For the last 5 centuries, the
work of Thomas a’ Kempis, specifically his book, Imitation of Christ, had
enjoyed tremendous notice and following, running a close second to Holy
Scriptures.
But I suspect the very
soothing ease and fancy trappings in modern living have pushed it aside. Modern man preferring devotional materials
more in consonance and congruence with civilized and comfortable living
Indeed critics of Imitation
of Christ have said that its core teachings are too ascetic and austere, and too isolationist, and thus
maybe too well beyond the reach of most or least liked by most. That it is too critical about modern life and its myriad of enjoyable
pleasures. That it is too focused on staying
clear from those activities that cater to the temporal needs and wants of man.
While the old centered the
living of life on sacrifices and deprivation, the modern wants a more tolerant
outlook of hedonistic modern life and its allures, exorcised maybe with some moderation and control. As a way of deflecting any sense of guilt?
This change in outlook, or
call it compromise, now has widespread currency in the world, even among those
of strong religious fervor and faith.
In a real sense, a’ Kempis
and his beliefs may have lost relevance and applicability to our ever-changing
world.
One last hurrah for my personal
depiction of the world that might have come from the pens of a’ Kempis and the writers
of the old books:
It appears as ever that man
is destined to suffer in this world, regardless of how differently everybody
else thinks. That no amount of good
intentions and noble actions can stem the surging tide that is pushing man to
the path of perdition and misery. As we
read in the classical good books, man is bound to suffer and that is his
lot. That there is no escaping
that. So might as well prepare for that,
designing plans and attitudes with that in mind.
Thus many of us have resigned
to the reality that life is not intended to be enjoyed, but suffered
through. We have been destined not to
gather peace and happiness but to go through tribulations and crosses.
Perish the thoughts then that
because life is short, we ought to pursue whatever little fleeting enjoyment we
can derive from it. Like, plan for those
dearly-craved-for vacations and fancy trips to witness grand sights and
interesting people never before experienced.
Gather as much pleasant memories while the candle of life still burns. For when life is no more, everything is gone.
But if once life is gone and
everything else is gone, why bother?
Isn’t there wisdom then in the Biblical saying that we should not gather
material treasures that fade with time, but instead gather those that will last
for eternity?
For indeed what has happened
to the enjoyments and the pleasant experiences of the last happy trip? The
momentous once-in-a-lifetime vacation taken with special friends and
family? The historic meeting with
cherished acquaintances separated by so many decades? Even the thrills and smiles of
yesterday? They probably have lost their
novelty and before long will be consigned to the unattended corners of our mind
and life.
At most, we ought to seek only for contentment
or some degree of satisfaction that we have tried hard to live a good life. A
simple and uncluttered life. A life of
constant challenges and countless occasions of begin-again moments.
The real measure being in the dogged
determination and passion of the attempts, rather than the grandiosity of the
results.
