Mortality and Worldview

**Tsukasa** · 04-27-2009, 12:10 PM

Although we are all mortal, we rarely think about it. This link leads to the World Health Organization's Mortality Database Tables:
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Has the death of a loved one changed how you view your own mortality? When did thoughts of your mortality first cause you to seriously think about the concept? What are your worldviews to prepare and inform both yourself and others about mortality?

worldview (the free dictionary)
1. The overall perspective from which one sees and interprets the world.
2. A collection of beliefs about life and the universe held by an individual or a group.

**Googamanga** · 04-27-2009, 12:59 PM

I am at peace with my mortality, The main reason I gained this peace is when i realized (or chose to believe) that when we die we do not think any more.

When we are dead we do not think "ahh crap i'm dead... that really sucks.... I"ve lost everything..... This is really bad...." When you are dead the feeling of losing everything after death just doesn't exist.... You're dead. When i knew that type of negative feeling is something i would not have to face, dying became easier for me.

Death became something that would be very painful as one was dying, but after that there would be peace.

The belief that induviduals could exist for an infinite amount of time in heaven or any other place scares the hell out of me. What would i do after the first 1000 years... 3000? 50000? 99999E+99999999???? I'd be so bored i'd probably wish for death...

**Winterstorm** · 04-27-2009, 02:03 PM

Since my dad has died (when I was twelve) I think more about mortality and death. But I'm not afraid of death very much 'cause I believ there's something on the other side. And we can do nothing about dying, so I think the right way is to reconcil with that.

**Seriously** · 04-27-2009, 02:16 PM

The older I get the more I become aware of my morality. Both my parents died relatively young. I'm ok with dying as I feel I've lead a full life.

**Freedom Geek** · 04-27-2009, 08:42 PM

I'm a crazy transhumanist (screw that aging and death thing, go medical science).

**loosefanbelt** · 04-27-2009, 08:54 PM

I am like Winterstorm. My father died when I was 12 as well. I have experienced a broad range of deaths - I won't go into a list, suffice it to say that it is a major influence on my life.

I think about it a lot. I think the issue for me is suffering and losing control, as opposed to dying. Oregon and Washington have death with dignity laws... If I could only get past the depressing weather I would SO be there!

**Brittle** · 04-27-2009, 09:49 PM

	Originally Posted by Tsukasa To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	AHas the death of a loved one changed how you view your own mortality? When did thoughts of your mortality first cause you to seriously think about the concept? What are your worldviews to prepare and inform both yourself and others about mortality?

I've not really lost anyone close to me, but I've faced my own mortality of several occasions - most recently December last year when I didn't know if I'd survive my 37th birthday. The most difficult part for me was writing a letter to my SO in case the worst happened.

That said, I am very much at peace with the concept of my own eventual mortality. It happens to us all eventually. The idea of there being nothing beyond death is one I am also comfortable with. There was nothing before life and I don't recall that being a problem.

	Originally Posted by Googamanga To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	The belief that induviduals could exist for an infinite amount of time in heaven or any other place scares the hell out of me. What would i do after the first 1000 years... 3000? 50000? 99999E+99999999???? I'd be so bored i'd probably wish for death...

Oh yeah!!! I couldn't imagine anything worse.

**PeterIMC** · 04-27-2009, 10:09 PM

Originally Posted by Tsukasa
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Although we are all mortal, we rarely think about it. This link leads to the World Health Organization's Mortality Database Tables:
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Has the death of a loved one changed how you view your own mortality? When did thoughts of your mortality first cause you to seriously think about the concept? What are your worldviews to prepare and inform both yourself and others about mortality?

worldview (the free dictionary)
1. The overall perspective from which one sees and interprets the world.
2. A collection of beliefs about life and the universe held by an individual or a group.

Death is a fact of life. The only thing I wish for that I only die after I'm done. I don't think that will ever happen, so I have to be happy with at least getting enough things done that I can be satisfied with what I have accomplished.

I don't inform myself or others about mortality. I have no need to tell people how to think about things. A bit unlike you I guess,.
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**bulljustin** · 04-27-2009, 10:56 PM

	Originally Posted by Googamanga To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	I am at peace with my mortality, The main reason I gained this peace is when i realized (or chose to believe) that when we die we do not think any more.

Even the bible says the dead don't think anymore, and in many places it calls death "rest". I for one am enjoying my time here, but I'm also looking forward to not thinking for a nice, long while.

**Beulah** · 04-28-2009, 05:39 AM

The deaths of loved ones gave an awareness of the priviledge of being alive and the responsibility not to fritter life. Its not a rehearsal. I just think how lucky we all are compared to the millions unborn as yet or previously passed. The horizon is wide and its a once in a lifetime opportunity to be where we aim.

**pocohauntus** · 04-28-2009, 06:00 AM

You guys are weird. Death is not a concept.

**LaoTzu** · 04-28-2009, 07:13 AM

I often remark to people that I'm a little annoyed with being here in the first place. I'm not suicidal at all either... that goes against nature; hence the annoying part of it...

Where's the free will, when I did not choose to come here?? :/ Isn't that like 'original sin' for philosophers?

No doubt the deaths of loved ones has had an effect on my worldview, and led me to this line of thinking... but I really have no fear of death.

It's the dying that worries me.

I'd like to say I want to choose my own adventure, but again... I wasn't consulted on being born, I will refrain from interfering in how I die. Nature can decide....for all I care...

**Chibi** · 04-28-2009, 09:49 AM

	Originally Posted by pocohauntus To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	You guys are weird. Death is not a concept.

Yep. Whenever I think about death now this quote always pops into my head by Wittgenstein:

'Death is not an event in life: we do not live to experience death.'

I think at best all we can talk about is the absence of life or perhaps the event of dying but not death itself.

**bulljustin** · 04-29-2009, 08:40 AM

	Originally Posted by pocohauntus To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	You guys are weird. Death is not a concept.

True, death isn't a concept, it's a certainty. Everybody dies whether they are ready and have thought about it or not. All we can do is work hard and enjoy the fruits of our labor while we're here.

**loosefanbelt** · 04-29-2009, 01:44 PM

Death is BOTH a reality and a concept. We have concepts about what death is and means.

Thich Nhat Hanh offers a great idea for western minds pondering death. Read No Death No Fear...

Rudy · 05-01-2009, 08:56 PM

"Maybe death gives all there is of worth to life. If those we press and strain against our hearts could never die, perhaps that love would wither from this earth. Maybe this common fate treads out from the paths between our hearts the weeds of selfishness and hate."

As others, my father's death (at 17 for me,) made death much more real. It's not something that bothers me anymore, though. "I was dead for billions of years before I was born, and never suffered the slightest inconvenience."

**Kian** · 05-01-2009, 10:37 PM

When my grandfather died, I understood my mortality but it doesn't really bother me. Death is inevitable. It will happen when it happens.

**RBM** · 05-02-2009, 04:32 PM

Originally Posted by Tsukasa
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Although we are all mortal, we rarely think about it. This link leads to the World Health Organization's Mortality Database Tables:
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Has the death of a loved one changed how you view your own mortality? When did thoughts of your mortality first cause you to seriously think about the concept? What are your worldviews to prepare and inform both yourself and others about mortality?

worldview (the free dictionary)
1. The overall perspective from which one sees and interprets the world.
2. A collection of beliefs about life and the universe held by an individual or a group.

I've considered my mortality since I was very young. I have thought about Death quite a lot and consideration of it has infused my worldview this life throughout. Still, I handled my parents deaths poorly in my estimation. I've had an interest in hospice since the '90's.

My bout with Cancer at one point gave me the proverbial life flash in front of my eyes associated with a momentary feeling of panic. Then came the practical considerations of what to do in the remaining days.

I've done a fair bit of reading and listening about the Near Death Experience. I find it quite informative in consideration of both ends of the conceptual Life/Death cycle.

**Beulah** · 05-02-2009, 07:32 PM

Theres death in life and life in death. We do a lot of small deaths/dyings before the big one.

04-27-2009, 12:10 PM	#1
Tsukasa Member [05%] MBTI: INXX Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 200	Although we are all mortal, we rarely think about it. This link leads to the World Health Organization's Mortality Database Tables: To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Has the death of a loved one changed how you view your own mortality? When did thoughts of your mortality first cause you to seriously think about the concept? What are your worldviews to prepare and inform both yourself and others about mortality? worldview (the free dictionary) 1. The overall perspective from which one sees and interprets the world. 2. A collection of beliefs about life and the universe held by an individual or a group.
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04-27-2009, 12:59 PM	#2
Googamanga Member [08%] MBTI: xNTx Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 324	I am at peace with my mortality, The main reason I gained this peace is when i realized (or chose to believe) that when we die we do not think any more. When we are dead we do not think "ahh crap i'm dead... that really sucks.... I"ve lost everything..... This is really bad...." When you are dead the feeling of losing everything after death just doesn't exist.... You're dead. When i knew that type of negative feeling is something i would not have to face, dying became easier for me. Death became something that would be very painful as one was dying, but after that there would be peace. The belief that induviduals could exist for an infinite amount of time in heaven or any other place scares the hell out of me. What would i do after the first 1000 years... 3000? 50000? 99999E+99999999???? I'd be so bored i'd probably wish for death... Last edited by Googamanga; 04-27-2009 at 02:27 PM.
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04-27-2009, 02:03 PM	#3
Winterstorm New Member [01%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 74	Since my dad has died (when I was twelve) I think more about mortality and death. But I'm not afraid of death very much 'cause I believ there's something on the other side. And we can do nothing about dying, so I think the right way is to reconcil with that.
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04-27-2009, 02:16 PM	#4
Seriously Core Member [496%] MBTI: ISTP Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 19,878	The older I get the more I become aware of my morality. Both my parents died relatively young. I'm ok with dying as I feel I've lead a full life.
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04-27-2009, 08:42 PM	#5
Freedom Geek Member [30%] MBTI: INTx Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 1,228	I'm a crazy transhumanist (screw that aging and death thing, go medical science).
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04-27-2009, 08:54 PM	#6
loosefanbelt Core Member [174%] MBTI: INFX Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 6,989	I am like Winterstorm. My father died when I was 12 as well. I have experienced a broad range of deaths - I won't go into a list, suffice it to say that it is a major influence on my life. I think about it a lot. I think the issue for me is suffering and losing control, as opposed to dying. Oregon and Washington have death with dignity laws... If I could only get past the depressing weather I would SO be there!
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04-28-2009, 05:39 AM	#10
Beulah Member [09%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 362	The deaths of loved ones gave an awareness of the priviledge of being alive and the responsibility not to fritter life. Its not a rehearsal. I just think how lucky we all are compared to the millions unborn as yet or previously passed. The horizon is wide and its a once in a lifetime opportunity to be where we aim.
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04-28-2009, 06:00 AM	#11
pocohauntus Member [29%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,192	You guys are weird. Death is not a concept.
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04-28-2009, 07:13 AM	#12
LaoTzu Core Member [106%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 4,263	I often remark to people that I'm a little annoyed with being here in the first place. I'm not suicidal at all either... that goes against nature; hence the annoying part of it... Where's the free will, when I did not choose to come here?? :/ Isn't that like 'original sin' for philosophers? No doubt the deaths of loved ones has had an effect on my worldview, and led me to this line of thinking... but I really have no fear of death. It's the dying that worries me. I'd like to say I want to choose my own adventure, but again... I wasn't consulted on being born, I will refrain from interfering in how I die. Nature can decide....for all I care...
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04-29-2009, 01:44 PM	#15
loosefanbelt Core Member [174%] MBTI: INFX Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 6,989	Death is BOTH a reality and a concept. We have concepts about what death is and means. Thich Nhat Hanh offers a great idea for western minds pondering death. Read No Death No Fear...
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05-01-2009, 08:56 PM	#16
Rudy Administrator MBTI: INfJ Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 21,722	"Maybe death gives all there is of worth to life. If those we press and strain against our hearts could never die, perhaps that love would wither from this earth. Maybe this common fate treads out from the paths between our hearts the weeds of selfishness and hate." As others, my father's death (at 17 for me,) made death much more real. It's not something that bothers me anymore, though. "I was dead for billions of years before I was born, and never suffered the slightest inconvenience."
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05-01-2009, 10:37 PM	#17
Kian New Member [01%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 20	When my grandfather died, I understood my mortality but it doesn't really bother me. Death is inevitable. It will happen when it happens.
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05-02-2009, 07:32 PM	#19
Beulah Member [09%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 362	Theres death in life and life in death. We do a lot of small deaths/dyings before the big one.
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