“The sun sliced through the windshield, sealing me in light. I closed my eyes and felt the warmth on my eyelids. Sunlight traveled a long distance to reach this planet; an infinitesimal portion of that sunlight was enough to warm my eyelids. I was moved. That something as insignificant as an eyelid had its place in the workings on the universe, that the cosmic order did not overlook this momentary fact.”
In this quote from Haruki Murakami's work, the narrator reflects on the significance of something as small and seemingly insignificant as an eyelid in the grand scheme of the universe. The imagery of the sun shining through the windshield and warming the narrator's eyelids prompts them to ponder the interconnectedness of all things and the marvel of existence.
The narrator's realization that even the smallest parts of our existence have a place in the cosmic order highlights themes of interconnectedness, mindfulness, and the beauty of the world around us. It serves as a reminder to appreciate the significance of even the most mundane moments and to find wonder in the details of life.
In today's fast-paced world, where we are constantly bombarded with information and distractions, it can be easy to overlook the beauty and significance of small moments. This excerpt from Haruki Murakami's work reminds us to pause and appreciate the simple things in life, like the warmth of the sun on our eyelids. It serves as a modern day reminder to slow down, be mindful, and find gratitude in the seemingly insignificant aspects of our daily lives.
"The sun sliced through the windshield, sealing me in light. I closed my eyes and felt the warmth on my eyelids. Sunlight traveled a long distance to reach this planet; an infinitesimal portion of that sunlight was enough to warm my eyelids. I was moved. That something as insignificant as an eyelid had its place in the workings on the universe, that the cosmic order did not overlook this momentary fact.” - Haruki Murakami"
After reading this passage from Haruki Murakami's work, take a moment to reflect on the following questions:
“Where I went in my travels, it's impossible for me to recall. I remember the sights and sounds and smells clearly enough, but the names of the towns are gone, as well as any sense of the order in which I traveled from place to place.”
“In the afternoon dark clouds suddenly color the sky a mysterious shade and it starts raining hard, pounding the roof and windows of the cabin. I strip naked and run outside, washing my face with soap and scrubbing myself all over. It feels wonderful. In my joy I shut my eyes and shout out meaningless words as the large raindrops strike me on the cheeks, the eyelids, chest, side, penis, legs, and butt - the stinging pain like a religious initiation or something. Along with the pain there's a feeling of closeness, like for once in my life the world's treating me fairly. I feel elated, as if all of a sudden I've been set free. I face the sky, hands held wide apart, open my mouth wide, and gulp down the falling rain.”
“With my eyes closed, I would touch a familiar book and draw its fragrance deep inside me. This was enough to make me happy. ”
“The darkness behind my closed eyelids was like the cloud-covered sky, but the gray was somewhat deeper. Every few minutes, someone would come and paint over the gray with a different-textured gray - one with a touch of gold or green or red. I was impressed with the variety of grays that existed. Human beings were so strange. All you had to do was sit still for ten minutes, and you could see this amazing variety of grays.”
“I didn't have much to say to anybody but kept to myself and my books. With my eyes closed, I would touch a familiar book and draw it's fragrance deep inside me. This was enough to make me happy.”
“My arm was not the one she needed, but the arm of someone else. My warmth was not what she needed, but the warmth of someone else. I felt almost guilty being me.”