Monday, January 7, 2019

Not the same


On Saturday, artist-poet Dr Guruprasad Kapadi showcase his paintings works in a two day solo exhibition. He dedicated his exhibition to his friend, philosopher, guide, Satish Sonak. He likened the departed personality to a generously giving and flowing river.

To explain his varied artistic interpretation of common situations, Dr Guruprasad quoted the Greek philosopher, Heraclitus'No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.'

This awareness that the waters of a river are always changing, even if the river looks the same, can be applied to life. Ditto for the person stepping in the river. People are never the same, changing in some way from our day-to-day experiences. It is the same with society. 

Heraclitus was known for his espousal of the doctrine of change being central to the universe. And this principle helps us overcome the burden of experience which limits (and colours) our understanding of the same situation in a different timeframe.

Every day, we evolve with new experiences. So do others. If everyone and everything is in a state of flux, we must first note and embrace that change. We must be open minded to see and respond to the situation or the person who seems to be the same… but is not the same!

The river that flows is not the same…
A person that grows is not the same!

~ Pravin K Sabnis

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