Right Brain-Left Brain Caucus
A blog on the human condition
30 June, 2015
On Poverty & Economic Means
29 June, 2015
On Bismillah
You see, I've been reading the book "The Fabric of the Cosmos" by Brian Greene, reknowned physicist and writer of popular books on physics and cosmology. In this particular tome, he explains the mysterious and often befuddling concepts of space, time and the structure of reality. Here's the part where I was dumbstruck by what I was reading:
Reality is not what we think it is.
I shall spare you the details, as I am sure you may be piqued sufficiently enough to go read the book yourself. Suffice it to say that the concept of Einstein's Special Relativity and quantum mechanics implies that the past, the future and the now are illusions. Time seems to flow forwards, yet time has already happened. Everything that ever was and everything that ever will be, by implications of the relativity of spacetime has happened, is happening and already has happened.
What does this mean?
Are we in delusion by the inexhorable forward march of time and reality we see around us? Are our efforts in vain if everything has happened? Is there no space for us to make a difference in the outcomes of our actions? This seems so.
If you're reading this and you're muslim, you may be familiar with what the Qur'an says with regards to the reality of the universe of this world, and that everything in it has been preordained:
"Verily, We have created all things with Qadar (Divine Preordainments of all things before their creation, as written in the Book of Decrees Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz)." Surah Al Qamar (54):49
"And everything, small and big is written (in Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz already beforehand i.e. before it befalls, or is done by its doer)" Surah Al Qamar (54):53
"No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves but is inscribed in the Book of Decrees (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz), before We bring it into existence. Verily, that is easy for Allah." Surah Al Hadid (57):22
Amazingly the understanding of the physics mentioned above is affirmed very nicely by these ayaat. Allah has created everything beforehand, and physics theoretically has affirmed that spacetime, that combination of events and time, are possibly existing all at the same time. In other words, the past, present and future are existing. This is too awe-inspiringly mind blowing to not be coincidence.
So what of it?
Yet, Allah has guided us to make effort. There is qadr and there is qadha. How do we reconcile this if everything has been set by Allah?
Tawakkal: the concept that we may and must exert effort to reach our goals, but it is Allah that sets the outcome. Couple this teaching with Allah admonishing us to start everything we do with his name, with Bi ism allah (bismillah, in the name of Allah) and all that we do from then on becomes a form of ibaadah for us, a form of worship. We may, in the grand scheme of Allah's plan, not get what we want, but our effort to get there by turning our mundane acts into devotion to Allah is why we say that holiest of names: to give ourselves the gift of pahala in everything we do, despite everything being pre-ordained. And that is the ultimate reward of our submission to Allah in everything we do: jannah, heaven, eden, the Garden, Paradise, the ultimate of rewards of what we are striving for, and not the ephemeral rewards of this finite world.
Remember Your Blessings
"Saya telah memilih dari Tauraat Shareef dua belas pernyataan dan saya renungkan pernyataan-pernyataan ini tiga kali setiap harinya."
Berikut ini adalah dua belas pernyataan tersebut:
ALLAH TA'AALAA BERKATA:
# Hai manusia! Janganlah takut kepada syetan dan raja apapun selama Kekuasaan Aku masih bertahan.
# Hai manusia! Jangan pernah khawatir atas rezekimu selama kamu masih menemukan harta saya untuk diisi. Harta Aku tidak pernah berkurang ataupun habis.
# Hai manusia! Ketika kamu menjadi tak berdaya dalam urusan apapun, panggillah Aku, dan pasti kamu akan menemukanKu. Akulah pemberi segala sesuatu dan segala kebaikan.
# Hai manusia! Yakinlah bahwa Aku menganggap kamu sebagai temanKu. Oleh karena itu kamu, bertemanlah dengan Aku.
# Hai manusia! Janganlah pernah kamu tidak takuti Aku hingga kamu telah menyeberangi Jembatan (di Qiyaamah).
# Hai manusia! Aku telah menciptakan kamu dari tanah, sperma dan darah yang menggumpal. Aku tidaklah tanpa daya yang sempurna saat membuat kamu, jadi bagaimana kemudian Aku bisa tanpa daya memberi makan kamu? Mengapa kamu kemudian mencari dari orang lain?
# Hai manusia! Aku telah menciptakan segala sesuatu untuk kamu dan, Aku telah menciptakan kamu untuk Ibaadah saya. Tapi kamu telah terjebak dalam apa yang telah dibuat untuk melayani kamu dan kamu telah pergi jauh dari Aku demi memenuhi kepentingan orang lain.
# Hai manusia! Semua ciptaanKu berpamrih atas sesuatu untuk diri mereka sendiri sementara saya menginginkan hanya kebaikan untuk kamu sendiri, tetapi kamu lari dari Aku.
# Hai manusia! Kamu menjadi tidak senang denganKu karena keinginan nafsumu, tetapi tidak pernah kamu menjadi tidak senang dengan nafsumu demi Aku.
# Hai manusia! Ibaadat kepadaKu adalah kewajiban kamu, dan atasKu adalah kewajiban memberi makan kamu. Namun, kebanyakan kamu lali dalam tugasmu, sementara Aku tidak pernah lalai dalam memberi makan kamu.
# Hai manusia! Kamu mencari kepastian rezeki masa depan bahkan di hari ini, namun Aku tidak pernah meminta dari kamu Ibaadat masa depanmu.
# Hai manusia! Kamu selamanya akan kekal dalam kedamaian dan kenyamanan jikalau kamu puas dengan apa yang telah Aku berikan kepada kamu. Jika kamu tidak puas dengan itu, Aku akan tetapkan rasa keserakahan atas seisi dunia atasmu. Ia kemudian akan menyebabkan kamu untuk berlari dari tiang ke tiang dan dari pintu ke pintu dengan penuh kehinaan dan kemudian itupun juga kamu akan mendapatkan hanya apa yang telah ditakdirkan untuk kamu.
10 September, 2011
30 August, 2011
New tools! New workflow!
Windows Live Writer to post to this blog!
Freemind for a personal dashboard!
MyLifeOrganised for a project & task lister!
Brainstorm for an all purpose outliner! (need to purchase this one though)
KeynoteNF for an all purpose notebook and jotter!
07 July, 2010
01 April, 2008
25 September 2007 -
25 September 2007
Pada dasarnya, memang I want to see incompetence punished and humiliated and proven wrong for all to see. Come to think of it isn’t that rather sadistic? And arrogant? Rooted in a desire to have and assert power over others? Establishing a superiority based on knowledge, intelligence and brainpower?
This email is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is confidential and may also be privileged. Any form of unauthorized use or dissemination is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient or if this email is otherwise sent to you in error, you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this email and you should delete it immediately and notify us. Thank you.
30 March, 2008
Back online with a desktop client
After, how many hours, I can't remember, but for sure long enough to induce flashes in my eyes- never a good sign that- finally gotten this desktop client to connect to blogger.
Why google has to go change their protocols is a mystery to an IT layperson such as me. heh
04 January, 2007
Reading List
Galbraith, John Kenneth, “Economics and the Public Purpose”
Lewis, Arthur W., “The Theory of Economic Growth”
What I’ve just finished reading today:
Galbraith, John Kenneth, “The Affluent Society”
I’ll post a review of this book as soon as I can. While I agree and presumed that much of what he said privately, Galbraith confirmed those suspicions in an eloquent style and witty grace.
28 October, 2006
Sophisticated paper edition
I’ve saved some of the papers and intend to hook-up with the intellectuals that have generously spared their time to share their views. It’s an opportunity to explore my depth and breadth of interest.
07 October, 2006
27 February, 2006
Still have a sore throat. It’s been 2 weeks now I’ve had some form of flu. The week of 13 - 19 February was particularly rough.
Now since the 21st of February I have had a cough and a sore throat. I think it is time for me to see the doctors.pt
pt uob kayhian securities
sona topas tower lantai 2
Jl. Jend. Sudirman kav 26
David Chang (Head of Research)
250-6705
PT Dongsuh Kolibindo Securities
Graha Irama Lt. 6 D
Jl. HR Rasuna Said Kav. 1-2
Jakarta 12950
Tel. : (62-21) 526-1326
Fax. : (62-21) 526-1320
Head of Research: Dicky Hendar Wirawan
research@dongsuh.co.id
Receptionist/gatekeeper: Gita
9:23 pm
Now, I’ve sent emails to UOB Kay Hian and Dongsuh, probed several email addresses. One should stick. Calling them up to confirm receipt and arrange interview, and/or necessity of submitting printed application.
Contact from Azrul:
Howard Chu,
PT Mahanusa Investment Management
Menara Sudirman
19th Floor
Jl Jend Sudirman Kav. 60, Jakarta 12190, Indonesia
PT. MAHANUSA KAPITAL
Menara Sudirman 19th Floor
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 60
Jakarta 12190
ph. : 522 6668
fax.: 522 6669
Contact Person : Widjaja Tanadi
22 January, 2006
Perfectionism
Or is this a wrong way of seeing how to use one's time to good effect? I feel the keyboard of this little computer to be unbearable. it's fighting me all the way.
I am a perfectionist. and this must be dealt with. I was replaced because of my perfectionism.
15 January, 2006
Entrepreneurial spirit released
There is bright spot. Creative entrepreneurial juices seem to be
flowing. The time that's been freed up has afforded the opportunity
to explore ideas I've been wanting to try:
- do a small-scale biz --> gain experience managing biz with all its
trials, tribulations and triumphs
- time to publish the book
- talk with and explore hi-level connections -->
- Meanwhile, do an independent research blog. See if I'm really
interested in pursuing the markets.
14 January, 2006
It just hit me
It just hit me. I might have sleep apnoea. I've been having
difficulty getting a good night's rest. Even if I sleep long I'm
rarely fresh and energised the next day.
09 January, 2006
08 January, 2006
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifehack/what-they-don’t-teach-you-in-graduate-school.html
What They Don’t Teach You in Graduate School:
Paul Gray and David E. Drew at Inside Higher Ed has a detailed article on tips for an academic career for Ph.D. students. The article has two parts - first, it describes tips on completing dissertation and finding a first job. Second, it talks about in detail on teaching and service, research, and grants. Here [...]
05 January, 2006
Physical specimen to behold
Lifting up the weights. oh, a joy to roll and not be encumbered with the results.
Got a Gmail permanent email
I have a new gmail email account from an invite from Aji. Thanks man.
The email is yumamaris at gmail dot com
23 December, 2005
21 December, 2005
05 December, 2005
Of markets and incentives
Paralysis by analysis. Do not succumb to that trap.
17 November, 2005
Compulsion
30 September, 2005
Khasha the Second
Hey, why won't ecto let me upload a photo to blogger? or is it the other way around?
04 July, 2005
welcome back to blog land
blogging's promise of being a fun and productive pastime looks set to becoming reality my friends.
19 March, 2005
6.3.05 - Sunday Morning
Wake up at 10am. House empty, 'cept for Renata. Looking for handphone on the web. New models that I'm looking for ultimately coming out in the 2nd quarter, that's but 2 more months from now. Seems that Nokia's fancy schmancy phones may not have caught on as they'd hoped for - they're now moving to a 'classic' phone campaign & model set.
Go out for lunch with Keke, on her - first paycheck from SKII :)Keyvan, Keke, myself at PI Mall's Outback Steakhouse (again! becoming an expensive habit this)
Bought more folders and this nice gel pen to jot down stuff & thoughts
Started filing stuff at home. Keke got infectious with the organising
bug hehehe
Now using the new Hipster PDA to jot down notes & stuff.... documents
organised, repository for brain farts in the HPDA. And I'm actually
getting things done and moving forward. Now I get what that Allen guy's
been diggin'.
7.3.05 Tuesday
Woke up today none too fresh. Insides felt really tired; must be b/c of
the flu and late night falling asleep with Keke.
Another day of being a smoke free non smoker.
Flu started on Friday - that was the worst. Thought I'd pass out during
Friday prayers.
24 August, 2004
Organisational Processes
Cessation, Emotions & Control
23 August, 2004
Post 01 = Budding Writer - Free Exercises
All good stuff, but I never ventured out into actually finishing something to be published seriously. Perhaps it was fear of success, perhaps it was fear of failure; demons, personal demons that have no bearing on one's ability, capability, potential nor reality.
So, here's this blog as my creative outlet to get my juices going, my writing journal, thought repository. In time, I hope to have this blog document my growing maturity in life, my opinions, and writing. A Word doc journal would not just be as fun, knowing no one besides myself would have the opportunity to read it!