Beyond Oblivion: Seeking Redemption in the Human Condition”

                                                                

            Nazar Ul Islam Wani

• As day gives way to night, a vast blanket of darkness envelops all creation, sprinkling my intellect with scattered gloom. Darkness transcends the mere absence of light; it represents a metaphorical obscurity that silences our metaphysical inquiries. It signifies a weariness of questioning and a resignation to fate. For example, when we abandon the notion of change, perceive our lives as void, and resign ourselves to a life defined by randomness. Thus, embracing and venerating the colossal concept of oblivion which is a characteristic of non-humans, yet humans too can vanish into absurdity indefinitely. 

  From dusk till dawn, we ponder over life's many mysteries, unraveling some and contemplating others. Take, for example, the sheep or goat we sacrifice each Eid in God's name. We never learn their names, nor do we bid them a proper farewell or express gratitude for their sacrifice. They remain nameless entities, without identity or memorials. A thousand years ago, a great-grandfather met a similar fate. His identity, too, was lost to the winds of time. Yet, for a moment, he bore a name, lived as a Muslim, and had verses inscribed upon his tombstone. Eventually, the earth churned, and his essence merged with the soil forever, replaced by new generations who likewise faded into the annals of history.

  This facet of human intellect reveals profound darkness. One may ponder the ways to unearth the true meaning of life. A man cannot accept the fate of a lamb while remaining aware of his impending doom. His self-awareness is mere false hope if there is no aesthetic conclusion to his existence. His turmoil and struggle with natural laws cannot be his ultimate destiny. There must be something beyond this cycle of life and death that defines humanity.

   Perhaps we need humility to accept our fate as it is. Rather than resisting or denying this experience, the key is to accept it with openness and courage. By facing the darkness within, one can shed their ego and old identity, and emerge with a renewed sense of purpose, increased compassion, and a deeper connection to oneself and others. By embracing the dark night of the soul in this way, one can use it as a powerful catalyst for personal growth, spiritual awakening, and the discovery of one's true self. Dark Night of the Soul is a necessary step in the evolution of spirituality. Awareness of this darkness reveals light, as knowing your ignorance leads to Knowledge.  According to Carl Jung, “…dark night of the soul represents a psychological process of becoming a unique, integrated, and self-realized person. The unconscious aspect of the human personality is realized by the conscious one, which is a necessary step towards self-realization.  

  But the comforting notion of heaven, where one dwells in a garden for eternity, soothes the anguish of being forgotten; otherwise, absurdity dominates the intellect. We shall find redemption and rise for a noble cause, reveal all religions.... The human condition demands more than mere existence, we have to rise for just cause to give life a name beyond mundane and routine. Absurdity will always rule us if we are not in a position to struggle to find meaning in our own existence. The ultimate purpose of that darkness before self-realization is to find the meaning of life beyond this creation and to provide a gentle reminder that we are beyond mere existence.