Thoughts on human life and afterlife

[raccoon]

(From The Painted Veil, by W. Somerset Maugham. New York: Vintage International, 2004.)

…Kitty broke the silence.

“I can’t tell you how deeply moved I’ve been by all I’ve seen at the convent. They’re wonderful, those nuns, they make me feel utterly worthless. They give up everything, their home, their country, love, children, freedom; and all the little things which I sometimes think must be harder still to give up, flowers and green fields, going for a walk on an autumn day, books and music, comfort, everything they give up, everything. And they do it so that they may devote themselves to a life of sacrifice and poverty, obedience, killing work, and prayer. To all of them this world is really and truly a place of exile. Life is a cross which they willingly bear, but in their hearts all the time is the desire—oh, it’s so much stronger than desire, it’s a longing, an eager, passionate longing for the death which shall lead them to life everlasting.”

Kitty clasped her hands and looked at him with anguish.

“Well ?”

“Supposing there is no life everlasting? Think what it means if death is really the end of all things. They’ve given up all for nothing. They’ve been cheated. They’re dupes.”

Waddington reflected for a little while.

“I wonder. I wonder if it matters that what they have aimed at is illusion. Their lives are in themselves beautiful. I have an idea that the only thing which makes it possible to regard this world we live in without disgust is the beauty which now and then men create out of the chaos. The pictures they paint, the music they compose, the books they write, and the lives they lead. Of all these the richest in beauty is the beautiful life. That is the perfect work of art.”

Kitty sighed. What he said seemed hard. She wanted more.

“Have you ever been to a symphony concert?” he continued.

“Yes,” she smiled. “I know nothing of music, but I’m rather fond of it.”

“Each member of the orchestra plays his own little instrument, and what do you think he knows of the complicated harmonies which unroll themselves on the indifferent air? He is concerned only with his own small share. But he knows that the symphony is lovely, and though there’s none to hear it, it is lovely still, and he is content to play his part.”



I certainly see Kitty's point, because I don't believe there is an afterlife. Waddington's reply to her spoke to me.

[sui generis]

1. well the symphony part isn't exactly true

Every player in a consort of any kind worth its salt knows the "whole" as well as the "parts".

I certainly have no problem with religion existing, and don't really care what anyone chooses to believe.

I do have a problem with people acting on their faith to try to get more followers, to interfere with the lives of non-believers, to create standards for "decency" that are as silly as fuzzing out the asscrack on a cartoon.

The measure of our ability to create beauty in the throes of faith is in equal part the measure of our ability to create ugliness for exactly the same reasons.

If we have to be inspired by the abstract, I certainly hope the process of inspiration goes to the ideas of faith rather than to faith itself. Therefore I can envision a baroque angel without offense; can envision many appendaged pasta deities and many armed Hindu deities with the same amount of humility and appreciation for the ideas.

Beyond the expression of art, it's clearly not my business to judge if someone is "throwing away their life", for any reason at all, religious or otherwise. A factory owner would be the first person to tell you that an artist, a dancer, a poet, a sculptor, a hair dresser, is throwing away their life when they could be a perfectly happy line worker, and that has nothing to do with faith and everything to do with inappropriate judgement.

[Hannah Bell]

2. "Giving up one's whole life to an illusion"

is the human condition.
I don't think it matters so much which particular illusion you subscribe to.

[Silent3]

3. I don't think the symphony analogy is particularly good

At the very least, all of the musicians in a symphony orchestra hear what the others are playing as well as their own parts, and while their own parts requires their greatest focus and concentration, most musicians worth their salt can and do appreciate the whole of the symphony.

As for real life, the last thing I want is for my own life to be some kind of beautiful piece of artwork to some hypothetical outside observer. I don't give a rat's ass about any such observer. I want my life to please me. I'd like my life to help make the lives of other humans, who also don't participate in any hypothetical grand perspective, happier and more pleasurable and fulfilling.

The kind of life I'd like to lead would contain a bare minimum of deprivation and pain, just enough to sweeten the appreciation of the good things in life. My life wouldn't have other "characters" suffering terribly just to add to the drama of my life, or to make my own lot in life look better by comparison. The kind of life I'd like to experience would make for terrible art, as it would be little more than childish, naive wish fulfillment.

[Evoman]

4. Thank you...my thoughts exactly.

[JerseygirlCT]

5. Waddington's reply definitely speaks to me!

Completely!

I was about to say something along those lines as I read. Even if there is no afterlife, believing what I do, and *trying* (poorly) to live according to the tenets of my religion make this life a better thing. For me and hopefully, for those I come in contact with.

I don't see it as a bargain, one that I might end up on the losing side of. I see it as a better way to live - because making this a better place in the here and now is its own reward.

[heidler1]

6. IMO the Atheist "Earth Bound" view better lends its self to full fill ment through success.

A person should learn enough about people so as to have a happy spouse and successful children. Likewise about money, so you do not become a burden after retirement. Give your self total freedom of thought, without guilt. Acting out these thoughts can be self destructive in regard to relationships. Try to master a preferred vocation for your own contentment.

Dance in total abandon, while ignoring critics.

Write books that expose your inner thoughts, ignore critics. If you are candid some people will like them, be generous to those who do. Don't expect to create a best seller.