The Nectar of Life

What defines life? How do we determine if something before us is alive? What are the characteristics of life? These questions often provoke wonder. A chair in front of me is inanimate, yet a person sitting on it is alive. What distinguishes the two? Is it motion or movement? A person seated may engage in various activities, such as looking around, using a smartphone, or sleeping, indicating life through movement. But is it that simple? Consider the phenomenon of the 'zombie ant,' where unique parasites can control an insect's body post-mortem. Sometimes, even after brain death, a person's heart may continue to beat, often due to life support, causing involuntary muscle movements due to electrical impulses, not brain activity. Thus, motion alone cannot be the sole measure of life. What else should be included? A fully functioning brain and movement might seem like signs of life, but not all living organisms have brains—bacteria, sponges, and jellyfish lack a brain or nervous system. Are they not alive? And what about plants, the flora? Are they considered alive?

The scientific definition of life typically includes characteristics such as organization (cells), metabolism (energy conversion), growth, development, reproduction, and response to stimuli, which are taught in biology classes. However, this classification may seem simplistic as it is based on observations of ourselves, which we then apply to other life forms. For instance, viruses and some bacteria in their dormant state do not exhibit some of these characteristics, leading to the question of whether this definition truly encapsulates the essence of life.

Can we encapsulate the essence of life in mere words? Is it feasible to convey the concept of life using our known vocabulary? We experience life, certainly; we sense the vitality in a living being, but can we truly articulate this sensation in words? After all, the words we employ are born from our thoughts and memories, which are, in turn, products of life. So, is it possible to describe life itself? Can we define the characteristics of a living thing if it is always moving and changing? For instance, can you define your personal character from childhood to the present? No, because you have changed since childhood and are constantly evolving, making it impossible to describe. Thus, describing life itself is challenging due to its continual change.

In conclusion, life cannot be defined merely by words; it must be felt. What is this feeling? How do we feel when we encounter life? For instance, when you see a stray puppy, your reaction may vary depending on how 'alive' you feel. To truly sense life, one must be vibrant and alive themselves. A child or a youngster seeing the puppy for the first time might feel a surge of compassion and be moved to help. An adult, preoccupied with pride, work, profit, and responsibilities, might not experience the same level of compassion. Thus, the ability to feel compassion can be seen as a measure of life—not just the life observed externally, but also the life within, affirming that "only life can feel life" in true sense.

In conclusion, we are born with the very essence of life, and a testament to this is our compassion towards other life forms. The subsequent question arises: how does life end in an organism? As previously discussed, a child appears more vibrant than an adult, but why is that? It seems that as a child matures, they lose some of this vitality. Why does this happen? Consider a flower on a plant, which undergoes several stages. The first stage is its formation, followed by pollination and fertilization, and finally, fruit development. Initially, the flower is resplendent and fragrant, brimming with the nectar of life. During the second stage, the flower is primed for pollination, with insects aiding in the process. Post-pollination, the flower begins to wilt, seemingly losing its life force, as if insects and nature have extracted its vital nectar. The final stage is the emergence of fruit, where the original flower's petals have dropped, leaving behind fruit and seeds imbued with life. This cycle perpetuates, as these seeds will sprout into new plants bearing their own flowers. Thus, life, akin to a flower, seems endless. While the individual flower ceases to exist, the phenomenon of flowering and life itself is an eternal cycle. Life merely transforms; the life force in an adult is transferred to their offspring, and this cycle continues indefinitely.

Now, as we grasp the essence of life, we arrive at the last and most crucial questions: What is the origin of life? We witness the cycle of life and death, and rebirth, yet we ponder who initiated this cycle. How did it all begin in the first place? What is the source of the river from which this life-giving nectar flows? Let's first consider whether a source is necessary. Could it be that this cycle has been eternal, with no beginning or end? Perhaps this is plausible, as we must humbly accept our ignorance. Some mysteries remain unsolved. Regardless, we acknowledge the existence of this life force that is ever-flowing, moving, and transforming. That is all we wish to convey. So, why is this realization important? It is because we utilize this life energy or nectar at every moment, and it is gradually depleting within us. It is akin to the fuel in your car, consumed with every mile of your journey. Therefore, use this life nectar wisely to savor every moment to the fullest before the journey concludes.