The headlines seem relentless, each day bringing news of yet another life lost to suicide. The numbers are staggering, especially in India, where the suicide rate has reached an alarming 16.5 per 100,000 people, according to the latest report by the World Health Organization. The issue has become so pervasive that it demands introspection, a deeper understanding of what is happening within our society.
Just yesterday, I heard from a friend about a tragic incident nearby—a man, a well-established chartered accountant, took his own life after killing his wife and mother-in-law. He was a man who, by all outward appearances, had everything together. But beneath the surface, he was struggling with personal turmoil that ultimately led to this devastating outcome.
A few days ago, the suicide of a well-known actor sparked a nationwide conversation about mental health. These events compel us to confront some hard truths about our existence. Why are people so easily uprooted, driven to the point of ending their own lives? Is this a symptom of a larger transition that we, as a society, are struggling to navigate?
Few facts for INTROSPECTION:
The Shift from Joint Families to Nuclear Families
One major shift in Indian society has been the move from joint families to nuclear families. In the past, joint families provided a support system, a grounding force that helped people manage their emotions. There were conflicts, of course, and struggles within these large family units, but they also offered a sense of stability and belonging.
Today, as we embrace the nuclear family model, we have gained a new level of freedom—an opportunity to explore our identities outside the confines of traditional roles. However, this freedom has come at a cost. There is a deep void that many are unaware of, a void that people try to fill with material pursuits and external validations. In our progress toward a capitalist society, we have become more self-centered, drifting away from compassion and care.
We are caught up in the glittering world outside, neglecting the opportunity to use this void to understand our true identity and existence. This shift has left us emotionally vulnerable, and many of us are struggling to find our place in this new societal structure.
The Complexities of Women Empowerment
The concept of women empowerment has also evolved significantly, influenced by global movements like the industrial revolution and various social revolutions. But are women truly empowered, or are they drifting away from the core of their existence? Men and women are inherently different—men as providers and women as nurturers. Today, women are increasingly taking on the role of providers, but in doing so, they may be disconnecting from their nurturing, feminine energy.
This disconnection has profound implications. We see an increasing number of IVF centers, more cases of premature detection of reproductive health issues, and a rise in complexities related to feminine organs. Women, in their quest for power—mistakenly equating it with empowerment—are struggling with their identity. Power is external, but true empowerment comes from inner strength. This confusion is leading to a deeper struggle, as women try to balance a new theme of equality with the old thread of submissiveness.
Men, too, are affected by this shift. As they try to adapt to the new role of the "cool" husband or father, they find themselves grappling with their own identity. The inner vacuum that was once filled by traditional roles is now causing emotional instability, pushing them to seek external validation. Relationships between men and women are increasingly based on power and ego, rather than mutual respect and understanding.
The Void and the Search for Existence
At the heart of all this chaos is a universal search for existence. Parents, still clinging to the old concept that children are investments for the future, are struggling with expectations that lead to self-inflicted misery. Children, in turn, are dealing with guilt and confusion as they try to navigate their own paths.
Everyone is searching for meaning, but without awareness, this search only leads to emptiness and misery. The void within us grows when we fail to address it, and for some, this void becomes unbearable, leading them to the tragic decision to end their lives.
Understanding Shunyata: The Essence of Existence
This void, or shunyata, is the essence of existence. It is the mystery of life, and life itself is a beautiful gift meant to be realized, not wasted. Yet, we approach our existence with a structured mindset imposed by society, upbringing, and preconditioning. Our attachment to this conditioning is so strong that the moment we try to go inward, our attachment to the external world holds us back. The process of detachment is painful and requires immense courage.
We cling to the illusion that our attachments are reality. But when this illusion fades, we begin to experience our true existence without the mask of external approval, validation, or acceptance. This realization brings about a deep sense of void and emptiness, which we struggle to accept. We are not accustomed to the silence and stillness that comes with true awareness, so we constantly deny it. But this shunyata is the foundation of our existence.
In our journey through life, we try to fill this loneliness, this void, with goals, achievements, material possessions, relationships, careers—the list is endless. But as the void grows, and we continue to ignore it, we lose touch with the essence of our existence. For some, this becomes unbearable, leading them to the tragic choice of suicide.
A Call for Awareness
As we navigate this period of transition, it is crucial to cultivate awareness and sensitivity. We must look within, introspect, and understand the purpose of our existence. Only then can we move beyond the chaos and embrace the mystery of life.
Shunyata is not something to be feared. It is the gateway to understanding the true essence of existence. Life is a gift, a journey of realization, and it is up to us to approach it with awareness, alertness, and a deep sense of meaning. Let us not waste this precious gift, but rather, cherish it and evolve with a deeper understanding of who we truly are.
Shunyata is existence, existence is mystery and mystery is life. Life is a beautiful gift to realize and not to waste.
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