Dr Navodita explores the clash between rationalism and spirituality, criticising Darwin’s misinterpretation and advocating faith, mindfulness, and spiritual growth exclusively for Different Truths.
Is it a wake-mind virus? Or is it Charles Darwin’s ‘Origin of Species’ which was a scientific literature on evolutionary biology? He made us question the very nature of the origin of the human race, which until now had been the prerogative of natural theologists. Most Leftists still quote him when they say why the human race and its evolution must be contained. He is often quoted by far leftists and feminists who denounce God, idolatry, and the very nature of the birth of humans. He became a God for lots of women who believed in why and how birth and pregnancy, lending the womb (modern-day surrogacy), and bringing up the child (caregiving work) can all be quantified and viewed as a ‘feminist right’ and legacy every woman should fight to conserve in terms of the cost put to each effort of ‘motherhood’. Are these sceptics and rationalists? Why do they denounce God?
On the other hand, we have the believers, sometimes fatalists. Yet the belief in God is insurmountable. There has been one theory of the evolution of the human race, and that is through Universal Energy, which we often call God. Self-belief is tantamount to believing in God and a greater power above you. The universe moves not according to the whims and fancies of each individual or leader, or movement but according to a greater power which rules the Universe. They believe in working and taking action, performing Good Karma, but without the expectation that the fruit will be in natural consonance with the actions. Work without expectation of result. Perform the deeds and expect nothing in return. Be good and kind to others without expectation of receiving the same measure. Yet be well-receiving of all the bounties and blessings of the Lord God Almighty. Is this the far right? The believers and idolators? Then comes the third part—the politicization of each.
The politicisation of beliefs and practices is yet another aspect of how people tend to follow the leaders and the believers, the ascetics and the saints. Sometimes, it is one’s own life experiences that make one believe in the Almighty, the presence of the Divine, and question the rationalists and sceptics. Come what may, an individual is the self, and belief in the self is crucial to moving ahead. The believers may be divided on certain lines of thought playing a major role in national and international politics, but what matters is what you do and how you steer your life’s journey towards a certain path.
Being mindful, full of gratitude, affirming the valid notions of compassion, empathy, kindness, joy, love, healing, and giving without the expectation of return are all to be nurtured in the individual from a very young age, whether you have a woke mind or not. Practising mindfulness increases and enhances the quality of life by leaps and bounds, be it a Left or a Right ideology you partake of through books, people, or experiences.
Picture design by Anumita Roy
Navodita Pande teaches Mass Media and Communication and English to ICSE/ISC school in Assam. She also trains students in Yoga, gratitude and healing. She loves to paint, write and read as her pastimes. She lives in Assam with her daughter.
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