Philosophy to live by

By Kumar Vikrant

Concerns regarding mental wellbeing, stress, anxiety and suicide are at an all-time high globally, with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic acting as a catalyst.

According to the World Health Organization, the suicide rate in South Korea is the 10th highest in the world and second highest among OECD nations. Also, the female suicide rate is the highest in South Korea when compared to other OECD countries. Given the severe global mental health crisis, there is a need for a more humane and practical approach to living our lives holistically.

In particular, I feel that the younger generation needs practical guidance in how to lead a more holistic life. Although chronic mental illnesses require strict medical intervention, grounding oneself in practical philosophy can alleviate stress in our daily lives to a large extent. Perhaps, applicable words of encouragement, wisdom and guidance are the need of the hour to approach life holistically.

My personal view on life is derived from a mixture of Stoic and Buddhist philosophies. Life is inherently suffering. Once we understand this primary fact, we can then be joyful at any speck of kindness we receive or anything that goes positively in our lives.

Even being alive and taking in the fresh air is a source of joy. In this way, we can maintain our baseline emotions in a relatively joyous mode. The true liberation lies in the path we walk between Yin and Yang. There is always order and chaos. Where there is chaos, there is pain. However, immense opportunities and possibilities for growth lie hidden within the dark shroud of turmoil.

Welcome the dragon of chaos when it knocks on your door. If you can slay the dragon, the pot of gold is yours. Similarly, where there is too much order, life becomes passive with little to no growth. Hence, as humans, we need to walk the path between order and chaos. This is known as the middle way in Buddhism and being virtuous in Stoicism. See things as they are. Above all, be mindful. Do not get bothered by what others think or do.

It would be best if you pursue what is meaningful in your life. Search for your moral obligation as it will instill your life with meaning. Above all, seek discomfort as you can grow exponentially by persevering through difficulties. Do what feels right. Always remind yourself that this too shall pass.

Everything passes, the good times, the bad times. In the end, once you become a practitioner of the dichotomy of control, you will be at peace. Nothing will irritate you or bother you. Once you understand that most things are beyond your control in life, you will reach liberation. Do not compare yourself with others, ever. Always compare yourself with who you were yesterday. If there is no progress, make necessary changes to move ahead.

I know I ask too much of you in all the above matters. However, it is indeed possible to instill most of the above dictums in our lives. At most, make them your guiding principles to move ahead in life. I am also human and may falter in many instances. However, seeing your faults, trying to make amends and improving upon them is true enlightenment. It may be a lifelong struggle to become truly in tune with our existence, but that may be the true meaning of life.

There is always room for improvement.

Kumar Vikrant (kvikrant071@gmail.com) is a doctoral student at the department of civil and environmental engineering at Hanyang University.