Monday, July 6, 2009

Immortality of the Self is Found Through Selflessness

I enjoy pondering the paradox of my post title. To become truly immortal, one must sacrifice the very essence that one strives to preserve: the self.

I have always believed that immortality is a very real and possible state of being. And it's simple, even outside of a religious context. When you help someone, when you show someone true selflessness, you have imprinted your soul, your very self, onto that individual via your actions. That person may very well go and perform your exhibited kindness on others. Thus, you are alive through concepts such as love and kindness.

Hmm, perhaps now you are beginning to see the pattern? You learned acts of kindness, love and selflessness from other people, or perhaps other happenings, in your life. By immortalizing yourself through selflessness, you are also continuing the immortality of others.

"But Dan, you're not immortalizing others from the past or yourself. You may be doing what is called 'paying it forward', but you aren't passing on your name and fame. You are simply perpetuating an existing idea. Nobody will remember you for it." Really? Do you think about and thank Edison and Voltaire every time you turn on a light switch? No. A selfless individual isn't looking to be remembered for their actions. They already live on within the action itself.

So go out and be nice to someone, or do something that makes someone else feel happy or loved. Through those actions, you are living forever. You have become a chapter in the stories of Love and Selflessness. Those books are read much more often than you might think, and they never end. Are you a part of them, or simply a footnote, if that?

And, in case you're wondering where your happiness lies in all this, just remember: there are other people that are looking to perform acts of kindness and love with you, so be open to it.

Love is an action. A selfless, immortalizing action. Go and live forever. I'll see you somewhere down the road.

1 comment:

  1. A most intriguing entry. I have a few thoughts.

    1. A sort of "devil's advocate" question (seriously though, because I'm just intrigued to hear your response):

    With eternal life being offered to us in Jesus, what is the value immortality in this world?

    To clarify, I'm not saying it's bad or wrong to seek immortality in this world, I'm just interested to hear your thoughts on the value of it as compared to eternal life with Jesus.

    2. In a somewhat different yet related vein, is it actually possible to seek immortality if it is achieved through selflessness? For the pursuit of immortality seems to me a rather selfish venture, which would seem to set up a contradiction.
    ***Here I would note that I realize your post does not necessarily present a path to tread for those seeking immortality, per say, but rather the means by which it is achieved. Which may involve not seeking.

    I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

    ReplyDelete