The human brain, I learnt back in school, is rather convoluted...much like a walnut perhaps. But from my life experiences, gathered over these 30 odd years, I believe that it is not the brain but the mind that is convoluted.
How did the human mind arrive at this state of being? Was this how the mind was meant to be? I don't know if any schools of psychology have researched on that aspect (although there is a huge possibility; I just haven't made time to read up!)Now why did I suddenly pick up this topic, you may ask. Well, the past few months now have been nothing short of redefining the word "crazy". In our craze and yearning to live a good life (or at least what we perceive as good) we do things that are shallow, selfish, unworthy of appreciation, and outrageously stupid.
There's this aunt I know who never misses even a single day in doing her morning Pooja. She does this religiously just like you and I would brush our teeth or check our phones every 15 minutes to see if we've received any message. She does this like this is her life and yet, if things go a wee off-the-course, she is the first to shake and when she shakes so does her faith in the Gods she prays to every single day! And if, in that time of "shaken and stirred" existence, should she tread across an article or news piece that speaks of miracles and the power of certain Gods, then you know where to find her in the next couple of days or months to go!
As a student of Health Psychology, back in college, I learnt that the belief system that we humans develop is very powerful. So powerful sometimes, that it gives us the strength to fight the impossibles like cancer and even death! I also learnt that one should never try and question another person's beliefs; only help them see the truth from the false. But I never could find an answer back then to What differentiates faith from blind faith or belief from blind belief?
I watched a News article this afternoon about how you can help your "dull" child gain his/her knowledge and learning ability by paying obeisance at this particular holy shrine. I smiled as I watched the entire News piece cause I knew that aunt would be watching it too. I knew she would be running a mental check of her calendar appointments to plan a quick trip to that holy place. I also knew that she, for sure, would miss the last statement they made in that News piece..."One has to have full and complete faith and belief in the God for their prayers to be fulfilled".
I smiled again to myself knowing that many others like this aunt I know, would miss that line, would conveniently forget all the other Gods they've so dilligently prayed to all these years and would wait for the earliest opportunity to make that trip to that holy place they saw on News.
I asked myself again "What differentiates faith from blind faith?" Is it a mother's unceasing love for her child and her hope that the child will turn a new leaf despite all odds against that happening? Is it a partner's enduring belief that their spouse is loyal to them even if truth stands stripped naked in front of them telling them otherwise? Is it a yearning to having something you know you'll never really have but you still want it?
Someday I hope to get that clarity...for now it still remains a question left open to the perceptions and beliefs we continue to live with!!
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