Do you fear death?

I fear the events that lead up to death. The pain, the gasping for breath, the hospital scene.
But do I fear dying?
I don't believe in religious mythology, so when I ask this question, I am asking whether I fear the mystery that is post-death or whether I fear non-existence.

Non-existence doesn't scare me at all. You exist and then a millisecond later you don't. No emotion present. No thought. No sigh of regret.

And then there is the mystery of possibilities. I don't fear it. I embrace it. I welcome it.

Bring it on.

a reply to: droid56
I think this scene says it quite well. We're all more afraid of pain than death. I am quite afraid of drowning. Struggling for 3-5 minutes or more for air is a terrifying thought. The death afterward, not so much in comparison.

a reply to: droid56

Because my only brush with death in my experience was literally just a blink, I had a heart attack 2 hours passed. but to me it was a weird magic trick, until I seen the burns from the defibrillator. I'd have to say no I am not afraid. Not discounting being gored to near death then suffering the last moments, that is quite different. That scares me to no end.

Nope. Not scared at all. I actually would welcome it. I think this world is a huge trap of non ending futility. BUT...I have others that love me and that I love, as well. That's why I keep plugging along.

Im going through death right now with my mother. The nurse has given her less than 48 hrs. She has been very afraid of dying. She is home with me and its been hard to watch. I am very grateful for the medication at this point. She is very peaceful and if she didnt have the drugs she would be scared out of her mind.

She is a Jehovah Witness so she doesnt believe she will just transition from this life to an after life. Im very grateful that I have a different belief system, but I think until we are confronted by death, its hard to know if we will fear it or not.

The process of dying I view in absolute horror...and I am pretty sure thats how its meant to be viewed..sort of keeps us alive and not doing stupid things.

Death itself..well, objectively if its just fade to black, then I will feel nothing. I do however enjoy the experiences and sensations of life, and so I view the leaving of this as very depressing.


As far as if there is something more afterwards...wouldn't that be amazing.

originally posted by: droid56
I fear the events that lead up to death. The pain, the gasping for breath, the hospital scene.
But do I fear dying?
I don't believe in religious mythology, so when I ask this question, I am asking whether I fear the mystery that is post-death or whether I fear non-existence.

Non-existence doesn't scare me at all. You exist and then a millisecond later you don't. No emotion present. No thought. No sigh of regret.

And then there is the mystery of possibilities. I don't fear it. I embrace it. I
welcome it.

Bring it on.

I agree with you about leading up to such. Though, I am spiritual.

With people I figure passing in their sleep, gently going into the night, would be something most agree with in terms of how they should pass. Unfortunately, as life is cruel, not everyone will have that comfort.

a reply to: misskat1

I feel for your situation. My heart is with you.

I too believe it's better to go beyond while not knowing that is what is happening.
My condolences. Be strong.

a reply to: droid56

No, I don't fear death.

I look at it as the next transition. I believe the body dies but not our souls. My opinion is as soon as we die another doors opens, we have choices to where we want to go.

Some chose to go to the light, while others may linger around in the between reality because of unfinished business, however everyone eventually moves into the light.

a reply to: misskat1

I thinks ones spirituality definitely has an impact on one's outlook on death.

But I agree it's hard to really know until you get there how you will feel.

originally posted by: misskat1
Im going through death right now with my mother. The nurse has given her less than 48 hrs. She has been very afraid of dying. She is home with me and its been hard to watch. I am very grateful for the medication at this point. She is very peaceful and if she didnt have the drugs she would be scared out of her mind.

She is a Jehovah Witness so she doesnt believe she will just transition from this life to an after life. Im very grateful that I have a different belief system, but I think until we are confronted by death, its hard to know if we will fear it or not.

Never really understood why people adopt religions that dont actually help their passing. Thats the one positive function of em all..to make you go as peacefully as you can into the long night.

Anyhow, good luck to you and yours. remind her that regardless of what happens, her imprint on this world will last long after she is gone and the love she shared touched many lives..thanks her spending time with us in this world, etc etc.

I have some doubts about the light. Hope it's the right way to go.

originally posted by: misskat1
Im going through death right now with my mother. The nurse has given her less than 48 hrs. She has been very afraid of dying. She is home with me and its been hard to watch. I am very grateful for the medication at this point. She is very peaceful and if she didnt have the drugs she would be scared out of her mind.

She is a Jehovah Witness so she doesnt believe she will just transition from this life to an after life. Im very grateful that I have a different belief system, but I think until we are confronted by death, its hard to know if we will fear it or not.

Deepest regards to you. I recall your thread and hope you can sort all of that out. Most of all, as mentioned, be strong for her and you.

One can only hope for a quick and painless death.

I am not terribly afraid of dying, just dying painfully.

I figure besides being birthed into this world, the most important event in your existence will be dying. Not that I believe "shedding one's mortal coil" is the end of existence. I am excited for the possibilities that come after, but not in a hurry to greet them.

"Do I get the gold chariot, do I float through the ceiling? Do I divide and fall apart?"

originally posted by: Informer1958
a reply to: droid56

No, I don't fear death.

I look at it as the next transition. I believe the body dies but not our souls.

What if you're wrong? what if you find out tomorrow irrefutably that all this is simply a cosmic reaction and there is nothing after, this is all there is, all there ever was, or ever will be.

would you then fear? just curious if the calm is 100% spiritual based or if there is a certain meditative viewpoint you have overall.

a reply to: droid56

there is the mystery of possibilities. I don't fear it. I embrace it. I welcome it.

Possibilities:
1. You meet Jesus
2. You come back as a fly or somebody's pet.
3. You become god of a planet
4. Land fill

On a darker note:
You could sit forever in darkness not knowing weather your dead or just sleeping. Waiting and thinking, remembering.

What if the emotional part of your brain stayed active and all you felt was your emotions sitting in complete darkness.

What if your stuck watching a replay of your life, and all it shows is every mistake and failure you ever made.

Thats the problem with possibilities

a reply to: droid56

Aye, bring it on. I think getting eaten by a lion would be cool. I don't want to die in my sleep, I want to experience death with eyes open and clear mind, as far as we know it's a one time thing.

a reply to: droid56


I'm not really afraid of dying. Before I die I just hope the people know that I love them. And Ill always be waiting around in spirit form to see them again eventually.

a reply to: Observationalist

I like to take the psychedelic viewpoint. I dont know if anyone has indulged, but time Seems to break apart. It becomes non linear, perhaps in the moment of death when your brain is pumping out massive amount of "that which shall not be typed in this site" what you perceive as the afterlife is really your mind coming to terms with your life. If that makes sense.

Good existence, good trip
Bad existence, heavy $#!7

I not so fond of the suffering part. I'm not afraid of dying.