I've just recently begun reading a book called the Baghdad Burning, which is actually the collection of blogs written by an Iraqi woman 'Riverbend' during the Iraq occupation in 2003. I must admit I was someone who was never into politics. In fact I detested it, mainly the reason due to which I never bothered to know what’s actually happening around me.

I could even say that I was so caught up complaining about my life just like any other average human being that I totally failed to see the world around me. The book opened my eyes up to a lot of things that I was blind to. I myself was resident of Kuwait (Iraq's neighbor) at the time when George Bush had declared a war on Iraq (“The war against terrorism”). It was true that Saddam wasn't exactly the 'favorite' in anyone's books but I don't believe anyone hated him as much as they hated Bush at that instance.

Well I’m not the one to speak about the political 'stuffs'. Well, one thing I realized and was really affected by, was Riverbend's account of the constant fear that they experienced for their lives and that its easy for people in other parts to discuss about such things whereas the emotions of the people who undergo such great atrocities is just incomprehensible.

I still remember, towards the end of the occupation, a lot of news in the media about the torture and humiliation inflicted upon the people. There used to be discussions, debates, speeches and such competitions where this used to be the major topic where we sympathize with all those suffering while sitting in air conditioned rooms with all luxury and comfort. The truth of the matter is, no matter how much we sympathize with anyone we shall never really be able to fathom the minutest of their pain. It in a way made me realize how important it was for me to be aware of what was happening in the world and to do something to make the slightest of difference......

I’ve been thinking a lot recently... no; don’t be amazed, ‘I do think’. Well what has been bothering me recently is “what is the ‘correct culture’ really?” Culture’s dictionary meaning is “the ideas, customs and art of a particular society”. So what is the perfect one?

India supposedly is the unique land of diversity where unity prevails. I guess to a certain extent on the surface some sort of a “we think all are the same” farce exists but I have to confess after spending about four years here even I have a small tendency to let bias creep in while interacting with people. And then there is “the culture”. This place is exceptionally gifted with a great culture so I’ve heard but I do wonder “Is a ‘culture’ that has no capability of tolerating new things a great culture?” A place where you can’t move around without inviting comments from people who are more interested in your business than their own and who won’t be there at the time you need some help… do they have the perfect culture?

All these ofcourse could be anywhere in the world too that is why I’m of the opinion that we can never say that the culture a particular society has, is ever perfect or the correct one. People’s ideas, customs etc. maybe good or bad, just the thing is no one has any right to say which the correct one is because of the plain reason that no one declared us the ‘God’.

Tuesday June 17, 2008 8:12 PM

I read an awesome book yesterday, it was so interesting that I began in the morning and concluded in the evening and no, I certainly did not skip any pages or paragraphs. Well you’ll just have to take my word for it anyways. The book “The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari” is a captivating tale in addition to a sort of spiritual awakening written by Robin .S. Sharma, one of North America’s electrifying professional speakers.

The book tells a story of a famous lawyer Julian Mantle who reigned in his profession. He pushed himself to the top of the ladder of success through nights of sleeplessness and hard work till eventually he began to get drained off his vivacity and ended up with a heart attack.

This, in a way struck a chord in his mind and caused him give up everything, to embark on a soul searching journey into the East i.e. India and into the Himalayas, to the sages or the yogis as they were called there. It is the part where he spends valuable time with a yogi called Raman that makes a person really rethink his/her life. The stay with the yogis is actually presented to the reader as Julian Mantle’s narration to his close friend and colleague.

The details take us to a zone way beyond normal thoughts. It in a way questions the basic purpose of our lives, its meaning and in a way made me realize I wasn’t actually mad when I always felt something missing or a sort of emptiness in my mind and soul and couldn’t exactly pinpoint its origin. I suppose that maybe everyone feels that way once in a while i.e. you have everything but that doesn’t just fulfill or complete you and makes you so frustrated at just ‘not knowing’ and not being able to convey it to anyone. This is a must read for those who scorn at spiritual talk because this has definitely been written by a very sensible and educated person. I have to admit though; I haven’t exactly started to follow everything in the book head on and transformed or anything, but it’s definitely a start.

It has greatly enriched my mind with the knowledge about mind control and setting goals as well a lot of other related things like the value of sheer will power. I also believe that the book can’t be fully comprehended by reading it just once. As I said this was just the beginning. I really have to thank my cousin for pointing out this book to me.