River of Life

Civilization has advanced at such a pace, over the course of century that it has put man out of touch with himself. We see countless, running hither and thither, trying to achieve peace of mind and spending millions in the process. However, this is of no Vail. 

 

Annals of History reports that Siddhartha, the enlightened Buddha was meditating besides a river when he achieved Nirvana. He came to sudden realization that water is one continuous being; one that has passed on, while the one that is yet to come is one – so is rest of the life force. All emanates from a fountain of infinite life. Off course, years of search and earnest yearning preceded this insight.

 

River teaches us lesson of constant growth and movement towards life’s maturity; to remain still is to stagnate. This incessant struggle towards its objective is some thing which inspires human beings towards self-actualization. Streams have different flow in different areas; as if stones infuriate them by pinching and pricking. However water flows through them with greater fervor. The water that emerges through is brighter, clearer and frothy white – displaying its true nature. At other places it flows leisurely, with sobering calmness and at peace with its surrounding.

 

Obstacles towards one’s objectives should be handled similarly to river; to bypass minor objects without much fuss, while tearing down any thing which stands in its way. Fools and ignorant are similar to small stones in the path of river, to be ignored and passed with compassion. Bigger blocks are to be passed by changing one’s tactics and movement. Only the biggest one are worth the fight, for river is a creative life force, replenishing all that is good and essential. It must fight the good fight with courage and wisdom[1].

 

Stones also seem to have distinctive shapes, exemplifying human character and personalities; sharp one, flat one, big one, small one. All seem to have a place in scheme of things. Some sit on the way side, as if waiting for the destiny to lay bare the course of their path. My soul seems to whisper, ‘wait for your destiny to unfold according to God’s plan’.

 

If city life is about alliances for mutual interests, then wise among men build it on wisdom and forthrightness. Small brooks, rivulets flowing leisurely with melodious sound, chirping of birds, abundance of crops in the fields, shadowy clouds and towering mountain peeks, all speaks of God’s mercy.

 

Cameras and photographs cannot behold the panoramic view; human mind and spirit is the true witness to His magnificence. Rivers and mountains serve to build the spirit within, redefining purpose and meaning. If one observes a towering mountain peak, embraced by silky clouds, romanticizing with the sunlight, giving a panoramic view for all to enjoy; soul take newness from such surroundings. Majesty Mountains bow down in obedience in front of Him. None had the vibrancy to be the witness of his grace, beauty and might – except the creature called Man. It is with ignorance as well as insight that he beckons these thought in his mind and soul.

 

He teaches each towards wholeness, through different means. For some ever flowing river, pine tress rather a chorus of pine trees, placed in an orderly manner, as if carpeting the rugged mountains, in love and awe for a divine guest, are a beckon towards His grace.  Just as tree grows so does human understanding; dyadic thoughts, laden with fruits of wisdom. To be the tallest in the forest, one has to be a beckon of hope. To bear all things, be the farthest in the forest, also takes time and understanding. 

 

There is no conflict in the nature, the beauty of all things, basking under the loving Sun. Similarly there is no denying the presence of omnipresent God. The more one accommodates this belief, the more orderly one’s life grows. Individual life is supported by an infinite spirit, which is constantly replenishing it. To open one self to this spirit of infinite peace, power, wisdom is to have abundant life. To close one self to this spirit is to have stunted, self serving life, which is un-gratifying.

 

We see number of people, spending millions, trying to attain peace of mind. If peace is to be found, it is within. In recognizing the oneness with this spirit of infinite life and opening oneself to its flow, one becomes whole.

In the words of enlightened Emerson ‘Place yourself in the middle of the stream of power and wisdom which animates all whom it floats, and you are without effort impelled to truth, to right, and a perfect contentment’.

 

Every thing in the material has a counterpart in the spiritual domain; former is the effect while later is the cause. The flagrant beauty of a lake, giving way to beautiful rivers is just one metaphor of life emanating from the God – the omnipresent. Realization of these facts, a fundamental change in the world view, leads towards greater satisfaction in life.  

 

 

 

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[1] By the bank of River Kunhar, Kaghan.

Technology Addiction

Addiction to technology is on the rise, with race for electronic communication-gadgets taking an unprecedented pace. Recently, I saw a married couple. It appeared that the wife was married to her Cell phone(s). She constantly fiddled with her Nokia set – sending and receiving SMS messages. Husband also appeared oblivious to his surroundings. He seemed to be immersed in his laptop diary. The much veneered syndrome, now-a-days, is SMS Affair. Though this is yet to enter a text book of clinical psychiatry, one can see the cases in every day practice. The prevalence estimates is estimated to be quite high, so called Illness, running a chronic course, leading to accumulation of cases. 

 

Tell tale, cardinal symptoms of this syndrome are ‘obsessive’ preoccupation with sending messages. A house wife reported that her husband is having such a syndrome. He is having an affair with an anonymous lover. She sends him messages, with luring theme, playing fancily with his imagination. He replies back with same zest. This happens many times a day, with a flurry, subsiding late in the night. On most occasions these are messages which are mere forwards rather then senders own feelings. According to her, this seems to have ruined her life. It was not that she was not responsible in some way. Her time and attention was devoted to the arch-devil, television.

 

She would follow soaps, one after another, discussing and dissecting the details subsequently. If this was not enough, she would participate in quiz competitions, sponsored by the T.V channel and a phone company. ‘What veronica would do next – call her lover and confess her love’, ‘take a poison and die’ or none of the above. Send SMS urgently and win a bumper prize, this seems to be telecasted after the drama. Though a sophisticated marketing and promotion technique, what do an average Joe care about it! After all it is just a drama. Not so for our average Lucy. She would argue that dramas depict real life situations. No wonder so many fantasize these figures, trying to find solutions to their problems. If they would only take responsibility of living their own life and building their healthy relations, then it would have been a different story.

 

High band optic communication fibers and efficient servers are supported by an army of technical experts. Emphasis seems to be on increasing the speed of communication, with out knowing what to say. With who is another question? On-line communication blinds the person to the individual on the other side.  Generally people project their wishes and fantasies, not knowing the true character of the other person. Though most are aware of the fraudulent nature of the interaction – not being true to their words – themselves. There seems to be a dating industry, luring culturally diverse individuals, from Russia to Brazil – with all other included in between.  Off course it takes some pathology on part of person to be incited by such a gimmicks.

 

Latest development in this industry is Shadi-on-line. Survey needs to be carried out on outcome of such discourses. Off course, people tend to put there best foot forward, with problems surfacing subsequently. This is true in all circumstances.

 

I have a friend who have to carry his iPod, pager, (another) Mobile phone, lap-top, every day besides his car-keys and wallet. You can very well imagine the spontaneity, which would emerge out of his daily action!

 

A healthy development that has found its utility in modern day practice of neuropsychiatry is Vagus nerve stimulation devices. Vagus nerve is a nerve which carries impulses to and from the brain; one of its braches, distributed in the chest, can be stimulation with a mild current, supplied from a battery, installed in the human body. This is akin to cardiac pace maker. Charging the battery stimulates the afferent (going to brain) nerve, thereby enhancing the stimulation to the mood regulating centers in the brain. This is proven to be effective in the treatment of depressive disorders.

 

Technology has its benefit, if and when, applied constructively. It can be compared to a surgeon’s scalpel, if it is in a proper hand, it saves life. If it is in the hands of common criminal then it can be dangerous. Therefore, individuals have to learn how to use technology. Its constructive use enhances individual performance and creativity. Take micro-soft as an example. It has revolutionized business communication. Similarly software’s like Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) has revolutionized the quantitative research. Technology is a means towards an end. If the end point is focused towards public good, besides enhancing the quality of life, then it serves the humanity. Otherwise it can be considered like a scalpel in the hand of fools.

 

Education also needs to focus on teaching humanities, social sciences, ethics before individuals go on to learn specific skills. Our Universities and institutes need to be cognizant of this dilemma, so that they can integrate skills with moral – character building – besides churning out technically sounds individuals.  

 

 

Media and Mental Health in Pakistan

Being an able bodied, mentally competent citizen of this country besides being a hard core Nationalist, raised with the undying admiration for Muhammad Ali Jinnah, I feel compelled to write these words. 

 

Writing, for me, has become a means towards sanity, in this maddening chaos and media glare. Talk’s shows are in abundance, telecasting gibberish, all day long. You have mental health experts, sitting along the culinary experts in a show sponsored by cooking oil, as if to provide a recipe for both. Doom and gloom stories are all around the place, as if land has stopped giving yield, cattle has stopped producing milk, cotton looms are without threads, market is without fruits, Natural Gas reservoirs have depleted, mothers have stopped giving birth to live-new born, God has forsaken us – those who were marginalized and separated on His behalf, from the rest of the continent. Nothing of this sort has happened. Why then we have hue and cries on what is not going write?      

 

Glaring example of this is insensitivity of media towards mental health issue. If one scans a newspaper in the morning, one is struck by the fact that nothing positive is reported. You see the pictures of tortured, charcoaled bodies, set on fire by angry mob. You see rioting youth, raising mayhem on power breakdown.  Why are we fixated on killings, robbery and rape? Are there no news of hope, friendship, sacrifice and love? Why are we so addicted to bad things in life? All this is a cognitive distortion of our community, which journalists seem to share. Collectively, we are the cause of what goes on among us; we should be the impetus of change, too.

 

Those committed to journalism understand the sanctity of written word. After few publications, one becomes well aware of sensitivities required in public domain. Time, maturity and experience teach an individual the finis of self expression. However, the impact of one’s word is proportional to his social-fabric awareness. Oblivion to this background leads to expression of empty words and phrases, which have no impact besides the passing day, a mere ripple in the ocean of words. Most of what is published in our daily news is the same – a ripple of words – an expression of non-entity.

 

Media seems to play a major role in sensationalizing the mental health issues. This is most pronounced in case of suicide. Suicide is a tragic outcome of mental illnesses, which is highlighted in such a way that it seems to have a promotional effect, rather then a deterrent one. This is akin to tarnishing the fabric of society.

 

People with mental illnesses are portrayed as dangerous and unpredictable. This perception is often inflamed by media accounts of crime, although statistics don’t bear out a connection between mental illness and violence. Some people also believe that those with mental illness are less competent, unable to work, should be institutionalized or will never get better.

 

The electronic media, as a reflection of society, has done much to sustain a distorted view of mental illness. Television or movie characters that are aggressive, dangerous and unpredictable can have their behaviour attributed to a mental illness. Mental illness also has not received the sensitive media coverage that other illnesses have been given. We are surrounded by stereotypes, popular movies talk about killers who are “psychos,” and news coverage of mental illness only when it related to violence. These representations and the use of discriminatory language distort the public’s view and reinforce inaccuracies about mental illness.

 

Some mental illnesses are more stigmatized than others. Schizophrenia, for instance, is more highly stigmatized than depression is. It’s routinely mocked and misrepresented and is less likely to generate compassion. Depression, on the other hand, is less often ridiculed, perhaps because of its ubiquitous presence or media advertisement of antidepressant medications has made the disorder more mainstream, thus more acceptable.

 

Almost 60 years have passed since the inception of independent media by the founding father of Nation – Mohammad Ali Jinnah. Instead of passing through years of maturity, media seems to have acquired senescence. Where would it go next?  

 

 

Hospitals

Hospitals are reflective of the collectivistic cultural-values and traditions of any society. A civilization’s way of living their life can be looked, in its entire cycle, through an eye of a hospital. Hospitals are strange place. Few come out of it laughing, while others come out crying. Word hospital have the same root as the word Hospitis – implying host or a place where sick and destitute are well received. Hospice and hospitality are some of the other words derived from the same root. 

 

Hospital can be a memorable place for those who go there for receiving a life. Health care staff can be a beacon of hope. With love and warmth, a mother receives her new born child. A father is showered with lot of blessings. The whole family, who is eagerly waiting for the good news, long faced and worried, is suddenly transformed.

 

Contrarily families get shattered when they are given the news of death. Like, birth, death is also celebrated with its own rituals. Just as in birth, people receive a body and soul wrapped in a white sheet; they receive a body wrapped in white sheet. Families surround the carcass in case of demise of their loved one. One can speak volumes about the deceased, in the manner carcass is handled. Attendants surround the body, refusing to leave it, while others want it to be disposed to the mortuary, at the earliest. Ultimately, it is disposed according to religious tradition of the deceased. 

 

All this happens in hospitals many, many times a day. Doctors and nurses are witness to this interaction – through out their working hours – though rarely paying attention.

 

In hospitals, you see people in pain. Witnessing pain can have paradoxical effect. It can make you more human, empathizing with the pain of other people. Pain can make a person more sensitive to emotion in others. Contrarily witnessing too much pain can also numb you to the point of callousness. All this can happen to people working in hospitals.

 

Generally the reverence we associate with a place like hospital seems to be missing. Some hospitals have become a pick-up point for prostitutes, while others are no less then blethrow house. We hear girls being raped in the hospitals. Similarly hospitals have become a den for thieves, political or other wise. The rich and powerful use their influence to malign the institution of hospital.

 

In our setting, are sick and down trodden people received with the same fervor as the word implies? It is hardly the case. One has to, only, visit any hospital, to see and feel the alienation it conveys. This is representative of the administrations apathy and its neglectful psyche.

 

From the stage of designing, construction and maintenance hospitals are a picture of dismay. They are either constructed on places which do not enable healthiness or slums grow around them, further deteriorating the status of water supply, sewerage, solid waste management. 

 

Consider two major public hospitals, Jinnah Postgraduate medical center (JPMC) and Civil Hospital, Karachi. JPMC having a federal affiliation is expected to cater to the needs of a large section of society. However, its catchments are slums in and around the vicinity. If one visits the hospitals, there are pools of sewerage water lying in and around the emergency department. Emergency department in itself is in the section of the hospital which makes access some what difficult. Problem of car parking and absence of designated space adds to the difficulty of visitors. Similarly there are no good quality, in terms of hygiene, cafeterias to serve the visitors and attendants.

 

Similar problems afflict civil hospital. Karachi. Situated in the crowded vicinity of old Karachi city, there is limited room for expansion. Access to the hospital is made difficult due to gridlock through out the day. In case of emergencies, time can be a critical factor in saving a life. Emergency physician tells us that there is a critical period after an accident, usually an hour, which can be a window of opportunity. Any medical intervention in this hour can be a matter of life and death for the victim. With the traffic situation and the access routes, these hospitals are ill suited to serve the needs of the community.

 

As opposed to these two public hospitals, consider two private sector hospitals in Karachi – Aga Khan University hospital, Karachi and Liaquat National Hospital. Karachi. Though these hospitals are well spaced and designed, they cater to the needs of only those who could afford to pay. This contradicts the charter of health equity. Though, technically, health care provision is a responsibility of the government. People are entitled to care, irrespective of their race, creed or financial status.

 

If one talks to a qualified construction engineer, he would tell us that hospital should be constructed with an earthquake resistant design. Material should also be of a nature which cause least damage in case of such natural calamity. This is due to the reason that hospitals house sick, dependent and vulnerable population, incapable to fending for themselves. In times of recent earthquake in 2005, we have witnessed the pathetic situation in which hospitals crumbled to the ground, proving to be a graveyard for those housing the institution of hospitals.   

 

In general, hospitals have different sections and department. Each has its own unique demands. People working in emergency department are often given to working on the edge. Time can be a critical factor in matter of life and death, therefore early reaction can make a difference. In their lives this, then, becomes there habitual state of affair.

 

Orthopedic surgeons are required to reduce a fracture, applying force to reverse the trauma injury. This is reflected in their behavior and conversation – antagonizing people whom they come in contact. Medical specialists have their unique way of inquiry about the cause and consequences of symptoms. They become thorough to the point of stubborn, detailed discourse on any things and every thing. Psychiatrists, generally, butt of joke for all, shrinks from others, remaining true to the label given to them. These characteristics are seen not only in doctors but nursing staff too.

 

Thus hospitals are not just a visiting place; they house communities which cater to the needs of the society. The better served these individuals are in the hospitals, the higher the quality of rendered care. There is a need to develop sensitivity for these issues in all stakeholders of Hospitals. 

 

Sedatives – kill the pill

LIFE in modern times is fraught with competition and stress. Gone are the days when people had time to gaze upon the stars and ruminate on Tasavor-e-jana(s). Generally speaking, some degree of stress is good for individual performance. However, rush for gold and achievement is bound to catch up with everyone. Further addition to this mayhem comes from the environment, one only has to read the morning newspaper to get stressed out. A friend of mine, has made it a habit to look at the news only in the evening, that too only skimming the headlines. From trigger happy zealots to incompetent structural engineers, all contribute to the stress of a regular Pakistani. Add to it the poor performance of our hockey team and those jockeying in the political arenas. How do people manage their stress? They do it by popping pills – self- prescription of tranquillisers.

Tranquillisers have become an acceptable component in the lives of a large segment of our population. Most of these are available over-the-counter without any medical prescription. These medications are not without hazardous side-effects and should be prescribed judiciously by a qualified health professional and should not be left to the discretion of shopkeepers. Self-prescription of tranquillisers is a multi-factorial problem with economic, social and psychological roots

By a conservative estimate, around seven to 10 million urban dwellers in Pakistan continue to consume tranquillisers regularly. According to one estimate, psychotropic drug sale in Pakistan for a duration of one year (June 2003-4) was worth 2.76 billion; of these tranquillisers and hypnotics were 1.36 billions with a rising trend of 18 per cent and 137 per cent respectively from previous year. General public, impervious to the risks associated with these drugs continue to pop pills.

The most commonly used tranquillisers are pharmacological compounds called benzodiazepines. Not only in Pakistan but around the world benzodiazepines are among the most prescribed and consumed group of medication. The discovery of first benzodiazepine, chlordiacepoxide, in 1957 by Leo Stern Bach was a landmark in modern psychopharmacology. Chlordiacepoxide was soon followed by a large number of similar compounds, which were quickly introduced in clinical practice, becoming among the most successful drugs ever introduced.

Various compounds from the group of benzodiazepine are available in the market. They are marketed with various attractive names and labels; it is not uncommon to see adjectives like tranquility, serenity and relaxation entwined in the names of some compounds. The most important differences among the variety of benzodiazepines are pharmacokinetic ones i.e. elimination half-life, formation of pharmacologically active metabolites. Established indications are anxiety and sleep disorders, seizures, epilepsy, muscle-relaxation, induction of amnesia, pre-medication and sedation in emergency medicine. What people do not know is that these medicines are not the only option available; there is a wide variety of pharmacological and non-pharmacological behavioral interventions that are far safer and effective for the management of these conditions.

The existence of benzodiazepine dependence was described in the early `60s with a very high dose of chlordiazepoxide but it has become a real concern for the medical community since the late `70s with an increasing number of reported withdrawal symptoms.

Individuals taking these drugs for a month or more may develop symptoms of withdrawal, characterised by anxiety, dysphoria, malaise, depersonalisation, and perceptual changes such as hyperacusis and unsteadiness. Sudden withdrawal of these medications can even lead to epileptic seizures. If the medication is stopped abruptly, it may lead to dysphoric withdrawal symptoms while continuation leads to dependence. It is ironic that the very reasons for which the medication was prescribed may return to haunt the individual.

Another hazardous effect of these medications is muscle incordination and delayed time-reactivity. This can prove disastrously fatal if one is driving a vehicle or operating machinery and for housewives, the use of choppers and blenders.

Once a person is habituated to take these medications, tolerance for the substance sets in i.e. the person no longer gets the desired effect for which he was taking the medication. In order to ward off withdrawal symptoms, people generally resort to increasing the number of tablets.

It is not uncommon for people to get concerned after reaching this stage and seek consultation from a physician or mental health professional. Usually, when they are seen in a clinical setting they are hooked on to take 10 to 15 tablets per day. Inter-dose withdrawal is another phenomenon which might impair day-to-day functioning and work performance.

Like other medication, drug-drug interaction is also another issue with benzodiazepines. If mixed with alcohol consumption, the effect of these medications can lead to life threatening conditions; suppression of respiratory centre in brain stem is just one of the concerns. Possibility of getting choked to death cannot be ruled out either if a person reaches an acute stage of intoxication.

Benzodiazepines are the most favoured medication of self-harm. Perhaps this has stemmed from their status as sleeping pills; in an overdose one would expect a person to sleep forever. There lethality index is very high i.e. when taken alone, dose of multiple grams proves to have fatal consequences.

If we look at the research carried out in developed countries, benzodiazepine overdose is the most common way of self-poisoning among the substance induced suicidal attempts, accounting for about 40 per cent of the total. A study done in Germany reports this proportion to be 32 per cent. The study also reveals that 80 per cent of the drugs used in self-poisoning are prescribed by physicians themselves.

In a study carried out in Pakistan, the proportion of benzodiazepine usage in para-suicide is double the figures quoted in the western data i.e. 80 per cent. In 44 per cent of the cases, these drugs have been bought over the counter.

In the context of Pakistan, general physicians prescribe these medications without educating patients about the potential dependence and abuse. In a group of 475 patients, 38 per cent reported current use of one of these compounds; among them 68.3 per cent used them for sleep, 52.2 per cent for stress or anxiety, seven per cent for depression, 0.8 per cent for fits and 10.2 per cent for other reasons.

On inquiry, 85 per cent of the participants reported that these medications were prescribed by physicians at some point in time. Among these Physicians, 60 per cent were general practitioners while 36 per cent were specialists. One can only speculate about the intention of these physicians; whether they do it out of good will, lack of skills pertinent to mental health or have other ulterior motives.

Multinational pharmaceutical companies, driven by economic gains, market these tablets as ‘absolute recipe for peace of mind’. Most physicians act as ‘agents’ for sales and promotion, with their share in the cake. Ultimately it is the patients and their families who have to pay the price. This is obviously done in the guise of science, technology and promotion of ‘robust’ evidence.

During this survey it was discovered that around 80 per cent of people were aware of one or more brands of benzodiazepines – available over the counter. Among these, 67 per cent had some idea that if these medications are used for a longer duration than they can become a liability.

For drug-naïve patients it is best to stay away from these medications. If confronted with problems of sleeplessness (insomnia) or anxiety there are behavioral interventions which can alleviate the problem.

Forging Character

The more one gets to know people in this time and age, more dismayed the heart grows. People have become superficial to the point of being thin as paper – spreading conveniently in social discourses. Inter-personal techniques have replaced the age old values and character-ethics. Truth has become a matter of convenience. Deceptiveness, deceit and lying are sugar coated with diplomacy. City life has become a symbol of hoarding material possessions and filling up the lockers. People are unwilling to share, fearing that giving might replete their supplies.

One serves himself well by going in and around the mountains. Survival in such places is based on mutual reliance and inter-dependence. Characters are forged there, which can withstand the rugged terrains. There are lessons there for those who attend to their soul.

In the wilderness of Bhit, Khirtar Range Mountains, there is a treasure buried deep in to the ground – natural Oil and Gas reserves. Nature has its way with things. It seems that in Bhit land has folded on itself, in order to give a cushion against those vicissitudes of life, which man finds unbearable. In the base of the mountains all find comfort, holy one’s as well as thieves.

Brazen ground, stones and rocks, all have stories to tell. Veiled from external world, people of all sorts find solace here. Now a natural oil field site, it used to be a hideout for outlaws. Isolation is such a paradoxical thing – some raise awareness while other loose it. Phenomenon of life move vividly here, thoughts become clearer as one do away with distraction of modern day living.

These mountains seem to have a majestic presence, circling all around. Wind causes the sand to blow, decreasing the visibility. A mystical haze seems to surround these mammoth mountains. There, you come to realize that sight is so much dependent on things external to the self – out of sight, however does not mean out of mind here. Mountain terrace speaks of God’s presence. Within them they house treasures – spiritual and physical alike. One sees these mountains as a vantage point for any one who wants to test him-self against its vicissitudes.  There are many landmarks, slopes and ridges to give one an identity point.

Plants here seem to have developed reverence for the surroundings. One could see herbs and shrubs, scattered all around. Most of them seem to be dormant, ready to bloom in rainy season. A distinct shade of purple, pale stems gives the whole background an iconic appeal. Though they were small in size, no one could complain of their utility. Few of them are known to produce substances which have anti-venom properties. This place, being a breeding ground for viper snake, seems to carry a panacea of its own – a God’s way of keeping a balance. There were few trees, standing high, resolutely, against the backdrop of wall like mountains. These trees seem to tell a tale of their own, repeating the history season by season and event by event. Their woods is also known to produce finest of the timber.  

Mountains in Bhit and Khadanwari are place where only the rugged and tough ones could survive. Fierce winds seem to move the sand here and there. One could find stones of all shapes and sizes, lying all around, leisurely. Heavy stones seem to be the predominant ones. Same is the case with men, only resolute ones seem to be living there. People with conflicting motives may come here, each serving different reason; from cattle rearing to financial freedom, all have their own motives. Question to ask is: what is your motive in life? 

Just as one shadowy mountain stands beyond another mountain ridge, so does one challenge after another stands in front of human spirit – inciting it towards itself – in order to forge character. The more a person travels towards the mountains, which lie ahead, things seem to go in background. Same is the case with life. As man’s eyes remain ever focused on challenges that lie ahead, he seems to loose sight of old worries and grudges.  

Just as mountains gives way to precious items within itself, so does human mind gives way to wisdom and awareness. One reinvigorates himself, spiritually and physically, by going in mountains like Bhit. All those who suffer from the malaise of meaninglessness of their life, are well advised to seek enlightenment in such places.   

    

A world waiting to be born

Behind a veil of material things there is a spirit – which moves this universe. There is intelligence behind common day event and happenings. The cycle of day and night is just one example. Just as He makes the day come out of night, so does He causes hope to be born out of despair. There is an element in human psyche, call it spirit or mind, which lets a person perceive His will. The more a person listens to its call, the more he comes in tune with its guidance. Slowly and gradually it becomes unerring in its guidance.

In the darkness of night, akin to human despair, thoughts dry up, tears begin to flow. Communication through words loose their meaning, any thing you say will go in to oblivion. A stupor would come over every thing, life becoming dull and despondent, to the point of embracing the ultimate end – the death. When this happens hearts may call out, we have come from you, to you, shall we return. Thy will is superior to all our desires. It shall be done in this life, as well as hereafter.  

Spirit in you will perceive thy mercy like a cool breeze moving the banyan leaves, in a chorus of heavenly music. March on appears to be the cry of wind moving the leaves.  Whosoever sets forth on a journey is brought back to the beginning – recapitulating its being – in this constant cycle of genesis. 

Nature with all its glory may flaunt its charm for every one, leaves may teach you a lesson of incarnation, trees may implant a lesson on patience and forbearance, roots may tell you to ignore the wind of trivialities, rooks may sing songs of heights they have come from, but all look up to you for love. There is an element in you, which has taken the responsibility of being a witness to His love. His love may come to you like manna from the sky, falling like a torrential rain on an arid land.   

Emotional Lexicons

                                                                                                                                                                       Emotions are like a fluid-state, words give them a structure and boundaries. It is said that, generally, a man uses around 3000 words in a normal day conversation. Every day language gives most people a chance to express their emotions. Each culture has its unique words, idioms and expressions for conveying emotional distress.

Experts in the filed of language would tell us that there are more words to express negative emotions then positive emotions.  Roughly around 1000 words described positive emotions, while around 2000 describe negative emotions. Just as one example, there are around 264 words to describe the emotion of sadness – words like ‘despondent’, ‘sullen’, ‘heavy-hearted’, ‘moody’, woeful’, ‘grievous’, tearful’, melancholy’, – yet only 105 to describe cheerfulness, as in ‘blithe’, ‘jaunty’, ‘perky’, zestful’, and ‘buoyant’. No wonder people feel bad than they feel good.  

Words, wire us to the way we feel, having a feedback effect on emotional centers in our brain. One can also say that the way we feel, will generally be determine by habitual choice of words. When we wake up in the morning, first thing most people do is scan their mood. Every day we have a choice of feeling some where from bored, disinterested, down, low, depressed or excited, exhilarated, enthralled, engaged and exuberant.. The label you will put will determine the general tone of the day.   

Urdu language has its unique expression of emotions. These can be quite dramatic, at times. From ‘Yasi’, ‘Udasi’, ‘na-ummedi’ to ‘Khafgan’, each convey a different emotional state. Having root words derived from Persian, Arabic, Sanskrit, Urdu has a rich background of emotional lexicons.  

All of us are familiar with agony aunt, who is full of woes. She complains of problems from head to toe. There is a burning and stretching on the temples, while heaviness on the nape of the neck. Similarly there is heaviness on the chest, which scares the hell out of you – with the impending heart attack that never happens. All the while this is going; some thing is definitely wrong with the stomach, from churning sensation to bouts of bloody diarrhea. This is despite the bulging belly and visibly prosperous health. One wonders, if all this chubbiness is with these complains, then what would happen if she would really fall ill. Ill she is, but in her mind and soul. There is little recognition that all these non-specific aches and pains can herald a mental health problem.  

It has been said that South Asians use more somatic metaphors to express their emotional distress – called somatisation by some circles in the west. Expression of pain, like headaches, non-specific muscular aches and pains are sighted as an example. Though, some of these symptoms are part and parcel of emotional distress. Conditions like anxiety disorders, stress disorders and depression have physical and psychological manifestations. Bordering these syndromes are non-specific expressions like ‘Jigar-khoon’, ‘dil-malish’ and ubiquitous ‘gas’ concerns.  

It is not that there is dearth of expression in Urdu, what gets the attention of emotionally significant others and health care providers, will determine the unconscious choice of words. To label these symptoms as somatisation is superficial and demeaning. An accurate understanding of the culture, in which emotions are expressed, is a prerequisite before such sweeping judgments can be made. Contrarily, it can be said that people in the west are psychologizers, if not overly concerned about the communication strategies – at the cost of missing the emotional lexicons.  

Common conditions which can mask there multiple, medically un-explained symptoms can be a common mental disorder i.e. depression and anxiety. These are psychiatric conditions, which are not so uncommon. Statistics tell is that every third Pakistani is suffering from common mental disorder. These are twice more common in females then males. It remains unrecognized in the community settings. However, about 30% to 50% visits to general practitioners (G.P) are due to common mental disorders. G.P’s often miss these conditions, as patients’ presents with non-specific symptoms, which are not part of psychiatric nomenclature.  

Alexithymia is a condition in which person is incapable of expressing his emotions in words. With advancement in neurosciences, it has become apparent that in this condition, the neuronal connectivity between the centers for emotions and word expression is under-developed. This has lead researchers to understand the true nature of emotions and their expressions.  

Limbic system is the center in the brain that is the seat for emotions. Generally these are primitive in nature. Through neuronal circuitry these centers are connected to frontal cortex, higher center for human behavior, emotions and personality. There are different centers in the brain for word expression and understanding – called Broca’s and Wernicke’s area. There are association areas which coordinate various activities of understanding and expression. Damages to any of these areas by brain injury, insult or stroke leads to problems in communication. This has, however, guided understanding of human brain through research.

Generally brain divides its work, with each area specializing in a particular function. Language and emotional expression is one such example of specialized function.  It is not surprising that we find more refrained expression of emotions in educated individuals and communities. Education and refinement lead people to solve problems through dialogue and negotiation.

We, in contrast to developed countries are seen as a nation which resorts to violence, arson and looting when it comes to expression of dislike (to put it mildly). Perhaps time has come when we should, as a nation and individuals, learn more about language and emotions, rather then technology stemming from Einstein’s equation of e=mc² 

                                     

Wisdom

Wisdom being wisdom should prove it self. Question is can you confine wisdom, like a literal pool. Yes and no. Yes, one can do that in a university or seminary. No in the sense that you cannot possess wisdom, though it can posses you. The more you align yourself with it, more you actualize it in your daily life.   

Every thing has its use in its proper place and time. Even, literal stones contribute in raising the level of water, so do idiots play a role in distinguishing wise among men. In nature, sum total is always more then the individuals added up.   

The same water which threatens to drown a duck, keeps it afloat. There is a life force which woks within it to support a purpose. Same life force works within you, healing you, redirecting you towards your destiny. If only you would recognize and drift with it.  

Wisdom, an internal sense perception, helps you see the design of an intelligent life force in and around you. The more you sharpen it, more astute it becomes. It becomes unfailing in its guidance. It tells you literally, where to go and what to do. It seems, behind this material life of objects there is another world. It seems there are angels, overlooking every state of affair. Every small move, every small gesture seems to be accounted for.  

We seem to be loved and cared beyond our imagination. There is some one who is infinitely concerned with what we do with our lives; it is not mere commotion and movement. There is a purpose and reason behind the veil of incidences. The more we sharpen our internal sense perception, more astute our observations become.  Things literally began to talk to us.  

For beginners, it is training the mind to perceive God in every day happenings, coming to point where they recognize Him without failing. You can, then, see God in morning air, nights dew, flowers and plants – giving you life and vitality.  

Serenity

If I were to give an acquired wisdom of my life in one sentence then I would say ‘every thing before you and every thing after you have perfection as a rule’. If there is any discord in your life then it is due to dissonance within you. The more you get your life in tune with this eternal perfection, the more you actualize peace and serenity. Slowly and steadily your life will become an embodiment of joy.  

We are well advised to ponder on the ripple in our minds. They wax and wane us unduly. The less we pay heed to them, the less we attend to our selfish selves, the more we grow in contentment.  The business you have developed, or perhaps, your work has grown to a point were it occupies most part of your life. The children you have raised, has become a part of your joy and sorrow. You have done all of this in good faith. However, there comes a point where these things become suffocating. Why is this? This is due to the fact that you have made them the reason for your life. These things are ingredients to a better life, not life themselves. The earlier you recognize the transience of these things, they more contextual you will grow. Losses will fail to bend you out of shape. Similarly, joy of gains will also be tinged with the sorrow of loss.  

If you contemplate, then you come to a conclusion that since the beginning of time, no man-made work has survived. Civilizations have come to nihilism. How is your work more important then your predecessors?  

Yet you see tiny supple growing out of hard earth, dwindling in the frolicsome air, embodying the will of its creator – Almighty God. You see, sun shinning bright in the sky, giving life and warmth to every creature. If you come upon a lake then you cannot help but ponder the diversity of creation – the nature and form of water – how different it is from the earth. Same goes for the creatures living in water. The magnificence of a swan, swimming gracefully through the water, is eye catching. The trail of water, it leaves behind, its path slowly yet steadily, comes to merge with the serenity of the lake. This is akin to design of life were all things before you and after you come to take a shape, full of perfection.  

Every thing seems to reflect the attributes of an all perfect creator. Their intent, purpose and desire are to express their gratitude. A crow sitting on a twig – a mundane thing, asks question. Every thing in nature is in unison – except you. You seem not be part of this eco-system. You seem to be an alien – observing and contemplating. However, through this mundane thing, intelligence seems to be talking to you. This stream of consciousness that flows through you, asks you to observe things in its real form.  

An individual heart goes out in prayers:

Drop thy still dew of quietness

Till all our striving cease  

Take from our souls,

the strain and stress

And let our ordered our life confess,

The beauty of thy peace