Luke 22:42
It is Easter weekend, a time celebrating rebirth that sprung from the roots of suffering and death. I’m reminded that even Jesus experienced the suffering of a fate that was seemingly beyond endurance. Then he experienced death. Like all of us. Now the story about his resurrection is fantastic, but what I have been interested in is the life lived Before the inevitable demise.
I woke up this morning thinking on the meaning of this weekend. Then I fell into a half dream/half wake state. I dreamed that I died in agony and my last words were:
Oh God, I didn’t want to die this way…
Imagine those as your final sentence. One Hundred and Fifty Thousand people will die in our world on this very day. Accident, violence, debilitation, slow decimation… these are all possible for anyone’s death. What would we be like on the other side of that fateful sentence, of that life lost? What would a “good” death look like and what difference would it make? What about a decent, happy life? What difference? All could just end in annihilation. What if the person you called “yourself” continued on the other side of death in some form? Then, how would you live or die?
Two questions rise up over and over:
- If there is only nothingness in store for me after death how would I live now?
- If I continue in some form after death how would I live now?
I reply to this query: “NO, the answer is the same to either question.”
This is my vision statement for living at this moment, no matter the outcome after death:
- Live lovingly, creatively and aware.
- Treat others as you want to be treated.
- Swim in curiosity.
- Be grateful in wonder.
- Cling to what and who is sacred.
It appears that not many beings are bestowed with consciousness and choice of behavior like us. Whatever the end, I want to remember that simple truth for me: I’ll choose Loving kindness, replete with all the consequences that come with being sensitive and open in this hard world of humanity. And when I fail to reach the ideals of my vision statement I will turn towards hope rather than nihilism, cynicism, and craving. When life gets to be difficult and unfair I will pursue peace rather than railing against the unknown. What other real choices are there?
Perhaps the question is not how one would want to leave this world.
Perhaps the question is how would one long to Live fully in this world, no matter the reality or absence of after-life?
What is a vision statement for living that you could believe in?
And what part of life’s difficulties could change into simple peace for being alive if you chose gratitude rather than despair?
Love,
Rick
© Copyright Words and Image, Richard Sievers, April 2015
I have thought about your two questions quite a bit. When I left the church of my upbringing, it devastated my mom, and she still comments about my choices. A couple weeks ago, she was telling me about how her belief in the afterlife is such a beautiful teaching that she can overlook all the questionable teachings of her church.
ReplyDeleteThere was a long, awkward pause after that, as I pondered what to say. There was nothing for me to say, because she does not understand what you wrote - that whether there is life after death or not, I am going to live my life passionately, and not take a single moment for granted. To me, it does not matter if I continue on or not, because each moment here is precious, and I need to focus on living NOW.
Thank you for your words, Rick.