Modern Opium

It’s not all about drugs in literal sense that I will be talking about here. But the word opium is indeed a kind of drug which, nobody could deny its effect, can insinuate people to a temporary relief and make-believe. And the famous and most criticized German philosopher Karl Marx has made the term to describe how the people are being insinuated by the religious leaders.

Two things are to be highlighted regarding his contention on religion as the opium of the people. First is to let people experience a temporary relief from being deprived material wealth. They are the poor people from economic point of view. And second is for the promoters of the belief to maintain their status quo – their lifestyle - on the pedestal of luxury.

I would like to disagree if there will be someone who would say that it is still happening today. What I am referring to is the first argument. It is for the simple reason that people are now educated. They develop the sense of responsibility and independence from false belief of just be contented. The consequence of this is that their status quo is now on the ground breaking.

And the second reason is still prevailing today. They would resort to any recourse to retain and maintain the status at the expense of the insinuated. Addition to that is, the worst recourse is the manipulating His words. This is the modern opium. It’s not only the insinuated could absorb. Even other people could inhale its dubious effect. It is upgraded opium at the present history of mankind.

Perspective

The word ‘perspective’ is synonymous to other terms such as views, outlook, and insight. Steven Covey, author of the book The Seven Highly Effective Leadership, uses the term in forming effective leaders in any existing organizations. But Covey employs a more sophisticated expression than perspective as the ‘paradigm shift.’ These terms ‘paradigm shift’ and ‘perspective’ convey the same meaning – looking things from one’s vantage view.

And this is exactly why the title of this blog is ‘perspective.’ From my daily observations, I find people approaching a particular topic coming in different perspective. Be it in simple discussion or formal debate, some people find it irritating to listen while others ignore them at all. But personally I discover myself finding pleasure in appreciating their perspectives with openness and welcoming, even though their views not sharing the same as mine.

By spending time in listening and trying to understand their perspective, the gesture of being accommodating and welcoming is present. I find this as a sacred value because I learn how to respect their structured self-expression. This also makes me realize that I am no holder of absolute knowledge. I remain cautious that I am limited by my thoughts, feelings and circumstances that influence my perspective.

For the sake of knowledge I intend to write on this matter. Being a lover of wisdom I learn the art of appreciating the perspective of others. And in doing this I learn how to respect, accept and understand them as persons packed with perspective. I do believe that when people hold on to their perspective with conviction, they are able to deepen them, and develop them into a whole doctrine that gives meaning to their existence.