Death is truly a beautifully horrifying event. Death is so saddening, and some may say it is even selfish. However, despite this, death has the ability to promote gathering, to promote togetherness, and ultimately (and most importantly) to promote love -- the most divine emotion.
Love is ultimately what conquers death; an emotion, an experience, and a feeling that supersedes its pessimistic connotations. That is why humans must love, to the fullest extent, always and forever.
Often we forget this importance, as well as we often omit or avoid love. The world is in a constant state of urgency - the most detrimental effect of consumer culture. There is truly no space or time to live in the present and the moment because urgency is all too quickly paced.
Pain, suffering, loss, evil, and death are commonly replaced with substance. Substance may be physical in nature, such as narcotics and alcohol, though may also be metaphysical, such as blame, ignorance, numbness, time, space, and distraction. Commonly, substance will lead to a loss of the self, as well as the loss of identity and reason. This is why it is critical to develop morals, relationships, and a standard of ethics for the self. Because, in times of turmoil and confusion, we are left to reason with only ourselves. You must be capable to have a conversation with your own heart, mind, body, and soul - to truly decipher the nature of the self, and ultimately, your own identity.
Every living thing is blessed with a soul. Thus, each soul must be respected and seen equally. A human, regardless of gender, class, race, ethnicity, or culture, has a soul. We are all equal, at the very core, with no exception. A human or dog has no less value than a whale or a worm. A soul is a soul, and is the most powerful, binding, and foundational component to the world that surrounds us.
Then, what happens to the soul when the body dies?
This is a relatively simple question. The soul is accepted into a space where there is no evil, fear, hate, or sin. It transcends time and space into a place abundant with love, to a capacity that cannot be comprehended. The soul will spend an eternity in completeness, joy, contentment, and utter happiness.
That is why death must be greeted with love. Love for the individual or thing that has passed, love for those who grieve together, and love for the self.
For, in the instance that a loved one dies, it is important to forgive. Often, humanity places blame on themselves for actions out of their control. It is imperative to forgive oneself and to not place the burden of guilt, resentment, regret, and hatred on the soul and body.
Unfortunately, death is a natural occurrence that will inevitably consume everything in this universe. Time will be the determining factor, and such, the time we have must be spent doing good, being good, and loving one another. This is perhaps the only correct way to live life.
Death is not something to be feared, because it is unknown. Death is a gateway to transcendence and to eternal life.
