Courtesy - Brian Dye
Where’s the justice in
this?
Why is death so cruel and
merciless and why is it often accompanied with dreadful pain and suffering?
Why live at all for it to
be reduced to the sorrow of dying?
The answers certainly are
not clear. In an attempt to explain the inexplicable, we must be aware that we
are dealing with the mysterious, but two views do emerge. The first is simple
and addresses the essence of life - the survival instinct - every creatures’
inherent drive to stay alive.
The other is more complex,
yet paradoxically, amazingly simple, requiring insight of the workings of the
greater universe - none of which anybody really understands - and ones place in
it. It demands a profound and honest understanding of oneself and one’s true
purpose. It can be a painful journey to hard-to-reach accesses of ones’ inner
self, requiring a lifetime of dedication to maintain.
The first view is a
mystical, magical one, shrouded in the supernatural. Though not based on
reality, but on the power of illusion, it has become the most active force in
man’s physical development. It provides a ready consolation to a world ravaged
by disease, natural disaster and the daily battle for survival. More than this,
it’s been the most powerful social tool in history, instilling great levels of
cohesion, discipline and most importantly, a fear of wrong-doing and
consequently a primitive sense of justice.
What is this magical spell
and what is its power over one as ‘knowledgeable’ as humankind?
The answer is not hard to
find. From the moment man realized his mortality, it became an all-empowering
force. The mere thought of death is still his worst fear.
Would a second chance
at life not be the ultimate gift for one destined to die?
Would the promise of a
better eternal life not be the ultimate motivation needed to inspire humankind
to superior heights of discipline, achievement and morality?
Consequently, the
philosophy of “a life well lived will be a life well rewarded after death”
predominated through the manifestation of religion. Separated by the widest
oceans and the highest mountains, numerous religious doctrines developed.
Despite physical barriers their essence is universal with the ultimate goal,
the attainment of immortality.
What would the world be
without these ideals? Surely the rules of the jungle would prevail, where only
the fittest, fiercest and most cunning can survive?
For many, death would
simply be the end to a pathetic life. By creating the illusion of life after
death, man has found the means to lift himself from the realm of savage, to the
godlike realm of the immortal. Now, instead of living only by the instinct to
survive, he can now be guided by his passion to live. Convinced that
contribution to society, compassion towards others, obedience and hard work
will bring an eternal life, man has developed himself to an astonishing level
of sophistication.
Is this not the magic and
wonder of it all? Whether life after death is fact or fantasy should be of
little importance, isn’t the significance the reality it has achieved?
If you believe in magic and
the power of illusion, this life view is sufficient although not complete. You
will be guided by your desire to achieve the ultimate, that magical life beyond
the pain of death. Unfortunately though, you are not the master of the course
you are taking, for it has been carefully drawn by the magician’s wand.
Like all magic though, the
illusion only lasts as long as there is belief in its power. Many have doubts
or lack the resolve to follow through its purest intent. For them, this magic
has less meaning than their own understanding of their very existence. Even
under the control of religion, man’s desires and whims exist and do get the
better of him. In attempting to adhere to a doctrine, these feelings are merely
suppressed, producing conflicts between these desires and the dogma rigidly
forced upon him. The repercussions can be small and insignificant or can take
the guise of religious fanaticism, demonism, sadism and war. What is paramount
is not the mere adherence to a fancy doctrine in order to achieve a convoluted
and somewhat distant goal.
What is important is that
man discovers his true inner self. Deep within he should discover the real
meaning of life and all that is of true significance.
But how does one find that inner being? Would man not find a wanton demon
hidden in his depths, ready to devour all within its power to consume? Would he
not become the savage he once was?
He need not. In his journey
through life man should have grown from the helpless infant who needs nurturing
guidance, past the troublesome adolescent who has to obey the house rules or
face the consequences. He should have developed faculties far superior to the
wantonness of primitive man. With his superior comprehension, rational thought
and the wisdom of time as his guide, he should by now be able to find his own way.
For after all, is he not
the same being capable of sending one of his own to outer-space? And is it not
he who conquered the skyways and airwaves so that the entire planet is within
his reach, while doing this, also tapping into the very atom of all existence
releasing a magic genie so awesome that even to this day it is beyond his
comprehension?
These are but a few of
man’s uncountable ‘victories’ against the forces of the universe. But alas,
with all this greatness, man’s potential greed and zest for power has given him
an infinite ability to use his knowledge to destroy himself and his world.
For now, from the ashes of
man obsessed with death, a new savage has arisen. One obsessed with life. His
own. Cybernetic man. A narcissistic being preoccupied with what he can
accumulate in his mortal lifetime.
Domination and control of
all that surrounds him is an obsession of this being. Because of this, all
living things are vulnerable to his exploitation. Hardly any aspect of life has
escaped complete alteration or annihilation as a direct consequence of his
meddling. All life forms not suiting his purpose he has killed off or fenced
out to suite his convenience. The very life-form precious to all that breathes
is being mowed down to satisfy his vanity. The mighty oceans are slowly dying.
The skies are losing their once ever-prevalent shield against the constant
bombardment of the sun. Our generous mother earth is turning to desert as she
rapidly ages, having to provide for an ever growing and demanding mankind.
More destruction and decay
was caused in one mere lifetime of cybernetic man compared to the entire
lifetime of the earth. Another human lifetime of this insanity is all that is
needed to destroy the billions of years of harmony and balance that has been
ever prevalent in our world.
As man and this world face
what could be their final hour, he should ask this crucial question: If I am
so wise and omnipotent, why do I willingly destroy the essence that sustains
me?
There can be no logical
answer. These actions are that of a demon bent on self-destruction. Surely
there is no rational thought at play with such acts of obsessive greed?
Do we not need our world to
thrive for us to thrive?
Do we not need our world to
be at peace for us to have peace?
Should we not give love to
be loved?
Yes, the answer was always
there: give that which you wish to receive; reap what you sow.
Is that not truly the
essence of living the one life we really know?
Copyright © 1985 by Newton Fortuin
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