During a recent browse on Facebook, I stumbled upon an insightful quote shared by Sangamithra Gangarapu, a software engineer. The quote emphasized the importance of prioritizing quality experiences in life rather than merely counting the number of days lived. This succinct yet profound message resonated deeply with me and prompted introspection into whether I have truly embraced my purpose or understood the essence of living authentically.
Examining the experiences of Noah, Gilgamesh, and Ivan provides us with understanding of living an authentic life. In my perspective, authenticity lies in establishing a strong bond and profound faith in our genuine essence. This belief should then direct our behavior, enabling us to consistently act according to our inner comprehension. When we explore the epic of Gilgamesh, we can reflect on the ethical principles and teachings woven into the narrative.
Regarding authenticity, my personal belief is that the moral of the story lies in appreciating the importance of life and accepting one’s fate. To achieve this, individuals must embark on a journey enriched with experiences, wisdom, and gratitude towards others, leaving behind a lasting impact. At the beginning of the tale, king Gilgamesh is depicted as an oppressive ruler who embodies harshness and egotism in governing Uruk. Rather than fulfilling his duty as a guardian and champion for his subjects and city, he misused his authority and physical prowess to suppress his own people.
King Gilgamesh is depicted in a highly unfavorable manner, to the point where his name has become synonymous with an individual consumed by insatiable personal desires and the pursuit of fame. For his own selfish motives, he would forcefully separate young boys from their families and keep young women away from their husbands. Another example of his self-centeredness can be seen in his choice to abandon his city and its people in order to undertake a campaign against Humbaba, the formidable guardian of the forest.
King Gilgamesh holds the belief that his glory will be assured by triumphing over an adversary who cannot be defeated. He goes so far as to believe that even if he perishes in combat, future generations of Clan Uruk will honor his heroic actions. However, presently, Gilgamesh appears to contradict living in a genuine manner. It is only later in the story that the main concepts are revealed, as the king acknowledges that his negative characteristics do not contribute to a purposeful existence. The death of Enkidu significantly changes Gilgamesh’s perspective on what truly matters in his life.
Despite his failure to achieve immortality, the protagonist gained a deeper understanding of life during his quest. The story’s moral emphasizes the significance of valuing wisdom from others and showing gratitude rather than pursuing self-indulgence or glory. Consequently, this prompts us to question how the material world contributes to defining authenticity in life.
In order to determine if the material world is enough for true living, we need to analyze Ivan Ilych’s journey and how he ultimately uncovers the genuine essence of life. Leo Tolstoy, the writer of The Death of Ivan Ilych, leads us through the tale of a high-court judge’s existence and demise in 19th century Russia. Ivan Ilych, the main character of the book, is depicted as an unsatisfied spouse and a conceited father who finds contentment in his accomplishments within his upper middle-class society that values material possessions.
Then a minor accident resulted in Ivan falling ill and ultimately led to his demise. The main ideas and lessons of the story are conveyed in the final days before Ivan’s death. Before his illness, Ivan did not acknowledge the existence of death and believed it only affected others, showing minimal concern for the true purpose of life. However, as his sickness took hold, he was compelled to confront life’s hardships and reflect on his own actions.
During the last three days of his life, Ivan went through intense pain and plagued himself with negative thoughts. However, just before his death, he experienced a sudden realization that freed him from all his suffering. This revelation was something completely new to him – he came to understand that even though he had led a fulfilling life, it had been solely for his own benefit and not for others. As Ivan took his final breath, he overheard someone saying, “He’s passed away.” In response, he quietly murmured to himself, “Death has departed.” Ultimately, Ivan discovered the concept of eternal existence. Lastly, as we delve into the impact of faith on the significance of life, let us turn our attention to Noah from Genesis.
In Noah’s time, the bible recounts that the world was plagued by chaos, evil, violence, and corruption. In response, God made the decision to bring an end to all life on Earth and start anew. Amidst the inhabitants of Earth, Noah emerged as a righteous man who wholeheartedly followed God. He maintained a close relationship with God and dutifully carried out His instructions without hesitation. Due to his steadfast faith and obedience, God elected to rescue Noah, his family, and select creatures when the flood eradicated everything else on Earth.
The passage underscores important lessons that can be gleaned from Noah, king Gilgamesh, and Ivan Ilych. These teachings revolve around the importance of obedience, living out one’s faith to find purpose in life, accepting wisdom, expressing gratitude towards others, and living for both oneself and those around them. Ultimately, authenticity is attained through a deep connection with one’s faith, as exemplified by Noah’s unwavering relationship with God.
