The kid dropped by the other day. He’d just watched the film ‘Watchmen’ and was describing how Alan Moore had redefined superheroes when he created the 12-part series in the late 80s.
I quote Wikipedia - 'Watchmen is set in an alternate reality which closely mirrors the contemporary world of the 1980s. The primary point of divergence is the presence of superheroes. Their existence in this iteration of America is shown to have dramatically affected and altered the outcomes of real-world events such as the Vietnam War and the presidency of Richard Nixon. In keeping with the realism of the series, although the costumed crime fighters of Watchmen are commonly called "superheroes", the only character who possesses obvious superhuman powers is Doctor Manhattan. The existence of Doctor Manhattan has given the U.S. a strategic advantage over the Soviet Union, which has increased tensions between the two nations. Additionally, superheroes have become unpopular among the public, which has led to the passage of legislation in 1977 to outlaw them. While many of the heroes retired, Doctor Manhattan and The Comedian operate as government-sanctioned agents, and the superhero Rorschach continues to operate outside the law.'
The story was interesting. And I felt compelled to read it and then watch the film. But what turned out more interesting was what The Kid said next. He mentioned an interaction between Rorschach (a superhero whose face changes like his namesake’s ink blot tests) and a psychiatrist, where Rorschach ends up tricking the psychiatrist into seeing the dark side of everything. Moore had ended that section with a quote from Nietzsche “Battle not with monsters lest ye become a monster and if you gaze into the abyss the abyss also gazes into you.”
I took a moment to digest those words. Stunning statement. ‘If you gaze into the abyss, the abyss also gazes into you.’ I saw it drive straight down into our everyday lives and make so much sense.
We create abysses every day, with our desires, wants and fears. And as we gaze into the abysses of our making, it gazes back at us and make us do its bidding. Unconsciously we become slaves of our own creations, our own decisions, our own powers, our own deeds.
In the Lord of the Rings, Frodo carries the ring of power to destroy it, but towards the end is mesmerised by it and fights to possess it. Midas was so carried away by his desire for Gold that he turned his daughter into a mass of it. Icarus was so possessed with his wings of wax that he didn’t see his doom in the sun. Abyss, every time.
Our ambition that once fed us, rules us. Our conviction that once gave us self-respect starts making us rigid and hateful. Our desires that made us admire something turn us into envious eyes. Our attachments that stemmed out of love make us hate. We see good intentioned, bright, smart, dynamic people losing their way, and wonder how it happened. The abysses we created gaze back into our soul and lay us bare.
Equanimity, stressed the Buddha - Neither too much, nor too little - The middle path. The abyss is a journey of extremes. When we keep to the middle of the road, we have a clear view of both sides. When we gravitate to either end, we risk a fall. And sometimes the abyss is too deep for a helping hand to reach.
If you’re gazing into the abyss, don’t stare too long.
