Pranaam,
How was your week?
Mine was full of twists and turns. But very enjoyable. I wish to go on about 2023, but let me take you to 2020 first.
It was November. I was in a town called Mohanchatti near Rishikesh.
While talking to the camp owner, he mentioned a very interesting thing. “Pahado me chori nahi hoti.”
My travel experience in Ladakh, Himachal, and Sikkim confirmed these experiences.
The paharis are good, kind-hearted folk. Selfless, hospitable, and always smiling.
But the recent carnage in the Himalayas is scary.
I’m sure nature has its own plans, but it feels sad to see the local people suffer – their homes destroyed, their livelihoods washed away, and struggling for necessities.
Years of building – all gone. And they now have to start from scratch.
Seeing this on the news reminded me of a conversation with my guru.
He’d once asked me, “Deep, you claim to be intelligent, na? Tell me: what’s 2 + 2?”
“4!” I replied.
“No, 2 + 2 = 5.”
“How? What’s the logic?” I asked, prepared for a lesson.
“There is no logic to this, Deep. Is there any logic in life?
You are taught 2 + 2 = 4. That’s true, but only in maths.
Real life doesn’t work on perfect principles.
Just because you do something doesn’t mean it will give output.
Not all hard work pays off.
Not all love and respect is reciprocated.
Don’t expect it to work out based on your logic. And the sooner you stop expecting 2 + 2 = 4, the easier your life will get.”
In the real world, 2 + 2 = 5.
I’m sure you’ve experienced it, too.
But why? Why shouldn’t good people deserve only happiness?
How can someone be a horrible person yet be successful?
Why are things so weird?
Why not 4? Why 5?
Perhaps that’s what life is about. Figuring this out.
If you find your answer, please share it with me. If I find mine, you’ll definitely read about it.
Until then, wishing you a great journey of introspection.
