With all the focus in the West on living, have we forgotten how to die?
Ancient civilisations, and those throughout the middle ages, saw death as a celebration. Time was spent by families, in family homes, for closure to be found, and possessions passed on, to ensure that all business was finished and nothing was taken over into the next life.
With the emergence after World War 2 of more advanced medicine and technologies. Humans are living much longer than those that have come before us.
Although reported during the times of the ancient Greek philosopher Plato, with his famous account of the soldier of Er, Near Death Experiences are also more common, due to us being kept alive. And brought back from the brink of death.
Fortunately for those experiencing near-death, they often return with a renewed sense of life, for what they have seen or encountered whilst travelling down that tunnel – towards the light.
Death is commonly felt as a fear to the majority of the population! Just ask yourself. And then those around you the question – Are you afraid of death and dying?
If the answer is yes – why is this?
The most common response tends to be, ‘because I don’t want to be in pain’ or even ‘because I am scared’
Death is the biggest journey our soul(spirit) will ever take!
The traditional celebrations of death, which in the past have been shared intimately by families before their beloveds departure from this earth, are now being spent in hospitals, aged care facilities, and occasionally in homes, hooked up to machines, and often with oxygen supplied.
Where is the quality of life in this? Does the dying person wish to live…. like this? Are they ready to go? For their pain and suffering to end? Yet, are we, as family members hanging on to them? Too caught up in our own grief, at the thought of the loss,to let them pass in peace?
Often it is the case that the one dying is simply waiting for the permission of their family and loved ones for them to go. To accept and set them free, in peace.
Death is a time of anguish and enormous grief, and often anger for those surrounding the person, nearing the end of life.
So, it is important we acknowledge the rights and respect the wishes of our loved ones. If they want to go, then let them.