Hindustan Times
No death, no life
The more we talk about death, the more humane we are likely to become. The reason being that the idea of death comes as a ‘policing factor’ in one’s life and one tries to be as good as possible under one’s understanding, control and sensibility. A good human being definitely has a good life; and for those who believe in life hereafter, all good things done here in this life could get them good dividends in their next life.
It is in this context that a recent study says that awareness of death on a day-to-day basis could be indeed of great use in ushering in positive vibes and hence keeping one happier and in control.
Titled, ‘When Death is Good for Life’, the study says a subtle awareness of death on a daily basis could be a promoter of overall well-being. It strengthens the Buddha’s message that awareness of death can make one more compassionate with a greater sense for tolerance, brotherhood and equality.
Published in Personality and Social Psychology Review, the study says consciousness to the idea of impermanence of life moulds the behaviour of a human being because his thought process is reshaped and that leads him into acquiring good thoughts and delivering good action and behaviour.
Calling it “dance with death”, the paper says it can be a “delicate but potentially elegant stride towards living a good life.” When the idea of the impermanence of life sinks into your mind and soul, you take it (death) and face it positively because you will be welcoming it as a process of regeneration and not as a terrifying end! And for those who have been getting hell in this life, any kind of regeneration could be a blessing – and sooner the better.
Here I am reminded of L M Montgomery. Those of you who have read her ‘The Blue Castle’ will remember this immortal line, “Who would endure life if it were not for the hope of death.”
True, one will find that is going to the extreme, but this kind of attitude fits into the scheme of things for those who are fed up of this life for whatever the reason. If one is sure that his/her life hereafter is going to be a damn good one, why the need to be here a day longer! The sooner one exits, the better. Didn’t another author, Hunter S. Thompson, say, “Too strange to live, too rare to die”!
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