Factory of The Mind

'How does growing up on a farm work out for a child?' doesn't have one answer. My son (15) and daughter (12) have both lived on farm since they were 6 and 3. Both are now capable of comprehending the fact that they've had a different childhood compared to what they could've had. Both of them have very different takes and ideas about their future paths. Isn't that how it is in all cases? Siblings with the same upbringing and circumstances do grow up to be different.  My daughter doesn't think much about this issue. She has the ability to live in the moment and make the most of it. I think it would be interesting to navigate through my son's mind a bit. He acknowledges that there are advantages of growing up on a farm, not going to a school and isolation. But the flip side troubles him too. Similarly, he acknowledges the importance of good food but loves junk food as well. He can't deny the need to have healthy habits but also can't stay away from ...

Often understood as स्वयं का राज, I think it is स्वयं पे स्वयं का राज.  If the unknown, unidentifiable other defines what success means, what good life means while you often realise that these definitions aren't working for you, but still aren't able to break away, then you are ruled over by something outside.  Does that mean that you can arrive at definitions of your whim or मर्जी? Robert Pirsing, in his book 'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance', wrestles with this question: 'Is quality a physical characteristic of the object or a subjective understanding of the onlooker?' He arrives at an answer that quality is a third entity, which exists independent of the subject and object.  So are these definitions. Nature/God or the Universe already has these definitions and one ought to seek them. Once sought ought to live by them.  Many friends say, "I know this is the right thing to do, but it isn't easy to just give up on what is."  It maybe true...