Coming to terms with death

[Mentally Ill]

Originally Posted by Zetherin

Dying is another word for living?

Different connotations, but they describe the same thing. Unless you're immortal, living is dying and dying is living. Progression towards the end.

You could think of dying in a more immediate sense though, like suffering from a bullet wound. But think about people with cancer; they're living and dying simultaneously. What's the difference?

[Zetherin]

Originally Posted by Mentally Ill

Different connotations, but they describe the same thing. Unless you're immortal, living is dying and dying is living. Progression towards the end.

The words have different meanings, and we don't often use them interchangeably. I wouldn't say I'm dying another day, I would say I'm living another day. We usually use "dying" when we mean death is immediate or will soon happen.

And we certainly don't confuse the end states of each, do we? We don't confuse dead with alive. We would not say that someone that is dead, is alive, would we? No, people who are alive are not dead, and people who are dead are not alive.

[mister kitten]

Originally Posted by Mentally Ill

Progression towards the end.

Those are the words I was looking for. Well said.

Originally Posted by Zetherin

No, people who are alive are not dead, and people who are dead are not alive.

Yes, but the end and "progression towards the end" are different as well.

[Zetherin]

Originally Posted by mister kitten

Yes, but the end and "progression towards the end" are different as well.

Yes, but, as I noted, we don't often use the progression (living or dying) interchangeably often either.

[Amperage]

The way I view it is that there are 2 camps. One camp see's what we call life as dying while the other camp sees what we call life as living.

Both sides are of course correct but each camp can travel through it very differently.

For me, I look at it as equitable to those who convert to Christianity because "they don't want to go to Hell" and that's as far as they ever take while others begin to live a life with far greater joys, abundance, and meaning.

I guess it boils down to pessimism vs optimism

[prothero]

"ready or not, here I come" The Grim Reaper

[NecromanticSin]

Originally Posted by Mentally Ill

P.S.
I've also tried LSD multiple times over the course of the last 8 months and I can honestly say that my experience with the universe during those times has changed me from an atheist into a person who believes there is something more than the physical realm. I would not call what I believe in "god" because of the connotations that come along with that term, but I would call it a unity of existence, perhaps, or a shared universal energy that permeates everything.

P.S.S.
Please do not attempt to judge my drug use. I know my rights as an individual and will not tolerate any holier-than-thou attitudes. Thank you.
If you have also tried LSD, I would appreciate any insight you gained while on the drug, as I truly believe it to be a consciousness-expanding experience.

I've tried on LSD out during twilight at the beach,and it made me have love for color,nature,and makes me realize to enjoy the present now,and the future but not to dwell. Basically making me think that I should consider what will happen in my future with my actions in the now,but I shouldn't let it over rule my life and not be able to live now. Besides that, LSD also tought me a lot about people themselves, and the things people do. However, i am young and th people i was tripped with probably wasn't the best to ''study'' per say,but I got a basic understanding,and became not only very self aware,but intune with others when i am around and talking with them.
However LSD never made me consider death. Death is just another part of living. Theres a beginning,theres a end. Physically speaking,but spiritually I am unsure of how i feel along those lines. I am not one of believing in recarnation,or heavn & hell, but i believe in *SOMETHING*,once i figure that out i am sure it'll be posted somewhere here.

I was just very interested to hear that LSD was what has helped you. Actually happy to hear people using the drug,instead of abusing it to be honest.

[Mentally Ill]

"I guess it boils down to pessimism vs optimism"
I'm not a pessimist.

I just understand that every step I take into the future is bringing me closer to my inevitable non-existence. That's why I appreciate life so very much. I live in the present and enjoy my time here and now, because it's the only thing I have, and it's temporary.

"we don't often use the progression (living or dying) interchangeably often either."

We don't use the words living and dying interchangeably because of the connotations (and for good reason). Telling someone you're dying would be alarming to say the least. But, I believe the concepts hold the same philosophical meaning in this context. We are having a discussion on coming to terms with the inevitability of death...

"I was just very interested to hear that LSD was what has helped you. Actually happy to hear people using the drug,instead of abusing it to be honest. "

Drugs in general get a bad reputation because of crack and heroin and things of that nature, but it's so undeserving. In a controlled setting, with people you trust, and a sufficient knowledge to give yourself a controlled dosage, LSD can do wonders for your consciousness. It could also make you psychotic if you don't know what you're doing. But putting a toddler behind the wheel of a car is equally dangerous. I encourage people to do the research, get their LSD "driver's license" so to speak, and have a mind opening experience.

[andy1984]

as far as the living/dying debate goes... i think that living infers you are alive and doing something. dying is something that you are doing. if i ask you 'what are you doing?' and you tell me you are living i don't really learn anything (i thought you were living and i wouldn't have asked if i hadn't), but if you say you are dying i know you are alive and what you are doing.

[3k1yp2]

Originally Posted by Amperage

For me, I look at it as equitable to those who convert to Christianity because "they don't want to go to Hell" and that's as far as they ever take while others begin to live a life with far greater joys, abundance, and meaning.

this idea of converting to christianity to avoid hell has intrigued me for some time now. I am an agnostic who leans rather heavilly towards athieism, but have often wondered if perhaps I should "accept" christ and go to church just to be safe, even though i find much absurdity in the religion. (not Absurd as in Camus) But wouldn't I still go to Hell anyway, even if ther was a God, since I essentially would be converting to save my own skin rather than out of any real caring for God? Looks like if there is a God, I'm damned if I do ad damned if I don't...