A Change of My Outlook

The direct purpose of life is suffering- so at least I have been told by Arthur Schopenhauer. I, for a time, thought that this attitude of life was masochistic which would lead to unhappiness. I once had a discussion with my best friends about my general outlook. One told me I was optimistic in essence and the other pessimistic. For many years of my life, I thought I had acquired an optimistic outlook which was contrary to Schopenhauer's maxim. However, for the last two years, I have come to see myself in a different perspective.

I have devoted myself into studying Japanese culture for the last two years which has led to discover my new self which I was denying throughout my life. I have developed a keen interest in Japanese film and music. Moreover, I have come across the fortune to investigate some of the Japanese philosophy. Needless to say, my interest in Japanese culture came much earlier in my life, but my passion for it has been intensified by leaps and bounds since two years ago. And I have an affinity towards their pessimistic elements in their culture ever since. Japanese are a nation of people who value pessimism over optimism. They value failure over victory but are yet reluctant to accept failure. They think that an optimistic outlook can only be acquired through pessimism. Take, for instance, the appreciation of cherry flowers. It is true that they are definitely moved by the beauty when the cherry flowers blossom. But they also admire the beauty when cherry flowers wither. They do not only admire the beauty of a full moon, but admire the beauty more of a moon partially covered by clouds. Of course, it is true, they have longed to preserve the samurai spirit. But it is thought that the prevailing of the samurai spirit is not as intriguing and romantic as the fallen of samurai spirit. This line of thought has come to dominate Japanese aesthetics which is unduly pessimistic. However pessimistic it is, it is through such pessimism we attain the value of optimism for perfection can only be secured through imperfection. Only through death, we start to realise the value of our existence. Only through unendurable pain and our darkest despair, we come to know what happiness is. And only through the loneliest loneliness, we honour the value of friendship, of parental love, and of romantic love.

In today's commercially driven societies, merits not measured in money are not valued. Our life becomes dull and less romantic because our sentiments are rendered vulgar by the virtue of hard work. In Japanese thoughts, we find our sentiments in their fullest delicacy and expression which is something that the Western philosophy somehow lacks. And I have come to my pessimistic character because of this. This line of though is undoubtedly influenced by Taoism. Unfortunately or fortunately, Japan has retained the best of Chinese culture and China the worst of it. And the Japanese has executed this art of living to perfection. For the first time in my life, I find the great merits of pessimism for happiness comes only through sadness. This coming year will be one of the grievous moments of my life, but I am prepared to believe there will be more ahead of my life. Perhaps this is the beauty of tragedy. Life goes on.

W