Call Of The Void #MondayMusings

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‘Call of the void’- a strange feeling when you think for a second about steering into oncoming traffic or jumping off a cliff for no reason—although you’d never do it. There is an expression in French for this-‘l’appel du vide’- an untranslatable expression, that loosely translates to ‘call of the void’. It is an instinctive urge to jump, let go, especially when one is close to the edge of a cliff or building. Insane desire of the unconscious mind. Perhaps just faulty messages that the brain sends when something is triggered. Yet it sends goosebumps when you realize what you were thinking a second ago. And no, it’s not suicidal. It’s just strange. Eerie.

And had it been more than just a second of thought, imagine the restraint that would have been required to rein the overpowering desire to unlock, open the door of the car and take the plunge. It’s overwhelming and draining. The urge to look straight into the mind’s lures—that particular vision of oneself rolling down the road and put to rest under the wheels of a loaded truck.

Had come across an article on the same subject. Quite interesting theories.

Have you had this feeling ever?

#MondayMusings

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Queeristan by Parmesh Sahani

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  Queeristan (Amazon Link) Thanks to Audible Free Trial I listened to this amazing non-fiction on LGBTQ inclusion in Indian workplaces. Author Parmesh Sahani identifies as gay Indian, working closely with Godrej higher management and employees for years to create an inclusive workplace, both legally and in spirit. This book is a result of those years of experience, research, collaboration with individuals from difference spectrum of the society and organizations who has successfully transitioned into a queer friendly one.   Indian history is inclusive. From the Khajuraho temple architectures, to Konark to the Rig Veda, there is existing proofs even 2000 years ago of Indian inclusiveness of queer. It’s the draconian British law that criminalised it, which was scraped in 2009, came into effect once again following a sad judgement in 2013 and eventually was scraped off for good in 2018. I am in awe of the lawyers who fought this legal battle- colleagues and partners – Arundhati Katju
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