Resource How to make peace with death

[Versailles]

Afraid. Terror. Panic attacks. Isolation/constant company. Despair. Search for extreme situations. Uncontrolled anxiety. Sleeping problems. Irritability. Restlessness... Here we could also spend several days exposing all the symptoms and discomforts generated by the fact that for so long we have displaced death to the darkest corner of existence and that it is precisely from that denial where we conceive the greatest comfort to terrify ourselves.

I have decided to question the concept that we have formed for so long about death and try, through the light of love, understanding and comprehension, to give it the place it truly deserves and from which it can never scare us again.

I think that if there is something that we must be very clear about, it is that 'denial' is not the 'elimination' of the problem (although death is not a problem), but rather it is postponing it, looking to the side, letting it follow us affecting little by little until at some point we can no longer tolerate it and the first discomforts begin to be felt. This is why I believe that accepting death and embracing life is the first step to achieve an existence worthy of being called as such.

It is simple, if we think about it, we do not assume a true existence because we do not dare to assume death as part of it. Instead, we move it to the darkest and most chilling corner of thought and we try to cover ourselves with objects, fantasies, pleasant sensations and projects to remain firm in this 'voluntary forgetfulness' and lead a moderately, although illusory, pleasant existence. Needless to say, these are seemingly "effective" ways to deal with unspeakable, poor death… but it all comes at a price, because the dirt you scoop out from under the door sometimes gets in through the window!

The fear of death and its non-confrontation/understanding/acceptance is the fuel that allows so much anxiety to paralyze or accelerate us in an unnatural way and also creates and sustains the chaos in which we are trapped as humanity.

Undoubtedly, facing death and giving it its rightful place makes life a fuller experience.

 

[ikadasui]

I don't think I can personally. My attempt will just have to be through sheer will because I don't think it's possible to be dying peacefully unless it's in your sleep. Now, going about my process I just run the scenario through my head constantly almost like a simulation and remind myself of all the horror I'll be spared in doing so. I guess that eases it as much as it possibly can

 

[FuneralCry]

I actually look forward to death, as it is the end of my suffering. I believe that there is nothing after this life and when I die, I will finally be at peace. There is no point to fearing death as it is inevitable for us all, life is basically just one big distraction from death, life is just a pointless experience that we go through for the sake of it. Our lives are so meaningless and insignificant at the end of the day. I only fear life, I fear pain and the method failing. I just want to be free from it all.

 

[Versailles]

@Meretlein , I would like to know your opinion or point of view regarding this topic

 

[Chiisai]

Hmm... Interesting. I know fully well that I have already accepted that this is the only way for me now and I do not fear it. However, it is the pain that comes before death in my chosen method that scares me because I no longer couldnt stand being hurt and also that I worry how my family will take it and it scares me that I might cause their spiral to depression.

 

[mistvissione11e]

I know this sounds ludicrous, but try inducing dreams or lucid dreaming and confront those fears by physically getting involved, having conversations with people whoever it may be (materialize them) into being with u present in the dream so that whatever a secondary factor that has produced that fear of death is gone. Tad bit difficult but plausible for some.

 

[edu0z]

Afraid. Terror. Panic attacks. Isolation/constant company. Despair. Search for extreme situations. Uncontrolled anxiety. Sleeping problems. Irritability. Restlessness... Here we could also spend several days exposing all the symptoms and discomforts generated by the fact that for so long we have displaced death to the darkest corner of existence and that it is precisely from that denial where we conceive the greatest comfort to terrify ourselves.

I have decided to question the concept that we have formed for so long about death and try, through the light of love, understanding and comprehension, to give it the place it truly deserves and from which it can never scare us again.

I think that if there is something that we must be very clear about, it is that 'denial' is not the 'elimination' of the problem (although death is not a problem), but rather it is postponing it, looking to the side, letting it follow us affecting little by little until at some point we can no longer tolerate it and the first discomforts begin to be felt. This is why I believe that accepting death and embracing life is the first step to achieve an existence worthy of being called as such.

It is simple, if we think about it, we do not assume a true existence because we do not dare to assume death as part of it. Instead, we move it to the darkest and most chilling corner of thought and we try to cover ourselves with objects, fantasies, pleasant sensations and projects to remain firm in this 'voluntary forgetfulness' and lead a moderately, although illusory, pleasant existence. Needless to say, these are seemingly "effective" ways to deal with unspeakable, poor death… but it all comes at a price, because the dirt you scoop out from under the door sometimes gets in through the window!

The fear of death and its non-confrontation/understanding/acceptance is the fuel that allows so much anxiety to paralyze or accelerate us in an unnatural way and also creates and sustains the chaos in which we are trapped as humanity.

Undoubtedly, facing death and giving it its rightful place makes life a fuller experience.

The Japanese people, for many years, generations and traditions, were a people who maintained a close relationship with death. It was part of the culture, suicide was used to regain your honor.

Everyone accepted death and even blessed it. A samurai who made a ritual suicide to demonstrate his honorable word, was respected by others and in society.

 

[fight_club]

I would be very curious to know how others have gone about making peace with death...tangible actions one can take to stride towards that end. It is inevitable after all. Unfortunately for me, the thing that many folks seem to take comfort in (eternal sleep, full loss of consciousness, regaining the void-like state that occurred before birth) is also one of my greatest fears. While I am not currently suicidal, I am deeply interested in the idea of choosing when and how I die. Maintaining my dignity, perhaps.

But death terrifies me. I am a staunch atheist and have never been able to convince myself of an afterlife...but I wish I could! I am envious of those with spiritual beliefs that bring them peace and comfort around the concept of death. I want very badly to make peace with it but have never been able to face it without panic-inducing existential dread.

 

[jimmy7754]

I would be very curious to know how others have gone about making peace with death...tangible actions one can take to stride towards that end. It is inevitable after all. Unfortunately for me, the thing that many folks seem to take comfort in (eternal sleep, full loss of consciousness, regaining the void-like state that occurred before birth) is also one of my greatest fears. While I am not currently suicidal, I am deeply interested in the idea of choosing when and how I die. Maintaining my dignity, perhaps.

But death terrifies me. I am a staunch atheist and have never been able to convince myself of an afterlife...but I wish I could! I am envious of those with spiritual beliefs that bring them peace and comfort around the concept of death. I want very badly to make peace with it but have never been able to face it without panic-inducing existential dread.

I too feel have panic-inducing existential dread about it as well. I feel at the moment of our death we just feel a release of all the chemicals in our brain..

 

[☆AwaitingEntropy☆]

I flip flop between apathy towards death and fear, but I can't ever seem to find acceptance. I want to, very much, because it would bring me a bit of peace, but I don't know how to start.

Adding to that, I'm very agnostic, so I don't have the comfort of any sort of paradise or rebirth or even hell to anticipate. Absolute nothingness sounds best, but sometimes I wonder if that's just the self disdain talking.

 

[again_noidea]

Afraid. Terror. Panic attacks. Isolation/constant company. Despair. Search for extreme situations. Uncontrolled anxiety. Sleeping problems. Irritability. Restlessness... Here we could also spend several days exposing all the symptoms and discomforts generated by the fact that for so long we have displaced death to the darkest corner of existence and that it is precisely from that denial where we conceive the greatest comfort to terrify ourselves.

I have decided to question the concept that we have formed for so long about death and try, through the light of love, understanding and comprehension, to give it the place it truly deserves and from which it can never scare us again.

I think that if there is something that we must be very clear about, it is that 'denial' is not the 'elimination' of the problem (although death is not a problem), but rather it is postponing it, looking to the side, letting it follow us affecting little by little until at some point we can no longer tolerate it and the first discomforts begin to be felt. This is why I believe that accepting death and embracing life is the first step to achieve an existence worthy of being called as such.

It is simple, if we think about it, we do not assume a true existence because we do not dare to assume death as part of it. Instead, we move it to the darkest and most chilling corner of thought and we try to cover ourselves with objects, fantasies, pleasant sensations and projects to remain firm in this 'voluntary forgetfulness' and lead a moderately, although illusory, pleasant existence. Needless to say, these are seemingly "effective" ways to deal with unspeakable, poor death… but it all comes at a price, because the dirt you scoop out from under the door sometimes gets in through the window!

The fear of death and its non-confrontation/understanding/acceptance is the fuel that allows so much anxiety to paralyze or accelerate us in an unnatural way and also creates and sustains the chaos in which we are trapped as humanity.

Undoubtedly, facing death and giving it its rightful place makes life a fuller experience.

the philosopher and theologian Paul Tillich wrote a book about that, it is called "the courage to be"