A recent article in the New Straits Times (April 6, 2011) makes interesting reading. It was written in plain English and lived up to the title ‘How to live a simple and peaceful life’. It pains me to see how people in middle class and upper income bracket travel miles and spend enormous effort, time and money seeking the ‘truth’ and yearning to live in peace through soothsayers and instructional leaders. As the teachers part with their wisdom, the followers must find solace and the solution to what they were yearning for. Do all attain what they set out for?
The belief system and value added interactions have benefited numerous followers, many who have imbibed that learnt during the interactions with sages and coaches, while many more continue to seek the ‘SOURCE’.
It is undeniable that among us there are many who need a ‘guru’ or a teacher. Socrates was a great teacher who instilled in his followers to enquire and question the facts of the ‘matter’. Socratic thinking is now advocated as a powerful means of nourishing the inquiring mind. Gautama Buddha left the comforts of palace life to enter years of learning about life far from that of the material world. He achieved Nirwana, the ultimate of but few!
In order to closely follow these great teachers is an arduous task in the present day. Getting detached from family and work is near impossible. The tasks ahead and the duties of the husband, son and daughter are enormous. Perhaps one could allocate a few hours for self improvement and instructional classes. Under these circumstances, the article above rang a bell. Hey, here is a compromise!
Try to make life as simple as possible! Imagine that one cannot complete all the tasks within a specified time without getting stressed. The boss won’t know about that, he just wants them done! So the advice is prioritizing and performing those that are relevant. Have a discussion with people at work or family members, depending on the list of tasks; if all the assigned jobs have to be done? Could the list of tasks be short listed? One will be surprised how little is missed when one drops 2 out of the original 6 tasks!
The day should be begin ‘yesterday’. Otherwise planning is not possible. When the day’s work is done, pondering over what needs to be done the next day allows for space and valuable time for you to reflect and review. Reviewing the list of tasks would permit cutting down redundancy.
Currently public hospitals in Malaysia have a surplus of house-doctors. If one was to audit what they do, one would be able to appreciate the amount of redundant documentation with little benefit to the care of the patient. In other institutes where there is a lack of delegation of work, the ‘mandor’ concept prevails. I continue to see this in commercial banks where there is a delay as some processes require a supervisor to go through the request. If we do less by reviewing the processes, more quality time is created.
Tasks and the job we are at need to be ‘savoured’ and enjoyed. If one gets up in the morning, moaning that he has to go to work, the going will be tough and trying. A positive attitude and being proud of the job are assets for good living. After graduating from medical school, nothing is enjoyable than to show one’s prowess at healing the sick. That is the job of a doctor or a nurse. That is what medical graduates worked for. So by accepting this unique responsibility and performing the tasks required of you, less stress is experienced. One would find joy in the encounters and the ‘lark’ within you will leap in excitement and good health.
Learning and re-learning the processes of the day contributes to making life simple and enjoyable. Being happy at what one is doing is likened to the endorphins released in the body by the obsessive road runner-it can be invigorating and addictive! Love yourself by loving what you do.
The ‘SOURCE’ one looks for can be in the very place where you are, whether it be at work or at home. Re-look at what is already there, at yourself and what you do!
SLingam
7th April, 2011
Thursday 7 April 2011
Friday 1 April 2011
The Human Mind- Evolution and Exploration
Charles Darwin inspired scientists to accept his theory of evolution. He was convincing in explaining the current concepts that has contributed to the evolution of the human brain and mind. Adaptive to the environment, the human mind has certainly achieved a degree of complexity that it remains a ‘mystery’, a mystery that is in need of exploration and understanding.
Human psychology was popular in the European states as scientists and philosophers attempted to understand the workings of the mind through study of behaviour. As far back as 1879, a German, Wilhelm Wundt opened the first exploratory psychology school in Leipzig.
Learning about the mind from scientific principles can be difficult. Language, memory, the conscious and subconscious states are presumed to develop through forces unknown. Why do some acquire skills to speak in various languages so quickly while others don’t? How do children learn the mother tongue as their brain develops in a way different from adults learning a second language? Why does the memory of the child become more complex as they grow ? These are questions that need exploration of psychology of the mind.
The human is a social being and has enormous capabilities in thought processes and planning. The human mind can be both devious and forgiving, emotive and melancholic. We use different terms-the criminal mind, the kind person and psychotically depressed person!
We know, through Charles Darwin’s evolution theory that random inheritable changes have contributed to survival of humans who can adapt as the environment changes. Such an evolutionary process is necessary for existence and generation of the next set of humans. The term ‘natural selection’ becomes relevant and appropriate.
The theory of adaptation for survival is now well demonstrated in the pregnant uterus. Barker, an epidemiologist in the UK observed that survivors of the great wars (First World War)in Europe beget children who were destined to develop chronic diseases when they became adults. Barker’s theory is now accepted and now labelled ‘ fetal origin of adult diseases’. Mothers who were afflicted with conditions that affected nutrition and oxygen supply to the fetus were seen to deliver ‘growth restricted fetuses’. Such affected babies were light (smaller) for their age and gestation. Long term follow up revealed that they were more prone to diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease.
What we see here is an adaptive process where the fetus has to make changes in its metabolic and bodily functions to survive in an unfavourable environment-the poorly nourished uterus. Such changes come with a permanent change in their organ function. How does this tie up with the development of the mind and behaviour. Although differences between such babies and those born to normal mothers do not show a great difference in cognitive functions in the short term, more needs to be done to see the effects on the mind in later life.
Memory is a rather complex subject to study but theorist have been explaining the way memory develops. We are clear that memory is not static. The dynamic status is seen in all of us as we grow older. Memory declines after 30 years and that is worrying. Alzeimer’s disease and organic brain disease are debilitating and affect adversely quality of life. Are we wary of why these develop? What is the capacity of our memory. How do we ‘hide’ our loss of memory when we grow older. Do we repeat ourselves –have we been told that they have heard about that which you thought you were conveying for the first time?
There are ways to sustain a good quality of life through mind training and adapting to memory loss as we age. The mind has a huge capacity and we continue to learn about the mysteries surrounding it. We need to exploit this capacity through various strategies whether it be meditation, completing cross-word puzzles or doing one SUDUKU a day!
For a free assessment of memory go to:
http:/www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/surveys/memory/
SLingam
2nd April 2011
Human psychology was popular in the European states as scientists and philosophers attempted to understand the workings of the mind through study of behaviour. As far back as 1879, a German, Wilhelm Wundt opened the first exploratory psychology school in Leipzig.
Learning about the mind from scientific principles can be difficult. Language, memory, the conscious and subconscious states are presumed to develop through forces unknown. Why do some acquire skills to speak in various languages so quickly while others don’t? How do children learn the mother tongue as their brain develops in a way different from adults learning a second language? Why does the memory of the child become more complex as they grow ? These are questions that need exploration of psychology of the mind.
The human is a social being and has enormous capabilities in thought processes and planning. The human mind can be both devious and forgiving, emotive and melancholic. We use different terms-the criminal mind, the kind person and psychotically depressed person!
We know, through Charles Darwin’s evolution theory that random inheritable changes have contributed to survival of humans who can adapt as the environment changes. Such an evolutionary process is necessary for existence and generation of the next set of humans. The term ‘natural selection’ becomes relevant and appropriate.
The theory of adaptation for survival is now well demonstrated in the pregnant uterus. Barker, an epidemiologist in the UK observed that survivors of the great wars (First World War)in Europe beget children who were destined to develop chronic diseases when they became adults. Barker’s theory is now accepted and now labelled ‘ fetal origin of adult diseases’. Mothers who were afflicted with conditions that affected nutrition and oxygen supply to the fetus were seen to deliver ‘growth restricted fetuses’. Such affected babies were light (smaller) for their age and gestation. Long term follow up revealed that they were more prone to diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease.
What we see here is an adaptive process where the fetus has to make changes in its metabolic and bodily functions to survive in an unfavourable environment-the poorly nourished uterus. Such changes come with a permanent change in their organ function. How does this tie up with the development of the mind and behaviour. Although differences between such babies and those born to normal mothers do not show a great difference in cognitive functions in the short term, more needs to be done to see the effects on the mind in later life.
Memory is a rather complex subject to study but theorist have been explaining the way memory develops. We are clear that memory is not static. The dynamic status is seen in all of us as we grow older. Memory declines after 30 years and that is worrying. Alzeimer’s disease and organic brain disease are debilitating and affect adversely quality of life. Are we wary of why these develop? What is the capacity of our memory. How do we ‘hide’ our loss of memory when we grow older. Do we repeat ourselves –have we been told that they have heard about that which you thought you were conveying for the first time?
There are ways to sustain a good quality of life through mind training and adapting to memory loss as we age. The mind has a huge capacity and we continue to learn about the mysteries surrounding it. We need to exploit this capacity through various strategies whether it be meditation, completing cross-word puzzles or doing one SUDUKU a day!
For a free assessment of memory go to:
http:/www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/surveys/memory/
SLingam
2nd April 2011
Rule of Law
Hi,
President Clinton was one of the most astute and smartests of the Presidents USA has had. Unfortunately the term of office being limited to two terms did not permit him to continue in office beyond eight years. As a developed country this ruling has limited Heads of States overstaying and becoming despots and dictators.
While the economic divide between developed and developing countries has prevailed, the practice of democracy has suffered in the former with both loss of live and limb. The political turmoil in the African and Arab countries have had their origins in the inability to communicate and tolerate one and another. Leaders of developing countries have found the confusion ideal to move their own agenda to the fore front.
Such was the situation in the 16-18th century. The colonization of Africa, Asia and Americas allowed the plunderers to rule by default. Changes were inevitable and new languages were infused into these countires. Devlopment was seen and many benefited from the opening of mines, plantations and tourism. Education and health care were formalised .But inspite of the benefits of colonization and improvements in health and education, progress has been hampered by geo-political and religious factors after many of these countries became independent states. The Ivory Coast is going through yet another impending civil war, not long after, what one thought was a settlement of the political agenda (after Liberia and Sierra Leone had recovered from internal conflicts and border wars).
One wonders why is the world not coming to terms to live harmoniously. Presidents like Bill Clinton was described as a 'clever', but did it not matter if the President was clever when the influence and involvement of such developed countries like USA, UK, and France did not have a far reaching effects on troubled countries of Asia and Africa.
The Chinese have been agressive in penetrating the developing countries though economic aids and transfer of technology. However, their impact in bringing socialogical change benefitting the people of the under-developed countries has yet to be realised.
Untold damage by natural disasters and man made errors is contributing to the loss of live and stock. Reconstruction of cities after calamities, wars and averting climate change have been relegated to second place while conflicts sustain the arms race, world-wide. The United Nations has been largely ineffective in mainting peace worldwide accept in providing a forum for ventilation and inept communication among participitating nations.
Crime and human errors have compounded the problems of the world while corruption and inflation have become catchwords. While the gurus capture the interests of a few fortunate humans and the mantras of economists has permitted the wealthy to become obscenely rich, the troubles of the world have come to stay.
Democracy, feudalism and despotism, call what you may, have all failed in creating a safe environment for the next generation. The top down leadership approach to rule the world is no longer relevant. We cannot trust the charismatic leader to rule, in fact he is no longer relevant in this technology driven world.The citizens of the world have to rationalize in adopting a formula where religion, culture and social mores blend well so that a tolerable society evolves.
SLingam
1st April 2011
President Clinton was one of the most astute and smartests of the Presidents USA has had. Unfortunately the term of office being limited to two terms did not permit him to continue in office beyond eight years. As a developed country this ruling has limited Heads of States overstaying and becoming despots and dictators.
While the economic divide between developed and developing countries has prevailed, the practice of democracy has suffered in the former with both loss of live and limb. The political turmoil in the African and Arab countries have had their origins in the inability to communicate and tolerate one and another. Leaders of developing countries have found the confusion ideal to move their own agenda to the fore front.
Such was the situation in the 16-18th century. The colonization of Africa, Asia and Americas allowed the plunderers to rule by default. Changes were inevitable and new languages were infused into these countires. Devlopment was seen and many benefited from the opening of mines, plantations and tourism. Education and health care were formalised .But inspite of the benefits of colonization and improvements in health and education, progress has been hampered by geo-political and religious factors after many of these countries became independent states. The Ivory Coast is going through yet another impending civil war, not long after, what one thought was a settlement of the political agenda (after Liberia and Sierra Leone had recovered from internal conflicts and border wars).
One wonders why is the world not coming to terms to live harmoniously. Presidents like Bill Clinton was described as a 'clever', but did it not matter if the President was clever when the influence and involvement of such developed countries like USA, UK, and France did not have a far reaching effects on troubled countries of Asia and Africa.
The Chinese have been agressive in penetrating the developing countries though economic aids and transfer of technology. However, their impact in bringing socialogical change benefitting the people of the under-developed countries has yet to be realised.
Untold damage by natural disasters and man made errors is contributing to the loss of live and stock. Reconstruction of cities after calamities, wars and averting climate change have been relegated to second place while conflicts sustain the arms race, world-wide. The United Nations has been largely ineffective in mainting peace worldwide accept in providing a forum for ventilation and inept communication among participitating nations.
Crime and human errors have compounded the problems of the world while corruption and inflation have become catchwords. While the gurus capture the interests of a few fortunate humans and the mantras of economists has permitted the wealthy to become obscenely rich, the troubles of the world have come to stay.
Democracy, feudalism and despotism, call what you may, have all failed in creating a safe environment for the next generation. The top down leadership approach to rule the world is no longer relevant. We cannot trust the charismatic leader to rule, in fact he is no longer relevant in this technology driven world.The citizens of the world have to rationalize in adopting a formula where religion, culture and social mores blend well so that a tolerable society evolves.
SLingam
1st April 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)