the learning student

The most intelligent man is the person who remembers his death often, and has made the best preparations for his death

Habib Taufiq As-Segaf on the remembrance of death and the importance of striving towards Husnul Khatimah. Held on the 1 Nov at Mjd Baitul Aman KL

[courtesy of brother mahathir =) ]

photo from qpac.au

I apologize for not being able to update my blog the entire week, to the extent that I have two Friday Reminders back to back.Its an amzing week, really. Now for the real deal…..

Death is a reality, like it or not. It can happen anytime, anywhere, in gazillions of ways and for any reason at all. A bad ending to a movie more often than not makes the movie itself bad. Life is a stage, it doesn’t matter what you do but how you end it.

You wouldn’t want to leave life in a state of dishonor and disgrace. You wouldn;t want to leave your family suffering repaying your debts. You would’nt want to die in a state of vengeance and for a reason that is totally worthless. In contrary, you wish to die in honor and for a reason that is for the greater good for many people. You would want to die at a time when most if not everyone in this world is pleased with you. More Importantly, you would want to die with your purposes of life met and you have left behind a legacy.

Plotting your death. . .

Imagine yourself as a movie crew. How then can we plot the final scene of our life? Neah, Not refering to Suicide here. What I am refering to here is to remind ourselves that death can occur anytime. If you were aware that at every instant of our lives, death is a possibility - while you were drunk at the bar, or dancing in the pub or getting angry at a sincere friend or showing tantrums to your parents – would you have still done those things?

Or would you have preoccupied every single moment of life in a state of goodness and service to others?

In conclusion: Make every frame of every scene in your life a good ending scene.

cover picture from ultimatum21

Its one week since I stated my intent of starting this new section. Perhaps, the only truth that every living sane man can never deny is death (if you are deluded, then you are considered insane). In this life, there are many things that people seek for – wealth, fame, money, women, a sense of importance, leadership, and the list goes on……..

Statistically, the majority of earth dwellers believe in life after death – the real life. The rest do not believe in eternal life, but can never deny how short life is. How then do we prepare for death? What should we do if we know that we have months, if not days, if not seconds to live? They say, the successful live life as if there is not tomorrow. What should we leave behind before we step into the cool, welcoming womb of the earth? If I could summarize today’s entry it would be- Leave behind a Legacy.

In reality, there could only be three ways this could be done, it is epitomized in the words of an extremely beautiful man – I’ll leave readers to guess who this is in the comment section. However, do note that the contents of this post is not at all suppose to be in any way at all an accurate interpretation of what he said.

[1]Invest in a Useful Instrument

Invest here I do not mean one that you hope for manifold returns while you live. At times, because you have a good heart, you may not even realize that you have left behind something useful for future generations to use. You don’t need to build bridges (but that will be good though) or  have a road named after you, just a cheap pair of slippers or a pipe that you replace may benefit people way more than you think it is.  Do not live a life accumulating wealth, but aim to achieve a “good man” spending capacity. A “good man” spending capacity here I mean, the ability to lead the life of a philanthropist. At times, you may have $0.50 in the bank, and yet, you you are able to continue to benefit the people around you with that little money.

[2] Leave behind Beneficial knowledge

Leaving behind useful knowledge allows you to live an extended life. Even while your bones are laid to rest, your name is still mentioned by the living. Choose the fields of study wisely- especially one that benefits others in the future. Newton, Einstein, Rutherford, Tagore, their name still remains in the hearts of many of today’s works for the benefit that it engenders. As what leornado da vinci states:

Shun those studies in which the work that results dies with the worker.

Having said this, you do not need to be the next albert einstein or Newton. Be aware of our limitiations and capacities. Know the power of 1.This is to say, it is better than you empower and guide 1 person with useful knowledge, rather than a hundred people, whom you don;t even know if he understands the real meanings of your teachings.

Of course, every teacher was a student. You need to be a keen learner to be a great teacher, they say. So, lets all be learning students of the beneficial fields that exist in this world. A wise man once told me ,  ” Students today need to study how to learn”

[3]  Populate the earth with a better Generation of Humans

I am not saying that you should go and start to be super-[re]productive here. It is the nature of man to have offsprings and beautiful children. Take care of them properly, and meet [adequately] to their needs and growth so that they become better than yourselves. Teach them ettiquetes, morality and a spirit of goodwill. Teach them to be honest and trustworthy, make them a better You. If you belief in God and the afterlife, make them such incredible people that you are certain will have that spiritual capacity to supplicate and pray for you as you lay your bones to rest.

Concluding Statements: Live behind a Legacy before you Die. Have a great Friday ahead. =)

While I thought that I was learning how to live, I have been learning how to die.

- Leornado da Vinci

Photo Source: Malaysia Kini

I have decided to add a new section to this blog, titled the friday reminder, named after the infamous destroyer of all pleasures of this transient life. While some may find this intimidating, we have to face it, there can be only one that is guaranteed in this life -  death. Many a times we fall into a delusion that life is long. We see people leave us, just to feel sad for them and their families, not thinking that this is a reminder of a promised fate. Some of us stay here, on the face of the earth, longer than others, but no one knows exactly how long.

The popular productivity “gurus” remind their disciples that to obtain life, you have to visualize death. These  surfaced as an entire chapter in Stephen Covey’s “beginning with the end in mind”  principle in the 7 Habits. Productivity is just a means to a more everlasting goal- the purpose of life. What are we here for – in the short span of at most 70-80 years?

I hope that this section will be an imperative to myself to continue learning, and to be aware of the reality of things. I hoped that I have appropriately quoted Leornado Da Vinci to emphasize that Remembrance of Death is very much a learning experience.

God Willing, if by his mercy I am permitted, I wish to enhance this blog with this weekly reminder. I hope visitors wouldn’t mind this new feature of this site.and may it be beneficial to all. =)