Lives And Leaves Often Fall Off Imperceptibly

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam

21 July 2023

"Excessive desire to live has devalued life."

Graham Greene, British novelist

Kaun Aayaa, Kaun Gaya, Kisi Ko Nahin Khabar

Uljhe Hain Khud Mein Log Saare Iss Qadar

'Dua' Banarasi

(Who came, who left, no one's bothered/ People are so entangled in their own issues)

Bheed Ka Hissa Hoon

Unwaan Nahin Woh Qissa Hoon

(I'm a part of the crowd/ A story without a headline)  

A disciple very much wanted to renounce the world but he claimed that his family loved him too much to let him go.

Love?" said the guru. "That isn't love at all. Listen..." And he revealed a yogic secret to the disciple whereby he could simulate the state of death. The next day the man was dead to all outward appearances and the house rang with the cries and wailing of his family.

The guru then showed up and told the weeping family that he had the power to bring the man back to life if someone could be found to die in his place. Any volunteers?

To the "corpse's" astonishment, every member of the family began to bring forth reasons why it was necessary to keep their own lives. His wife summed up the sentiments of all with the words, " There's really no need for anyone to take his place. We'll manage without him."

Sahir Ludhianvi wrote, "Kaun Rota Hai Kisi Ki Khatir Ae Dost, Sub Ko Apni Hi Kisi Baat Pe Rona Aaya". No one cries for anyone. We shed tears because we all have our own sufferings. Seeing someone suffer actually gives us a cathartic satisfaction that we're not alone in our suffering. Dil Bahal Toh Jayega Is Khayal Se, Haal Mil Gaya Tumhara Apne Haal Se: The very thought will give me solace that we both have been tormented. As William Shakespeare said so succinctly, " Our pain is lessened by another's anguish."

Every relationship comes with an expiry date and every individual is eventually a bore. "I'm bored with you and you're bored with me. And this is to happen sooner or later," says the protagonist of Maugham's Novel, "Moon and six pence." Remember, your departure never leaves any print on collective memory. Someone, somewhere, may accidentally remember you, when you're no more. Life goes on.

From a practical point of view, we must look at the fact that in the long history of human existence on earth, hardly a few souls have left their footprints and are still remembered. The rest came and faded. They are not even footnotes to human history and civilization. This is not negativism but the harsh reality of life that human life hardly has a lasting legacy after one departs and ebbs into ages. This may fill hearts with feelings of despair and cynicism but this cannot be gainsaid. Zillions and trillions of human lives crowded the earth and vanished without a trace. Did they achieve anything worthwhile despite their efforts to achieve something?

On any working day in Bombay, go to a railway station during the morning and evening hours and look at the tsunami of humans, rushing to catch the famous Bombay locals. All these innumerable passengers are struggling to survive in life. They've no time for others and if unfortunately someone falls off the train, instead of helping him or her, they'll curse the person for falling (and dying) because that often causes the train to stop! Now they may have to catch another train and might reach home late. Let Railways take care of the dead, dismembered or wounded person. Why should we bother? Life goes on regardless of one life snuffing out simultaneously. Remember, lives and leaves often fall off imperceptibly (and also unceremoniously).  

----

A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian.

 

URL:  https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/lives-leaves-imperceptibly/d/130264

New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism