Article: Destination: Sense or Non-sense

[The following piece was written in Shetubondhon in the context that there were several writings characterizing those who profess faith in any religion as not logical, rational, scientific.]

Dear Shetubondhon friends,

If you have had enough dose of “sense” in the month of June from the cognition that there are at least “three wise men”, I guess from time to time either we are entitled to, or we deserve, some non-sense. Well, some less than “sense” or to be somewhat brazen, non-sense, is what I intend to deliver today. To all those connoisseurs of sense, rationality, and scientific spirit, I entreat for forgiveness and understanding in advance, because I want to be a freethinker, respecting none of those lofty boundaries and savoring my joy ride of freethinking.

Personally I have become quite a bit more “wise”. But saying that I have become wiser won’t be right, because that would be ingratitude on my part, not acknowledging the contribution of all those who have made this higher wisdom possible. Just remember that if I make any sense at all at any time during this write-up, it would be an utter failure on my part.

I have some friends who sometimes share with me their dreams, which quite frequently turn out to be thematic. Somehow not only their dreams every now and then are kind of organized stories, but also those make some sense over time. I envy them because I have to struggle to have a dream, and even if I do sometime, it’s all a hodge-podge, making no sense at all. So, I have resigned myself to the pitiful reality that a sensible dream is not for me. Thus, I deem any help to become wiser, especially on Shetubondhon, an added bonus.

Well, there was a background to my being tired. My beloved, I mean my wife, loves gardening. This season she has been somewhat behind, especially with her rose bushes. When she speaks, I listen. Sometimes such listening does not make any sense, but remember I am not on the “sense” side. That afternoon was chosen for the last set of rose bushes to be in place, and SOME gardening I did.

[A small digression: I have not seen it, but a special garden (some irrational minds call it, Jannat) always taunts me. Somehow, this irrational notion of an unseen garden has spoiled me so much that even my family life has been like a garden to me. I can’t rationalize, but we named our first daughter, Nawaar (flower). I am a Muslim, thus, I guess I am expected to say that my religion is Islam. But, sometimes, I feel that maybe I could say it differently as the Rebel one, Nazrul said: “Phul photanoi amar dharmo” [Helping flowers bloom is my religion]. It may not make a lot of “sense”, which is not my objective any way, but somehow there seems to be a great deal of symbolism in that statement of the Rebel one about a phul photanor dharmo (religion, deen) that believes in a Jannat (garden).]

There were several other things that made me even more tired. My younger/youngest daughter, Nawaal (meaning, gift), is soon turning ten. She has this list of things that never seems to come to a final shape, and every few minutes she was interrupting my work for an important project due in next two days. I am a patient man, I guess a patient father too. But what about that project? In addition to this, we were trying to call my ailing parents back in Dhaka. Based on a previous plan, I was supposed to call my parents that night. They must have been waiting for the call. But we couldn’t go past that annoying failure to connect an international number. I guess we tried 40-50 times (redial feature wasn’t working). Finally, we gave up around 12:45 at night, and decided to retire.

Am I rambling? I hope I am because I have no other intention here. Lest I forget the dream I was talking about, I better return to it. Well, if there is something like “too tired to sleep”, that was it! I tossed and turned, turned and tossed, and I guess a moment did finally come when from my wakefulness I crossed the twilight zone and I was sleeping.

In my dream I was traveling to a land the similar of which I can only recall from Alice in Wonderland. I was ascending, but using something like an umbrella. I was in a conundrum, because with that kind of arrangement, I should have been descending (but that would make sense, while I am not supposed to). I came to rest on something that looked like flower. It was pink, and its sheer size was mind-boggling. It was flower-shaped, but I realized that it was actually one of the two flower-shaped ears of a sheep. As I landed on one ear, the sheep jerked, and gnashed its teeth at me that reminded me of a fox and it made some digital sounds of some advanced species. On its forehead was written LRS. I did not have any idea what it meant.

Lots of people gathered there looking up to the fox-like sheep. I could not resist my curiosity any longer, and asked several of those mesmerized people what was LRS and what was going on. They looked at me with pity and continued to focus on the advanced digital sound coming out of that sheep. Finally, one of them came to my rescue and told me that LRS stands for an advanced society of people who value being Logical, Rational, and Scientific. These are liberated people gathered here receiving their regular enlightenment in the values of LRS. I heard the digital voice coming from the fox-like sheep’s mouth: “You are liberated and enlightened. Remember the reality of life must be approached with LRS. Let not your feeling and emotion cloud your LRS judgment. ...”

I wasn’t sure what time was it, but it definitely was past sunset. I realized that I haven’t offered Maghrib prayer yet. I asked that person if there was any arrangement so that I could offer my prayer. I guess I was not circumspect enough, a few other people heard what I asked and a loud laugh reverberated around me - the laugh of a kind I haven’t heard before. But they finally ignored me, probably giving me the benefit of doubt as an ignorant stranger from some backward planet still untouched by the liberating spirit and values.

I had more questions for that helpful person, but I was told that before anything else I should be initiated into LRS and be liberated. The idea was tempting, especially feeling a little bit low before all these liberated, advanced people. I asked how do I get initiated. He led me to a wall where with the push of a button a special life-size mirror lit up. He said that normally people see their own images in a mirror. But this is a special two-way mirror. By concentrating on the mirror one can confront his/her other self (OS) and it will talk back. Subhanallah - I mean, WOW - I exclaimed. He also informed me that my OS is already liberated as it has achieved some enlightenment, unconsciously, as I heard the fox-like sheep. To be initiated, I must reconcile myself with OS, the liberated and enlightened side of me, by LRS.

I couldn’t wait as I was left alone to confront my OS. At first I could see my image in the mirror just like in any other mirror. But, it was merely a reflection of my physical reality, it was not speaking to me. I continued to concentrate for I don’t know how long. Then, it happened. I heard a voice and opened my eyes as I saw that my image was looking back at me with a cold, stoic face. I gasped. Are you my other self (OS)? Yes, it said.

I wasn’t sure how to start-up the conversation. I must have appeared tired, as OS asked me, “Well, what’s up? You seem to be tired.” I felt strange and replied, “I seem to be tired? You ought to know! Don’t you know? You might be my other self, but you are me. Aren’t you?” I did not see much emotion in his face. He paused and then replied like a parrot: “I am logical, rational, and scientific in my approach. Mine is a measured approach. As I maintain that measured approach, tiredness, weakness, or shortcoming does not touch me. Tell me, why are you so tired?”

For the first time he showed emotion. With a grin, he said: “Come on Farooq. You have a PhD. You have studied and also teach economics, a highly structured, logical discipline, a fundamental assumption of which is that human beings are rational. It seems that you have wasted yourself. What is this nonsense of love? This has been one of the worst emotions of human beings that debase their LRS. And, I don’t even want to talk about that Jannat, a figment of your imagination. Tell me, did you get to finish that project due shortly?”

I felt embarrassed about the unfinished project. “No. My little one kept interrupting. But her birthday is coming up, and she can’t make up her mind about the list of the things she wants. I would have finished the project by now, if those interruptions did not occur! Honest.”

“Look Farooq, you don’t have to confide in me. I am just your other self. But why do you let those irrational emotions get in your way of works and priorities? Did you see lot of those annoying, little ones here, the land of LRS? These people are modern, not fossilized in olden times. Why do we need children? Think rationally. Is there any logic or rationality in having children? Don’t you see the pain women suffer? Don’t you have any compassion? Please don’t credit that invented god of yours for this. And, definitely, we don’t have to accept any nature’s planning. Look at this liberated and enlightened society. They don’t believe in anything sacred, such as family or marriage. If people like each other, they live with each other as long as they wish. No taboo of gender or anything. Were it not for those religions and moral values tying us down, people won’t have to deal with many such messes. If people want child, they would have. If they don’t, they won’t. If they like, they will cherish their children. If they want to dump their children in dumpster, they would do so. Why must we be burdened by any taboo, especially in this modern age when, if we want, we can have children artificially, or better, enlighten ourselves to overcome this emotional need of having children - nothing more than a bondage.”

“Well, you really make sense. I have not thought of it that way. Every time I look at my beloved’s face or that breathtaking, cute little daughter of mine, somehow I can’t think like this way. Indeed, I remember now when I fell in love with my beloved, I don’t know why I fell in love with her out of billions of women in this world. I can’t explain it rationally. Also, out of all the possible factors that make a child possible, it could have been some other child than the ones I have. I guess ...”

My OS interrupted. “I guess? You are just beginning to think right: logically, rationally, scientifically. Don’t you see? All these relationships are merely matter of our emotions, our vulnerability. You were trying to call your parents who are senile. You kept trying and trying, wasting your time that you could have used for that project you were supposed to finish.”

“See, what did I tell you. Let me reveal to you that very need to liberate yourself from that God thing you have invented. Don’t you see that most of the greatest of minds - the scientists, philosophers, artists - in this liberated and enlightened world have already overcome those backward ideas and notions. Once you are liberated through LRS, you can’t be but atheists or agnostics. Look at the world around you. It’s changing, but you keep fighting it.”

“Farooq, Farooq, Farooq, don’t get me wrong. Being enlightened with LRS and reaching the level of atheist or agnostic does not mean that one is not nice. We just don’t get carried away. Children are born, so what is there so much to be excited about and senile parents are going to die, so what is there to be so much saddened about? People are born and they die. There wasn’t anything before the birth - and hear me - there isn’t anything after one dies. What happens after death is what you see in the graveyard. We rot, our grandparents have rotten, and our parents will too. Indeed, they will rot, like anyone else, even to my nose their residuals would stink. Have you seen a skeleton? Our parents’ smiles won’t be any better than what you see on a skeleton’s face. Therefore, why must we be carried away or emotionally swayed by our life experience that is no more than an illusion?. People get born by accident, without any purpose, and then they simply disappear. If only people would be more exposed to mathematical equations, logical symbols or digital codes. Have you ever seen someone breaking into laughter while reading an advanced mathematics or science books? Or, have you seen anyone crying reading a mathematics books or a program of codes? Once you are really at the higher planes of LRS, you would be a better, more solid human being. Look ...”

Momentarily, I lost my track of thought and concentration. In the background, I heard a faint, but unnerving voice of my youngest one, Nawaal, calling “Abbuji”. I looked around, but no, there wasn’t anything. I must have been distraught due to my loss of concentration. I tried to refocus myself, but suddenly I felt a chill through my body. Probably, my yet-to-be-enlightened self was not adjusted to this refreshing, cold logic. My concentration was returning. I could see my OS reappear on the mirror and hear his voice.

“Well done. You now have a good and real understanding of this life. Haven’t you heard about cloning? Soon we will have duplicates or triplicates of ourselves. We will be able to choose whether to have a boy or girl. Better yet, women might not need to suffer any more, as they would opt for test tube babies. With the progress of science and technology, we would be able to prevent the birth of children with congenital defects. They won’t need our pity any more. As we decode the mysteries of life, as the field of genome unfolds, we will see amazing things, convincing ourselves more that it is only the irrational, illogical, unscientific minds, unsure of their infirmities, search for security and reassurance in an invented god, and dogmas and taboos of religion. As we progress, we will be able to finally banish superstitions and that god thing from our lives. So much misery has been caused by that God thing. Once we are armed with LRS, we will see how sufficient we are. We don’t need god. We don’t need anyone else. Then, we will mean something to ourselves. We will be free.

Look the final thing is that the person you love isn’t going to be there anymore. Your beloved wife is going to be dead. She won’t be there any more. That cute child of yours, well, once you die, does it really matter anymore either she to you, or you to her? And, yes, our senile parents, we won’t mean anything to each other either. So, think LRS: Logically, Rationally, Scientifically. Once you are enlightened, you will understand better, you will see human relationships in a whole new different light, you will be liberated, and that is the ultimate salvation. Those who want to deprive you of this salvation ask you what is the meaning of this life. Remember to avoid this trap. Life’s meaning is as close to your coccyx or tailbone. Look no further. Touch and feel that tailbone and you have the most convincing proof that we just have evolved from our ever-cheerful, tailed ancestors.

With the idea of meaning of life comes possible accountability to a higher being, and there enters the picture the God we have invented. Then, we are deluded in thinking that there is an afterlife and all that nonsense. You know the rest of the litany. You pray and worship, do this and do that, this is right and that is wrong, here is the truth and there is the falsehood. Then, of course, the religious bigotry and persecution. The progress of humanity is being thwarted by religious taboos, inhibitions, and injunctions. Pleasures of life are being denied because the so-called God does not like a particular sexual orientation or laissez faire. Human rights are being trampled in the name of God and religion. Once we rise above those, then our shackles are broken. Free human spirit using LRS can help the humanity to accomplish according to its creativity and whatever brings them happiness.”

I endured that long discourse full of chilling logic. I realized that my chill was not merely intellectual, I was dressed up for spring, while in that land it was not just that logic was cold, it was really cold like winter. I was losing concentration again, as I heard another faint call of my youngest one, “Abbuji”.

The chilling LRS had a mesmerizing effect on me. Curiously, I heard the resumption of my other self’s discourse, but nothing new. Apparently, it was a just a verbatim repeat of what he has said, except this time the sound was more digital. This time when he kept repeating how our human relationships don’t mean anything, even our parents and children are going to rot and be gone forever, I trembled at the thought. I haven’t seen God, I haven’t seen the afterlife, I don’t know if there is a Jannat. But I felt like whether there is a God, afterlife or Jannat or not, at least those things reflect a sense of purpose and meaning in my life and my relationships. My inside echoed that even if there isn’t one, I would like to have invented it, I would like to believe in one. While the smart human beings are incessantly trying to set up listening devices to track and scan if there is any life in the space, when it comes to God, life, meaning, relationships, they are keen to not only close their mind, but also be among outright and permanent doubters and deniers. Unlike the case of search of life in the space, where our brightest of minds would LIKE to find out if there is any life, when it comes to God and afterlife, invented or otherwise, they are basically in permanent defiance and self-denial. Just the thought of meaninglessness of all our existence and relationships shook me up.

I heard another call “Abbuji” – this time loud and clear. I wanted to respond to my daughter. But I was having difficulty in moving. I realized that the dawn was approaching, I felt a new vigor. But I still could not move away from the mirror. No more. This time I saw a ball size stone. I picked it up and gathering all my strength I screamed “noooooooooooooooo!” and threw the stone aiming at the mirror. In no time, the mirror shattered and with that my dream was no more.

"Are you having nightmare," my beloved shook me. I again heard “Abbuji”. I don’t know when my little one has left her bed to join ours. She must not have been feeling well and wanted some comfort to go back to sleep. I hugged her and placed a kiss on her forehead. I wanted to frantically touch and feel her – be reassured that I was still not dreaming in the chilling land of LRS. I drew her closer at that dreadful thought of having nothing beyond our life one day. I looked through window as the light of dawn kissed the rose bushes outside. Behold, a rose bud of last night has bloomed. What a beautiful creation! I looked at the wonderful face of my beloved, I looked again at my little one’s face: I was beholden. I would always cherish them. If what I am seeing are not the most convincing proof and reassurance and if my thought are merely driven by emotion and feeling, let it be. I am free from being tied with the bondage of LRS.

[You might also like to read a follow up to this piece, which further clarifies the above write-up. Re: Destination: Sense or Non-sense ]

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