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| Posted By : scubadoc51 - 9/24/2005 4:08 PM | In another thread, Dave wrote, "I think denial of mortality is a defense mechanism ingrained into the human brain. Otherwise how could we continue while carrying the awareness of our eventual death?"
One of the things taught in the martial arts in Japan is to hold one's death before his face and recognize it.
When we accept the fact that our lives are finite, we can learn to live every day to its fullest without fear of death. One of the worst things I can imagine happening is "not living life". Many people simply exist in the same habitual live day after day. Others are so busy trying to accomplish goals (some realistic, some not) that they fail to enjoy the life they are given.
I'm a writer and I write almost everyday. I want to eventually be published. However, I write because I enjoy it. I have stories to tell that I think people will enjoy. If I die tomorrow, it's okay that I didn't finish the current story, I was having fun working on it. I see new people and learn new things everyday. Life is a helluva trip and I'm not gonna get outta it alive.
Just for information purposes, I didn't understand the concept until I died during my first heart attack. Don't wait for something like that to teach you that each new day is all you have. Yesterday is gone and tomorrow doesn't exist, all you have is today. Make it the best you can.
Tim (off the soapbox now)
Tim Fisher
scubadoc51.com
http://scubadoc51.proboards41.com/.html |
| Posted By : scubadoc51 - 9/24/2005 5:07 PM | As for the everyday minutia, that's where training, practice and faith that things will get better and easier comes in. Remember, we can always make excuses why we don't have time or it won't work, but it's hard to use patience and practice for the years it takes to make it work.
As to the death thing, it was a great experience. I was only dead for 27 seconds and had no white lite experience or anything like that. When I died I was on a procedure table getting an angioplasty. I was cold, scared and in severe pain. During the 27 seconds, I was warm, at peace and had no pain. In fact, I was completely content to stay where I was. When I was brought back, the cold, fear and pain returned. I remember the experience as clear as if it happened yesterday.
Tim
Tim Fisher
scubadoc51.com
http://scubadoc51.proboards41.com/.html |
| Posted By : Daniel - 9/25/2005 6:04 AM | During the 27 seconds, I was warm, at peace and had no pain. In fact, I was completely content to stay where I was.
***
I'm going to start up with the poetry in a second....
A great story; thanks for sharing it with us.
Daniel
www.pitchblackbooks.com |
| Posted By : Red Viper - 9/25/2005 6:32 PM | Tim: Is seems as though you emerged from your ordeal with a fantastic perspective and a guiding philosophy to embrace. Much of your advice sounds similar to what I endeavor to do -- live now, don't fret for the future or wallow in the past. Not that I always succeed, mind you, but I try. It's a worthy approach to things, I think. I practice zazen (a form of meditation) and have found it helpful in maintaining that outlook.
I wish you much success in applying what you've learned.
Red Viper, aka Steve Goble
My upcoming stories:
"The Redemption of Calthus" -- soon in Flashing Swords
"Gram's Gift" -- Amazing Journeys Magazine, Issue #9, out now
"The Hungry Bottle" -- Soon in Sword's Edge |
| Posted By : scubadoc51 - 9/25/2005 7:51 PM | Thanks Steve,
I use meditation daily and used to teach it when I had my martial arts schools up and running. It's a tremendous asset for recognizing situations for what they really are.
Tim
Tim Fisher
scubadoc51.com
http://scubadoc51.proboards41.com/.html |
| Posted By : Red Viper - 9/25/2005 8:10 PM | Tim: I try to do zazen daily, but life seldom allows for that. But I do it whenever possible, and enjoy it. I've never studied with a teacher, because I live in a far-flung rural area and because the few opportunities to study zazen with a teacher invariably pop up while I have to work. But I've done a lot of reading, and practice the best I can. It really does help.
Red Viper, aka Steve Goble
My upcoming stories:
"The Redemption of Calthus" -- soon in Flashing Swords
"Gram's Gift" -- Amazing Journeys Magazine, Issue #9, out now
"The Hungry Bottle" -- Soon in Sword's Edge |
| Posted By : Raph - 9/25/2005 10:13 PM | As a practicing agnostic, I tend to view death as an opportunity to find out first-hand what really happens to us after we die. While I'm not in any hurry to have that experience, I have no fear of it.
I think the world would be a much better place if more people had the healthy attitudes that both Tim and Steve share. Enjoy the present, learn from the past but don't dwell on it, and while you can plan for the future, be flexible enough to alter those plans when reality intrudes on them.
While I've never tried zazen, it sounds interesting. I'll have to check it out sometime.
Mike O. |
| Posted By : Red Viper - 9/26/2005 8:51 PM | Mike: I'm agnostic, too. If you give zazen a try, let us know how it turns out.
Red Viper, aka Steve Goble
My upcoming stories:
"The Redemption of Calthus" -- soon in Flashing Swords
"Gram's Gift" -- Amazing Journeys Magazine, Issue #9, out now
"The Hungry Bottle" -- Soon in Sword's Edge |
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