Gently Down The Stream

Navigating the Literary Labyrinth

Category: Philosophy

Philosophy / Social Science / Well being

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The Cherry Blossom and the Wisdom of Impermanence

The cherry blossom or Sakura is one of the most beautiful trees you will come across. Its ethereal petals hued in shades of pink and white adorn the branches of the trees with elegance. In Japan, Sakura holds deep cultural meaning, symbolizing good luck, love, and the start of spring. People eagerly anticipate the blooming of Sakura, to behold its heavenly beauty, as it lasts only for a brief period. This ephemeral quality is often paralleled to the transient nature of human existence. Within its fleeting beauty lies a profound lesson on life’s impermanence. It imparts a poignant reminder of...

Navigating the cold and prick.

behavioral science / Philosophy / Social Science / Well being

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Human relationships: navigating the cold and prick

We, as social beings are not meant to be alone. We are wired to connect and cooperate with others, to share our joys and sorrows, to give and receive support. Our ancestors knew this well, as they formed clans and communities to face the dangers of nature together. That is why we fear being cast out or shunned by those we care about. Many ancient and modern teachings have emphasized the importance of social ties, friendships, and meaningful connections for our happiness and flourishing. Relationships offer us many positive attributes: they give as a sense of belonging, work as pillars...

Philosophy / Social Science / Wellbeing

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Beyond the Void: Finding Love, Devotion, and Essence in a Chaotic World

Sometimes, we feel a deep emptiness in our soul that we cannot describe or understand. We sense that something is missing in our lives, but we do not know what it is. We try different ways to fill this void, depending on our beliefs and preferences. Some of us look for spirituality to fill the void. We seek comfort and enlightenment in the divine or other mystical realms. We hope to find a transcendental power that can provide us with purpose and fortitude when we are struggling to make sense of the world. We meticulously follow the rituals and traditions...

absurdity called life

Interesting Facts / Literature / Mythology / Philosophy / Social Science

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Sisyphus, the myth and the absurdity of life

Mythical stories and fables that are weaved from the fabric of life have enchanted humans since the dawn of civilization. For a myth to endure a time-spanning across generations and people identifying with them for its symbolic belief signifies its credibility. Sisyphus myth is one among many that have been reviewed widely in association to work, attitude and in the realm of existentialism. A one-line description of Sisyphus myth can be a man’s perseverance in a senseless repetition of a futile pursuit.   A commoner might remember Sisyphus’ experience as a person who is toiling in vain. Sisyphus, the mythological character ...

of pencils and boxes

fables and sayings / Philosophy / Social Science

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Of Pencils and boxes

If you were to explore your creative skills and offer your ideas and imagination about two themes from our daily life, one a pencil and another a box, I’m convinced that most amongst you can propose exciting and impressive ideas that reveal your unique originality and viewpoints.  Reflection of two great writers Before you discover your ideas, let us read up about the creative intelligence of two celebrated contemporary writers. Paulo Coelho’s short story on the pencil  Nassim Nicholas’s aphorism on boxes. Paulo Coelho The proclaimed author who shot to fame with his bestselling novel , The Alchemist, needs no...

Nuclear Detonation

Interesting Facts / Philosophy

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What prompted Robert Oppenheimer to quote Gita

Robert Oppenheimer was the principal architect of the world’s first nuclear weapon and headed the Manhattan Project during the second world war. As he watched the first atomic explosion, he was moved to quote from Gita. Bhagavad Gita-” the song of the lord.” Bhagavad Gita, a small section of Hindu Epic, Mahabharata presents a tussle between two contrary moral positions-Krishna’s emphasis on doing one’s duty on one side and Arjuna’s focus on avoiding bad consequences.  This debate occurs on the eve of the great war, and the doubt about the righteousness of what they are doing is bothering Arjuna, the...

The Vinegar Tasters

Interesting Facts / Philosophy

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Vinegar Tasters, how beliefs shape attitudes

When it comes to attitudes, people generally have different approaches to life. Some are cheerful, some optimistic, few are perennially pessimistic, others have a default complaining mode, some rational and others emotional. The best way forward You can’t claim one approach to be preferable over the other since many factors like culture, environment, and beliefs influence a person’s outlook on their life.A perfect example to show how even the wisest men stand divided on figuring out the essence of life is depicted in the Chinese allegorical painting “Vinegar Tasters”. Vinegar Tasters-The timeless meaning Have a close look at the picture...