Buddha: The Light of the world

 Siddhartha left his place ,family, palace to stop the war between the two clans. One being the shakyas his own clan and the other was Licchavi clan. 

He showed what a man of courage, conviction, and right spirit can and should do.  He accepted the fate of leaving everything behind in order to stand by his opinion.He chose non violence, and brotherhood over war. Such was his strength of character that being a prince and having every possible luxury in his time at his feet he chose to create his own path. 

He was deeply hurt and left with an unsolved question of why should people fight over things which could have been solved amicably.  He searched for answers to human misery, he went on to become the greatest one the Buddha.

Buddha is an inspiration because he was a man who walked with his fellow men in this Earth never proclaiming to be God or God send being.

I would like to draw comparison between Socrates and Buddha. Socrates too was subject to tyranny and had to face death. He choose death in face of tyranny but never compromised his stand and principles. So was Buddha a prince who chose to leave everything behind to become an ascetic.

History is full of examples, it remembers men and women  who have imparted teachings to the society through their lives. Buddha still is relevant and will always be because he is and was the first physician of mind and psychology. Buddha's teachings are one of its kind considering their relevance in this world. He is the greatest mind the earth has witnessed till date.

© Akshay Mohan 

The new iPad

                 Guys I am really amazed this being  my first experience with an apple Apple iPad. The device is really smooth and real handy I must say that induces one to be more tech savvy and definitely it will make life easy.My iPad is 256GB 11 inches Wi-Fi plus cellular version which I have purchased for ₹94500.The 11 inch version is really good to feel in hand easily adjustable and what not. I am truly liking it and the experience is awesome. I think this is one of my best purchases. I have tried my hand at speaker notes in fact I am writing this article by dictating it to the iPad and I must say  it is really really really super cool to find iPad typing exact words which I am saying to it without any time delay. Currently I am in Nagpur and I had purchased this product from inspire Nagpur store . It’s my it has been only an hour that I have started using and experiencing this iPad and I just Can’t get enough of it.

 I just Can’t get enough of it.I think, it’s going to be I think it’s going to be a lovely start to a lifelong journey of associating myself with this really good product. It’s going to help me with my office work with my studies with my journal reading et cetera. And much more about which currently I am not in a position to imagine but will definitely update in this article as I will discover it in the days to come. 

So although I am not in position to write anything more but to conclude the product is extremely rich and polished the logo is definitely too much attractive the camera quality is extremely good the screen is very very very soothing on the ice and colour dark grey is really adding to the finish and richness of the product. 

_by Akshay

         

The ten commandments to crack UPSC Interview

 UPSC Interview is a livid process, it depends on the temperament of the interviewer but having said that one has to add that there is still a lot of space for the candidates to manoeuvre  and display their bright side.

Here are my ten noncompromising traits for facing and acing the interview:

1. Be yourself, you are unique: underestimating or overestimating yourself is strictly a no-no in UPSC, being comfortable in your skin is important for getting into your natural 'flow-state. Dhoni hits hard and looks good when he does so while technically sound Dravid uses it to display his solid defense and gradually build his innings. Each approach has its beauty, UPSC does not have any fixed personality benchmarks. So be Yourself.

 

2. Honesty is the best policy: The panelists are people who have spent their lifetime in administration, policy-making, and whatnot. Therefore, these people have huge experience in man-management and know a person the moment one walks in the room. This is very natural for someone double your age to understand for the very reason that they too at some point have been there and done that but more importantly their experiences will be too much most of the time more than the age of the aspirant. Therefore it is very important to be very honest and answer only what is known and what you are sure about. Bluffing is not an option here and nobody likes a civil servant who will bluff or lie to his boss! A better way would always be to politely tell that you are unaware of the answer.

3. The First impression is the last: Your entry till the time you answer your first question is crucial in the sense that you should not commit any blunders or appear uncomfortable in any manner. For eg saying good morning in the afternoon session etc., though you can be excused later based on your performance in the latter part of the interview why leave anything to chance. Just give as many mock interviews as possible and you will sail through the first impression part. Nothing extraordinary is expected but one has to avoid simple mistakes that happen unknowingly.

4. A picture is worth a thousand words: Always give examples in your answers: Using examples makes life easy for one and all. The panel too consists of human beings who too are prone to get bored, so make life easy and be ready with examples for your answers. For this in your daily newspaper reading, try to relate things and explain them to yourself and your friends to scale up your articulation.

5. Be passionate: You are a youngster and the energy in a  youngster should reflect accordingly to the tune of being infectious. I am not a proponent of being cocky or overconfident but whenever you have the answer which is close to your heart, do open up your heart to show your passion for the topic of discussion. This will definitely come in the picture when answering questions on a hobby or your region etc.

6. I think therefore I am: Have Opinion: Nobody likes a please-all attitude person because such people end nowhere at the end of the day. The opinion is the crux of free speech and  you should exercise it. This can literally make or break your interview. Because as a civil servant you would be required to present your view and guide political leadership. A civil servant is not working for his boss but is directly working for the society so be ready to go against the tide. If you give answers which are not showing your independent bent of mind maybe you will not seem that appealing. However, it is always important to back up your answers with facts.

7. Hobbies define a man: A hobby is your way of enjoying your own company. So be really genuine. However, on the contrary, it won't make you any less competent if you say you don't have any hobbies but we all have some likes, just be natural and truthful. You are not at any loss if you don't proclaim any hobby.

8. Look before you leap: Never be eager to blurt out your answers unless you have heard the question and given it a thought. Often, it happens that aspirant answers without completing the question and lands themselves in another related question. In crux what you answer is important but how you answer is more important. It is a simple rule, we have two ears to listen and one mouth to speak so speak in that proportion. Be measured and direct. If not in position to answer just say it plainly.

9. Practice make a man perfect: Practice as many mock interviews as you can. You can give as many mocks as you can and afford but the single most important thing you have to take from this is feedback from the panel. The feedback helps you to understand your negatives as well as positives. Do as many mistakes as possible because in this way you explore all the things that can go wrong and simultaneously you are upgrading yourself to understand what is working for you and what is not. Remember if you want to ace anything you have to practice it to the point of excellence. Be ready and do all antics you have in your mind in your mocks because the margin for error will be near zero so gather the feedback and try to improve upon it in each mock interview. Mind well you are increasing your good luck quotient by facing the mock interviews.

10. Rome was not built in a day: Remember we all start from scratch. The expert today was a novice yesterday. Mains was your knowledge exam, interview is your wisdom test. It has to be built up bit by bit, and good things do take time. Your time will come when you are ready. Just give your best and forget the rest! 

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11. Take a deep breath and be in moment: Not easy, i know it very well! But wait i am not going to tell you to start meditation when you have not done it till this moment! People are anxious, jittery and not sure what they are going to face. But relax, take a deep breath, if i am asked how? i will say go to a spa have a relaxing massage. Take atleast 2 massages before you appear for interview. It will help you to unwind your body and affects the mind in a very positive way. Some may think it is activity of indulgence which is an opinion i too carried for long, but it is hardly true, a good massage will make you relaxed in body and mind. We after developing habit of sitting for long hours develop postures and sore pains which we are not even ready to recognise because they become a part of our self. It is my request to all who are appearing for interview to have a good relaxing massage. If you feel great you would look great ©

-Akshay 

Ashok Vijay Dashmi

 Emperor Ashok was one of his kind, with an empire parallel to no other Indian king in indian history. Ashok Vijay Dashmi is celebrated to commemorate the date of Emperor Ashok's act of submitting to Buddha and his Dhamma.

Emperor Ashok was a great warrior and had attained all the qualities of a great King. He waged war against kingdom of Kalinga(Orissa), whic he won but was moved by the bloodshed and loss of life in the war. He was shaken to the core. In this situation it was only in Buddhist way if life he could see his peace.

Emperor Ashok was indeed a great soul. He erected stupas and stone inscriptions all round the country conveying Buddha's message of peace and love. One such inscription was deciphered by James Princep , this discovery led to the fact that Ashok was addressed to as 'Devanam Piyadassi' I e., One who is  loved by Gods'.

Emperor Ashok has done a great favour on India and its people by establishing a country with ethically motivated individuals.He helped establish Buddhism in neighbouring countries and had even motivated his own children to be Buddhist monks and sent them out of India for spreading message of Buddhism.

We as a nation pay our homage to Samrat  Ashok for his tremendous sevice to the cause of Buddhism India and World.

Akshay ©

What is the core of happiness ,the Road to long lasting well being

 Being spiritual is really fun, best part is you can be atheist and still be  spirit of a higher order. My definition of spiritual individual is very simple, they are sorted out individuals. People like Osho, Allan Watts etc are somewhat really good at conveying there spiritual knowledge  in simple way. Watts comparison of money with latitude and longitude, time etc conveying that it is a  concept evolved out of the need to overcome difficulty of barter system. It is an offshoot of the invention of language by humans to describe the world around. He without wasting any time adds the invention of language is highly inadequate to comprehend a much more complex world. 

So is money just a measure of wealth and not wealth itself. Riches and wealth for him are completely different than money. He describes riches as refinement attained by skilling oneself, intelligence, arts etc also the land, forest, gardens . Basically any act of Creation is an act of wealth making.

 The basic acts of human life like clothing, food preparation, love making, conversations, mediation, fitness etc., are so neglected that it has been relegated to a secondary place. No training is available to anybody to refine on this aspects of living a rich life. Instead what happens is that we as a society are so mad in pursuance of money that we sacrifice the youth and health for it to enjoy the same post retirement. This whole aspect of post retirement life and working life is really denying a whole generation their very right to life. A whole generation is seen running after money, stressed out and with a deteriorated health. 

Why is it that the best moment of creation, winning at something, facing a difficult situation at work place or family and overcoming it gives the kick as in the kick derived out of smoking a cigarette. One needs his/her share of kicks to keep going in life or else I don't see any reason to be alive. Be it sports, performing arts, listening to a scholar, reading a book, watching an excellent movie etc everything will touch you in a way money just cannot. The feelings generated, the state of excitement, the state of flow can't be imitated by any amount of money.

Although the illegal drugs and alcohol are used rampantly just to escape the drudgery of life by the same people who are running after money, terming the same as enjoyment. The pressure of money pursuation blinds such individuals to see and enjoy the beauty on the journey called life. Instead such individuals are so bogged down by there goals wrapped around money making that they forget to live. Such persons are never present in the moment, always in hurry of going somewhere. This permanant state of mind causes a chasm between the mind and the body leading to tiredness and a depressed state of mind. Out of my personal experience  I have learnt, tiredness occurs first in mind and the body just reacts to your state of mind. A state of disarray then produces same effect on the body.  Long term and short term effects such as weight gain and stomach upset, headaches etc. A

 Famous quote regarding life says life  is what happens to you when you are busy making other plans. Therefore it is very necessary to be in present in the moment and understand the reality.

In conclusion I must say the simple joys of life, pursuit of excellence and skills etc., are the core elements of a life well lived.

-Akshay

The Mindless monologue

 As a school going kid I remember how six to eight kids  travelling to school in autorickshaw spoke sparingly because everyone's mind would be occupied or rather tangled by some unknown anxiety and fear regarding mundane chores in school but which felt larger than life then. If one forgets to wear a tie or belt, or doesn't do homework etc., then the whole task used to be save oneself from getting caught. Even till today mind is still caught up in Saving oneself from getting caught on wrong side of the rule. Going to office in morning, mind is still occupied by one thing or the other with very less space to think independently and creatively. Nothing has changed in a way from school to office, mind is conditioned to be prison of its own imagination. This imagination schooled by fear, anxiety and nervousness. I feel it's like that of the elephant in circus who is tied by a thin chain to a hook in ground and the elephant feel it cannot move away from the hook because elephant doesn't even realise it's strength. Is it fault of elephant to not realise it's strength or is it fault of  circumstances that the elephant never realises hook has been tied to its mind by conditioning. I can feel sorry for the Elephant but fail to see the chains my mind has been conditioned to.

 Mind cannot stand void. "I think, therefore I am",by  René Descartes doesn't seem empowering to me. Instead it becomes clearer to me that the thinking voice is not me, but it is occupying me. Infact I am not thinking, my mind cannot stop the thinking voice, I don't have any control over the voice. The thinking voice keeps chatter going on all the time, just that I am able not to show it. The day I show it outside by speaking out loudly with the voice I will be pronounced as lunatic. Although it's not me alone , we all as a society are lunatic just that it is not showing up. I realise I can't even think, I just fill the void by the voice talking in my head. 

The Caste Conundrum

 

She was raped, broken, cut, and strangled,

It meant a lesson for her and her likes,

To stay within the limits, their caste had defined.

 

Sweep the streets, Clean the drains,

Meant to be labourers, bounded by the system,

Oppressed and dehumanized in their existence.

 

To be depended, to be servile,

To please the master as he desires,

Precisely the web of caste system defined

 

Centuries passed,

Being duped, thugged, and robbed,

Brainwashed to not fight the system ordained servitude in disguise.

 

No rights, no voice, no capital, no might,

No entry in the village, no entry on roads,

Their sight a pollution, their shadow called for bathing.

 

No lands, no education,

The very body is their means of subsistence.

They toil hard to earn two square of existence

 

 

The system still defines the roles,

They toil, they migrate, they labour,

Never to realise the System ordained desperation.  

 

The privileged understands,

The disadvantaged are to be kept in disguise,

To make them in-fight, never to unite.

 

They get murdered, raped, mutilated,

Their properties burned and looted,

When tried to showcase their pride in a moustache, bullet or a horse ride.

 

The System serves well and is self-sustaining,

The underprivileged are also graded and Sanskritised,

Instilled with the caste pride, is tutored to see his own kind as a lowly tribe.

 

Blinded by religion, caste, and tribe,

The Bahujan fight among themselves,

From his living room, the privileged smiles at the buffoonery in sight.

 

 

The streets are being swept, the drains are being cleaned,

The dead  carcass is pulled, the night soil is getting disposed,

Convenience for the privileged is garbed as Virtuosity for the exploited.

 

The system  of caste runs unbound and the privileged gets rewarded     ©   

Akshay Mohan