You are a beautiful person, Doctor. Clearheaded. Strong. But you seem always to be dragging your heart along the ground. From now on, little by little, you must prepare yourself to face death. If you devote all of your future energy to living, you will not be able to die well. You must begin to shift gears, a little at a time. Living and dying are, in a sense, of equal value."--Nimit in "Thailand
The character Nimit in Haruki Murakami's "After the Quake" offers the doctor a heartfelt observation about his demeanor. Despite the doctor's admirable qualities of clarity and strength, Nimit notes that he carries emotional burdens that weigh him down. This suggests that while the doctor may be competent and capable, he struggles with a hidden grief that impacts his well-being.
Nimit's advice becomes profound as he emphasizes the importance of preparing for death alongside living fully. He encourages the doctor to gradually shift his focus, balancing his energy between embracing life and accepting mortality. This perspective challenges the common view that living is paramount and underscores the need for a harmonious relationship with both life and death, suggesting they hold equal significance in the human experience.