Meditating With Priya

Last week during my Money and Meaning of Life class with Professor Kate McKeown, we had a very unconventional speaker that fits the description for an unconventional class. Guest speaker Priya as we all know her as, is a woman beyond her years. She as acquired much experience and knowledge that can surpass any yeomen or guru. Madame Priya as I have begun to call her, is in my opinion the best thing that I have ever come across.

A brief background of Madame Priya...she started out as a journalist, then sought to surpass her male competitors by becoming a photographer in just two days through the help of a good colleagues. Madame Priya, with her lovely British accent had the opportunity to follow the Beetles around when they toured in the United States. Just when you think think women has done it all she slaps you with the fact that she had direct dealing with the lead singer John. Much to my amazement, Madame Priya is by far one of the most outspoken individuals that I have had the esteem to meet. Never in a million years would I have guess the thing that Madame Priya told us in class last Wednesday.

Personally, I feel that Pryia was a little eccentric for my taste but, in more ways than one the eccentricities game together as real life advices that most of us just brush off normally. I think the hardest thing that I had difficulty accepting is that we should not idolize our parent. Madame Priya felt that no one in general should be idolized. If your parent wanted to have you then it was their problem and that you should not feel guilty and idolize them for doing so. Typically, in a Guyanese household, the children are made to feel guilty for any and everything that they do. They are always made to think that their parents are like Gods and Goddesses and should be honored accordingly. Madame Priya would say that this is a bunch of horseshit (for a lack of a better word). Parent brought you into this world because they wanted to do so. It is for this reason that they should not use guilt to make the child surrender to the will of the parent.

Madame Pryia goes on to talk about several other issues, such as...

1. The world today is caught up in idolizing each other. Priya wants people (us) to begin thinking and using our own minds in order to get things done. Do not rely on the will of other, when your will is stronger than most people that we idolize.


2. What we need to do is stop idolizing each other and begin looking at ourselves, as well as the world that we live in. There is so much going on around us both mentally and physically that needs to be acknowledge than just mere people.


3. No one person is better than the other. For this reason we should not categorize people by class, race, color, religion, etc. Life is life and we all need to begin to see that no one person, race, religion, etc can surpass another in this life.


4. Do onto other as you would have them do onto you. This statement is simple, the way you want to be treated is the same way that you treat others around you.


5. Ambition is what kills the heart. When this happens the person is no longer enjoying whatever it is they are doing. In order to avoid this I think respect (a closer examination of one self) needs to be accomplished.


6. Life is the only force in the universe, according to Madame Priya. When we are one with the universe we are at one with the soul. For a Hindu like me, reincarnation is a big thing. This means the when my body is no longer functional, I will be free from all the responsibilities of the world. Madame Priya, talked about being free from all obligation. For me freedom will come when I can separate my self from my shell (this body) and from this life (the world). Only then can I obtained freedom. The world we live in is full of negatives and the mind is constantly soaking up these negativity. So how do we rid ourselves of these negativity when the world is a major influence. We don't. Learning to separate the soul from the body and mind is key. When we have amount to this level only then can we sever this connection between body, mind, and soul.


7. Finally the last thing that Madame Priya cover that I think applies to everyone in some way or another is the act of being courageous and taking risks, in order to live life without the obligations that are imposed on us.

Life is a strange thing, what we make of it is up to us. We can lead a life of pain and suffering or we can alter it according to Karma. The decision is up to you. Make the good choices and lead the life of a 'free person' or make the wrong decisions and you may find your life in a hole...whatever it may be make a choice. Mistakes happens. It's only human to make but, its also the actions that you take to correct them that makes a bigger difference. So live, love, and take risks. The biggest risk is one that you will never regret.

With that said let me know what you think.

Nerina

The Meaning of LIfe--An Entreprenuer's Interpratation

As I sit on the train and contemplate the meaning of life on my way home from work, there is so much going through my minds. Life has so many mysterious meanings both good and bad. Everyone’s perception of the meaning of life is different according to his or her lifestyle(s) and individual personalities. For me though, I cannot put a definite answer to the meaning of life. I do think life is about being fortunate enough to give back what God as given you. Life is about chances and opportunities. However, it is what the individual does with those chances and opportunities that really makes the difference in this world.
Sure, life takes us down its bumpy roads and beat us until we can't bear its hardship anymore, but the only thing a person can do is dust himself off and continue down the same road life has shown us. My life for example endured a lot of bumps, yet I am still traveling down life’s roads and making the best of what I have. Someone I know always says, life is like a river that carries many streams, sometimes it may comes at you light, medium, and or even hard. However, whether you sink or swim it all depends on your choices. Life gives us path along its road and the individual build his or her destiny by taking careful steps and enduring whatever comes your way. No matter what the individual makes of his or her life, it all depends on that person. In other words, what you bring to the table is what you get—or what influences your life. When you bring positive attitude, self-confidence and determination then there is no way that you can fail. However, when you bring only negativity, uncertainty, and dishonesty then you are most likely setting yourself up for failure.
In terms of materialism, life is based on the ideology that it does not matter how much you have or what you have. It is simply based on the actions of the individual(s) involved. Good actions equal a good life and bad actions result in a bad life. Being able to give someone something without seeking anything in return is a prime example in this case. Many people feel that the more you have the richer you are—generally this is not the case. A person may have a lot of money and wealth but they may be the most miserable person in the world. In terms of life, what is money when you have no happiness?
On a personal note, I think the meaning of my life is about using the resources that friends and loved ones has given you to become successful in this world. I feel that they have given you a ‘chance’ to be someone. Hence, when I become someone of status, then I too will give an opportunity to someone else. Life in my opinion is about shaping your destiny and whatever decision you take to attain that destiny is influenced by your environment, your loved ones, you religion, and everything else that matters to you.

With that note, what do you think is the meaning of life?