Lessons of the Final Hour

Life is uncertain. It chooses us. And it dumps us.

Not the other way round.

The most abhorrent truth of this (and a few previous) generation’s conditioning is that the concept of death has been eliminated from the designed ‘curriculum’ of upbringing. Therefore, it has become even darker a reality (like it was lesser earlier!). The problem arose because of this grave mistake is that, this darkness has spread in our lives as well. In a way that, we have started taking their lives for granted. One of the assumptions that most of us live with is that we will see at least 60/70 new birthdays, (or whatever the average age we have in our minds). While the life could go away next moment!!

Mind that that whichever thing we take for granted, it takes us granted as well. If that is not valued, taken care of, and hence it will leave. You would ask, how do we value life? Starting point is to understand that – it has chosen everyone of us, and can leave any moment. Suddenly with this thought, it’s value increases. What else, be content (संतुष्ट) with present, if too difficult, be Happy. If even that’s not possible, keep someone else happy atleast!?

How to be content? Once you really realise into your bones that, you could literally live for just one more day, suddenly you would be reminded with all those things that you might want to do for yourselves but even before that, for your loved ones. The idea is to be free of biggest responsibilities today, rather waiting them to finish at the age of 60. Responsibility can never be of the other person’s life (because they have got their Life as well, which has chosen them), responsibility can only of their conveniences. It can be then logically figured out in a sensible manner. (Next post on responsibility 🤓)

After that, it should be figured out what are the top 3-4 things in our personal bucket list? Finish them asap. Don’t keep things pending in head for long. Don’t let the desires simmer inside, give them an outlet.

Respecting life is the same as respecting death. It is as, if death is not understood or respected well, we can’t live our lives to fullest. And if lives are not lived to fullest, we cannot die contended, in peace.

“Once we become conscious of our mortal nature, then we will do only that which is truly important to us.”

In that hour everything fades away. Only 2 things remain – one that you would have already ensured for your loved ones (that gives contentment), and the other what would you choose to be doing / involved-in while that moment comes (giving you the elusive peaceful acceptance).

May the peace prevail.

Ashish Sharma Om