Contemplating Death Makes Life Good
One-line summary: Thinking about one’s mortality can make life happy and meaningful.
The modern culture treats death as something morbid that needs to be shunned and not thought about. However, a lot of ancient wisdom implores us to pause and periodically think of our own deaths as well as the deaths of others around us. What many philosophers suggest is not to treat death with avoidance and denial but in fact to contemplate on this inevitable reality to understand life, appreciate it, reduce our anxieties and live a better lif (while we can). This post is about what one can gain from this counterintuitive technique of meditating on one’s and others’ mortality.
1. It gives us clarity on what matters
We are not going to achieve everything. There are going to be imperfections. And most importantly, there is the limited time which must be treated like a gift. Since the shadow of death hangs over us, it is supremely important to consider what our values are, and what is it that makes life “good”. And what are we willing to sacrifice, in order to get what we want?
2. It is an antidote to procrastination
We postpone important life decisions or put off some important commitments to the next year or the next decade. The third world war may break out next decade, and wipe us out. A deadly pandemic might occur a few years later. An accident may occur that takes us with it. Or we may be diagnosed with some terminal illness. When we think of our limited time, we get a sense of urgency to do what matters, here and now. Life does not provide a U-turn or a rewind button.
3. It diminishes our ego and makes us compassionate
Do you feel as if you are on top of the world? Does the whole of life seem to be revolving around you? Then you probably need a reminder that your time here is limited. When we ponder over our mortality, when we realise the vastness of space and time and the infinitesimal part we inhabit, we become humble. We also see other people as a part of this same impermanent existence and develop compassion. If it were your last day with someone, would you waste it in a petty quarrel or would you be kind to them? Since both they and you are going to be dead one day, why would you be anything but compassionate towards them?
4. It reduces the burden of day-to-day annoyances
All of this has an end. Whatever we are facing right now, it is going to end. Should we waste the one life we have got getting worked up about trivial problems such as the pizza having a little less spice, not being able to go to a party or people’s opinions on how we should spend our Saturday evenings? When you see the larger picture of existence, you stop caring about these minor inconveniences.
5. Helps us appreciate life and be grateful for just being
The fact that life is one day going to end makes us appreciate it. It’s special because you don’t get it again. When we consider this, we start appreciating little joys that we previously took for granted. Little joys like the delights of loving friendship. A delicious cup of coffee in the monsoons. An all-time favourite melody. A walk in a beautiful park. A child’s smile. The blue sky. A warm hug from someone you care about. And the joy of simply being alive in the present moment. When we enjoy cheaper pleasures, we have fewer wants, and we are more content. We enjoy our own peace of mind. The body, the mind, the people, and the environment we have got are all impermanent and can be snatched from us at any time. Life is short. Life is difficult. Life is complex and absurd. But life is not terrible. Life can be good and meaningful if we use our time well, while we have it.
