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Introduction to Dr Beej

Personal Introduction

Who am I?

As I explain in my book, Introducing Affinitology, I am not one ‘person’ (neither are you ;-). We are different people in different situations. So my response to “Who are you?” varies Depending on ‘who‘ I am talking to. While I often refer to myself as a polymath, I generally categorize my primary professional roles as a ‘teacher’, ‘researcher’ and ‘psychologist’.

My Worldview (My Why)

Many years ago, someone once asked me, Bijan, what would you say is the purpose of life?

But wait! Before I tell you what my answer was, let me tell you something about purpose. Some people will tell you that purpose is a purely human construct and that, in the grand scheme of things, there is no such thing as purpose. I do not subscribe to this point of view, and you can explore my reasons for this point of view here. If pressed, I would describe my worldview as pantheist [perspectives on pantheism].

It is known by many names, such as the why, purpose, worldview, philosophy, and religion. Whatever we call it, it is the source of our inspiration, our motivation for continuing to exist, and ultimately, it is what gives meaning to our lives. So, when someone asks a question like, “What would you say is the purpose of life?”, what they are really looking for is the answer to, “What gives meaning to your life?” or as one of my friends once asked, “What makes you tick?”

Today, I have three answers to the question, “Bijan, what would you say is the purpose of life?”, but back then, I said, “My purpose in life is to be the best link that I can be in the chain of evolution.”

In practice, this means learning as much as I can and passing it on to the next generation is the most efficient way that I can.

About the name (Why Dr Beej?)

My full name is Bijan Riazi-Farzad. Many years ago, my pupils began to call me Dr Beej and, being quite fond of it, I decided to adopt it. Thanks kids (although you are not kids any more).

In case you are wondering, the name Bijan is of Persian origin and the surname, Riazi-Farzad, was chosen by my paternal grandfather after he escaped the Bolsheviks in Azerbaijan and took refuge in Iran.

Poetic Introduction

Do you feel angry? Do you feel sad?
Do other people make you mad?

Do you feel you want to scream and shout?
Because you can’t find your way out?

Even if you’re not getting cross,
You might be feeling at a loss,

Do you feel you’ve lost your purpose,
Wondering where to find your compass?

Do you feel that you have tried, but failed,
Wishing you were being hailed?

Do you feel in need of love and praise,
Lamenting all those good old days?

Are you stuck in the past or future?
Blaming fate or even your teacher?

Do you see others having fun,
Wondering where your joy has gone?

Then you’ve come to where you should,
I’m here to help you feel good.

You’re a gem; though you may not know it,
So, come to see me and let me show it.

My Mission and Vision

Look around you. How many people do you know who are truly content? I see people endlessness searching. Searching for something to watch, something to buy, something to wear, something to say to others, something to show others, something interesting, something exciting, something uplifting, something to think about, something to do and ultimately we do all this because we are looking for: something to feel.

Technology has solved physical hunger, but spiritual poverty is rising; We have more than we could possibly have imagined a couple of generations ago, but our searchings have become more intense and less fulfilling.

The more we search, the more we find and the more we find, the more empty we feel. Why is that? And if you haven’t noticed the emptiness inside, try disconnecting from the internet for a week. If you were nourished from the inside, you would not need to cling to whatever is outside to feel good.

The problem is that you keep endlessly searching and scrolling and browsing and playing and buying and showing and telling and hearing… Yet, you’re never fulfilled. Why?

Why? Because the answers we are looking for aren’t out there. They are inside.

But Bijan, if the answers are inside, why can’t I find them? You might well ask. And I would reply, because we are not designed to shine our light on ourselves. We are designed to shine our light on other people.