This 'independence day' (India officially became a republic today in 1947) morning the wife and I got talking about some interesting stuff over caffiene. That of what to do with our lives. This led us astray (perhaps) into reviewing what the ancients knew on this subject.
Turns out Manu (some dude like Noah except am not sure when he was around) had some thoughts on this matter. This was of course before the Higgs was discovered. He wisely recommended a man divide his life in 4 increments of 25 years (give or take) each and perform tasks or duties relevant to that period.
First was the learning phase or Brahmacharya - 0 to 25 - be a student and amass knowledge and understand how the world works phase.
Second was the Gruhasthashram - 25 to 50 - procreate (that some took to heart), develop and support a household - be there - and then ensuring the long term well being of your brood start packing for the
Third stage - Vanaprastha - or hermit or retirement - wander the forest to seek the meaning of what the heck you just did for the past 50 - this one is quite funny yet poignant - Manu realized that most people would be losers and would feel good if they at least got a quiet time to reflect on their 50 years of mistakes. e.g. I should have stopped after that first child; did I have one too many of those potent syrups? oh well ..
Today of course the third stage is considered a lucrative market by Wall Street as they claim to protect your loved ones from your sudden departures or the lack of the social safety net (Social Insecurity or 'minus' 401k -- in debt --type issues) not working out for your loved ones (ideally there should only be a loved one but some make mistakes during the second stage as previously highlighted).
Fourthly and finally if by a stroke of good genetic disposition and not having cultivated too many enemies you cross the 75 year mark comes the
Fourth lap - or wandering asectic - giving up everything material and checking out completely - no points no rewards - thats it folks.
I tell you if people only wake up and read what is already published and forget about facebook et al we will all become happier.
Here is another essay on the subject of first names. As in birth names. Or names provided to an offspring at birth. While the developed world tends to shy away from the exotic like Refrigerator or Coca Cola for their new production there is a plethora of Jims and Johns and Bobs or Robs. Speaking of which I do not think there is a categoric decision point at the time of birth if a child will be hereafter called as Bob. I mean have not yet met a toddler called Bob or Rob for that matter. At some point though the parental instinct to mouth out multiple syllables runs out and they switch from calling the crawler Robert to simply Robbie to Rob. Now speaking of - it is strange that the name sounds like something you would not want Rob to do - i.e. Rob anyone. Then why call someone that? After all Rob Peter to Pay Paul is not exactly a maxim to live a young life? Is it? Perhaps Peter or Paul might want to have a say in it? Then there is this matter of going to the John. Why degrad...
I am now at the beginning of the Wan..prastha.
ReplyDeleteIn 'wan't of some northern exposure I say
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