My Meditations
Why do I speak of death today?
Well, my mom’s a bit sick. She had cataract surgery yesterday.
Yesterday — Day 1 — she was on hourly doses of eye drops. One of them, PredoRx, is a steroid called Prednisolone, prescribed to reduce inflammation and soreness. Today and tomorrow, she’ll be taking it every two hours.
Meanwhile, I’ve been dealing with some neck pain myself — nothing severe, but noticeable. On a scale of 0 to 10, I’d call it a 3 or maybe a 5.
And somehow, these small brushes with physical fragility — her eyes, my neck — led me to think about death. Not in a morbid way, but in that quiet, reflective sense that sometimes surfaces when life slows you down.
Because life is fragile.
But that’s not the end of it.
Seeing Death from Different Angles
I often look at death through multiple lenses — spiritual, psychological, physical, societal, and even business or motivational.
After a deep breath, here’s what’s been going on in my head lately:
I’ve begun to see death as a kind of relief — though not in every sense. Let me explain.
1. The Psychological Sense
From a psychological point of view, death can feel like a relief.
Not because one wants to die, but because the mind, when fatigued or overwhelmed, starts craving stillness — the kind of stillness it associates with death. It’s a signal that something inside needs rest, or a pause, or simply someone to talk to.
If you find yourself seeing death as a relief, maybe it’s your inner self asking for respite, not an ending.
2. The Physical Sense
Physically, death is simply the end of the body’s biological processes — the cessation of existence in tangible form. But it isn’t always instantaneous. It can be slow, painful, and full of struggle. There’s no button that turns life off neatly.
3. The Spiritual Sense
Spiritually, traditions like Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism teach that death isn’t an end — it’s a continuation.
The soul moves on. Rebirth may follow. But there’s no guarantee it will be an upgrade. You might come back as a dog, a cow, or something entirely unexpected. The idea can be both comforting and unsettling, depending on how you see it.
4. The Societal Sense
Societally, death removes one participant from the collective rhythm of humanity.
Yet, its ripples linger. For those close to the person who passes, the absence shapes futures, memories, and even identities. The loss of one life alters the texture of many others.
5. The Motivational Sense
From a business or motivational standpoint, thoughts of death can sharpen focus.
They remind us of impermanence, of time’s scarcity. For a short while, death-awareness pulls distractions away and forces clarity — on what matters, what doesn’t, and what must be done now.
A Gentle Reflection
So, why did I speak of death today?
Because it’s there — in the background of life, quietly teaching us the value of the present moment.
Thinking of death isn’t always dark. Sometimes, it’s a mirror.
And sometimes, it’s a whisper: slow down, breathe, take care.
