How to combine modern technological science with ancient wisdom?

How to combine modern technological science with ancient wisdom?

Having enthused by the thought-provoking as well as engaging article published in the Times of India on 02-01-2018 by Ariana Huffington: the honorable CEO and the founder of The Huffington Post & also the CEO of Thrive Global; I also intend to scribble down something if it is, at all, of any worth to be considered with as such.

                         It will not be an exaggeration here in saying that in a developing country like India, people have had gone through many social upheavals and turbulence, or for that matter, assemblage of many kaleidoscopic races and a novel kind of sub-culture automatically taken its root here through the centuries as a natural corollary, therefore, replacing the ancient values and systems  with a  new kind of social order and cultural behavior so the kind of attitude that things should be left as it is and to give more access to each sub-cultures as the bottom line on one side and to see the other side of the coin, massive western influence has taken its root so deeply that India tend to become indifferent and confused somewhat by the cross currents of different diverse cultures but as a natural off-shoot emboldened by it which could be coined by the phrase ‘Unity in Diversity’; but brushing aside at the same time, the rich heritage of ancient wisdom envisaged by the great ‘hrishis’ (the ancient Indian ascetics) in their far-off cottages.

                 While the western influence has bestowed the whole world with the blessings of so many scientific discoveries and technological advancement and it  goes without saying that the rest of the world owes to the extraordinary contributions of western liberal thinking, pragmatism and the scientific spirit while we are confined to our shell only for centuries despite so many cosmetic changes out there that are happening in India; but, unfortunately, we are lacking in emulating the western scientific spirit in terms of ‘Sense of Objectivity’…… And this kind of objectivity of thinking drives one to be respectful and compassionate to others’ worries and afflictions, and above all, to be inquisitive and the inclination to merge and respect the best of other cultures for the upliftment and well-being of all humankind; irrespective of class, creed an ethnicity. One might wonder why in the world I am talking about the relation between the sense of objectivity on one hand and the negative impacts of technology on human body and mind on the other. In fact, all the tools invented by the western world have been the technological marvel which changes the socio-economic demography of the world, but it was possible only because of tireless dedication and emphasis on innovation and uprightness and it would not be unwise to mention here everything was not done prying for profit and profit only; rather, profit factor comes as a natural corollary or as a by-product in terms of material prosperity and well-being as a whole owing to these marvelous innovations. Similarly, the stage had been already set five thousand years back when ancient Indian sages in the sylvan settings of Himalayas foresaw that human mind is the greatest source of strength and treasure—above all materialistic things. They envisioned that at the end of one epoch another will come and thereby replacing with another one and a day will come when a human being will be in search of peace only to satiate his afflicted and burnt-out soul.

               Now if we draw a parallel line between what our ancient sages had foreseen and the blessings of scientific and technological innovations embarked on by the western world and its far-reaching effects on human civilization; it certainly has two major pivotal points and it goes without saying that they did it solely for humanity’s sake and its well-being. But, unfortunately, India seemed to have forgotten its ancient treasure trove of wisdom to share with the rest of the world—it can’t be sufficient enough just by newspaper/or by TV adds that there will be a yoga or ‘pranayama’  session that will be held in such and such places and the entry-fees such and such but the basic cognitive functions as a very powerful tool for the eradication of not merely mental depression and as a great stress reliever for the modern day hectic life-style but its uncanny ability to eradicate from its root even the deadly  diseases like Carcinoma—and here it will not be an exaggeration in saying that everything should have been included in the school curriculum and in the corporate entities in India much earlier; which the western world is seriously thinking about to embrace the idea as a great resource for regaining mental as well as physical disorder at

the corporate level as evident by the assertion of Madam Ariana Huffington--  there would have been dissent from many quarters but possibly time has come for the juxtaposition of ancient wisdom of India and the technological science of the west in a more and more  inclusive way rather than just as a style statement but as a safety net to prevent this planet from a natural, compassionate human race to a conglomerate of schizophrenic robots. But who will bell the cat?

             To do that in reality, the basic mindset need to be changed drastically; even in the hardcore entities like corporates, schools, colleges and universities and for that to happen there need to be looking back as well as giving due regard to the sublime knowledge of poetry, classical literature and, without sounding fussy, spreading the cognitive knowledge of the rational and the primitive origin of the entire human race—homo sapiens. And possibly time is imminent to take humanity stream no less a subject medium compared to Science & Technology to ponder with; so much so that, at least, once in a week the corporates, teachers and other stake holders presumably, need to nurture among the employees concerned by arranging special sessions for open-hearted discussions or seminars of  the insightful excerpts from The Bhawad Gita and from the Upanishads to know what is ultimate truth in the context of the larger universe; students from the basic level, thereby, inculcating the regular habit of indulging in spontaneous poetry sessions and literature-- at the behest of their respective teachers-- and sifting the ideas and spreading the good words from ancient wisdom and quotable quotes introducing in a friendly discussion and, thereupon, setting the trend which will be finding its relevance and space enhancing the basic human values on earth; no matter it may seem a preposterous idea to implement it in every walks of life. Although it is easier said than done but it would not be irrelevant to say here that all these churnings automatically will have its spiraling effects not only as a great stress-reliever but will be initiating the groundwork for compassionate understandings among human beings and which goes without saying the craving need of the hour and not just as an optional tool for soft skill development.

                                         Does this kind of tweaking in the basic approach lead to decreasing in productivity as a whole in the corporate sector? Presumably not—simply because when the stress is relieved, productivity is bound to increase in much lesser time and in this context if we take an example of recitation of a poetry and the role and the effect of that poetry that can play on human psyche in a particular suffocating moment; we will be discovering with surprise that a poetry on Nature has the magical elements of keeping away and reducing the stress level significantly. And that is the practical utility of poetry as a whole – it is just not the scribbling of few lines by an absent-minded, imaginative soul.

                        I have written an e-book available on Amazon.com/ Amazon Kindle and Create Space’s online e-book store titled: ‘Memoirs of a City’ regarding the compelling power of seven simple steps of ‘pranayama’ that I came across a few years back at Kankhal Ashrama which belongs to the Uttaranchal state of India. In that book, I depicted how a third stage prostate cancer patient lost all his hopes on life but, ultimately, cured fully by the magical spells of ‘pranayama’.