I would prefer to experience no mental pain upon learning Titania, my partner of eleven years, has died. I honestly don’t think I would be very sad. When I consider the situation, I imagine myself thinking:
Titania was wonderful. She was brave and tender and beautiful. It was a gift to have known her, to have spent so much time together. Many things hurt her so badly but she pressed on bravely. She was funny and clever and sexy. She lived a beautiful life. All things pass away, and this world is less bright for her passing. Im sure one day soon I will want to casual say hello and talk to her. To give her a morning cuddle. And I will remember she is gone, and I will miss her. But she was so wonderful, it makes me smile to think of her and our life together. It was a gift. The wheel turns on. Tomorrow awaits
Of course there is some sadness mixed in. I experience a bit of sadness writing those words. Even the time we have already had together is wonderful. How much more wonderful will things be, by the time we say goodbye? The Dawn too is beautiful. I look forward to seeing what Tomorrow holds.
While sharing your belief that we should reduce suffering however we can, with the caveat that it doesn’t hamper maximizing our other values, still I sense that it is wrong somehow.
The idea of a person ending, when considering all that has happened, the gratitude that arises for them having lived their lives at all… well it makes me feel as if it’s enough. As if they’ve exhausted some fundamental reserve of goodness, and so it’s fine to let them go.
I think we should appreciate the good in the lives of those lost, but never sever the old tie, to accept it as the natural order. It should motivate us to improve this world for all.
Im not sure we should do anything in particular. But I don’t personally desire to suffer. I don’t think it adds any beauty to things. Nor does it make me a kinder or more beautiful person. Many hamrful behaviors are downstream of clinging tightly. Thats my perspective anyway.
I am personally content with whenever my own story ends. I had an interesting life. There is a limit to my equanimity. I would pretty strongly prefer not to get tortured badly. But otherwise I am fairly happy with any ending.
How does this not lead to reinforcing the resigned attitude towards death? Why would someone do their best to take care of their life, if they truly fully embrace death as a normal part of said life?
I’m not sure if I understand your question. I am using the initial quotes from Stoic/Buddhist texts as examples of perverse thinking that I don’t endorse.
I would prefer to experience no mental pain upon learning Titania, my partner of eleven years, has died. I honestly don’t think I would be very sad. When I consider the situation, I imagine myself thinking:
Of course there is some sadness mixed in. I experience a bit of sadness writing those words. Even the time we have already had together is wonderful. How much more wonderful will things be, by the time we say goodbye? The Dawn too is beautiful. I look forward to seeing what Tomorrow holds.
While sharing your belief that we should reduce suffering however we can, with the caveat that it doesn’t hamper maximizing our other values, still I sense that it is wrong somehow.
The idea of a person ending, when considering all that has happened, the gratitude that arises for them having lived their lives at all… well it makes me feel as if it’s enough. As if they’ve exhausted some fundamental reserve of goodness, and so it’s fine to let them go.
I think we should appreciate the good in the lives of those lost, but never sever the old tie, to accept it as the natural order. It should motivate us to improve this world for all.
Im not sure we should do anything in particular. But I don’t personally desire to suffer. I don’t think it adds any beauty to things. Nor does it make me a kinder or more beautiful person. Many hamrful behaviors are downstream of clinging tightly. Thats my perspective anyway.
I am personally content with whenever my own story ends. I had an interesting life. There is a limit to my equanimity. I would pretty strongly prefer not to get tortured badly. But otherwise I am fairly happy with any ending.
I wonder what you mean by the second paragraph.
How does this not lead to reinforcing the resigned attitude towards death? Why would someone do their best to take care of their life, if they truly fully embrace death as a normal part of said life?
I’m not sure if I understand your question. I am using the initial quotes from Stoic/Buddhist texts as examples of perverse thinking that I don’t endorse.
My comment was in reply to Sapphire’s, not your post Matt :)
Sorry, that’s what I get for replying from the Notification interface.