Contemplating Death: A Journey from Fear to Acceptance

Contemplating Death: A Journey from Fear to Acceptance

For some unknown reason, I don't fear death. At least that's what I tell myself, fairly reassuringly, from time to time. In between those times, I try to trace my journey from being terrified to even think about, much less experience, death to my current, almost cavalier framing of it as just part of everybody's life, regardless of species. A mere walk in the celestial park.

What happens when we die?

I start my ritual perusal of possible answers to this conundrum with a cursory review of the main religions, their tenets, and practices. That sounds pretentious. To clarify, I contemplate what I know about these various faiths.

Where to begin, in this screed about where it ends?

I was raised as Catholic as one who's Catholic can be. Mass, sometimes daily, weekly confession, nighttime Rosary. The Pope was our guy, and we revered his infallibility. My first Pope was John XXIII, and he was by all accounts a lovely man, well-educated (as are they all) and gentle. I had no proof that he was infallible, but I believed it. Isn't that what faith demands? Everyone I knew believed it, except my best friend who was Protestant, Lutheran to be exact. We were very close and, in my then-young life, she was a major player.

But, I’d been taught to believe only Catholics had direct access to Heaven. That credo, handed down through untold generations, held that we Catholics were to believe that Protestants and all their non-Christian ilk had no business darkening Heaven's door. That element would, we were told to believe, be fated as unbelievers; and those heretics who were unbaptized (including babies) were doomed and turned away from the mysterious place called Heaven. They were summarily dispatched to a perhaps more mysterious place, Limbo.

This never sat well with me. My best friend – call her Eva – was kind and a whole lot of fun, things that would identify her as a good person. I went to a different school than she, and found that the majority of my fellow RC classmates were mean and made my school days a torture. But they got to go to Heaven (albeit after a stretch in Purgatory) and my friend Eva was to be summarily relegated to Limbo?

(An aside: This was exactly the time in cultural history that the Limbo, a dance involving a lot of backward bending, became popular. I’m not sure how that affected our collective understanding of the place, Limbo, but I’m sure it did.)

I was six at the time and this whole arrangement coddling Catholics seemed patently unfair. Because it was.

The Church, however, sometime during The Second Vatican Council (1959 – 1965), thought better of this whole Limbo set-up and removed it from Catholic dogma. It left silently and, I think for the most part, unnoticed. So did St. Christopher whose likeness in tiny statue form graced the dashboard of nearly every RC car. Suddenly he was no longer the Patron Saint of travel, a serious downgrade. I’m sure my memory of this development is skewed by my youth and general ignorance of world affairs, but that’s how it went then, and exists still as far as I know.

Exploring Different Faiths

As I grew older, I began to explore other religions and their views on death and the afterlife. Buddhism, for instance, teaches that death is not the end but rather a transition to another form of existence. The concept of reincarnation suggests that our souls continue to evolve through multiple lifetimes, learning and growing with each cycle. This idea resonated with me, as it offered a sense of continuity and purpose beyond the physical realm.

Hinduism shares a similar belief in reincarnation, with the added layer of karma determining the nature of one's next life. The goal is to achieve moksha, or liberation from the cycle of rebirth, through spiritual enlightenment. This perspective emphasizes the importance of living a virtuous life, as our actions in this lifetime directly influence our future existences.

Islam, on the other hand, presents a clear vision of the afterlife with Heaven (Jannah) and Hell (Jahannam) as the ultimate destinations based on one's deeds in life. The emphasis on accountability and the promise of eternal reward or punishment provide a strong moral framework. This resonated with my upbringing, where the idea of judgment and consequences was deeply ingrained.

Philosophical and Scientific Perspectives

Beyond religious doctrines, I also delved into philosophical and scientific views on death. Philosophers like Socrates and Plato discussed the immortality of the soul, suggesting that death is merely the separation of the soul from the body. This idea aligns with many religious beliefs, offering a sense of comfort and continuity.

From a scientific standpoint, death is seen as the cessation of biological functions. While this view may seem stark and final, it also highlights the beauty and complexity of life. The knowledge that our existence is finite can inspire us to cherish each moment and live with greater intention.

Personal Reflections

As I've aged, my perspective on death has evolved. I no longer view it with the same fear and trepidation I did as a child. Instead, I see it as a natural and inevitable part of life. This shift in mindset has allowed me to appreciate the present moment more fully and to find peace in the knowledge that death is a universal experience.

I've come to understand that death is not something to be feared but rather a transition to whatever comes next. Whether that's a spiritual realm, a new form of existence, or simply the end of consciousness, I find solace in the mystery. This acceptance has brought a sense of calm and clarity to my life, allowing me to focus on living fully and meaningfully.

Conclusion

In conclusion, my journey from fear to acceptance of death has been a profound and enlightening experience. By exploring different religious, philosophical, and scientific views, I've gained a deeper understanding of death and its place in our lives. This exploration has helped me to embrace the present moment, appreciate the beauty of life, and find peace in the knowledge that death is a natural and universal experience.

Whether you find comfort in religious beliefs, philosophical ideas, or scientific explanations, the important thing is to engage with the concept of death in a way that brings meaning and peace to your life. By doing so, you can live more fully and find solace in the knowledge that death is a part of the human experience.

Start today—pause, reflect, and embrace the present moment.