Depression and mental diseases are spreading all around the world. In the last few years, I have heard of midlife crisis, loss of purpose, depression, sense of purposelessness, anxiety, stress, and so many other mental issues more than physical diseases. People are really struggling with many mental issues. It is strange to see that the cognitive problems are constantly on the rise, especially among the so-called "achievers" in society. It is easy to ignore the reality and brush it aside under the carpet, but the issues are real and need to be addressed urgently, if we do not want this to turn into a menace.
It was not such a big problem a decade back in India. Children used to set targets in terms of a good job and a decent lifestyle, and the same was so difficult to achieve that almost the whole of their lives would be spent running after the illusion of wealth. Life was singular, but the target set was almost unachievable, and people spend their entire lives running after a mirage that they never reach. Now, with liberalisation and the MNCs entering the Indian market, high achievers get fat packages at a very early stage in life. Earlier, foreign visits used to be a dream, and now so many of us are visiting foreign countries as a part of our school visits and sometimes college visits. If not, the companies we join make us visit their offshore projects quite soon.
Earlier, we did not get an opportunity to see the mirage as a mirage. However, now almost every "achiever" gets to see the childhood goals as a mirage. The "high achievers" have a great ability to focus on a goal. That's one of the key reasons for their success. Is there any problem with the ability to focus? Definitely not. The problem is not with the ability to focus, but rather it is with the inability to find the "meaning of life". "Ability to focus" and the "inability to find the purpose of life" put together make a deadly cocktail, which is deadly for mental health and makes such people quite vulnerable to depression and other mental diseases.
Why can't such "intelligent minds" find the purpose of life? It is because the foundation of their existence lies in "inauthenticities". Since childhood, authenticity has not been promoted by the parents. Since there is no dialogue around the purpose of life, somehow, whatever thought process is prevailing in society is picked by children. Since society, as a whole, has not given a serious thought to the purpose of life, almost everybody in society is confused and insecure. These insecurities force people to find their own "winning formulas" for smooth survival. Money and power are the two most hit "winning formulas". We fail to understand that the moment we choose "winning formulas", we fail to be authentic. Falsity, however glamorous, can't take us far. That is why, in their 40s and 50s, depending upon many factors, people do feel a "mid-life crisis" where they realize that the "winning formulas" they chose for their life are making them "lose" the peace of mind. They become desperate to get another "winning formula". It is difficult to be authentic at that age since the past 40-50 years have been spent in inauthenticities and acceptance of these "inauthenticities" would mean that 2/3rd or more of the life has been wasted. That's not "Intelligent" and "now can such "intelligent" people make such a "stupid" choice, and that's why they decide to remain "intelligent" throughout their lives and suffer more and more. Thet become desperate for new "winning formulas" and this is where "babas" enter their life with "hope" of some magical experiences. Some set new goals in terms of a new mirage.
Authenticity in this inauthentic society is quite rare to find, which is why it is difficult to locate role models. "Intelligence" is not about calculations or finding the best "winning formula" in this world to accumulate more money or power. Instead, "intelligence" involves contemplating the reality of life and understanding what life truly is. The most powerful computer, if unconnected to the internet, may be less intelligent than an older computer that is connected. When a person discovers the meaning of life, that "intelligence" becomes the guiding force behind every action. Life transforms into an "exploration" rather than a "chasing of the mirage. We live life in a state of flow, enjoying the process "mindfully" rather than pursuing the "mirage" after the "mirage" mindlessly. However, there is one fundamental prerequisite for this to happen: one must be their authentic self and continually challenge one's beliefs, biases, and understanding of life. This involves placing them on the discussion table, maintaining some distance, and analyzing them. The mind is quite clever and weaves many stories around whatever mirage it chooses to follow. At times, the truth of being "inauthentic" is hidden behind the sweet coating of these mental stories of being "good" and "moral". Social validation often becomes more important than authenticity. How can it be intelligent to seek validation from a society that is stressed, depressed, and tense?
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