Syed Mustafa Ahmed
Wherever we cast our gaze, every human being is found encased beneath accumulated layers atop their authentic core. One has donned the layer of religion, another the thick crust of caste. Some stand guard over an ideological veneer, while others enshrine the idol of nationalism within the chambers of their hearts. Some are incessantly chasing the layers of beauty, whereas others are lost within the grimy strata of ugliness. In short, within this workshop of the world, there is scarcely a person who is not wrapped in artificial layers.
In this context, I am particularly drawn to a statement by Osho Rajneesh. He observes that when a human being appears in the world in their original form, they no longer require any additional layer; they become pure. Then, they cease to be defined by distinctions of small or great, black or white, Hindu or Muslim, Brahmin or Dalit – they become none of these things. Conversely, the individual who does not remain in their authentic state is compelled to become everything else. Such a person is forced to don mask upon mask. Here, the words of Gabriel Okara seem pertinent, suggesting that in today’s materialistic world, every human being, by layering face upon face, has become oblivious to their true personality. This assertion finds confirmation in science as well. When all humans become habituated to these layers, they fail to perceive the intervals experienced during the swapping of faces, eventually appearing as something other than themselves. In other words, the prevalence of artificial strata becomes so commonplace that one no longer recalls which mask to wear, for how long, and in which situation to project an image of piety before others.
Humanity is a confluence of contradictory elements. As many virtues as are vested in a human being, an equal measure of vices is also instilled. But what are the reasons that cause a person to become so enamoured with false layers that, within the vortex of egoism, they develop such a pernicious habit of conditioning that authenticity recedes far away, while the captivating but transient glitter of the artificial world renders eternal grace insipid? Some of these reasons are discussed in the following lines.
The first is egoism. This malady has capsized the vessels of many ostensibly pious individuals. To conform to the dyes of worldly conventions, a person becomes so saturated in varied hues that they ultimately fall prey to egotism. When an individual accepts man-made conventions as eternal truth, the accretion of false layers upon them becomes inevitable. Thus, gradually becoming denizens of a deceptive world, such people cannot tolerate anything contrary to their imagined reality. The artificial layers become so beloved that a constant anxiety grips them: the fear that these delicate facades might shatter, and the world might deem them worthless. The ultimate consequence of this manifests in the ominous forms of false consolation and self-deception.
The second reason is a limited perspective on life. For a person who has never grasped the true purpose of their existence, living and dying are equivalent. Within the coming and going of night and day lie concealed the universe’s beautiful yet subtle secrets. If the Divine manifests before us in its original splendour, what compulsion befalls a human being to don masks of layers and counterfeit faces, only to temporarily scent their inner and outer grime with the world’s musk? Had we truly understood life, there would be no compulsion to accumulate these self-deceptive layers. By remaining in our authentic state, we could pass this world’s test and attain immortality, achieving success in this world and securing moments of peace and tranquility in the world hereafter.
The third reason is living for the sake of others. In other words, we can say that a person actively invites storms into their own life, all to avoid disrupting the fleeting joys of others. How unfortunate is the individual who gambles their authenticity for others and then sits hoping for their own deliverance! Regarding such a mind-set, nothing remains but lamentation and mourning. We have, until today, done much the same; striving to please others, we drifted unawares into the valleys of grief!
Now, let us consider some of the impacts that result from donning these false layers upon our lives. The foremost is the loss of inner peace. Due to false layers, both internal and external tranquility vanish from a person’s life. When an individual’s sole preoccupation is how to appear best in the world and garner showers of praise, it is self-evident that peace will disappear from their existence. The constant shedding and reapplying of layers is no simple task; it requires not only energy but also a significant degree of unconsciousness. The second is the wastage of life. Fleeing from authenticity to become enslaved by self-deceptive layers culminates in a wasted existence. The purpose of this beautiful life lay in achieving something substantial and enduring, yet due to our helplessness and ignorance, this invaluable life is squandered in pursuit of baseless trivialities, leaving no recourse but regret. When God questions us about this life, our tongues will be silenced, and that very moment will stand as clear evidence of our faithlessness.
The third is distance from the Creator. A person alienated from themselves can never muster the courage to reach the shore; and if the capacity to reach the shore is absent, how can the courage to reach God emerge? One who cannot stand before their own self in an authentic state, how can they stand before Allah? In such a person’s life, unceasing storms will perpetually wreak havoc. Their eyes will constantly need moistening with tears; self-loathing will set in. The fourth and final impact is the corruption of society. Now, with artificial people proliferating everywhere, the direct consequence will be societal decay. A society that, despite being cosmopolitan, strongly urges its members to mind their own affairs can never succumb to degradation. Conversely, a society infested with the poisonous pests of pleasing others and gratifying egos will naturally witness devastation on all sides.
The need of the hour is for humanity to strive earnestly to return to its authentic state. It is not yet too late. Following the maxim, “Plunge into your heart to find the secret of life,” we must all concern ourselves with bringing about change at the individual level. As Osho, mentioned earlier, writes elsewhere: “Until we become ourselves, speaking of peace and comfort in this world is akin to dreaming the dreams of madmen.” Humanity must awaken. Truth cannot be veiled for long by wearing masks. Truth is the sun; it will scatter its light through the densest clouds. The sun of authenticity rises every day. Our masks continue to fall, yet we are such strange creatures that we cling dearly to these layers, fearing that our reality might be exposed. For a person to be seen and known among people exactly as they are, even if they are a ravenous wolf, is far better than piling artificial strata upon their body. Artificiality in speech, artificiality in movement, artificiality in every sphere of life – it is preferable to appear in one’s authentic state. So let us concern ourselves with truly reforming ourselves and strive to fulfil the genuine purpose of this life.
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