The “Rat Race”

The title must be familiar to those who have read the book “Rich dad, Poor dad”. This describes the never ending chase for materialistic aspirations in a larger sense, though the book specifically deals with the pursuit of money, a situation in which one goes around money at the cost of his/her life.

I had a chance to read Osho’s article in Deccan chronicle today. He was explaining the difference between “Seriousness” and “Sincerity”. According to him (and any philosopher in general), there is no necessity for anyone to achieve anything in this life. This life is just to live, just to experience whatever is being presented each day, each moment. He says that in the “Seriousness” state, one fails to be in their “Being” state, always thinking about their goals (mostly materialistic and being narrow). One does not live his/her present moment but is always bogged down by the necessity to achieve (for no particular reason or a broad purpose).

His definition of “Sincerity” is being able to live the present, have an open outlook towards life. According to this, it is ok if you are able to achieve something; it is also ok if you are not able to achieve it. The stress is not the final result, but the activity in itself. In a sense, many philosophers state that this life is a game to play and not a game to win. The same idea is being reflected in Bhagavad Gita as

Karmanye Vaadhika-raste,

Maa Phaleshu Kadachana;

Maa karma-phala-hetur-bhoorma,

MaTe sangostwakarmini.

Your right is to work only,

But never to its fruits;

Let not the fruits of action be thy motive,

Nor let thy attachment be to inaction.

The following articles enlighten this idea better

http://www.oshorobbins.com/html/introduction.html

http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-dcfEhgs0a7SKZbQ9er_P?p=37