Humans today tend to think that they are to live "forever", until old age takes its toll in the yet unforeseen future. Life, in reality, could be terminated by an unexpected incident at anytime, by contracting a new type of influenza, for example. We are gracefully oblivious of the brutal contingencies of life, protected by a false belief in the infallibility of the modern civilization.
One can draw the true radiance of vitality from within oneself only by confronting life's contingencies in the face. What the average man needs is a lesson on mortality, rather than on mortgage.
I traveled to Eisenach, Germany in January this year. In a church associated with Johann Sebastian Bach, I noticed on the wall a series of names marked by years and symbols. There were two types of symbols. One was a cross, and the other was a star. I then learned from a local gentleman that the star denotes the birth, and the cross denotes the death, of a person. What a poignant way to express the trace of an individual's life, I thought.
Johann Sebastian Bach composed many wonderful pieces. The cause of his death was the complications after a series of eye operations by an English surgeon. The bright star of music fell. All his wonderful creations could not save him from this untimely death.
Even the stars in the universe have their own life expectancies, the nuclear fuel within their systems drying up after billions of years. It's no wonder that fragile organisms composed of compounds fall. It is only natural that men are mortal.
If our days on this earth are limited, let us at least let them shine. The source of the radiance of our existence can only come from embracing the contingencies of life.
Notice of the birth and death years of church Kantors in Eisenach.
2 comments:
Dear Dr. Mogi,
Hello, my name is Yukie Sato, and I am currently a graduate student at the University of Tsukuba specializing in audiology.
Right now, I love the way you bridge everyday events and neuroscience!
The field of Neuroscince and the brain has been one of the many topics on interest for a couple of years, partly due to the fact I majored in communication sciences and disorders as an undergraduate, and because I was born with a condition called hydrocephalus. I also have narrow peripheral vision and mild cerebral palsy due to complications from hydrocephalus.
This is my first time visiting your blog, and I do not know if you respond to comments. It would be wonderful if you could post a reply, but I would also understand if you did not, for I can tell you must be very busy meeting famous people.
I hope you enjoy the rest of your golden week!
Sincerely,
Yukie Sato
Yes, we have to accept our destiny, death. Let's shine our lives every day! Bach had lived a long life and his music still shines. From here, we can see how intellectual works last and influence people for decades and centuries.
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