Facing your own mortality

DangZagnut · 2019-12-02T02:11:02+00:00

I always find this interesting. I cannot for the life of me understand why death is scary. I mean, you won't be thinking of much, it's pretty much the same as a year before you were born if you remember that.

Is non-existence scary? I get dying being scary. It painful, but the death part? Why is that the issue?

If anything that's the end of the painful part, unless you're into a religion that claims otherwise.

MeGoingTOWin · 2019-12-02T02:19:54+00:00

Seek contentment and a love of solitude in your life, and you will not fear death as you have mastered life.

carbonblob · 2019-12-02T02:38:33+00:00

Perspective.. billions have died before you, and more will in the future.

Unless you're contributing something amazingly important by existing, then you're statistically forgettable. I mean that in a good way. Don't put too much pressure on yourself.

Just live each day the best you can. If you're reading this, you're already in the top 2% of prosperity.

RT-AC66U · 2019-12-02T02:31:48+00:00

My grandmother lived to be 99. Her last 5 years she was praying to die. Frail and weak. Death is the reward for life.

Misogynist-youth · 2019-12-02T02:40:29+00:00

The idea of losing your conscious eternally is something I struggle with.

I usually look into

Life extension research and progress
Revisit my understanding of how the universe works.

E.g. I think the universe goes through eternal cycle of big bang, follows by big crunch.

In its infinite run, there's bound to be an infinite time where every particle in your body is reconstructed the exact same way and you'll revive one day in the form you are familiar with in the environment which is livable.

ParalyticPoison · 2019-12-02T02:10:04+00:00

I started look at our inevitable deaths as almost a point of relief honestly. It's not something I look forward to, but I look at it like the end of a long journey (or short depending on what happens), and I don't have fear for an end to something. I also don't fear something that at the end of the day I don't really have much control over, I guess I would not make a great Lich, I don't fear death enough that I am actively looking for a way to defy it.

roxon89 · 2019-12-02T02:26:25+00:00

How old are you?

OldRoad · 2019-12-02T08:35:24+00:00

One thing that helped me accept death was having people close to me reach the end of their natural life and pass away.

When a person is young, and if they are lucky enough not to lose any of their household family members, it's easier to hold death at "arm's length." "Nothing that will have to be dealt with anytime soon," in other words.

When one loses that first really close family member, that security is lost forever. It's no longer something sad that happens to other households. So then, it is necessary to make peace with it. For me, my family member was very, very sick, with very little hope to ever regain their health. It is necessary to realize that this is just part of life, at least at our current level of technology, and it is something that must be accepted, as it's not like there is some way to avoid it forever, and not accepting it doesn't really accomplish much.

If you have a religion that feels right to you, then that helps as well. Many people who don't follow a particular religion strictly are at least spiritual.

One thing about spirituality is that science still hasn't quite solved the phenomenon of consciousness. I'm not talking about science linking consciousness to one's physical state; I'm talking about the feeling of consciousness. Why do we even have it? What exactly is it? Why do humans have consciousness, but random objects do not seem to?

You can also study things like near-death experiences, which may ease your fears a bit, by giving you some reasons that there may be more to this world than science has proven.

There's also the practical, logical argument. Most things in the universe are set up in just such a way that allows our world to exist. Think of all the different ways things could be set up, with respect to physics and so on, and humans might never have existed. All of this is set up just this way for no particular reason? You can extend this to the mystery of life and death: Perhaps there is a good reason why it is left a mystery -- Imagine the lack of motivation to accomplish anything in this world, or to meet life's challenges, if everyone knew for sure that they were just going to pass into another stage of existence at death.

Of course, these are just thoughts, and do not set forth proof. But, again, maybe it is supposed to be that way.

I think that most people notice that the story of their life ends up teaching many lessons: When they made good decisions, when they made bad decisions, and how they treated people. We learn about ideas in this world that take on special meaning because we experienced them directly, compared to reading about them. If you could think of a possible purpose for this life, maybe one of the most logical explanations would be that this is a place to learn by experiencing.

One thing's for sure, death is something that each person will get to discover for themselves as a personal experience. To understand the nature of life and death is one of the greatest realizations that a person could ever know -- it is a bigger discovery than discovering a new continent centuries ago -- and yet it is a discovery that each person gets to make on their own.

My advice is, first, of course, live the best life you can in this world. Be a good person, of course. Try to have some experiences, so that you got a chance to take a good look at this world, and see what it is about.

I know that aging must be disappointing for older folks, experiencing increasing health problems while slowly losing first the people that were older than them, and then their own generation of friends and family.

All we can do is make the most of the time we are given in this world, and follow our faith (if we are religious) and/or otherwise hope for the best.

rarechievos · 2019-12-02T06:40:49+00:00

There's a video online of a white blood cell chasing down a bacteria. If it's possible for a blood cell to look determined and a bacteria to look scared this is it.

That's in my blood. A whole crazy universe. There is technically more empty space in your body between the atoms than actual material. Perhaps once you start existing you can never NOT exist.

You know you won't be in your body. So dont think about that part. The bullet or the heart attack or the car crash is gonna suck. But then...

Well it might get freaky. I've gotten over my panic attack fear of it. But if it comes back I may try psilosybin. It is supposed to help end of life depression but lots of other things too. This is a good subject. Dont be scared.

CoinSwapTrader · 2019-12-02T16:09:26+00:00

You fear because you have no eternal hope....to me death is a liberation from this satanic flesh system!
Depends on your perspective of reality!

System-Witness · 2019-12-02T02:11:13+00:00

I reccomend looking into zen and having a different mindset on death entirely, my mindset is that life is just like a rolercoaster and death is simply you getting off. enjoy the moment not the past.

TheGreenManJ · 2019-12-02T02:49:12+00:00

Thanks for all the advice, I am nearing 27. Mgtow is the best reward I ever stumbled upon in my life.

I certainly wish to live forever being a sane, free man without getting tied down by the chains of society. But knowing that the human body is constantly decaying, I will take the freedom to the grave with me

strainer123 · 2019-12-02T03:21:05+00:00

Don't think too much about it, there's a great quote from Epicurus, check it out. https://i.imgur.com/t9UMFL6.jpg

Flashmode1 · 2019-12-02T04:15:17+00:00

I love to study philosophy as a hobby so I’ll share a bit of my journey through the fun existential dread I’ve gone through.

We are all going to die and we won’t be able to change that. All of our forefathers who have toiled away breaking the laid have passed away and majority of them have been forgotten. This may sound depressing in itself but death is what adds a sense of meaning and structure to life.

I think a lot of the issue truly stems from the fear of death and acknowledging that we only have a finite amount of time on earth. But why should we really fear death?

Close your eyes and count to three and then open them. That sense of darkness and nothingness is the history of the universe (some claim 16.5 billion years) from when it was formed. Repeat the process and that’s the history of the universe until it ends after our death. We didn’t have consciousness of the past nor will we have it in the future when we passed away.

The beauty of life is we are free to give it any meaning we wish to assign to it. You do not have to follow the arbitrary values society assign but you are free to forge your own destiny. Want to make the meaning of life to work for NASA and help design a future space station? Go for it.

The labor we toil during our lives are result of using forging our own paths. The the fruits on the labor we get to enjoy some in our own time and lay down the foundations for future generations.

2019-12-02T04:56:15+00:00

I did a tour in Iraq in 2004 as a combat medic, that pretty much got rid of any fear of death. All evidence I've ever seen says once you die, that's it. Nothing. Make the most of this life you can.

GoodMan_Gone · 2019-12-02T08:39:42+00:00

Try to remember the time before you were born... Indeed you can't. So can't I. I remember nothing in concreto. Except it isn't a bad memory. Dying is the moment everything is being taken away from us what didn't have anything to do with us in the first place. And since death is inevitable, why should you fear it? Don't get me wrong: I'm not suicidal. I love life. But I chose not to fear death. Or anything else for that matter.

2019-12-02T15:23:10+00:00

Yes! At age 50 I started freaking out about my own mortality. This is what I came up with and how I look at the rest of my life.

You just won a 5 day vacation at Disney world, Deluxe everything payed for. You can now spend those five days in the hotel room worrying that you only have 5 days left or you can get your ass out there and enjoy the 5 days. You can put whatever vacation destination in you want if your not a fan of Disney World.

They key is you can worry about death which is coming and you can't do a fucking thing about it or you can go and do the stuff you want to do. Reconnect with old friends, go to places you have always wanted to go to, say what you want and stop worrying what others will think. You have won the lotto in life! You could have been born a slug or earthworm, you could have been born in a third world country and eat garbage from a dump.

I know this is me rambling but at 55 I am having more fun then ever. Don't give a fuck what people think and do what you like. Get out there and live life before death comes.

npcdestroyer · 2019-12-02T02:29:53+00:00

You can just not care. I know thats easier said than done, but thats really what it comes down to. Spend your days being suicidal or just being afraid of death in general, its not worth it. You ruin your life and the potential you as an independent free man carry within you. Its a crime to let that go to waste.

Wardedbilledanteater · 2019-12-02T02:31:38+00:00

Death is inevitable. Everybody dies. I believe in an after life. There is penalty if you live a bad life. You may have valid reason to be in fear.

stevenlee321 · 2019-12-02T03:06:04+00:00

Well, considering that eventually dying is something we have absolutely no control over, I just don't think about it. Like, whats the point? Worrying about it just makes life worse.

Sivitiri · 2019-12-02T04:45:48+00:00

The thing I am scared of is a rough transition, if I knew that when I would die it would be instant then Im not scared of it at all, my biggest fear is falling apart slowly taking years to die. Live the best you can and the regrets will fade away. If you think you will die with something unfulfilled then go fulfill it thats part of the lifestyle we live.

Sandman10372 · 2019-12-02T06:49:07+00:00

Spend more time on a life worth living and less time thinking about the inevitable end.

48LawsOfFlour · 2019-12-02T07:45:40+00:00

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradoxical_intention

sootlord · 2019-12-02T11:28:56+00:00

Im glad that this question gets brought up every once in awhile. At 25 I had my second existential crisis after my relationship ended November 2018.

As men I think its etched inside of us as a means to reproduce but more importantly be aware of our time. Striving for happiness, success, and fullfilment is a priority

I'm more scared of the moment where I have to eventually release myself back into the cosmos. Think of it this way, we are the universe experiencing itself and in a very strange way I feel like I've been here before.

the_arab_shrek · 2019-12-02T12:01:54+00:00

I've recently had these thoughts too. To tell you the truth, i'm still terrified but the thing is. We weren't alive before, technically we already experienced this feeling. It's simply nothing, like sleep. The reality might be scary but that mortality makes you realize the limited time we have as humans. Makes you appreciate every second. The way I see it, since I'm already alive might as well make the most of it.

edgysecularist · 2019-12-02T16:55:06+00:00

Look into the view of the afterlife i.e heaven which is something to look forward to

Amsacrine · 2019-12-02T23:27:25+00:00

I have health issues . For now , I have beat them . The joy is immense for having a clean bill of health .

But many times , I have faced my mortality and I expect to do it again .

The trick is realizing that your fear of death isn’t a fear of death . Your fear of death is a combination of regret over your past mistakes and also a lack of living properly on a day to day basis .

You have to both live every day to the fullest , but also simultaneously work for the future and goals you want . That is a hard thing to do .

If you were slaving away 14 hours a day at some shit job , so you could get the investment together to finish a trade certification and start your own business so you could be wealthy , and you die at the end of a really long shitty day , that would be awful .

So even if you are working towards your goals , you can live in a way that creates an existential dread , or exacerbates it .

Add to that all the past regrets you may have , and it can be a recipe for a fear of your own mortality .

So you have to look inside yourself and figure out what you really want , and how to get it . Working toward your goals will create a fulfillment you cannot find other ways . Then , once you can do that , you have to forgive yourself for your past flaws and misdeeds - and understand you will continue to make mistakes - learn to value progress rather than perfection .

Finally , you must keep the possibility of death in your mind , and the reality of life as a human . You have limited time . Even on your busiest days , your worst days , find a way to make them mean something . Whether that’s looking at a sunset , or playing a round of a first person shooter , or fishing behind your house , do something for yourself every day , make every day your own .

Carpe diem . Remember that you are mortal . Once you are winning the battle with yourself every day , and also forgiving yourself and taking care of yourself the existential dread will decrease or fall away , depending on how well you do it .

MoonshineGuy859 · 2019-12-03T01:09:48+00:00

Give the Christian bible a read. The only thing you have to fear in death is what happens if you do not want to be in the presence of God after death... because there is only one place you can go if that's the case.

2019-12-02T08:54:22+00:00

Yeah, it’s called exorcisms in the name of Jesus .(ps don’t downvote me, it was my attempt at replying to “how to get rid of inner-demons with a bit of sarcasm”)

Believe what religion you want , but through my experience , the name of Jesus is the only one able to get rid of ghastly spirits , demons, or whatever you refer to them as . Mohammad , Buddha and every other false God isn’t going to help you. (Extra ps, I know you were being metaphorical , not literal)

If you fear death you aren’t living Life correctly.

Do you not realize that when you die you’re given three “choices”,

Judgment for your karma (hell)

Eternal peace (heaven)

Or the belief that “you are reincarnated to undo your past life’s karma until you get it right”

So you take those, you meditate on them. And you change your life for the better. Everything you do, DO IT IN LOVE.

You’ll soon start to see, death is nothing to be afraid of. Then you become a leader of magnificent glory. It’s amazing ! Take care .

What’s even crazier is the fact that Jesus will quite literally guide you anywhere, try church , just being there gives off a register able frequency found no where else on earth , it will raise your vibrations, you will feel loved more, allow that energy to flow into you, . I’m being serious . Not some religious fanatic .

I could lose my house today, all my friends, my food, my water supply, and still be moved by the power of Jesus with no fear.

Eliminate ALL fear in your life, fear is what makes black magic work, fear is the root of all evil contrary to belief of money. Money is the materialistic fear which isn’t real in the sense of human psychology if you understand.

Title	Facing your own mortality
Author	TheGreenManJ
Upvotes	30
Comments	36
Date	December 2, 2019 2:06 AM UTC (6 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/MGTOW
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/MGTOW/comments/e4rw4v/facing_your_own_mortality/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/MGTOW/facing-your-own-mortality.385505 https://theredarchive.com/post/385505

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