The path to Tranquility (spring)
68. No need to fear death
Our lives originate from nothingness and return to nothingness. This is not only the law of nature, but also the true manifestation of the essence of life. Nature has given us such a cycle, prompting every existence to strive to fulfill its mission and seek the realization of its own value - and for this reason, our lives are often accompanied by dangers and challenges. However, precisely because we have infinite exploration and understanding of life, we are more likely to fear the unpredictable death.
In fact, all fears stem from subconscious anxiety about death. Fear of the unknown, fear of losing control, and even fear of losing loved ones all demonstrate an instinctive resistance to eventual disappearance. After all, when danger comes or when we are hit ruthlessly by reality, what we fear is the irreversible consequences. For a long time, this fear of death has been deeply rooted in our hearts, but it can hardly help us effectively deal with the various crises that arise in modern society.
In our daily lives, we often see or experience various accidents and disasters. These incidents, which are closely related to personal safety, remind us that death always comes quietly. Death, as the end of the journey of life, is mysterious and full of unknowns, which naturally makes us feel awe and fear. However, even if the truth about death remains unknown for a long time, we can still confirm that it is an inevitable part of life. Only by bravely facing and accepting death can we fully embrace life. On the contrary, over-reliance on fear to escape reality is likely to make us lose our ability to cope at critical moments and make life worse.
Fear not only reveals our lack of understanding of our surroundings, it is also a negative emotion that often becomes an obstacle in life. For example, fear of heights can make it difficult for us to see the world from a tall tower, or even to climb down a fire escape in an emergency such as a fire. When inner fear exceeds rational assessment, our judgment and actions will be seriously interfered with, making the escape route more difficult and dangerous.
Therefore, we should focus on how to live better and how to prolong our lives instead of being trapped by fear. In fact, when we look back at the difficulties and obstacles we experienced yesterday, the fact that we are still alive today is enough to prove that we have tenacious vitality and are blessed by nature. This kind of reflection is not blind optimism, but the wisdom and power inspired by rational thinking. Facing the existence of death can help us face life with a more positive attitude and reduce unnecessary fear.
Thinking further, aging is an inevitable process of life; without death as a rest, the pain brought by extreme aging would be extremely cruel. It can be said that death is actually a merciful arrangement given to life by nature. It is for this reason that we have a sense of mission to resolve the limits of life and constantly pursue that eternal sense of belonging. At the same time, it is the recognition of the fragility and limitations of life that enables us to cherish ourselves and care for others, thereby creating a healthier and more fulfilling life through connection.
To give another example, sometimes plane crashes reported in the news can make us afraid to fly, but statistics show that the probability of airplane accidents is much lower than that of other means of transportation. If we magnify hidden dangers out of fear, our lives will be filled with endless anxiety, and even the most basic rest will be affected. After all, most of us die in our beds; if even sleeping is filled with fear, how can we enjoy the peace of each day? This contradiction precisely reflects that our understanding of certain potential risks is not comprehensive enough.
It can be seen that the best way to overcome fear is to constantly improve our understanding of ourselves and our surroundings. Taking fear of heights as an example, we not only need to learn to regulate our emotions, but also conduct actual risk assessments based on specific circumstances, such as the specific height we are in, the surrounding safety measures, etc.; only when we are sure that the environment we are in is safe enough, will fear of heights gradually disappear. In addition, by constantly rehearsing emergency measures, we can respond quickly and correctly when a crisis strikes, thereby enhancing our confidence and ability to protect ourselves.
Philosophical thinking can provide us with profound insights into accepting death. Thinking about death regularly is not meant to instill fear, but to remind us to focus on taking control of our lives so that we can grow faster and transcend the limitations of life. When we learn to view death as a relief rather than an endless threat, we naturally experience less stress and anxiety. Through data and rational analysis, we can look at risks more scientifically, gradually let go of unnecessary worries, and focus on creating new things and closer connections between people.
In general, we should put our lives first, which means we must be prepared to deal with dangers and obstacles that may arise at any time. Everyone will eventually face death, but if you can face this ending with a calm and fearless heart, it is like stepping calmly onto the stairs leading to another peak; on the contrary, if you are always entangled in fear, it is like falling into an endless purgatory. Therefore, instead of worrying too much about the inevitable outcome, it is better to face and understand the current reality and allow our consciousness to continue to grow. In this way, we have the potential to live a longer and more meaningful life.
67. Enjoying the journey of life to the fullest
69. Courage to accept the test of adversity
