Mind is Like a Parachute: They Both Work Best When Open*
*A quote from Thomas Dewar, an author and businessman from Scotland.
A parachute is made out of light yet strong fabric that opens up like an umbrella and is mostly used in high altitude jumps. It can work best when open. Besides jumps, various kinds of loads such as food equipment, space capsules and bombs can also be dropped with its help. On deployment from the height or from an airplane, it slows down the motion of a person or the object hanging below it by creating a drag through the atmosphere.The consequence of it staying un-open during a jump can be far-reaching sometimes leading to serious injuries and death.
Much in the same way, keeping the human mind open is the only way that allows it to work best by observing what needs to be observed, watching, knowing and then comprehending the situation well, prior to making a decision. An open mind usually avoids having any kind of blinders letting one to discern what is good to retain and discard what is not the worth. A closed mind, on the other hand is neither able to accept new information nor impart it to help others.
Understanding other faiths can only be possible with an open mind. Having knowledge about diverse belief systems makes it easy to dissect as to what is worth retaining and what needs to be discarded. More one knows about the faiths of the others, broader becomes the horizon, resulting in tolerance. Floating in the world skies becomes much easier akin to an all-encompassing strong umbrella having sufficient air trapped underneath for the drag to perform its job successfully.
Same can be unequivocally stated about the comprehension of the otherculturesof the world regardless of where one is born. It is only possible with having an open and unlocked mind that allows one to let the vast amount of knowledge about diverse cultures to enter in, thus indirectly providing an opportunity to learn more about one’s own culture. Not letting the blinders of the mind open to the distant cultures and staying fixed to one’s own, is perhaps equivalent to a lifestyle what is known in vernacular as “Kuaen Kaa Daddo” or a frog in a well. All a poor frog could see, hear, think or know about its surroundings remains limited to the water in the well, while being ignorant about the whole world ocean around it.
This openness of the mind to learn about other cultures, countries and world is, of course dependent upon the background and culture during the growing period of an individual. The exposure to other cultures was not possible back home given that the population was homogenous at most places save few metropolises. The people in remote rural areas were less well exposed to different cultures beyond their own simply because of lack of resources and time. The lesser the resources to learn more about other cultures and faiths, lesser will be capacity to have an open mind. This is much in the same way as a closed parachute having no capacity to entrap air and do its job properly.
Having lived in Western world, most of the diaspora members are blessed to have opportunities to learn myriad of different cultures, lifestyles and faiths in a much easier way. North America, Europe and Australia offer the best opportunities in this regard where, irrespective of the town or city, one finds people of different faiths and cultures at every street. But, this can only happen if the blinders of our minds are kept open allowing an opportunity to learn about diversity.
Since ages, learning and knowledge has been through the books which allow the gates of mind to stay open. All the great men and women of the past gained and utilized their strength in their respective fields through books. There was no other alternative. With advancement in technology, seeking education through digital and audiovisuals have indeed become the modern way of learning. Still many of the people of my generation, not having enough skills in coordinating their fingers in the use of key board, depend upon books. A lack of inclination about technology continues to be a hurdle to their path. On the contrary, younger the generation less is the interest in the books and more is the dependence upon the visual and digital media.
Having books and not opening them, is like taking a horse to the river bank. If the horse ignores to put in effort to drink water, it will likely be staying thirsty. Seeking knowledge through books, Internet or whatever else by engaging full open mind will always help to comprehend all the facets of the world. An open umbrella of the parachute rather than a partial or closed one can be the only lifesaver.
And then talk about the marital relations. Keeping an open mind and trying to maintain full faith in the partner is perhaps the best, and the only way in having a peaceful and successful married life for it keeps the parachute of married life stay afloat. With blinders that keep the mind closed where everything has to pass through a scanner of suspicion will not allow peace. Closed doors lead to closure of minds leaving thought process stuck in the gray matter of the brain creating negative energy and turmoil.
Yes, mind is akin to parachute. It works best when open to incorporate, utilize and enjoy all what life has to offer allowing one to float high and achieve pinnacles of success similar to an open parachute that works best in landing safely and successfully. Close the windows of mind and it will result in ignorance, loneliness, isolation depriving one of all the pleasures of life, again like a closed parachute that is doomed to fail.
+Author of five books on diaspora issues
By
Dr. Jaswant Singh Sachdev, M.D., F.A.A.N.+