Custom Search
Monday 30 June 2008

Win Without Lowing the Opponent

It is a Javanese philosophy teaching that actually we can win something without making the opponent feels shy. In brief, it is so simple; however, it can be a great matter in the real world. In politics, the common practice is that a party tries to win something using any possible ways, including slander its opponents and make a statement that the opponents have made a great mistake (like a public lies).

It is not in politics world that we can merely such a terrible practice. In profession, and even in education, world we sometimes meet such a situation. It is common that an employee will make a report or statement in which he/she will say that his/her partners cannot perform their duty well. In addition, we may find a teacher/lecturer who tell the students the weaknesses of other teachers/lecturers.

How if the persons who do such a terrible act are the state/national leaders? Surely, it can be worse. Every national leader (the President, the Head of Legislative Assembly, etc.) will say that he is right and the others are wrong. In a situation (such as disaster, accident, and mistake) requiring a responsibility of national leaders, they commonly state that it is not their responsibility that such a situation can happen. "Winning without making other parties feel lose" will have a great impact on any organization continuation.

University student is the highest level of student within all education system. Unlike senior or junior high school student, university students is demanded to be able to manage his/herself. He/she shall understand well the duties and responsibility he/she holds. In Indonesia, university students play very important role in the reform process. They have contribution to the end of Soeharto regime. The way they commonly use is demonstration. "Down to the street" is the most common way to express their ideas and thoughts, but commonly their protest.

Unfortunately, demonstration frequently ends in clash, between the demonstrator and the security officers (commonly policemen). Certain irresponsible parties frequently take benefit from such a situation is usually. They provoke the students to conduct anarchism. Therefore, clash is unavoidable. Such a clash commonly results in victims, both from the students and the policemen side.

Actually, there is another way of expressing idea rather than through demonstration. Dialogue is more civilized way of expressing idea or thought. It is sure that the government will more appreciate and hear the dialogue. It is true that the students shall fight using their thought and therefore they can merely be fought using thought, not fighting.

Monday 23 June 2008

Think Safety!!!

Just as you have to trust your life to the honesty, skill, and judgment of strangers, so must
they, when they drive, put their lives in your hands on advance faith alone. Think of this
when you drive. Each car you meet and safely pass represents one more human being who
has staked his life on your respect for the law and on your skill and judgment.

Henry Gregor Felsen, To My Son, the Teenage Driver
Included in Iowa DOT materials given to each person applying for GDL
(Iowa-sms-toolbox)

Indonesia is recently facing a dilemma with regard to the increase of fuel price. The Government of Indonesia views that the policy to increase the fuel price is the most right act to cut the fuel subsidiary so that the subsidiary can be allocated to other sectors. However, as predicted before, the policy of increasing fuel price will result in the increase of basic needs price. Are there any other right solutions to prevent the long-term effect?

Considering the increase of the world oil price, the step taken by the government to cut the fuel subsidiary by increasing the fuel price is the right thing. The current world oil price is about US$100 per barrel. Surely, the increase of fuel price will stimulate the increase of basic needs price. The policy will surely be effective in short-term since the domestic fuel consumption still increase. Therefore, the subsidiary for fuel will keep increase.

Recently, the government of Indonesia cannot decrease the domestic fuel consumption. In fact, the fuel consumption increases from year to year. The increase of domestic fuel consumption results from the increasing number of motor vehicle in Indonesia. In one year, the sale of cars in Indonesia can reach one million units while for motor cycle the number can be much higher. Consequently, the increase of domestic fuel consumption is unavoidable.

In the future, the government shall take strict acts to decrease in domestic fuel consumption. One of them is limiting the number of motor vehicle sale or applying progressive tax rate to value-added tax of motor vehicle. It is great if the government of Indonesia is brave enough to limit the number of motor vehicle sale, particularly private vehicle.

“This is just an imagination. I will be give great appreciation if the government has desire to follow up this simple idea.”

Monday 16 June 2008

TRAFFIC LIGHT

These are the meanings of traffic light for small number of Yogyakarta people:
RED means bravery. Therefore, it must be brave enough to just keep running/riding. (RED means go ahead).
YELLOW means ride as fast as you can before the RED light turns on.
GREEN means blowing the horn since the cars/motorcycles in front of us do not run immediately.

Javanese culture actually contains many valuable life philosophies. One of them is Hasta Brata (Eight Acts of Self Control) lesson. It is actually a leadership theory containing matters symbolized with objects or conditions of the nature. The eight acts are symbolized with Surya (the sun), Candra (the moon), Kartika (the star), Angkasa (the sky), Maruta (the wind), Samudra (the ocean), Dahana (the fire), and Bhumi (the earth).


1. Surya (the sun) shining brightly, playing role as the source of life. The leader shall be able to grow and develop the life power of the community in order to develop the state and nation.

2. Candra (the moon), shining in the dark night. A leader is to give spirit and motivation to his people both in happiness or sadness.

3. Kartika (the star), twinkling, being placed in high placed that can play role as the guidance/compass. A leader shall be a good example for his people and able to give direction to the people.

4. Angkasa (the sky), unlimited in wide, that is able to receive/accommodate anything comes to it. Principally, a leader shall have a sincere heart and able to control himself in accommodating/moderating all opinions, ideas, suggestions, and critics of his varied people.

5. Maruta (the wind), being present everywhere without differentiating the place and being able to fill in the empty space. A leader shall be closed/near to his people, without differentiating their level and status.

6. Samudra (the ocean/water), being large, being flat in its surface, being fresh in nature. A leader shall love his people and able to give protection to them, playing role as the place to get peace.

7. Dahana (the fire), being able to burn everything it touches. A leader shall have a power/authority and be brave enough to put truth in the first place.

8. Bhumi (the earth), being strong and generous, giving advantages/benefits to everyone who takes care of it. A leader shall be generous in serving his people so that they will not be disappointed.

Indonesia tanah airku, Tanah tumpah darahku.
Disanalah aku berdiri, Jadi pandu ibuku.
Indonesia kebangsaanku, Bangsa dan Tanah Airku.
Marilah kita berseru "Indonesia bersatu."

Hiduplah tanahku, Hiduplah negriku,
Bangsaku, Rakyatku, semuanya.
Bangunlah jiwanya, Bangunlah badannya.
Untuk Indonesia Raya.

Refrein:
Indonesia Raya,
Merdeka, Merdeka
Tanahku, negriku yang kucinta.

Indonesia Raya,
Merdeka, Merdeka
Hiduplah Indonesia Raya.

Indonesia Raya,
Merdeka, Merdeka
Tanahku, negriku yang kucinta.

Indonesia Raya,
Merdeka, Merdeka
Hiduplah Indonesia Raya.

The commotion happened in the Heaven is caused by a Giant King of Manimantaka kingdom named Nirwutakawaca (Nir = not, wuto = blind, kawaca = read; meaning that cannot accept/find the truth because the heart is blind). The king is really invulnerable. The king who always free his desire has caused a deep disappointment to the Gods. Initially, the Gods have let the Giant King marry a Fairy of the Heaven, Prabasini.


Unfortunately, the king forces to marry another fairy named Supraba. This demand surely makes the Gods feel angry. The demand is not met for this time since the Gods think that if the demand is met the King will ask fairy for the third, fourth, etc. Furthermore, the Gods are afraid that the King will destroy the order of Heaven. The Gods know well that the king has a great power that no one can defeat him.


Narada (one of the God) know that there is an ascetic named Begawan Ciptoning living in Indrakila Mountain. The ascetic had a great power. The Gods, however, are still unsure with the power of the ascetic. Therefore, Narada suggests to test the ascetic power by sending some of heaven soldiers and fairies. Some of the Gods also test the ascetic by them selves. The test consists of three parts, in general, i.e. power test, sexual desire test, and loyalty test.


Begawan Ciptoning is actually the transformation of Arjuna, one of Pandawa. Previously, Arjuna faces many problems that make him worried. Knowing that his master worries, Semar, one of Punakawan, suggest that Arjuna shall make himself calm by keeping silent/meditating in a mountain. Semar, furthermore, suggests Indrakila Mountain as the right place. During the meditation, Arjuan meets a mysterious creature that subsequently gives him the name of Begawan Ciptoning.


The first test faced by Begawan Ciptaning was power test. In this test, Bathara Indra has transformed himself into a giant. He challenges Begawan Ciptaning by arguing that what Begawan Ciptaning has done has disturbed his life. Begawan Ciptaning does not feel worry nor afraid facing the giant. By his power, Begawan Ciptaning is success to defeat the giant.


After that, seven fairies come to disturb Begawan Ciptaning’s meditation. This test is to investigate whether Begawan Ciptaning can control his sexual desire or not. Begawan Ciptoning passes the test as well. The last test is administered by Bathara Guru. He tests the power and loyalty of Begawan Ciptaning. Begawan Guru transforms himself into a giant. Eventually, the ascetic passes the test.


Recognizing that the ascetic is really powerful and invulnerable, Bathara Guru then transform himself into his original body. Knowing that the Giant is actually Bathara Guru, Begawan Ciptaning asks forgiveness. Subsequently, Bathara Guru explains his objectives of testing the ascetic. Bathara Guru, on behalf of the Gods, asks Begawan Ciptaning to fight commotion caused by Nirwutakawaca. The ascetic accepts that and subsequently climbs to heaven accompanied by Bathara Guru.


After arriving in heaven, Bagawan Ciptaning is received well by Bathara Indra. He asks his daughter, Supraba, that is also one of heaven’s fairies, to change Bagawan Ciptaning’s clothes. Supraba is the most beautiful fairy in heaven.


After that, Begawan Ciptaning establishes a plan to defeat Nirwutakawaca. Begawan Ciptaning knows that the giant really has desire to marry Supraba. The ascetic asks Supraba to come to the giant and says that she agrees to marry him. After Supraba has got closed with the giant, she has to find the weak point of the Giant. Begawan Ciptaning also ensures Supraba that he will always stay near Supraba.


Supraba has agreed to the Begawan Ciptaning’s plan. She comes to Nirwutakawaca and tells him that she agrees to marry him. Fortunately, Nirwutakawaca is not suspicious to her. Supraba then asks why Nirwutakaca can be so strong that no one can defeat him. The giant tells her that his weak point is his throat. The throat must not contact with something sharp.


Knowing the weak point of the giant, Begawan Ciptaning emerges from his hiding place. He suddenly holds Supraba and brings her away. This surely makes the giant feels really angry. The tries to catch Begawan Ciptaning to get Supraba back. In the distance, Begawan Ciptaning asks Supraba to run while he will fight the giant. The ascetic then turns back and finds the giant on the way.


The ascetic tries to find a way how he can stab the giant’s throat. During the combat, the ascetic fights using all his power. He finally finds an idea on how to make the giant opens his mouth. The ascetic pretends to lose. Surely, the giant feels that he is the strongest one and no one can defeat him. He laughs, laughs, and laughs, opening his mouth widely. The ascetic does not throw the chance away. When the giant opens his mouth, the ascetic quickly stabs his weapon (Keris) to the giant’s throat. The giant eventually comes to death.


At the end, Bathara Guru, on behalf of the Gods, shows gratitude and great appreciation to Begawan Ciptaning. Furthermore, Bahtara Guru and all the Gods have agreed to pronounce Begawan Ciptaning and Supraba as wife and husband. From this marriage, Supraba bears a child subsequently named Abimanyu.


Do you agree that it will be easier to find 'the right act' in silent? Some people may say that they will find easy to find the right act by conducting research or investigation. However, in certain cases, we will find it in silent. 'Silent' here means that we firstly think what we are going to do. Silent here does not mean silent in action, but silent in our heart, feeling, sense. When we keep silent, we can thing something clearly, not including our emotion.

'The Right Act' is an act that performed well and does not disturb the right of other people.

In the silent we find peace
In the calm we find silent
In the healthy 'heart' we find calm...

We don't have to conduct such disturbing/brutal action to find the right act, to be accepted by other people, and to show our existence.

 
Hire Me Direct