Gates Protect Us

Traditionally, a city guarded itself by installing a fortified gate at its entrance. The gate kept out foes and let in friends and so was an important security support that allowed inhabitants of the city to live in safety as a community. The gate represented the power of the city and stood for justice and security, much the same way as a country protects its borders today. As individuals, we tend to ‘shut’ our ‘gates’ in defence, when we feel threatened or when we face a difficult situation. When we do open up, we find that it lets in a great deal of freshness and warmth, allowing for forging lasting and fulfilling relationships. A gate can, however, become an obstruction when we shut ourselves in or do not allow others to touch us or our lives in any way. When we cut ourselves off from societal interaction, we could be paving the way to stagnation and inner death, starved of stimulation and engagement. Sometimes we become like impregnable fortresses because we guard the gates of our hearts fiercely. We may have been hurt in life may not be willing to risk getting into relationships again. How relevant are gates in today’s information-communications rich world, accelerated by the Internet and other technology? Gates are relevant, in a symbolic sense. When we shut out what is vulgar, demeaning and demotivating, we are, in fact, using a gate to protect ourselves. When we lay ourselves open to the beauty of the world around us, the freshness of new experiences and what is good and noble, we are, by granting ourselves and others unrestricted access, gaining new experiences of strength, faith and love.

Source: Economic Times, 9/03/2020