I Would Rather Listen to TED Talks Than the Self-proclaimed Gurus

India is the land of self-proclaimed gurus. Even when you are not looking for them, you will come across them.

Problems of life never end, and gullible people always seem them. It’s as if these gurus have superpower to dispel their problems.

I have had and have my share of problems. But I never fell in their trap. I believed, I can access my situation and judge the remedies, the best. I am not saying that one should not seek the gurus. If it works for you, good for you.

I would rather read a variety of books and expand my outlook. I would resist temptations of life and stay safe. I would seek answer from the nature. That's my philosophy.

I have two ugly experiences which consolidate my beliefs that these human god things are quite a farce!

Situation 1:

A famous guru had a big conference in my small town, I was indifferent. But my friends were excited and they managed to drag me to the pravachan. The preachings were okay. We even joined the entourage and disciples as they chanted and danced the their way through the city.

Years later, that guru was convicted for raping a minor, and currently serving jail term.

Situation 2:

A friend invited us to a ceremony for a guru, her family has been initiated to. In the lure of the wooded location beneath a hill, and the promise of free good food (hungry hostelers, you know), I decided to go. I liked meeting the congregated people. The lunch was indeed sumptuous. I even bought some booklets to show my support for the cult. But I was shocked when they asked me to be initiated, for which I have to donate a small sum every day, till the end of my life.

First, I was a student with minimal allowance. Even if I had enough, I will not do anything by coercion. I denied and wanted to leave the venue. The enthusiastic and radicalized devotees closed the gate, demanding me to register or they will not let me go. I was very upset over the unnecessary problem I had subjected myself to. Luckily, a quite influential acquaintance showed up and helped me escape. I breathed a sigh of relief.

….

Now, tell me if I am wrong? I am aware that life situations can be brutal. We need guidance. The self-proclaimed gurus take advantage of our desperate situations. Listen, there are ways out.

Guard your health. Forge meaningful relations. Empower yourself. Look for wisdom in free credible sources like TED talk. I am sure you can fend off a lot of problems out there. Tread the waters of religion and spirituality with caution.

So, let me talk about TED talk.

Though I have been an avid internet user for more than a decade, I had not explored TED talk. I had not listened to any, until, last year, when I was going through a tough time. I needed some mental strength, some solid inspiring words.

The first two TED talks I watched were:

1. Stoicism as a Philosophy for an Ordinary Life by Massimo Pigliucci: Stoicism philosophy emphasizes the importance of self-discipline to achieve fulfilled life, even amidst challenges.

2. How Literature Can Change Your Life by Joseph Luzzi: Literature has transformative power. It can transport readers into different worlds, offer them unique perspectives, by provoking introspection.

I found both of them so helpful, I could not stop listening to more. As a result, in the past one year, I have watched 700+ TED talks in YouTube. I found the messages of people from diverse walks of life, very illuminating and rewarding. When we find something enriching, we come back to it again and again.

Some messages have profound impact on me, for good. Let me share those nuggets of wisdom.

1. People want to be seen and heard. Listen to them. Show empathy.

2. Despite material gains, we will be depressed, if we don't forge meaningful relations. Build relations, brick by brick. Trust strangers and be enriched.

3. Where the realm of comfort ends, starts the realm of self-growth. Embrace discomfort, and it will raise your self-worth and make you feel good about self.

4. Cultivate resilience. Adapt to changing situations. If situations would have played out differently, you would be living differently.

5. Communicate. Nobody knows what's going in your mind. Worry without action is useless.

6. We don't see the world as it is, but it is through our instruments.

That’s it for now. Hope, some of it will resonate with you. I recommend you watch TED talks. They can change your life, in positive ways.

I hope that you found my perspective and story helpful.