The Economics of the Present Moment

I have some thoughts around the economics of the present moment. We spend money either to take care of our necessities or it is to experience the present moment. 

Allow me to illustrate this with examples.  Food, shelter and clothing are necessities of our lives if you can do away with a cheaper jeans. But why do people go for Armani and Gucci? Because they look good. It boosts their ego, they feel pampered, they feel nice about themselves and then in that state if you closely observe mind is completely in that moment. Then mind is not pondering on past or worried about future. That high state of awareness brings mind in that present moment. 

Similarly for food, we can spend money on simple dal chawal. But what drives the restaurant business? It's present moment. When people come there, Experience the ambience the delicious food, mind goes in a 'wow' expression. That's when we experience present moment. Yes we do chit chat talk about the past and the future, but that blissful state happens when you say Wow! And mind comes to present moment.

I often wondered why do we spend money. And my conclusion is that it is to experience the present moment. Let me explain this with another example. After doing in depth analysis of the past data and drawing future projections, mind gets tired at work. After that when you come home and fix yourself your favourite drink, sit on a cozy balcony chair that faces the sea. Cool breeze is brushing your face and your favourite music is being played around. You go in that wow feeling. At that moment, if you notice, your mind is completely in present moment. So to buy a sea facing apartment and spending money on such luxuries simply enables mind to come in present moment. 

The entire economy runs to bring people in this moment. And then every mind is different. Some find their present moment in a concert, some find it in a thrilling ride, some find it on the mountain top while some find it while some find it while renting a sleek black Mercedes. 

Why do we spend on a movie? Some would say for entertainment. But what does entertainment do to you? When you are charged with all those emotions that the movie is triggering in you, you feel alive. Whether it's thrill, horror, comedy, drama you are hooked on. In that moment you are not thinking about the grocery list that you have to buy. You are fully engrossed in that moment. So you might feel that you are spending on your friend's birthday cake so that he or she would be happy. But you are really spending that money so that your friend experiences that present moment. Imagine while cutting cake the friend is thinking about yesterday's exams. Would you still consider it as money well spent?

Yes there are certain essential things where you have to spend money. Like basic food, clothing, shelter, education, travel etc . They need not necessarily bring you to the present moment. But apart from these necessities, all of the money spent is to experience the present moment. 

Now imagine you are in present moment all the time. You wouldn't need money at all. You would use all your money in only bringing others to the present moment.

What are your thoughts on this? Whether you agree or disagree, I would love to hear from you. Please do comment. 

Understanding the Depths of Karma: A Reflection on Life's Unseen Forces

In the vast tapestry of life, we often find ourselves perplexed by the age-old question: "Why do good things happen to bad people, and bad things to good people?" This query haunts the corridors of our collective consciousness, often leaving us in a state of bewilderment. But is our perspective too narrow, limited only to what is visible on the surface?

The Surface vs. The Depth

It's easy to fall into the trap of judging based on what is readily apparent. News channels and social media paint a picture of people's lives that is far from complete. We see only a facet, a single angle of a multi-dimensional existence. This simplistic view fuels our confusion and sometimes, our frustration. 

However, the concept of karma, as explained in the Bhagavad Gita by Lord Krishna, offers a profound understanding. "Gahana Karmano Gatihi" – the depth of karma is inscrutable. It is not just a tally of good and bad deeds but a complex interplay of actions and consequences, often spanning lifetimes.

Karma in Everyday Life

Consider this: in your mid-40s, you might find yourself grappling with a deep-seated fear – perhaps of heights, insects, or social interactions. Psychologists often trace these fears back to childhood events. A public humiliation or a traumatic experience, though long passed, continues to influence your behavior decades later. This is karma in action – the lingering effects of past actions shaping your current reality.

The Story of Dhritarashtra and Lord Krishna

A story I once read on Quora beautifully illustrates this concept. I don't know how far is it true, but certainly gives us an idea of how deep is our Karmic journey. 

Dhritarashtra, after losing his 100 sons in the Mahabharata war, questioned Lord Krishna about his past deeds that led to such a tragic fate. Krishna revealed that in a past life, as a hunter, Dhritarashtra had killed 100 birds living in a tree he burnt down. The repercussion of that action unfolded over 50 lifetimes, culminating in the loss he faced as a king. Dhritarashtra asked Lord Krishna, "Why did I have to experience something that I did 50 lifetimes ago?" To this Lord Krishna explained that "You had to collect good karma for 50 lifetimes to be able to become a king and a father of 100 children."

This story encapsulates the essence of karma – it's a currency, a balance of deeds that spans over lifetimes. Good deeds accumulate, elevating one's soul to new experiences, while the debts of bad deeds must eventually be repaid.

Embracing Karma in Our Lives

So, what does this mean for us? It's a call to look beyond the immediate, to understand that each individual's journey is a complex interplay of actions, reactions, and unseen forces. Rather than dwelling on the perceived injustices of life, we can find peace in accepting these events as part of our karmic evolution.

Karma is not just a philosophical concept; it's a reality that permeates every aspect of our existence. It reminds us that our actions, however small, have consequences that ripple through time. In understanding and accepting the depths of karma, we free ourselves from the burden of judgment and open our hearts to the wisdom of life's mysterious ways.