These are the famous words of one of the biggest contemporary philosophers from modern India; his name is Jiddu Krishnamurti. If you want to understand how the mind works, Jiddu’s talks are the most enlightening you will find out there. He is called the philosopher of the intellectuals. As Osho attracted artists, architects and creative types, Jiddu attracted scientists and academically bent. Jiddu just sat on the stage and just spoke for an hour and a half, you have to listen to him intently to understand how he goes on to make a point. It is not for the flippant ones.
In one of his videos, he says, “I don’t care what happens’ is what defines him. It has also become one of my life’s philosophies. This is also what defines me. It sounds like a cocky statement, it means I don’t mind anything, anything and everything is fine, I will deal with it. I read today that life is 10 per cent action and 90 per cent reaction. So 10 per cent is what happens to you cannot define you, it is how you reach the most trying challenges and sufferings. No one escapes suffering, the more you endure, the better you can face the harsh realities of life.
Whenever I say to people this philosophy, people panic a bit. They sometimes think I am a nihilist (which I am not), they think I am a negative thinker (who thinks only the worst can happen to him), no, I mean I “totally” believe that I will win 100 crores lottery tomorrow (as you know, one crore doesn’t buy you even a house in Mumbai). People then judge me as delusional, I think people hate extreme beliefs; they want you to remain in the normal zone so you are predictable.
Jo hota hain woh acche ke liye hota hai (Everything happens for a good reason).
But people say the same thing, “I don’t care what happens to me”, in a rather euphemistic way like “Jo hota hai ache ke liye hota hai” (Everything happens for a good reason, even the bad stuff) and then I see the irony. This statement “Everything happens for the best” (like the death of your loved one? Really, how is that so?). If the death of a loved one is also for a good reason, then the person who believes in “Everything happens for a good reason” is also saying ”, I don’t care what happens” Get it?
Man ka ho toh accha, nahee ho to aur bhi accha, kyu ki woh bhagwan ki marzi hai ( If you get what you want, it is good; if you don’t get it, it is better as it is the will of God)
The above quote is popularised by Amitabh Bachchan, the Superstar. This again indirectly says, I don’t care what happens. If things don’t happen as per your wish, be open to anything (read plenty of sufferings) from God.
Karm karo, phal ki chinta mat karo (Do your duty and don’t worry about rewards.
This is the famous Shree Krishna quote from the epic Mahabharat, which could explain why we Indians are perhaps not so good at execution as the Chinese or Americans. This is my thesis on why there is so much chaos and indiscipline in India. I don’t blame Shree Krishna; I feel most Indians have not thought deeply about this phrase. This phrase also means the same thing, i.e.” I don’t care what happens” (Trust the process, and results are expected to be delivered by God if he thinks you are worthy of the same).
In the world of business, results are everything.
This kind of fatalistic attitude contradicts the expectations in the business world. Imagine you goof up on a major delivery for a customer, and you tell your boss, ” Jo Hota hai acche ke liye hota hai (Whatever happens, happens for good). It won’t take much time for your Boss to kick you out of the door.
Destiny Vs Free Will (Choice)
Nietzsche says you may will to eat and apple, but where did the “will” to the apple arise from? In another popular dialogue from the movie Matrix, when Keanu is offered a pen by the Oracle (lady), he replies, do you know if I will choose to take the pen or not? She tells him, you have already made the choice, you are here (on earth) to know why you made the choice. How profoundly explained, you have chosen your destiny already (that closes the Destiny vs. Free Will argument for me), I am just here to know why I have made the choices (desires & accompanying sufferings).