Ending Life Compassionately
Any life. This text is foremost about the ending of one’s own life. It can be seen more broadly.
Science and setting
If possible, the end of life should not be set in a clearly unscientific setting. Even if this is most easy and comfortable, getting it scientifically correct can lead to additional possibilities of depth that are very much desired.
Without exaggeration.
If there is no choice, depth comes first.
Science (common sense on steroids) is for people, not people for science. Especially at the end of life, the human experience should prevail. The symbolic setting can help very much in making the experience profoundly meaningful.
Still, there is no need for any tension between science and setting. Any such tension would be inappropriate.
Science can be warm and friendly. It mainly depends on the questions asked. The fact that it sometimes appears cold and hard speaks for itself.
The end of life is a good time to let go.
Letting go even of what it is that one should let go.
It’s about the ego, of course. But in what sense? After a lifetime of happenings and experience, this may be a good time to ‘enter a new phase’ in which the ego, if not done before, can let go. Even if slightly, it’s worth it.
“There will be life after death. It will be a good life.”
Having this experience, one way or another, is perhaps the ultimate act of Compassion. However, it’s not just an ego act. It’s a total-self act.
Also a dying person has some responsibility, if only out of self-respect.
Letting go = coming to terms with this.
Again: without knowing in what sense, if you like. Getting into the beyond is done by getting into the beyond ― not holding on to what has been.
Thus, being present (Present!) with a dying person is the best gift ― also if it’s yourself. Not ‘just’ being present, but entirely, openly, daringly, sweetly, and infinitely patiently.
Much so as if you might be the dying one or another one, and it doesn’t matter.
It doesn’t matter in letting go.
You’re good.
It’s always OK.
Dying is entering eternal love.
Related Posts
From Mirror Neurons to Mirror Brain
Seeing the brain as a ‘mirror brain,’ we can see how empathy plays a crucial role in many things mind-related. Empathy is not an add-on. The human thinking is basically empathic. This is an excerpt from [see: “The Journey Towards Compassionate AI.”]. (This blog text is no easy reading.) Some researchers see mirror neurons as Read the full article…
The Risk of Shallow Rationality
Rationality is often praised as the ultimate safeguard against bias, error, and manipulation. It gives us structure, helps us organize information, and allows us to make logical decisions. But what happens when rationality itself becomes shallow? This is where things get tricky. Shallow rationality looks like real rationality but stays on the surface, disconnected from Read the full article…
Wanted: Humility in an Age of Super-A.I.
Super-A.I. is coming, whether we are ready or not. Many believe our greatest challenge is to keep it under control, to ensure it serves us rather than the other way around. But this way of thinking is already a trap of mere-ego — the illusion that we can dominate something that will outthink us at Read the full article…