Verbalism Personified

Drinkie? Drinkie?

Thus popped the message from Susan on my cellphone... We had just passed one of the hottest and slowest weeks in a while. So thankfully, this evening was happy hour time!

"How was your day?" I asked with a grin. "Well, I don't really remember," Susan offered sheepishly. I knew that this witty woman had sensed my playful streak and countered with a reply that was classically vague. On that note, we started a relaxing evening with drinks, food and good, chatty company.

Heading down to Holland Village with Kim, we met up with Kate, Rachna and Kavita at Wala Wala before cosying up at Indochine. As none of us had ever set foot in that joint before, it seemed a relaxing break from the standard bar settings we had been patronizing lately. Seeing how the designers had fashioned a proto-Celtic layout while infusing the atmosphere with fusion new age music, the wide and comfortable sofa seats were just the ticket for outdoor lazing.

As Kate and I began stuffing our faces with do-it-yourself chicken and beef spring rolls, Susan gave us the detailed low-down on the subject of Buddhism. It was the decor that broached the subject and having statues of mini Buddhas prompted a lively discussion. Though she hadn't intimated as to how she came to know so much about the subject, hers was the most concise and direct explanation I had heard anyone offer. Apart from reading about it from a thoroughly under-rated book entitled Religion: Mankind's Search for God, Susan was spot when she defined the differences between the Theravada and Mahayana, how the Dhama was conceived in hand with the sangha to lead mankind out of samsara into a state of nirvana.

But how would you know when you had reached nirvana? Kate was deciding if nirvana could be quantified. However Susan offered that since most humans would be casting about blindly, none of them would really know what it would be like. Reaching a state where you'll be at peace with yourself and the world around you, was the best answer that some could offer. However Kate's argument was that if humans couldn't quantigy nirvana, then there was a very good chance that you'd miss it entirely. With so much strife in the world, one would be best to take happiness anyway they can get it.

The topic of Buddhism subsequently opened up into the field of systems analysis. Kim and Susan viewed that the investigation of an outcome did not warrant an identification or quantification of an external influentiator. However Kate disagreed on the grounds that the influentiator brought with it characteristics that would influence the outcome to some significant degree and hence, necessary in quantifying it.

As they were debating, I thought of all the conversations I have had with Kate. She comes across as thoughtful, very intelligent and articulate. And though I have only met her 3 times prior, she brings with her insightful observations to any topic in a conversation. Well tonight was another one of those nights.

posted by Teutoburg @ 12:37 AM