Death

Death,should not be viewed negatively. It is vitally important at finding meaning in the here and now. It is a basic human condition that brings significance to life. The ability to grasp the reality that we as humans are mortal and finite is an essential part of realizing that we do not have an eternity to complete our projects, and that each passing moment is crucial. If man were immortal on this side of eternity then he would be ever putting off his projects to tomorrow, the day after, or 100 years after that. Frankl states that “The meaning of human existence is based on its irreversible quality.”

The fact that the length of life does not determine it’s meaning is another fact that must be realized. Frankl adds that a book is not judged by the number of pages in it, but rather by the quality it contains. Also when one is morbidly pre-occupied with prolonging his life because of his fear of death, he is immobilized. Those who fear death also fear life. If we accept the reality of death and live in the present, we will not be obsessed with its ending, however we will find true freedom. While physical death destroys us, the idea of death can save us. The simple act of being aware of our finiteness can be the very act that moves us out of a stagnant mode of living and into a more authentic one.

An important way of looking at this category is seen in Frankl’s imperative of, “Live as if you were living already for the second time and as if you had acted the first time as wrongly as you are about to act now!”

This is what has plagued my thoughts lately- for several reasons. for one i consider myself a christian existentialist, so awarenesss of death and non being is of course one of the basic tenets, even pillars if you will, of this philosophical orientation. Another reason this has been at the forfront of my thoughts is that i am currently enrolled in a hospice seminar through ozark. The reading for this class has really helped develop my own thoughts on the practical issues of living with an awareness of my own mortality. I read about the issues people have when they consiously face their own death, the thoughts, and regrets they have. the thingsthey want to accompplish in those final months or weeks, or even how they make ense of their current, past and future life.
so- i have lways tried to live with this awareness but i have recently come to the realization that i dont. how would i live differently if i truly was aware of my own impending death? Each moment would beocme so much more real, holy, and i would realize how special that moment was while i was still in the moment, not after it had passed. Maybe then i could be completely honest open and transparent with the people i came in contact with- all of them. Maybe then i would take time. Maybe then i would be productive in the time that i had taken, or been given. Maybe then the blinders that i insist on wearing would statrt to fall. Maybe then i would find the depth of true forgivness, and others would find it from me. Maybe then i wouldnt manipulate for personal gains or for fleeting feelings and attempts at significance. Maybe then my eyes and mind ould be pure- because then i would be able to see through flesh, materials, and stuff. Maybe then i would be truly pure, enlightened, educated, actualized, saved, sacred, reformed, found nirvana- whatever description you want to use. Maybe all this is found through death. Maybe real life is found through death. Maybe abundnt life really is after all found in dying to yourself.
So why is this life i desire so far removed from mine?why is that life not realized? Why cant i come to terms with my mortality? Why do i fight death so hard? Why do i desire real life, but insist on living in the illusions of real life? What then is death?
Maybe i have a lot to learn from people who really are dying- maybe i should follow them a little more closely since they are facing a reality that im not quite facing yet (at least not conciously). Maybe the dying can show me how to die. Which is of coure how to live.

oh ya- check this guy out. I think he's about got it figured out. say what you want about Oprah, but this is good.