“There are only two tragedies in life: one is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it. The last is much the worst.” Oscar Wilde. This is a quote which I always resist to forget even though I personally disagree with Oscar Wilde for using the word tragedy, instead of disaster. Tragedy is a form of drama in which the main character is brought to ruin or otherwise suffers from great losses while only the word disaster refers to real public damage. He is referring to life which is visibly real and in real life both the situations do not end up in a display of emotions only, as in a drama. Since every action is recorded in the universe with due impacts on all the elements in it, whatever we do, provided it is visibly harmful to anyone or anything, it should be called a disaster, and not tragedy. The Indian Holy Scripture Gita clarifies that there is not an action that is fully positive or negative. According to Lord Krishna, every action contains both the elements of good and bad, right and wrong. If this is true, life cannot ever be fully disastrous too. I assume that Oscar Wilde would have envisioned life only as a drama. Truly it is so, because people live as if they never want their life fixed appropriately and the entire human race behaves as if it is a legion of unrehearsed characters.
As far as I know, success is attainment of a higher social status or achievement of a goal. Albert Einstein sees life from a different perspective. He said that the universe and human stupidity are the only two eternal things. He added that he is not sure about the universe. Stupidity is lack of intelligence, understanding, reason, wit or sense. Are our successful heroes the most stupid? Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa defines success according to the percentage of awareness of reality within. Buddhist Soothas invariably ask us to live an equanomous life with no passions of any kind and grow into a certified witness of the universe and every event in it. It takes us to the necessary awareness about which Sri Ramakrishna was talking about.
In reality, as Indian sages see it, everything is a sign of illusion. Albert Einstein also is endorsing this cosmic truth. Whoever does not acknowledge this truth is invariably stupid. That is what he boldly stated. It is on the same thing Oscar Wilde also said, it is only in awareness of oneself and the present that tragedies disappear and stupidities cease to be. Visionaries, Western or Eastern White or Black, tell us just one thing; be yourself in absolute awareness, that is ultimate success.
Joseph Mattappally
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