Well written Pras. One additional point to consider is what is the role of karma in what is fated or what happens to a person in the course of their life. Does the karma one accumulates during one's life journey determine one's fate and if yes, then is fate/destiny a continuum rather than an end state.
Just as an aside - Serendipity is derived from Serendip, which is an ancient Persian name for Sri Lanka.
Your explanation of serendipity is interesting. Years ago I answered a query (in Quora) on e-cigarettes. The moment I closed that page. I read a news item banning e-cigarettes in India.
Well written Prasanna. There is also the phrase “Man proposes God disposes” which could be true for both “Fate” and “Destiny” - you choose a path and you end up somewhere else.
I enjoyed your FC as usual, this time a mix of sweet and salty. I am sorry to hear about your cousin's untimely (I gather) passing. But the reflections it set off which you have shared made me too think again about some of the imponderable questions about life and death.
This being said, one quote that has guided my life and work, and which also goes against predestination thinking is this one by John Schaar:
"The future is not some place we are going to, but one we are creating. The paths to it are not found but made. The future is not some place we are going to, but one we are creating. The paths are not to be found, but made, and the activity of making them, changes both the maker and the destination."
Well written Pras. One additional point to consider is what is the role of karma in what is fated or what happens to a person in the course of their life. Does the karma one accumulates during one's life journey determine one's fate and if yes, then is fate/destiny a continuum rather than an end state.
Just as an aside - Serendipity is derived from Serendip, which is an ancient Persian name for Sri Lanka.
Thanks Sam for taking out time to send in your comments. Worthy of further thought.
Your explanation of serendipity is interesting. Years ago I answered a query (in Quora) on e-cigarettes. The moment I closed that page. I read a news item banning e-cigarettes in India.
Well written Prasanna. There is also the phrase “Man proposes God disposes” which could be true for both “Fate” and “Destiny” - you choose a path and you end up somewhere else.
I enjoyed your FC as usual, this time a mix of sweet and salty. I am sorry to hear about your cousin's untimely (I gather) passing. But the reflections it set off which you have shared made me too think again about some of the imponderable questions about life and death.
This being said, one quote that has guided my life and work, and which also goes against predestination thinking is this one by John Schaar:
"The future is not some place we are going to, but one we are creating. The paths to it are not found but made. The future is not some place we are going to, but one we are creating. The paths are not to be found, but made, and the activity of making them, changes both the maker and the destination."
Another take - In the old days one made a decision to go to a Fate to meet that special person!! If it was successful - it's Fateful destiny!!
Nice one Pras!!
Trust you TK to come up with a punchy