"The call of death is a call of love. Death can be sweet if we answer it in the affirmative, if we accept it as one of the great eternal forms of life and transformation"
About this Quote
Hermann Hesse's quote checks out the extensive and frequently paradoxical relationship between life and death. At its core, this declaration suggests that death, typically feared and misunderstood, can be perceived as an expression of love and an integral component of the life cycle. By characterizing the "call of death" as a "call of love", Hesse suggests that death is not an end, however an improvement, a purposeful shift in the grand scheme of existence.
Hesse welcomes us to view death not as a grim finality, but as a continuation of the cosmic process, much like how night causes day, or how the changing seasons represent nature's continuous cycle. This perspective encourages a sense of acceptance, urging individuals to confront the inevitability of death with an affirmative frame of mind. By doing so, death ends up being "sweet", losing its sting, and emerges as a potential release, a reunion with the universes, or a go back to a natural state of being.
The phrase "everlasting forms of life and improvement" suggests that existence is a dynamic, ever-evolving journey in which death plays a vital part. Within this context, transformation is a consistent-- death is not a cessation, but a metamorphosis, a shift into another form of presence. This aligns with many philosophical and spiritual traditions that view life and death as interconnected rather than opposing forces.
Furthermore, Hesse's poetic framing invites introspection and approval, motivating us to give up fear of the unidentified. Embracing death as part of life's eternal cycle can lead to a richer, more meaningful understanding of existence, where love transcends the borders between life and death. Eventually, Hesse's words require welcoming modification and improvement, cultivating a deep sense of peace and continuity as we navigate the journey of life and its unavoidable end.
More details
About the Author