Julius Caesar

To Cross the Rubicon or Not! That is the Big Question

August 16, 2023

 

In life, challenges confront us daily. We might have lost our loved ones. We might be suffering from some physical, mental, or psychosocial ailments, or some relationship problems with our loved ones.

Or, we might be feeling enslaved and bored with what we are doing that always yield the same results day in and day out, that the only way out is to disconnect ourselves from this highly oppressive and enslaving condition.

But how?

The only worthwhile way to do is to pause and reflect in solitude and silence away from any distractions in order to draw out some knowledge from our inner reservoir as a basis for deciding whether to cross the bridge or not.

This is the moment when the rational mind and the intuitive mind meet in a play of tug-of-war. This is the moment when reason and spirituality meet at a crossroad but still undecided on what to do.

This is the moment where the line between superstition and science stare at each other’s blank faces. This is the moment where the mind and the heart confront each other, seeking answers to the challenges at hand.

This is the moment where the line between sanity and insanity is becoming thinner and thinner. The tragic thing is that we might not be aware of the significance of this moment of silence and solitude.

Whatever it is, in the end, one has to decide and once a definite decision has been reached, there is no turning back. It can no longer be changed so that one can exclaim proudly that “The die is cast!”

Crossing Our Rubicon

December 5, 2021

 

The Cosmic Force enlivens creation sending us messages or somebody that springs us into action. Then, it abruptly leaves us just as mysteriously as it appeared making us sometimes feeling abandoned, dejected, and unable to move on. It can bring us joy as well as pain and sorrow. 

 

Let’s take the case of Julius Caesar.....

 

As the story goes, Caesar suddenly halted his troops on the banks of the river Rubicon. He was in a deep dilemma whether to pursue his enemies or not. He turned to his troops and said, “We may still retreat; but if we pass this little bridge, nothing is left for us but to fight it out in arms.”

Unable to decide whether to advance or surrender, the cosmic force intervened. A man, out of nowhere, suddenly appeared. With trumpet on hand, he blew it off with an electrifying blast as a signal to the entire cavalry to advance.

Then, he crossed to the other side, instantly jolting Julius Caesar and the soldiers to follow, with Julius Caesar exclaiming: "Let us go whither the omens of the gods and the inequity of our enemies call us. THE DIE IS CAST." The soldiers immediately sprung into life and followed, only to realize later that the mysterious man was gone, never to be seen again.

This could happen to us. It could be your spouse or loved ones, whom you happened to meet by chance or by some inexplicable coincidence in the past. When you first met, you must have become ecstatic. Together, you felt an instant mutual admiration. Love at first sight. You said you have found your soul mate or twin mate. Not long after, you tied your knots together.

But over the years, your spouse instantly disappeared as quickly as he or she appeared to you many years ago, leaving an indelible imprint on your life. This could be very painful and agonizing for those left behind. And you asked: "Why?".

Nothing happens without a reason. The Cosmos has brought you together for a purpose. Your meeting has been designed. Perhaps, he or she was sent to you to fill a need that ought to be responded to. It could be your need or that of your spouse. And once this need has been answered, your spouse quickly disappeared. The mission, for which your short union was set, has been fulfilled. Mission accomplished.

Let's learn our lessons from that union, short as it might seem to have been. It should help us reflect on the meaning and purpose of our earthly existence as well as our role in our family and in society. People come and go. They cannot be with us forever.

Rather than mourning about the past and worrying about the uncertainty of our future, let's focus our awareness and attention to the opportunities that the present moment may bring us.

Let's not tag along our friends to condole and grieve with us. We will only be spreading our dismal state to others. For our sanity, we must let them go. Let them live in peace. For they too have their own sorrows and pains to confront.