I think every sentient person on the planet has wondered or imagined what it will be like when death comes knocking at the door. While I realize that many picture the death knell via the lens of a "religious" story, even these individuals still have trouble conceptualizing what precisely takes place.
Since none of us can know this information beforehand AND there is just as good of a chance that we won't even know it when it transpires, any kind of description of this event is nothing more than speculative fantasy.
Mind you, there is nothing inherently wrong with fantasies of this sort, so long as we each understand that this is all it is. With the previous sentence serving as a preface, here's the fantasy from my mind's eye.
When my heart beats its last beat, I imagine my soul/spirit/essence/whatever gravitating toward a bright light. As I begin this process of transformation, my sense of self is somewhat intact, though in a very nebulous sort of way. As the brilliance of the light begins to envelope my soul/spirit/essence/whatever, my sense of self begins to dissipate until the point the brilliant light and I are fused as one spectacular glow. At this juncture -- though not in a precise or fixed way -- my identity as a singular manifestation ceases to exist and I become one with One.
When I ponder the fate of my existence, this is the story I tell myself. After all, that's all it is -- a story. But the way we each encounter life is part of our own story too.
I've told you my fantasy re death. If you don't mind sharing, what's yours?
Since none of us can know this information beforehand AND there is just as good of a chance that we won't even know it when it transpires, any kind of description of this event is nothing more than speculative fantasy.
Mind you, there is nothing inherently wrong with fantasies of this sort, so long as we each understand that this is all it is. With the previous sentence serving as a preface, here's the fantasy from my mind's eye.
When my heart beats its last beat, I imagine my soul/spirit/essence/whatever gravitating toward a bright light. As I begin this process of transformation, my sense of self is somewhat intact, though in a very nebulous sort of way. As the brilliance of the light begins to envelope my soul/spirit/essence/whatever, my sense of self begins to dissipate until the point the brilliant light and I are fused as one spectacular glow. At this juncture -- though not in a precise or fixed way -- my identity as a singular manifestation ceases to exist and I become one with One.
When I ponder the fate of my existence, this is the story I tell myself. After all, that's all it is -- a story. But the way we each encounter life is part of our own story too.
I've told you my fantasy re death. If you don't mind sharing, what's yours?
I was meditating once when I felt my energy came out of my head. I thought I was going to die.
ReplyDeleteThat's how I imagine death. Energy moves in my body toward my head, making it feel heavy first, and then light when it leaves completely. So first I feel agony, as if I am in a roller coaster on the down cycle, and then I stop feeling altogether.
HI R T -
ReplyDeleteI love this post, no one can be wrong-no one can be right because, like you siad, no one knows. heehee
So, my fantasy is that it takes 3 days to get to heaven, everyone has a room and a job - my Dad, whom I swear talks to my Mom from the after life told her this and that his job is building bridges.
Good one, huh/
Love to you
Gail
peace.....
I've been following your posts with interest, but since I don't know much about Tao, I couldn't say anything- but this gives me a chance to say I value your posts-
ReplyDeleteI imagine that when death comes, my body will feel a burning sensation, then feel cold, and then feel lighter and lighter till there is no sensation of a body- and if I've lived my life well, without harming anyone substantailly and forming too strong attachments, light will be all. Otherwise, I imagine I will feel great fear and terrible grief and anguish.
Sorry to sound so dualistic.
since giving birth, i imagine death will be very similar. agony, at first, like my whole body is being ripped apart... this is my body fighting death, as i believe all beings initially struggle against death... and then transcendence of all physical pain into acceptance. and, once acceptance is attained, gladness, peace, and rest.
ReplyDeletei once had a very spiritual experience with death... not my own, but my grandmother's... at the time i was doing kundalini yoga and one exercise is to send spiritual energy to someone who is in need of it. since i knew my grandmother was very near to death i had been sending her energy for a couple weeks. then one day i felt that i could no longer send her energy, that she had moved past the ability to receive it. i felt her presence, at peace and restful, and other "presences" which could have been either otherworldly spirits or the presences of her family and friends who were with her as she died. nothing had a physical form, but it was all very calm and clear, literally like falling asleep after a long day. later my mom called and said that my grandmother passed away that very day.
Superb comments by all!
ReplyDelete