Interpret Wisely

A merchant navy captain writes in the ships log book “In another act of sleeping, chief officer Das was found napping at 3.10 am on deck. The following morning chief officer Das requested the captain to write clearly as the board could interpret there being previous occasions too and that will reflect badly in his ACR (annual confidential report). The captain paid no attention and a few days went by. One night the crew celebrated the captain’s birthday on board with music dance and alcohol. That mid night captain skipped his rounds and chief officer Das conducted the rounds as proxy. He wrote in Log book; “Captain in high spirits gives another opportunity to chief officer to conduct night rounds. All hands were at work on bridge, deck, engine room and the ship maintained course and schedule.”

For generation’s people belonging to family, religious, professional, political, institutional outfits took liberties to interpret on several matters using simple understanding. This developed distorted version of oneness of life, lives and all living including, values, ethos, culture etc. We normally interpret as we understand and often teach with self-centred gains that are just not fair enough. Consider comprehending a bit stronger than understanding; it means to mentally grasp something's complete nature or meaning.

It’s good to know how to read, but dangerous not to know how to interpret what you are reading. We all receive social media contents some are worthy and some seek undue visibility. Much of it spreads misinformation, inciting hatred with false narrations, unsolicited opinions/comments criticizing only to get attention and feel superior. Do not exercise fastest finger first to forward anything in groups if it does not concur to your imagination, sympathy, knowledge. Your forwards must contain your mind-full with responsibility and accountability. Take caution the artificial intelligence in your smart phones is getting smarter and likely to bring more creative unethical contents, making it harder to discern fake contents from real ones.

In true sense History is a matter of interpretation, but you have to start with certain facts. Globally it is known historians intentionally vaguely interpreted under influence of the rulers of the day. Best on the subject is to rely on self-research.

A political ambition must mature and be more loyal to the nation and not a political party. To interpret better opportunities, policies, social rights and freedoms, you do not have to be the ruling party.

Movies in reel that are more real to life with social message are called offbeat movies, though they interpret a message, meaning, entertainment more true to life. Blockbusters are artificial intelligence polluting human intelligence influencing masses to imbibe the artificial characteristic of screen life in their actual life.

Reading religious scriptures is spending quality time with God and learning the best way of living, noblest way of suffering and a peaceful way of dying. Sri Guru Granth Sahib the Shabad Guru in Sikhism was written, compiled, edited and completed during the life time of Gurus. What more clarity and blessing to guide us live a noble life, but humans mess up by poorly interpreting to their convenience. My biggest reality check to how wrongly I interpreted knowing the EK was realizing “Guru Ko Manna” the manner I did, is different from “Guru Ki Manna” what He has defined.

What we do how we do, bring a meaning to these events because how we interpret them shapes who we are today and who we will become tomorrow.

You learn every single day, that’s the beauty of wise interpretation.