this is a great series, Ashok. This, in my opinion is one of the best, due to its insights into the realisation of self... Nice work!

I agree with Wendy, without the struggle where would we be? You are so articulate in expressing frustration and desperation that can be so daunting! Well, you know my answer to despair. :)

and we trudge through the valley of death, without water, but with will and resolve... thank you for reminding me... blessings...

i think we all want to be, hopefully...excellent job

Ashok you've been spying on me again. This is so me, it's scary. Even better I believe it stands nicely as a universal truth for all humanity.

He tries his utmost to be reborn, oh his own, alone. He fails to shed the cocoon he believes he occupies on his own, alone. He rightfully declares deathlessness as death in his search for his identity oh his own, alone. He fails on all levels in his endeavor to BE, still on his own, alone. One day he wakes up inside his cocoon and SEES what he could never see before. He is NOT on his own, alone, and he never was. He wakes up with the sudden knowledge that he is but one half of a whole and thus, without understanding this, could never have found his true identity nor could ever truly BECOME. Now 'hopelessness' turns to 'hope in hopelessness' and together they, sensing their new found completion, shed the four walls of the cocoon they share, finding the identity that for so long eluded them as their magnetized poles come together in a perfect fit, communicating on all levels, wordless. They find that ONE BEING does not mean ONE BODY. They march steadily onwards on the pathless path knowing without knowing that they have all it takes to someday BECOME, together.

you make realistic assertion that we are truly vampiric and deathless and in that eternal vineyard which is our agony, the gods stomp the vats of our grapes in the webbing of their feet and make of us robust and hearty wines and toast themselves out of mutual admiration and drink as well to our infinity.

Your endeavors have paid off Ashok for you are. As always for you well written...Charlie

An ambiguous perspective on attitude here - is it possible to try one's utmost when faced with an 'inevitable' descent? Perhaps a degree of delusion represents a prescription for identity crises, if identity is indeed the legend that provides the key to meaning and purpose :)

there's a sense of having to reach to the lowest ebb in order to find the truth of existence's meaning, here. Amazing write.

Again my gratitude exudes for your attempts at cocoon-unwrapping right in front of the rest of us.