The Ever going Flow

Have you noticed the repetitiveness around you? Like certain things that keep repeating themselves? It could be your clock, your daily routine, or even the world itself! Let's delve into this! Repetitiveness is the phenomenon of something occurring over and over as if it's never-ending. We aim to observe this repetitiveness in the world and also understand the causes behind this repetition.

First of all, why did this question come to my mind? Well, some time ago, a certain person junior to me asked the same question I once asked my seniors. He had similar doubts and queries but added his own flavor to the way he asked them. This made me realize that, in time, this person will likely be in my position, answering the same old questions for someone else. It's a cycle that seems to have no beginning or end.

This repetition is everywhere! From seeds growing into plants, then plants bearing fruits, and finally those fruits containing their own seeds. The same cycle applies to us as well! We are born as children, marry when we become adults, have children, become parents, and eventually, we die. That's the summary of life for most people, right? I wonder if there's something beyond this cycle. We can view it as a cycle, but also as ourselves as a stream in this continuously flowing river. One stream ends, and another begins to take its place. Is there a source to this river where the stream originates and concludes? Who initiated this cycle? And why must one stream follow another? Can a stream do anything other than follow the one before it? Is there another path for the stream to choose, one that is unknown and yet to be followed by others? And what assurance is there that this path will lead to something meaningful and enjoyable? These are profound questions that we all encounter at least once in our lifetimes.

Before questioning the source of a river, let's consider what causes its flow. What is the reason for the river's continuous movement? Is it because one stream simply follows another without deviation? What then prompts this flow? Is there a will within the stream to forge a new path rather than follow the course laid by others? This raises the question of free will. For instance, one might argue there is free will, as I can choose to become a saint and thus not be part of the mainstream flow. However, by choosing to be a saint, you're still choosing a flow, albeit a different one. It's akin to a river branching from its original course. You've chosen sainthood, but there were saints before you made that choice, so the flow continues. It boils down to choosing a path previously unimagined. The first person who become saint isn't following an existing stream but creating their own, inspiring others to follow and creating a new flow. Therefore this flow persists. So, why does this flow exist? Why do people choose to follow others? If one person chooses sainthood, why do others repeatedly do the same?

Could there be an innate phenomenon within us that compels us to follow others? The act of following seems ubiquitous. In India, for instance, actors and cricketers are deemed superstars with massive fan followings. But why do people follow someone? What drives fan following? Could it be attributed to our tendency to imitate others? It often occurs that a person deemed successful is emulated by others. For example, a renowned cricketer adopts a stylish beard, and soon after, fellow cricketers and fans alike begin to have similar facial hair. This trendsetting is not confined to appearances alone. Businesses capitalize on this behavior, intentionally setting trends. The cigarette and tobacco industry, for instance, is notorious for advertising in films and cinema. Similarly, the iPhone has become a fashion statement in modern times.

Could it be said that our self-perception is merely an imitation, a collection of traits copied from others? This could stem from our tendency to idolize those we deem superior. Imitation is indeed pervasive. Take learning, for instance; isn't it also a form of imitation? When we learn from textbooks or teachers, we are essentially replicating someone else's knowledge. It's not as though we have unearthed this knowledge ourselves; we've simply borrowed it. And isn't it ironic that we admonish students not to cheat on exams when, in essence, they are engaging in a form of imitation?

How does the natural tendency to imitate others first arise in us? When we consider AI, they can learn and imitate much faster than humans. This is because these machines are electronic, meaning their processing speed is dependent on the movement of electrons, which can approach the speed of light. In contrast, the speed at which a human processes information is tied to the biology of the brain. The biological brain communicates using charged molecules or ions, which are significantly slower than electrons. I mention this to acknowledge that there are entities in this world capable of learning or imitating much faster than ourselves.

To address why we have a natural tendency to imitate, we need to understand how AI performs imitation. Without delving into details, AI uses a "reward and train" algorithm, where it learns to make decisions by interacting with its environment. It receives rewards or penalties based on its actions, aiming to maximize cumulative rewards over time. This concept is similar to how we learn from childhood. For instance, when parents want their child to start speaking, they pronounce words in front of the child, hoping the child will repeat them. If the child says the correct word, they receive a reward, like chocolate. This method is akin to how we train our pets as well.

In conclusion, we all possess a natural inclination to emulate others, a behavior ingrained in us from childhood. We mimic to obtain the rewards we desire. The next question arises: why do we seek these rewards in the first place? It's not because they are more important than our lives. Unlike AI, which lacks choice and free will, we are conscious beings with the freedom to choose otherwise. Yet, we chase these rewards as a pet dog would. Both the dog and the human seek something in the reward that brings happiness. However, this happiness is fleeting, and we find ourselves imitating again for the same reward. Why do we continue this cyclical pursuit?

We are all in pursuit of that one reward, aren't we? The one that promises eternal happiness. Thus, we continue to unwrap the gift packages we receive from others, hoping to find that unique and particular reward. But we must ponder whether such a reward even exists in this world. After all, if we are all seeking the same prize, how can anyone provide that special gift if they themselves do not possess it? Consider this analogy: it's like a village of thieves where each thief searches for treasure in another's home, yet the village lacks the very treasure they seek. To put it simply, there is no reward in this world that can grant us the joy of eternal happiness. There is no hope of finding the reward we all seek. Everyone searches for that ultimate prize in different things—some in material possessions like houses, cars, and luxury items, others in alcohol, wine, drugs, or parties, and yet others in knowledge and intelligence. We are all alike in our search, but the issue is that what we are truly seeking does not exist in this physical realm.

So, how can this ever-flowing cycle be stopped? The answer lies in everyone realizing that there is no special reward in this world—that no one is inherently superior, and that we are all fundamentally the same. Once this truth is understood, there will be no sense of pride in our actions or achievements, no greed, and no illusion of being in a better or worse position than others.

If everyone recognizes that they are merely wearing an illusory mask—that without it, we are all the same—only then can this cycle be halted. This realization is crucial because the moment we see the truth, we understand why this flow must stop.

As discussed in the blog "Death of the Mask," the mask is what truly "dies". However, the issue is that this mask is reborn; someone else, influenced by it, takes it on. It passes from one person to another, from parent to child, perpetuating the flow.

Unless everyone grasps this fact, the cycle will continue, and with it, the illusion we call "the world." This world is nothing but a flow of these deceptive masks, and it will cease to exist only when everyone removes their mask.

More importantly, since this world is just a projection of those illusory masks, it too is an illusion—nothing more. The only real thing is what remains once the mask is removed.