Probably the biggest hit of any Bollywood superflop ever is “Satrangi Re” from Dil Se. Strangely enough, this song isn’t about true love, mushy feelings or love at first sight; it’s about obsession- an all consuming desire that leaves nothing in its wake.
Obsessions with trivialities and individuals are inconsequential at best and disastrous at worst. On the other hand, obsession with a higher purpose, a larger-than-life motive or even something seemingly unattainable; is a different ball game. I will be talking about the latter here.
All rationalists advocate a passionate balance in life- between work and play, personal and professional life, chocolates and green vegetables. It’s a lousy advice. Humans have too many failings- we are a breed of excesses- we feel too much, ache too much, want too much and all too soon, we die.
You can be passionate about babies, a hobby, movies or make-up but obsession that’s a whisker from downright psychosis- that’s either pure genius or pure delirium! Passion is for the soft-hearted, obsession is a pet peeve of the restless souls.
Napoleon was a manic-depressive who, when up, had superhuman energy. He once rode across Europe in a mad dash that killed five horses- not stopping to eat and not even showing any ill effects. His ability to raise his men to Herculean efforts was incomprehensible. His army of 30,000 once defeated the combined 70,000 force of Italy and Austria. He then wrote, “I am a great being and will one day be great”.
He was crowned emperor in 6 years.
No these legends never led balanced lives- they never aspired to- it was just one fixation after another. In simple words, you get what you want, get bored and go get some more…
I guess that’s why a higher motive (good or bad) is needed to sustain the mania; selfish objectives only lead to burnout- a fast suffered by the vast multitudes who crash and burn, fading inevitably into obscurity.
Higher purposes are not served by the passionate; they are served by the driven; driven by force of will, grandeur or even greed.
Obsessive people never rest on their laurels and if they are proud- they are rightly so. It is at times tough to work with them because of their unnerving commitment and intimidating demeanour. Six of Sigmund Freud’s protégés committed suicide due to the competitive tenacity of the father of psychoanalysis.
No wonder there’s rarely a happy ending for these souls and definitely no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. But are they even looking for a rainbow? Their lives were always meant to be different as they refused to settle for mediocrity.
Obsessions with trivialities and individuals are inconsequential at best and disastrous at worst. On the other hand, obsession with a higher purpose, a larger-than-life motive or even something seemingly unattainable; is a different ball game. I will be talking about the latter here.
All rationalists advocate a passionate balance in life- between work and play, personal and professional life, chocolates and green vegetables. It’s a lousy advice. Humans have too many failings- we are a breed of excesses- we feel too much, ache too much, want too much and all too soon, we die.
You can be passionate about babies, a hobby, movies or make-up but obsession that’s a whisker from downright psychosis- that’s either pure genius or pure delirium! Passion is for the soft-hearted, obsession is a pet peeve of the restless souls.
Napoleon was a manic-depressive who, when up, had superhuman energy. He once rode across Europe in a mad dash that killed five horses- not stopping to eat and not even showing any ill effects. His ability to raise his men to Herculean efforts was incomprehensible. His army of 30,000 once defeated the combined 70,000 force of Italy and Austria. He then wrote, “I am a great being and will one day be great”.
He was crowned emperor in 6 years.
No these legends never led balanced lives- they never aspired to- it was just one fixation after another. In simple words, you get what you want, get bored and go get some more…
I guess that’s why a higher motive (good or bad) is needed to sustain the mania; selfish objectives only lead to burnout- a fast suffered by the vast multitudes who crash and burn, fading inevitably into obscurity.
Higher purposes are not served by the passionate; they are served by the driven; driven by force of will, grandeur or even greed.
Obsessive people never rest on their laurels and if they are proud- they are rightly so. It is at times tough to work with them because of their unnerving commitment and intimidating demeanour. Six of Sigmund Freud’s protégés committed suicide due to the competitive tenacity of the father of psychoanalysis.
No wonder there’s rarely a happy ending for these souls and definitely no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. But are they even looking for a rainbow? Their lives were always meant to be different as they refused to settle for mediocrity.
Always wondered what drove people to such manic intensities. Didn’t have to looke further than ESPN!
Anyone who gets a kick from daredevil sports is aware that the thrill comes from the stakes. At the climax, nothing matters but that very instant- seemingly stretching onto eternity. Nothing was, nothing will be: everything IS and is NOW- at this moment.
All possible highs- daredevilry, drugs, meditation- boil down to living you life one moment at a time. What happens can’t happen yesterday or tomorrow- it can only happen NOW. Eternity is lost, records are shattered, heroes are born- everything can only occur in the present moment. The knife edge sharpness of the present moment is addictive; once tasted, it cannot be given up. Anything that can bind you tightly to the present- be it an obsession, love or even an interesting movie- is addictive.
“NOW” is a precious commodity- it is the only commodity.
It’s all there is.
In search of my next obsession or rather another anchor to hook me to the present,
Renegade
All possible highs- daredevilry, drugs, meditation- boil down to living you life one moment at a time. What happens can’t happen yesterday or tomorrow- it can only happen NOW. Eternity is lost, records are shattered, heroes are born- everything can only occur in the present moment. The knife edge sharpness of the present moment is addictive; once tasted, it cannot be given up. Anything that can bind you tightly to the present- be it an obsession, love or even an interesting movie- is addictive.
“NOW” is a precious commodity- it is the only commodity.
It’s all there is.
In search of my next obsession or rather another anchor to hook me to the present,
Renegade
