Today, on my way to work I saw a miniature temple (I dont know how else to describe those small concave carvings on the wall) right opposite to one of the citys top colleges. Believe it or not, the space had an actual stone for an idol (no, not an idol carved out of a stone, but rather a regular stone standing in place of an idol). I reckon most of you already know a few places in and outside the country where regular stones are being idolised, but its a little unusual for me to spot one. Now, its my view that all things, big or small, are worthy of reverence (not in any mystical or metaphysical sense, but in the sense that everything is a manifestation of the whole complex, yet unified movement of nature, which for me is the ultimate mystery, beauty and source) and without this sense of reverence and sensitivity, I may well become crude, coarse and apathetic in my outlook of life and my relationship with it. But to worship a seemingly inanimate object by offering flowers, milk, coconuts and God-knows-what-else, and to turn a blind eye to all the misery being constantly inflicted by humans on all life requires some level of conceit and wilful ignorance. People talk of preserving cows on the street and then savour mutton chops on the weekend; and then pat themselves over their piety. Light up a few incense sticks during times of stress and then clear out sins over a counter. What a funny way to live. Maybe this is why the conventional view of religion and its adherents is something I could never understand or synthesise on any thoughtful levels. In any, even moderately sane society, youd have people offering food to others in need of it, rather than to stones. Its days like this I wish I could just pull the plug on my Matrix server and run off into the woods. I am sure to find more meaning there than here.
Posted on: Tue, 19 Aug 2014 08:46:42 +0000
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