The Journey Within: My reflections on Kafka on the shore

 

Kafka Tamura, the strongest 15-year-old in the world.

If you know and are here, chances are you already know him and have read his story OR are wanting to know about him. If it’s the latter, I would suggest stop here and go read Kafka on the shore by Haruki Murakami first. I have not read other works of Murakami yet, however, for this one I can say it is meant to be read and interpreted with a fresh perspective without external bias.

While the book in itself is a whole world, I would like to shift my focus and bring my observation for the three characters I enjoyed very much:

Kafka Tamura – The conscious thinker:

We are introduced to his world with the boy named Crow (his imaginary friend).

Growing up under his father’s menacing shadow, Kafka lived with a constant reminder of his supposed fate - a prophecy etched into him from childhood: that he would fall in love with his mother and sleep with his sister.

He decides on running away on turning 15 with his imaginary friend Crow by his side. This is not just some rebellious fantasy, but a resolve to escape his supposed fate.

Kafka is on a journey to free himself from this supposed fate, in this journey he meets Sakura who is older to him and treats him as a younger brother. However, he is instantly attracted to her and this makes him believe she is his long-lost sister. Nevertheless, she helps him on his way and provides much needed advice.

He then meets Oshima at the prestigious library who is perceptive of his situation and offers him a helping hand.

Kafka begins living and helping out in Komura Memorial Library which becomes a place of refuge, introspection and quite transformation for Kafka gradually. Kafka alternates between the library and Oshimas secluded cabin in the mountains to avoid too much attention from the police.

He is intrigued by the dense forest behind it, however, stays away from the entrance to the forest due to Oshimas warning. When push comes to shove, he decides to venture in the jungle, ready with necessities.

Kafka in the middle of the jungle, fighting hard to breathe, to find his way and finally giving up his material possessions (water canteen, ruck sack, with essential items) symbolizing his surrender to the jungle becoming a part of it. His journey to the edge of the world, where time dissolves into abstraction, becomes a powerful symbol of his inner struggle against deeply buried demons.

Kafka’s journey to the edge of the world yet being trapped within his mind, nevertheless the awareness of the action to be taken, this moment is one of transcendence. To hold onto your sense of self while you have only been groomed to turn into a monster. This awareness does not erase struggle but illuminates the path forward.

Kafka at 15 years old is an epitome of a conscious thinker, someone whose outward journey mirrors the journey within, a quite determination of holding onto his sense of self. To recognize right from wrong, to knowingly step into what feels wrong, and still emerge on the other side with a deeper understanding of the change that is needed, this is real awareness.

Mr Hoshino – The unconscious seeker:

One of the best character development arcs I have come across in a novel. A seemingly aimless and shady young truck driver who for reasons even he cannot explain, decides to help this gentle cat talking old man (Mr Nakata) on his strange journey.

What had begun as a random act of kindness takes Hoshino on a journey of transformation. Hoshino who once drifted through life without direction and was an example of unconscious living. His transformation is subtle, here Murakami’ music sensibility is revealed when Hoshino comes across Archduke trio in a jazz café, when he is awakened to the subtle changes within him.

Rather than being anxious he welcomes the change in his thought, in his action, grateful even for the awakening due to his acquaintance with Mr Nakata. He decides to see it through to the end.

His transformation is not loud or heroic - it is subtle, steady, and deeply human. What Nakata’s educated family could not understand, Hoshino embraces instinctively. And even after Nakata’s passing, Hoshino chooses to continue what they started, patiently waiting for a sign, trusting something beyond reason.

Hoshino symbolizes you can drift through life without direction just being alive but not living. However, life at any given opportunity may find you. And when it does, what matters is you grab the chance and make the most of it.

Sada (Oshima’s elder brother) – The silent witness, Steady support:

The only one, apart from Kafka who has experienced the forest for what it truly is, has been to the edge of the world and returned.

A silent yet assuring presence, who does not impose any suggestions / ideas. Instead he provides the space to Kafka to absorb his experiences and find his way through it. A quite friend, who after his journey to the edge of the world, facing his demons and has found peace. He chooses to live freely, on his own terms without explanation or intervention.

Since we do not have a backstory for him, we can interpret his journey as once a unconscious human who dared to break through the dense forest of his inner demons and journey to the edge of his world coming out the other side.

The closure conundrum:

While there are many questions remain unanswered by the end of the book, you do not feel the need for closure. Because in life may not everything offers a closure, instead you learn to work your way through its inconsistencies and create your own sense of closure.

If you have read Kafka on the shore by Haruki Murakami, I would love to hear your thoughts and interpretations. The book is rich with content to be interpreted and reads like an incomplete poem.

A Letter from a Theist to an Atheist: In Devotion to Shaheed Bhagat Singh

I just finished reading “Why I Am an Atheist” by Shaheed Bhagat Singh.

When writing this, I feel at the time many would have thought the personality of this man is so very different from his name “Bhagat”.

The name Bhagat typically evokes the image of a devoted soul—one who serves God with deep emotion and unwavering faith. However, there is this very contrasting personality of Bhagat Singh, questioning the very existence of God and a view point rooted in clarity, courage and integrity, often hard earned through doubt.

Essence of Bhagat:

To me, if you look closely, he represents what the name “Bhagat” truly stands for. Devotion, Servitude and courage.

Devotion to the cause of freedom which best termed as “Swaraj”. Servitude to the people of the country and Courage to fight for their rights.

A true devotee who sacrificed his life to ignite revolution in the minds of the masses.

Revolution, not just freedom:

“Swaraj” an idea rooted in the legacy of great leaders like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj; was given a radical and revolutionary edge by Shaheed Bhagat Singh and his comrades, who envisioned not just political freedom but a complete transformation of society. At a time when many within the Congress were negotiating for Dominion Status, they called for true independence - of both thought and nation.

Greats such as Bhagat Singh (I put his name in front as he is the inspiration for this article), Shaheed Shivaram Rajguru, Shaheed Sukhdev Thapar, Shaheed Chandrashekhar Azad (most commonly known names) worked hard to promote revolutionary ideals among the youth of the time and encourage the idea of “Swaraj”.

Atheism and Clarity:

Bhagat Singh calls himself an atheist through out the essay, after all Atheism finds freedom in questioning, in doubting and finding the answers yourself, it is a lonely, however, a clear-sighted path as he describes.

My Letter to Shaheed Bhagat Singh:

Dear Sir, allow me to refute you on this point and put forth my argument. This is my personal view only based on the limited understanding of history, politics and religion that I hold.

To me, despite the claims of being an atheist, you are a theist in his truest form.

Theism signifies comfort through belonging to a tradition, a god, exploring the mystery of the universe. A theist believes in their god and works tirelessly to appease their beloved deity.

Your devotion to the revolution:

Tell me, is there a greater devotion than the devotion to your motherland, a greater emotion of service than the will to serve all your people without discrimination and courage to stand upon your belief come what may. The only difference – their belief in God while you believed in a bright future of our great nation and worked tirelessly for your ideal.

My final argument:

You sir were a believer and a strong proponent of Swaraj. Swaraj to you was not just passing on the baton from the British imperialists to Indian elites, you championed the ideas of a socialist economy and equality for all.

It was this belief for which you put forth your life and attained martyrdom. Your struggles whilst in Jail, in the face of adversity to stand true to your ideals is this not truly a “Bhagat’s” duty?

So dear sir, forgive me for saying so but in my eyes, you are the essence of the name Bhagat and its meaning.

As a person who identifies as a theist, I believe we can learn a lot from your life and the devotion to achieve your goals. It is my sincere wish that we as an individual and as a country we can one day truly be worthy of you and your comrades sacrifice.

A Revolution, a Hope within:

To me Shaheed Bhagat Singh symbolizes the revolution needed within, a radical change for personal growth to achieve one’s goal. Only through individual hard work and integrity can we expect to contribute to the collective consciousness and

Inquilaab Zindabad!

Gregor Samsa and the Dharma of Suffering By Hema Jethwani

Most readers are already familiar with the plot of The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka.
Its common interpretations explore themes of alienation, capitalism, and existentialism.
However, for me, the tale of Gregor is more about spiritual endurance, unconditional duty, love, and detachment from the self.
The story begins with Gregor already transformed into an insect. There’s no horror or panic in him, no questioning of why or how this has happened. He simply accepts it—with quiet determination—and continues to focus on one goal: to provide for his family, no matter the situation.
He doesn’t stop to consider how his family might react or wonder if they could help him. He isn’t worried about the chief clerk either. In his mind, once he explains the delay, all will be well, and he can still make it for the 8 o’clock train.
To Gregor, his thoughts remain clear. But to others, his voice is just incomprehensible noise. They do not see a man—they see only a monster.
Yet there is no rebellion in him—not in word, not in action, not even in thought.
Has he resigned himself to his fate? Or is this the expression of his deep capacity to endure suffering without losing sight of his love and duty toward his family?
Even in this condition, Gregor thinks of how to make life easier for his sister, who brings him food. He longs to see his mother. He hides under a sheet just so she won't be distressed by his appearance. When she faints upon seeing him, he feels no anger—only understanding.
As his sister begins to tire of caring for him, as the family grows indifferent, Gregor accepts it all. No bitterness. No resentment. Just a quiet desire not to burden them further.
When he overhears them speaking of being "done" with him, when even his mother offers no protest, he makes no sound. He doesn’t blame them. He simply resigns himself and quietly breathes his last.
To me, this story reflects not the inhumanity of Gregor’s condition, but the lack of humanity in those around him. Gregor, despite his appearance, never loses his kindness or sense of duty.
This is the essence of spiritual endurance as understood in Indian philosophy—where suffering, if borne with grace, becomes a path to liberation. While Western readings may interpret the story as absurd or bleak, I see in it a quiet transcendence, an echo of the Indian concept of dharma.
Gregor Samsa’s journey—his refusal of food, detachment from the world, silent suffering, and peaceful death—mirrors the quiet path of the yogi or sanyasi, who renounces the world with no regret or resentment.