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Huehuecoyotl
Fading Slowly


Registered: 06/13/04
Posts: 10,685
Loc: On the Border
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The Circle of Death
#7442019 - 09/22/07 10:15 PM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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In my life I have noticed and experienced an interesting phenomenon. When most humans are young they are not convinced of their mortality. They think death will never happen to them. In this state of delusion they are often not afraid to live and experience. Their circle of life is wide. At a certain point they become convinced of their mortality, and though they often consciously deny their feelings about this, they begin to seek to make themselves safer...in order to live longer. This need for safety is based in the knowledge and the fear of their mortality. Often in the adult human, the closer they get to the end of their life, the safer they try to be. This safety extends to feelings of comfort both psychologically and physically. In ensuring this safe and stable environment they feel that they will avoid deaths touch. Soon this fear becomes so overwhelming that their circle of life gets ever smaller...safer...more comfortable. Comfort = safety, discomfort = death...avoid discomfort or instability. Soon this circle of life becomes so small and safe that the person begins to asphyxiate themselves with it. Physical inactivity grows...mental inactivity grows...resistance to change mounts, and their little circle of life becomes a tiny circle of death. This circle draws closer and closer with age as our fear increases until it is so small that our fear is unavoidable and we choke ourselves physically, mentally, and spiritually to the point that comfort and safety are no longer possible, and all we have left is the fear. Then we die of coronary artery disease with Alzheimer's powerless in the care of those who do not have our best interests at heart...or alone...and surrounded by confusion, regret, and fear. This is how most Americans die...physically, mentally, and spiritually disenfranchised.
I have experienced some of this and I have learned from it. I chose at a certain point to follow Carlos Castaneda's advice and take my death as an adviser...as my closest and most trusted adviser and friend. It cannot lie to you. Accepting the inevitability of your death, and measuring all things coldly by that fact removes fear. It instills urgency and quells the need for irrational levels of safety. It shows you the truth, and when the truth is plain you act on it. I have found that my fear of life is dissipating, and my circle of life is getting ever wider. My hunger for adventure and experience is growing, but without any accompanying fear. My circle of life feels as wide as the universe right now. My options for experience and thought are busted wide open. I will die in that openness and it will be a hard battle to fight...to maintain it, but by pushing the boundaries of comfort and "safety" I will win. It is the most worthy battle that any warrior could ever fight.
In avoiding death by fearing life is where true death lurks. This death robs you of life using fear. Your actual physical death is your friend. It will show you how to live without fear.
-------------------- "A warrior is a hunter. He calculates everything. That's control. Once his calculations are over, he acts. He lets go. That's abandon. A warrior is not a leaf at the mercy of the wind. No one can push him; no one can make him do things against himself or against his better judgment. A warrior is tuned to survive, and he survives in the best of all possible fashions." ― Carlos Castaneda
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OrgoneConclusion
Blue Fish Group



Registered: 04/01/07
Posts: 45,414
Loc: Under the C
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Quote:
Physical inactivity grows...mental inactivity grows...resistance to change mounts, and their little circle of life becomes a tiny circle of death. This circle draws closer and closer with age as our fear increases until it is so small that our fear is unavoidable and we choke ourselves physically, mentally, and spiritually to the point that comfort and safety are no longer possible, and all we have left is the fear. Then we die of coronary artery disease with Alzheimer's powerless in the care of those who do not have our best interests at heart...or alone...and surrounded by confusion, regret, and fear. This is how most Americans die...physically, mentally, and spiritually disenfranchised.
Are you available to lecture at children's birthday parties?
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Huehuecoyotl
Fading Slowly


Registered: 06/13/04
Posts: 10,685
Loc: On the Border
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...for a fee. $10 a pop free and clear.
-------------------- "A warrior is a hunter. He calculates everything. That's control. Once his calculations are over, he acts. He lets go. That's abandon. A warrior is not a leaf at the mercy of the wind. No one can push him; no one can make him do things against himself or against his better judgment. A warrior is tuned to survive, and he survives in the best of all possible fashions." ― Carlos Castaneda
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Huehuecoyotl
Fading Slowly


Registered: 06/13/04
Posts: 10,685
Loc: On the Border
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Under the table if you get my drift.
-------------------- "A warrior is a hunter. He calculates everything. That's control. Once his calculations are over, he acts. He lets go. That's abandon. A warrior is not a leaf at the mercy of the wind. No one can push him; no one can make him do things against himself or against his better judgment. A warrior is tuned to survive, and he survives in the best of all possible fashions." ― Carlos Castaneda
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OrgoneConclusion
Blue Fish Group



Registered: 04/01/07
Posts: 45,414
Loc: Under the C
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My mom is exactly as you described. Extremely fearful and never goes anywhere. Everything for safety. She is totally humorless. She waits trembling for the Reaper to knock. It is the saddest thing.
My dad, though older, is still full of life. Out the door by 6:30 AM off to explore somewhere. He is still curious and laughs easily and is not just marking time. Every birthday he does some physical feat of endurance. On his 78th birthday he swam nonstop in the ocean for 78 minutes.
I will leave it to the keen minds here to guess which is the atheist and which is the Christian.
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lavod
Seal Whisperer


Registered: 06/23/06
Posts: 5,440
Loc: Over the rainbow
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93 Brilliant! This is something that I've felt for quite some time now. Many writers have hinted at this as well. However, the way you put it into writing was quite lucid and a gift to the shroomery. 93 93/93
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Huehuecoyotl
Fading Slowly


Registered: 06/13/04
Posts: 10,685
Loc: On the Border
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While I have have slight misgivings on any absolute pronouncements on religion...atheists know where the end is...at the end...and it is over as far as we can tell. Cheers to both of your parents, but your father sounds like a particularly interesting guy.
-------------------- "A warrior is a hunter. He calculates everything. That's control. Once his calculations are over, he acts. He lets go. That's abandon. A warrior is not a leaf at the mercy of the wind. No one can push him; no one can make him do things against himself or against his better judgment. A warrior is tuned to survive, and he survives in the best of all possible fashions." ― Carlos Castaneda
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Huehuecoyotl
Fading Slowly


Registered: 06/13/04
Posts: 10,685
Loc: On the Border
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Re: The Circle of Death [Re: lavod]
#7442089 - 09/22/07 10:42 PM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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Thanks for the complement. I got really twisted on lots of virulently dangerous drugs and then went out to engage in life threatening activities all day and that one came to me. Remember children...TAKE MORE DRUGS AND QUIT GIVING A FUCK!
-------------------- "A warrior is a hunter. He calculates everything. That's control. Once his calculations are over, he acts. He lets go. That's abandon. A warrior is not a leaf at the mercy of the wind. No one can push him; no one can make him do things against himself or against his better judgment. A warrior is tuned to survive, and he survives in the best of all possible fashions." ― Carlos Castaneda
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NiamhNyx
I'm NOT a 'he'


Registered: 09/01/02
Posts: 3,198
Last seen: 14 years, 8 months
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Maybe I'm a neurotic, insane youngun but I've been extremely aware of my mortality since I was a child. It's something that appears in my conscious mind on a rather frequent basis. I admit I am afraid of it; it would be an arrogant, damn lie to pretend otherwise. But this fear can be a positive motivating factor to live the best life I possibly can now, and not just in a frivilous 'i might die tommorrow, may as well drink and fuck as much as possible' kind of way, but rather in an 'i want to learn and grow and experience the world as much as possible no matter how long i end up living.' If I make it to old age I imagine I will have lived a pretty interesting life. If I don't, shit. At least I've been working at living well rather than throwing my limited time away.
The thing is, if I knew I were to die next week I'd obviously approach things differently than I would if I had a few decades. I certainly wouldn't spend my last week in school. But then I wouldn't want to live years as if I only had a few days, I would never accomplish anything substantial as I'd never invest the time to develop anything.
I've never really had any interest in security. I obviously prefer to live in a certain amount of comfort, I do after all pay rent and heating bills, and purchase food and clothing thus having to work (waste time) for these basic comforts. But this is different than planning an entire life around being as secure as possible. It is ridiculous to, say, choose one's education solely around earning potential when complete, live in a gated community, not walk outside at night for fear of mugging or rape, advocate public surveillance or more cops with more guns... etc. Life is to be lived - it is inherently risky. Our culture's death fear/security obsession is scary, dangerous and a damn waste of so many potentially thrilling/fulfilled lives. Thanks for a good post, huehue.
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Huehuecoyotl
Fading Slowly


Registered: 06/13/04
Posts: 10,685
Loc: On the Border
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Re: The Circle of Death [Re: NiamhNyx]
#7442109 - 09/22/07 10:51 PM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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I quit worrying about security and comfort...just look at this picture of my home:

Seriously, a certain level of comfort and a time to relax and be stable is healthy, BUT being pathological about it is spiritual death.
-------------------- "A warrior is a hunter. He calculates everything. That's control. Once his calculations are over, he acts. He lets go. That's abandon. A warrior is not a leaf at the mercy of the wind. No one can push him; no one can make him do things against himself or against his better judgment. A warrior is tuned to survive, and he survives in the best of all possible fashions." ― Carlos Castaneda
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OrgoneConclusion
Blue Fish Group



Registered: 04/01/07
Posts: 45,414
Loc: Under the C
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Quote:
Huehuecoyotl said: I got really twisted on lots of virulently dangerous drugs and then went out to engage in life threatening activities all day and that one came to me. Remember children...TAKE MORE DRUGS AND QUIT GIVING A FUCK!
Can hardly wait to see you on one of those Xtreme video shows wherein some reckless youth jumps off a cliff with his bike (or some other stupidly brave act) and ends up on his back screaming with his femur poking out the side of his leg.
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Huehuecoyotl
Fading Slowly


Registered: 06/13/04
Posts: 10,685
Loc: On the Border
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At 43 I can afford to be a "reckless youth".
-------------------- "A warrior is a hunter. He calculates everything. That's control. Once his calculations are over, he acts. He lets go. That's abandon. A warrior is not a leaf at the mercy of the wind. No one can push him; no one can make him do things against himself or against his better judgment. A warrior is tuned to survive, and he survives in the best of all possible fashions." ― Carlos Castaneda
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NiamhNyx
I'm NOT a 'he'


Registered: 09/01/02
Posts: 3,198
Last seen: 14 years, 8 months
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Quote:
Huehuecoyotl said: I quit worrying about security and comfort...just look at this picture of my home:

Seriously, a certain level of comfort and a time to relax and be stable is healthy, BUT being pathological about it is spiritual death.
I fully agree. Is that really where you live... full time? I'd think you'd put a little more effort into building a full-time shelter than a little lean-to with no cover
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OrgoneConclusion
Blue Fish Group



Registered: 04/01/07
Posts: 45,414
Loc: Under the C
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Re: The Circle of Death [Re: NiamhNyx]
#7442175 - 09/22/07 11:14 PM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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At least his lean-to has DSL.
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Huehuecoyotl
Fading Slowly


Registered: 06/13/04
Posts: 10,685
Loc: On the Border
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Re: The Circle of Death [Re: NiamhNyx]
#7442192 - 09/22/07 11:18 PM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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If you look closely at the picture you will see that we weathered a forest fire recently, and I had to hunker down and cover myself with wet leaves until it passed. Most of my cover was burned off in the fire and I got just a might scorched. My favorite pet possum Barney died in the blaze...his last act was trying to drag his master to safety....
-------------------- "A warrior is a hunter. He calculates everything. That's control. Once his calculations are over, he acts. He lets go. That's abandon. A warrior is not a leaf at the mercy of the wind. No one can push him; no one can make him do things against himself or against his better judgment. A warrior is tuned to survive, and he survives in the best of all possible fashions." ― Carlos Castaneda
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Huehuecoyotl
Fading Slowly


Registered: 06/13/04
Posts: 10,685
Loc: On the Border
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Don't laugh....in 12 years it's paid for...
-------------------- "A warrior is a hunter. He calculates everything. That's control. Once his calculations are over, he acts. He lets go. That's abandon. A warrior is not a leaf at the mercy of the wind. No one can push him; no one can make him do things against himself or against his better judgment. A warrior is tuned to survive, and he survives in the best of all possible fashions." ― Carlos Castaneda
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OrgoneConclusion
Blue Fish Group



Registered: 04/01/07
Posts: 45,414
Loc: Under the C
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When I lived in Orange County, CA, where the house prices are some of the highest in the country, a real-estate agent showed me an abandoned '67 Pontiac station wagon up on cinder blocks, as a cozy, one-room fixer-upper, for only $115K.
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NiamhNyx
I'm NOT a 'he'


Registered: 09/01/02
Posts: 3,198
Last seen: 14 years, 8 months
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the last two posts -
gold.
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Icelander
The Minstrel in the Gallery



Registered: 03/15/05
Posts: 95,368
Loc: underbelly
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Balance.
-------------------- "Don't believe everything you think". -Anom. " All that lives was born to die"-Anom. With much wisdom comes much sorrow, The more knowledge, the more grief. Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC
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Huehuecoyotl
Fading Slowly


Registered: 06/13/04
Posts: 10,685
Loc: On the Border
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Re: The Circle of Death [Re: Icelander]
#7443453 - 09/23/07 09:38 AM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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Balance comes through harmony. When one's dream is truly in harmony with their health and well being then balance naturally occurs. It doesn't need to be sought. It is the natural WAY.
-------------------- "A warrior is a hunter. He calculates everything. That's control. Once his calculations are over, he acts. He lets go. That's abandon. A warrior is not a leaf at the mercy of the wind. No one can push him; no one can make him do things against himself or against his better judgment. A warrior is tuned to survive, and he survives in the best of all possible fashions." ― Carlos Castaneda
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Huehuecoyotl
Fading Slowly


Registered: 06/13/04
Posts: 10,685
Loc: On the Border
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Quote:
From morning to night I stayed out of sight Didn't recognise I'd become No more than alive I'd barely survive In a word ... overrun
Won't hear a sound From my mouth I've spent too long On the inside out ... My skin is cold To the human touch This bleeding heart's Not beating much
I murmured a vow Of silence and now I don't even hear when I think aloud Extinguished by light I turn on the night Wear its darkness with an empty smile
I'm creeping back to life My nervous system all awry I'm wearing the inside out
Look at him now He's paler somehow But he's coming around He's starting to choke It's been so long since he spoke Well he can have the words right from my mouth And with these words I can see Clear through the clouds That covered me Just give it time Then speak my name Now we can hear Ourselves again
I'm holding out For the day When all the clouds he'll have blown away .. I'm with you now Can speak your name Now we can hear Ourselves again
I'm creeping back to life My nervous system all awry I'm wearing the inside out
-- Pink Floyd
-------------------- "A warrior is a hunter. He calculates everything. That's control. Once his calculations are over, he acts. He lets go. That's abandon. A warrior is not a leaf at the mercy of the wind. No one can push him; no one can make him do things against himself or against his better judgment. A warrior is tuned to survive, and he survives in the best of all possible fashions." ― Carlos Castaneda
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Boots
Disenchanted


Registered: 07/25/07
Posts: 1,137
Loc: Northwood, Ohio, U.S.A.
Last seen: 15 years, 2 months
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I rather like the original post. Puts a good metaphorical spin on the abstract interaction between life and death.
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Huehuecoyotl
Fading Slowly


Registered: 06/13/04
Posts: 10,685
Loc: On the Border
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Re: The Circle of Death [Re: Boots]
#7443596 - 09/23/07 10:13 AM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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Well that is the heart of the thread. All of my other posts in this thread are jokes and BS...the first one was the point I wanted to make.
-------------------- "A warrior is a hunter. He calculates everything. That's control. Once his calculations are over, he acts. He lets go. That's abandon. A warrior is not a leaf at the mercy of the wind. No one can push him; no one can make him do things against himself or against his better judgment. A warrior is tuned to survive, and he survives in the best of all possible fashions." ― Carlos Castaneda
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sunflower
We're here....


Registered: 08/19/06
Posts: 552
Last seen: 6 years, 21 days
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I have gone through those stages of avoiding discomfort/living death as well, and can see it in the people all around me.
BTW, is there room in that lean-to for anyone else???
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Huehuecoyotl
Fading Slowly


Registered: 06/13/04
Posts: 10,685
Loc: On the Border
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Re: The Circle of Death [Re: sunflower]
#7444710 - 09/23/07 04:38 PM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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Who you bullshitting? Your already living there.
-------------------- "A warrior is a hunter. He calculates everything. That's control. Once his calculations are over, he acts. He lets go. That's abandon. A warrior is not a leaf at the mercy of the wind. No one can push him; no one can make him do things against himself or against his better judgment. A warrior is tuned to survive, and he survives in the best of all possible fashions." ― Carlos Castaneda
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sunflower
We're here....


Registered: 08/19/06
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Last seen: 6 years, 21 days
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If that is the case, then let's get out of this dump and go climbing!
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