Anxiety about your own Demise!

[Soul_Patch]

Since, for whatever reason, i seem to have this anxiety sometimes, lately more often for some reason, i figured i'd start a thread about it. Last night was the latest episode. I start contimplating the inevitability of death, and it freaks me out.

I truly fear not being here anymore...or more so, drifting off into "oblivion". I feel like i have control over doing good in my life, living healthy, eating right, etc...i can do all of these things, but regardless, some day i will know what it is like to be dead. Same as the cancer patient knows he has X days to live, well, i know i have X days to live too...my X is just harder to figure out. I think it sucks that inanimate objects, like this damn coffee cup on my desk, will be on this earth long after im disolved into the dirt.

I read a lot of interesting stuff last night, when i had my little anxiety bout, about near death experiences, and thought it was really interesting. Almost all people who have been scientifically dead, and that are brought back to life, describe almost the same things. They can describe things in the room, sites, sounds, etc, as if looking at them outside of their own bodies, even though the doctors say that their brain / eyes / ears was completely non functional. People who were blind from birth, were able to describe in detail the doctors working on them, and the things in the OR or whatever...

I often thought these kind of things are most likely the brain going into a hallucinogenic state as its dying, but science proves that the brains are completely and utterly non functional when these things are occuring. How do you explain a 7 year old, who has never met their grandfather, being brought back to life, and able to describe the man in detail afterward. Wierd?

Im so skeptical, so i write this stuff off as non sense and whacko shit, but...wierd??? There are a lot of doctors and scientists baffled by it.

I dunno, maybe i just need meds and therapy to live my life out in blissful ignorance...or maybe not...

Anyone else think about these things? Have any other insights...


I found this discussion on this webpage really interesting.

http://www.near-death.com/experiences/articles007.html

[BacktoBasics]

Since, for whatever reason, i seem to have this anxiety sometimes, lately more often for some reason, i figured i'd start a thread about it. Last night was the latest episode. I start contimplating the inevitability of death, and it freaks me out.

I truly fear not being here anymore...or more so, drifting off into "oblivion". I feel like i have control over doing good in my life, living healthy, eating right, etc...i can do all of these things, but regardless, some day i will know what it is like to be dead. Same as the cancer patient knows he has X days to live, well, i know i have X days to live too...my X is just harder to figure out. I think it sucks that inanimate objects, like this damn coffee cup on my desk, will be on this earth long after im disolved into the dirt.

I read a lot of interesting stuff last night, when i had my little anxiety bout, about near death experiences, and thought it was really interesting. Almost all people who have been scientifically dead, and that are brought back to life, describe almost the same things. They can describe things in the room, sites, sounds, etc, as if looking at them outside of their own bodies, even though the doctors say that their brain / eyes / ears was completely non functional. People who were blind from birth, were able to describe in detail the doctors working on them, and the things in the OR or whatever...

I often thought these kind of things are most likely the brain going into a hallucinogenic state as its dying, but science proves that the brains are completely and utterly non functional when these things are occuring. How do you explain a 7 year old, who has never met their grandfather, being brought back to life, and able to describe the man in detail afterward. Wierd?

Im so skeptical, so i write this stuff off as non sense and whacko shit, but...wierd??? There are a lot of doctors and scientists baffled by it.

I dunno, maybe i just need meds and therapy to live my life out in blissful ignorance...or maybe not...

Anyone else think about these things? Have any other insights...


I found this discussion on this webpage really interesting.

http://www.near-death.com/experiences/articles007.htmlI don't know about all that you wrote but the first few parts of your post basically describes exactly what I'm going through.

Part of growing up is coming to terms with your own mortality. Pretty scary shit. I find myself thinking about all the people who are killed unknowingly and out of nowhere. Freak accidents, crash victims and so forth. Just like that they no longer exist. Bam and you can't stop it. Right now a rod could break out in the shop and fly through the window as I type this and just like that I'm gone.

More and more people these days have no grasp on how finite death is. Ceasing to exist rarely adds up to people. I guess they think they can still have an impact on the world or look down in an afterlife but in reality there is nothing. You're gone and you have no control any longer.

[leemajors]

Retire me to my Milan, where
Every third thought shall be my grave.
Prospero

[Thunder Dan]

I always think it is crazy that there is a certain specific date and time that I will die. Like I could die on October 22,2009 at 2PM est- which would give me exactly a year to live, or I could die in an hour- whatever date it is, the day does exist. I just think it's weird to think about since you celebrate the day of your birth, but at some point in your calender year you live the specific time of the day you will ultimately die.

I also think it is weird to think that if I die from something that doesn't come from completely out of nowhere (like something falling on me) if I will know that I am dying. Like if I'm in a hospital bed and I'm a minute away from dying, will I feel different than just falling asleep, or will I know? I mean the movies make it look all heroic and glamorous, but you have to be conscious during the whole process a little right?


But anyway, I think if we knew these things like when we would die or if we knew we wouldn't die it would make our lives not worth living

[Soul_Patch]

I always think it is crazy that there is a certain specific date and time that I will die. Like I could die on October 22,2009 at 2PM est- which would give me exactly a year to live, or I could die in an hour- whatever date it is, the day does exist. I just think it's weird to think about since you celebrate the day of your birth, but at some point in your calender year you live the specific time of the day you will ultimately die.

I also think it is weird to think that if I die from something that doesn't come from completely out of nowhere (like something falling on me) if I will know that I am dying. Like if I'm in a hospital bed and I'm a minute away from dying, will I feel different than just falling asleep, or will I know? I mean the movies make it look all heroic and glamorous, but you have to be conscious during the whole process a little right?


But anyway, I think if we knew these things like when we would die or if we knew we wouldn't die it would make our lives not worth living


Same here...i wonder what my 73 year old grandfather thinks about death. He isnt very religious...i dont think he really believes in god, so does it worry him? We have had some talks about it before, but i dont want to sound inconsiderate or anything, so i try and temper it...like...hey gramps, your old and could die soon...is it scary? It is just wierd that there is a point in time, that you will potentially cease to exist...family will not know you anymore, your car will be sold, people's memories will fade of you...thats just fuckin wierd.

But yea i wonder how i will feel on my death bed...or when im 80 and counting down the hours...fuck that, it must suck so bad...I often hope that as i age ill start accepting it a bit more...like when im 70something, ill be like, "damn, im tired of this shit, when can i die pls!"

[ORION]

I knew a dude that died for a short time after a motorcycle crash and he said nothing went on in his head during the time he dies and while he was in a coma. I guess you never know.

[Thunder Dan]

I knew a dude that died for a short time after a motorcycle crash and he said nothing went on in his head during the time he dies and while he was in a coma. I guess you never know.

Like everything just goes dark?

[Soul_Patch]

Did he truly die? As in brain dead, no blood flowing through the body, or did he just flatline?

I think there is probably a big difference...but that is interesting.

[ORION]

he said he flat lined and they brought him back. Don't know how long he was dead but he was in a coma 2 weeks. He described it like he was sleeping with no dreams.

[MoSpur]

Hey Soul, is there anything you feel guilty about?

[Soul_Patch]

Sometimes i feel guilty about not working enough, while im working....i work from home, so it is very easy to not do anything at all...

About anything truly meaningfull in life, no not really. Why do you ask?

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

I had a 25 year old cousin die of cancer a few years back. About a half hour before he died he started noticing people coming into the room who the rest of us weren't seeing.

He'd basically introduce himself to whoever the latest entrant was, and seemed very happy with whoever, or whatever he was seeing. He spent his last few minutes of this life drifting between us and them. It was pretty amazing.

We're all going to die someday, and my hope is that it isn't just a fade to black. If we truly get reunited with those spirits that left before us it's going to be a ok ride I think.

Personally I believe that it's not over when we check out of here...just a change of venue.

[ORION]

it would be awesome if we could play basketball when ever

[BacktoBasics]

I had a 25 year old cousin die of cancer a few years back. About a half hour before he died he started noticing people coming into the room who the rest of us weren't seeing.

He'd basically introduce himself to whoever the latest entrant was, and seemed very happy with whoever, or whatever he was seeing. He spent his last few minutes of this life drifting between us and them. It was pretty amazing.

We're all going to die someday, and my hope is that it isn't just a fade to black. If we truly get reunited with those spirits that left before us it's going to be a ok ride I think.

Personally I believe that it's not over when we check out of here...just a change of venue.
I'm to understand that in some cases when you near death its possible to move from reality to dream state to past memories to dream state to reality....catch my drift?

I'm not saying thats what happens for everyone.

When my great grandmother died she started babbling on and on to a bunch of dead realitives. In my mind I kinda felt that it was her final concious moments preparing her for where she's going subconsciously but out loud.

We'll truely never know at least not now.

[1369]

In the Kamigata area, they have a sort of tiered lunchbox
they use for a single day when flower viewing.
Upon returning, they throw them away, trampling them underfoot.
The end is important in all things.

Yamamoto Tsunetomo

[CuckingFunt]

I very seldom spend time seriously contemplating my own mortality, but I'm very aware of the fact that it will happen some day.

Most of my time spent thinking on that subject is entirely frivolous, though. Like the occasional chilling realization that if I were to die suddenly, my parents would have to clean out my apartment... and would, therefore, find and have to dispose of my porn and sex toys.

[MoSpur]

I was just asking Soul because some people have anxiety over that issue when they feel guilty about something.

[Soul_Patch]

I'm to understand that in some cases when you near death its possible to move from reality to dream state to past memories to dream state to reality....catch my drift?

I'm not saying thats what happens for everyone.

When my great grandmother died she started babbling on and on to a bunch of dead realitives. In my mind I kinda felt that it was her final concious moments preparing her for where she's going subconsciously but out loud.

We'll truely never know at least not now.


How do you explain the people who have had these types of altered realities that were completely brain dead at the time...As in, there were doctors that had the brain in a completely lifeless state (no electricity) for over 40 min...all life was completely out of this persons body.

Also how do you explain the blind folks who were able to describe their surroundings while "dead" before they were brought back.

i tend to believe like you B2B but those things make me wonder.

[Bigzax]

this cool vato i knew...he got laid off a couple months ago from here...anyhow...he crashed his bike early saturday morning i think...slid into a tree...dead at the scene...he was 49....great dude...it's sad.

it's just like morgan freeman says...get busy living or get busy dying.

i know i tend to have anxiety about death when i feel stagnant in life...

the most free i ever was though...and not to sidetrack...but it's when i was Manic for Jesus...not only was i not afraid...i embraced the thought of death...

i may have been crazy in many people's eyes...but fuck it...i was free...truly free...not many people get to experience that...and it was awesome.....for a little while anyway...it is the hardest path to walk for a reason...

[Soul_Patch]

I was just asking Soul because some people have anxiety over that issue when they feel guilty about something.



That is a good point, and who knows i may have repressed guilt somewhere. I have been anxious over death since i was a kid though, probably since around age 17 or so, when i thought, damn...average life expectancy is 70ish...im 17...i got about 50ish years left...FUCK!

[1369]

my porn and sex toys.

If anyone needs me....

http://ideasformyhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/nurseryworks_bunkbed_sm.jpg

[Soul_Patch]

i know i tend to have anxiety about death when i feel stagnant in life...

the most free i ever was though...and not to sidetrack...but it's when i was Manic for Jesus...not only was i not afraid...i embraced the thought of death...

i may have been crazy in many people's eyes...but fuck it...i was free...truly free...not many people get to experience that...and it was awesome.....for a little while anyway...it is the hardest path to walk for a reason...

Very good points, i think stagnation i life is a big factor. I love to travel, and havent in about 2 years, so im feeling a little stuck.

Also i think you are right about being crazy for Jesus...Turning your fear over to that really releases you. I have a hard time doing it, but some parts of me says, "wtf you dumb ass, if your wrong and there is no jesus so what, you wont know until you are dead anyway, so why bother about it now, just believe and be free!"

I just have a hard time truly doing so, because it go's against so many of my ideals.

[BacktoBasics]

How do you explain the people who have had these types of altered realities that were completely brain dead at the time...As in, there were doctors that had the brain in a completely lifeless state (no electricity) for over 40 min...all life was completely out of this persons body.

Also how do you explain the blind folks who were able to describe their surroundings while "dead" before they were brought back.

i tend to believe like you B2B but those things make me wonder.Without a doubt those are some serious unexplained mysteries. My reference was pertaining to the people who were near death.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

I'm to understand that in some cases when you near death its possible to move from reality to dream state to past memories to dream state to reality....catch my drift?




Science dismisses a lot of things it can't explain. I'll bet you 10,000 Heaven bucks that there's more to it than a dream state.

When I see you on the other side know I'm planning to collect. When you see me just throw the money up as high as you can so I don't burn myself too badly trying to reach down to get it.

[BacktoBasics]

Science dismisses a lot of things it can't explain. I'll bet you 10,000 Heaven bucks that there's more to it than a dream state.

When I see you on the other side know I'm planning to collect. When you see me just throw the money up as high as you can so I don't burn myself too badly trying to reach down to get it.
Who said they were dismissing it. I read it as more of an explaination than a dismissal.

You have to come and get it. Thats how our kind recruits.

[Soul_Patch]

Science dismisses a lot of things it can't explain. I'll bet you 10,000 Heaven bucks that there's more to it than a dream state.

When I see you on the other side know I'm planning to collect. When you see me just throw the money up as high as you can so I don't burn myself too badly trying to reach down to get it.


ROFL

[ORION]

Science dismisses a lot of things it can't explain. I'll bet you 10,000 Heaven bucks that there's more to it than a dream state.

When I see you on the other side know I'm planning to collect. When you see me just throw the money up as high as you can so I don't burn myself too badly trying to reach down to get it.

:rollin

[InRareForm]

Our brains are wired for defense mechanisms for not getting too depressed about death (hence: religion, ghosts, spirits). I mean evolutionary speaking, with our intelligence, we have to. Our lives just wouldn't be productive worrying about death curled up in a fetal position listening to some U2.

[tlongII]

Things should be a lot simpler.

[SpursWoman]

At the ripe old age of 36, I've lost all 4 grandparents, both of my parents, my sister, several great aunts & uncles, an uncle, a nephew, a close cousin and several friends growing up.

Needless to say, I've seen so much death in my lifetime I came to terms with it a long time ago. I just hope it's quick and as painless as possible.

[InRareForm]

God Bless you SpursWoman.

----

See the problem lies in death itself. Near Death Experiences are false pretenses. If the mind is still able to function and you remember something, your mind is still working even if it took a break. Only way to explain non-existence is to be existant. A paradox indeed.

a philosopher once said:

"Here ... is the view at issue: When we die, what’s next is nothing; death is an abyss, a black hole, the end of experience; it is eternal nothingness, the permanent extinction of being. And here, in a nutshell, is the error contained in that view: It is to reify nothingness—make it a positive condition or quality (for example, of “blackness”)—and then to place the individual in it after death, so that we somehow fall into nothingness, to remain there eternally. "

another good quote:

How do we know about death, when we don't even know about life"

[Anti.Hero]

It's not so much that you WILL go out. It's worrying about how you go out.

[1Parker1]

Most of my time spent thinking on that subject is entirely frivolous, though. Like the occasional chilling realization that if I were to die suddenly, my parents would have to clean out my apartment... and would, therefore, find and have to dispose of my porn and sex toys.


:lol Are you sure they'd dispose it?? :wow