The One-Straw Revolution - Multiworld India

Returning to the CountryOn the day following this experience, May 16th, I reported to workand handed in my resignation on the spot. My superiors and friends wereamazed. They had no idea what to make of this. They held a farewellparty for me in a restaurant above the wharf, but the atmosphere was abit peculiar. This young man who had, until the previous day, gottenalong well with everyone, who did not seem particularly dissatisfied withhis work, who, on the contrary, had wholeheartedly dedicated himself tohis research, had suddenly announced that he was quitting. And there Iwas, laughing happily.At that time I addressed everyone as follows, "On this side is thewharf. On the other side is Pier 4. If you think there is life on this side,then death is on the other. If you want to get rid of the idea of death, thenyou should rid yourself of the notion that there is life on this side. Lifeand death are one."When I said this everyone became even more concerned about me."What's he saying? He must be out of his mind," they must have thought.They all saw me off with rueful faces. I was the only one who walked outbriskly, in high spirits.At that time my roommate was extremely worried about me andsuggested that I take a quiet rest, perhaps out on the Boso Peninsula. So Ileft. I would11