Views of Death

[Rev. Rex]

To an Indian, death is not an end, but rather a beginning, and a part of the cycle of life.

Death is not an end, but a new beginning, and from it comes life, the eternal circle. I do not fear my own death, I will revel in it when the time is right, for I will be released from the bonds, aches, pains, and worries that live with me now. Neither am I in a hurry for the process to arrive, for I feel that I have much to learn and give before then. But what I DO worry about is when people I love die, for I am diminished by the passing of everyone who has made a difference in my life and who have helped shape me into who I am. I know that like with me, their death is not an end, but a beginning, still, I'll admit that it does bother me, and to say otherwise would be to deny the truth of my heart.

[bahai-sojourner]

Originally Posted by Rev. Rex

But what I DO worry about is when people I love die, for I am diminished by the passing of everyone who has made a difference in my life and who have helped shape me into who I am. I know that like with me, their death is not an end, but a beginning, still, I'll admit that it does bother me, and to say otherwise would be to deny the truth of my heart.

And what's wrong with that? My mother died of cancer. It was a very protracted, painful end, and a great blessing when it was finally over. I know that, and I believe in an afterlife, but it didn't keep me from mourning her loss. I would add to your statement that not to experience pain and loneliness when a loved one dies also denies your humanity.

There is a reason that humans, who are essentially spiritual beings, begin their existence with a physical body in the contingent world, even though this is but an infinitesimal portion of our existence.

[Lightkeeper]

Originally Posted by Rev. Rex

To an Indian, death is not an end, but rather a beginning, and a part of the cycle of life.

Death is not an end, but a new beginning, and from it comes life, the eternal circle. I do not fear my own death, I will revel in it when the time is right, for I will be released from the bonds, aches, pains, and worries that live with me now. Neither am I in a hurry for the process to arrive, for I feel that I have much to learn and give before then. But what I DO worry about is when people I love die, for I am diminished by the passing of everyone who has made a difference in my life and who have helped shape me into who I am. I know that like with me, their death is not an end, but a beginning, still, I'll admit that it does bother me, and to say otherwise would be to deny the truth of my heart.

I have lost loved ones and I don't think we ever stop grieving that. I don't know, though, that I am diminished by their passing. Each person gave me a lot and that stays with me. The things they gave will forever be a part of my being and their passing doesn't take them away. You can reconcile their passing and your relationship with these people and still grieve. It's in the reconciliation that we are expanded and not diminished.

[willybilly30]

i worry that death is the end i hope its not
i hope to see the family members whove died
i wish i knew their was life after death

[natures translator]

"There is no death. Only a change of worlds."

~Cheif Sealth~

[natures translator]

I came across this poem and it made me think of this post, so thought I would share.

Do not stand on my grave and weep.
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glints on the snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the mornings hush, I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circling flight. I am the soft star that shines at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there.
I did not die.

[Rev. Rex]

Beautiful, and very nice! Thank you so much for sharing! It is appreciated.

[peace123]

Peace, my heart let the time for the parting be sweet.
Let it not be a death but completeness.
Let love melt into memory and pain into songs.
Let the flight through the sky end in the folding of the wings over the nest.
Let the last touch of your hands be gentle like the flower of the night.
Stand still, O Beautiful End, for a moment, and say your last words in silence.
I bow to you and hold up my lamp to light you on your way.
~Rabindranath Tagore

[joshuway]

There is no death.

And who but the living, imagine there is a death experience?

Souls that are with us, remain with us, even when the body appears no longer to hold the life. Without the body, soul(s) are allowed to come ever so closer than perception of the body could ever allow for.

And calling it death, when a being leaves the body, is like a being riding in a car, the car stops, the being gets out of the car and somewhere in this scenario, we are saying the being no longer exists, because the car has stopped and they no longer appear in the car.

And I bet that those outside of the car chuckle, just a little, when one of us, still in the backseat of the car - with blindfold on - proclaim they are gone. Gone forever, I tell you!

Or at least until I step out of the car.