We're Like Many Pellets Of Incense Falling On The Same Altar

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 7 April 2023 Reading Roman emperor and philosopher (what a combination!) Marcus Aurelius' Meditations, I chanced upon a very profound thought, "We're like many pellets of incense falling on the same altar. Some collapse sooner, others later but it makes no difference." This reminded me of Bayazid Bastami's similar thought from his incomplete book, 'Maqazif' ( an Avesta word for Trance; only 16 pages are available): Whether one dies at the age of 8 or someone at 80, the fact remains that both came into the world and went. Both the quotes refer to the impermanence of life; rather awareness of the impermanence of life. And when this realization of transient or momentary existence dawns upon an individual, life transforms. In other words, the inevitability of death often makes evolved souls extremely focussed. Reynold Nicholson's Cambridge essay, "When momentariness becomes monumental among the mystics " (1926) explains this. Rumi used to go into a state of trance and scribble profound thoughts when he was not even 7-yr-old. One day, someone asked him that it was the age of playing with other kids and not scribbling thoughts on monumental aspects of life. Rumi famously replied in Dari, Tasheedan Anharif (that's my fate). Like all evolved and enlightened souls, Rumi was aware that he shall have to leave the world sooner or later. So, every moment must be utilized to the optimum. If you look at the span of life Rumi had, you find that he passed away at the age of 66 ( 1207-1273); not very many years. But the volume of work/s he accomplished was mind-boggling. An average man will take nearly 600 years to write so much. Yet, it won't be of that level. Shakespeare wrote 37 (or 38?) plays and 154 sonnets of the highest standard in his only 52 years on earth. Death is the greatest leveller and at the same time, it's also the best motivator that motivates every individual but as Campbell said, "Death motivates all/ Hardly we realize before the fall. " It's really strange as well as interesting to note that innumerable humans came and departed and this will continue till the last moment of human civilization. Yet, only a few could leave their footprints on the sands of time, to borrow H W Longfellow's famous phrase. Because, most of us fail to realize the transient nature of life, that befalls every individual. The general attitude towards life as Subha Hui, Shaam Hui/Zindagi Yoon Tamaam Hui or in the words of Josh Malihabadi, 'Bistar Pe Giro, Dakaar Lo Aur Mar Jaao ' is the collective fate of most of the humans. Only a Rumi, Shakespeare, Shelly, Keats, Byron (the last three died very young) among us could understand the value and fleeting nature of human existence and exploit every moment before death's fell hands took them away. We're all slated to bid adieu sooner or later but only the aware ones make a difference. Otherwise, all else will dissolve into the mist of time sans a trace, 'Ik Dhund Se Aana Hai Ik Dhund Mein Jaana Hai.....' ------ A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/pellets-incense-altar/d/129509 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism