Kannadasan – A Realized Master (Part 22)

 

We have observed that 'money' is a major cause of discord between couples. Where does our school education fit into this? Let us consider the vast gap between the schooling we received during the prime of our youth and the real-life challenges we face in adulthood. Surprisingly, despite having Physical Education (PT) and Biology classes in schools and colleges, we never gained an experiential understanding of how our bodies actually function. Even if we scored well in these subjects theoretically, we remain ignorant about how to maintain physical health. Another flaw in the current education system is that, although the curriculum includes supplementary literature and psychology, children are not taught how to manage their minds or how to focus their attention on what they truly desire in life. 

We study 'Social Science,' yet we do not learn how to nurture healthy human relationships. We have classes on ethics, mythology, art, and music; yet, we do not know how to align our lives harmoniously with nature and other living beings to achieve 'peaceful coexistence.' Chemistry is a subject we study, but we graduate from schools and colleges without understanding the 'chemical factory' within our bodies, its proper functioning, or the consequences of any chemical imbalances. 

Finally, we may score well in Commercial Mathematics, yet we fail to learn how to use money wisely or how to make money work for us—through practices like saving and investing. Since childhood, we are given pocket money to satisfy our immediate desire to buy things and to spend freely; consequently, we learn only *how* to spend. There is a vast gap between the theoretical education provided in schools and the practical wisdom and 'life skills' required to lead a fulfilling life. 

That is why, upon reaching adulthood, we often adopt the mindset—depicted in this song by Kannadasan—of living in anticipation of 'luck' or 'good times' (from the movie *Sumathi En Sundari*): 

"A time to earn comes for everyone;

But from which path will it arrive?

God is there to bestow abundance, and a chest exists to lock it away;

But what is the story until then?

 

Talent alone isn't enough; the right moment must arrive on its own;

Wealth will seek you out at home, just like the offering box at Tirupati.

 

Seize it without fail whenever it comes;

Opportunity is always golden;

Do not sleep then, nor pine for it later;

For luck plays its part someday!" 

Following in his mentor's footsteps, the poet Vali also sang (Film: *Marupadiyum*): "Everyone has their share of good times and moments in life; even the have-nots experience positive change and upward mobility in this world!" 

Let us return to the subject of our school education and the mindsets—or 'mental software'—it instilled in us. In his book *Be Rich & Be Happy: Develop New Habits for Financial & Emotional Success*, Robert Kiyosaki harshly criticizes the negative and narrow-minded attitudes fostered by our schooling. The book focuses primarily on the early learning processes and thought patterns of individuals. The author examines the prevailing culture of rote learning in schools and its impact on the subconscious mind, pointing out that while the world has evolved into an 'Information Society,' the education sector remains stuck in the past; he argues that it merely 'manufactures' workers suited for an 'industrial society.' The misconceptions instilled in schools stifle children's innate creativity and curiosity, fostering a narrow mindset. Consequently, they grow up unable to generate or enjoy the wealth required for a happy and fulfilling life. 

The book highlights how, over the past few decades, the education system has churned out graduates unfit for employment—much like products on an assembly line. At the same time, it helps readers identify and shatter their own 'mental blocks' and embark on a journey of self-growth. 

Drawing on his school-day experiences and lessons learned from his parents—who possessed vastly different temperaments—the author recounts how he made the right decisions at critical junctures in his life and career to become a self-made millionaire. Kiyosaki also offers a piece of advice to parents: "The rich get richer because they invest. However, the poor become even poorer because of their consumption habits. Today, economic anxiety and an obsession with money have taken the place of learning. Fundamentally, schools serve merely as training centers that mold workers for the wealthy. Instead of telling your children what kind of people they should be, first embody those very qualities yourself." 

That is all well and good, Sir; but if one were to ask how and where to find money, the poet Kannadasan asks the very same question in this song (from the film *Panam*): 

"Where shall I search? Where shall I search? Where shall I search for money?

Where shall I search for the money that helps the world prosper?

Where shall I search for the money desired by everyone from kings to paupers?

Are you swirling about in the black market?

Have you been trapped in the hands of a miser?

Have you spun around dizzily at the Guindy races?

Where shall I search for the money—that money which can make or break those who seek it?

Have you buried yourself deep within the earth as hidden treasure?

Do you hang upon a woman as golden jewelry?

Have you sought refuge as an ornament on the idols of gods?

Do you wander about in the guise of an ascetic?

Have you joined the offerings in the Tirupati *hundi* (donation box)?

Have you retreated into a cave at Tiruvannamalai?

Are you locked away in iron safes?

Where shall I search for money—money that is never found with the compassionate?

Did you wear yourself out in the election process?

Did you go to Ooty in pursuit of physical pleasure?

Did you hide away as gold within the walls?

Did you vanish as smoke from camphor and *sambrani* (benzoin resin)?" "Money, money, money!"

 

The book *Rich Dad's Prophecy*, co-authored by Robert T. Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter, provides answers to the questions raised above: "So, where do you think money, investment, and business actually take place? They happen in your mind. If money isn't in your mind, it won't be in your hands either. Most people are conditioned from birth to look for a job; in fact, they go to school specifically to reinforce that mindset. Many are taught to believe that the government will take care of them and serve as a safe haven, protecting them from the challenges of the real world. You will notice that those who are economically disadvantaged are often trapped in outdated ways of thinking and acting. 

Warren Buffett once said, 'If history made people rich, librarians would be millionaires.' Within each of you, there exist three personas: a rich person, a poor person, and a middle-class person." "It is entirely up to you to decide which kind of person you will become." 

In their book *Rich Kid Smart Kid: Giving Your Child a Financial Head Start*, the co-authors challenge our flawed mindset: "My banker has never asked me if I got good grades in school. All my banker wants to see are my financial statements. The problem is that most people leave school without even knowing what a financial statement is." I have learned that there is no single 'right' or 'wrong' answer in life. I have also realized that we make decisions, and every decision carries a consequence. If we are dissatisfied with a decision or its outcome, we must seek a new decision that leads to a different result. True intelligence lies not in determining what is merely 'right' or 'wrong,' but in discerning what is 'appropriate.' 

Financial intelligence is not about how much money you earn; rather, it is about how much you retain and how hard that money works for you. Money stems from your ideas, for money itself is essentially an idea. People remain poor because they harbor 'poor' ideas. Most people acquire their views on money and life from their parents. Since schools do not teach financial literacy, these attitudes toward money are passed down from generation to generation. There are only two types of financial problems. 

One problem is a lack of money; the other is having an excess of it. Today, money is a primary topic of discussion in households. A child learns to associate money with fear and anger. In many homes, a child learns that money is scarce, difficult to obtain, and requires grueling hard work. A genius is one who discovers the 'genie'—that miraculous power—within themselves. "Just as Aladdin discovered the 'Genie' inside the bottle, if we discover the 'Genie' within ourselves, we too will become 'Geniuses' (Geni-in-us = Genius)!" It struck me with surprise when my newborn—just days after starting to speak—asked, "Where is Dad?" and I replied, "Office." After all, a child who spends years watching their parents rush off in the morning to "dump" them somewhere before heading to work, and then return exhausted and dejected in the evening or at night, is naturally going to run off to a job when they grow up, isn't it? How could they possibly transform into a business magnate? Kiyosaki was absolutely right. That is precisely why the children of doctors become doctors, the children of business people go into business, the children of actors become actors, and the heirs of politicians take over family parties. Children internalize the topics discussed and the emotions shared at the dining table, and these shape who they become as adults. 

If parents remain as workers and clerks, how can they expect their children to be millionaires in their life times? What we sow, shall we reap later, right? In his book, “Raising Positive Kids in a Negative World", famous motivational author Zig Ziglar also says the same thing: "The only way to raise positive kids is to start by becoming a positive parent. You are what you are and where you are because of what has gone into your mind, and you can change what you are and where you are by changing what goes into your mind. In other words, your thinking directly affects your performance. Now, more than ever before or after, the parent dares not be or do what he does not want his child to be or do. Consistent living, which conforms to what is taught, is now at an all-time premium. Therefore, it is important that the adults who teach and guide children during this period be the kind of persons worthy of imitation. I believe ALL kids are born to win. Unfortunately, many of them have been conditioned to lose." 

In his book *NO RULES: 21 Giant Lies about Success and how to make it happen NOW*, author Dan S. Kennedy expands on that anecdote about bankers and poses a challenging, tongue-in-cheek question to readers: "When you go to deposit money, does your banker ask whether it was earned through hard work or obtained easily?" Why fret over trivialities? Act smartly, think big—and then think even bigger. 

For those shocked by the idea that money isn't just the stack of notes in one's hand but rather an idea in one's head, Yuval Noah Harari—one of the greatest Israeli thinkers of our time—shatters this illusion in his renowned book *SAPIENS: A Brief History of Humankind* by defining money as a product of "collective imagination." He further encourages us all to question our fundamental understanding of the world, to connect past events with the present context, and to remain unafraid of controversial topics. 

Analyzing various emotional and social constructs—empires, tribes, nations, gods, money, religion, culture, and commerce—he notes that they are nothing more than "our collective imagination." They "exist" only because we collectively believe in them; in contrast, physical laws of nature—such as gravity—operate independently of our beliefs; they remain in effect whether we like it or not! Is there any doubt about this? Today, your money resides right on your mobile phone; you spend it using services like GPay and RuPay. In reality, money is merely numbers within computer systems; the volume of this digital money far exceeds the total amount of physical paper currency or coins in circulation across the globe! 

Yet, in contrast, what do our film songs teach society? (“Panam ennadaa panam panam?”) (From the movie *Andaman Kadhali*): 

"What is money? Money is fleeting; character alone endures.

Money is a demon that corrupts a compassionate heart!

 

Amassing millions only breeds a craving for more,

And earns one the label of a 'wretched soul.'

Money turns a noble heart into a fiend,

While character transforms it back into a nurturing mother.

 

The very word for 'cash' implies a flaw,

And the arrival of wealth drives kith and kin away.

True 'currency' signifies integrity and honesty;

To the virtuous, money is of no consequence.

As the divine temple bell resonates,

The greed for money fades away." 

Even when lyrics are penned to suit the screenplay or a character's situation, the 'Kaviarasar's' (King of Poets) words—sharp and impactful like a bullet—pierce the minds of the audience, influencing even their deepest, subconscious beliefs. What remarkable lines! "Money turns a good heart into a demon," "The very meaning of 'cash' is a crime," "Good people have no need for money or wealth," and "Kith and kin scatter the moment money enters the picture." Driven by this obsession with money, siblings—brothers and sisters who once grew up together sharing deep affection—often turn into bitter rivals after marriage; jealousy takes root, and the animosity is passed down through generations based on their respective financial standings. The poetic sage captures this very truth in this song (Film: *Ikkaraikku Akkarai Pachai*): 

"The grass is always greener on the other side—yes, always greener on the other side;

Everyone desires what they do not possess.

The mirror in my home fails to show my own face;

Like a deer chasing a mirage, the eyes are deceived by what they see—

Witness a crore such examples right before your eyes.

 

You wander endlessly, seeking this and that in life;

Yet, no matter what you attain, you remain restless.

One's lot in life is but alms bestowed by the Divine;

Yet, ignorant humans crave the 'other side'!" 

Aha! The debate is heating up. It looks like you’re about to take a domestic squabble out into the streets, aren't you? After all, one must examine both sides of the 'coin' to distinguish the counterfeit from the genuine, right? Let’s dig the goldmine a little deeper... in the next episode...

-Jeyes (www.jeyes.in)