Guyana will become a better nation with better people if only our politicians can comply

Dear Editor,

Like the old people say, “easy lesson good fuh dunce”, “yuh hard ears,” “yuh go learn when yuh feel” and “if yuh play with mud yuh gon get dirty.” Isn’t politics a dirty game? But does it necessarily have to be this way? Why can’t it be like putting on your Sunday best, keeping your mouth clean and staying out of trouble? But then, we are living in a real world and we have to be practical. The guy in the street will say, “get real man.” Different schools of thought have multiple explanations and interpretations for the creation of this world and man, but our favourite quotation is, “this or that took place since creation.” With this phrase, we either seek consolation, use it to advance a debate, hide behind this expression, justify an action, become complacent, depend on this analogy as an explanation, or we expect everyone to compromise with its iteration.

The days of spanking are bygone. There once was an era at school when, it was “licks like peas” to make you learn or detention or extra work. Many children were scared of going to school because of this reason, some left to go to school but never reached school (skulking). At home, as a child, some were subjective to various punishments for wrong doing or not listening to your parents, including, whipping with a belt or stick, denial of something desired, a mouth full of words, a slap on the head or face, sent in isolation or applying other degrading means (unwarranted to mention).

In this modern day society, it is still expected to look up to elders for them to do the right thing and set the example for others to follow. The senior generation belonging to the old school, this trend of example setting is, perhaps, still prevalent, alive, kicking and reaping bountiful dividends in certain areas and with a number of families. While, on the other hand, with other families, this is, sadly, a thing from the past and quickly fading and of less meaning. But then, some would counter this request with, “do as I say and not as I do.” This past Sunday was Father’s Day, it was the perfect day for reflection and reminiscing.

If the observation of this day retained its true significance, then, a number of people, especially fathers, would have pondered, bisected and dissected its rational, as they analyzed if the expectations of their responsibilities have materialized positively or negatively and to gauge on a scale of one to ten, measuring their degree of success or failure. They say “honesty is the best policy” and there is no day better than Father’s Day to incur a self-analysis. If this need did not arise because your performance is a mirror of perfection, then I hope you were able to lay back in a hammock, relaxed and smiled.

But, on the contrary, if you had to entertain a room of doubt or uncertainty, then do question yourself for the reasons for the shortcomings and pursue a programme where you can redeem yourself.

On Sunday too, coincidentally, Yoga International Day was observed throughout the world. Globally, the practice of this ancient art is revered and appreciated for its valuable significance and its remedial benefits and is vigorously pursued at all levels and walks in life. There is no discrimination for the followers and is embraced by both male, female or other gender, young or old, rich and not so rich, race or ethnicity and country or location. Yoga and meditation represent a unique gift from the East and is widely sought after by the West. It is so much respected that even the United Nations has a special division dedicated for this purpose and many international personalities, world leaders, the rich and famous and ordinary people from the everyday life, subscribe to its practice.

This practical exercise has succeeded in creating an inner realization that contributes towards the awakening of a conscience that appreciates how beautiful life can be when we can live peacefully, harmoniously, lovingly; removing the negativities that present themselves in different form and shape and from various directions from multiple sources. Harnessing of the mind affords you to control not only desires but also generate your thoughts to propel the brain, directing your actions to be filled with the components of purity, honesty, selflessness and sincerity.

As Guyana awaits the end of the electoral process, how wonderful and helpful the art of yoga and meditation would provide, if practised by all these key players. For many in today’s society, especially the politicians, their way of life, the attitudes, behaviour and their reasoning and performance leave much to be desired and are very questionable for the moral upbringing of society, in particular the younger generation and the children. Do these politicians enjoy any peace of mind or are they progressively disturbed by their guilty conscience for lies, deceits and dishonesty while still pretending to hold a straight face when confronting the public to believe them? This election has indeed taught this nation whom to trust and what level politicians will go to retain power. The bitter lessons will remain as a stigma and will be the guiding force to make a choice when voting in the future.

To sit quietly, especially in the night or early morning, in the comfort of solitariness, creating an ambience of peace and tranquility with the eyes closed, concentrating on an elusive light flashing, listening to your breathing and feeling the pounding of the heart, empty the mind of all thoughts, let go of all distractions and concentrate on the point at the center of your forehead, there and then you will find a realization that never occurred or perceived before and a serenity that will bathe you with a mirrored reflection.

Try it, you will not only like it but also you will discover something that was lacking and missing and introduce you to view life with a new perspective, adding another dimension and finding a meaning of flavoured variety. I am positive your life will change for the better, don’t be scared or skeptical for you have nothing to lose and much to gain. Guyana will become a better nation with better people.

If only our politicians can comply, life will not be so complicated and difficult. The future of Guyana lies in the hands of the politicians, may peace and unity with love prevail.

Respectfully,
Jai Lall