My Expressions : Arrogance

Arrogance 

Arrogant

 US ​ /ˈær·ə·ɡənt/

​proud in an unpleasant way and behaving as if you are better or more important than other people

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To begin with, a few quotes on arrogance.....

“Arrogance is a self-defense tactic to disguise insecurities.”

CAROLL MICHELS, How to Survive and Prosper as an Artist

“Arrogance is a veneer -- a thin covering of excuses hiding deep performance deficiencies.”

BOB LEWIS, "The Seven Deadly Sins of Information Systems", InfoWorld, Apr. 20, 1998

“The arrogance of some people makes even their virtues appear vices.”

BOUHOURS, attributed, Day's Collacon

“Because arrogance is born in personal vanity, arrogant people are driven without mercy. They can never get enough power to fill the soul's needs or enough respect to overcome the fear that they deserve less than they are getting.”

LEWIS B. SMEDES, Love Within Limits

Arrogance is the mask  for  lack of virtues . Virtuous people have humility, sincerity and respect for others. Arrogant people are easily identified by the following display of behavior:

-          They try to throw an larger than life image .
-          They make a false show of knowledge.
-          They claim the good results for themselves and dump bad results on others.
-          Their way of talking is patronizing, even to their seniors or elders.
-          They are found busy talking about their little achievements in a big way  everywhere.
-          They disrespect others but wants respect for themselves.
-          They project their connection to big names.
-          They reject good suggestions just because it conflicts with their ego.
-          They bring down the performance of a team.
-          They try to embarrass  people  by crossing boundaries of permissible behavior.
-           They try to bring your  reputation down in a wicked and wretched manner if you resist bullying.
-          They are constantly looking for audience.
-          Most of them boss over their parents because parents are loving and caring.
-        They always find someone to do their job. 

-     They do not take responsibility but  pretend to do so and claim so even louder.

Intrinsically, arrogant people are very insecure from inside and this insecurity drives their behavior to be so extreme as to be the center of their attention themselves. 

Most arrogant people try to hide behind moral high grounds. Their lack of humility is appalling.

Humans need to grow intellectually.

Arrogance is the sign of intellectual bankruptcy!!

By -

Manish ‘ Pakhi’   

My Poems : Catacomb

Catacomb

My Poems :

बदहवास

Notes n Beats : Schicksals-Sinfonie (symphony of destiny) : " Fate" - Beethoven

Schicksals-Sinfonie (symphony of destiny) 

 " Fate" - Beethoven

Daisaku Ikeda  is a Buddhist philosopher, educator, author, nuclear disarmament advocate and the founding president of the Soka Gakkai International (SGI), the world's largest Buddhist lay organization with approximately 12 million practitioners in 192 countries and territories.

Ikeda's sense of the great power of culture and the arts to uplift and assuage people would later become an underlying current in his philosophy of and activism for peace. It was during the turbulent period of his youth that this sensibility was forged.

Ikeda suffered throughout his youth from tuberculosis, a deadly disease at the time. He writes fondly of his memories of listening, exhausted from work and illness, to Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, known as the "Destiny" or "Fate" symphony. "As I sat in the middle of my tiny apartment, with the stirring resonance of that great work filling the room, I felt my blood race and dance with joy . . . a powerful courage resurged in my heart."

This Symphony is another Beethoven's favourite of mine after "Ode to Joy".

My Favorite Books : The Count of Monte Christo

The Count of Monte Christo

The Count of Monte Cristo is a novel by Alexandre Dumas about love, betrayal, jealousy and revenge. 

The Count of Monte Cristo offers an unusual reflection on happiness and justice and compensating the past.

Everyone in the story of The Count of Monte Cristo seems to be jealous of Dantes. Fernand Mondego for his love,Baron Danglars for job, Gaspard for his fortune and Gerard for a reason. The four of them plot to rid themselves of Dantes, each benefiting in their own way with Dantes out of the picture.

The four men conspire and Dantes is taken away in secret and imprisoned at Chateau d'If, an inescapable prison. 

While in prison, Dantès meets Abbé Faria, who teaches Dantès history, science, philosophy, and languages and also bequeaths to him large treasure hidden on the island of Monte Cristo. Dante manages to escape from the prison and travels to Monte Cristo and finds Faria’s enormous treasure. 

Ten years later, Dantès emerges in Rome, calling himself the Count of Monte Crist.  None of his old cohorts recognize the mysterious count. Armed with damning knowledge about each of them that he has gathered over the past decade, Dantès sets an elaborate scheme of revenge into motion.

A great story and one of my favorites and must read for all those who love good literature!! 

Josei Toda stated with reference to this inspiring work of literature by Dumas and offered a Buddhist perspective:

"Those who perpetrate evil or injustice will without fail receive retribution for their actions in accord with the workings of the law of cause and effect.

That said, it is still imperative that we expose evil, and that we use our anger at injustice toward thoroughly denouncing it and rooting it out. If we permit evil to run rampant, even more people will suffer at its hands. A halfhearted struggle against evil only gives it greater leeway to grow and flourish.

“Anger can be a function of either good or evil” .Anger that springs from good and justice, and is directed at fighting evil and injustice, can produce great good. To oppose extreme evil is an act of extreme good. The greatest “revenge” against evil is for the champions of good to be victorious and for good itself to flourish."

My Favorite Books : Buddha

Buddha

Deepak Chopra's Buddha presents the life of the this come one in three parts : Siddhartha- The Prince, Gautama -The monk and Buddha -The enlightened.

Mara; the devil keep a close eye on Buddha's life and keep throwing obstacles his way but Buddha perseveres and wins. 

I love this book being a fan of Deepak  Chopra and a practitioner of buddhism.

The book will make you learn more of Buddha's life and  thus your life. Discover yourself !! 

My Favorite Books : The Bourne Trilogy

The Bourne  Trilogy

One of my all time favourite, Robert Ludlum novels has a intriguing plot, strong characters  and intricate details of undercover operations in international espionage.

Jason Bourne is one of its best known spy character who had extraordinary survival instincts and can make impossible missions possible.

Jason can improvise, negotiate, camouflage, elude, impersonate and turn the tables. He keeps evaluating alternatives with a keen analysis of logics and counter logics.

The moment you read a even one page of any of Robert Ludlum novel, your senses will shut the outside world drawing you completely into the reading with complete attention riveted.

Irresistable, unstoppable and intelligent must read!!

My Favorite Books : Animal Farm

Animal Farm

Another of George Orwell's classic and my favourite,  Animal farm is a political satire in a way and also an apt commentary on how power corrupts minds.

An uprising in Mr. Jones farm overthrows him and rebel animals take the reigns in their hands. The make 7 commandants of animalism that all in the farm shall adhere to. Over a period of time ,pigs take over and the commandments suitably change to suit the new drumming class.

A very simple and impressive work of fiction to illustrate how power corrupts minds .

My Favorite Books : Pollyanna

Pollyanna

Eleven years old Pollyanna Comes to stay with her aunt Polly after the death of her parents.  She plays what she calls a "Glad Game" and bring smiles to many faces.  Pollyanna thus has literally been taken in the English language as to mean " invincibly optimistic".

Glad game has the power to change life! it's an attitude which finds something positive into everything. 

A very profound message given in the most simple way!!

My Favorite Books : The Bridge Across Forever

 The Bridge Across Forever

An autobiographical love story transcending into the spiritual planes : soul mates, sacrifice, freedom, out of body experience, - Richard and Leslie discover together. 

This is a must read for those who seek deeper meanings in the relationships.  

My Favorite Books : The Time Machine

                               The Time Machine

A flight into the world of humanoids Eloi's  and nocturnal Morlocks and Weena  in 802,701 AD with the fictional Time Machine, -  the time traveler even goes up to 30 millions years ahead in time ..

I read this book when I was 17 and this is one of favourites from H G Wells. 

It made me curious as a youth to read and learn more on the scientific aspects of time as a fourth dimension, grandfather paradox of time travel into past and the choice of several possibilities at any given point of time leading to different course of future. 

Some books tickle your imagination and curiosity.. This is one of them!!

My Favorite Books : Hercule Poirot's Casebook

                    Hercule Poirot's Casebook

                                 David Suchet as Hercule Poirot

Agatha Christie created this suave crime detective who always insist upon use of one's grey cells to solve any mystery. He would tell a person's background from his appearance, mannerisms and accent even though meeting for the first time. 

Poirot has passion for orderliness and always try to find order in the facts getting presented in solving a case. Poirot has an overconfident disposition with keenness for sartorial excellence and neatness. A speck of dust may hurt him more than a wound of bullet.

The egg shaped head, profuse moustache and uncanny ability to analyse human behaviour and motivations makes this Belgian detective's cases an irresistable read.

My Favorite Books : The way of youth

The way of youth

Dr. Daisaku Ikeda is the president of Soka Gakkai International. He is the mentor of more than 12 million Buddhists practicing Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism across the globe.

Dr. Ikeda is a prolific writer. In this book, he offers very compassionate, empathetic and encouraging guidance rooted in Buddhist philosophy for the youth of today. Friendship, Love, bullying, career, challenges of growing up, teenagers issues etc.  are explained with a very non judgemental, practical and wise perspective.

My Favorite Books : The Mayor of Casterbridge

The Mayor of Casterbridge

Thomas Hardy is one of my all time favourite. The sheer pleasure of reading a beautifully and delicately crafted English , scenic descriptions, stunning twists and turns in the plot, depth of characters and a large canvas immerse you in a literary experience. 

The charterers of Henchard, Susan, Elizabeth-Jane, Lucetta and Farfrae  and the surroundings of countryside - the magic of the plot lies in man vs. fate and the fate wins. 

A must read for lovers of literature!!

My Favorite Books : Blink

                                              Blink

Blink is about snap decisions. A very common phenomenon amply covered by Malcolm Gladwell

with examples. These snap decisions have roots in our intuitive abilities and cognitive intelligence. Malcolm also explains something called thin slicing to make a larger picture. 

A very interesting read and an insight into the decision making algorithms of our mind. I was left wondering - " who decides for me - my logical brain or my observant subconscious?

My Favorite Books: A brief history of time

                          A brief history of time

Stephen Hawking (1942-2018) was regarded as one of the most brilliant theoretical physicists in history. He is known for his contributions to the fields of cosmology, general relativity and quantum gravity, especially in the context of black holes. In the 1960s and 1970s, he worked on ground-breaking theorems regarding singularities within the framework of general relativity, and made the theoretical prediction that black holes should emit radiation (known today as Hawking radiation). 

In early 1963,Hawking was diagnosed with a rare disease called ALS. The motor neurone disease made him less mobile and he  began using a wheelchair. An emergency tracheotomy caused his total loss of speech. A speech-generating device constructed at Cambridge, combined with a software program, served as his electronic voice, allowing Hawking to select his words by moving the muscles in his cheek.Yet, Hawking defied the odds, not only attaining his Ph.D. but also forging new roads into the understanding of the universe in the decades since.

The most recognisable scientist of our age, Hawking holds an iconic status. His genre-defining book, A Brief History of Time, has sold more than 10 million copies since its publication in 1988, and has been translated into more than 35 languages. 

One of my favourite, this book describes the mysteries of birth and death of the universe in a very Layman's language. 

My Favorite Books : I am OK You are Ok

                                     I am OK -You're Ok

It is almost 25 years now when I read this book first. A complete guide to transactional analysis or TA, this book presents a completely new nomenclature and method to handle relationships in a rewarding manner.

The parent, adult and child in us subconsciously determine the outcome of our transactions. Strokes, childhood injunctions, the four life positions of I am OK- you are OK,I am OK- you are not OK,I am not OK- you are OK and I am not OK- you are not OK provides  stunningly simple  perspective to understand our behaviour.

During one of the sessions in a TA workshop, the instructor asked everyone to close their eyes and imagine getting a recognition or appreciation they had been craving for but never got from others. This simple exercise was so powerful and intense that many of the participants started actually crying. Such is the power of strokes and such is the intensity of the impressions we collect in our subconscious since our childhood.

Please do read this book. It is a great insight, a new perspective and it is transformative!!

My Favorite Books : Synchro Destiny

                          Synchro Destiny

Deepak Chopra is one of the leading mind-body-spirit Gurus. He seeks to teach the benefits of incorporating meditation and a healthy lifestyle for increasing inner happiness.

Deepak Chopra was born in New Delhi, India in 1947. He attended the All India Institute of Medical sciences studying western medicine. In 1968 he came to America and began working in a New Jersey hospital. This led to a successful career in medicine in which he became chief of staff at the New England Memorial Hospital. He also established a growing private medical practise. 

After studying the ancient Indian system of Ayurveda and yoga in 1995 He founded The Chopra Center for Well Being in California. 

Deepak Chopra has had over 42 books published selling over 20 million copies worldwide. His books range from translations of the Sufi poet Rumi to “A Holistic Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth” As a public speaker he is also in great demand and has appeared as a keynote speaker at many prestigious events including the inauguration of the State of the World Forum, hosted by Mikhail Gorbachev.

Dr. Chopra is a fellow of the American College of Physicians and a member of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists.

Synchro destiny is about finding meaning in coincidences and tapping the field of infinite possibilities in our consciousness. As per Dr. Chopra, this curiosity makes it possible to achieve the spontaneous fulfillment of our desires.

My Favorite Books : A thousand splendid suns

 A thousand splendid suns

                

Khalid Hosseini storytelling is so intense and moving that your heart will cry out for these women who are the protagonist in this novel. Set in the back drop of Afghanistan, it is a story of two women Mariam and 

Laila who are caged in the social framework around then with no freedom to live their life on their terms. 

They try to run from their husband only to be caught and brought back to be beaten brutally. The story moves with a  poignant narration of the plight of  an Afghan woman , who has to undergo  caesarian operation without anaesthesia,  who kills her husband to save another woman and who is publicly executed. Mariam's mother states, "Learn this now and learn it well, my daughter: Like a compass needle that points north, a man's accusing finger always finds a woman. Always. You remember that, Mariam."

A must read to know and believe that there are  outrageous norms in different parts of the world where women are forced to live under subhuman conditions, are kept uneducated, are kept repressed and are forced to accept their fate as unequals.

My Favorite Books : Unlocking The Mysteries Of Birth And Death

 Unlocking The Mysteries Of Birth And Death

Daisaku Ikeda is the author of more than 60 books, including Unlocking the Mysteries of Birth and Death, Soka Education, The Way of Youth, For the Sake of Peace, and The Living Buddha. He is the recipient of the United Nations Peace Award, the Rosa Parks Humanitarian Award, and the International Tolerance Award of the Simon Wiesenthal Center.

Unlocking mysteries of life and death explains the temporary existence i.e.  physical being  or Ke, the cosmic existence or essential being or Ku and Chu as the middle way to eternalise the cycle of birth, ageing, sickness and death. The book describes nine consciousness, ten worlds, three thousand realms in one instant of life and other Buddhist concepts in very easy to understand manner. 

A profound read for all those who seek spiritual awakening alongside of daily life. It has answers to many questions !!