Echoes of Existence: Three Lifetimes
Today, I came across a captivating thought: a human experiences three distinct moments of passing. The first is when life departs the body, the second when their name is spokenfor the final time, and the third when their image is lost forever. Contemplating this concept led me to ponder the longevity of human existence. I found myself delving into the world of ancient art, specifically the oldest known paintings. In 2021, it was reported that 43,000-year-old cave paintings depicting humans were discovered in Indonesia, making them the most ancient of their kind. Yet, as I marveled at these ancient artworks, I realized that the individuals depicted in those cave paintings are, in a way, still living within those images. In my own backyard, the discovery of paintings dating back at least 5,000 years in Kilvalai, Tamil Nadu, offered a glimpse into the enduring power of art. With the advent of cloud storage and the internet, we have extended our third lifetime, preserving our i...