Sunday, May 10, 2020

WE ARE HUMANS


LET’S FORGET NOT, THAT...

          Humans believe that they are the crown of existence; one of the finest products of evolution. Ever since the human civilization picked up momentum we see development in every aspect of human living. With the passage of time, advancement of intelligence and with the progress in literacy we see a natural human tendency of criticizing the past and glorifying the present. Apparently this phenomena prompts us to think that with the passage of time humans are moving from good to better. But are we?
     When we see gruesome atrocities committed on fellow humans: Rape and murder becoming almost ‘every day news items,’ when we have not only capital but a ‘Rape Capital’ as well in a country. We have not one but many “Nirbhaya’s.” When we have innocent children killed in the battle fields of Syria, Iraq, Sudan etc., for no fault of theirs. We wonder what is wrong?
The number of innocent people who lose their lives on account of communal divide are increasing. More and more people seem to be interested in dividing societies based on social and communal lines for political mileage. Surely, all these signs indicate we have gone haywire sometime, somewhere. All these incidents also make us wonder where has humanity gone?

        Scientific discoveries, technological advancements, advancement in medicine, mass media; all of these and more have made life much more easy and comfortable for us humans. But in the craze for modernity, comfort and seeking for easy life are we missing out on something very essential? Are religious differences and ideological disagreements making us forget some basics? ARE WE FORGETTING THE FACT THAT WE ARE HUMANS?

      The problem with us today is we have money but no happiness, we have good houses but no proper sleep, we have lots of friends on the social media but no one to be by our side when we fall ill. We are too busy to lend a helping hand even to the family members. We have knowledge/information but lack wisdom.

        Being human or human qualities (love, concern, kindness etc.,) ensues naturally to humans. However since many are lost in their ‘functions’ and ‘ideas’/ideologies they are gradually become insensitive towards human emotions and ultimately becoming “functions”/ “mechanical” and not humans. For instance a soldier is expected to be rude, heartless and insensitive; a Teacher- strict, disciplined, demanding etc., but don’t you feel delighted to see a kind policeman, a loving teacher or a gentle judge? We all feel happy to see the smile of an air hostess, however fake it might be. We feel delighted when a table boy at a restaurant takes our orders with a smiling face and polite gestures. Generally, we love to visit places where people respect and show love towards us. This is because human qualities attract us.

       The fact is we love human qualities, we desire to be treated as human beings. However, the danger is to forget the essentials. Let’s forget not, that we are humans and be a good one.

Sunday, April 3, 2016

THE TRUE INTELLECTUAL


            The world has many “educated” and “knowledgeable” people today. However, we do not find too many who are humble. We have too many people who are too sure of things. Switch on a television set to watch news debates in the Indian Channels and you find galore of these individuals there. There is a popular saying that attributes ‘humility’ as the mother of all virtues. But many do not seem to be aware or convinced of this fact of life.
Humility is also often the consequence/fruit of the acquisition of true knowledge. Observe the greatest of intellectuals/Philosophers/Scientists etc., one would be surprised to find them more humble than most common people. The humility of these great men does not spring from ignorance, timidity or lack of knowledge but from the abundance of knowledge. It is said, ‘The more you know, the more you realise that there is to know.’ It’s possible that the humility of these great men spring from the awareness of this Truth. Charles Darwin observed in ‘The Descent of Man,’ “Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge.” In fact, the most ‘ignorant’ pretends to be most sure of things. Of course, I do not intend to propagate scepticism here. But apparently the humility of greatest of intellectuals arise from the realization of one’s own “ignorance” leading to expression of opinions and ideas bordering on ‘Scepticism.’ It wouldn’t be correct to equate this state of apparent “Unsurity” of things to ‘scepticism’ but rather to ‘Intellectual humility’ arising from the foretaste of wisdom.
            The arrogance of the ignorant and the unwise arise from their own ignorance. Most of them are unaware even of the fact that they are ignorant. This is how ignorance begets confidence. On the other hand, as elaborated above, true knowledge/wisdom appears to portray exactly the opposite dynamism.
            The success of a genuine intellectual pursuit often lies in the attitude of humility with which one approaches wisdom and true understanding. It’s not enough to acquire information; what is even more important is the acquisition of wisdom. If one has mere information or knowledge one tends to be arrogant and proud. However, knowledge and information when coupled with wisdom gives rise to a TRUE INTELLECTUAL.
            The hallmark of a ‘True Intellectual’ lies in the attitude of openness, ability to listen patiently even to wrong opinions, the childlike quest for more wisdom and above all humility.
Strive to be a true Intellectual!


Nobin Narzary 

Sunday, July 20, 2014

GOAL AND DYNAMICS OF INTERPERSONAL-RELATIONSHIPS

[This article is based on Gabriel Marcel’s (1889-1973) theory of Intersubjectivity; a French Existentialist Philosopher.]
Interpersonal-Relationships may seem a futile issue not worth a serious philosophical consideration. However, the fact is we spend most part of our waking day in constant relationships. Even before considering Interpersonal-Relationships analysis of the human Person is pivotal; so that one gets a clear idea of who a human being really is.

The Human Person:
It is not an uncommon phenomenon that the dignity and respect that every human Person deserves by virtue of being human is often bracketed or compromised in more ways than one. There are certain groups of people who have a misguided/perverse perception that some people or races are superior to others; consequently, justified in taking advantage of them.  The predicament with such people is, they (knowingly/unknowingly) question the concept of the universality of the sacredness of the human Person; influenced by their own dwarfed philosophies of life. However, such views of ignorant few do not change the universality of the sacredness of the human Person; the fact is, each person is sacred and deserves respect. There are some who question the source of this sacredness. A simple analogy on the phenomenon of ‘life’ will perhaps help clarify this issue: ‘Life’ comes as a gift to an individual. Gift is something every person treasure, gifts are cared with utmost love. Life too, being one of the greatest gifts gifted to the person; is something very precious and of great value. This fact of great ‘value-laden-ness’ of life is true for each individual. Thus, each life is valuable.
Interpersonal Relationships:
Most people agree that it is extremely difficult to be alone. In fact, more than sickness and pain, loneliness is one of the most agonizing experiences in life. No doubt humans are social animals and are oriented towards meaningful relationships.
A true and genuine Interpersonal-Relationship refers to a relationship wherein the partners in relationship are able to recognize and relate to each other as ‘Persons.’ (A person is someone who has intrinsic eternal value or someone endowed with spiritual qualities and consequently, sacred; someone, who should be treated with respect, love and reverence.) Interpersonal relationship is the vocation of every human person; it is in it that the Person realizes one’s identity and self-worth.
One can establish oneself as ‘Person’ only through the ‘other’ in the experience of meaningful ‘Interpersonal Relationship.’ The bond which aids interpersonal relationship is the bond of love (agape). The experience of Interpersonal Relationship helps one to authentically understand oneself. It is a great struggle to remain at the level of authentic Interpersonal Relationship because often we are assailed by egoism and self-dependency. However, to be lost in egoism is to be lost in “oneself”/ a false self; to be lost due to the ignorance of one’s real needs.
The process of Interpersonal-Relationship entails certain basic elements like Presence, Availability, Participation and Reciprocity. Presence is essentially the ability to recognize the other as ‘Person.’  Presence demands availability; availability is a free offering of oneself for the acceptance by the other. It is a free act, it cannot be demanded. Participation happens when the ‘Persons’ make themselves available to each other. Participation is accomplished through an exercise of freedom which continually acknowledges one’s presence in the presence of the other. Ideally, a relationship of availability must include an element of reciprocity; Interpersonal Relationship is impossible without reciprocity.
Interpersonal relationships can be very concretely felt in the experiences of Fidelity, Faith, Love and Hope. Fidelity aspires towards unconditionality; fidelity is always directed to a ‘Person’ and it is always a response to a ‘Person;’ it is the response to an appeal which recognizes in the other Person something of lasting value. In pledging faithfulness to another Person we recognize the sacredness and value of the other; recognizing him/her as ‘Thou’ and not as an ‘it,’ as ‘Presence,’ and not as an ‘object.’ Fidelity is impossible without faith in the other, for faith is the highest expression of fidelity. Faith is an unceasing attention, an active recognition of something permanent/eternal in the other. Faith issues forth from the whole being of the Person and involves him/her in something which transcends him/her. To believe in something or someone is to place oneself at the disposal of that something or someone.
Analyzing the experience of love, one realizes that it is nothing but an affirmation of the value of the other. True love is full of unconditionality. To say ‘I love you’ is to affirm the other as someone of great value and this affirmation bridges the vast abyss that death places before us. Love cannot be separated from faith, in fact, it is faith. Connected to love is the element of hope. It is hope which gives meaningfulness to a Person’s existence. Hope is the final guarantor of fidelity which keeps one away from despair and gives one the strength to continue to be available to the other. Without hope there can be no meaningful life whatsoever. Hope is essential for life as breath is to the living organism.

While it is true that Interpersonal-Relationship is the vocation of every Person. One of the greatest challenges of today towards realizing our vocation to be good humans by means of meaningful relationships is the tendency of the technocratic society; the utilitarian  mentality that propagates functionalism or objectification of the humans. In such a milieu, humans are nothing but functionaries who are capable of certain output; and the self-worth measured in terms of those outputs. At this point it is worth a mention why there are certain people in the society who believe euthanasia is justifiable. The problem here is that such people calculate the Person’s worth in terms of ‘output-capability.’ However, the fact is, humans can’t be measured in terms of output. Human dignity and right go beyond calculations. Remember, we were not born by virtue of our own merit and we have no right whatsoever to decide our termination on the criterion of merit or output-capability.
The effects of scientific developments, and with it, the menace of utilitarianism, functionalism and objectification continues to haunt us. One of the vivid effects of this is seen in the numerous divorces and broken relationships. It is quite obvious that most often relationships break and divorces happen when partners are not able to interact with each other with respect and love, recognizing the ‘other’ as Person with dignity and as possessing eternal intrinsic value.
The objectification of the human Person distant though it may seem to some of us; is rampant in our societies today. We hear of numerous instances of child prostitution, rape, pornography, child labour, domestic violence and caste/class discrimination, violence and war in the name of community or religion. In all these cases what we see is that the human Person is totally objectified and commoditized. The culture of functionalism and objectification has crept into our societies and the social practices very powerfully. One such example is the indecent and suggestive language that is used by some mean men/youth when referring to women.  Obviously, what we see in the use of such language is, how objectification of the other (in the above mentioned example, women) has become seemingly “integral” to our living. What is even more worrisome today is the ‘objectified world’ becoming the status symbol. For instance, we are familiar with the ‘Item Girl’/‘Item Song’ phenomenon in the Bollywood. We are also familiar with the “most desirable man/woman” phenomenon. These are some of the practices that are considered normal or in some cases even glorified today.
Functionalism has also entered our personal dealings and our way of life. Often we find ourselves taken up by the position a person holds in public office. Our introduction of a person to others is never complete till we have publicized his/her position in the society; be it Director, Manager, the Principal or a C.E.O. Often our way of relating to the ‘other’ is shaped by the public office the ‘other’ holds. To be carried away by the positions and power one holds do make our dealings functional or utilitarian.
We also see shades of functionalism entering into marriage and family life. It is quite common that good-looking men/women or elite class like Doctors, Engineers or successful Businessmen are sought after to be one’s life partner. The looks or occupations, in other words, the function has taken precedence over the Person today. In a parent-child relationship, sometimes some parents shower gifts and rewards on their children only as long as the child performs well in school. Often parents forcefully send children for tuition classes so that they may “perform” well academically. Among youth, some of them feel ashamed to introduce their parents to their friends just because their parents do not hold high social status. Thus, we see how functionalism has affected our way of relating.
Functionalism poses a great threat to interpersonal relationships. Functionalism and objectification may bring about some wearied sense of pride but it actually self-alienates the person from oneself; from one’s true self. Human Persons are ontologically relational and this fact needs no proof look at the rapid growth of communication industries. If it were not true that relationship is one of the most important aspects of life for humans the mobile phone industries would have gone on a heavy loss years back. But the fact is the contrary, it goes on flourishing and it will continue to flourish in the future too.
            Interpersonal-Relationships will continue flourishing and adding meaning to our years as long as the sacredness of the Other is not blurred by selfishness and ignorance.
BEGIN TO RELATE GENUINELY NOW, AND ADD MEANING TO YOUR YEARS…
HAPPY RELATIONSHIP!!!





Tuesday, July 16, 2013

FAITH

TALK ON FAITH:
Do You Believe?
The Father’s Love Letter: (By Barry Adams)
The words you are about to experience are true. They will change your life if you let them. For they come from the very heart of God. He loves you and he is the father you have been looking for all your life this is his love letter to you:
My child you may not know me but I know everything about you. I know when you sit down and when you rise up. I am familiar with all your ways. (Ps. 139:1- 3). Even the very hair on head are numbered. (Mt. 10:30). You were made in my image. (Gen. 1:27). In me you live move and have your being. (Acts 17: 28). For you are my offspring. (Acts 17: 28). I knew you even before you were conceived. (Jeremiah 139:1) I chose you when I planned creation. (Eph 1:11-12). You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. (Ps 139:15-16). I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. (Acts 17:26). You are fearfully and wonderfully made. (Ps 139:14). I knit you together in your mother’s womb. (Ps 139:13) And brought you forth on the day you were born.  (Ps 71:6). I have been misrepresented by those who do not know me. (John 8:41-44). I am not distant and angry but I am the complete expression of love. (1John 4:17). It is my desire to lavish my love on you. Simply because you are my child and I am your father. (1John 3:1). I offer you more than your earthly father could. (Mat. 7:14). For I am the perfect father. (Mat.6:48). Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. (Js 1:17) I am your provider and meet all your needs.  (Mat. 6:31-33). My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. (Jer. 29:11). Because I love you with an everlasting love.  (Jer. 31:3). My thoughts towards you are countless as sands on the seashore. (Ps. 139:17-18). I rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17). I will never stop doing good to you. (Jer. 32:40). You are my treasured possession. (Ex. 19:5). I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. (Jer. 32:41). And I want to show you great and marvelous things. (Jer. 33:33) If you seek me with all your heart you will find me. (Deu. 4:29). Delight in me and I will give you the desire of your heart. (Ps. 37:4). For it is I who give you those desires. (Phil. 2:13).  I am able to do more for you than you can possible imagine. (Eph. 3:20). For I am your greatest encourager. (2 Thes. 2: 16-17) I am also the father who comforts in your troubles. (2Cor. 1: 3-4). When you are broken hearted I am close to you. (Ps. 34:18). As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. (Is. 40:11). One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. (Rev. 21:3-4). I will take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. (Rev. 21:3-4). I am your father and I love you even as I loved my son Jesus. (Jn. 17:23). For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. (Jn. 17:27). He is the exact representation of my being. (Heb. 1:3). He came to demonstrate that I am for you not against you. (Rom 8:31) And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. (2Cor. 5:18-19). His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. (1Jn. 4:10). I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. (Rom. 8:31-32). If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. (1 Jn 2:23). And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. (Rom. 8:38-39). Come home and I will throw biggest party heaven has ever seen. (Luke 15:7). I have always been father and will always be father. (Eph.3:14-15). My question is… will you be my child?  (Jn. 1:12-13). I am waiting for you…. (Lk.15:11-32)
Love,  Your Dad,  Almighty God.

As we have just listened to the letter written by God the Father to us it is clear that God is our Father, he himself says so through the scriptures. Do we believe in him? Do we love him enough? He is always waiting for us are we ready to go to him? God created us with the hope that will respond to him in love and faith. Do we love Him?
Someone once said, “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” And keep in mind that, “there are a thousand ways of pleasing God but not one without faith.” What faith does to us is it enables us to see the invisible, believe the incredible, and receive the impossible. Faith works miracles.
We have just seen that Faith comes from God as a gift to us. The faith that comes to us from is very vital also in our day to day life. Our societies are founded on faith, hope and love. We are born as a result of faith and trust our parents put on each other…faith is what makes us human beings. Faith takes also forms like trust, hope, generosity, love, sincerity etc.,  Imagine a society where: people don’t travel by any public vehicle (because you don’t believe that the bus driver will take you to the correct destination), don’t go out in open (because someone could attack you; everyone remaining in hiding in their homes) imagine people in a society not eating the food cooked by someone else (because who knows it could be poisoned), Friendship, family life and marriage in such a society would be unimaginable (because your friend, brother/sister/parents/children could turn out to be your enemy. And who would think of marriage because your future husband/wife could be a tyrant and a traitor?)
            To believe is to make a jump, to take a risk, when we believe we put ourselves in the realm of uncertainty. For instance to be able to say ‘I believe you’ is to be able to say I place myself at your disposal; I make myself defenseless in front of you. To hope is to say I don’t know… but I believe something good will happen. Miracles happen when you believe…. Life becomes meaningful only because we are able to believe in each other, hope in each other and love one another. Above all faith in God can work miracles in our lives. It was faith that healed the paralyzed, the deaf, the blind, the dumb, brought transformation to the sinners,… If you believe in Him he will work miracles in your lives…

By Nobin Narzary

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Community Anthem

From the North and from the South
From the east and from the west
called by God to live as one
we live as brothers/sisters one at heart.
from the north and from the south
from the east and from the west
called by God to serve the young
to lead them to the Holy One.
Chorus:
we are united
a family filled with peace and joy
one love, one heart
together let us live for Christ.
One love, one heart
saving souls be our goal
one love, one heart
spread his love to all.

Friday, January 4, 2013

Why RAPE?

    All these days I have been disturbed by the news of rape flooding the news papers and Television channels. The way the rape news has spread all over the country and world shows how people feel saddened when  human dignity is not respected. I believe in each person there is an instinctual drive towards the good; we all long to do good and feel good.
     Reflecting over the rape case that was in the news last couple of weeks and other related news, I was thinking of the way the "other" is degraded in the case of a rape. No one who recognizes the "other" as a person will be able to do such an abominable act. The tendency to rape and the thought of rape comes about  when one has failed to realize that one is a "human person;" with dignity and sacredness. In the case of rape the person involved in the crime is unable to recognize the other as "person" and consequently; himself (as person). Thus, in degrading the "other" the rapist degrades himself.