DISTRUST THE WORLD OF IMAGE. - sudhanshu

GOOD DAY !! Reflection today -

?I DISTRUST THE WORLD OF IMAGE.

?And my distrust of the world of image is truly relevant and profound. The Internet, for example, is a great facility, but just see how it is being used today. The fact that we have this amazing technological capability doesn’t mean that good work will actually be done.

I see the Internet as somewhat like Plato’s allegory of the cave. All it is, ultimately, is images. It is questionable whether such abstract images ever bring the complexity and depth of people to real encounter and intimacy.

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Similar is the world of PR - public relations it is like the ancient art of sophistry. I remember how - Socrates fought against this notion of making the weak argument look strong—that is what public relations is about. We have created an image world and it requires to be broken by someone with his fire and his clarity, to break through that false wall.

Another important aspect of our times is that we have all become very functional. There are goals and purposes and programs for everything. One of the most lovely things about me is my absolute suspicion of these programs. People get hooked on a program which became an end in itself. Our world today is haunted and obsessed by functional thinking which sees everything in terms of a process. I would prefer to keep God and the mystical way totally free of that thinking. God is - God and without a why: non habet quare; Ipsum est quare omnium et omnibus—He is the why of everything and to everything. I remember reading philosopher Angelus Silesius, who wrote a beautiful short mystical poem called “Ohne Warum” (Without Why):

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The rose is without why

She blooms because she blooms

She does not care for herself

Asks not if she is seen

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One of the beautiful things in the world would be the idea of letting things be. So many people wonder what they should do, how they should work. For me, none of this matters. The most important thing to focus on is how you should be. That is really mindfulness of presence. All intimacy, love, belonging, creativity is not when the grubby little hands of our functional minds get into the mystery, but when we stand back and let the mystery be, become enveloped in it so that it extends us and deepens us.

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I remember from my sojourn in Europe on my vacation couple of years back - the lovely idea of Gelassenheit. Gelassen is the German word for “calmness.” Even when things go against you and the rhythm in your life takes you to awkward and lonely places, you can still maintain a stillness which is in your soul and will connect you and give you an inviolable belonging and togetherness. You won’t get that from a functional thinking of any program but you can awaken it in your own heart.

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We are so much bothered about our image all the time –

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My recent encounter with an elegantly styled young lady at a convocation party in New Delhi –

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The encounter had a sense of humour

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Me – You got late ……. !!!

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She – Got late in deciding whether I should prefer my dress of the evening – a Feminine Maximalism or Power suit …….. it was difficult deciding ……..

I was a bit puzzled – what do I say now …… !!!??? Polite conversation is always my weakness especially with ladies. In my mind – I became philosophic – So much of Imaging …….. Image concerns for a simple convocation party.

I took charge of myself – and was back to my conversation …….

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?Me – So Ma’am the dilemma was between Feminine Maximalism and Power Suit. I think one should not pick one for other as each ensemble has its own personality and place. One should prefer to be dolled up when one is partying or celebrating. On the other hand, power suits are sharp and structured so they would work best at a more formal gathering.

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She – You sound like a Fashion guy ……… !!!

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Me – No not a fashion guy ………… I was into design thinking recently in my capacity as an academician ……… so dabbled a little bit in fashion designing. Fashion Industry is seeing the continued revival of retro fashions which is making way for flamboyant patterns, exaggerated silhouettes and color - blocked separates. It’s a kitschy tale of vintage meets modern – biggest hits are coming from good old days – jumpsuits, ‘80s inspired power blazers, optical illusion prints, lungis and feminine maximalism.

Indian fashion industry is very strange – IT IS CAPRICIOUS: IT LOOKS TOWARDS THE FUTURE BUT IS GROUNDED IN NOSTALGIA !!!

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?She – Quite True !! There my daughter gets the Degree …. !!!

Me - Oh Ya !!! There she is ……. God Bless !!!

I left the place – feeling ………… so much of IMAGING in today’s world. What to wear on an occasion – has to be given so much of time and attention ………… see the importance and significance of fashion industry today ……….. !!!!

Oh …. This functional world …… this world of image making ….. and image concerns …………… we have gone so far from OUR REAL SELF.

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I DISTRUST THE WORLD OF IMAGE.

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MUCH LOVE

Sudhanshu