Monday, November 20, 2006

choice freedom and empowerment

the word choice is often mis understood and may be therefore a misused term. when the modern way of civilized living hails the idea of choice and the fredom to choose, i wonder what it means.
the idea of ourselves as modern, free members of world society sounds quite empowering in itself. empowering oneself is the initiative factor for all growth in all possible spheres. science, technology, philosophy, economy, politics as well as practically all institutions of the organized/disorganized world.
we as human beings have always wished to empower ourselves: through education, wealth, knowledge,information, influence, networks, or even good will and friendships. i see this intricate web extending even to our individual relationship (or as some may like to call it)connection- with God.

i seek if it is in our choice to be empowered through self? for that the trick is obviously to first know self. that is who i really am? Hindu spiritualist tradition like all spiritual branches (i do not particularly like to call them as schools) of the world view an individual not as an aloof, disconnected entity, but as a part of the whole cycle of existence.

now is it in our choice to be anything but what this organic whole decides for us? does real freedom exist for anyone of us? if the 'karma theory' is correct than we are all stuck in the infinite circles of good/bad karmas. so where lies the fundamental human/individual choice in all this gigantic process?

a ray of hope shines through the idea of akarmata or efforts that are done with sense (in mental terms) and actuality (in real terms) of complete identification with the whole. in this way, there is no trouble in surrendering to the whole, simply because one is completely identified with the whole and not the part. simply speaking it is like whom does one surrender to when there is no other?

this way empowerment is possible because one is the source of power and can be truly liberated from not only the cycles of karmas but with the ever present dillemas of choice and freedom .

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

So, is this your new theory? Need to go through couple of times for understanding! Thought provoking one! :)

zzz-writer said...

ok :)

Anonymous said...

~~a ray of hope shines through the idea of akarmata or efforts that are done with sense (in mental terms) and actuality (in real terms) of complete identification with the whole.

You meant say both karma and akarma exist???

May be I am lay man to understand, but I always wonder why does one want to empower?? Is there any hidden reason behind or is it just human nature??

Is this of any relavance?? not sure...

zzz-writer said...

hhhmmm...the need for empowerment, well the answer could lie in ones idea of empowerment...what does it mean/comprise of or more relevantly what does it lead to?? to my mind, defining it in a narrow sense of overt-political, military, economic powers and social status is nothing short of sheer injustice to the word itself.
empowerment should first of all begin with control over self...and ofcourse for that -connection with ones self is required.
to bring it from abstract levels to everyday realities...i would like to empower myself emotionally well enough so that if someone says a few harsh words i don't feel bad or worst jealous or be angry. that way i will feel more powerful than the stupid mundane external factors over which i may have no control (ever), but i don't let myself to be affected by them either.
thus, without being insensitive towards my enviornment, i may develop a sense of discretion as to what is in my inner circle and what is on peripheries of my consciousness....for all this again i need to know myself first.

Anonymous said...

I do agree with your reply. It does make sense...:))

It reminds me of lessons learnt from "Art of living", when I was young. So It all comes back to "emotional balance" isnt it???

Anonymous said...

And I would like to add one morething- The "akarmatic" idea sounded quite new to me. But may be one could see in that sense as well.

So Is it kind of developing "rational behavior" in oneself??

zzz-writer said...

well i chose to cite the example of emotional balance because it is the most easily identifiable for most of us. certainly, the quest does not end there. spiritual balance is the main concern and all others (mental+emotional etc) are mere by products of that.

zzz-writer said...

rational behaviour- i don't know (because iam not fully aware of what it means) but if my guess is correct, then i would say that there are things beyond the control of mind. something like we cannot control the mind through the mind itself.
what i am talikng about is more in terms of taking help of a superior power (you may call it God, spiritual master whatever) in discovering that what lies inside each one of us (dormant) and that alone is the key to all empowerment.

Anonymous said...

Huh! OK! I got it now! Thanks for explaining me clearly...:))

So how are you doing?

Have a nice week ahead!

zzz-writer said...

i am doing fine thank you :)

zzz-writer said...

i hope i did not sound too moralistic about all this...i have merely shared what i feel i need to develop within. its a quest thats it.

Anonymous said...

Not at all! In fact I am indeed curious about the whole stuff my self. I am happy always knowing about spiritual learning. Way to be disciplined, empowered as you mentioned. I guess Thats what we all after...:)