Suicide

Suicide as a concept was theorised in the Western world in the late seventeenth century. In a way, hence, we can say that every which way, it is a response to a volatile context. When the circumstances around seem impossible, this self-destructive response emerges, I think.

Which is the solution to such a mindset? Well, my favourite most motto is "this, too, shall pass." However unhappy any situation may appear, the moment we remind ourselves of its transience, its impermanence, the sting of the suffering is lost, I think.

Envisioning clearly and repeatedly what one wants (to be) is very important in my opinion. Such a self-projection screens the immediate difficulties and their bitterness, I feel. Yet another aspect never to be forgotten is that our suffering appears gigantic to us even when it is honestly, absolutely nothing when compared with the really, truly difficult lives people lead, and with dignity.

Two of my favourite most examples are Helen Keller and Stephen Hawking.  She was born blind, eh, visually impaired in today's politically correct parlance. In that era, life as a blind woman must have horribly difficult. Yet she managed monumental creativity!

Similarly, Stephen Hawking was born bright, was leading a life destined to be happy and charmed when an auto-immune disease gradually limited him. His own body, so to say, rebelled against him. Did he give up? Nope! He celebrated life, brilliance, creativity instead! 

I think, people who are suicidal are actually screaming for help. Yet they are so adamant that they are absolutely not open, are completely closed to any suggestions, to any help, however genuine, however gentle. Instead, they are so deeply, in fact, insanely, in love only with themselves that a genuine kindness, a true concern, however close by or far-n-further is unimportant to them. Such narcissistic self-obsession must emerge from excessive ( and, obviously, empty) egoism, I think.

Yet another aspect of this issue is euthanasia. Old people, when they contract an incurable illness, often think of  this option. In a way, as Freud proved, death wish is inevitable. When one is old and weak, physical suffering appears eternal and unnecessary. Hence this conscious choice which is recognised by many countries. 

Well, forget its dangers in a country like ours, I feel such a concept is complex. Well, I think, if the body that gave us so much joy in so many ways is now weak, it must be indulged, not injured. Yet another viewpoint I have is that if I cannot create life so to say, I cannot destroy it either, however old, woebegone I may be. As it is, there must be any number of so called near-n-dear ones waiting for your death, your last breath! Why add one more person to those well-wishers, right?

My role model is Socrates, who even when forced to drink hemlock, mocked ignorances of all kinds, and till the last breath, kept on teaching, spreading the good word, the best truths, around.  Yet another one is Bhagat Singh whose last wish was to complete reading the book he was about to finish.

In my opinion, when life gets too bad, mad, hard, as it often does, better just to laugh. Listen to music, read a book, look at nature which shall throw at you zillions of examples of creative survival.

Why worry so much over what others think? Let them consider you the worst gone case. You know very well you are not one. So laugh it off. Which mode of suicide is painless, anyways? Instead, better to live!

 Look at the ant. It carries a weight hundred times heavier than its tiny self. Yet it survives any bitter winter of discontent. So does the spider who resiliently re-builds a natty net, no matter how often wiped away! Let us, in brief, live, and happily n heartily!

Pratima@Life is precious. Let others, any specific  sect , for example, not hypnotise you about its worthlessness.  That is their politics. Suits them and their obsessive self-centred (financial as well) purposes . Hardly wholesome though.  Instead, lead a normal life. LIVE!