THAT soul which is ever ready, even now presently (if need be) from the body, whether by way of Extinction, or Dispersion, or Continuation in another place and estate to be separated, how blessed, and happy is it!
HOW many of them who came into the world at the same time when I did, are already gone out of it?
OUR life is reaped like a ripe ear of corn.
WAIT until thy soul shall fall off from that outward cloak or skin, wherein as a child in the womb it lieth involved and shut up.
MARCUS AURELIUS. MEDITATIONS. Book xi. 3.
HOW many of them who came into the world at the same time when I did, are already gone out of it?
MARCUS AURELIUS. MEDITATIONS. Book vi. 51.
OUR life is reaped like a ripe ear of corn.
MARCUS AURELIUS. MEDITATIONS. Book vii. 25.
WAIT until thy soul shall fall off from that outward cloak or skin, wherein as a child in the womb it lieth involved and shut up.
MARCUS AURELIUS. MEDITATIONS. Book ii. 7.
Many see the person as being essentially two different aspects, body and soul. And moreover they believe that the soul is better, which is a hold over from Platonic teachings. I don't see them as separate things.
ReplyDeleteAnd so people, even neo-pagans, try to heal the body, without understanding that the body is inseparable from the soul. My personal belief is that as the acorn is to the oak, so the body is to the soul. And, what is more heretical (according to some) is that the soul is a physical thing, born of the body.
If we think about the acorn, does it cease to exist when it become the oak? yes, as an acorn, but no, in that it is the fulfillment of the potential, or the promise, of the acorn. But the Oak itself produces the acorn, and not only one, but many acorns. Some will grow into oaks, some will not. In this way, the potential of the oak is in the acorn, but the potential of the forest is in the oak. And so, though our souls should continue exist in another form, and in that form are grander than the body (as the oak is to the acorn), they are they expression of that body. But then the soul has within it the potential for many other things, some known (perhaps reincarnation) some entirely unknowable at this plane. Just my thoughts though.
I am reminded of a cocoon to a butterfly. We do not know what, if anything, lies beyond our physical death. If it is nothing then it is nothing and not to be feared as nothing will be "felt" or "experienced". If it is more then it will be a new experience and something to be anticipated as the next step when we shake of our mortal coil for this life.
ReplyDeleteI also do not fear the annihilation of death, but do fear somewhat the process of dying. I have thought at times that I would like that process to be slow, so I have time to experience it and to say a last few words of comfort to the family. At other times I have thought it would be better to have it slip in softly and unnoticed to the end. Whatever nature brings will be the best.
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