A Madman's Thoughts

A Madman's Thoughts

There is absolutely nothing in this world that matters. Nothing is eternal. Even the sun and the stars have a life cycle, like us living beings. Why do we have a joruney of life through this realm? Why this procession towards certain death?

Consider the Point A, which is the starting point in life, and you are to reach Point B, the moment of death. You could take any random or preconceived route thorugh life to reach Point B. But, the bottomline is you still reach Point B.

Let's look at this scenario in a different perspective. There are two points A and B marked on a piece of paper. One could draw an infinite number of lines between them. Choosing your route from Point A to Point B can be pretty vexing for most. The most efficient way to join these two points would be to join them using a straight line, on the plane of the paper. That is normal life, as the world percieves. There are, however, many many ups and downs and loops in that single line, that it may actually do quite a number of fancy turns before it reaches its final destination, viz. Point B.

Consider this scenario. The paper is folded up so that points A and B touch each other. You join them. They would be joined in the fastest manner possible, and probably the most efficient because of that. Isn't that a path which should be admired for its effectiveness? There is zero distance between A and B. Isn't this the death of an infant at its birth? What if, one tries to do this oneself. Of course, he cannot go back in time kill himself, with today's technology. Perhaps, he could consider the present moment as his Point A, and venture to go straight to Point B, without traversing the zigzag line in between.

Society,in general, detests suicides. But then there's hara kiri and seppuku which are performed to keep one's honour in death. How about the suicide bomber who blows himself up to kill his religion’s enemies, and get a passport to heaven? Different cultures have different perspectives on suicides. Why is the world too worked up about suicides? They provide a fast route to the next realm, if there is one; or perhaps a fresh start in the form of rebirth into this very world which one tries to leave behind. Then again there's the alluring prospect of a warm bed in 'hell.'

Perhaps this can be explained in terms of the society's need to be strong in numbers, for its survival. In olden days, it may have been that a live clan member was worth more than the food he consumed. Then again, we could see another world; one that has been ravaged by war or nuclear winter. There could be a shortage of survival resources. There could be billions of starvation and exposure deaths. Such a society might conceive the idea of giving a holy interpretation to suicides, since that would actually promote the society's survival through the harsh times. It can always revert back to the old customs, once its roots have strengthened once again.

This might not happen. There might be other potential scenarios, which history may or may not have shown us. I am a mere man. My knowledge is limited. Knowledge is something which one can never grasp in its wholeness. Perhaps, the supreme being would be the universally cognizant one? There are questions raging among us about this being(s)'s very existence.

There are quite a lot of things about this world that we live in, that we do not know. Playing a game without knowing the rules, is a foolhardy business. We do that every day, choosing to ignore our ignorance. Some brood, while others try to derive pleasure from their days here. There are also the sage like ones. Such a motley mix are we, the rabble.

Our priorities are distributed in a manner which suits our earthly needs. Then again, there are the religions which exhort one to let go of everything and attain eternal bliss. There are also the ones which call for sacrifice after sacrifice, till the culmination of life at Point B. The fact is that we do not know what we should do to gain peace/wisdom/heaven/hell/moksha. Then again, is peace/wisdom/etc. the next level in store for us? Or does the game end here?

We play a game, without knowing its rules, not knowing how to win, lose or draw; and not knowing what lies ahead after the game is over. And about the rules of the game. Are there any rules?

courtesy to divs for her idea about one's freedom to choose one's route in life, which inspired this post...

so said -Poison- the in(s)ane one @ Tuesday, December 13, 2005

45 comments