Catcher in the rye

It is a classic novel about the love-hate view of man on life, where Holden Caulfield, the lead, says and thinks of all the bad things in the world but says and does the other way - the good way. Gloriafic, ey. It is a novel that constantly remind us of our social contract to do good to others despite being overly possessed by our vicious nature: dark, wild, carnal, nomad and self-centered. Most of us are but not in my circle, as i currently see it or maybe the people i know are still boiling their dark side, ready to spill out the heater.

Such viciousness is inescapable because in the pursuit of reaching ones potentials, we do face ego inflation and spiritual narcissism, as a ripple effect of ego trips for recognition and gratification. Look at Lucifer. But when we are bounded of the social contract, our personal journey becomes spiritual. That is why seekers, like the Mevlevi dervishes from Turkey, need spiritual guides to deflate any inflation. To end almost perfect or at least alive, we act our truest self (our potentials) within that contract. It is hard, you would agree, but it is vital. The people we live with guide us not to be derailed in becoming vicious.

Ever tried saying "glad to meet you" to somebody when you are not at all glad? It is not kasipsipan or kaplastikan, it is telling you, you are good and human. And this is the message J.D. Salinger is relaying. Same true with Renee Descartes (or some other guy), "man is basically good".