On being alive - By Sohum Sawant

Written By: Sohum Sawant

Category: Essay

Competition: Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Sohum Sawant presents a thought-provoking essay titled "On being alive," submitted under the Essay category in the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This reflective piece delves into themes of consciousness and individuality, inviting readers to consider how societal beliefs shape our thoughts and actions. Sawant's work encourages a deeper understanding of personal freedom and the importance of independent thinking in today's world.

About the Work

"On being alive" is an exploration of the constraints imposed by societal morals and the quest for individual freedom. Drawing on philosophical insights, the essay examines how preloaded beliefs inhibit creativity and independent thought. Sawant's narrative advocates for living without preconceived notions, allowing for more authentic decision-making. The work's contemplative tone and insightful analysis challenge readers to reconsider their own perspectives.

On being alive

Original Submission by Sohum Sawant

On being alive

I want you to be alive, well if you want to.

A ubiquitous pattern I've noticed is that people are not conscious, and that's a big problem. And we don't like problems, do we? So let me try to alleviate that for you.

Most people you come across have preloaded ideas, beliefs, morals, whatever you want to call them, often which restrains their thinking.

Most of these ideas don't even belong to us. They are sort of encoded into us: forged by our surroundings, funneled through our parents, preached by others.

The morals imposed by society are called slave morals, and the ones formed by the individual are called master morals. This idea was popularized by Nietzsche.

One of my personal goals is to become so absolutely free that my very existence is an act of rebellion. That does not mean I have to become a Casanova, womanizing around, which also does not seem half bad.

Having a prejudice about absolutely anything restrains me and perhaps you too and cages creativity, which I despise.

These brain-fed presumptions don't allow one to think for themselves. Instead, people become dependent on pre-existing ideas they have learned. This is great, for "ignorance is bliss," but it also prevents them from thinking independently, which, yes, can be cumbersome.

So, have no morals.

Whenever you see a fork in the road, make the decision then and there. It's easier said than done, because some things must be remembered. But don't worry; our brain is like a large language model. It's trained on past data, and it's going to vomit out an output involuntarily at the right instant.

If you have no presumptions, you make decisions afresh. Those decisions are more accurate because they are not based on rigid prior conclusions; they are rendered and thought through right then. So they have a higher chance of being correct, and you can apply Achintya Bhed Abhed more effectively.

About the Competition

The Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious event celebrating the art of writing. It invites participants to submit works across various categories, fostering creative expression and literary excellence. The competition serves as a platform for writers to share their unique voices and engage with a global audience.

We extend our gratitude to Sohum Sawant for sharing "On being alive" in the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This insightful essay enriches the discourse on consciousness and individuality. Thank you, Sohum, for your contribution and for inspiring others to think freely and creatively.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.