P.Natarajan.



'Way' means a specified direction. 'Way' - can be taken as a co-ordinate of  direction. A path way leads a person in some direction, at last to reach a defined a place. As a place is created, directions go with it. There can be eight co-ordinates, if not more, to specify the space created. To be precise, space may lose identity without a direction attached to it. There can be different or many directions to reach a place. It is a part of the 'connectivity'.
Similarly, elders or Pundits emphasize 'ways' to live or to lead a purposeful life. The word 'right' or 'wrong' go as strong adjectives, by way of emphasis. As problems surmount the way, the question that follows would be, by what means, they can be solved or overcome. Sometimes 'Time' alone would guide the way in this respect. We need to consider that the life itself as a ' journey ' at this juncture - never the less, we should mind the way we live our life. The phrase ' that is not the way to do it ' makes it clear that there is some other correct and easy way of doing for attaining the object. Some people have their own way. They might have mastered the means or ways  as if they are habituated to it. A person's chosen course of action is termed as 'to have one's own way'.

Ways also denote the normal course of events. A processing chart specifies the ways by which the raw materials undergo changes, under what specific conditions  to turn out ultimately as a finished product.  One can not have his own way in this respect. One has to abide by the rules of the game.

As we travel through life, it is true that one has to make his way. But it is also imperative one has to give way to others. Sacrifices and surrender are part of the game and when we understand the subtle difference between these two actions, it would become easy to complete the rest of our journey of life. We can achieve it ' by way of ' reasoning and applying logistics.. More often than not, we may have to go out of the way to achieve our goals. Out of the way does not necessarily indicate wrong means but one may have to toil or struggle or expend more money to achieve the goal.  No need to go on the way out - that is by going down in status. On the way out also means a person is dying. One should live to achieve the goals by the right means and enjoy living by giving what they have learned or earned.

In a similar way, we see that our ' thought process ' never remains constant. The mind wanders. This is termed as wavering of mind. Should one waver in his thoughts he loses the direction. That means he would not reach the destination or reach very late. Those who don't know or have directions are driven to a state of destitution.

Prayers help to unify the wandering thoughts to one form of God. Mantra japa leads to the elimination of other thoughts.


Man+tra - comes from manas or mind and tra indicates instrument, thus mantra is an instrument of thought. Nama-japa or chanting of Mantra or repeating the names of a deity enables one to approach the named. Consciousness of the name leads to consciousness of the named. This spiritual practice increases the will power, produces positive emotions, purifies the mind and strengthens one's faith.

Exploring the 'ways and means' have come to stay. Continents had been explored. Seas too. Exploring 'Space' by means of Space Shuttles or by launching unmanned cargo spaceships, Scientists believe that there are now many galaxies that make the Universe.

No wonder that we are able to buy today Washington apples, Chinese pears, Korean cars or Italian pizza  from the market as we successfully continue with the process of evolution by exploring ways and means.



Let me conclude by referring some quotes to inspire the topic:-

(1) If you are lucky enough to find a way of life, you have to find the courage to live it.
(2) Happiness is a choice and positivity is a way of life. Never settle for anything else.
(3) The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page.
(4) Without pain, there would be no suffering. Without suffering, we would never learn our  mistakes. Pain and suffering are the keys to all windows, without which there is no way of life.
(5) May you never forget what is worth remembering, nor ever remember what is best forgotten.
(6) We don't remember days, we remember moments.
(7) After the game, the King and the Pawn go into the same box.
(8) Earth without "the art" is just "eh"

pn