#3

What is your favorite word and why?

Out of the pool of words that exist, the word “Evolution” is my favorite. Not only do I love the way this four-syllable word sounds, but its meaning and the phenomenon itself stir up passionate feelings and profound controversy.

“Evolution” is what I seek, because I believe in gradual development and ‘growth’, not illusory overnight revolutions. Revolutions bring temporary changes and are counter-productive in the long run. A revolution can better be explained by the ‘revolution’ of a point on a circular axis, for instance. The point is bound to come back to its original position no matter what. While on the contrary, the effects of evolution transcend time.

Moreover, I love it because this concept of evolution is universal and exists in every area of existence, whether it is economics, science, life or our societies. All are evolving in the bounds of time and space.

This word has also been of personal importance to me throughout my life, as I have grown up and evolved with each passing moment. This process is endless, as I slowly culminate to the unachievable level of perfection, and shall only end the day I die.

Charles Darwin, in The Origins of species marveled at the “endless form most beautiful and most wonderful” that is evolution is and that is what I am.

#2

What work of art, music, science, mathematics, or literature has surprised, unsettled, or challenged you, and in what way?

Personally, I believe, the element of surprise—something that ‘unsettles’ you and transcends your senses to a new level—is possible through innovation and creativity. One such experience that put me in such a footing came out of a TV musical series called The Coke Studio aired in Pakistan. 

The Coke Studio was a show that featured musical artists from a diverse range of genres, and truly revolutionized the way I perceived music. It consisted of both contemporary and Classic folk singers. The fusion of both gave birth to a new genre and gave new life to previously somewhat dying Classic folk music. The famous Qawali and Kaafi artists who had done amazing works and been moguls of their industry in the past were not getting along with the new rage and rhythm of the youth anymore. The Coke studio not only revived those, but also transferred the legacy of such great mystical artists to the new generation. I myself hadn’t really noticed the deep meaning in their lyrics until once sitting by the TV I heard a line by Bulleh Shah “Parh parh ilm te faazil hoya te kaday apnay aap nu parhya ee na” – “You read to become all knowledgeable but you never read yourself”, chanted by Saieen Zahoor, a Sufi musician and then Noori, a rock band, playing music and singing in the backdrop. It truly was an indescribable and mystical experience. I had never thought before a collaboration like this could produce such a transforming ensemble. And then the song came to its conclusion with the lines “Jo naa jaane, Haqq ki taaqat Rabb naa devey us ko Himmat”—“Those who deny the Strength of Truth, Lord does not give them courage”. Since then, I have been a regular follower of Coke Studio.

#1

EXPERIENCE YOU HAVE HAD THAT YOU FIND INTELLECTUALLY ENGAGING.

My response:

What is pain? Modern medicine defames pain as a neural and emotional experience associated with tissue damage –actual or potential. What I find particularly "engaging" is how a person loses his ability to think when confronted with such an inexplicable sensation.

In a verse by Jelal ad Din Rumi--a Sufi poet and mystic from the 13th century--this concept has been stated in a form of a story. There is a person Zayd in the poem, who is about to retaliate when hit very hard from behind. His assailant then asks him a very unusual question? "I struck the nape of your neck, and there was the sound of a slap. Now I ask you in a friendly way- "Was the sound caused by my hand or by your neck, O pride of the noble?" Zayd replies, "The pain I am suffering leaves me no time to reflect on this problem"

This phenomenal relation between feeling and thinking makes me wonder how we expect a certain person in pain to behave rationally and in an intelligible manner without regard to the agony they may be enduring. It also explains the difficult question the world faces today: "What makes a suicide bomber?" Perhaps, besides the religious context, it might be the 'pain' due to poverty and the difficult life circumstances, which lead individuals to perform such an incomprehensible act. Certain things have more than one dimension that we usually fail to look at, that is what I find engaging about this feeling-thinking concept.

Catcher In The Rye [Tashreeh]

Following is a little elaborative note to explain a little what I wrote in my last note, "Catcher in the Rye" as I felt a need after reading the feedback.
[For reference: http://bit.ly/9Ing8T]

I have used rye as a metaphor for the world around us, like its stalks are individuals and other created worldly things that surround us, and we interact with them in our everyday lives. The concept I talked about can be explained into two parts.

In the first part, I mentioned the importance of discovering and looking into things:
Moving about between those stalks—nevertheless surrounded by so many of them—we sometimes feel the existing emptiness inside us, the emptiness of 'whys' and 'whats'; the emptiness of reasons.
We look for answers/ solutions and start following trends, make our own assumptions or principles about life, and try to fit in into this physically crowded world.
In fact, it is only the sheer curiosity so to keep discovering, [through which we only can achieve the contentment, happiness, satisfaction and serenity] that exists inside every human being -just needs rekindling.

-The second part, tells about putting it into practice:
Not only that we should discover, but also spread the light of 'our understanding' and 'knowledge', that we gain as we explore by looking at the world through our own eyes.
And also, only by building our own selves up and by evolving from inside, we can change and build a better world as preservation from all kinds of evil lies within our own selves. If you want a change in the world, change your self—be the change you want to see—and only by changing your own selves you can see a changed world.
And the last lines sum it all up and pretty much speak for themselves:

"Keep discovering, why and what God has predestined for us.
Keep looking into your heart, and salvation lies within your own self"

Ending this note with a quote by anonymous author:
"When I was a young man, I wanted to change the world. I found it was difficult to change the world, so I tried to change my nation. When I found I couldn't change the nation, I began to focus on my town. I couldn't change the town and as an older man, I tried to change my family. Now, as an old man, I realize the only thing I can change is myself, and suddenly I realize that if long ago I had changed myself, I could have made an impact on my family. My family and I could have made an impact on our town. Their impact could have changed the nation and I could indeed have changed the world"

Catcher In The Rye

I aspired to seek the truth, I wandered.
Moving about aimlessly, I could get no tranquility.
Like a stray cloud, with no pathway of my own.
Blown away by winds, I flew across the sky.
Like a deserted boat, forsaken by a dearest.
Like a catcher in the Rye.

In pursuit of the truth, I observed what surrounded me.
I followed, I mimicked and I failed.
I created my own hypothetical world, I got lost.
Utterly confused, I found truth in bewilderment;
the real truth of my own existence.

Exploring through my thoughts, I have a reason.. Reason to wonder,
Reason to to teach, reason to be taught, reason to be mystified,
Not least, reason to explore. I came here to live, and to leave,
Why were I ever born?
Why in this part of the world?
Why not anywhere else? WHY? Sigh.
Is there more to it, answers? Descriptions? Definitions?
—Perhaps, as I perceive, 'a question mark' itself is an answer to it.
Keep discovering, why and what God has predestined for us.
Keep looking into your heart, and salvation lies within your own self.

-Bilal Asad

Explanation:
 http://bit.ly/cqzX07

My Pakland!

ℂ⋆

I thank God for my life,
For the crescent and the star,
May freedom forever fly,
I Salute the ones who died,
the ones who gave their lives so that we don`t have to sacrifice.

Let’s show the world once more
That Pakland is blessed
With people who are heroes,
Who meet each and every test,
With courage and valor.

May peace prevail on our land!
Amen.

A decline?

I am small and this world is big.
Eating this world, I am a weapon of massive consumption..
In a part of history being made, I find myself perplexed  wondering what is going on?
Am I here to witness the decline —or to watch everyday on the news, people dying?
What can move me?
Is it people dying with the loss of food or a child with no socks and shoes?
What is the solution to the issues this world is facing?
Can by developing more fire power and fighting more wars, solve the global issues,
Can it make life any easier for a poor man?
What is that, 'we' the human race is longing for?
We are fighting a war, a war for peace,
but everyday brings new crises,
what is that, we,  'the human race' desire?

I desire and I wish for a better future. Does this include a better world? or is it just about the life I desire to live, a life of " massive consumption" ..