On birthdays

On birthdays

If the soul is in transit from the Source to the Destination using the physical form as the vehicle, it is actually facing a double jeopardy – of separation from the Source to which it belongs; and also to go through all the sufferings that the vehicle (the body) is bound to undergo in the physical world.
Then is it a happy thing? If not, why do we celebrate birthdays?

To understand this, let us visualize a situation where people world over have stopped conceiving. Not postponing conception, but NOT conceiving at all. People are getting married, making love, setting up families – but no conceptions. What would be the mental state of the world at that time? People are getting old, but have no children. No one to lead or shape up. No one to teach. No one to earn for. No one to feel anxious about. No one to look forward to. No one at whom to shout. No one to try to discipline. No one to pray for future, because there IS no future. Everyone knows that after them, there is nothing. Their properties, their name, their earnings are for none. All that they thought are theirs, would be gone without a trace after them. Knowing that, they would walk with drooping shoulders, live without hope, with no laughter – just waiting for the impending doom that was bound to come.

Sounds so cruel, sad and depressing isn't it?
To be alive and still not live.
To live and waiting for death.
To wait for death in desperation.

Now we understand what difference that the 'birth' makes to the world. The fact that soul selected the body as the vehicle to traverse the spiritual space is itself an affirmation of the faith of God in the humanity.
We descend to make it interesting, inviting, colourful and lively.
We bring cheer, hope and purpose to the world here.
This is our job, our Dharma here!

But are we doing really doing that?

May be celebration is the way to start.

Subrahmanyam
31st July 2008