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Why Live?


More than 700,000 people choose to commit suicide every year in the world. That is, nearly 2000 individuals end their lives every day and suicide is the leading cause of death in the age group of 15 to 29.

10 Sep is the World Suicide Prevention Day. Let me join fellow bloggers Manali and Sukaina in their endeavour to draw more people’s attention to the value of life.

One of the most persuasive essays on why we should not choose death voluntarily in spite of the ordeals and absurdities of life is The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus. Camus’s basic premise is that life is absurd. It has no meaning other than what you give to it. The universe is indifferent to you, if not hostile. The confrontation between the human need for clarity and the chaotic irrationality of the world can lead to existential despair.

Suicide is not the answer to that despair, however. Camus looks for a philosophical answer in his essay. Not many people find consolation in philosophy. Most people seek and also find such consolation in religions and gods. Camus was disappointed in divinity which, according to him, is silent in the face of human calamities. When a little child was run over by a vehicle in front of Camus, his profound response after the initial shock was: ‘Look, the heavens are silent.’

The heavens are silent. Indifferent. Hostile. That’s where Camus’s philosophical quest for meaning in life and assertion against suicide as an option starts.

Sisyphus from Greek mythology serves as the apt metaphor in Camus’s philosophical vision. Sisyphus was condemned to carry a huge boulder uphill as punishment for his transgression against some divine order. The man took up his punishment as a challenge and went on pushing the rock uphill day after day knowing fully well that the gods would invariably push down that rock just before it reached the zenith of the hill. Gods are out to jettison the human endeavours to conquer sublime heights. It is our duty as intelligent humans to take up the absurdities of life as a philosophical challenge against the hostile forces out there. Surrendering by committing suicide is not only cowardice but also irresponsibility.

Take up your boulder and get on. Ascend the hill. That ascent is the meaning of life. Accepting the challenges of life is what the meaning of life is, in simpler words. Live and learn. Create your own meaning in life.

Sisyphus must have had a wry smile on his face every time he descended the hill looking at his rock rolling down mocking his endeavours. That smile is the meaning of life for Sisyphus. His determination to put his shoulder beneath that rock yet again is what makes him heroic.

There is a similar figure in Kerala’s [my state] folklore. Naranath Bhranthan [literally means The Lunatic of Naranam] is a wise man who pretends to be insane. He too carried a massive boulder uphill. Not as any punishment, however. He was asserting the absurdity of life by his own choice. He pushed down the stone from the top of the hill himself. Gods were not involved in his actions at all.

When a goddess was impressed by Naranam’s actions, which amounted to some kind of Tapasya, a boon was extended to the wise man. What he asked for was to shift his elephantiasis from the left leg to the right one. Naranam is many notches above Sisyphus in highlighting the absurdity of human life.

What the Lunatic of Naranam tells us ultimately is that there is a lunatic in each one of us. Embrace that lunacy with a conscious awareness and then life will become a comedy for you. The elephantiasis on your leg will be your most faithful friend.

PS. This post is a part of ‘Mindful Pursuit Blog Hop’ hosted by Manali Desai and Sukaina Majeed under #EveryConversationMatters

My association with Manali and Sukaina goes back to a couple of years. Yesterday they surprised me with the following mail. Thank you, dear friends, for this magnanimous gesture. I’m obliged


 

Comments

  1. If only one could be talked out of suicide. I had my dark days, and it was a combination of things that led me out of it. It's a hard thing when one falls into that despair.

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    1. I know. I too went through an extremely bad phase in life. I longed for death, had no courage for ending it all... Words don't mean a thing in such times.

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  2. We all have the experience of being there in depths of despire. Some of us are lucky to come out of it for good. Not everyone is.

    It takes a lot of empathy to understand the emotional state of people who are struggling with mental health problems. No one else will be able to understand the enormity and the weight of the burden they are carrying.

    Not all solutions will work for everyone, since each individual is different and each problem is different. Some people tell people who are facing difficulties, "See how others are coping. Why don't you also." That doesn't help. It might only make things worse.

    Only compassion, empathy, kindness, and a willingness to lend a helping hand will work in such cases.

    Those who are going through such challenging phases should reach out to one of the many institutions that have people willing to listen to them and help them. A few which I found online are:

    1) iCall (Run by Tata Institute of Social Sciences) - 9152987821 - https://icallhelpline.org/

    2) Sneha - +91 44 2464 0050 - https://snehaindia.org/new/

    3) Healmind - +91 85899 06099 - https://www.healmind.in/

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for the links which could be of help to many... What you say is right: people are different and one man's medicine is another's poison.

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  3. A thoughtful post! If only we have more awareness about suicide prevention

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  4. The caption made me think. At first I presumed you were questioning the very act itself. After reading the post I am glad to find the thread of optimism coursing through it. It's important to find your own ikigai. Believing in one's own self. Diligently pursuing what you believe in. I guess that is living. However, for every individual the meaning and purpose are different. From a daily wage earner to a creative person.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, meaning of life differs from individual to individual. Too many people borrow it from religion and there's a problem in that. Why religions have become cruel is because of this blind borrowing.

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  5. Your post is like a clarion call to all on the brink of despair: to not give up or go on even if it seems impossible.Sometimes , it is all one needs, someone to say , you matter, your life matters.

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    1. I hope this does sound meaningful to some at least. This is a bit too philosophical, I know. Yet!

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  6. I don't think Gods have any role to play in what we face each day; it's our Prarabdha Karma that's the evil one. Of course, its my view alone. However, I enjoyed reading your post as I always do because there is always something new for me to learn. This time it was the story of Naranath Bhranthan. Thanks for sharing.

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    Replies
    1. Local language stories don't reach wide audience unfortunately. Linguistic and cultural hegemony. This is another serious issue.

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  7. This essay is like a boulder on my shoulder because even though I have the book, I haven't been able to read it. And yet, I continue to encounter it here and there. Wonder what absurdity this is :D My fav line of your blog post was this: Create your own meaning in life. I try to live by this principle.

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  8. Thank you for highlighting this critical issue on World Suicide Prevention Day.

    The reflections from Albert Camus's The Myth of Sisyphus and the story of Naranath Bhranthan underscore the profound struggle against life's inherent absurdities.

    Embracing life’s challenges, much like Sisyphus and Naranam, rather than succumbing to despair, can provide us with a sense of purpose and resilience.

    It’s essential to remember that in our darkest moments, finding meaning and support can be a powerful way to navigate through.

    Let’s continue to advocate for mental health and support each other in our shared journey.

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  9. Truly life is absurd. I'm glad we had people telling us that and as we grow more grey hair, the truth hits head on. But even then, we need to live our lives and enjoy it. Sinking may not be the answer to enjoy this absurdity. More power to mental wellbeing.

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  10. This post starts with a shocking statistics and emphasis on the importance that should be given to mental health issues. It's sad that despite this large number of suicides happening everyday, talking about mental health is still treated as a taboo. It's not addressed so openly like other illness of body.

    You've very well said that we shouldn't choose death over the absurdities of life and these absurdities are what make life unique. Finding solace in Philosophy and spirituality is what made me come out of struggling phases of my life.

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  11. Profound! Your piece reflects your vast literature knowledge as well as your potential to put it across in a way that the reader is convinced. I hope more and more people read this so that the suicide rate comes down form the one you have mentioned.

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  12. Indeed, life has no meaning if we don't define it. Life is what we make of it, and talking about suicide is not a mere act but an irrational decision taken due to a sequence of certain incidents happen in life.

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  13. Thank you for sharing such a profound and thoughtful piece. It’s clear that your reflections are not only deeply personal but also a valuable contribution to the larger conversation about mental health. I hope more people find comfort in the words you’ve written and the philosophy you’ve shared. Keep inspiring us to confront life’s challenges with courage, awareness, and maybe even a bit of lunacy!

    However, one important aspect that could be highlighted further is the significance of human connection in this struggle. While the philosophical and personal battles against life’s absurdities are crucial, we should not forget that seeking help and building a support system is equally important. Suicide prevention is not just an individual endeavor but a societal one. Reaching out for help, whether from friends, family, or professionals, is a key part of navigating the uphill battle. Sometimes, it’s the people around us who can offer us a hand when our own strength falters, reminding us that we are not alone in our struggles. Acknowledging this human connection can reinforce your message and offer a more rounded perspective on suicide prevention.

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  14. That is quite a staggering statistic! The title you chose is so apt. Something anyone who is considering suicide always contemplates. Life is not perfect but when things start closing in, having that little ray of hope is enough to keep going.

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  15. Preserving our mental health is the most valuable and needed one to preserve in this modern world and the unique title gives us a question and answer as well. Empathy is the only word, this world needs to understand and connect with humans in human way.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Preserving our mental health is the most valuable and needed one to preserve in this modern world and the unique title gives us a question and answer as well. Empathy is the only word, this world needs to understand and connect with humans in human way.

    ReplyDelete
  17. 'There is a lunatic in each one of us.' Yes, indeed. I'm going to check out the second book you've mentioned in this post
    Also, our absolute pleasure to have you with us sir. We hope to see your continued support and participation in our hops :)

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  18. Create your own meaning of life. I resonated with that statemet a lot because sometimes people want to put you into boxes but you cant fit in them.

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  19. Suicide tendency is difficult to control in depressed people and often the helper is hurt himself/herself. Professional at the earliest possible is an important step to prevent suicide and give patient a warm and caring environment.

    ReplyDelete

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