While at the check-out at Spinneys yesterday, I saw a lot of Caucasian customers (and a few trying to be Caucasian) with bouquets filled with red stuff, that seemed to be the heads of decapitated rose-plants.
Of course, it had to be Valentine's day, that annual reminder for all lonely hearts as to how miserable their lives are. Why else would one choose a particular day of the year to express love, while having to desecrate innocent rose-plants on this account?
Of course, there is a more altruistic motive here, that of helping our poor, poor, Hallmarks shops, as not all 365 days have not yet been branded.
The western culture is of reaffirmation of matters of worldly relevance whereas the oriental one is of reaffirmation of our spiritual relevance our spiritual roots, origin and nature.
ReplyDeleteReaffirmation of matter is much like saying- I am in Dubai, I am in Dubai, I am in UAE.... or I am calm, I am composed or even I love you!!!
Is love an act or our very inherent, innate, core nature?
The oriental culture tell us to reaffirm the fundamental truths- We are the ocean, We are love, We are that, I am I....
That is why great masters label important days as "Jayanti's" it is a victorious (Jaya) day -a day when the veil of ignorance is removed, when duality is derecognised, when the wave realises that it was , is and always will be an ocean no more no less!
SABN classic:
ReplyDeleteThe western culture is of reaffirmation of matters of worldly relevance whereas the oriental one is of reaffirmation of our spiritual relevance our spiritual roots, origin and nature.
Can agree only 100%. It's similar to the Western concept of health as fitness (and therefore, bulk), as opposed to the Eastern concept of health as health (and therefore, agility).
Continuing on the story of Valentine's day
ReplyDeleteShould love need an expression ala a valentine day present such a rose, a dinner, a candlelight dinner out?
Remember the old Indian movies scenes-where lovers elope and everything beyond the depiction of two flowers kissing each other is left to our imagination. In the western movies however, love could find such an overt, palpable and flagrant expression that you shudder at the possibility of imagining anything beyond what is shown unless perversion throws one across the fence and makes him/her enjoy the grisly, morbid and macabre depiction of love.
Too much expression of feelings or emotions of love throws love into the gamut of economics- the law of diminishing returns sets in and it destroys true feelings. True love does not establish itself in the heart
Too little expression of love on the other hand as in the east where mere mention of the word "love" is taboo and forbidden, stifles consciousness
What is needed is treading the middle path- moderate expression and moderate indulgence in expressing love
Believe me Praveen- this rationale is authentic and effective-it has saved me and will save you many dents in your credit card!!