Same thing here, I'm 67. There's also something I think is worse than death.
A few weeks ago, my best friend in USA was finally hospitalized and they found out he had a stroke about 2 months prior. They don't expect him to recover. They will be sending him to a nursing home and selling off his properties to pay for his care. He is in a mental fog and doesn't understand anything anymore.
That really hit me hard. He's only 57. We had talked on the phone every day for over 2 years until things started to change. I wish there was a better reason for the change that occurred.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about the unspeakable topic. At least in the West, because I don't know any other context well enough to speak for it, we're fine to give death a nod. A la, yup it's coming, but sometime later. So, we're cool to talk about it, so long as it's over there.
But there is no over there. It's all here, and death is here too. When death arrives, it will be very much here. And that here is going to feel like it happened so fast.
Yes, every day. Me too. The thought that seems most useful is, "What and where is this 'me' that it seems I will lose? And who would the I be that lost it?"
This has been the cash value of non-dualism to this mind. Death, while still scary to this animal body, is far less scary of an idea now.
It can be difficult for people to accept any focus on impermanence, but it can be invigorating as you point out. I want it to become a more vivid awareness in my life.
I do too. After losing so many people in the past 8 years - 16 of them - I'm with you totally on making everything matter and in not being scared of when my time comes.
Same thing here, I'm 67. There's also something I think is worse than death.
A few weeks ago, my best friend in USA was finally hospitalized and they found out he had a stroke about 2 months prior. They don't expect him to recover. They will be sending him to a nursing home and selling off his properties to pay for his care. He is in a mental fog and doesn't understand anything anymore.
That really hit me hard. He's only 57. We had talked on the phone every day for over 2 years until things started to change. I wish there was a better reason for the change that occurred.
Life is very short. Live Life Fully Now.
Mel
Yes, Yes, and Yes. Prayers for your best friend.
Thank you.
Mel
As we become more mindful, we internalize the concept that it’s the shortness of life that gives it meaning.
Oh wow! So beautifully expressed. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about the unspeakable topic. At least in the West, because I don't know any other context well enough to speak for it, we're fine to give death a nod. A la, yup it's coming, but sometime later. So, we're cool to talk about it, so long as it's over there.
But there is no over there. It's all here, and death is here too. When death arrives, it will be very much here. And that here is going to feel like it happened so fast.
Yes, every day. Me too. The thought that seems most useful is, "What and where is this 'me' that it seems I will lose? And who would the I be that lost it?"
This has been the cash value of non-dualism to this mind. Death, while still scary to this animal body, is far less scary of an idea now.
It can be difficult for people to accept any focus on impermanence, but it can be invigorating as you point out. I want it to become a more vivid awareness in my life.
I feel that way too. Life becomes so much more precious and meaningful when we accept the fact that we will die one day.
I do too. After losing so many people in the past 8 years - 16 of them - I'm with you totally on making everything matter and in not being scared of when my time comes.
You are young!
I have written three essays about different aspects of death that I will publish over the next few months.