Social Action as Yogic Sadhana
Recommended companion reading
Diary of a Social Activist
http://diaryofasocialactivist-shrikantsoman.blogspot.com/
Preamble to the Diary of a Social Activist
http://diaryofasocialactivist-shrikantsoman.blogspot.com/2009/08/preamble-to-diary-of-social-activist.html
The Mission and the Path
http://diaryofasocialactivist-shrikantsoman.blogspot.com/2009/09/mission-and-pathshrikant-soman.html
Sri Anand Yoga – Fountain of Youth
http://srianandyoga.blogspot.com
When we consider the object of Social Action, one way to look at it is to work towards the mission of ushering in a golden age. Another way is to act as ‘soldiers of the divine’. Still another is to fulfill our duties and obligations towards our community, state, nation, humanity etc. These all are very much NOBLE pursuits and are sufficient reasons in themselves to get engaged in the social action. However, it still would not be SADHANA as I envisage it in Sri Anand Yoga – which is a foundation to the Integral Yoga of Sri Aurobindo.
We all tend to get into our comfort zones. This is an intrinsic and subconscious tendency. Our relations with our family, neighbours, community, boss, colleagues, friends etc get ‘SET’ over a period of time and we learn over a period of time ‘NOT TO CROSS THE LINE’ so that the relations remain at cordial level as a minimum requirement for our survival.
When we do our Sadhana, we get into our PEACE ZONE. We turn INWARDS. We attain a sort of STABLE and PEACEFUL state of mind. At least this is our objective. When we are in our comfort zone as explained above, the PEACE ZONE which we attain through Yoga, is SUPERFLUOUS. It is not based on FIRM FOUNDATION. We still harbor in us SEEDS OF NEGATIVE FEELINGS like jealousy, ego, hurt feelings, hatred, anger etc. We do not realise about this aspect because the WATER IS CALM at the surface as the WINDS HAVE FALLEN. Our aim in INTEGRAL YOGA is to achieve the DIVINITY INTEGRALLY – leaving no part of our being remaining to be transformed. With the practice of yoga and meditation we make some progress towards this direction. However it is still very much partial progress. Further advance on the Path is not possible unless we dive into ourselves and discover these seeds and transform them into divine attributes of love and compassion and joy. Here is the catch. It is NOT POSSIBLE, in ordinary manner, just with the aid of yoga and meditation to do this job. This is possible with the GRACE of the GURU. However, even this has limitations because of the NON RECEPTIVITY and BLOCKAGE in our part to receive the grace.
Here comes the DYNAMIC aspect of Sri Anand Yoga. It is the SECRET PURPOSE behind the Social Action which is other than those explained above. When we are engaged in the social action, we are trying to change our governing system and our environment for the better. Any change meets resistance – mild or strong, manageable or indomitable. It also involves INTERACTION with people without having any SET RELATIONS as happens with our family and friends. This necessarily STIRS UP various emotions in us – originating from these seeds which I explained above. We get angry, frustrated, vulnerable, aggressive, depressed, agitated over the state of things and the attitude of people. This is precisely the OPPORTUNITY to take a grip with these seeds and use it as an opportunity for transforming them (NOT eliminating) into positive feelings of hope, patience, love, compassion, calm, joy.
The first step is to apply the technique of SRIKENSHO. It helps us to get these emotions as our ‘handles’ so that we can work with them. Next comes the Art of Positive Dieing and Rebirth. During the process of our social activism, we sometimes hit a wall. We pursue with relentless zeal to break this wall. This is a good attribute. Unfortunately, we get so much involved in the game that we overlook the Global Vision. This is also a dangerous situation in that we may emotionally harm ourselves caused by the setback due to a serious of failures. During such a time, we can apply this Art of Positive Dieing and Rebirth.
Next come the meditative technique of the Meditation on Death. This technique teaches us the ultimate RELEVANCE OF THINGS in our life. It is a sequel to the Art of Positive Dieing and Rebirth.
I am coming now to the TOP SECRET of this exercise. All the above are only the techniques. One may get EXPERT in handling the situation with these techniques. This is good. Yoga means EXPERTISE IN WHATEVER WE DO.
However, in order to get on our PATH with SUPER TURBO mode we need to change our WHOLE ATTITUDE and the PROCESS. We need to OFFER our EMOTIONS to the DIVINE WITHIN US for TRANSFORMATION and DIVINISING our whole being. Instead of doing passive meditation, we are now offering something more concrete – OUR EMOTIONS. This can be done in a silent meditation after we retreat to the safe haven of our home. We can contemplate about the events of the day, LIVE these EVENTS, let the emotions be STIRRED and then offer ourselves with these emotions to the divine for transformations. We also OPEN UP ourselves for the GRACE TO PERCOLATE through us. This is more dynamic and effective way to ABOSORB GRACE. In passive meditation, we tend to operate at our intellectual and mental level. This is NOT the effective way to call for GRACE and BE RECEPTIVE. On the other hand, when our emotional state is being stirred, and when we sincerely and with full faith offer ourselves to the divine, our CALL REACHES THE HIGH LEVELS of the divine.
I am now coming to the still next and more effective method. We do this process of offering ourselves alongwith our emotions to the divine, when we are in the MIDST OF ACTION. This is a duel process. Outwardly we are engaged in the process of social activism, doing our best with all the techniques explained above and also with all the other conventional techniques of success. At the same time, inwardly we are doing SRIKENSHO, observing ourselves for the emotions that are getting stirred up and then offering the same to the divine and calling for the divine help and guidance, opening ourselves to the divine grace and power. This may appear difficult at first sight, however, this is the SADHANA. With constant practice, we can very successfully apply it and progress on our path very rapidly.
Our engagement in the field of social activism has this secret purpose as a part of our Sadhana.
As one progresses on the PATH, one gets the POWER to CAUSE CHANGE.
There is another secret. Behind our action in this world, there are COSMIC POWERS working out the COSMIC PLANs in this world. When we engage in the field of social activism, these COSMIC powers get a very good chance to EFFECTUATE THE PLAN through us. If we align ourselves with this cosmic plan, then miraculous things happen and our progress becomes very exceptionally sure and super fast.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Friday, September 4, 2009
Types and Characters in the Drama
Types and Characters in the Drama................Shrikant Soman
I am a keen observer. While doing social activism, I have sampled different ‘types’.
1 ‘I want it but it does not matter for me’ type
When this type wants his name to be ‘announced’, to get mentioned in media reporting, to be felicited, to be appreciated, he manages to get it suggested and supported through his cronies. Then he goes on the stage and announce that he is not really after this honour. It somehow comes on his way and he has to accept it reluctantly. If you protest his wrong felicitation, he will advice you to focus on work and not be bothered about name. He will advice you to keep his example in front… he has actually denied the felicitation, but it was forced on him. He will even go to the extent of belittling you in front of others for running after name and fame instead of real good work.
2 Silent Cowards
These people do not speak up at the meeting. Even if they feel that something is wrong, they will keep quiet for the fear of getting on the wrong side of somebody. They have fearful respect for the ‘bully’ and will never oppose him. Upto this point it is within the tolerance threshold. Unfortunately, these silent cowards will take your mild and polite manner for weakness and will take every opportunity to oppose you. They sub-consciously ‘balance’ their personality complexes in this way. They will earn praises for their act by the ‘bully’ people. This will make them feel elated and of having some self worth.
The sad point is that these people are generally NOT part of the active politics. They are also god fearing. They will follow rightful religious path as per their own interpretation. For me, any person who is coward, if NOT RELIGIOUS. Anyway, it is a different topic of discussion. These people, by their behaviour, become part of the gang ‘by default’, meaning by being their silent spectator to the whole game, not speaking up, opposing the soft people and indirectly aiding the bully.
Due to my personality make up, I land up HATING these people MORE THATN THE BULLY himself. I can atleast catch the bully by his horns and get into a duel with him. He is out in front in a challenging mood. I can handle this situation. But I can not handle these silent cowards. In the process, I sometimes hurt them. There is no fun in fighting with these silent cowards. This makes me sad. I am having a difficult time to manage these people. I am learning.
3 Good Samaritans
These people are religiously (in good sense) motivated. They go on helping people in honest and dedicated way. They are not ambitious or egoistic. They do not play politics. They are genuine helpers. I am also sometimes at odd with these people. This may make you conclude that there must be something wrong with me as I am not able to get along with these good people. Let me explain.
When there is a fight between two groups / persons, these Good Samaritans will try to pacify both the groups. They will teach gospels. They will preach. They will honestly try to restore peace. This does not go well with me. I want the Good Samaritans to study and understand the issue over which the two groups are fighting and then take an informed decision for themselves about who is right and then support the group / person who is right. They will not care to do this. They will in effect equate both the sides and ask both the sides to stop fighting. I feel that this does not resolve issue. It goes underground. I am having difficulty tackling these Good Samaritans. As these are really good people, I can not hurt them. I also can not agree with them. I hate somebody ‘preaching’. In the long run, these Good Samaritans earn a good name in the society. I feel that they are good in the works of charity and religion. If they want to enter the field of Social Activism, then they have to put off the garb of being ‘Good Samaritan’ and get into the water.
4 Clever Diplomats
These people are adept in diplomacy and tact. They are always soft spoken and excellent in networking with people. They are not politicians or manipulators. They are also not corrupt. They are also not exactly dishonest – though I won’t call them honest. They are basically good people. They are having a very strong and high personal ambition – which they cleverly hide from others. I have problem with these types also. You will never know whether to count on them or not. At the same time, you cannot afford to be on their wrong side. They will extend their private support to both the warring parties – with the promise from each of them to keep it secret ! If you spend considerable amount of time convincing these Clever Diplomats about your position, they will intently listen to you, they will appreciate your views, they will give their moral support to you. This will make you feel elated and confident. Then you start realizing the hard way that when it matters most, these Clever Diplomats are either absent from the scene or they appear to be ambivalent. All you ‘investment’ of time with these Clever Diplomats gets ‘junked’. On the other hand, when it is a simple issue of just helping you with some contacts or influence, these Clever Diplomats will be really useful and you can count on them as your assets. These Clever Diplomats also establish their own high position in the Society over a period of time. Unfortunately, they contribute little to the cause of Social Activism, though being in this field for a long time.
5 Strong Supporters with Bad Moral
These people, for some reason, will support you. You can count on them. Unfortunately, they are with bad moral and corrupt. They expect you to support them during their difficult times. This becomes a real tricky situation. You need support. When these people support you, it is usually without any strings attached. They act like a true friend. On the other hand, by taking their support, you enter into a tacit ‘pact’ with them to help them out – indirectly forcing you to be on the wrong side of your own moral values. Sometimes I am moved by their unequivocal support for me. They boldly proclaim the righteousness of your cause – against all adversities. And when it comes your turn to return the favour, you think of your moral values and develop cold feet. What is right and what is wrong ? What is moral and what is immoral ?
6 Goody Good Nothings
These GGN really really get on my nerves. These are the people who don the garb of ‘Good People’. They will always ‘preach’. On personal level, they will never take sides openly. In many respects, they are like Good Samaritans as explained above – with the only and major difference that these GGN do not do anything REAL to help people. They are only ‘lip service’ type of people – being eloquent with words – empty words. If you happen to meet them, they will avoid the discussion on controversial topic. They will focus on harmless topics. However, behind your back, you will not be sure if they will subtly express doubts about your character. They will never loudly oppose you – even behind your back. They are experts in playing with words. Their job is just to raise suspicion. In the meeting, they will never take sides. I hate these ‘GGN’. They are good for nothing. It is tempting to take comfort that these GGN will at least not oppose you openly. I feel that in the long run, GGN are harmful because they put WRONG MODEL before society. This is because the GGN usually earn very high respect in the social circuit. They make up ideal chief guests / guests of honour at small local community functions.
7 Intellectual Debaters
These people are intelligent. They like to debate and argue. They are usually against the authority – whatever that might be. They usually come out with micro level deficiencies of the opposite party. They are hard to beat. They make their presence felt at any event. They also carry ‘fearful respect’ from other mortals with less intellectual levels. These people do have ambition but usually they do not go far. They remain in their close circuit. They do not contribute anything substantial for the social cause. This is because they fail to see the larger and whole picture. They always focus on smaller and petty issues. This diverts the attention and discussion at the meeting as other people do not understand the drift that is being caused by these people. This results in the main issue getting neglected. I have witnessed this being cleverly manipulated by the crooked leaders to their advantage. In this sense, these Intellectual Debaters indirectly aid the crooked leaders in their game. As I am able to counter the arguments of these people, I had a fatal flaw in getting engaged in debate with these people and wasting my time and energy over petty matters. I am learning.
8 Busy Bee Smarties
These people always appear to be on the run. You may never get them to talk to you in peace. Generally they prefer to talk to you on phone. This makes them easy to pretend about their situation as per their convenience. They will generally tell you that they are busy right now, in the meeting, on the bike, travelling etc and then communicate to you what THEY want to communcate and before you respond for any queries or any discussion points, they will excuse themselves and promise to call back and discuss when they are more free - which never happens. Actually this is a clever tactics by these BBS to avoid the CLARITY on important matter. These BBS thrive on ambuigities as it facilitates them to twist and turn the menaing as per their convenience and suitability. Before you protest, they are gone. They promise you to take care next time. However, when there is any issue which these BBS want to discuss and which is important to them, they manage to meet you and discuss at length. Generally these BBS are good network people. They have wide contacts. However, they are not able to make any progress beyond their circle, which is usually very wide, and get stuck within a closed circle for long time. They are not able to contribute any constructive for the society.
9 Eagle Eyed
These people have an eye of Eagle. They always hunt for an opportunity to promote themselves. Whenever there is any opening ceremony or any bigwig leader is coming, these EE somehow get a smell of it and arrive at the spot in the nick of time and try to steal the limelight by hook or by crook. Even if you do not invite these EE, they have their own sources at various vantage points who feed them about these vital information. They are the first to break the coconut on behalf of the citizens, even though they are not invited for the function in the first place. They try to impress the bigwig leaders, VIPs about their 'clout' and 'popularity' in the area - thereby trying to steal some mileage with these VIPs. They are always hated by other social activists. However, nobody seems to be able to control these EE.
11 Doomsayers
The doomsayers are utterly negative thinking people. They will always blame the authorities and the politicians and are absolutely convinced that nothing can be done to improve the situation. These doomsayers fill the atmosphere with gloom and negativity. It is difficult to handle these people. The other people who are initially neutral get subsequently converted to negativity with the contact of these doomsayers. It is a big challenge to tide over this atmoshphere as it is very dangerous. This philosophy of doomsayers is diametrically opposite of mine. I always belive that nothing is lost forever. We can always retrive the situaiton. We need to work with firm conviction and positive attitude. When I am confronted with these doomsayers, I give my personal 'guarantee' to the audience about the positive outcome of our endeavour provided they follow the path for a given period of time. This is the only way to convince the audience who are infected with these doomsayers. No amount of arguments and presentations is effective in convincing the audience in such a negative atmosphere. Generally I manage to get the audience follow me with this personal guarantee. Unfortunately, after a time when the things really start improving, everybody including the doomsayer conveniently forgets about their negative prediction at the beginning.
12 Neta in the Making
Neta = Political Leader
These NITM have all the combinations of all the above types which they use as per the time and circumstances. They are like lizards who change their colors as per the situaiton. These are the number one opportunits and cunning people. They try to grab the limelight at every opportunity in a subtle way - making it sure that nobody notices their maneouvers. If they spot some potential threats, they try every means to either win over the opposition or get it sidelined. They will generally never take open confrontaions with the opposition. They will alwasy fire from the shoulders of others. If they come across any clever guy who may possibly see through their plans and expose their tactics, they manage the opposition by their group of cronies and do the 'ambush' tactic through the group attack - themselves remaining behind some camaflouge. It is impossible to handle these Netas unless you yourself adopt their tactics. It is best handle them with 'frontal' means. These Netas always avoid frontal attack. This makes them vulnerable. They stab you cunningly from behind.
I have not covered above the obvious types of ‘crooked’ leaders, ‘honest’ leaders, ‘visionary’ leaders etc. They are always portrayed in our fictions with vivid details. The types which I have portrayed above are of 'pure' types. In real life, we get a mix of these types. A person may be a little bit of one type and some part of other type.
I am able to discern and grasp the ways and tactics of different types as mentioned above and many others not mentioned above. I can read them like open books. However, this does not solve my problem. I have put self imposed limits on my behaviour. I am restraining myself in ‘responding’ to these ‘types’ in a ‘clever’ way – even at the cost of compromising my mission in the short run. I only become ‘cautious’ without ‘responding’. On the other hand, I am also having a ‘golden rule’. Trust people. Even when I meet a crooked person, I honestly and sincerely (not just pretending) trust him. I keep a strong faith in having some ‘good person’ in every crooked person. I am trying to ‘harvest’ this good part. This I can not do if I do not trust such a person. By rejecting this type, I am losing an opportunity to garner resources. If I adopt the rule of ‘elimination’, probably I will be left with very little resources. Again, if I am too much cautious while dealing with people, my progress will be slow and unproductive. I have to take risks in trusting people. I do have excellent track record in building up a strong and dedicated team out of a variety of ‘types’ – with this simple golden rule – Trust people and learn the art and science of extracting the ‘good’ hidden in every human being. However, in the short run, I have sometimes to pay a very heavy price. This is part of the game.
I am a keen observer. While doing social activism, I have sampled different ‘types’.
1 ‘I want it but it does not matter for me’ type
When this type wants his name to be ‘announced’, to get mentioned in media reporting, to be felicited, to be appreciated, he manages to get it suggested and supported through his cronies. Then he goes on the stage and announce that he is not really after this honour. It somehow comes on his way and he has to accept it reluctantly. If you protest his wrong felicitation, he will advice you to focus on work and not be bothered about name. He will advice you to keep his example in front… he has actually denied the felicitation, but it was forced on him. He will even go to the extent of belittling you in front of others for running after name and fame instead of real good work.
2 Silent Cowards
These people do not speak up at the meeting. Even if they feel that something is wrong, they will keep quiet for the fear of getting on the wrong side of somebody. They have fearful respect for the ‘bully’ and will never oppose him. Upto this point it is within the tolerance threshold. Unfortunately, these silent cowards will take your mild and polite manner for weakness and will take every opportunity to oppose you. They sub-consciously ‘balance’ their personality complexes in this way. They will earn praises for their act by the ‘bully’ people. This will make them feel elated and of having some self worth.
The sad point is that these people are generally NOT part of the active politics. They are also god fearing. They will follow rightful religious path as per their own interpretation. For me, any person who is coward, if NOT RELIGIOUS. Anyway, it is a different topic of discussion. These people, by their behaviour, become part of the gang ‘by default’, meaning by being their silent spectator to the whole game, not speaking up, opposing the soft people and indirectly aiding the bully.
Due to my personality make up, I land up HATING these people MORE THATN THE BULLY himself. I can atleast catch the bully by his horns and get into a duel with him. He is out in front in a challenging mood. I can handle this situation. But I can not handle these silent cowards. In the process, I sometimes hurt them. There is no fun in fighting with these silent cowards. This makes me sad. I am having a difficult time to manage these people. I am learning.
3 Good Samaritans
These people are religiously (in good sense) motivated. They go on helping people in honest and dedicated way. They are not ambitious or egoistic. They do not play politics. They are genuine helpers. I am also sometimes at odd with these people. This may make you conclude that there must be something wrong with me as I am not able to get along with these good people. Let me explain.
When there is a fight between two groups / persons, these Good Samaritans will try to pacify both the groups. They will teach gospels. They will preach. They will honestly try to restore peace. This does not go well with me. I want the Good Samaritans to study and understand the issue over which the two groups are fighting and then take an informed decision for themselves about who is right and then support the group / person who is right. They will not care to do this. They will in effect equate both the sides and ask both the sides to stop fighting. I feel that this does not resolve issue. It goes underground. I am having difficulty tackling these Good Samaritans. As these are really good people, I can not hurt them. I also can not agree with them. I hate somebody ‘preaching’. In the long run, these Good Samaritans earn a good name in the society. I feel that they are good in the works of charity and religion. If they want to enter the field of Social Activism, then they have to put off the garb of being ‘Good Samaritan’ and get into the water.
4 Clever Diplomats
These people are adept in diplomacy and tact. They are always soft spoken and excellent in networking with people. They are not politicians or manipulators. They are also not corrupt. They are also not exactly dishonest – though I won’t call them honest. They are basically good people. They are having a very strong and high personal ambition – which they cleverly hide from others. I have problem with these types also. You will never know whether to count on them or not. At the same time, you cannot afford to be on their wrong side. They will extend their private support to both the warring parties – with the promise from each of them to keep it secret ! If you spend considerable amount of time convincing these Clever Diplomats about your position, they will intently listen to you, they will appreciate your views, they will give their moral support to you. This will make you feel elated and confident. Then you start realizing the hard way that when it matters most, these Clever Diplomats are either absent from the scene or they appear to be ambivalent. All you ‘investment’ of time with these Clever Diplomats gets ‘junked’. On the other hand, when it is a simple issue of just helping you with some contacts or influence, these Clever Diplomats will be really useful and you can count on them as your assets. These Clever Diplomats also establish their own high position in the Society over a period of time. Unfortunately, they contribute little to the cause of Social Activism, though being in this field for a long time.
5 Strong Supporters with Bad Moral
These people, for some reason, will support you. You can count on them. Unfortunately, they are with bad moral and corrupt. They expect you to support them during their difficult times. This becomes a real tricky situation. You need support. When these people support you, it is usually without any strings attached. They act like a true friend. On the other hand, by taking their support, you enter into a tacit ‘pact’ with them to help them out – indirectly forcing you to be on the wrong side of your own moral values. Sometimes I am moved by their unequivocal support for me. They boldly proclaim the righteousness of your cause – against all adversities. And when it comes your turn to return the favour, you think of your moral values and develop cold feet. What is right and what is wrong ? What is moral and what is immoral ?
6 Goody Good Nothings
These GGN really really get on my nerves. These are the people who don the garb of ‘Good People’. They will always ‘preach’. On personal level, they will never take sides openly. In many respects, they are like Good Samaritans as explained above – with the only and major difference that these GGN do not do anything REAL to help people. They are only ‘lip service’ type of people – being eloquent with words – empty words. If you happen to meet them, they will avoid the discussion on controversial topic. They will focus on harmless topics. However, behind your back, you will not be sure if they will subtly express doubts about your character. They will never loudly oppose you – even behind your back. They are experts in playing with words. Their job is just to raise suspicion. In the meeting, they will never take sides. I hate these ‘GGN’. They are good for nothing. It is tempting to take comfort that these GGN will at least not oppose you openly. I feel that in the long run, GGN are harmful because they put WRONG MODEL before society. This is because the GGN usually earn very high respect in the social circuit. They make up ideal chief guests / guests of honour at small local community functions.
7 Intellectual Debaters
These people are intelligent. They like to debate and argue. They are usually against the authority – whatever that might be. They usually come out with micro level deficiencies of the opposite party. They are hard to beat. They make their presence felt at any event. They also carry ‘fearful respect’ from other mortals with less intellectual levels. These people do have ambition but usually they do not go far. They remain in their close circuit. They do not contribute anything substantial for the social cause. This is because they fail to see the larger and whole picture. They always focus on smaller and petty issues. This diverts the attention and discussion at the meeting as other people do not understand the drift that is being caused by these people. This results in the main issue getting neglected. I have witnessed this being cleverly manipulated by the crooked leaders to their advantage. In this sense, these Intellectual Debaters indirectly aid the crooked leaders in their game. As I am able to counter the arguments of these people, I had a fatal flaw in getting engaged in debate with these people and wasting my time and energy over petty matters. I am learning.
8 Busy Bee Smarties
These people always appear to be on the run. You may never get them to talk to you in peace. Generally they prefer to talk to you on phone. This makes them easy to pretend about their situation as per their convenience. They will generally tell you that they are busy right now, in the meeting, on the bike, travelling etc and then communicate to you what THEY want to communcate and before you respond for any queries or any discussion points, they will excuse themselves and promise to call back and discuss when they are more free - which never happens. Actually this is a clever tactics by these BBS to avoid the CLARITY on important matter. These BBS thrive on ambuigities as it facilitates them to twist and turn the menaing as per their convenience and suitability. Before you protest, they are gone. They promise you to take care next time. However, when there is any issue which these BBS want to discuss and which is important to them, they manage to meet you and discuss at length. Generally these BBS are good network people. They have wide contacts. However, they are not able to make any progress beyond their circle, which is usually very wide, and get stuck within a closed circle for long time. They are not able to contribute any constructive for the society.
9 Eagle Eyed
These people have an eye of Eagle. They always hunt for an opportunity to promote themselves. Whenever there is any opening ceremony or any bigwig leader is coming, these EE somehow get a smell of it and arrive at the spot in the nick of time and try to steal the limelight by hook or by crook. Even if you do not invite these EE, they have their own sources at various vantage points who feed them about these vital information. They are the first to break the coconut on behalf of the citizens, even though they are not invited for the function in the first place. They try to impress the bigwig leaders, VIPs about their 'clout' and 'popularity' in the area - thereby trying to steal some mileage with these VIPs. They are always hated by other social activists. However, nobody seems to be able to control these EE.
11 Doomsayers
The doomsayers are utterly negative thinking people. They will always blame the authorities and the politicians and are absolutely convinced that nothing can be done to improve the situation. These doomsayers fill the atmosphere with gloom and negativity. It is difficult to handle these people. The other people who are initially neutral get subsequently converted to negativity with the contact of these doomsayers. It is a big challenge to tide over this atmoshphere as it is very dangerous. This philosophy of doomsayers is diametrically opposite of mine. I always belive that nothing is lost forever. We can always retrive the situaiton. We need to work with firm conviction and positive attitude. When I am confronted with these doomsayers, I give my personal 'guarantee' to the audience about the positive outcome of our endeavour provided they follow the path for a given period of time. This is the only way to convince the audience who are infected with these doomsayers. No amount of arguments and presentations is effective in convincing the audience in such a negative atmosphere. Generally I manage to get the audience follow me with this personal guarantee. Unfortunately, after a time when the things really start improving, everybody including the doomsayer conveniently forgets about their negative prediction at the beginning.
12 Neta in the Making
Neta = Political Leader
These NITM have all the combinations of all the above types which they use as per the time and circumstances. They are like lizards who change their colors as per the situaiton. These are the number one opportunits and cunning people. They try to grab the limelight at every opportunity in a subtle way - making it sure that nobody notices their maneouvers. If they spot some potential threats, they try every means to either win over the opposition or get it sidelined. They will generally never take open confrontaions with the opposition. They will alwasy fire from the shoulders of others. If they come across any clever guy who may possibly see through their plans and expose their tactics, they manage the opposition by their group of cronies and do the 'ambush' tactic through the group attack - themselves remaining behind some camaflouge. It is impossible to handle these Netas unless you yourself adopt their tactics. It is best handle them with 'frontal' means. These Netas always avoid frontal attack. This makes them vulnerable. They stab you cunningly from behind.
I have not covered above the obvious types of ‘crooked’ leaders, ‘honest’ leaders, ‘visionary’ leaders etc. They are always portrayed in our fictions with vivid details. The types which I have portrayed above are of 'pure' types. In real life, we get a mix of these types. A person may be a little bit of one type and some part of other type.
I am able to discern and grasp the ways and tactics of different types as mentioned above and many others not mentioned above. I can read them like open books. However, this does not solve my problem. I have put self imposed limits on my behaviour. I am restraining myself in ‘responding’ to these ‘types’ in a ‘clever’ way – even at the cost of compromising my mission in the short run. I only become ‘cautious’ without ‘responding’. On the other hand, I am also having a ‘golden rule’. Trust people. Even when I meet a crooked person, I honestly and sincerely (not just pretending) trust him. I keep a strong faith in having some ‘good person’ in every crooked person. I am trying to ‘harvest’ this good part. This I can not do if I do not trust such a person. By rejecting this type, I am losing an opportunity to garner resources. If I adopt the rule of ‘elimination’, probably I will be left with very little resources. Again, if I am too much cautious while dealing with people, my progress will be slow and unproductive. I have to take risks in trusting people. I do have excellent track record in building up a strong and dedicated team out of a variety of ‘types’ – with this simple golden rule – Trust people and learn the art and science of extracting the ‘good’ hidden in every human being. However, in the short run, I have sometimes to pay a very heavy price. This is part of the game.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
The Mission and the Path
The Mission and the Path........................Shrikant Soman
This is a personal diary. Here I am noting down my thought and experiences. It is a talk to myself. It is ‘thinking out aloud’. This is not a debate or discussion. It may help some to discover that they can ‘relate’ to this experience. I have myself immensely benefited by reading the autobiography of the great strugglers.
My objective in being in this field of Social Activism is not limited to ‘doing something’ to ‘improve our governing system’. This is only a ‘base level’ activity. My main objective to initiate a ‘root level’ changes in our society so that ideally every member of the society becomes
I personally feel that the issue is NOT so much as to which political system we should have but of ‘taking responsibility’ for the society in which we live in. The problem is not so much of our corrupt and inefficient politicians, bureaucrats and police but more of inactive citizens.
This task is a tall order. It is a Himalayan task. But I am not daunted. I do not look at the peak and get scared. I am just building ‘brick by brick’ taking me to whatever height it will take. I am succeeding in my endeavour – though in much a slower speed than I would like it to happen and with considerable bitter experiences.
If I limit myself to doing something just to change our governing system, it will be a ‘personal’ based effort. It will be wiped out after I have gone. I may become a ‘hero’ if I succeed with flying colours. However, my personal mission will remain unfulfilled. I feel that the tragedy of Mahatma Gandhi is that we are not able to carry on his work. We have not really UNDERSTOOD his mission at all. It is NOT just the ‘principle of Non Violence’ for which he is usually recognized. We are told that he drove out British without any weapon. I feel we miss the point here. I would like Mahatma to be known for his fearless and clever ‘taking on’ the British Empire showing the world that being a great warrior is not in the skill in handling the weapons but in being fearless adventurer daring to take the path less travelled, even single handedly, to start with.
I also feel that to wait for a divine incarnation to save the humanity from this present state is ‘selfish’ on our part – it is a subconscious shrugging off our responsibility on the shoulder of this divine incarnation to bring in the ‘golden age’ on Earth.
I also do not accept the argument put forward by most people that
- Aware Citizen, ready to contribute his bit in the social change,
- is fearless,
- ready to get out of his ‘comfort zone’ for joining a social movement,
- takes a balanced and not biased approach towards resolving the issues of good governance
I also do not accept the argument put forward by most people that
- What a single person can do ?
- Nothing will change these corrupt politicians.
- I want to do something but do not know what and how
- I have a desire to do something but at present I am terribly tied down to my daily chorus and duties and obligations.
- I am too weak / poor / old / young to do anything
- I do not understand as to who is right and therefore can not decide what to do
I am having very much bitter experiences along the way. I have to get involved in a grass root level. There is lot of petty squabbles, politics, manipulations, falsehood, jealousy in this field. There is certainly a lot of good work also going on. I am getting ‘dirty’ in working in this mud. But I have no way to go. If I fight it out, I have scoop down to their level. I have to lower myself. This I will not do. If I flight .. just get out of this, then no substantial and structural work will be done. Either way, it is a ‘NO WIN’ situation.
But there is a way out. Keep the conscience clean. Do what I feel is right. Apply tact without getting into manipulative politics. Keep trying. Hunt for good people. Network with them. Get the BEST of me into the work I am doing…irrespective of the question of getting appreciated or recognized. Keep myself OPEN for DIVINE GUIDANCE. Pray. Have helpful attitude. Be straightforward. Do not bargain for the SURVIVAL by sacrificing the core values. Keep out of politics even at the cost of getting ‘out of the social circuit’. And the most precious of it all… HAVE PATIENCE. Things will happen as per the GRAND PLAN, and not as per my plan with limited vision.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Hawker Nuisance – Hidden Members of the Gang
Hawker Nuisance – Hidden Members of the Gang....................Shrikant Soman
We are very familiar of the nuisance of the Hawkers. They occupy the valuable space on the footpath and road causing traffic problems and leaving little space for the pedestrians. They also cause garbage on the road.
We usually blame the police, municipal authorities, local Bhai (goon) and the politicians for this nuisance. These are only the 4 members of the gang. Actually there is also a fifth member hidden from the public gaze. He is the Social Activist (SA) who make a hue and cry for this nuisance in the first place. I have learned it from my first hand experience in tackling the problem in our area. Here is how it goes.
Step 1 : The SA gathers public opinion against the hawker menace.
Step 2 : He takes up the issue with the authorities – police, municipality. He leaves the Bhai untouched for obvious reasons.
Step 3 : The Local authorities take effective steps to remove the hawkers.
Step 4 : The hawkers approach the local politician or the Bhai for being a savior.
Step 5 : The Politician / Bhai pressurizes the municipal authorities for ‘taking it easy’ with the hawkers.
Step 6 : The municipal authorities throw up their hands, expressing their helplessness as the issue is now in the ‘public domain’ with the SA taking an active role in this drama.
Step 7 : The Politician / Bhai then approaches the SA for taking a more humanitarian stand.
Step 8 : The Hawkers Gherao (Human Blockade – indigenous style !) the SA for being the cause of putting their livelihood at stake.
Step 9 : The SA, the Politician, the Bhai, the municipal authorities and the police then make a ‘mandavali’ (private underground ‘financial settlement’) of this whole affair. The SA is then onwards included in the ‘hafta’ (the periodical underground payment in exchange for peace) schedule.
Step 10 : Hawkers are back to business. All the above parties continue to play the game in order to make a smokescreen for the public at large. The SA makes a public scene about his resentment for the lax attitude of the authorities in handling the hawkers menace. He is usually more dramatic than before – lest somebody may have a suspicion of he having joined the gang.
The above steps are usually followed with minor variations and some cross jumps. But it definitely follows the same PATTERN.
I have found to my surprise that usually the municipal authorities are RESPONSIVE to the demands of the public as represented through the SA. They are helpless in this whole drama as explained above. I have actually come across the street enactment of the above drama in a very much theatrical way.
When I was involved in this action, I took a camera with me. I took photographs of the hawkers and how they create problems by blocking the space and littering with garbage. I sent these photographs to the authorities as a proof. This worked very effectively. The authorities were cornered. I made written complaints and made consistent and systematic follow-up. This produced good results. The authorities were very much responsive. The rest followed the above mentioned 10 step ‘procedure’ of peaceful settlement. The only difference was that somebody else SA ‘gained’ standing on my shoulders. Though I kept myself out of the dirty deal, I felt very sad for the whole episode. I can not do much as this is the way the ‘System’ works. I need a team of dedicated firebrand and honest SA. This is a distant dream at present. But I have not given up.
There is also a SIXTH MEMBER in this System. And he is the Public at Large. When the authorities start rounding up the hawkers, invariably some members of the local residents protest to the authorities in SUPPORT of the hawkers. They say that it is a great convenience to the local residents as the hawkers offer day to day conveniences near to the place of residence. Without them, the residents would have to go to the markets few hundred metres away wasting away precious 5 minutes in the process ! There is then a division amongst the public itself. One section supporting the hawkers and other section opposing the hawkers. The SA in between eats the cake and has it too. The word 'hawker' can be taken as a metaphor. It also includes the encroachment by the shopkeeper in the space in front of his shop, any illegal activity in the shop, hookah parlour, liquor shop, ladies service bar and restaurant.
_____________________________________________________
Note of Caution
The above note is based on my actual experience over a period of time at different locations with different people. However, I have rearranged the details, incidences, locations and people from a diverse motley of facts to make a meaningful, interesting and compact presentation, while at the same time not sacrificing the truth in general. It does NOT relate or restricted to any specific location or person and should not be used to draw inferences about the same. This explanation is necessary in order to be fair with honest and dedicated people who are also working in this field.
We are very familiar of the nuisance of the Hawkers. They occupy the valuable space on the footpath and road causing traffic problems and leaving little space for the pedestrians. They also cause garbage on the road.
We usually blame the police, municipal authorities, local Bhai (goon) and the politicians for this nuisance. These are only the 4 members of the gang. Actually there is also a fifth member hidden from the public gaze. He is the Social Activist (SA) who make a hue and cry for this nuisance in the first place. I have learned it from my first hand experience in tackling the problem in our area. Here is how it goes.
Step 1 : The SA gathers public opinion against the hawker menace.
Step 2 : He takes up the issue with the authorities – police, municipality. He leaves the Bhai untouched for obvious reasons.
Step 3 : The Local authorities take effective steps to remove the hawkers.
Step 4 : The hawkers approach the local politician or the Bhai for being a savior.
Step 5 : The Politician / Bhai pressurizes the municipal authorities for ‘taking it easy’ with the hawkers.
Step 6 : The municipal authorities throw up their hands, expressing their helplessness as the issue is now in the ‘public domain’ with the SA taking an active role in this drama.
Step 7 : The Politician / Bhai then approaches the SA for taking a more humanitarian stand.
Step 8 : The Hawkers Gherao (Human Blockade – indigenous style !) the SA for being the cause of putting their livelihood at stake.
Step 9 : The SA, the Politician, the Bhai, the municipal authorities and the police then make a ‘mandavali’ (private underground ‘financial settlement’) of this whole affair. The SA is then onwards included in the ‘hafta’ (the periodical underground payment in exchange for peace) schedule.
Step 10 : Hawkers are back to business. All the above parties continue to play the game in order to make a smokescreen for the public at large. The SA makes a public scene about his resentment for the lax attitude of the authorities in handling the hawkers menace. He is usually more dramatic than before – lest somebody may have a suspicion of he having joined the gang.
The above steps are usually followed with minor variations and some cross jumps. But it definitely follows the same PATTERN.
I have found to my surprise that usually the municipal authorities are RESPONSIVE to the demands of the public as represented through the SA. They are helpless in this whole drama as explained above. I have actually come across the street enactment of the above drama in a very much theatrical way.
When I was involved in this action, I took a camera with me. I took photographs of the hawkers and how they create problems by blocking the space and littering with garbage. I sent these photographs to the authorities as a proof. This worked very effectively. The authorities were cornered. I made written complaints and made consistent and systematic follow-up. This produced good results. The authorities were very much responsive. The rest followed the above mentioned 10 step ‘procedure’ of peaceful settlement. The only difference was that somebody else SA ‘gained’ standing on my shoulders. Though I kept myself out of the dirty deal, I felt very sad for the whole episode. I can not do much as this is the way the ‘System’ works. I need a team of dedicated firebrand and honest SA. This is a distant dream at present. But I have not given up.
There is also a SIXTH MEMBER in this System. And he is the Public at Large. When the authorities start rounding up the hawkers, invariably some members of the local residents protest to the authorities in SUPPORT of the hawkers. They say that it is a great convenience to the local residents as the hawkers offer day to day conveniences near to the place of residence. Without them, the residents would have to go to the markets few hundred metres away wasting away precious 5 minutes in the process ! There is then a division amongst the public itself. One section supporting the hawkers and other section opposing the hawkers. The SA in between eats the cake and has it too. The word 'hawker' can be taken as a metaphor. It also includes the encroachment by the shopkeeper in the space in front of his shop, any illegal activity in the shop, hookah parlour, liquor shop, ladies service bar and restaurant.
_____________________________________________________
Note of Caution
The above note is based on my actual experience over a period of time at different locations with different people. However, I have rearranged the details, incidences, locations and people from a diverse motley of facts to make a meaningful, interesting and compact presentation, while at the same time not sacrificing the truth in general. It does NOT relate or restricted to any specific location or person and should not be used to draw inferences about the same. This explanation is necessary in order to be fair with honest and dedicated people who are also working in this field.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Front Row Activists - FRATs
Front Row Activists - FRATs..............................Shrikant Soman
I have observed some activists who are skillful to always get the FRONT ROW of any meeting or function. I call them Front Row Activists – FRATs. They manage to get this in a very skillful way in any or combination of following tactics :
1 They make it very specific to the host, in private, that unless they are treated with respect (read FRONT ROW seating, among others + announcing their names on the mike), they will not come. The host knows this in a ‘give and take’ system or learns his way by ‘hard way’ from past experiences.
2 They manage to make their crony come well in time and occupy the front seat. When these FRATs arrive, the crony make a big show and in a theatrical manner get up and offer them a seat.
3 If the front row is occupied, they have the audacity to ask any ‘weakling’ on the front row to actually get up. This they do not do themselves, but manage to get it done through their cronies.
4 If the front row is occupied and strategy no 3 is not workable, they actually squeeze themselves in between two people. This may seem improbable to you. But I have witnessed it happening.
5 They manage to get an extra chair at side of the front row and get themselves accommodated, as a last resort, if all the above 4 strategies do not work.
I have no issues with these tactics. Earlier I used to HATE them. Over a period of time I have started to admire their skill. I am a dumb boy in their company – making myself comfortable in whatever place that is available. However, there is a serious negative fallout of these tactics. I have invariably found that these FRATs considerably restrict their activities and sphere of influence due this attitude. What is a source of strength becomes a source of limitation. This is how it works :
Whenever these FRATs have an opportunity to attend a meeting, they make their own intelligent private assessment for the possibility of occupying the front seats. They feel considerably INSECURE in having to accept the back seats. If they feel that there is little possibility or there is a high risk of being ‘blocked out’ of the front row, they cleverly AVOID the function. As a result of this limitation, they move in a ‘close circuit’. I have seen people who for years are the FRATs but being restricted to a very limited area. They do not grow. When I say front seat, it also means ‘being in the focus of attention or limelight’. On many occasions, the example of Front Seat is a metaphor.
I am trying to get over my limitation of being comfortable as a back bencher. I do not take it as a sign of modesty or humbleness or simplicity. Frankly, I do not have IT and it IS a limitation - particularly if I want to make any dent in this tough terrain. I do not want to make a MERIT out of my WEAKNESS. My weakness in this area probably stems from my attitude getting moulded in Corporate Management Culture over the past 4 decades. There we do not have to try hard in these matters. There the respect is COMMANDED and not snatched. There is a hierarchy of positions and a clear cut definition of authority, responsibility and protocol. This is 70 % true in corporate culture. The balance 30 % is still being influenced by FRAT syndrome. In the case of military, the protocol is nearly 95 % applicable and only a miniscule 5 % is for FRAT system. In the case of bureaucracy and the elected representatives particularly at the high positions of the Govt, the protocol is nearly 85 % implemented and the balance 15 % is for FRAT system. There are microscopic rules of protocol covering conduct which appears to be very much petty to a common man. There is also a ‘protocol officer’ in the case of high dignitaries like President, Prime Minister etc. In the field of social activism, the picture is completely opposite. Here the ‘empty balloon of STYLE’ is very much the hot commodity. It is also a matter of SURVIVAL for these FRATs. If the sheep (read gullible common man) do not see them at front positions, then they risk to lose their assumed ‘Power’. They do not believe in anything such as an ‘intrinsic value’. Everything is a ‘style value’. The most amusing part of this drama is that these FRATs will invariably proclaim that they do NOT care for the front seat. It is only because the other people are insisting that they have to accept the front seat in all humbleness. These are Super FRATs. They go to the extent of informing to the host that they are arriving within few minutes and somebody should receive them and arrange for their seating at the front row.
However, having said this, there is a considerable ADVANTAGE in being FLEXIBLE (read NON–FRAT). I do not feel threatened like these FRATs when I have to occupy the back seat. This opens a vast area of activity for me. I get myself involved in a diverse and wide area. Being new and unknown entity at the initial stages, I occupy the back seat. I use this opportunity to observe and to learn. As it always happens, very soon and in a quite natural way, without having to make any extra effort, I get noticed and get involved with the core group. In a short span of time, I was able to have made a very wide ranging inroads in various field of social activism – and the field is widening. After having studied the activity of the group and its members, I then FILTER out the people and groups and activities based on my VALUE SYSTEM. This is a very long and tedious process. I have to build up ‘brick by brick’. But that is the only way. There is no shortcut if I have to be in this field on a strong foundation.
Coming back to these FRATs, honestly, I aspire to become one – but not exactly in their manner and tactics. I have to learn to make (push ?) my way forward and not be shy of the limelight. It is difficult as it is going against my moral genes. This is essential if one has to ‘command’ the ‘sheep’ who only recognize the FRATs. Most of the people are brought up (through our social and religious system) sub-consciously in respecting and obeying these FRATs. All our politicians are born FRATs. It is in their genes. It is the entrance barrier for entering into the political field. But here we are talking of the Social Activists who are supposed to bust the ghost of the politicians. If these Social Activists themselves succumb to the sins of the politicians, how are we to fight this corrupt system ?
Even if I manage to become FRAT in my own way and manner, my goal will be NOT to get IMPRISONED in my IMAGE of the FRAT. Having become a FRAT, I will continue to have the flexibility of a back bencher for having a wider canvas of my action.
As a part of ‘self diagnosis’ of the IMAGE IMPROSONMENT of FRAT, I make it a point to purposely take a back seat, particularly when I am in my own POWER group and is normally expected to take a front seat. I then make a self observation of my ‘Dis-Comfort level’ for sitting in back bench. If I can be self composed and comfortable as a back bencher, then I can safely say that I am not imprisoned in my image. This is absolutely essential. I have written separate note about ‘IMAGE BUSTING’ exercises. There is great source of inspiration and strength when one is not getting type cast and getting imprisoned in a particular image of oneself. This is a topic of separate discussion and outside the scope of this diary.
When one understands the game and the players by rising ABOVE it, raising one’s consciousness to a higher spiritual level, then instead of hating and getting irritated with these FRATs, we start to get AMUSED with circus of this MAD World.
I have observed some activists who are skillful to always get the FRONT ROW of any meeting or function. I call them Front Row Activists – FRATs. They manage to get this in a very skillful way in any or combination of following tactics :
1 They make it very specific to the host, in private, that unless they are treated with respect (read FRONT ROW seating, among others + announcing their names on the mike), they will not come. The host knows this in a ‘give and take’ system or learns his way by ‘hard way’ from past experiences.
2 They manage to make their crony come well in time and occupy the front seat. When these FRATs arrive, the crony make a big show and in a theatrical manner get up and offer them a seat.
3 If the front row is occupied, they have the audacity to ask any ‘weakling’ on the front row to actually get up. This they do not do themselves, but manage to get it done through their cronies.
4 If the front row is occupied and strategy no 3 is not workable, they actually squeeze themselves in between two people. This may seem improbable to you. But I have witnessed it happening.
5 They manage to get an extra chair at side of the front row and get themselves accommodated, as a last resort, if all the above 4 strategies do not work.
I have no issues with these tactics. Earlier I used to HATE them. Over a period of time I have started to admire their skill. I am a dumb boy in their company – making myself comfortable in whatever place that is available. However, there is a serious negative fallout of these tactics. I have invariably found that these FRATs considerably restrict their activities and sphere of influence due this attitude. What is a source of strength becomes a source of limitation. This is how it works :
Whenever these FRATs have an opportunity to attend a meeting, they make their own intelligent private assessment for the possibility of occupying the front seats. They feel considerably INSECURE in having to accept the back seats. If they feel that there is little possibility or there is a high risk of being ‘blocked out’ of the front row, they cleverly AVOID the function. As a result of this limitation, they move in a ‘close circuit’. I have seen people who for years are the FRATs but being restricted to a very limited area. They do not grow. When I say front seat, it also means ‘being in the focus of attention or limelight’. On many occasions, the example of Front Seat is a metaphor.
I am trying to get over my limitation of being comfortable as a back bencher. I do not take it as a sign of modesty or humbleness or simplicity. Frankly, I do not have IT and it IS a limitation - particularly if I want to make any dent in this tough terrain. I do not want to make a MERIT out of my WEAKNESS. My weakness in this area probably stems from my attitude getting moulded in Corporate Management Culture over the past 4 decades. There we do not have to try hard in these matters. There the respect is COMMANDED and not snatched. There is a hierarchy of positions and a clear cut definition of authority, responsibility and protocol. This is 70 % true in corporate culture. The balance 30 % is still being influenced by FRAT syndrome. In the case of military, the protocol is nearly 95 % applicable and only a miniscule 5 % is for FRAT system. In the case of bureaucracy and the elected representatives particularly at the high positions of the Govt, the protocol is nearly 85 % implemented and the balance 15 % is for FRAT system. There are microscopic rules of protocol covering conduct which appears to be very much petty to a common man. There is also a ‘protocol officer’ in the case of high dignitaries like President, Prime Minister etc. In the field of social activism, the picture is completely opposite. Here the ‘empty balloon of STYLE’ is very much the hot commodity. It is also a matter of SURVIVAL for these FRATs. If the sheep (read gullible common man) do not see them at front positions, then they risk to lose their assumed ‘Power’. They do not believe in anything such as an ‘intrinsic value’. Everything is a ‘style value’. The most amusing part of this drama is that these FRATs will invariably proclaim that they do NOT care for the front seat. It is only because the other people are insisting that they have to accept the front seat in all humbleness. These are Super FRATs. They go to the extent of informing to the host that they are arriving within few minutes and somebody should receive them and arrange for their seating at the front row.
However, having said this, there is a considerable ADVANTAGE in being FLEXIBLE (read NON–FRAT). I do not feel threatened like these FRATs when I have to occupy the back seat. This opens a vast area of activity for me. I get myself involved in a diverse and wide area. Being new and unknown entity at the initial stages, I occupy the back seat. I use this opportunity to observe and to learn. As it always happens, very soon and in a quite natural way, without having to make any extra effort, I get noticed and get involved with the core group. In a short span of time, I was able to have made a very wide ranging inroads in various field of social activism – and the field is widening. After having studied the activity of the group and its members, I then FILTER out the people and groups and activities based on my VALUE SYSTEM. This is a very long and tedious process. I have to build up ‘brick by brick’. But that is the only way. There is no shortcut if I have to be in this field on a strong foundation.
Coming back to these FRATs, honestly, I aspire to become one – but not exactly in their manner and tactics. I have to learn to make (push ?) my way forward and not be shy of the limelight. It is difficult as it is going against my moral genes. This is essential if one has to ‘command’ the ‘sheep’ who only recognize the FRATs. Most of the people are brought up (through our social and religious system) sub-consciously in respecting and obeying these FRATs. All our politicians are born FRATs. It is in their genes. It is the entrance barrier for entering into the political field. But here we are talking of the Social Activists who are supposed to bust the ghost of the politicians. If these Social Activists themselves succumb to the sins of the politicians, how are we to fight this corrupt system ?
Even if I manage to become FRAT in my own way and manner, my goal will be NOT to get IMPRISONED in my IMAGE of the FRAT. Having become a FRAT, I will continue to have the flexibility of a back bencher for having a wider canvas of my action.
As a part of ‘self diagnosis’ of the IMAGE IMPROSONMENT of FRAT, I make it a point to purposely take a back seat, particularly when I am in my own POWER group and is normally expected to take a front seat. I then make a self observation of my ‘Dis-Comfort level’ for sitting in back bench. If I can be self composed and comfortable as a back bencher, then I can safely say that I am not imprisoned in my image. This is absolutely essential. I have written separate note about ‘IMAGE BUSTING’ exercises. There is great source of inspiration and strength when one is not getting type cast and getting imprisoned in a particular image of oneself. This is a topic of separate discussion and outside the scope of this diary.
When one understands the game and the players by rising ABOVE it, raising one’s consciousness to a higher spiritual level, then instead of hating and getting irritated with these FRATs, we start to get AMUSED with circus of this MAD World.
Preamble to the Diary of a Social Activist
Preamble to the Diary of a Social Activist - Artist by Shrikant Soman
I am a Social Activist working with the sense of wonder and an enthusiasm of a child and political maturity of a hardened politician. I try to keep my core clean and pure while getting involved in the muddy waters of social activism. Occasionally, I do use my killer instinct of a Lion ( Incidentally, I am also a LEO by zodiac sign) for making a penetration where nothing less would do. I am driven by my deep love for motherland – Bharat, whom I treat as a Goddess. I am straightforward, to the point, fearless person, because it is my natural self and I draw my comfort from being so. I prefer to take a back seat in a group meeting, trying just to observe and contribute in a low profile manner, but somehow, as it always happens, I get drawn, dragged or thrown up to the front position. I only realise it only after it had happened ! And then I become a changed person. I create many enemies and leg-pullers on the way. This is a very painful process. I fail to understand or appreciate the mental framework of these people.
Most people feel I am intelligent. I feel this a misnomer. Being intelligent is NOT a function of the brain or the genius. Intelligence FLOWS into you when you keep things simple and get rid of the clutter of emotional baggage and get free of the imprisoning IMAGES of yourself you get locked in. Every person is a born intelligent person – getting dumb as he gets older, because of his tendency to always get into the cocoon of his comfort zone, blocking out the possibilities of adventure and uncertain terrain. I am not referring to the mathematical intelligence. I am referring to the LIFE intelligence.
This diary is a notings of my experiences on my journey in the field of social activism. It is written with the curiosity of a child – who is ever ready to learn, energetic, excited with a sense of adventure. Actually I would prefer to call myself a Social ARTIST. The word activism has connotations of the lofty ideas of struggle, hard-work, sacrifice, dedication etc. I HATE to EULOGISE my work. On the other hand, my view of this activity is more like being CREATIVE and EXPRESSIVE of my ideas, drawing JOY from the activity, LEARNING in the process while at the same time getting EXCITED with the new challenges and adventures. I am an AMATEUR ARTIST in the field of social activism.
I do NOT have any big and spectacular achievements to boast of. I do manage to have very good results, but I am abysmally poor in stealing the limelight and the credit for the job well done. I stay away from the scramble of the crowd at top of the ladder, pulling and pushing each other down. I am into this field for just a year. I am NOT a very well known personality. I work at the grassroots, working with the people, most of whom have their own agenda for being in this field. They are the miniscule replica of our corrupt political leaders and bureaucrats. These social activists are the real CAUSE of our corrupt and decadent political and social system. At the same time, there certainly are very good and dedicated social activists. But they are poor in working with the team and have very high EGO sense. I feel absolutely ‘Odd Man Out’ in this group. However, there is no alternative. There is a temptation to become ‘armchair’ activist – to form an elite club, shoot letters to authorities, meet dignitaries and senior politicians, create own flashy and smart web site, be visible in the media and APPEAR to be a firebrand activist, leaving the ground level dirty job for others. However, it will only boost my EGO and false sense of self worth. I will certainly do exceptionally well if I decide to become a member of this elite club and that too in a very short time. However, my inner self will get suffocated in this situation. On the other hand, trying to work on the ground level with these ground level people is also a very frustrating and painful task. But THIS IS THE WAY.
I am applying the principles of Sri Anand Yoga – doing the job as a JOYFUL ACTIVITY, with skill and dedication, passion and commitment, zeal and enthusiasm. Taking life a HAPPY PILGRIMAGE towards LIGHT. This is an absolutely ESSENTIAL PART OF MY YOGA and SPIRITUAL PATH. I am guided by the message of Srikrishna in Gita. I am blessed to have Sri Aurobindo and Mother as my Guru.
In this diary, I will share with you my experiments and wonders on the way. Read it with a FRESH MIND. Become a Child with me. Then only you will really enjoy the journey. Do not expect to have any magical exhilarating experiences, or to climb mount Everest, or anything of the sort which make great men like Mahatma Gandhi or Swami Vivekananda. This is an experiment in the wonderland of life by an unknown LIFE WONDERER.
You are also invited to visit www.shrikantsoman.com for knowing me better
I am a Social Activist working with the sense of wonder and an enthusiasm of a child and political maturity of a hardened politician. I try to keep my core clean and pure while getting involved in the muddy waters of social activism. Occasionally, I do use my killer instinct of a Lion ( Incidentally, I am also a LEO by zodiac sign) for making a penetration where nothing less would do. I am driven by my deep love for motherland – Bharat, whom I treat as a Goddess. I am straightforward, to the point, fearless person, because it is my natural self and I draw my comfort from being so. I prefer to take a back seat in a group meeting, trying just to observe and contribute in a low profile manner, but somehow, as it always happens, I get drawn, dragged or thrown up to the front position. I only realise it only after it had happened ! And then I become a changed person. I create many enemies and leg-pullers on the way. This is a very painful process. I fail to understand or appreciate the mental framework of these people.
Most people feel I am intelligent. I feel this a misnomer. Being intelligent is NOT a function of the brain or the genius. Intelligence FLOWS into you when you keep things simple and get rid of the clutter of emotional baggage and get free of the imprisoning IMAGES of yourself you get locked in. Every person is a born intelligent person – getting dumb as he gets older, because of his tendency to always get into the cocoon of his comfort zone, blocking out the possibilities of adventure and uncertain terrain. I am not referring to the mathematical intelligence. I am referring to the LIFE intelligence.
This diary is a notings of my experiences on my journey in the field of social activism. It is written with the curiosity of a child – who is ever ready to learn, energetic, excited with a sense of adventure. Actually I would prefer to call myself a Social ARTIST. The word activism has connotations of the lofty ideas of struggle, hard-work, sacrifice, dedication etc. I HATE to EULOGISE my work. On the other hand, my view of this activity is more like being CREATIVE and EXPRESSIVE of my ideas, drawing JOY from the activity, LEARNING in the process while at the same time getting EXCITED with the new challenges and adventures. I am an AMATEUR ARTIST in the field of social activism.
I do NOT have any big and spectacular achievements to boast of. I do manage to have very good results, but I am abysmally poor in stealing the limelight and the credit for the job well done. I stay away from the scramble of the crowd at top of the ladder, pulling and pushing each other down. I am into this field for just a year. I am NOT a very well known personality. I work at the grassroots, working with the people, most of whom have their own agenda for being in this field. They are the miniscule replica of our corrupt political leaders and bureaucrats. These social activists are the real CAUSE of our corrupt and decadent political and social system. At the same time, there certainly are very good and dedicated social activists. But they are poor in working with the team and have very high EGO sense. I feel absolutely ‘Odd Man Out’ in this group. However, there is no alternative. There is a temptation to become ‘armchair’ activist – to form an elite club, shoot letters to authorities, meet dignitaries and senior politicians, create own flashy and smart web site, be visible in the media and APPEAR to be a firebrand activist, leaving the ground level dirty job for others. However, it will only boost my EGO and false sense of self worth. I will certainly do exceptionally well if I decide to become a member of this elite club and that too in a very short time. However, my inner self will get suffocated in this situation. On the other hand, trying to work on the ground level with these ground level people is also a very frustrating and painful task. But THIS IS THE WAY.
I am applying the principles of Sri Anand Yoga – doing the job as a JOYFUL ACTIVITY, with skill and dedication, passion and commitment, zeal and enthusiasm. Taking life a HAPPY PILGRIMAGE towards LIGHT. This is an absolutely ESSENTIAL PART OF MY YOGA and SPIRITUAL PATH. I am guided by the message of Srikrishna in Gita. I am blessed to have Sri Aurobindo and Mother as my Guru.
In this diary, I will share with you my experiments and wonders on the way. Read it with a FRESH MIND. Become a Child with me. Then only you will really enjoy the journey. Do not expect to have any magical exhilarating experiences, or to climb mount Everest, or anything of the sort which make great men like Mahatma Gandhi or Swami Vivekananda. This is an experiment in the wonderland of life by an unknown LIFE WONDERER.
You are also invited to visit www.shrikantsoman.com for knowing me better
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