Heartbeatgoa.memories -QUO VADIS ? - By John Eric Gomes

Away from the famous churches and basilicas in Rome, is the chapel of Quo Vadis. According to legend, in this exact spot the apostle Peter, terrorized by Nero’s threats, fleeing from pagan Rome, was confronted by a reproachful Lord who queried “Quo Vadis?” (Whither goest thou). This vision sent the fugitive back with courage and faith renewed. He was crucified but roman Emperor Constantine eventually became Christian and over Peter’s tomb stands the present Vatican. The mighty Roman Empire went into oblivion. This is the question we must ask ourselves today. Never in all of history is mankind faced with such danger as today, all consequences of what man has become and his creations. It is his irresponsible behavior controlled by greed and corruption that is disturbing. Modern science and technology have mounted us on a dragon that we have to be able to tame and ride. Today is the era of globalization, where what happens anywhere matters everywhere. . What is going on are vexatious conflicts between diverse people in rancor and prejudice. There is violent awakening of underprivileged peoples urgently demanding the standards of living they see on Television and which the rich nations have been enjoying. Merely criticizing, wanting more and not contributing to the righteous forces will not work. We do not seem to be bothered by the distress of others .The standards of personal morality have become debased. The material world has made us inhuman. The more we possess, the more we wish to possess and not share. This greed keeps us in bondage and alienated from each other. Recently I attended a free Rhythmic Breathing session at the Radakrishna Temple hall in Panaji. What struck me was the Sikh teacher who stated that this same knowledge is sold encapsulated in fancy courses for around Rs 8000/-, but knowledge should be free or it is doomed. I recall Rabindranath Tagore’s Gitangali “Where the mind is without fear and the head held high, Where knowledge is free……..” Today you can obtain free knowledge of anything, from anywhere in the world. Learning is what you acquire, education is what you are. We have to ask ourselves “Is my education educating me? Is it adding value to my life and through me the lives of those who come into contact with me? Is my learning drawing out the best in me and supporting me to be the best I can be?” Change and growth takes place when a person is under risk and dares to become involved with life. The family is the oldest social unit in the world. There are no substitutes for good parenting. It is the awesome responsibility of each generation to pass on the torch of civilization burning brightly to the next. A child does not belong to two people whose union made his existence possible. To quote Kahlil Gibran “Your children are not your children. They are sons and daughters of life’s longing for itself”. The child is only on loan during the formative years. So is the world on loan to us, with all its beauty and diverse nature. Are we fulfilling our God given responsibilities to make this a better world for you and for me and future generations? Honesty and integrity cannot be taught when there are conflicting values at home and in society. When children see elders lie in order promote their own interests, give flattering welcomes to people they despise and do a hundred similar things for success, who can blame the child if he grows up cynical, irresponsible, selfish and cruel? How can we then expect values and traits such as compassion, generosity, self sacrifice?Patterns in family life are rapidly changing. Parents may have to work far from their children, and pre-cooked foods and ready made clothes preclude the old methods. Tolerance and patience cannot easily be practiced in this world of speed. We have to slow down. Find time for things that matter. With the complications of modern living we have to give our best, just as we would to any important creative work. Father Anthony de Melo tells a meditative tale from the Upanishads: The sage Uddalaka taught his son to see God in everything like this. One day he gave him salt and asked him to put it in a saucer of water and bring it next morning. The boy did as he was told. The father said “Please bring me the salt you put in the water yesterday”. “I cannot find it, it has dissolved”. “Taste the water from this side of the dish” said Uddalaka “What taste does it have?” “Salt”. “Sip it in the middle. What is it like?” Salt”. “Sip from the other side of the dish. What taste?’ “Salt”. Then Uddalaka said “You cannot perceive God here, my son, but in fact He is here”... Many people having to face the present state of affairs, their helplessness in having to watch the indecent expenditures (mostly from public funds) and lavish lifestyles of most of our Netas and Bureaucrats in normal times and specially continuing in these days of recession and hard times, wonder if God is here. The Congress government is showing some sensitivity by their conspicuous austerity drive. This token austerity is hopefully going to end in positive fallout on the behavioral hypocrisy prevailing. There is a lot of evil pervading our society. We must not be afraid of evil and like Peter we must have courage and faith to challenge it. Not play it safe. Not run away, or hide our heads in the sand / pretend it does not exist, but just do the best we can, and leave the rest to God. Quo Vadis ?