BOUNDLESS ACT OF READING -ESSAY BY WILLIAMSJI MAVELI
BOUNDLESS ACT OF READING
Williamsji Maveli
Reading, in its essence, transcends the mere deciphering of words on a page. It's a fundamental human act of engagement with the world around us, encompassing everything from the literal act of seeing and not seeing, remembering and forgetting, to the raw expressions of laughter and sorrow. Each interaction, each perception, each internal processing is, in its own way, a form of "reading" – a deciphering of meaning from the vast life of existence.
In our current era, marked by the harrowing realities of wars, genocides, and widespread human suffering, the question of "what to read" takes on an urgent and profound significance. The act of extermination, tragically, is not a novel concept for those in power; it's a grim, recurring narrative that underpins their very existence and control. To resist this oppressive "reading" of the world, we must first confront our own habits and relationship with knowledge.
The hoarding of unread books, like a mythical creature guarding its treasure, becomes a burden rather than a source of enlightenment. It's an act of accumulating potential, rather than realizing it. To truly engage with reading, the initial step is to shed this cumbersome weight of unconsumed knowledge.
Consider the harsh truth: no one has ever escaped a bombing raid by clutching pyramids of meticulously collected books. In moments of crisis, the tangible, physical accumulation of knowledge offers no solace or safety. Before these collections inevitably turn to ash, the most meaningful "reading" we can embrace on this Reading Day is the hope that these stories, these insights, these unread pages find their way into the hands and minds of others.
 It’s a call to share, to disseminate, to ensure that the wisdom contained within is not lost to the ravages of conflict and neglect. Our lives, after all, should not be swallowed by the vast, overwhelming floodwaters of unread literature, but rather enriched and guided by its active engagement.
Beyond the intellectual and the practical, reading is fundamentally a prayer. It is a quiet, contemplative act that connects us to something larger than ourselves.
 When we read, we open ourselves to new perspectives, to the experiences of others, and to the enduring truths that resonate across time and culture. It's a humble act of seeking understanding, of empathy, and of connecting with the shared human experience.
In a world often consumed by chaos, reading offers a sanctuary for reflection, a space for growth, and a powerful tool for fostering peace and understanding. Let us not merely accumulate, but actively engage, for in the act of reading, we find not only knowledge but also profound spiritual sustenance.-WILLIAMSJI MAVELI
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