Some say that the mere fact that we are born on Earth is torture. It is a punishment of sorts. All the aches, the physical pains, the emotional pains, the disappointments, the cheats, the fall and loss of function may be just an ellipse of what a man faces in his lifetime. Saying all these, even the wisest of men, would like to hold on to his last breath not matter what in exchange for all the wealth in the world.
Many religions that promote themselves as a way of life suggest that the relationships that we develop along the way in our life are the cause of most of our problems. We should either not to take to heart all the miseries that develop in our daily interactions with our friends, colleagues, and loved ones or cut ourselves from these relationships. In the other words, renunciation is the word.
Renunciation can be done, it seems, in two ways. In the first instance, one can choose a life of self-sacrifice and self-avoidance from the time of adolescence or at coming -of-age. In other words, inner primordial animalistic desires of the flesh and worldly yearnings can be suppressed before new bonds build. He may retreat to lead a recluse life trying to find the real meaning of life and plan for a promotion in his next life form. In short, he is absolved of his worldly duties. But, what happens to his elders and siblings who may look at him as neglecting his human duties for the relationships that he already developed when he was brought into this world as a living creature? Has he not duties to perform to repay his existence? Is he not being selfish of concentrating on himself? Is it not the nature of man to help one another? What better reason could there be if not for filial piety?
The second form of renunciation may be done after his duties are seemingly complete. He could produce offsprings, guided them through the nuances of life for them to stand on their own feet. But is it really over? Is it ever over? In the modern times, it appears to me that one has to be constantly working to maintain sanity. Once, he recoils from being productive or at least self-sufficient, he is deemed a burden to society. People cannot wait for him to go to the other side.
The second form of renunciation may be done after his duties are seemingly complete. He could produce offsprings, guided them through the nuances of life for them to stand on their own feet. But is it really over? Is it ever over? In the modern times, it appears to me that one has to be constantly working to maintain sanity. Once, he recoils from being productive or at least self-sufficient, he is deemed a burden to society. People cannot wait for him to go to the other side.
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