"Run Parallel Like Train Tracks"

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 28 December 2023 “I've always been interested in people, but I've never liked them.” This famous quote of W Somerset Maugham reminds me of Nida Fazli's famous ghazal, "Badla Na Apne Aap Ko Jo Thay Wahi Rahe/ Milte Rahe Sabhi Se Magar Ajnabi Rahe/ Apni Tarah Sabhi Ko Kisi Ki Talaash Thi/ Hum Jiske Bhi Qareeb Rahe Door Hi Rahe" (I never changed myself and remained what I was/ I met all, yet, remained a stranger/ Like me, everyone was in search of something/ Whoever I was close to, I also kept a distance from). Dosti Sab Se Rahi, Adavat Kisi Se Nahin/ Phir Bhi Koi Mere, Main Kisi Ke Qareeb Nahin (All have been friends; I had enmity with none / Yet, no one's close to me, nor am I close to anyone). This is not narcissism or megalomania. Nor does it smack of contempt and disdain for people. Psychologists have found that even the most gregarious people are also disenchanted with others. After a certain period, they too find social intercourse fatiguing and seek one's own company. All those noisy and convivial company of friends in life are actually failed and miserable attempts to run away from oneself and drown the depression with the cacophony of the world. Famous composer Ravi once told yours truly that the gentlest soul Muhammad Rafi was friendly with all but overfriendly with none. He interacted with all but was never hail-fellow-well-met with any person in the film industry. That way, Rafi could retain his sanctity and serenity in a mad world of Hindi cinema. This also helped him remain focused on his objective in life. Our involvement with people often degenerates into over-involvement and that validates Shakespearean wisdom: Familiarity breeds contempt (...and children, Mark Twain's witty addition). So, it's always better and advisable to keep a measured distance from all those who come into contact in your life's sojourn. Be respectful to all. But retain your individuality. Come close but never too close for comfort. Life is all about meeting (even mating!) sans getting involved. To quote my favourite writer Albert Camus, " Run parallel like train tracks." Yes. Meet all. Greet all. But finally retreat to the solitude of four walls. ----- 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/run-parallel-train-tracks/d/131400 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