Albert Camus once offered a profound perspective on life and its intrinsic value, stating, “What did it matter if he existed for two or twenty years? Happiness was the fact that he had existed.” This sentiment encapsulates the essence of existence. Yet, it’s intriguing how, as a society, we often distance ourselves from the notion of death.
It’s as though death is our collective taboo, something we attempt to conceal beneath the surface of life’s superficial pleasures. We seek refuge in entertainment, substances, and the ceaseless hustle and bustle of existence, all to avoid confronting the stark reality of mortality.
However, deep within the recesses of our consciousness, we are acutely aware of death’s presence. In truth, death is an ever-present companion, an integral part of the continuous cycle of growth and decay that defines life.
Curiously, we tend to fixate on the aspects of life characterized by growth and abundance while recoiling from the inevitable decay that follows. Yet, both growth and decay are integral facets of life’s intricate tapestry.
It is only when we are faced with the loss of someone dear to us that death emerges as an unanticipated and imposing force, compelling us to contemplate its profound implications.
Confronting Death
Lately, I have found myself grappling with the harsh reality of loss and the unsettling situations in which death has stared me in the face. On one particularly poignant occasion, I had to muster the strength to utter my final words and walk away, fully aware that I would never see that person alive again.
This experience, while undeniably poignant and profoundly grateful for the opportunity it provided, remains profoundly spine-chilling. It serves as an unambiguous reminder that life, as we know it, has a definitive endpoint, akin to standing on the precipice of a chasm, watching as someone teeters on the edge, fully aware that there is no turning back. It is a stark reminder that, eventually, we must plunge into the unfathomable abyss of the unknown.
The Enigma of Death
When we confront death, we confront an enigma—an intricate puzzle that has fascinated and perplexed humanity for millennia. What, precisely, is death? Is it a portal to another existence that mirrors our earthly circumstances, or is it, as some posit, an eternal void—a bottomless abyss of non-being?
These questions loom over us, unanswered and unsettling. It seems that the universal fear of the unknown is precisely what many religious traditions attempt to alleviate by offering definitive answers.
The Religious Perspective
Consider, for instance, the Abrahamic religions, which speak of heaven and hell as destinations determined by the quality of our earthly lives. Alternatively, Buddhism presents the concept of reincarnation, asserting that our actions in this life shape our fate in the next.
Yet, death remains an enigmatic riddle for those like myself who have not been steeped in religious doctrine. The ultimate unknown is an expansive, impenetrable void that can be profoundly disconcerting.
The Reality of Death’s Permanence
Confronting death illuminates the impermanence of life and underscores its irrevocable permanence. From our limited human perspective, when someone passes away, there is no return. This realization introduces us to the profound power of truth—a power that extends beyond mere words into the realm of emotions.
The Power of Truth
Truth is relentless. We may attempt to bury it deep within the recesses of our consciousness, but when confronted with the permanence of death, truth knocks insistently on the door of our psyche. Subconsciously, it recognizes that this is the moment to emerge from the shadows. It senses that this is our singular opportunity to release its formidable energy or carry it indefinitely.
Embracing Closure
While releasing this pent-up energy is not an obligatory step in the process, it offers a potent path to closure. Every individual with whom I have spoken who has experienced such closure, often in intensely emotional moments, has expressed no regrets. Realizing having just one opportunity in the face of death can be profoundly enlightening.
Transcending the Ego
Strangely, many of us require something as humbling as death to transcend the confines of our ego. We cling tenaciously to the narratives constructed by our minds, fervently defending the stories we have woven over the years. Death, however, has a unique way of humbling us. It reminds us of our shared human connections—connections that transcend the boundaries of our constructs. Petty resentments that we may have harbored for years often dissipate when confronted by the looming specter of death.
Death as a Collective Enemy
Death is a collective enemy for humanity—a formidable adversary that most of us strive to avoid at all costs. Its arrival often brings immeasurable grief as it forcibly separates us from the people we hold dear. Yet, collective enemies have a unique quality; they unite people in ways few other forces can. As human beings, it might be beneficial for us to contemplate death more frequently, not merely to recognize the brevity of life but to acknowledge the shared destiny of all sentient beings.
A Common Thread
Ultimately, everything that seems to divide us—intelligence, race, social status, gender, even species—pales in significance when juxtaposed with the great commonality we all share. We are all passengers on this bewildering journey into the unknown—a journey that creates an eternal bond among us. We are born, we die, we not know where we come from, and we not know where we are headed. Whether our existence spans two or twenty years, we can all affirm that we have lived.