This is the third in a series of brief posts discussing the philosophical lessons that make up the core of In The Shadow of Babylon. The risk associated with discussing these issues is that if you haven't read the book you may get the impression that it is some sort of inspirational metaphysical treatise rather than an entertaining story. The most powerful way to establish ideas and embed them in a culture is to create a myth around the belief or idea.
Children live in the moment Works of fiction take two forms—general entertainment stories and literary fiction. To me, the difference is in the philosophical core of the story which makes the book entertaining and valuable. I wrote Babylon as a mythical story demonstrating how the understanding and application of certain principles can lead to a more fulfilling, productive and happy life. In the last two posts I discussed the importance of controlling and targeting your dreams (thoughts) and how critical it is to acquire knowledge—neither of which will be very effective unless one learns one of life's most difficult abilities... LIVING IN THE PRESENT MOMENT!In the book, the main character, Ayuba, has been confused and frustrated by his sudden involvement in the "modern" world. While wondering what is causing the confusion in his life he witnesses a minor adventure in a wheat field when a snake attacks a mouse. This simple, everyday drama opens his eyes to the fact that he has been focusing on the future over which he has little control, instead of living in the present. He concludes "The snake was living in the present with no thought of tomorrow while the mouse was distracted by the future—only to die in the present." Later, when Ayuba is retelling the event, he concludes, “I learned from that experience that living in a modern world like Hamood, there are many distractions that tug at the mind, dragging it into the maw of worry and fear, devouring the only thing that exists… the present. And if one lives in the uncertainty of the future, life can indeed be consumed by the snake called time.”How much of our lives is spent worrying or thinking about the future, letting the only thing that really exists... the present... slip by?
This insight was one of my favorites of the book as it's so true. I was delighted to have it illuminated in the book as it's so easy to lose track of this valuable knowledge in a world filled with often meaningless distractions.
ReplyDeleteMany pieces of wisdom came thru in this well told story..