Intent

I had been thinking about something to blog about for past few days and finally decided about a topic. I am finding it harder to blog as other priorities take up much time and also because trying to understand what the intent behind me blogging really was.

Every action has some intent/motivation behind it. Read this article yesterday in the paper, by Victor Chan, "If we have have sincere motivation, with compassion and caring in our minds, even if we speak harsh words, use physical force, these actions are nonviolent.  But with negative motivation, a friendly gesture using nice words and a big smile, and trying to exploit others, it is the worst kind of violence.  My approach: Today's reality is the whole world, but just one body.  Everything is a part of me.  Understanding this helps reduce negative emotions.  Hatred comes because we don't appreciate interdependence.  Suffering comes because we don't understand interdependence.  We cause harm, sometimes unintentionally, because we are greedy for money and power.  We thinks these things will make us happy.  This is a misunderstanding.  Real happiness comes from peace of mind.  The only way to obtain this is to be altruistic and to be compassionate."

After joining my second job have come to realize the importance of interdependence more than before.  Having an altruistic intent/motivation comes kind of naturally but maintaining the right kind of attitude and having compassion is really hard in various situations.  Once the purification of thought is achieved, peace of mind comes naturally in any situation.

I have realized meditation and playing sports helps me to attain such purification of thought and being "in the zone" comes naturally in various situations which is synonymous to being understanding of others.

Most of the times intent/motivation cannot be entirely altruistic as proper balance/discrimination is necessary.  All of our actions have mixed motivations to them so understanding and discriminating such actions help us be in the moment and living in harmony with others.

But really can true intent be known to others through words alone? or can we predict someone else's real intent through actions only?

I know my intent of blogging was not really to gain more visitors/hits, more like a dairy, but have come to despise diaries as contemplation is always second to experience.

Still will try to post if anything interesting comes to mind.

Driving

I always looked upon driving a four-wheeler as one of the things I would not be doing for a long long time.  I really could not fathom the craze of my cousin and especially my younger brother regarding driving a car.  When I was in college, I always thought there were better things to be fanatic about other than driving, mainly because of fuel, pollution, etc. and to a point I still do now.  I think back then, basically took driving for granted and looked down over the whole process of driving as was not fully aware of it.

About 7 months back, I decided to be a little proactive and felt the time was right to at least set up acquiring a license if not the fondness. What really enchanted me was the opportunity to learn a new skill albeit a very important one which would help in future.  After getting the learning license, tried to learn on uncle's (family) car.  It was kind of funny and also very nerve-wracking at first because even though I was aware that I was driving, somehow reflexes were very slow.  Perhaps thats what happens to the brain when learning anything new. Reluctantly had to go to driving school after uncle coaxed me.  Later on, I did learn a lot about the whole process that goes on during driving, i.e. changing gears, judging vehicle space, indicators, signs, how to park properly, etc. About 3 months into learning to drive i.e. in driving school, I have probably learnt about 80% and to my surprise have developed some fancy for it.  Still do have quite a way to go before learning to drive properly in Indian traffic.  For me it helps me more to learn to control my nerves in crampy traffic/awkward situations and to keep calm than learning to go with the flow at high speeds.  Now, I am able to understand, to some extent, why driving is a special skill and why so many look up to it, and the fanaticism associated with cars and why new and new car models are launched yearly.  Being a driver is probably one of the most complex jobs.  Everyday taking public transport makes me realize the value of the man at the wheel and appreciate the toughness of his profession.

Driving is not a right. It is a privilege.  Will have to keep reminding myself of this fact.

Heads up.