Pain and Pleasure.

Nature has put man under two sovereign masters i.e. pain and pleasure, wrote Jeremy Bentham. Therefore, one must always look to contribute towards 'greatest happiness of the greatest number'. With this simple dictum, Bentham revolutionized the world of ethics, politics, and to some extent law. Be it the act of the individual or any policy of the state; it must be judged according to this maxim of utility.Simple!

But imagine if pain and pleasure are bonded together. Inextricably attached to one another in such a way that you can not increase one with out increasing the other. What becomes of utilitarianism then? The maximum happiness seems to generate maximum pain as well. The Stoics were cognizant about this fact when they warned the individual against hedonism. Seeking greatest happiness also meant confronting greatest pain and suffering. Popper's negative utilitarianism seems to have been influenced by Stoic thought. Where are we heading towards then? Should we accept a tentative life style based on moderation? Is there no room for one's ambitions or desires?

There is still room for passion and ambitions. One must have to change the way one thinks about life. In order to live authentically, one must pursue one's happiness or goal but with the belief that every goal will bring with it some sort of suffering in the form of hardship. The greatest the goal, the greatest the pain. So, the real authentic man doesn't shy away from pain but rather desires it. Endures it or even at times loves it.

Tanhai!

اتنا خالی تھا اندروں میرا
کچھ دنوں تو خدا رہا مجھ میں
(Jaun Elia)

Truth is a woman.

"Supposing truth is a woman -- what then?'' wrote Nietzsche.
My answer to him: Then it must be a woman that gets raped and abused every second.

Doubt and Peace!

When doubt hijacks a person, peace is the first and last casualty.

Jealous Lord!

A: "For I, the Lord, your God, am a jealous God"
Q: Just for the purpose of coherent theology. 'Surely he created us in his own image then' :)

Whispering Life!

Always listen to what life whispers, not what it shouts.

Ultimate faith in Miracles.

X: You have given me nothing but love and I am ashamed of myself that I couldn't reciprocate it. Though there were times when I loved you, when I held you in my arms and forgot about everything else. The holy moments we shared may have been brief but why should we care? Time is not linear 'Beasty'. It doesn't need to be long to be forever. The time has come to part our ways. The dream is over. I hope you will forgive me. Don't think I will ever forget you. Thank you for loving me. At this time I have nothing to share with you but my ultimate faith in miracles. Don't you ever lose hope and faith Beasty. Someday you will believe in miracles too.

Y: Miracles! I believe in miracles, though without hope and faith. Does it sound strange to you? Do I sound despondent my love? Let me make myself clear. What can be more miraculous than the fact that despite everything you did to me I still love you.