Change is an essential aspect of growth and development, affecting all life forms and systems. It is a gradual process, often unnoticeable but vital for evolution. Ancient thinkers recognised its significance, advocating acceptance for personal improvement. Change fosters new ideas, cultures, and perspectives, highlighting its universal and inevitable nature in existence.
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- Change is inevitable and crucial for growth; it often occurs gradually and unnoticed.
- Examples of change include the development of an embryo and Earth’s geological transformations.
- Ancient thinkers like Plato and Buddha emphasized acceptance of change as a pathway to personal growth.
- Change is universal and affects all aspects of life, from seasons to governance systems.
- Embracing change leads to new ideas and cultures; it is a vital part of existence.
Introduction
There used to be a lot of crying and clamour for change. A change can bring a major improvement. What change do we want to make? The question sometimes bewilders. People are unaware of the change. They long for something different, but what, they know the least.
Change is inevitable
Change is inevitable. It is the essence that brings many good things, including a different perspective. No change brings inertia, which is akin to lifelessness. It is a gradual phenomenon which most of the time is imperceptible, but a keen eye can spot it.
(a) Growth of an Embryo
After spending months in the mother’s womb, a child comes out. Vegitus of the infant brings celebration. Growth and development start from the time the embryo is conceived. The growth brought change, and a round-shaped embryo became an infant human. Is it not a change?
(b) Growth of a Baby
On the same token, the newborn foetus starts growing outside the safe and secure confines of the mother’s womb. The child learns by experiencing the outside world. The journey starts. The transition occurs from a foetus to a toddler. Then, from a toddler to a child. Finally, from a child to a boy or a girl. It is the result of a process called change. A lifelong process which occurred in past, it is happening in the now, and it shall continue in the future. It is a phenomenon that is common in every era, period, and epoch.
Time is Eternal
Out of all, the thing that remains unchanged is time. It is eternal but invisible and powerful. Time is the witness of every change. From the creation of the Earth till now, it has been watching things unfold. Many life forms appeared after the early Earth started cooling down. The first life emerged in the primordial sea. None has seen it happening. Only time has observed and preserved them carefully in its fold to divulge them to human beings later. The fossilised remains of antediluvian life forms and archaeological excavations are testimony to the happenings.
Earth was Born
The Earth underwent changes. Like the embryo discussed above, Earth also changed its face. Sometimes swiftly, at times gradually and slowly. The continuous process brought about new life, new organisms and a new environment. It was like a huge laboratory. Experiments were being carried out. Many complex chemical reactions were taking place, leading to countless permutations and combinations. It diversified the life, plants and animals on the Earth. The unlimited and ever-changing Earth was gradually shaping itself. The movement of huge tectonic plates was bringing geographical changes.
(a) Great Continental Drift
Originally part of the Supercontinent Gondwana, the Indian plate separated, moved north and collided with the Eurasian plate. It formed the Himalaya and the current Indian subcontinent. It was a part of the continuous changes that shaped the Earth. Scientists assign one of the several reasons for the sudden extinction of Dinosaurs to the Great Continental Drift. (Britannica)
Ancient Thinkers
Change has been the topic of deliberation since ancient times. Plato opined that the world was always changing. He argued that, for it to take place, two opposite things are required with ability. Lord Buddha, while preaching about change, named it “Anicca” (Impermanence). Buddha said that it was inevitable. It should, thus, be accepted and used as a way of personal growth.
Objects Change
It is pertinent to note that though change is impermanent, it affects the object that has the changing quality. Water, for example, can’t be converted to curd, while milk can become curd. It is obvious because of the presence of a protein, Casin, that the milk becomes curd by bacterial action. Water doesn’t contain it. Parallelly, clay or similar materials can be changed to brick, but not any liquid.
(a) Perspective Change
Arguments and counterarguments apart, change is a universal fact. It is reality. At the same time, things look different if viewed from a different perspective. It is illusory. The object remains the same, but it seems different. Differences in angle of vision and perspective give a changed view. It is rightly said that things must corroborate with facts and evidence before ascertaining or judging anything.
(b) Perception is not the only Valid Knowledge
Ancient Indian philosophers enriched our ideas about change. A great philosopher and sage, Adi Shankaracharya, shared profound ideas. In his Advaita Vedanta, he argued that perception is not the only valid source of knowledge. Perception, though direct, can be misleading. We see the moon as a small ball. In reality, it is a large planet. It orbits around the Earth. Through perception, observation, comparison, and discussion, one can arrive at reality. This is the scientific and philosophical approach to understanding it. It forms the foundation of scientific exploration.
An abstract thing
Change is physically imperceptible. It is, nevertheless, abstract but manifests itself in objects. An individual, for example, grows old. It is distinctly visible in the individual’s physical appearance. A person meeting them after a long time can be shocked. They will notice the visible difference between the young man and the same old man. As has been said before, change is an ongoing process. It is irreversible. An old man can’t be reverted to his youth. A tree can’t become a seed or a sapling. In the natural world, change is permanent. Our Earth has also undergone tremendous irrevocable changes, and it is continuing.
Repetitions become monotonous
The repetitive actions or happenings become dull and monotonous. A slight deviation in it brings a change which appears good and healthy. A brief break gives a change to a student who spent long hours in studying at a stretch. The break can be anything from refreshment, going for a walk or simply reading a comic book. It breaks the monotony and gives a fresh outlook. Repetitive actions are, at times, a boon and help in change. Changing seasons are an apt example.
(a) Routines are good also
The Earth is routinely revolving on an elliptical orbit around the Sun. It is not changing, but brings change in seasons. From Summer to Monsoon, from Monsoon to Winter and Spring. It is caused by the Earth’s revolution around the sun. Apart, it also routinely spins on its axis and completes one spin in about twenty-four hours. It gives us day and night.
(b) Seasonal change brings happiness
After the blistering heat of summer for about three months, the Monsoon gives a much-awaited respite. The cool breeze and showers are invigorating. It brings prosperity, gives us food and fodder for the animals. Similarly, after an intense cold, Spring brings joy and happiness. Nature in a new and romantic avatar looks stunningly beautiful. The changing seasons are beneficial for all life forms and humans.
Change affects
Change affects everyone and the topography. A fall of water from a height causes wear and tear of the rocks and the soil underneath. The eroding rocks cause the waterfall to shift its position. The physical world changes because of the intrinsic qualities and external factors. Glaciers melt because of their immense pressure and feed into river systems. Meandering rivers give fertile flats, which are a boon to life forms, including humans. Thus, the whole universe is moving in a self-sustaining way.
Rivers are never the same
Rivers look the same, but they are not. The water flowing in them keeps changing. Greek philosopher Heraclitus had said that one can’t bathe in the same water twice. It also underlines the fleeting nature of things and suggests that everything is in a state of flux.
Change gave rise to new forms of governance
The wish to change evolved different systems of governance. Initially, it was by a committee of villagers (Gram Sabha), which was replaced by the Monarchy. The latter was imposed and autocratic. It was supported by imperialism, which, as Karl Marx says, is the highest stage of capitalism. It was further disseminated by Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov, “Lenin”. The exploitation and autocracy were thrown out with a revolutionary blow. It was seen in the French Revolution in 1789 and the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917. It changed the whole world order. Similarly, the American War of Independence in 1775 led to a free and sovereign nation. The Indian Freedom Struggle also resulted in independence.
To sum up
Thus, change is vital and the crux of growth and development. It is necessary as it brings new ideas and cultures. It is a prime mover, so it should be respected and welcomed. A related article would be a good supplement. Readers may like to visit the article by clicking HERE
Please share your views about the change. Explain how it affected your growth. Share it if the piece resonated with you. Please do comment in the comment box below. It will help enrich the thought process.
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