I used to be afraid of death. And then I lost my husband four years ago. I was with him when he died. I completely lost my fear of death after this experience, but after seeing his deceased body, I also knew at that moment that there isn't an 'afterlife'.

Anonymous wrote:An Indian book called The Gita says about living - we are seen between two unseens. There is no sorrow in that.

Truly, death is easy and painless and I am here to say that what comes after is even better, not in any cheesy sense of heaven and bright lights, but trust me, it is. The fetus takes a leap of faith to come out into the world from the only place he knows. But they do it, and where they come out is even better. Trust me.

Thanks for saying this. This is the only thought that brings me comfort and that is the metaphor I use to explain to my kids why they shouldn't be afraid of death. The fetus probably believes it is dying when it actually comes to life how we know it. It would be impossible to imagine the world that's out there. Similarly it is impossible for us to imagine a different form of consciousness. Sometimes we perceive glimpses of it, like a baby in the womb hearing voices from the outside world. So we know there is something more to life than a straight line from a beginning to an end. Nothing ever disappears, it is renewed somehow.

Anonymous wrote:I'm mostly worried about dying while my kids still need me but then I think about how they have the most amazing dad and they would be OK without me (if very sad for a while).

Our time is brief. We are all part of a much greater, mysterious whole: Gaya, Mother Nature, God, the Universe -- however you want to think about it. We are tiny specks. If I contribute a little positivity during my time it will have been a good life.

Same. When I start to feel anxious about it, which isn’t too often anymore, I write letters to my son—just in case he needs me when I’m not there. There are a million things I want to be there to experience and talk to him about, but he is young. The letters to his future self will be there if I can’t be.

Anonymous wrote:I would be terrified if it only happened to people who screwed up. But it happens to every single living thing, and it has happened to every person who already came before us. I find that comforting. I don't want to go, but I don't think I'll be afraid when the time comes.

I don't find that comforting. Means there's no way I can will myself out of this.

Anonymous wrote:I say this in all seriousness. Get yourself some magic mushrooms. Get yourself in a safe place for a day with a trusted friend and some good music. You will feel differently about death afterward. You deserve the peace that will bring.

+1

Anonymous wrote:I have to fight every day not to embrace death. I envy your fear.

I’m so sorry PP. I hope today is a better day than the last and I hope you are getting help. Hugs

An Indian book called The Gita says about living - we are seen between two unseens. There is no sorrow in that.

Truly, death is easy and painless and I am here to say that what comes after is even better, not in any cheesy sense of heaven and bright lights, but trust me, it is. The fetus takes a leap of faith to come out into the world from the only place he knows. But they do it, and where they come out is even better. Trust me.

Anonymous wrote:I am so scared of ... knowing we have such a short stint here,
Seeing a therapist. So scared and sad, knowing how brief it all is.
Ideas?

Are you afraid of your own death? or worried about those left behind?

Anonymous wrote:I'm mostly worried about dying while my kids still need me but then I think about how they have the most amazing dad and they would be OK without me (if very sad for a while).

Our time is brief. We are all part of a much greater, mysterious whole: Gaya, Mother Nature, God, the Universe -- however you want to think about it. We are tiny specks. If I contribute a little positivity during my time it will have been a good life.

I like the idea of contributing positivity. It gives my life meaning in the here and now.

I believe in reincarnation. It helps!

My husband has an intense fear of death (his father died very young) and therapy and medication helped. The meds allow him to sleep at night without ruminating on it.

Anonymous wrote:p.s. thinking about death a lot can also be a symptom of depression. Make sure you are exercising and getting enough sunlight. Vitamin D is important for mood as well, plus boosts your immune system.

Winter sun doesn’t make vitamin d; I think it’s brightness can help mood still but winter you need supplements at this latitude.

Anonymous wrote:Me too.

Someone once said we don’t know where we were before we were born, but as far as we know it wasn’t bad. That isn’t perfect, but it gives me some comfort sometimes.

That is exactly my thoughts as well.

I am mostly sad that I will miss future stuff from my kids or they may need me. Let me get them out into the world and self sufficient please!

www.yahoo.com/amphtml/lifestyle/deepak-chopra-did-life-create-universe-143357319.html

Maybe?

Going under general anesthesia really helped me with this, intellectually. It was like I just stopped existing for seven hours. (It was a long surgery.) Totally different from dreaming--more like the time before I was born.

I have no desire to die, but if that's what it's like it wasn't that bad.