Self-reflection

When you see an old man with “one foot in the grave,” playing some nonsensical game on his cell phone, do you think as I do? Do you ask why he isn’t deep in thought — ruminating on life or mortality — contemplating his legacy to his children and grandchildren? This thought doesn’t exist, I posit. He is practicing what the majority of human beings do all the time — some form of escapism.

The Age of the Internet, ironically, has done an excellent job in aiding this phenomenon. Reflective time — the time between busy moments — used to be a momentary instance wherein an idea or a thought could unlatch one’s mental door and creep in. This has now been fully banished and replaced with the scrolling, trolling, and flickering images presented on the phone.

The consequences that befall a time of thoughtlessness are rife in human history. One only has to plunge back to the collapse of the Western Roman Empire (1) to ponder what could await in the time ahead.

The Second World War dealt civilization a tremendous body blow. How could humanity be this wicked, this self-destructive? Rebirth and a profound sense of change were on the minds of the attendees at the Bretton Woods Conference in 1944. (2) They truly wanted their progeny to witness a better world. The carnage seen in the present era was to be banished forever.

And initially, it started well. Yes, we had to accept that change takes time — The Partition of the Raj, the wars in Asia and Africa, and the numerous regional bloodbaths, were all the final throws of mankind finding his way and slowly learning to think. Finally — wait for it — peace was upon us. In 1989, the Wall came down, and in 1991 the Soviet Union dissolved. There was unification in Germany and harmony in Europe. Eastern Europe, though exhausted, was reconciled. (3)

But then, this hopefulness went away. We didn’t really want a new civilization, we wanted more of the same with a veneer of civility. By the early 21^st century, there was again military conflict in Europe. Why? Well, there is more money in war than there is in peace. We seem incapable of speaking to one another. So here we are today, facing more strife and suffering.

But wait, all is not lost. We can have world peace, Satyagraha, (4) to describe Gandhi’s concept. But, as individuals, we must learn to train our minds to think critically — to ponder the big and telling issues of our time. This is not easy, but it is possible. We are mostly the same. We want to be in love, have harmonious relationships, and live worthwhile lives — to make a difference.

We must simply learn the art of self-reflection. We must learn to think: Why am I here? What is my mission in this life? What happens when I die? Humanity can answer these questions and, ultimately, will, I believe. Mahatma Gandhi (5) leaves us with a thought: Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man.

A closing thought: I believe that all thoughts begin with me. I am my own teacher. If I change the way I view my life and society in general, our reality will ameliorate. I must believe and act. It is up to each individual to inculcate positive change.

To sum up: This week, we about self-reflection and how society can change.

To be noted: From Philippians 4:8 (6) — Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.

Just for fun: The 10 Most Popular Opera Arias – by classical music stars (Pavarotti, Netrebko, Deborah York)

For reflection: