Log Kya Kahenge

We go through our lives in this rat race, trying to live appearances so that we might impress others with our outwardly projections and manifestations of wealth, prestige, power. We all are driven by one motive or desire. That is the reason for waking up, the reason to get up and face the world and to make it through the day. No one, just lives, it’s this force that makes us do things, to achieve milestones, goals and to carry on. In the Sri Guru grant sahib, there is a particular line that says,” Lok Patiyaare kachoo Na paiyee (Page 736). Look =people, Patiyaare= please, Kachoo Na =nothing, Paiyae=obtained. 

Trying to please people, nothing is obtained.

We go through the motions of life trying to please and fit in to the expectations of others so we may be perfect in their eyes. Whatever, we might do, we will never ever be happy or make others happy as they will expect and want more. IT is, the very nature of humans to expect. A mother does so from our child, she rears him up so he may grow up and take care of her in the old age, and she rears the daughter to marry her off to another home. She lives, and expects from her husband to provide for her and the family. The husband keeps on working, trying to fit into his or her expectations trapped in the image that has been formed by someone!

These expectations are what trap us into not enjoying life. Man gets up, rushes to his office, trying to work with deadlines, meetings, budgets and office wrangles and trying to meet projected aims. At home, his wife nags, asks for a better car, a newer appliance, things for the children, the newer purse. It has been beautifully illustrated that today we will buy a new purse for an exorbitant amount but the bag would be empty and not have any money to spend! A very simple line that haunts people in India drives this false spending; log kya kahenge?

If someone asks them, who are these people, it’s the name less society who is of no help at all. A billionaire will buy a car worth millions. But if you earn in thousands and buy a car worth millions just to show other people and get empty accolades that are empty weightless words, it is an expensive lesson 

In the end we spiral ourselves into a debt situation and get sucked into EMI’s. Our lives that started out to be simple, just get more complicated leading to a serious ailment that is affecting everyone. Don’t think its cancer, aids or Ebola; it’s the ordinary, deadly stress, tension. Humans, more than ever are being affected, stress, tension and its repercussions. High blood pressure, heart problems, diabetes, and other life style diseases are affecting more and more younger age group. I am also guilty; I just used the word so coined, life style diseases! But that’s the fancy schmancy term so prevalent. 

We all are guilty , of trying to fit in the outwardly projections so demanded of us. To say, we are not affected , or have risen above is wrong, its all encompassing and embracing us . To worry about what others say is the reason we all are in this state of affairs. 

On a lighter note, it is what is driving the nation to , we all are in search for the elusive, utopian Ache din , and trying to propel ourselves forward to tell the world we have arrived. 

Why don’t we just compete with our own values and standards to become better in the way our Gurus wanted rather than the modern , fast forward spiel sold as Yoga these days?

If you have an answer, do tell , as I am also guilty of Log kya kahenge.

Ravneet Sangha