Real Social Service

If the miseries of a fellow being brings tears into your eyes, go ahead and help that person. But remember, a better way is to do something to change the situation that has brought that misery. After all, you just cannot help each and everyone, however much you may wish to.

Do your duty

If you wish to bring some positive changes in the society, don’t be deterred if results don’t meet your expectations. Often they don’t. The results are not always under your control. But it is better to attempt than remain an idle spectator.

“The field of one’s operation is restricted to only performing one’s duties and never in deciding the results. One should never consider oneself to be the decider of the results nor should one indulge in inaction. (Geetha 2.4)”

Scientific attitude

Scientific attitude is an approach that emphasises on

- Precision
- Verifiability
- Objectivity
- Openness
- Freedom from bias

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Faith versus scientific attitude (3)

Faith stems from the emotional aspect of human beings, whereas scientific attitude is driven by intellect.

Emotions are essential for survival, whereas intellect is needed for continued existence and evolution.

It is not sufficient to merely exist. One needs to evolve further. That makes both faith and scientific attitude part of life.

Faith versus scientific attitude (2)

 Faith is beautiful. But ...

There is no guarantee that faith always takes us forward.

In contrast, scientific attitude provides some guarantee about moving forward. It is like oaring the boat in a known direction rather than just drifting along with the tides.

Scientific attitude is a systematic approach to life.

When it matters, scientific attitude is preferable to faith.

Next

Faith versus scientific attitude

Faith is an inalienable part of life.

Faith asks no questions. It just accepts things. Intellect has no place in faith.

There is really nothing like blind faith. All faiths are blind if you choose to categorize them that way.

Acceptability of any faith depends on its long term consequences and not on its validity.

Any faith is acceptable as long as it does not have adverse repercussions.

One needs to be flexible to alter one's faith when it is found to be harmful.

Next

Speaking the truth

Speaking the truth

One should speak the truth.
One should speak in a way that does not hurt anyone.
One should avoid telling harsh truths.
So also untruth even if it pleases someone.

This IS the eternal code of conduct.

-- Ancient lawmaker Manu.

We belong to one big family

We belong to one big family

'These people belong to me. And those people do not' - This is how narrow minded persons think.
But a great man always considers the entire world as one single family with no outsider.

-- ancient Indian saying

Knowledge belongs to everyone

"Preach that to every one from the roof top, which I whispered into your ears, and the ones I told you in the darkness, announce it to everyone in broad daylight.No, there is no secret to be hidden from anybody"

-- Jesus Christ

The "Ða", "Ða", "Ða" story *

Once the Gods, Demons and humans went to the Brahma (the ancient Indian concept of supreme power), seeking advice.

To Gods, the Brahma said - "Ða".
The Gods took it as "Ðama", meaning - "control your excessive sensual desires",since Gods were by nature extremely sensual.

To Demons, the Brahma said - "Ða".
The Demons took it as "Ðaya", meaning - "be merciful towards those who are weaker than you", since Demons were cruel by nature.

To humans, the Brahma said - "Ða".
The Humans took it as "Ðäna" - meaning "be generous towards those who are in need", since Humans were greedy by nature.

Those were the good old days. Today, we seem to have a little bit of Gods and Demons in us in addition to being humans. So we need to do "Ða, Ða, Ða" 

* Story from ancient Upanishads
-----------------------
Note: "Ða" is pronounced as "thu" in the word "thus".

Who is a real teacher?

Who is a real teacher? Someone who teaches you things or the one who enables you to learn on your own ?

As an old Chinese adage goes "one who teaches you how to catch fish is greater than the one who feeds you with fish"

So also a teacher. He needs to enhance the comprehending capabilities of the student rather than feed him with ready made knowledge.

Do we need to be more analytical?

Many a times we let our decisions guided by others.

* We buy a product based on some TV or news paper advertisement.
* We buy a book based on the number of reviews the book has got.
* We accept someone as a Guru based on the crowd he pulls.

How often do we sit back and think whether all these people could be
manipulating our decisions for their own benefits?

* An ad could be a false propaganda or presentation of partial information.
* The reviews could be 'self sponsored'.
* A crowd pulling Guru could be a smart marketer.

We need to look at the facts rather than opinions. We need to be guided by reasoning rather than emotions.