Do we live in Present?

We live on a “dot planet”, Earth, the only planet in solar system where life exists. Sun is the ultimate source of energy for all existence on earth. The energy coming in the form of light from Sun is converted into chemical energy i.e food by the plants by photosynthesis. All the fossils fuels are derived from plants which existed millions of years ago. The existence of life on earth is dependent on sunlight.

The speed of light is 3*10^8 m/s. Sunlight takes around 8 minutes (precisely, 8 minutes 20 seconds) to reach earth. This means what we see Sun is its past view of 8 minutes. What we view is the past image of Sun which is the ultimate source of energy on earth. Many chemical reactions depends on sunlight which is necessary for survival. The fossil fuels like natural gas, coal etc. which takes million years of formation. These energy sources are created over a very long period of time from decayed and fossilized living matter, mainly plants and animals and the energy in these living matter originally came from Sun through photosynthesis. Sun is also responsible for changing weather pattern on earth. The existence of all forms of life on earth is fueled by sunlight, directly or indirectly.

Similarly, when we see Moon, it is 1.3 second past view of it as moonlight takes 1.3 seconds to reach earth. The speed of sound is 343 m/s. Although, the speed of sound depends on its medium of travel. When we speak, sound takes its own time to reach us. This means what we hear is past. Also, what we see is the past image including that of sun and moon. Our eyes also take some time to process the image.

Having said that, this raises an important question. Do we live in the present? We see the past and we hear the past. The ultimate source of energy on earth i.e sunlight takes 8 minutes to reach us. Our entire process is dependent on sunlight. Then do we live in present or in past. If we use telescope to see some planets of our solar system, we will see the past image and not the current one as light takes its time to reach us. If we see images of stars or planets of Milky Way Galaxy, we will see the past of it. Similarly, if some aliens will view our earth from their place of residence (assuming that there might be some habitable planet), they will see our past and not the present.

Consider an example. Planet Earth reflected its light which took 100 earth years to reach Planet X. Now Planet X people if use a telescope to focus on earth can see the light emitting from earth will be 100 years ago reflected by earth. Zooming in (assuming they have that high precision telescope), they will see us 100 years past image, meaning if it is 2021 on earth, they will be seeing 1921 earth. This will happen for us as well if we focus on say, Planet Y and light takes 50 years to travel to earth, then we will be seeing 50 years past of Planet Y. In fact, what we see in the night, the various twinkling stars, we are viewing their past light emitted from these stars, few years ago depending on the distance of those stars from earth. So is the case with sound. Space science had proved this that what we see is the past and not the present. This means that everything we see is the past and everything we hear is the past. Then how can we live in present? Do we really live in present?

Philosophically, we should try to live in present. But is it practically possible when everything going around happening is the past? This question might seem awkward, but I wanted to share with you all. You may have encountered or thought of this question. Hoping to get answer to this question. The answer to this question is subjective and can be debatable. Please share your views.

–Ashish Kumar

Peace…

Peace is one of the most important things which one want to have in life. Everyone wants peace at some point or the other. The nature of peace can differ. One of the ultimate goals is to live a healthy, happy and peaceful life. Life is not same every time. If offers various setbacks too and learning from these setbacks makes us stronger and helps in decision making. Good and bad moments keep coming in life and so is the case with peace.

Living a peaceful life is everyone’s desire. How peace arrives in one life differ from others. There is no measurement of peace or peace cannot be quantified. If I am at peace, I can only feel it and that too from inside. Situation and environment also play its part to have peace in life. The deeds and activities we do in our life also matters to get peace. As peace can be only felt from inside, but most of the time, peaceful feeling occurs with outside situation and our actions or deeds. Confused???

Let’s understand it. Someone can feel the peace by listening songs, some can get the peace by exploring natures beauty, looking at the various landscapes can give peace, helping others can provide peace. Doing meditation provides peace. Someone can get peace by teaching the economically weak children free of cost, writing can give peace (including me) etc. and the list goes on.

Having said that, let us see the other aspect of peace which few so called “egoistic” people practice. Someone gets peace by hurting others, disrespecting others, and letting others down. They enjoy this and peace comes that way for them. In corporates, few managers get peace by humiliating their subordinates, by providing unrealistic tasks, by asking the status of work which were not assigned to them etc. Few does gets peace by practising such unethical things. Such kind of species exist.

Life is not free of problems and obstacles. It is full of ups and downs, good and bad moments and nothing lasts forever. So is the case with peace. Having peace for 24*7 is an ideal situation. It come and go, again come, and go and so on. If one is not having peace at a moment, one should not be worried because worrying for peace makes arrival of peace, far away. It just a matter of time which will pass, one day or the other. This reminds me of the below extract from a poem:

Peace comes in pieces.
All in shades of grey.

Peace comes in pieces. This line is so deep and intense. Indeed, as nothing lasts forever so is the peace. Just like happiness is followed by sadness, peace too has some moment to last and then past. Sometimes, we feel we are in full peace and sometimes we want some more peace. Such thoughts keep revolving in our mind but the point here is when we feel peace, whether it the full one or the part of it. That partial feeling of peace is what comes in grey sometimes and gets away from us. It is subjective to experience the full or partial peace. When it comes, it goes and comes back. This is life having multiple shades.

The above extract is from a poem, written by my blogger friend, Hema Narayan of HemasSphere. One can read the full poem here. She is a brilliant writer, and I would request my readers to explore her blog as well to taste her unique writings. Her blog URL is https://hemassphere.wordpress.com

Whatever life offers, there is a hidden learning, and we must try to explore that learning from various life situations. Stay safe, stay happy and of course, stay peacefully.

–Ashish Kumar

Emptiness and Loneliness – Best Friends

Emptiness and loneliness are two of my best friends.

They are always with me even if I do not need them.

You might be surprised in knowing that how ” emptiness and loneliness “can become my friends.

But they are…

Yesterday, I was on an unwanted and undefined walk. My feet suddenly stopped to move forward. My eyes were unable to see anything. My mind was unable to think even nothing… and my heart stopped beating.  Even though I am alive.

I came back, sat down and was feeling helpless. No one was there to support me. Some haunted memoirs were repeatedly coming in mind. There was a feeling of losing. Intuition of coming scary moments was revolving. Sadness plus hopelessness surrounding around the life was making me to give up. Life seems to be meaningless. Then these two of my friends came and gave me enormous support and strength.

LONELINESS told me, don’t worry, nothing will happen. You may or may not be surrounded by other person in your life, but I will be there for you. You may feel bad of having no friends or company. You should not worry as I am your true friend who will be present every time with you. I may be “an intangible friend” with no physical presence but I will be the one who will stand by your side as a best friend.  As I am here you will obviously achieve what you want. You will have to cheer up and should not lose your patience even if no “person” is in your support.

EMPTINESS told me, move forward dear. You have too much potential to do what you want. You can reach your destination by cutting every obstacle. Your potential is immense, and you need to figure it out. Feeling of having nothing today can create many things tomorrow. You can light a candle without having any source of doing so. You are a fire, a fire which cannot be stopped even if someone pours millions of litre of water on it. So, keep burning and create your world of desire. Keep the zeal intact. Your presence is enough to keep others courageous. So never let it down.

I felt relaxed then and started to work as normally. The conversation which I had with my best friends rejuvenated me and ended up writing below quote.

Humans may or may not support you at every junction. It is only you who will or can make the difference. So never be dependent on others. Be independent. Have faith on yourself and find your inner strength and you will surely reach your destination, one day…

In one of articles which I published few years ago, I have tried to portray solitude in different way. If taken positively, what solitude can provide and how one should utilize solitude. I welcome you to read the article and would be happy to know your insights as well. The article titled, Solitude – Pleasure or Pain?

–Ashish Kumar