Believe it or not

Believe it or not

Despite being in the new scientific era, we still have various superstitious beliefs we follow knowingly or unknowingly. Science and technology and superstitious beliefs have always been acting like the north and south corners of a magnet. They try to meet but ultimately they end up pushing each other further away.

No matter how advanced we call ourselves, we follow these sorts of beliefs still. Take an example, we still think that something can go wrong if a black cat crosses our road, and the mind straightway becomes apprehensive. However, due to our work we have to keep on moving despite thinking so, despite the fear that still persists within the mind. There are various reasons that have been forwarded for these sorts of beliefs. For example, I remember my grand mother telling others not to sweep the floor when it is dark because the Goddess would also be swept out. I used to find it completely illogical those days, but today I understand it to be profound wisdom. There used to be no electricity

to illuminate the whole house during her days, and sweeping the wastes away could also take away with it things like money, or ornaments that might have fallen down on the floor. And, the sweeper would never find them in the swept away rubbish because of the darkness. That is to say, precaution is better though it has come up as superstitions. Aother example could be what instructs us not to pick your nose when you are answering the nature’s call, and this has scientific basis, as the germs could get into your nose. We are used to being told not to sleep in the evening because ghosts sleep at that time. The logic behind this could be, if we sleep at around five, we would probably wake at eleven or one, and it would hamper our normal sleeping pattern. We are not again allowed to move on specific days like Saturdays or at the end of the month. What could be the possible logic for this? I first wondered, and later realized that it can be the best excuse to keep their son or relatives one more day at home before they go out for some tasks. Hence, I conclude that there must be some logic for such beliefs. How did such beliefs come? Maybe a studious person first made thorough preparation for his exams, and had curd before giving his exams, and got good results. And, ever since, curd has received the credit. I thought, maybe I was wrong.

We still believe in such superstitious beliefs, and cannot avoid them completely since our ancestors had been handing them from genertion to generation. I don’t want you to stop believing in superstitions or follow them blindly, it is your personal choice.

Published in The Himalayan Times dated 26th March 2012

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