Thus the cycle of death and rebirth is everywhere and a principle characteristic of our history, mythology, religion, art, and dreams- not only because it is descriptive of the outside physical world, but also of our inner psychology. I remember reading from a George Carlin comedy book something along these lines: Death must have a survival value, otherwise it wouldn’t be part of the biological process. We’re so used to thinking of things in terms of our own individual lives, not realizing how ultimately unimportant they are, even for our own subjective viewpoint. Our modern lack of a connection to anything real and enduring keeps us from seeing the unity behind the many fragments, but if one observes reality with a mind open to possibilities one can’t help but realize that nothing ever really dies, it’s just changed- the potential of one form exhausted, we assume another form and express the eternal life principle. It is this principle, the unbreaking chain of which each of us is a short link, which is the most important aspect of our lives.

And so, to return to the psyche, we should not be afraid to confront feelings of depression and emptiness in our lives. It plays a necessary function just like winter does in seasonal regions. Dark lonely feelings indicate a stagnation which must be overcome, a need for fundamental changes, the same way a recession indicates a need for economic reorganization and creates a lean time in order to cull uneconomic activities. In this same way a period of darkness and withdrawal will give one a better sense of perspective and allow one to realize what is important in his life and what is causing the psychological disturbances (anti-depressants and government stimulus packages play analogous counter-productive roles).

A toast to the overcoming of inertia and stagnation, to the possibility of new life and new paths, and to the redeeming beauty underneath all existence. Cheers!