A MIXED MEDIA PRESENTATION ABOUT YOU AND DEATH
A MIXED MEDIA PRESENTATION ABOUT YOU AND DEATH?????
Instructions:?Read a section, then watch the video.
DEATH, NOT SEEN BECAUSE NOT LOOKED FOR
Part of the most challenging work in transitioning from older to elder is transforming one's relationship with death. My personal and client experiences corroborate the voluminous spiritual, metaphysical, and philosophical texts, practices, and teachings. All assert a transformed relationship with death powerfully impacts how life is lived in the present.
These texts and teachings proclaim that a greater intimacy with death alters what we think of ourselves, others, and the world in which we live. Holding death present and accounted for, generates a profound shift mentally, physically, and spiritually.
Yet, most people suppress their awareness of death. Suppress means to "forcibly put an end to; prevent the development, action, or expression of (a feeling, impulse, idea, etc.); restrain." Synonyms of suppress are subdue, defeat, conquer, quell, overpower, stamp out, and put down, words that fit well in how we think about our death.
But to get the most out of life, you need to have death be your neighbor.
WHAT RESISTS PERSISTS
Even before you become conscious of death, you naturally develop defensive strategies to cope with emotional frustration and separation anxiety. Then, when you become aware of death, these defense mechanisms become strongly amplified. ?
Unfortunately, using these defenses to avoid emotional pain and block out negative experiences inadvertently shuts down feelings of vitality, contentment, and fulfillment. Polarities are how the universe works. You can't have one without the other. Want a better life, have a better relationship with death. The more we shut down death, the more we shut down life.
THE DATA
The impact of being conscious of your death has several peer-reviewed studies. For example, according to various recent reports, an awareness of mortality improves physical health and helps to re-prioritize goals and values.
Moreover, some studies show that even non-conscious thinking about death -- say, walking by a cemetery – has been shown to prompt positive changes and promote the intention to help others.
Dr. Kenneth Vail of the University of Missouri, "There has been very little integrative understanding of how subtle, day-to-day, death awareness is capable of motivating attitudes and behaviors that can minimize harm to oneself and others and promote well-being."
In constructing a new model for how we think about our mortality, Vail and colleagues extensively reviewed recent studies on the topic. They found numerous examples of experiments in the lab and field that suggest a strong positive side to natural reminders about mortality.
Other field experiments and tightly controlled laboratory experiments have replicated similar results. Comparable findings show that the awareness of death motivates enhanced expressions of tolerance, egalitarianism, compassion, empathy, and pacifism. Those qualities are those of elders. That is why altering the relationship with death is such a crucial step in becoming an elder.
Vail said one significant implication is we should "turn attention and research efforts toward a better understanding of how the motivations triggered by death awareness can improve people's lives, rather than how it can cause malady and social strife." Writes Vail: "The dance with death can be a delicate but potentially elegant stride toward living the good life."
Here's the science.
PERSONAL NOTE
In my ongoing relationship with a Native America Tribe in New Mexico over the last fifteen years, being with their elders and participating in some of their ceremonies has allowed me to adopt a model for my relationship with death that contributes to my eldership.
I've learned that much of being a warrior is to do honorable battles with your "demons." So, for me, warriorship has become my particular model in dealing with death. As a warrior, death is a competitor, not a conqueror.
Death is a rival, not a captor. Death is an opponent that makes me better in the game of life. A worthy adversary. A valiant challenger. A fearless contender. As a warrior, the battles with death only make me stronger in living life.?
A quote for Carlos Castaneda’s Don Juan, "The basic difference between an ordinary person and a warrior is that a warrior takes everything as a challenge, while an ordinary person takes everything as a blessing or a curse."