In my personal experience, I've learned that curiosity can help overcome fear. This is especially true when thinking about death and dying, which brings up both fear and curiosity. Fear comes from thinking about a sudden or tragic end caused by accidents, violence, excruciating pain, or unexpected illnesses. But alongside that fear, there's also a natural curiosity—a desire to approach death with awareness and a positive mindset. These two emotions, fear and curiosity, have always been a part of me. Finding a balance between them has been a constant guide and challenge in my life.
The Potential Impact of DMT on the Dying Experience
I remember clearly expressing my wish to stay fully awake and aware while dying whenever people talked about death and dying. I am very curious to understand how my mind works during such an important and mysterious time. When I read books about near-death experiences, I often come across mentions of dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a naturally occurring psychedelic substance that can affect the body during critical moments. This made me wonder: If I have a surge of DMT when I die, how will it change how I see and understand the transition?
If DMT really floods the body when someone dies, it's possible that its drug effects could greatly change the quality and nature of the dying experience. The transition from life to death, with DMT in the picture, might be a journey full of colorful and out worldly images, encounters with spiritual or supernatural beings, traveling through different parts of the universe, or even understanding the mysteries of life itself.
Also, the different state of mind caused by DMT could give a special way of looking at oneself. In this different state of mind, people might explore the deepest parts of their subconscious, finding forgotten memories, unresolved feelings, and deep insights. It could be a chance to really understand oneself, find closure, make peace, and accept things before the final transition.
Masters of Conscious Dying
My intrinsic curiosity has drawn me to remarkable people who have the ability to face and accept death and dying with complete awareness. By consciously facing and accepting death, these individuals have found a sense of freedom and inner peace. They have motivated me to explore my own inner self, confront my fears and insecurities, and accept the inevitable prospect that we all have to go through.
I am intrigued by their insights and humbled by their courage. This inspires me to explore further the work of these enlightened individuals who have mastered the art of embracing death and dying consciously.
I will briefly mention here a few of these remarkable people:
Paramahansa Yogananda was an Indian spiritual teacher who taught many people about meditation and Kriya Yoga through his group, the Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF). He believed that it's important to think about dying throughout life and to live in a way that aligns with spiritual values, cultivates good qualities, and strengthens one's connection with God or the Divine. By doing this, people would be better prepared to face death with awareness and spirituality (1).
Yogananda died on March 7, 1952, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 59. According to people who were there, his passing was described as calm and peaceful. He had given a speech at a dinner earlier in the evening and then he reportedly said, "I am going to leave my body now," and then went back to his hotel room to meditate. While meditating, he reached a higher state of consciousness and left his physical body. Witnesses who were present when he died noticed that his body stayed very still for a long time and seemed to radiate a feeling of peace and calmness.
Ram Dass, whose original name was Richard Alpert, was a well-known spiritual teacher and author who talked about being aware of the present moment, being kind to others, and experiencing a spiritual awakening. In 1997, Ram Dass had a serious stroke that made it hard for him to move and speak. But he didn't let this stop him from sharing his knowledge and ideas through his books, talks, and classes.
As he knew his death was coming, Ram Dass faced it with a mindful and spiritually connected mindset. He openly talked about how he was preparing to die consciously and encouraged others to do the same. He believed that it was important to do inner work, accept what is, and let go when facing death (2).
When Ram Dass was near the end of his life, he was surrounded by people who cared about him, including close friends and spiritual practitioners. He died on December 22, 2019, when he was 88 years old. His passing was peaceful and filled with a feeling of calmness and acceptance.
Elisabeth Kübler-Ross made important contributions to the study of death and dying. She did more than just develop the five stages of grief. She believed in the idea of conscious dying, which means paying attention to and addressing the emotional and spiritual needs of people who are very sick and close to death.
Kübler-Ross thought it was important for individuals to talk about their fears, hopes, and worries about dying. By having these conversations, patients and their loved ones could feel more peaceful, accepting, and understanding about death (3).
As Kübler-Ross got closer to the end of her own life, her beliefs about conscious dying became even more meaningful to her. In her last years, she had a series of strokes and health problems that made her weaker over time. On August 24, 2004, Elisabeth Kübler-Ross died at her home in Scottsdale, Arizona, with her loved ones around her.
The Elegance of Goodbye in Antonia's Line
I vividly recall the impact a movie called "Antonia's Line," had on me. It is a Dutch movie released in 1995 that tells the story of Antonia and her descendants over several generations in a rural village. While "Antonia's Line" does not explicitly address the concept of conscious dying, it touches upon themes of living authentically, embracing the inevitability of death, finding strength in the community, and challenging societal norms. Throughout the movie, death is depicted as a natural part of life that is approached with acceptance. When Antonia and her loved ones encounter death, they mourn their losses but also find ways to celebrate the lives of those who have passed. The film portrays death as a part of the cycle of existence while highlighting the importance of the memories and legacies of those who have died.
As Antonia approached the inevitable end, a realization came to her one fateful morning. Standing before the mirror, she looked deep into her own eyes. Today, she knew, would be the day she embraced her final farewell. Gathering her loved ones around her, she took them on a journey through her life, recounting the joys, challenges, and tribulations she had experienced.
The movie concludes with her peaceful departure. This cinematic masterpiece left a powerful impression on me since the first time I watched it many years ago. It symbolized the extraordinary ability to confront mortality with grace and awareness.
The Concept of Conscious Dying
Conscious dying is about having a thoughtful and aware approach to death. It means being fully present and intentional during the process of dying. Instead of seeing it as just a medical event or the end of life, conscious dying views it as a meaningful and transformative experience.
Being mindful and staying present during the dying process helps people find acceptance, peace, and clarity. It means facing and experiencing the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of dying without resistance or avoidance.
Conscious dying involves addressing unresolved emotional issues, finding forgiveness, and cultivating a sense of peace and connection with oneself, loved ones, and the wider community and universe. It involves engaging in spiritual practices, seeking guidance from spiritual leaders, or exploring personal beliefs about death and the afterlife.
It emphasizes the importance of individuals having control over their end-of-life decisions. This can include creating advanced care directives, discussing and documenting preferences for medical interventions, and considering options like hospice care, palliative care, or dying at home.
Conscious dying recognizes the value of human connection and support during the dying process. This involves open and honest communication with loved ones and engaging in therapeutic conversations or rituals.
It encourages education and exploration of various aspects of death, dying, and the grieving process.
The goal of conscious dying is to promote peace, dignity, and empowerment for both the person who is dying and their loved ones. It acknowledges that death is a natural and inevitable part of life. By transforming the dying experience into a meaningful and transformative journey, conscious dying honors the interconnectedness of life and death (4).
Threads of Love and Healing
I encountered the experiences of my dear friend, who witnessed the conscious dying of both a close friend and her own father. In the face of severe illness, her friend chose to spend her final days at home, surrounded by her husband and close friends, embracing the preciousness of that time together while enjoying her favorite tunes.
My friend wrote in commemoration of the passing of her friend that death was not merely an ending; it was also a profound and exquisite experience when the radiant light shines upon us, igniting a powerful surge of transformative energies within the depths of the collective human heart. In the embrace of death, it is possible to witness the magnificence of existence in its purest form. It is a time of profound connection and understanding and her friend embodied the essence of overflowing grace.
Similarly, my friend’s father consciously prepared for his own passing, gathering all his children and extended family, as well as friends from business, civil and philanthropic circles, dedicating precious moments to each individual. This unique period provided her with an opportunity to find peace and resolution for long-standing issues that had burdened her family for many years. She wrote: “My brothers and sisters and most of their families have all gathered and it is a marvel to keep witnessing, healing, dissolving long-standing differences, and reweaving our hearts in this hugely graceful transition.” To her father, she left in the note three weeks before his passing these words: “There is no good-bye as you are in every fiber of my being, every word I say and listen, every relationship I have and every blessing I give and receive. And in these waves of appreciation, all has been seen and said - and in this breath of seeing love, we are One. There is simply beauty in being here alive on this earth, at this moment with us.”
Embracing Death with Curiosity
The narratives and personal experiences I mentioned in this text have left a valid impression on me. The concept of death, undoubtedly intimidating, can become an existential opportunity for self-examination, meaningful connections, and even transformative healing. When we adopt a mindset of curiosity, we open ourselves up to explore the depths of existence. This approach allows us to face the prospect of our own mortality with a sense of wonder and comprehension, rather than with fear.
To consciously embrace death without fear requires an intention to seek out inspiration that guides us in this process. As I reflect on my own vision of death, I find encouragement in individuals who have approached their end with courage and wisdom, leaving behind a legacy of meaningful experiences and deep connections with the world.
Imagine a person who, knowing their time is limited, uses each remaining moment to cultivate love, compassion, and understanding in their relationships. They engage in heartfelt conversations with family and friends. By openly expressing their feelings, they create an atmosphere of emotional honesty, strengthening the bonds that will endure even after their physical presence is gone. These connections will likely become a source of comfort to both the individual and their loved ones during their final days.
Another approach is found in those who find solace and meaning through reflection and self-discovery as they get closer to death. They go on a journey of introspection, trying to make peace with their past, resolve any unresolved issues, and find a sense of completion. This process helps them understand the purpose of their own lives and how they have affected others. By consciously recognizing and dealing with their fears, regrets, and dreams that were never fulfilled, they are able to face death feeling peaceful and satisfied, appreciating the beauty of their own existence.
These examples show us that thinking and learning about death can change how we see life in a big way. When we care about our connections and relationships, we make a beautiful collection of memories and feelings that will last even after we're gone. By looking inside ourselves and finding out who we really are, we get the strength to confront our fears, heal our hurts, and accept death with a feeling of curiosity and knowing.
The power of curiosity lies in its ability to transform our perception of death. By addressing our mortality with a mindset of wonder and exploration and drawing inspiration from those who have navigated this journey before us, we can consciously choose to die without fear, enriching our lives and leaving behind a lasting legacy of love and wisdom.
1. Autobiography of a Yogi, by Paramahansa Yogananda, Self-Realization Fellowship, 1946.
2. Walking Each Other Home: Conversations on Loving and Dying, by Ram Dass and Mirabai Bush, Sounds True, 2022
3. On Death and Dying, by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, Scribner Classics, 1997
4. consciousdyinginstitute.com
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