the whole world is a state of such giggly euphoria over the turn of the century and the millenium... it seems people regardless of faith are popping the corks off the bubbly, including many hindus...

i guess its okay for us to feel excited at the momentous event as for once all of mankind is united under a common calender (imposed by western imperialism)... but have we forgotten at this significant time, so preoccupied perhaps with what the outside world flashes in its fancy documentaries and magazines, our own past that stretches far beyond the adolescence of the christian age?

should we use the millenium celebrations as an occasion to remember and look back upon the rocky way we have come?...

so it's 2000 years of christianity... anybody remembers that the vikram calender is already 2056 (i think), and the south indian puthu varusham is going on 5100...
let us feel pride that among the toddlers of civilisation waving their stars and stripes, bharat mata still stands towering in her power and glory of not-so-long-ago...

The power and glory of Indian civilization is what we create today and together. Nothing more, nothing less.

Past does not exist except in our memory.

It is much better to create that power and glory anew today, rather than try to convince others of the glorious past of the Indian civilization. Who cares about the past? The reality is what is here and NOW.

It is a big job to restore India to the position it deserves. Let us join hands and get on with it.

Sri Vinaire,

The past does exist. It exists in the errors we continue to make today. India's past has survived to see more millenia than any other country I can think of. Certainly Bharat has been doing something right. If you ask me, it is the strength of character of the people within it that makes India what it still is. There is no better place to look for moral leaders than India. Even the moral leaders of the United States have imitated great Indians like Gandhi and Mother Teresa (very well known in the states as being two of the most benevolent figures of the century.)

Remember the mistakes of the past so that you don't make them again, and never be shy to discover new mistakes because eventually you will find the truth. Above all, never stop striving. That is my philosophy.

Om hari,
Andrew

Dear Andrew,

Past does not exist except in our memory. Our memory influences our present actions.

It is our present actions that make us glorius or not glorius.

There is no glory in talking about the past.

Our present actions should be to apply our wonderful philosophy. Only then the glory would be ours.

The reality is what is here and NOW.

Ah, but the past is our memory, and our memory is what guides us in the future, so our past is guiding our future at this time. It is important to know.

"There is no glory in talking about the past"

I'll certainly give you that one.

I'm by no means in disagreement. Nostalgia produces nothing but apathy. But a learned lesson is a valuable ally when applied in making a positive change for the future.

Memory of the past does not necessarily mean that it has been properly digested.

Memory may lead to a tit-for-tat rather than to an analytical response. This is what is going on between Pakistan and India right now, and also at most other places where conflicts are the order of the day.

It is NOT our memory that guides us in the future, but our KNOWINGNESS. Memory is just a recording of past events which could be fragmented, and part of it buried in the mind and inaccessible.

It should be our KNOWINGNESS that we should be using to create the present. We should not be dramatizing the "past" by REACTING unthinkingly to unanalyzed data scattered in our mind.

(Waving the white flag ;)

I admit your right that just because something is remembered does not mean it can be utilized.

I think that Sri Ashegan's statement about looking back was not meant to be taken as a call to action, but just as the chance to take a moment to reflect on that history.

For the past to be digested in such a way that it can mark the future's aim, requires that it be looked at with an analytical mind.

Om Hari,
Andrew

(Waving the white flag ;)

I admit your right. Just because something is remembered does not mean it can be utilized.

I think that Sri Ashegan's statement about looking back was not meant to be taken as a call to action, but as a moment to reflect on that history.

For if the past is to be digested in such a way that it can mark the future's aim, it requires that we look at with an analytical mind.

Om Hari,
Andrew

The question is how can one be more analytical and less reactive?

Therein lies the secret to spiritual progress.

Om Hari,
Vinaire