Sometimes that first picture is idealised. Sometimes, you misjudge someone because of something from your own past. Sometimes we project what we want at that time onto that person. We are limited by what we know and understand about the world, and we are always wrong. We must blunder through life knowing nobody, not even ourselves, and never being known either.
One of the biggest lies that we have been made to believe is that every life needs to have a purpose. And so we spend our lives looking for that purpose, instead of letting the purpose come to us. Maybe it’s the paucity of time given by just this one lifetime. I wonder sometimes if we knew definitely that there were more lives, and there would be more chances, would the world be a better place filled with happier humans?
This was a very introspective ruminative piece you wrote ! It’s true that rarely one does an activity without an objective and that is perhaps the worst way to continue a hobby or interest if you please . Very often I think of various courses I want delve in , ‘to what purpose’ is the thing that hinders ! As Indians we are wired to be productive and if not it is just shameful indulgence..
“I play to play” is such a simple, profound way to get by through the highs and lows of life. The centrality of love to what we do has been beautifully explored :)
“Who we look up to depends on where we sit” - so much to ponder over here!
Currently reading this book 'Why greatness cannot be planned' which talks on similar lines. Having a goal is a lot of times deceptive in itself. We set a goal and try to figure out a path towards it whereas in reality it might not even exist. Following what interests you, satiates your curiosity and resonates with you (what you call playing with love) decides the next stone I'm going to step on. I might not reach the goal I initially intended but I will surely reach a place of equal or higher fulfilment.
'What can you play' is the obvious question people ask when they see the guitar in my living room
'Not a lot' is my somewhat sheepish response
I now realise that's coz I have always been 'playing to play'.
Having taught myself a few chords I strum those often with no ambition of joining a band, composing a song or eliciting a 'wah bhai wah'. Each time I 'play to play' (the guitar), no matter how clunky or besura it becalms the soul
Things that you learn on Substack 😊 Thank you Amit
Sometimes that first picture is idealised. Sometimes, you misjudge someone because of something from your own past. Sometimes we project what we want at that time onto that person. We are limited by what we know and understand about the world, and we are always wrong. We must blunder through life knowing nobody, not even ourselves, and never being known either.
Amit Varma, I LOVE YOU.
One of the biggest lies that we have been made to believe is that every life needs to have a purpose. And so we spend our lives looking for that purpose, instead of letting the purpose come to us. Maybe it’s the paucity of time given by just this one lifetime. I wonder sometimes if we knew definitely that there were more lives, and there would be more chances, would the world be a better place filled with happier humans?
Isn't this what Gita says - do your karma and dont worry about the results..
i guess this happens only when you love what you are doing..
This was a very introspective ruminative piece you wrote ! It’s true that rarely one does an activity without an objective and that is perhaps the worst way to continue a hobby or interest if you please . Very often I think of various courses I want delve in , ‘to what purpose’ is the thing that hinders ! As Indians we are wired to be productive and if not it is just shameful indulgence..
“I play to play” is such a simple, profound way to get by through the highs and lows of life. The centrality of love to what we do has been beautifully explored :)
“Who we look up to depends on where we sit” - so much to ponder over here!
Currently reading this book 'Why greatness cannot be planned' which talks on similar lines. Having a goal is a lot of times deceptive in itself. We set a goal and try to figure out a path towards it whereas in reality it might not even exist. Following what interests you, satiates your curiosity and resonates with you (what you call playing with love) decides the next stone I'm going to step on. I might not reach the goal I initially intended but I will surely reach a place of equal or higher fulfilment.
'What can you play' is the obvious question people ask when they see the guitar in my living room
'Not a lot' is my somewhat sheepish response
I now realise that's coz I have always been 'playing to play'.
Having taught myself a few chords I strum those often with no ambition of joining a band, composing a song or eliciting a 'wah bhai wah'. Each time I 'play to play' (the guitar), no matter how clunky or besura it becalms the soul
Things that you learn on Substack 😊 Thank you Amit
This post resonated so much with me. I am going to adopt the “writing to write” approach and see whether I can write as regularly as I want to.
And that bit about how we can never truly know or understand someone, is pure gold.