Does it matter in 2040?

It is 2040, and today I reflect the year 2020. Oh! my what a year it was, so many shocks. Covid19 pandemic shook the entire world. Hopefully, many of us came to our senses.

I still remember, people were fussing over many things then

• Not getting parmesan or cheddar cheese on pizza.
• How can I use red chili instead of green chili for the curry? (What difference does it make).
• I just cannot eat bland food. (Who cares?)
• Why that delivery boy has yet not delivered on time. (They are humans too).
• I have not seen a movie in three months. (Good you saved your/ parents/ spouse/ children’s hard-earned money).
• When will the school start? (Online learning was available).
• When will the house helper start coming? (She is suffering the pandemic too).
• Oh god everyone is at home, now double the work. (You made those choices)
• So much of household chores (It is your house, or are you doing household chores for others?)
•  Losing jobs. (So what, didn’t you save for the rainy day).
• I lost my one full year of academics. My engineering degree was delayed by one full year. (Check my article to be posted by end of July on this topic).
• Losing some revenue or not making money for a few months.

Do we even remember any such things now, in 2040? Does it matter in 2040?

Today I realize how much hue and cry we make without realizing that such things  may not matter in the future (another article on the topic, ‘so what matters’). The pandemic was just the tip of the iceberg. The way human beings have abused the environment, the future will tell.

So much have we abused nature

•  Building sky rises
• Huge houses even for one or two people
• Not thinking of sustainable development
• Not thinking of the larger good
• Harming nature to boost the so-called egos of the people in power
• Changing technology (mobile/ gadgets) in less then a year or two just because we want to be with the latest technology or for status
• Big cars only for one person

And all that was in 2020. Look at us, aren’t we still alive in 2040 having gotten over the pandemic. Have we learned something from it or all of it was just for the sake of hue and cry? Who knows what will happen in 2050? Many may argue that what matters is subjective. I do agree. To argue even on that, does it matter?

Do write what matters on contactus@exponentialadvisory.co.in

Measurements in Buddhism

We have a lot of literature available in Indian texts-  Veda and Buddhism texts. Today’s article focuses on the use of concepts of Buddhism in the corporate world.

Buddhism is divided into three areas. The Buddha talks about

• Pariyatti – The texts, literature, the study.
• Patipatti – The use of the texts in our day-to-day life. The Samatā and Vipassanā meditation form an integral part of patipatti.
• Pativedha – The nibbānic state, beyond mind and matter. The benefits of using patipatti in daily life.

Pariyatti consists of the texts called as the Tipiṭaka

• Vinay Piṭaka - code of conduct for the monks.
• Sutta Piṭaka - code of conduct for laypeople.
• Abhidhamma Piṭaka - texts covering aspects of mind and matter.

A lot to learn from the Sutta Piṭaka texts. The Buddha model covers all aspects of corporate management. Pariyatti covers the ‘Ariya Aṭṭangika Māgga (Eightfold noble path)’. Pattipatti covers the path and shows how walking on the path gives immense benefits that go beyond the human mind.

If seen minutely it can help us in the areas such as productivity, risk-taking, decision making, conflict resolution, revenue generation, handle stress, build resilience, generate empathy.

Only if we start using the concepts covered in Buddhist texts in our daily life personal and professional that results will be seen. Not just Human resources, training, and OD professionals but also other departments can use the content available in Buddhist literature. Though one may categorize Buddhist text as philosophy, when read and made use of in daily life, one realizes that it has major component of management.

Reference – Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta (Samyutta Nikāya SN 56.11)

The rest

The lion eats what he needs and leaves the rest,

we take what we need and the rest.

If only one can learn from nature,

the animals, the birds, the plants and the seasons,

there is no need to complain for any reason.

How do we come out of self-made blindfold to listen to stories untold,

for one does not know what is the best,

to take it and to rest.

The power of the powerless

I grew up listening and reading stories of Rāmāyana and Mahābhārata. Thanks also to the producers Ramānanda Sāgar and B. R. Choprā for having produced the epics. I remember elders used to tell that Sitā and Draupadi are the ‘Pati vratā’. Though never understood the meaning.

Sitā came from Dharti (earth). She is considered the daughter of the earth. She was found by her adoptive father Rājā Janaka. An epitome of sacrifice and purity, there are many verses of Sitā's life. Sitā went with her husband Rāma for 14 years of vanvās (exile), went through agni Parīkṣā an ordeal of fire to prove her chastity, was a single mother to her sons Luv and Kush. So powerful is she that in the end, when she could not bear the cruelties of the world and the blame of her husband Rāma that she calls to her mother earth and returns to the womb of the mother.

Draupadi came from Agni (fire). She is the daughter of King Drupada, the wife of Pāndavas. She is powerful being the daughter of fire. Yet, she had to suffer 13 years of exile. She also had to suffer the ordeal of Dushāsana’s attempt to disrobe her in front of a gathering. She then calls Śrī Krishṇā to save her from the plight. 

The two most powerful women have a lot to tell. Few questions come to mind.

• Sitā and Draupadi were both powerful. They were the daughters of Dharti and Agni. Daughters born with immense power. In spite of all the power, wonder they felt helpless and powerless whether it was Rāvaṇa or Dushāsana.
•  Did their power vanish or were they conditioned not to use their power in front of men and societal atrocities? If powerful women such as Sitā and Draupadi can fall prey to traps then what to say of the ladies who are vulnerable.
• Wonder why they required the support of Rāma or Krishṇa to save them from the clutches of men.
• How the epics portray women, that they can make them lame and societal pressures can crush them, this is the way society conditions the women for generations.
• If so powerful were they, why could not Sitā and Draupadi use their powers to defend themselves, why did they feel the need of men to save them or were they not aware of their powers.

Such questions remain unanswered. In the end, one realizes, Men wrote both the epics. Maharshi Vālmiki wrote Rāmāyana and Veda Vyās wrote Māhabhārata.

The social media perspective

“With power comes responsibility and with more power comes more responsibility” – Spiderman

So is it only for the superheroes or even for us when it comes to social media messages. We are forward or post, crimes, hate speeches, war issues, natural calamities, endless debates, jokes, politics, and videos on social media

I wonder what would Galileo or Einstein say today, ‘Social media messages travel even faster than light’. Yes, it is more true today. One may like it or hate it one cannot ignore it. We got the power in our hands to use social media for the benefit, for the cause or disruption. Mobile phones and social media are our friends than ever before.

It would have served more if people would have focused more on reading good books and improving their life rather than falling in their trap of atrocities.

What can be done?

• Be mindful and diligent of what you want to read and forward/ post on social media.
• Check the facts. For example, when a message says, a company ‘PQR’ is employing people, call on so and so number or send your resume to …@.., first call that number to check if the message is a fact or a hoax.
• Be aware that the message originators have their vested interest. Do not fall prey to it.
•   Analyze the emotion you are in before you forward. For example is your emotion to share information, for time pass, to show your presence on social media, to satisfy your ego, or just because you have got a forwarded message/ post, you feel the urge to forward the same. If it is any of the above just stay away from forwarding it.
• Understand is it your obsession or addiction. If you are one of those who forward/ post due to above-mentioned emotions then leave such groups that encourage useless forwards/ posts.
• Be your own best friend. Save your energy for your friends and family.
• Though one cannot see this, imagine the not so value-added virtual population you create for which you do not have the right data.
• Remember the boomerang effect. You get back what you give. So if you forward/ post unnecessary things you are going to get the same. So stop blaming social media.
• Reflect, reflect, and reflect your active presence on social media.
• Be a responsible citizen.

Happy posting

Sonali Wagle