"A Socrates Gone Mad"

Diogenes studied under Antisthenes, who, by the way, hated students. Diogenes took his master’s teachings to heart and went him one better. Being called a dog was not enough for him; he actually lived with a pack of stray dogs.

Alexander the Great (356-323 B.C.), having heard of Diogenes, made a point of meeting him.

Diogenes was sitting on the seashore when the magnificent, handsome young king of Greece and conqueror of the known world rode up on his powerful charger. Looking down on the reclining Cynic, he said:

“I am Alexander the Great.”

“I am Diogenes, the dog,” replied the Cynic.

“The dog?”

“I nuzzle the kind, bark at the greedy, and bite louts.”

“What can I do for you?” asked the Ruler of the World.

“Stand aside, you are blocking my light.”

So impressed was Alexander with the uncompromising character of Diogenes that he later said, “If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes.”

This sketch is based on material in 

Guy Davenport’s Herakleitos and 

Diogenes  (San Francisco: Grey Fox 

Press, 1979), pp. 35-37

The Union of Opposites. (Lao-tzu)

We look at it and do not see it;

   Its name is The Invisible.

We listen to it and do not hear it;

   Its name is The Inaudible.

We touch it and do not find it;

   Its name is The Subtle (formless).

These three cannot be further inquired into,

   And hence merge into one.

Going up high, it is not bright,

   And coming down low, it is not dark.

Infinite and boundless, it cannot be given any name;

   It reverts to nothingness…

It is The Vague and Elusive.

   When the people of the world all know beauty as beauty,

There arises the recognition of ugliness.

   When they all know the good as good,

There arises the recognition of evil.

Therefore:

Bring and non-being produces each other;

   Difficult and easy complete each other;

Long and short contrast each other;

   High and low distinguish each other;

Sound and voice harmonize with each other;

   Front and back follow each other.

Lao-tzu.

Tao Te Ching, in Wing-Tsit Chan,

Trans. And comp. A Source Book  in Chinese Philosophy.

Right Place on Right Time.

I was at the exit of our faculty when someone called my name from behind. I turned and it was my classmate. I gave him a questioning look. He said: “Sir Alam wants to see you; you have to go back to the department.” For a moment I was at the peak of annoyance because I had come a long way. But that was not to long before I was going back to the department.

I am sure you must have heard this kind of phrase “only if I have blab blab blab, I would have blab blab blab”, everyone uses this regretful phrase once in a while. “Only if I have left 2 minutes early, I would have catch the bus”, “only if I had gone back, this would have happened in other way” etc etc. It is lucky to be on the right place on right time because sometimes it really is a matter of seconds that changes one’s life forever.

So, back to the story, I was kind of upset that day because the day before, I and my friend was sitting outside the main library in our university, and I saw a guy I happened to know. Actually I don’t really know him, but I recognize him. He is not a student in my department but he used to come to attend Sir Suri’s class, when I was in third year I guess. I remember him well because once I and my other friend went to see Sir Suri but as usual couldn’t bring ourselves to go to his office (despite the fact that he is my mentor, I never pull the courage to talk to him) So I was begging to my friend to go and talk to Sir on my behalf, then he (the guy) came out of the office and walked past us, I called him,” Ay bhai, is sir Suri in his worse mood or just in a bad mood”, he was shocked for a moment then shook his head,” No, he is not in his office.” My friend was laughing aloud, and for many days after, all of my friends mocked me by calling “Ay bhai, Ay bhai”.

Anyway, again back to the story, I was sitting and having lunch with my friend, I saw him coming slowly toward the library. I recognized him of course, my friend was telling me something but I was lost in thoughts. He was looking so… I really can’t find word to define but let’s say, so scattered. He always dressed neatly. But that time he was out of his personality, his clothes were a mess and he was wearing slepers, plus he was shaved head (I clearly remember he had hair before). He and that girl weren’t talking, though the girl looked fine but I could felt the tension between them, they sat in front of us. I was constantly looking at them, the girl looked at me several times, and then that guy saw me too. I could see he recognized me too. I really wanted to go and ask him what is being bothering him. (Though being a coward, I know I can only do this in dreams). I also asked my friend to take a look at him. Anyway, when I came back home, I couldn’t get his sad face out of my mind. I asked that whatever was the matter, may Allah solve that, and I also asked that let me see him once again tomorrow because it is really hard for me to get rid of something that once stick in my mind.

I went to university next day. I am use to walk with my head down and space out in thoughts. But that day I was attentive and pushing my day dreaming aside, and looking time to time to the people passing by. No luck.

So, back to the first story, when I went to the department, talked to Sir Alam, and then again walked all the way to the exit all gloomy, head downwards, for a second I raised my head to see the path… there he was…, coming with that girl, talking and relieved. Our eyes met for a second but he was too much into whatever he was telling to that girl. All of a sudden, I was relaxed. Actually I was really happy to see him back to in high spirit.

Then I thought if I hadn’t gone back, or may be if I had left early or late, the timing would have been disturbed and I wouldn’t have seen him. There is about 0.1% chance to see a single specific person in hundreds of people, and especially when you don’t even know his whereabouts. You must be thinking why on earth I bothered to even care about someone I don’t even know the name of, the answer is simple...which I don’t know, but I guess it is natural and normal.

Anyway, of course there is a point to telling you the story and also wasting your time. I just want to deliver my thought that, if you have forgotten something, it might be a sign to prevent you from any danger or may be for you to meet with your luck. So, don’t be in hurry and don’t get annoyed, go ahead with it and lets universe set the timings for you.

Dated: 27-Oct-11

Sir Zulfiqar Vs Sir Abdul Wahab Suri

Today when I left the class, I was walking to the gate and I was thinking that today I really learned some quality things, though it is very rare of Sir Zulfiqar to enrich us with his knowledge (usually he is specific about the topic). I was really happy. Suddenly an idea (I can’t find any other appropriate term right now) hit my mind that is, my other teacher Sir Soori (who I admire a lot) is like a sea, very enormous and vast, I just need to go near to the sea, and the long waves will come to me. I don’t have to put any efforts to obtain the wisdom of the sea. But today I have realized that Sir Zulfiqar is like a well. I need to turn the shaft in order to let the container go down to the water. I need to put efforts to fetch the wisdom out of the well, and I just know that there is water down there but I can’t imagine its depth. There is another reason for comparing him to the well; you see the water that comes out from the well is sweet as compared to the salty water of the sea. Sir Zulfiqar has his charm that is optimism and openness. He wont condemn the stupidest argument or thing you say, but he will welcome your thoughts with openness, and this attitude will make you feel comfortable enough to ignore your fears or guilt (which some people like me have that what they are saying is stupid, and they better shut up) and makes you confident, and then he will lead you to the right direction, explore your vision and help you to come over your ignorance. He might have not realized it but he did help me a lot. He is the only teacher with I feel confident enough to say and share my own thought. He is very encouraging, politest and calmed person I have ever known. While my other teacher Sir Soori, I compared him to the sea because the water of the sea is still water but it is salty, that is how he is. He will brighten your thoughts; he will make you realize many simple things that you haven’t even bother to look at. He is an amazing person, for a moment he will be giving all his might to support a theory and the next moment he will bombard to the very bases on which that theory is established, and destroy them too, then he will leave you surprised and overwhelmed. Sometimes you feel lost too. So far what I have known is, the duty of a teacher is not to answer students’ questions, but to show them different paths and tempt their students to select which one is right for them. And I suppose this is what my teachers do. Because if they keep just answering us, that would eventually kill our own intellect. Besides I believe that one can never be satisfied with someone else’s opinion or answer. Everyone has to find their own answers in order to be satisfied, instead of wandering to other people’s doors for answers.

Note: Both of my beloved teachers have very keen insight whatever they talk about. But the difference is in their attitudes which are the reason (despite of their knowledge) why I admire them both.

Dated: 18-Oct-11.

From the Dialogues of Plato.

When a man thinks himself to be near death, fears and cares enter into his mind which he never had before, the tales of a world below and the punishment which is exacted there of deeds done here were once a laughing matter to him, but now he is tormented with the thought that they may be true: either from the weakness of age, or because he is now drawing nearer to that other place, he has a clearer view of these things; suspicious and alarms crowd thickly upon him and he begins to reflects and consider what wrongs he has done to others. And when he finds that the sum of his transgressions is great he will many a time like a child start up in his sleep for fear, and he is filled with dark forebodings. But to him who is conscious of no sins, sweet hope, as Pindar charmingly says, is the kind nurse of his age.

Hope—cherishes the soul of him who lives in justice and holiness, and in the nurse of his age and the companion of his journey; ---hope which is mightiest to sway the restless soul of man.

---The Republic by Plato.

Book I.

Dialogues between Socrates and Cephalous.

How it would feel...?

How it would feel to just flow with the current of life. Not to think about choices, opportunities and possibilities. Just let everything happen. No plannings. And just being optimist for upcoming events. Just be free from responsibilities, from obligations to satisfy people, to care, and to love just because you have to. Not to expect, but to find, and to embrace whatever comes to you so you won't be sorry for not being prepared.