As India and US move towards election time, I found something I wrote last year:
Barkha Dutt, in her article on ndtv.com says that the Congress might be running out of trump cards as they need either the Prime Minister or the Congress President to steer clear the ship from dangerous waters. The aces up their sleeve might be slowly running out and India might have to brace itself for an early general election.

The following quote is very apt to describe the elections in India:
“When the air is full of speeches … and vice versa.” - Peter Eldin

And this one is historically proven:
“Einstein’s theory of relativity, as practiced by Congressmen, simply means getting members of your family on the payroll.” – James H. Boren

The next quote is from the book George Orwell’s Animal Farm that I read last night. It is a fairy tale that describes the situation in a farm that is ruled by animals. And he likens it to USSR, where the people in power are like the pigs who are in charge of the animal farm because of their thinking ability and leadership skills. So this is a commandment issued forth by the pigs.
“All animals are equal. Some are more equal than others.”

Moving on to religion.
When the cords of the lute are too tight, then the sounds are not in cadence; when they are too loose, then the sounds had neither harmony nor charm; but when not tight and not slack, then the sounds were harmonious. So also in regard to the body. If it is harshly treated, it becomes wearied and the mind is listless; if it is to softly treated, then the feelings are pampered and the will is weakened.
- Buddha

Nanak says, I take shelter of my Master in my mind.
By remembering Whom, bliss comes and all pains vanish.

- from the Rahras Sahib (can you guess the lines?)


If we look closely at the message of Buddha and Guru Nanak, we can see the similarity and the difference. The similarity is that mind is special.
But, Buddha is achieving control over his thoughts by making the body a suitable dwelling place for the mind. Nanak is mastering the mind by remembering God. Who is correct?

Can it be compared to the following paradox?

The following statement is true. The preceding statement is false.

Or to this one:
“To believe in God is impossible – not to believe in Him is absurd.” - Voltaire

The value of simplicity

I was wondering about the necessity of simplicity in life and am trying to keep things orderly, organized and uncomplicated this term. Ironically, Simplicity does have a rather complex definition: Simplicity is a meta-scientific criterion by which we evaluate competing theories. One quote puts it beautifully:"Simplicity of character is the natural result of profound thought."All great men have preached simplicity in life. Hindu and Buddhists have always had a thrifty spiritual lifestyle. Gautama Buddha, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad and Guru Nanak all practised simple living. Henry David Thoreau and Mahatma Gandhi were personifications of simplicity. I have started reading Harish Dhillon's Guru Nanak and am liking it very much. It is written in chronological style starting with the history ofPunjab at that time and describing events, characters and incidents in great simplicity and yet in delicate detail. The cover sketch has been made by Sukirat who was my art teacher in YPS and the map of Punjab during the time of Nanak was made by Kooner Sir. His close relationship with his sister, Nanaki, is described beautifully. Like how Nanak went and wept in a forest when she got married. Also, the influence of Muslims in his life. His neighbour Sayyad Hussain and Kalo's (his father) friend Rai Bular are both Muslim and shown to have a tremendous impact on Nanak's thoughts. The book brings Guru Nanak and the characters associated with him to life. Harish Dhillon runs us through the customs of those times. He goes in detail of how Nanak was born in Talwandi and not in maternal house in Village Chahalwala, the maiden village of Mata Tripta - but where Nanaki was born and hence the name (nankeh). How Nanak was named so because Nanaki never let him go when he was born. So his name came to be Nanak or Nanaki's baby. Nanak treated shudra-muslim-enemy as he did khatri-brahman-friend. Nanaki liked such unusual characteristics of Nanak, but their mother Tripta was not too happy and Kalo was usually losing his temper. Indeed, “If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears the beat of a different drummer.” (Thoreau)