FIGURING THINGS OUT

A man in late seventies was regular to a restaurant. His walking stick was an expression of his globe-trotting, with many metal plaques of multiple destinations on it. He would do some reading or writing while dinning.

Amrik the young restaurant owner addressing the elderly as Bauji requests to join him and offers today’s dinning as compliments from the establishment. Bauji smiled and blessed him. A note pad Bauji was writing on had a caption “FIGURING THINGS OUT”. Amrik asked what that meant. Bauji scribbled a few points and then said way back generations had much to figure things out for themselves. Today many answers arrive before the mind has had the chance to struggle with the question.

Every generation brings its own strengths. The young move today with confidence in ways we never imagined in our times. Their access to knowledge, their ability to connect across distances, and the courage to question many old patterns are strengths that deserve respect. Yet, from where an elder sits, one cannot help but notice that some qualities which one grew almost naturally in our generation, seems to appear less often in individuals these days.

Young minds today are surrounded by information; opinions arrive quickly and are everywhere. Answers appear before one has sat with the question. In such a world, the habit of listening inward may find less room, hence youngsters struggle to figure it out about themselves. They lack ability to listen to the self or trust the self. One is impatient with self because one has not known the self well.

The loss of developing self-awareness, one is getting habitual of outsourcing. It is of course a powerful tool for efficiency, but successful delegation requires first mastering specific foundational elements of life. How to perceive yourself is missing.

One has to figure out developing self-awareness early and continuously in life, is essential for fostering self-control, emotional regulation and improve decision making. It strongly enhances mental health and relationships. Absence of awareness can be judged from national statistics that reflect 10-15% of adult Indian population requires intervention for mental health issues. In urban areas 60million suffer depression and anxiety as leading causes.

One must also figure out intuition; described as the inner calm connection to the divine, providing guidance beyond the ego. The mental process of intuition allows individuals to make rapid, accurate decisions and sense opportunities or dangers. Intuition is about seeing with the soul and hearing whispers of the soul.

Gurbani helps you to figure it out advising the need to be intuitively balanced. The Name of the Lord to dwell within the mind, and practice a life of truthful living. Those wise to take the Naam as their wealth are in a state of Sahaj (intuitive poise/balance),

The core purpose of human life—spiritual evolution and self-improvement—requires intense individual effort (Uddam). Fundamental responsibilities are non-transferable. No one can achieve God-realization on your behalf. One must figure out to use one’s (Bibek) God-given intelligence to distinguish between what is temporary (Maya) and what is eternal (Truth). To figure out Who Am I? - a key aspect is understanding one’s own true nature. Aapu Savarih is to first reform yourself before trying to influence the world. 

In conclusion Bauji closing his eyes and with folded hands says “Eh Bande - Khoj apne dil aur mann ko roj…..”, rather than wandering in confusion.

In Amrik’s family there was no elderly person living with them. He figured out elders do carry their wisdom. Much learnings come from them, least we listen to them. Touching Bauji’s feet he announced every Sunday for three months an exclusive brunch in his restaurant for “senior citizens” and their accompanied guests @ 50% discount. A gesture reflecting elder’s recognition and an opportunity in bringing generations in family to spend quality time together.