A short discussion on big questions of life.

This is about big questions in life. Big questions that we try not to answer. Either because we are too busy doing some mediocre things like building bridges or ruling countries. Or because we are afraid of them as there is no accessible knowledge about answers in our databases. Instead we try to build a tiniest robot to use in treating renal stones, or making the biggest ship to send bigger cargo to the moon. But the big questions remained throughout the human history, ever since we developed frontal cortex and imagination. And when a disaster strikes and the shit happens out of nowhere we tend to isolate from this temporary matrix and try to solve the questions, without any help. Often failing as there is lack of information. This blog is just a tiny effort to show you how material success is inherently linked to these big questions of life. And even stupid in front of answers.

Big

What are the big questions?

Why am I here?

Who am I?

Why should I do what I am doing now?

These are just a few. There are many more. Have you ever tried to list them out? If you are getting anxious just by asking these questions how can you ever hope to get answers. Be it meditation, mindfulness exercise or your 8-5 job, if you're unable to reason out why, I think it's just a waste of time. On the other hand if you're able to tell why you are begging from others instead of earning a living, you are not wasting your time on earth. The mind shines only when we ask these big questions. Consider a monk. The difference between a begger and a monk are just answers to these big questions. One is well respected even offered food and basic needs, while others are ignored. It looks beggers make no attempt at answering big questions. They do not realise they are one step away from becoming Nobel. Instead just worry about the problems the society has mounted on them. Like money and shelter. Instead just asking the big questions and attempting to understand yourself can lift you from wherever you are.

I look at it like cutting gems. Gems come in different shapes and sizes. Often deep within earth. Only someone with a good eye can identify these as they are covered with mud and dirt. Even after washed they do not show the true interior. But once they are cut by a professional gem cutter, they will reflect light and become a beautiful work of nature.

Now consider your mind a gem. It's covered with mud and dirt of the society. Knowledge about material success clouds the beauty of the mind. Be a gem cutter, ask the big questions from time to time. So your mind gem starts to shine day by day. And then people will start to notice and stupidly think that it's wonderful. As they haven't yet discovered themselves yet.

Gems

In this journey of asking big questions there are few practical things we can do. First Is to create opportunity. Opportunity comes naturally when your mind is curious. Give it a chance. When you hear someone talking about life, make an effort to follow these leads. And you don't have to and shouldn't believe in these teachings. Having the ability to give up ideologies which doesn't make sense is needed, as even our own mind starts to lie when we follow blind believes. Challenge your own thoughts by asking a different question. I know it's scary. People surrounding you might say it's not necessary. It's not necessary to ask big questions to keep your sanity. But here is a thought.

It is OK to go insane, asking who am I, than working all life to be dead at the end, without knowing why. Atleast you have made an attempt. Let's do a mindful exercise to cut the gem

Who am I? A big question.

To be honest looking at a person as a self is just a one way of looking at it. It could also be explained as a chimera, a collection of separately functioning units. It can be considered as a mind and a body. It can also be seen as a tree which evolved to walking. None of these are 100% true. So the question "who am I?" May not be the correct question to ask. If that is not a legitimate question, what is the correct question to ask. As each and every question is build upon just subjective observation. Is there even a correct question? Are we capable of asking a correct question other than observing life?