My introduction to Chemistry in school, back in Class IX, was more than just about formulas and reactions. It planted the seeds of a life-long reflection. I vividly recall learning that elements could be grouped as acidic, basic, or noble; each with distinct behaviors. That simple classification would later mirror something much deeper for me: human nature.

I learned that there were three basic categories of elements: acids, bases, and noble elements, each one with its unique characteristics. Acids are reactive; they lose their identity on interacting with other substances. Bases are stable, but when faced with an acid, they react, losing their stability. Noble elements, however, remain unshaken, whether surrounded by acids or bases.

My Childhood Perception

As I tried to make sense of the world around me, I began to see these elements not just in test tubes, but in people.

I associated people who would torment others for no reason with ACIDS. Just like acids, they react impulsively when they encounter other beings.

Then, I associated people who were generally good but would react like ACIDS if provoked, with BASES. Like bases, they are calm until tested, but can become volatile when faced with adversity.

I also learned that out of the many elements found in nature, a few are known for their unique quality of being non-reactive. These are called NOBLE elements. However, at that stage, I could not comprehend the concept of inertness associated with nobility. I would wonder what was NOBLE about the noble elements. In my limited understanding of life as a child, I believed that if you did not react, then you were practically dead. I also misconstrued this characteristic as being unfriendly.

I grew up with this basic understanding and, in my mind, I considered myself a person with BASIC character. I was good, but only until the point I was provoked.

The Turning Point

It wasn’t until I was around 40, attending my first Vipassana course, that I had a realization that would forever change the way I saw things. I came face to face with how limited my earlier view had been. I also understood what being NOBLE truly meant. A simple way to describe it would be: NOBLE means the best, or in Hindi, श्रेष्ठ.

The True Meaning of Being Noble

I now understood that when an acid comes into contact with another acid or a base, it loses its identity. It reacts and changes.

Similarly, bases stay stable with other bases, but once they meet an acid, they react and lose their identity as well.

Both acids and bases lose themselves due to their reactive nature.

On the other hand, a noble element remains unchanged. Whether it’s with an acid or a base, a noble element keeps its identity intact. It doesn’t react; it stays steady and equanimous.

I realized that gold, silver, and platinum, known universally as noble elements, are called so not because of rarity or shine, but because they remain unchanged. They don’t corrode or change easily, even when exposed to harsh conditions like heat or chemicals. They’re steady, pure, and dependable. That’s why they’ve always been valuable, not just in science, but also in culture and tradition.

The concept of being NOBLE was dawning on me.

Humans and the Balance Within

Every human is born with all three qualities—ACIDIC, BASIC, and NOBLE. What defines a person is the predominance of one trait over the others. In each individual, these qualities exist in varying proportions. The innumerable permutations and combinations the variations offer form the very genesis of the uniqueness of each being.

The purpose of being human is to recognize which traits we need to work on so that, when our time comes, we have become as NOBLE as we can.

Being Noble

Being NOBLE doesn’t mean being perfect or immune to life’s struggles. It’s about how we respond. For example, when someone insults you, an ACID might lash out in anger, while a BASE might internalize the hurt but still react defensively. A NOBLE person, however, might calmly address the situation, refusing to engage in negativity and choosing instead to focus on peace.

In Vipassana, the goal is to cultivate equanimity, a balance of mind that is undisturbed by external events. Just as noble metals do not lose their purity when exposed to heat or pressure, a NOBLE person maintains their inner peace in the face of life’s challenges. It’s about finding stability, not by avoiding life’s difficulties, but by responding to them with awareness and grace.

Why Aren’t Diamonds Considered Noble?

This made me wonder as to why aren’t diamonds considered NOBLE? After all, like gold, silver, and platinum, diamond too is prized and beautiful and is even seen as eternal. But there’s more to nobility than shine or admiration.

Diamonds, despite their brilliance, are not chemically stable in the same way. Their atomic structure, though strong, is susceptible to change. In high temperatures and the presence of oxygen, a diamond will burn, transforming into carbon dioxide (CO₂).

Gold, silver, and platinum, on the other hand, remain unaffected. These noble metals retain their identity, no matter the heat, no matter the environment. That, perhaps, is what makes them NOBLE—not just their rarity or beauty, but their ability to remain unchanged amidst pressure.

The Wisdom Behind the Name

Realizing the importance of what it truly means to be NOBLE led me to think about the person who first chose to describe the non-reactive, inert elements as “NOBLE.” Whoever he was, he must have seen something deeper, something almost philosophical, in their quiet resistance to change. There’s a kind of wisdom in that naming.

Interestingly, even before Dmitri Mendeleev gave us the periodic table, gold, silver, and platinum were already known and revered as NOBLE elements. Their ability to stay true to themselves, unaffected by the world around them, had long been acknowledged—not just in chemistry, but in culture, commerce, and symbolism.

My Last Reflections

Perhaps it’s no coincidence that my last name is Arya, meaning NOBLE. But NOBILITY isn’t inherited; it must be learned, practiced, and earned.

My journey now is to move from reactivity toward equanimity, from being BASE to being NOBLE, as I near the end of this life’s experiment.

Disclaimer: This piece is a personal reflection and uses metaphors from chemistry to explore human behavior. It is not intended to convey scientific accuracy but rather to offer a philosophical perspective inspired by life experiences.