Life and death in a greening world.

[Vinodh Valluri]

Remember the feeling in your guts during a roller-coaster ride in an amusement park? Hold it in mind when you read the following. This week in Ancient Futures, we delve into a territory far more thrilling, and yet less amusing, to most people. For those of us who desist from discussing death and its after-effects, this will be an uncomfortable read. For those of you who are wondering why 'death' needs discussion on arena where environmental sustainability topics are the clear focus, this will be either simply complicated, or just 'blah'. Read on, and find out what this roller coaster ride feels like in your minds...

Leadership teachers often realize that to create leaders, it is necessary to realize what motivates their students , and have them envision results for actions based on that motivation. An oft-quoted scenario for aspiring leaders is to imagine what they want said about them at their deathbeds. What would they like to have achieved or contributed, created or overcome, before they 'pass on'? What would people remember a leader for? What would motivate a leader to be remembered? What would motivate you and me to be such a leader?

Such a motivation could be based on a healthy fear of life, and more so, its unpredictability. As long and tempestuous as our days may seem to be, years pass by quickly in life [I realize I am 25 even as I say this..] Some people may be doubtful if fear of death is 'healthy' at all. If we want to explore that question, we must understand that the answers we seek should guide us through our lifetimes. Life and death provide an equal ethic that inspires action - only one is the carrot, and another, the stick.. Both are definite, yet uncertain.

What is certain, and easily verifiable, is that our bodies are made of material (chemical elements) that belongs to the Earth, ultimately. The energies that are invested in us by the Universe intend that we channel them in ways that benefit the world through our living. Then, does it make sense to say that "what we do with what we borrow from the universe will affect what the universe decides to invest in us later". Ash-laden spiritual gurus from the Himalayas aside, even Justin Timberlake makes wise observations on the Law of Karma, saying "What goes around, goes around; comes back around!"

So, how does it come around, and when? It is easy for us to claim Karma as myth and carry on 'business as usual'. It is easy for us to get lost 'in the moment', throw all cares to the winds and enjoy life, right now, and think that the long term does not really matter; especially if the universe does not get a chance to hit back at us once we are 'dead' and gone... That is probably a clear explanation for why our profligate generations seek '2-minute' noodles, 'quick' money, 'fast' cars, and 'instant' gratification. In face of such an easy escape route as 'death', how can leaders summon courage for action, and yet, forget the fear of dying, and the 'long-term'? Is this even a relevant question?

Consider some other questions: What words await at the deathbeds, for corporate leaders such as Monsanto who continue to patent [life] seeds, sue and molest farmers, and remove all possibilities for a natural agricultural system to regain foothold in a crumbling ecosphere? What paeans will be sung for slaughterhouses and dairy farmers who treat animals in manners that can not be explained without an upwelling of rage and umbrage? What blessings will the Universe shower upon the afterlives of university presidents who insist that students 'act' blind to the truth, instead of pursuing means to act upon it? What do you want to do before you die, for yourself, and for your planet? What will 'come back around', once we are not around?

[Vinodh Valluri]

Praveen, thanks for your comments. I appreciate your assertions. My questions were rhetoric in nature, and intend to provoke thoughts in readers. The quest for happiness in 'sustainability' calls for a considerate attempt at identifying the value of life - an opportunity to evaluate the priorities of human life - to waste years away in sense gratification i.e., throw pearls to the swine, or contribute every second to perform worship in the form of active work for the salvation of humanity, and our ailing planet. More than courage needed there, my friend... :)

[Madimetla VenkataPraveen Chandra]

One thing I understood from the question of yours how can leaders summon courage for action, and yet forget the fear of dying in the midst of all luxuries that we have?
Well leaders are trying to showcase that luxuries are created by humans for what ever reasons they might exist. But focus on your goals, the things you need to do and the things that you feel are right and the things that are needed to be done to make people feel happy. I am sure you would not have missed the message from Amir Khan's movie '3 Idiots'. He said "Success ke peeche mat bhaago, Kabil bano, success tho Jhak marake aayegi".
I am sure that surely works for anyone who believes in it. And it did for many leaders.
The song "what goes around" of Justin.
It surely sends you a message when you hear the words "what goes around comes back around."
I take it as what ever good or bad you do to anything or anybody comes back to you.
And about the what will come back around, once we are not around. is a brilliant question Vinodh.
To make the world a better place to live for the future generations, work towards making it better.
Vinodh I believe in this, "If you make people around you happy, you will be happy"
I will give an example;
say Mr.ABC had a bad day. Mr.ABC walks into a nice pub for a drink to get rid of the stress.
He finds the barman and the music group there singing and making people feel at home with great drinks and cool music. After a while Mr.ABC soon gooves into the fun filled dance and enjoys the stay at the pub and then leave smiling. So here the barman and the musical group made people around them happy and feel great.
The bar man and the group are happy about everybody.

Well this is one simple thing in life.
one does not have to think what will happen after he or she dies.
one does not have to worry about what will come back around
IF
the one does the right things in life and make people happy around them.
If
Be nice to people, be gracious, be thankful, be true.
If one believes in the Supreme power that created the earth and us and the everything.

Praveen Madimetla

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Hyderabad