Sisyphus Wises Up
The name Sisyphus may not
strike a chord with you but almost every maturing adult will know and
identify with the story of the man who is condemned by Zeus to push a
rock to the top of the hill only to have it roll back down for
eternity.
I
met Sisyphus, so to speak, when I returned from the Korean War, at a
time when I was not sure that life had any real meaning but when I
was also looking for hope. A professor introduced me to The
Myth of Sisyphus,
recently published by Albert Camus. I was intrigued by the fact that
Sisyphus found no meaning in life but was unwilling to completely
give up—to commit suicide. Sisyphus continued to live with me, and
several years ago, I began an internal dialogue with him. I created a
reporter and gave him access to Hades in order to interview Sisyphus,
who I also imagined had the ability to observe the world as it now
is.
I have always found it interesting that while Sisyphus found no
meaning in life he never complained and never seriously contemplated
suicide. There is strength and integrity in that. I found that
admirable. Now in my later years I've decided to challenge Zeus's
power to keep Sisyphus chained, so to speak, to the rock and give him
a chance at hope beyond. With apologies to Camus, this is how I imagine it.
Unbeknownst to Sisyphus, all the time he had been struggling with
his rock, Eleos, the Greek Goddess of compassion, had been watching
him from her vantage point at Mt. Olympus. After years of watching,
she decided to defy Zeus and help Sisyphus if, indeed, he wanted to
be rid of the rock. There was just one problem with this decision.
If she really wanted to enter Hades and interact with Sisyphus, she
would have to become human and give up her goddess status. That's
just the way it is because that's the way I have written it.
Her
decision made, here's what happened. One morning as Sisyphus woke
and was getting ready to push his rock, he noticed a tent had been
erected at the bottom of the hill. Curious, he ambled over to where a
woman was busy setting up a coffee bar. She greeted him and said,
“Hey, I know you're on a tight schedule but the coffee is just
about ready and I've got an idea I think you will find interesting.”
“I'll
take the coffee; what's on your mind?”
“Here's
the deal. My name is Eleos. I've been watching you all the time
you've been pushing that rock. I have to say that I'm impressed that
you've made your peace with the whole rock thing and I know you think
that life is essentially meaningless, but what if I told you that I
am willing to help you push the rock over the top, if you're
interested. That's a serious question because I know some folks
don't really want to give up their burdens, even if they may say
otherwise."
Sisyphus
was skeptical of the idea but was willing to give it a try. So when
they had finished their coffee, Eleos put away the coffee cups. They
approached the rock and started off up the hill together. Sisyphus
would push the rock by himself until he felt he had to let go off the
rock. At that point, Eleos would step in and help.
They
didn't talk much at first as each was considering what this decision
would make in their life. Sisyphus thought sure, he would be glad to
be rid of that infernal rock, but he had gotten used to dealing with
it and did he really want to give it up for the unknown? He thought, "Am
I really up to life without it? Do I really need Eleos' help? Maybe
this time I'll be able to get the rock to the top by myself. Why is
she really doing this? This is the first time anyone has ever offered
to actually help me. Am I worth all this?"
While
Sisyphus was pondering these things, Eleos was thinking of what the
decision to become human in order to help Sisyphus meant for her. She
had given up all the power and prestige of being a goddess. She knew
she could never go back. She thought, "Was I too hasty in trying
to help Sisyphus? Is this really necessary and should I have
intruded?"
Meanwhile,
the hill was getting steeper. Sisyphus began to give out. He called for Eleos
to help. Together they struggled until they were within a few
feet of the summit. With their last bits of strength, together they
pushed as hard as they could. The rock moved ever so slowly to the
summit where it tottered for a bit and then settled on the top of the
hill!
Now
before them loomed a large bottomless chasm. Eleos found a smooth
rock ledge and invited Sisyphus to sit with her. Sisyphus said, "In
a moment, but first I have to get rid of this.” He walked over,
got behind the rock and with one more push sent it bouncing down the
hill and into the chasm. Then he joined Eleos on the ledge.
Eleos asked, "What did the rock mean to you?"
"More
than anything else, I think, it represents my regrets, my guilt,"
Sisyphus answerd.
They
sat there in silence for a long time until Sisyphus whispered,
"Captive no longer!”
Eleos
responded, “No longer a goddess. What now?”
As
they stared in silence at the chasm, they felt a soft breeze and then
from the wind came a voice, “I am beyond. Stand up!”
Eleos
exclaims, “What is that?”
Sisyphus
answers, “I've heard that voice before but it has been a long time
ago. I thought if I ignored it, it would go away. Some say it is the
voice of God, others say it is the Voice of Love. Maybe they both
are right.”
Eleos
thinks before responding. “Well, what do you say? Are you ready for
a surprise?”
They
stand up.
Will Sisyphus and Eleos assume new names, new identities to face
their future? I am turning the story over to you at this point. If
you choose, you can answer those questions and more. Since it will
be your story, anything you come up with will be right. I would like
to know what you come up with. You can email me at
sisyphus2015.mh@gmail.com
Max
