Means and ends

 The Gospel of the day was another stark reminder of a similar, if not the same, principle of belonging and opting for Christ. Perhaps somewhere down the line, and this sequence of events is natural, we as a congregation (for that matter any organisation) have shifted our focus from empowering the young to safeguarding our institutions. Now, this is quite natural outcome of the growth of any initiative: the wider and bigger a movement grows, structures, rules, regulations and procedures come into play. And eventually, there comes a time when these start to take an upper hand or even override the charism of the initiative. This tussle is healthy – as long as we are open to discerning the Spirit and the times. 

 Between the young and our institutions, the one criterion we need to always bear in mind is that our institutions and structures are FOR the young. If and when, the institutions become an end in themselves and stop being a means of reaching out to the young, then we’ve strayed far from Don Bosco’s charism. Delving a bit deeper, if and when we as individuals (Salesians) become and behave as the end, when all our plans and thoughts and efforts are all geared towards our own selves (comfort, ease, success, positions, name, fame…) then we have not just strayed from the charism, we have sinned!

Priorities and finance

 We are at the fag end of the academic year and at this time we usually end up our evaluations and look forward to the next academic year... drawing up plans, strategies... (hopefully) based on the evaluation of the present year! 

One of my long standing criticism of our own functioning as a council is that we do not have a list of priorities to guide us.  Most of our decisions, policies and actions are ad hoc, on a day-to-day basis.  The most serious issue with this is that while we do a lot of good, we end up making no significant progress.  It is like running on a treadmill and expecting to reach the next town!!  Only when we have a clear set of priorities that guide us in our decision-making, and everyone, every sector, every community, also works towards the SAME priorities, albeit in their own ways, can we actually gauge the progress. 

The other challenge that I face is the unhappy marriage of priorities and finances.  I understand that procuring finances can be one of our priorities; but if a priority is linked up so badly to finances, that without the budgeted amount, the priority will not be achievable at all, then my question is 'Is that a priority at all?'  Because a priority is something that is a cause of grave concern, and if overcoming that is entirely based on finances, then finance is a priority, not the concern itself!! 

Even if finances are required (certainly so), they are to be planned for.  It is not that I have a priority to be addressed and someone else should give me the funds for it!! The procurement of the needed funds too is part of the lines of action, addressing the priority concern. 

Last, but perhaps the most important point: in religious life, most of our priorities are (supposed to be) spiritual needs or concerns.  Even if speaking of priorities in our active apostolate, we are gifted with extensive expertise, years of formation and an army of fellow confreres and having all of these yet to wait for money to start (and do) some priority tasks is a sin! We do not turn these gifts into tools and means.  When that does not happen, I question if we do have priorities at all? 

Purpose driven initiatives

Last month Fr Biju, the regional councillor for South Asia, was in the Province and as part of his visitation of the Province, he gave a talk to the leaders of the communities and commissions during which he spoke of 4 components of any system.  Somehow it made much sense to me... perhaps because of my own insistence on right prioritisation and the need of a focused goal setting. 

The four components he spoke of were: 

1. Purpose
2. Organise
3. Process
4. Resources

Besides the listing, the order is also important. 

The PURPOSE is always shared and inspirational.  Without a clarity and consensus about this, all our efforts, however noble and serious, will only yield in scattered results and not a consistent useful trend.  This is something that needs to arise from within, as does it drive from within.  Therefore the setting of standards, quality, growth, change... 

With regard to ORGANISATION, boundaries do exist, but are permeable. And certainly the need of collaboration between specialisations. 

The PROCESS should be bound by rules, but with the minimum necessary. Fundamental policies need to be in place, with the possibility of local customisation. 

As for RESOURCES, they need to be used with great flexibility.  This requires 'variety'.  Careful planning for investment for developing new capabilities, innovation and not merely for sustenance. 

Journey or the destination?

 There's often the debate whether the journey is more important than the destination; or the other way around.  I'm more prone to agree with the former.  Nonetheless, I think there's another dimension to this debate as well.  It is about relationship; or company during the whole process.  What makes the journey really pleasant and enriching, among the many other things, is the company we have all along.  The same can be said about reaching the destination. Achieving a milestone is relevant and thrilling when there is someone with whom I can share that experience.  That experience is going to differ depending on whether I have with me those dear to me or  some total strangers or none at all.  

Differently abled

In some sense I like the phrase 'differently-abled'... of course, not as a label for those physically or mentally challenged but as to what it conveys.  I certainly am not for the phrase being used as a sort of gradation of people with 'normal' being the standard of measurement.

The phrase 'differently-abled' conveys the fact that just because a child or a person has a different set of thought pattern or does not think or act in the way that most people do, is not less than others.  It is just that the child is different.  In a sense, each one of us is different!  In fact, it can be viewed as meaning that the 'normal' people have not yet found out ways and means of comprehending this 'different' thought or guiding principle.  For all one knows, those labelled 'differently-abled' may be far more gifted that most people, only not recognised and acknowledged.  What if the existing standard measuring unit of 'normalcy' is itself flawed?  What if the goalposts set up by the society and the times are themselves off mark?

Intelligence is not something that can be graded merely on the basis of doing things 'right' or getting reality right - least of all, scoring high marks.

Aspiration and ambition

Have been working on a paper trying to prove that addictions are more than just strong desires.  As part of the reading came across this particular difference.  (will cite the source when I remember!)

Aspiration is when we hope for a better tomorrow and use all our time, talent and resources to achieve it. It is about making life better. Most scientific discoveries that have benefited humankind are all results of aspiration. Ambition, on the other hand, is when we hope not only to be better than ourselves, but to be better than all others.

I came across this text in Harini Calamu's blog POV. Read the interesting text here.  In her blog post, the author cites the reasons for BJP coming to power.  She rightly proves what most know: The weakness of Congress and other parties is BJP's greatest strength! 

Challenged by destiny

Purpose of Philosophy

Yesterday in class we had an interesting discussion.  I finally got off my chest one question which has been nagging me for quite some time now. Not that I got any satisfactory answers but I now have some clarity for myself about what's been troubling me.

Reading Edmund Husserl, I came across the introductory part of his book The Crisis wherein he states that philosophers somewhere got muddled up with the process of philosophy and lost the very purpose of philosophy as envisaged by the ancient Greeks. So I was curious to know what according to him was the purpose of philosophy.  To my relief I found it the same as I always thought it to be: enhance the quality of life and living, through self-knowledge.  Of course, Husserl would put it as 'gain self-knowledge through the theoretical attitude, to find out what the best way to lead a life is'.

So at last it hit me that perhaps philosophers have so immersed themselves in this attainment of 'self-knowledge' that they've forgotten about living the best way.  Or atleast cross checking that knowledge with real living - rather than cross checking with another thought.  So much so, made philosophy totally bereft of life, literally and metaphorically!

I know I'm still to get my head around this issue, but one thing I'm sure of: If my study of philosophy does not make me a better person, then I might as well be grazing cows! During my meditation this morning, it struck me that going by the original purpose of philosophy, a philosopher is supposed to be the ideal or model of authentic living!

Study

For the past one week I've been coming early with Fr John to the University (that's because unless he comes in by 8 am he will not get a parking place!).  Anyway, I spend most of my time in the Bedford library (there is another called the Founders' library). I like the ambiance of silence in these places.  Particularly in this library which has three floors, the one in the middle (the entrance floor) is a noisy one!  One is allowed to talk, chat, sing. All that!  However, the upper and the lower levels are for silent study.  And silent it is!  Everyone practically has their own laptops and everyone is busy.  No one chats or disturbs another.

The other thing is the computers.  There are desktops at each level, plenty of them.  And they all seem to work.  Contrast this to our computers in our formation houses - every day there is some issue.  Here everyone uses it gently and with utmost care.  There is also a section where one can borrow laptops!!

Though there are books on the racks, most students have the digital versions and prefer to read the text on the computers or laptops.  Wi-fi everywhere on campus, and that makes access to information all the more easier - besides the digital library of the University itself.

I guess it is part of the fall out of what happens when students come to study!  I'm sure most of the students also have fun and like to swing it up and all, but primarily when it comes to study, they pour their heart and soul into it.  And from the looks of it, most of chosen their course of study based on their personal interest rather than any pressure or demand... another reason to 'enjoy' study.   

Hidden Agenda?

I liked two statements that Palli made during the discussions.

Any hidden agenda is not good agenda! 

He interjected with this statement when a confrere started speaking of our task of evangelization (preaching and proclaiming Christ) especially in a context that does not endorse it.

The other is from the cartoon, Dennis the menace...

You can win any game, if you make the rules of the game. 

This is how the government and corporates play. The others are bound to lose because the rules are always set against them.  For an onlooker, the game was played out perfectly and as per the norms and therefore the win of the government or corporate is legitimate.  But when the rules themselves are skewed and the poor have no say whatsoever in the rules nor an alternative to joining the 'game', then it is injustice! 

Preventing theft vs Preventing becoming robbers

After two grueling days of doing all sorts of things and thoughts and loosing my peace of mind, and sleep and even temper over the growing tendency of theft and thieving by the boys, among themselves, tonight's goodnight was the climax.  Not that it is now over! It is just a beginning but a collective effort now.  Not individuals working for different purposes and ends but collectively arriving at a decision to curb theft.

While I had a discussion with all the boys (all 110 of them) and most of the caretakers, I kept saying to myself that the goal is not merely to prevent theft or robbery, but to help boys stay clear from becoming robbers!  As the instances of theft having been rising, I also realised that the 'new' thieves caught were once victims.  They now felt forced to 'join the gangs' or wanted to take revenge!  Therefore I was keen on forming character than merely preventing some random acts.

The easiest solution would be to lock it all up and intensify the scrutiny and "policing" but that's only a prevention of an act not the formation of character.  My focus therefore was on appealing to the conscience while ensuring that certain procedures and policies are in place.

Education as a means

I returned from Delhi yesterday having attended a national consultation on zero discrimination in school education.  It was a good exposure for me.

A significant point I thought which needed to be focussed but somehow got carried away by the flow of discussion:

Not just strive for an education which is free of all discrimination, but education itself should be a means of eradicating discrimination. 

Somehow the tendency was to "do it for 'them'" rather than let it be an attitude among all involved, especially children. There was somewhere a feeling that 'we have been denied education, and now we need to have it as our right' ... I somehow felt that was too narrow a goal to strive for, given the extent, the personnel, the resources involved.

The 20-60 formula

A couple of days ago, a person was sharing his experience about one of his friends.  At the end of that sharing he added, someone driven by a passionate desire to learn something new and different, even though aged 60 will behave like a 20 year old - fresh, energetic and dynamic.  Bereft of any desire to learn something, even a 20 year old will behave as a 60 year old - dehydrated and constipated!

Target the arrow

There was once a king who wanted to become the best archer in the world. He therefore set out to find a guru who would assist him in this dream of his.  After much wandering and searching, as he was passing through a hamlet, he was astounded to see several arrows strike the bulls eye in the outskirts.  On enquiry he was all the surprised to see that it was all the handiwork of a small kid.  Asked how he achieved such a remarkable feat at such a tender age, the boy replied, that's quite easy.  Can you teach me, asked the king.  The boy agreed and took lead him till they reached a rather long plank of wood in the village.  The boy strung his arrow and just as he was about to shoot, the king asked him, "But where is the target? First draw the target." The boy exclaimed, "How difficult it is to teach these adults!" Saying so, he silenced the king and no sooner did he shoot the arrow, he marched forward, picked up a piece of charcoal and drew the target around the arrow he just shot on to the plank!

The Whole vs the Part

In any system that is already set in place and running one danger it faces is loosing the vision or the picture of the whole for the part. We get so lost in the immediate and 'here-and-now' that we forget the larger picture. A continued loss of the larger picture will sooner or later make the system go in circles and ultimately collapse. Every once in a while the system needs to remind itself – or be reminded about – the larger reason for its existence.

Of dreams, passion and priorities

Today in the college, the students are busy celebrating the Cultural Day.  The whole students group was divided into some 8 to 9 groups based on their language and cultural background. India being rich in its cultural diversity, there is quite a bit of excitement and enthusiasm in the air.  Watching the level of involvement and excitement that has been so since the last couple of days, brings to mind a comment made by one well-intentioned gentleman a couple of years ago after viewing a cultural programme put up by Seminarians, "Is this place an academy of dance and performing arts or an institute of spirituality and religious academics?"

He had a point in making that comment.  Our students love these sort of extra-curricular activities.  Which student or youngster wouldn't? Well that's not what I grudge.  What nags me is the disproportional investment and misplaced enthusiasm. There is a philosophical symposium coming up this weekend, besides the regular classes and academic assignments or take even the daily class participation.  It is mostly lacklustre or involving just a handful.  There isn't a balance at all!

One particular reason that I can think of is the following:  students here are here not because they want to, but because they have to!  Other places, whichever field of specialization the institute is offering, have students who are keen and are there because they love to be there!  Being there and getting involved in what the place has to offer is their dream, their passion. Most seminarians seem to lack precisely that: dream(s), passion!

Primary Option and the following options

How does one know what one's basic choices or goals in life are?  Is there any way in which one can find out if at all one has made a preliminary option for something in life?

I think there is.  One merely needs to find out what one spends most of one's amount of time, energy, talent, resources and oneself on.  That clearly will indicate both: whether the person has a greater purpose in life (for if he does not, then all his minor options will be hotch-potch) and what that is (because, all his minor choices will more or less be in that direction). 

Seeking the treasure

I finished reading The Alchemist (by Paulo Coelho) today and found it as refreshing as I read it the first time.  So a thought from therein:

They were looking for gold. They were  seeking the treasure of their destiny, without wanting to actually live out their destiny.  

This quote is of the Alchemist himself when he is asked why is it that other alchemists are not able to turn any metal into gold.

In a sense it is true. Sometimes in our pursuit of something of great value, we are so focused, so focused on only that thing and that thing alone that we run the risk of missing the thing when we actually come across it.  Furthermore, in life, it is not always just one thing that makes sense, it is a whole gamut of things which are related.  It is not so much about achieving one thing but about seeing the inter-relatedness of reality and thereby living by it. 

Setting standards

There is the anecdote of two friends travelling through a forest when they hear a lion behind them.  As they plan their escape strategy, one of them says that he is going to run. The other asks him if they really can outrun the lion.  The first one responds, "I do not need to outrun the lion, I just to run faster than you!"

Now what's worse than having no standards or levels of excellence set by oneself?  Lowering them to the level of the last of the group!

In the movie Annapolis, there is nice dialogue between two plebe's (fresh navy recruits) - who are also good friends:

People who live in Arkansas, you know what their favourite state is?
No.
Mississippi. 'Cos, Mississippi is the only thing that keeps Arkansas from being the worst state in the whole country.

We can very well settle for standards far below our capacity or potency, settle for something purely in comparison to the most 'weakest' in the group. Surely there is neither merit nor courage in achieving that set goal or aim!

Why am I here? (2)

May not be an exact continuation or sequel to the reflection of mine I posted earlier (here). Nonetheless related, for sure.  For most of my Brothers and perhaps me too, it is not always the lack of purpose or direction that makes us shallow.  It could also be too many purposes, too many directions that we take up at the same time.  In such a circumstance, it is not lack of purpose, but a lack of prioritization.  Or an inability to synthesize, to gather into a whole all that is scattered.  Or it could also be a fear of discernment - what if, the path that I am following now, is not really the one I am supposed to be in?  Am I to start all over again, on another path, in another direction?  For some, this may be too much.  Therefore, 'let me carry on in this direction, even though I'm not meant to be here... after all, there is not much of harm done, no much strain either'!