indulge which creates agitation in the mind. The moment we get into contact with the object, the desire to indulge and agitation caused totally disappear and mind becomes calm & serene and so happiness starts flowing. Once another desire starts springing up, the same object is no more a thing of joy. Neither alcohol nor cigars, neither admission into US University, nor US Visa or Green Card can give happiness. As desires multiply happiness gets postponed until such time that mind becomes calm. Vathsala Jayaraman F Malabar https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malabar_District Bonus https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayanad_district G Wayanad Tragedy Collage expresses heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of all those who lost their lives in the recent landslides in Wayanad District. Many are missing and hundreds are in hospitals and temporary camps. https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/wayanad-landslides-death-toll-update-missing-rescue-operations-radars-drones-used-survivors-2576175-2024-08-03 For the People God of healing and mercy, we come before you with our hearts filled with grief as we see the devastation. We pray that your presence would be felt by those who are grieving, who are injured, who have lost their homes and livelihoods. We pray for wisdom and safety for those who are responding to the people in need and the many challenges left in the wake of the event. We pray for our fellow men, that they may be a witness to your compassion and care for all who suffer. God, you are our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. For this we give you thanks and ask that you hear our prayers 🙏