I saw this image many years ago and was completely transfixed. And while disturbing, I couldn't help staring at it wondering how anyone could do something like that whilst sitting peacefully. Self-immolation, has been practiced by religious or philosophical monks, especially in India, throughout the ages, for various reasons, including political protest, devotion, renouncement, etc. Certain warrior cultures also practiced it, such as in the case of Charans and Rajputs. To me it represents renouncement. That life is full of suffering and no matter how uncomfortable I am at any given time. It could always be worse.