Embodying the light

A flicker between darkness of the womb and darkness of the tomb is known as life, with its multiple conflicts of survival and being. It is this flickering existence we need to make worthwhile with meaning and purpose. In fractured times, conflicts arise and wars rage because we do not value life with all its graces - compassion and gratitude, empathy and commitment, and wisdom of humility. Even when affected by tragic situations, there are people who have acted with forbearance.

According to Lao Tzu, Chinese philosopher, we must be ready to use all situations and every situation, however bad it seems, is fundamentally workable, and this he calls 'embodying the light'. While we cannot change the circumstantial randomness of the events, we can mould our attitudes to accepting the inevitable and living through it with a measure of equanimity. The power of choice is ours. As Stoics say, we cannot control events beyond our will, but we can live through them with resilience and endurance, which ultimately leads to our liberation.

In an increasingly frenetic world, an important lesson is the ephemeral nature of life, and it is our right and bounden duty to live it while it lasts, with responsibility, grace and trust in the Supreme Intelligence that guides us all.