Clarity and the Two Minds

Of all the pursuits in life, the one I seek most fervently is clarity. Not the kind that comes from information or knowledge or from any emotional observation, but the profound consciousness observed by a rational mind that is at peace with itself. 

My son, the other day, told me he was hungry and that he wanted a choc-chip muffin from the fridge. “There are two ways of thinking,” I said. “One is to satisfy emotional craving and eat the muffin. The other, the rational way, is to eat an apple that will not only satisfy your hunger but also give you the nutrition you need.”

This is easier said than done, but the mind with utmost clarity will relish the apples. 

Everyday Duels

Daily life is filled with such contrasting battles between emotions and the rational intellect. 

“Don’t kill that cockroach hiding in the corner,” whispers the emotional self.

“There is no place for cockroaches in your home,” replies the rational mind.

“Don’t start any important work during ‘Rahukalam’,” urges belief.

“There is no scientific evidence,” counters reason.

“Bring your parents overseas and fulfil your duty as a son,” insists the heart.

“Do not uproot them from their comfort zone,” begs the mind.

“Write and publish personal blogs,” pleads the emotional self, seeking connection.

“Absolutely not. Human nature is rooted in individualism,” affirms the intellect.

As I sink into such chaotic thoughts at 2 a.m. on yet another sleepless night, I find myself reflecting on two recent instances where emotion and intellect were locked in a duel, and one won over the other in each instance.

Instance 1: Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi is the most loved festival in our household.

As is the case every year, we got a clay Ganesh and adorned him with decorations to our heart’s content.  My elder son has placed his schoolbooks in front of the idol so Ganesh can bless them. Our younger one has put his sketch books. We have asked him to put his iPad too, digital learning after all. He obeyed with a disappointed look as he had to part with his entertainment for some time. 

The intellect silently observed the unfolding drama.

We recited hymns from the prayer book. Then came the stories of his origin. The story talks about how lord shiva beheaded the young boy and then attached an elephant’s head along with its trunk to the dead boy.

“How is this humanly possible?” growled my intellect. 

“It is godly possible”, revolted my emotions. 

In another story, the moon has laughed at Ganesh, and the lord has punished him by throwing a part of his tusk that has created cavities in the moon.

“We now have scientifically established the reason for the craters”, argued the intellect. 

The emotions didn’t put up any resistance, but irrefutably won the argument by responding,

“I cannot say whether Lord Ganesh is pleased, but the entire ritual has filled my heart with sweetness, that no science can disprove.”

Instance 2: The Celestial Event

5.30 am in the morning and the lights are all on in our house. It was unusual in our household where the day doesn’t start at least until 6.30 am. I was baffled at the sounds coming from downstairs and went there. My wife was sweeping and mopping all the floors. 

“What happened”, I quizzed “Is everything alright?”

She replied, “All good. There was a lunar eclipse last night. So, I am cleansing the house”

“What does the lunar eclipse have anything to do with house cleansing? You know technically earth was in between the Sun and the moon….”, I started.

“This is an age old custom. Please let me do it, and don’t ask further questions”.

“I don’t see any point”, I concluded.

She changed topic “We have to plan for the younger one’s birthday celebration party. We haven’t done any big party celebration for him so far, and not even 1st birthday”.

My rational mind came into full effect “What is the point of celebrations if they don’t make him happy? Are you ok for the photographer to struggle to snap him when all that he wants is play in playground or watch iPad?”

I went upstairs after that retort, with a broom and mop in my hand.

Reflection

Each of these moments reveals how emotion and intellect tug at the same thread of decision-making. There is a selective leaning, calling out the hypocrisy of the mind. The challenge is not to silence one in favour of the other but to find balance, and a ‘wise mind’ that integrates both voices. And then impart this to the next generation.

The other day, my son asked, “Dad, does God exist?” and he continued, “Give a straightforward answer and don’t beat around the bush”

After a fitful thinking, I began, “Well, there are two ways of thinking about that…”