Post by lionl on Oct 31, 2014 11:58:33 GMT
Death is a necessary part of life. For one to live another must die, whether it be the old making way for the young, a prey animal giving its life to feed another, or a plant being eaten by a herbivore. Life and death are two sides of the same coin. The dead are buried in the ground, from which new life emerges in the form of vegetation. Vegetation which provides food, and therefore life, to the living. The cycle goes on.
To give one’s life for the benefit of others is a noble deed. These are the true heroes. Whether they be a couple who give up their individuality to become a pair, a parent sacrificing their own desires in order to look after their young, a worker toiling away in a job which they despise so that they can provide for their family, a passer-by who comes to the aid of an injured motorist, a policeman, fireman, paramedic or soldier, who all risk their lives in the service of others; or a willing human sacrifice. The latter is very rare today (thankfully!) but in days long gone it was common for someone to give their lives as a sacrifice to the gods for the benefit of their society. The one to be sacrificed was honoured. It was a blessing to be chosen.
How can one give up one’s life willingly for others? When one is free of fear. The emotions felt when a loved one is in danger are enough to overcome our fears, but why would one give one’s life for a stranger? If we can reach a state of mind in which we realise the oneness of all things; if we can reject our egos and live in the now, the eternal instant, then death is no longer to be feared. How can we attain such a state? We all do it from time to time. When we are listening to our favourite music, engrossed in a book or enjoying a sunset. There are many ways. The best way for me is through meditation. It has made me more aware of living in the now, rather than worrying about things which may not happen, or reliving painful episodes from my past.
It does me good to reach this state. Not only does it make my life more blissful, but in time it will help me to face my death without fear and to become my own hero.
To give one’s life for the benefit of others is a noble deed. These are the true heroes. Whether they be a couple who give up their individuality to become a pair, a parent sacrificing their own desires in order to look after their young, a worker toiling away in a job which they despise so that they can provide for their family, a passer-by who comes to the aid of an injured motorist, a policeman, fireman, paramedic or soldier, who all risk their lives in the service of others; or a willing human sacrifice. The latter is very rare today (thankfully!) but in days long gone it was common for someone to give their lives as a sacrifice to the gods for the benefit of their society. The one to be sacrificed was honoured. It was a blessing to be chosen.
How can one give up one’s life willingly for others? When one is free of fear. The emotions felt when a loved one is in danger are enough to overcome our fears, but why would one give one’s life for a stranger? If we can reach a state of mind in which we realise the oneness of all things; if we can reject our egos and live in the now, the eternal instant, then death is no longer to be feared. How can we attain such a state? We all do it from time to time. When we are listening to our favourite music, engrossed in a book or enjoying a sunset. There are many ways. The best way for me is through meditation. It has made me more aware of living in the now, rather than worrying about things which may not happen, or reliving painful episodes from my past.
It does me good to reach this state. Not only does it make my life more blissful, but in time it will help me to face my death without fear and to become my own hero.
