By Mark Antony Rossi
The state of Perfection is a fool’s errand plaguing humanity since time immemorial. It should be noted that humans, admittedly imperfect, obsessively strive for superhuman or supernatural status. This irrational pursuit can only be viewed as an arrogant gambit dancing on the edge of self-delusion.
What is the source of this ancient preoccupation with perfection? Part of the motivation perhaps lies in the misguided belief that perfection provides the highest of level of physical or spiritual protection. But what if this noble quest is merely a long walk off a short pier? What if this quest is not noble but an overzealous reach for power and control merely in disguise?
What is so wrong with being human that we must overcome our species to transform into something else? Is the road to perfection paved with the tar and feathers of insecurity and self-hatred? What is so wrong with being human that we wish to die and transfigure into a ghostly mirage of a former self?
It would be easy to blame religion for promoting excessive homo sapien reform since most organized religion preach man’s need of rescue from “himself” as their central argument for accepting religious membership. However, I suspect this unclassifiable void in human character was present from the dawn of mankind.
The ritual of those seeking perfection results in ruin of one’s health and usually the destruction of relationships once held dear. The philosophy and process of perfection seldom seems negative since it is cloaked in the best intentions of self-improvement. Yet the damage is real, irreversible and tragically ironic when realizing the only perfection taking place is how perfectly the fatal fantasy of perfection stops the blessed potential stored inside us.
If we are going to find peace with our neighbor, we must first find it in ourselves. And cease defining peace as the resolution of all unanswered questions. Peace is Peace despite unanswered questions because perfection is unnecessary to be a good human. If we can learn to forgive the mirror and accept there is no place for an impossible dream the curse of perfection will no longer stain our vision and will once again permit us to see the world as a precious gift meant to share.
About the Author: Mark Antony Rossi is a poet, playwright and author of the bioethics volume “Dark Tech” now available from Amazon. His most recent plays have been produced in Liverpool and New York.
http://ethical-stranger.webnode.com/
Indian Periodical
Indian Periodical
