Suicide (Αυτοκτονία)
-From the Meletic Scrolls.
Suicide is a subject that many people approach with hesitation, uncertainty or avoidance. It is considered a taboo by some people, a sin by many religious traditions and a psychological phenomenon in the realm of science. In philosophy, suicide is regarded as an undeniable reality. It is a truth that reveals the fragility of human existence and the depths to which the mind can descend when burdened by suffering. It is a truth that when confronted, often exposes the fallibility of human perception, reasoning and resilience.
When we examine the state of mind that leads to suicide, we are met with a complex and often painful reality. The causes that manifest its appearance vary widely, yet a pattern emerges. It is one that speaks of despair, hopelessness and an overwhelming sense of entrapment. It is in these moments of mental turmoil that individuals become susceptible to suicide, not always as an act of choice, but as an escape from what seems inescapable.
We should not merely acknowledge suicide as a phenomenon; rather, we must understand its persistence in human life. It is not only the act of suicide that should concern us, but the underlying conditions that creates its troubling grip on the human mind. No matter how much a man may attempt to suppress or conceal his inner turmoil, it inevitably reveals itself. Sometimes through behaviour, sometimes through words and tragically, sometimes through action. It is a paradoxical experience, both surreal and painfully real that leaves an indelible impact on those people who witness it, those people who endure its proximity, and most of all, those people who succumb to it.
There is a certain tendency to focus on the aftermath of suicide rather than the process that leads to it. In treating its evident symptoms, we often overlook the deeper, concealed causes that contribute to suicidal ideation. Whilst prevention measures are vital, they do not always address the fundamental issue, which is the nature of suffering itself. Suicide does not arise in a vacuum. There is always a preceding struggle or incidence, an invisible war within the mind, that must be acknowledged before it manifests in action.
For those people who take their own lives, the primary motive is often the desire to end suffering. It is not necessarily a rejection of life, but a rejection of pain. The man who seeks detachment from the present reality, believes that only in death will relief be found. Yet in his final moments, he may not fully comprehend the ultimate fate that awaits him. There is no simple classification of suicide as just or unjust, moral or immoral. There is only suffering, and with each suicide, a profound lesson remains for those people left behind.
Suicide is a delicate subject to explore at length. In Meleticism, it is approached as both a mental challenge and a philosophical reality. It is a topic that demands deep reflection, as it speaks directly to the human condition that is the struggle, between suffering and self-discovery. For some, achieving happiness is far more difficult than enduring sadness. The weight of false hopes, shattered expectations and internalised despair can be unbearable, particularly when one must confront these burdens alone.
Depression, loneliness and existential dread are not merely emotions; they are conditions of the mind that shape our perception of the world. They distort reality, making it seem as though suffering is the only certainty in life. Society often prescribes medication as the remedy for such conditions, and whilst it may serve a good purpose in stabilising mental health, it does not necessarily address the deeper existential questions. There is another path that is not medicinal, but meditative.
Meditation is not a cure-all for pain or suffering, nor is it a means to suppress emotion. Instead, it is a practice aimed at achieving ataraxia, which is inner peace and mental clarity. Through meditation, one comes to understand the nature of the mind and its connection to the body and the soul. It is in this understanding that anguish begins to lose its tight hold. Suffering, whilst still present, becomes less dominant, less all-consuming. The man practicing meditation does not escape suffering, but he learns to coexist with it, realising that he is much more than his suffering alone.
Philosophy, too, teaches us to value life and seek salvation within ourselves. It urges us to acknowledge our mortality, not as a source of fear, but as a reminder of the fleeting nature of existence. No one deserves to endure the unbearable affliction of suicidal thoughts or pain. In order for healing to begin, one must first recognise the cause and effect of these thoughts. Suffering exists in the mind, yet it manifests physically, often without reluctance. The mind gravitates towards its own thoughts, and consciousness clings to suffering. If left unchecked, this cycle can feel insurmountable in its weight.
When we find ourselves trapped in a cycle of despair, it is as though we are caught in an ocean of negative thoughts of waves crashing over us, pulling us deeper into darkness. In these moments, the most crucial action we can take is to seek the shore before we drown. What does it mean to seek the shore? It means recognising that suffering, whilst profound is not absolute. There is always a way to step beyond it. That way is self-acceptance.
Suicide does not truly free one from the burdens one must overcome. Instead, it is a finality that removes the opportunity for growth, understanding and transformation. Life is not meant to be an endless drowning in misery; it is meant to be a journey of discovery and of realising that escape is possible, not through death, but through awareness and acceptance. There is no glory in suicide. There is only suffering. When we learn to see beyond suffering, we begin a journey towards something greater.
When we accept ourselves, not as broken beings, but as individuals capable of overcoming suffering, we embark on the metaphysical journey towards (To Ένa) the One. It is not a deity that intervenes in human affairs, nor is it a force that demands worship. Instead, it is an eternal influence that inspires self-realisation. It is the genuine essence of unity, the realisation that we are all interconnected and that our suffering, whilst unique is not an insurmountable wave of pain to withstand.
In moments of fear, despair and torment, we should seek To Ena, not as an external saviour, but as an internal guide. To Ena exists in the clarity of our rationality, in the strength of our fortitude, and in the wisdom that comes with self-awareness. There is no divine miracle that occurs in this process. The greatest wonder is the challenge itself, which is the gradual transformation that one undergoes when confronting suffering with sheer resilience.
We must never forsake those people who have succumbed to suicide, nor those people who are struggling with its demoralising grip. The battle against suicidal thoughts is not one that should be dealt in isolation. We should extend compassion, understanding and humility to those in despair, for none of us are immune to suffering. Life is unpredictable, and there may come a day when we, too, find ourselves in the horrible depths of hopelessness.
To those people who struggle, they are not alone. Their suffering is not eternal, nor is it their only truth. The path to self-acceptance, to inner peace and ultimately to To Ena is open to everyone who embraces the personal journey. It is a journey worth taking. Life is not merely about enduring pain; it is about transcending it with the utmost fortitude and wisdom.
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