Of Living and dying simultaneously
Many recent instances in my life leads me to reflect on Death. I lost many dear ones within a span of 3 years. All the departures happened within small intervals. Very little time to process one blow before the next. It may be right to say that Death stares at me as the harsh reality and the only reality in life! The most recent is when a dear sister has narrowly escaped and is continuing to live with the aftermaths of the blow, making great efforts to stride back into life!
One of my clients recently told me something very intriguing. She had come to me a few years ago seeking clarity in her confusions and meaning in life. To me now she seems much adjusted and living with zest and meaningfully. She has been able stop all medications, takes responsibility for herself and leads an effective life. She reports great improvement in her physical, mental and social lives.
During the last visit she said casually "I still have the desire to die". Then she explained it and I understood it as "life sometimes is overwhelming and hard to be responsible every moment and a thought chips in as 'It's easier to die than live taking all this responsibility '"
This statement left me mulling over it. When I met my sister in hospital on the recovery road from the life threatening cerebral bleed she went through, this statement of my client again came up in my thoughts. Here's someone struggling to come back to life. We were at a party when the subarachnoid hemorrhage set in and lo within hours she has become so different! The quality of life tumbled over in a matter of minutes.
A new meaning for my client's statement arose in my mind. Every moment of our life we are moving towards death which is the ultimate reality. Yeah the 'desire' to die is their in built in life. In fact death seems the only fact towards which every living being proceed to. The best way to die is probably by living life fully! True it's by living life fully that we are ready for death. So when depression or the desire to die creeps in what one needs to do is to immerse in life fully!
How do we do it?
Here's how I am learning to doing it. It's about being on the go!
Many recent instances in my life leads me to reflect on Death. I lost many dear ones within a span of 3 years. All the departures happened within small intervals. Very little time to process one blow before the next. It may be right to say that Death stares at me as the harsh reality and the only reality in life! The most recent is when a dear sister has narrowly escaped and is continuing to live with the aftermaths of the blow, making great efforts to stride back into life!
One of my clients recently told me something very intriguing. She had come to me a few years ago seeking clarity in her confusions and meaning in life. To me now she seems much adjusted and living with zest and meaningfully. She has been able stop all medications, takes responsibility for herself and leads an effective life. She reports great improvement in her physical, mental and social lives.
During the last visit she said casually "I still have the desire to die". Then she explained it and I understood it as "life sometimes is overwhelming and hard to be responsible every moment and a thought chips in as 'It's easier to die than live taking all this responsibility '"
This statement left me mulling over it. When I met my sister in hospital on the recovery road from the life threatening cerebral bleed she went through, this statement of my client again came up in my thoughts. Here's someone struggling to come back to life. We were at a party when the subarachnoid hemorrhage set in and lo within hours she has become so different! The quality of life tumbled over in a matter of minutes.
A new meaning for my client's statement arose in my mind. Every moment of our life we are moving towards death which is the ultimate reality. Yeah the 'desire' to die is their in built in life. In fact death seems the only fact towards which every living being proceed to. The best way to die is probably by living life fully! True it's by living life fully that we are ready for death. So when depression or the desire to die creeps in what one needs to do is to immerse in life fully!
How do we do it?
Here's how I am learning to doing it. It's about being on the go!
- Instead of brooding get into action doing something or learning something for the pure joy of it
- Be mindful and enjoy whatever I am doing.
- Take care of myself to the best of my knowledge.
- Accept my limitations.
- Give as much as I have.
- Receive / Accept whatever is given to me.
- Find good in everything around.
Life makes much sense when I practice this. Otherwise life seems like death or stagnant energy
