Happiness & Evolution

In a riverbed were two trees. One was the mighty banyan tree and the other was a reed. “You are spineless; look at me. Not only am I tall and stand erect, I also give shade to the weary,” it would often say to the reed. In the rainy season came a flash flood that uprooted the banyan tree. The reed, however, survived as it simply bent with the current and when the floods receded, it became erect again. This is a story of the strength of humility. Another lesson the story contains is that it is only those systems that come in equilibrium with the surroundings that survive. Evolution of natural systems normally takes place via branching when the system goes far from equilibrium or “becomes unwieldy”, and is governed by laws of non-linear thermodynamics. The branch that comes into equilibrium with the surrounding forces, survives and prospers. Most times we are unhappy because of conflict within the self or with surroundings. To resolve the conflict or come “in equilibrium”, we should be able to sense our surroundings. The first mechanism for happiness is, therefore, to become acutely aware of the surroundings and corresponding forces. This means developing a sensitive mind and increasing one’s awareness. Both these are produced by making our minds powerful through Yoga. A powerful mind is a great information processor and, hence, can process signals and information from surroundings efficiently. Without awareness, the interaction with the forces is only a one-way affair, that is, we are controlled by them.

Source: Economic Times, 18/01/2019