The nature of death, to let go

[kilaya]

Nice thread! I really enjoyed reading all that was shared so far.

Adding another perspective to this interesting conversation: I have been studying Socrates' teachings because of the powerful messages he shared. On fear he taught something like: True wisdom is knowing what should and should not be feared. To fear death is a sign of attachment to the body in lieu of attachment to the soul (or the pure consciousness/mind). The body is changing and temporary whereas the soul carries on forever in its essential core. Socrates felt that the practice of spirituality itself could accurately be described as a practice for dying with grace and peace. And he thought that fear played a really important part in that process when it was directly properly towards things that are worthy of fear. He taught that anything that led us into greater attachment and feelings of importance directed to the body was truly to be feared. For him it was not cowardice to run screaming from those things! He has a list of truly fearful things actually but they can be generalized as things that lead us to act out of attachment to the body and thus to lead to sorrow and grief when the body fails us (as it must).

Thanks again for all the great sharing especially the nuggets of wisdom coming from Ra!