Q & A: Death & We are What We Think
August 23rd, 2007 by John Wolfe
Since doing my first Q & A post I’ve had a couple of emails come in, specifically asking me to address their questions in my next installment:
Question: Recently, my children have been asking a lot of questions about death and dying. I’m pretty spiritual and open minded and have read a lot of metaphysical works about the whole process, but I still notice my own doubt and fear creeping in, while discussing the subject. Since I know you have had several spiritual type experiences, I was wondering if you still struggle with thoughts of your own demise?
Answer: That’s a great question. I have always said- I’m dreading dying, but looking forward to death. I know that may sound strange, so let me clarify a little: The actual process of dying is not something, which I have been able to happily embrace, but I believe the journey that takes place, the instant death sets in, is well worth the admission price.
I try and view it as being similar to getting prepped for surgery. There is all this worry and angst over what’s about to occur to your body, but the split second that solution in the IV drip kicks in- you’re out like a light, never even realizing what hit you, not a care in the world. While you’re out, during the surgery, there are all of these experiences that your body’s going through and when you awaken you don’t remember any of them, except for the awareness of the now present pain.
If you think about it, death is similar. Once you make the transition away from the physical plane, your energy essence is experiencing all of these amazing revelations about its true origins. It hasn’t a care in the world and is just being for the sake of being, until you once again awaken into the physical- not remembering any of the experience, except for the awareness of the now present pain (of being born again).
I believe the death process is actually much more involved than this and I’m not trying to be flippant with my surgery analogy. But, I like to use the comparison because it helps me lighten the mood surrounding the subject. I feel we make far too much of it.
Humans spend the majority of their adult lives worrying about dying, so much so that they just quit living. Most have passed away years before their bodies are ever actually cremated or buried. While I know it’s inevitable for us to ponder our future in the here after, I don’t believe we ever come forth into this physical environment with the intention of putting life on hold, while we worry over making our exits from this plane of focus.
I guess I’m different than most. I actually find myself fearing many aspects of life, at times, much more than I ever worry about death. My fear is something I’m working on, as I not only try to further inspire and empower my readers but also myself, in the process. I believe it’s important to embody what I write about and vice versa. Applying these principles is a continuing process of my own evolution.
Whether we fear aspects of life or death, fear is still fear. I believe it’s something to work through, not bulldoze our way through by forcing ourselves to face it, like so many advise. I’ve actually found that facing your fears, while still feeling the highly charged emotion of fear, is counterproductive.
It’s far more productive to soothe yourself (no matter how long it takes) prior to taking the action you are fearful of. Bring yourself into a state of confidence around the subject matter, prior to taking the step forward and your fear will fully dissipate, because you will have conquered it emotionally as well as physically. When you take physical action without first addressing the emotional basis of your fears, it’s similar to placing a band-aid on a gaping wound that needs stitches. It may hold for a short while, but it’s not solving the problem.
I would suggest you continue exploring, reading and researching whatever works and experiences help calm your emotionally based fears surrounding death, and in the process don’t forget about living your life. As you take those steps to continue soothing yourself through your exploration, allow some nice distractions from the subject matter (through anything that makes you happy) as well. Explore, relax, breath, and enjoy life for the sake of living it and you will reach a different vantage point on the subject of death.
I believe the only reason most of us truly fear death is because we are not living our lives to the fullest. We may feel that we have missed out on things or opportunities and time is now slipping away. Nothing could be further from the truth. We are all ever lasting energy, with all the time in the world. While our physical bodies reach a point of expiration, the true essence of who we are never does. The sooner we come to that understanding, the better off we are.
About my spiritual experiences (astral projections, etc.): I believe all of us are consistently having spiritual experiences. Everyday life is a spiritual experience, whether we are physically focused or non-physically focused. No matter how far removed we see ourselves from being spirit or energy; we always are that which we began as- no exceptions. A favorite line of mine from the book Way of the Peaceful Warrior
Things like astral projections just seem more spiritual and beyond ordinary because a large portion of society is not accustomed to experiencing them consciously. My out of body experiences have proven to me, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that life extends beyond the physical vehicle. While I can’t be one hundred percent certain about the exact details of what awaits us, after we pass- I will say that we most definitely continue on and I don’t believe there is anything in the great beyond, which is worthy of a shred of our anxiety.
Question: Since you seem to be heavily into the idea of your thoughts creating your life and reality, I was wondering if you are cautious about what you mentally consume?
– Shelley A.
Answer: Shelley, thanks for your question. I absolutely am very aware of what I allow to inform, educate and entertain me. I really don’t watch much television, except for an occasional sitcom and usually shows like Ghost Hunters, and Ghost Whisperer. I also happily never, ever catch the news (local or national).
I haven’t been to the theater, to watch a movie, in almost a year because of the typical subject matter Hollywood predominantly chooses to focus upon. The majority of DVDs I watch are either on supernatural things or spiritual empowerment and personal development. I definitely adhere to a pretty steady diet of anything that’s mind expanding or positive and uplifting, whether it’s books, Cd’s or videos. I will occasionally watch “horror” films, but they are always more supernaturally based than the shock and gore type that’s out there.
I don’t begrudge anyone else of their personal preferences for entertainment or education though. These just happen to be the things I prefer to spend my time involved in because, as you stated, I believe that what we predominantly focus upon expands. We definitely are what we think, and our thinking can be heavily influenced (both consciously and subconsciously) by what we watch, hear and read. I’m passionate about my own growth and life expansion and it’s only natural that I’m predominantly involved in pursuits that aid in this endeavor.
And that does it for my second question and answer post. I’d like to thank Shelley and the other individual for their questions. If you have a question you’d like to see addressed in the Wind of the Soul blog, then feel free to get in touch with me through my contact page. Your name will always be kept anonymous, unless you ask otherwise.
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Related Posts
Making the Death Transition
Moving Beyond Fear
Q & A: Out of Body Experiences & Dream Symbols
Q & A: Qualifications & Religious Avatars
