Page 7 - Al-Rashed Newsletter December 2021

POTPOURRI
BASIC INSTINCTS UNTAMED – THE CUL-DE-SAC

Just as the title is evocative of the Michael Douglas-Sharon Stone starrer, capitulating to the basic
instincts can be destructive. When survival is camouflaged by excessive and unquenchable cravings,
reckless satiation of the basic instincts catapults survival into peril.

When the basic instinct equates integrity with doing the wrong thing when no one is watching, doing
the right thing when no one is watching shoves this basic instinct to the wall. The basic instinct
conflates happiness with material acquisitions. When happiness is defined as the absence of suffering
and the presence of robust health, sanity dawns. When the basic instinct is to interpret facts as real,
the reality that there are no facts but only interpretations, strike the right chord. There is no right way
or wrong way. Just your way and my way.

The basic instinct lures us to believe that knowledge is an assimilation of unchecked facts. But
wisdom is acquired from the heap of mistakes made. Wisdom coupled with knowledge is priceless.
Wisdom is the sine qua non for wholesome life. Knowledge sans wisdom is futile.

While the basic instinct is tempting to gulp down the burger with a can of carbonated drink, grabbing
that green salad while tossing aside the burger will keep this basic instinct at bay. While listening to
reply is the basic instinct, listening to understand would fade this basic instinct into oblivion. When the
basic instinct plays havoc by baiting the comfort of the sofa for a deep slumber, pushing oneself for
twenty-second planking and squatting throws this basic instinct upside down. When the basic instinct
defensively promotes intelligence alone as essential for survival, a firm self-conviction that emotional
intelligence (EI-being aware of and in control of one’s emotions) is the crux for existence and survival,
would browbeat this basic instinct into capitulation.

Untamed basic instincts collectively are the quagmire. And the quagmire is the cul-de-sac.

Disclaimer: - The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong
solely to the author, and not necessarily to the author's employer, organization,
committee or other group or individual.
SUDHEER KURUP
SR. EXECUTIVE, VESSEL AGENCY

RAVI VARRIER