Beautifully written Jennifer. It is so important for us not to isolate, especially in this day and age. This reminds me of a post I saw from a geriatric physician. During the lockdowns he started getting older patients coming and shockingly for some the diagnosis was starvation. They may have not been able to go out, or no one was looking in on them. Sometimes older folks don't have much hunger to cause them to eat. We may not know exactly what happens when we die, but we can live our life each day as richly and lovingly as possible.
Leone, You are asking all the right questions. They have been asked by most of the great philosophers, spiritual seekers, religious leaders, and writers through the centuries. So you are in good company. You might enjoy reading Stephen Levine's book "Who Dies?" Most people want definitive answers to their questions. To live with uncertainty takes a certain amount of courage and humility. We may never be able to know what happens after the death of the body. But we do know that if we focus on practicing love, gratitude, compassion and helping others, our lives will take on new meaning and joy. Read also James Baraz' "Awakening Joy." I have a copy to loan you and to discuss with you if you want. Shoshanah in Ashland.
Thank you Shoshanah! Leone says she doesn't like to read nonfiction books but **I** would like to read both of the books you mention here. Might you loan me "Awakening Joy"?
I was struck also by this line: "The truth is that nobody actually has any solid idea."
It made me wonder if there it any such thing as a solid idea. Mine all seem to be fluffy and/or puffy. Yes, I can get some 'big' ideas. Every one of them soon becomes either fluffy and/or puffy. It seems the opposite rarely happens, and when it does, my head seems to swell...metaphorically speaking, of course.
From Leone (who is not a paid subscriber so I had to read the comments to her): She told me to tell you she loves this comment. It made her laugh out loud.
I had a friend who had clinically died - had memories of being dead and what was happening while they tried to revive her -- after being revived, she went on to live in suffering for several more years. She had zero fear of death -- startling and alien; but she dreaded the suffering she knew she would endure by getting treated like a science project to keep her alive. She just wanted to be allowed to go when the end soon came. It wasn't until I watched Angel Studio's After Death that I found out that losing the fear of death is a common after-effect of surviving a Near Death Experience, and people have made a study of it. https://www.angel.com/movies/after-death
Thank you for these links. Though on-screen time is difficult for my one remaining eye, I am eager to check them out. I love reading books about NDEs. Leone has never read one. Hoping she'll get interested in doing so sometime.
Thinking of you Jennifer & Leone, sending you peace & love! Our spirits will continue on long after our body dies & having peace in our spirit is contagious to family, friends & even strangers around us. Love you both & your sweet family!
Nobody alive 110 years ago is alive today, the world is in a constant state of getting rid of the old and in with the new. This essay brought to mind a lyric in a Grace Potter song where she asks, "Are we flying or are we falling, I guess we'll never know."
Leone, I don’t know if you remember me from Asheville but I am sending you a huge huge hug. Now I haven’t been there yet, but I am pretty sure that there ain’t nothing after we die. I have had experiences over my lifetime from loved ones who have passed which makes me believe that there is something else, something more but I don’t know what it is until it is time to know. I would be more than happy to talk to you any time about these experiences. You write beautifully and come by it naturally. Life is beyond hard right now, but you clearly have a voice that is wise and helpful and touches other people.
How wonderful. This advice appears to have been written by a very thoughtful 15-year-old. Because I just read it, I am going to email a few people who may enjoy hearing from me. We get so busy that we often neglect notes or enquiries to let loved ones know we are thinking of them. I plan to be better about that in the future.
You are a wise young woman, Leone. Isn't it amazing that life and the afterlife are such mysteries? I believe our human minds are not capable of understanding it all right now, but that we'll know the answers one day. I believe we all agreed to come on the trip, and we're all learning and growing and adding to the ever unfolding adventure.
I definitely wish those who are considering suicide would reach out for help. Such pain for those who are left behind and hurt so badly for the loss and some may blame themselves for missing signs or whatever. As someone who trusts in Jesus for salvation through his extended grace to me, a sinner every day, but forgiven and being transformed; I have no fear of death. I only want to make sure my kids are in a position to be safe and take care of themselves and of course worry they will be so hurt when I am gone.
Beautifully written Jennifer. It is so important for us not to isolate, especially in this day and age. This reminds me of a post I saw from a geriatric physician. During the lockdowns he started getting older patients coming and shockingly for some the diagnosis was starvation. They may have not been able to go out, or no one was looking in on them. Sometimes older folks don't have much hunger to cause them to eat. We may not know exactly what happens when we die, but we can live our life each day as richly and lovingly as possible.
"We may not know exactly what happens when we die, but we can live our life each day as richly and lovingly as possible." Yes. Exactly. So well put.
Leone, You are asking all the right questions. They have been asked by most of the great philosophers, spiritual seekers, religious leaders, and writers through the centuries. So you are in good company. You might enjoy reading Stephen Levine's book "Who Dies?" Most people want definitive answers to their questions. To live with uncertainty takes a certain amount of courage and humility. We may never be able to know what happens after the death of the body. But we do know that if we focus on practicing love, gratitude, compassion and helping others, our lives will take on new meaning and joy. Read also James Baraz' "Awakening Joy." I have a copy to loan you and to discuss with you if you want. Shoshanah in Ashland.
Thank you Shoshanah! Leone says she doesn't like to read nonfiction books but **I** would like to read both of the books you mention here. Might you loan me "Awakening Joy"?
Yes. love is also something we all can have.
I was struck also by this line: "The truth is that nobody actually has any solid idea."
It made me wonder if there it any such thing as a solid idea. Mine all seem to be fluffy and/or puffy. Yes, I can get some 'big' ideas. Every one of them soon becomes either fluffy and/or puffy. It seems the opposite rarely happens, and when it does, my head seems to swell...metaphorically speaking, of course.
From Leone (who is not a paid subscriber so I had to read the comments to her): She told me to tell you she loves this comment. It made her laugh out loud.
So much wisdom in her young years. Love this so much ! ❤️
I had a friend who had clinically died - had memories of being dead and what was happening while they tried to revive her -- after being revived, she went on to live in suffering for several more years. She had zero fear of death -- startling and alien; but she dreaded the suffering she knew she would endure by getting treated like a science project to keep her alive. She just wanted to be allowed to go when the end soon came. It wasn't until I watched Angel Studio's After Death that I found out that losing the fear of death is a common after-effect of surviving a Near Death Experience, and people have made a study of it. https://www.angel.com/movies/after-death
Jimmy Akin provides a nice objective overview on these things and will provide a launching point for research if nothing else. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSyBSvhWWn4
Thank you for these links. Though on-screen time is difficult for my one remaining eye, I am eager to check them out. I love reading books about NDEs. Leone has never read one. Hoping she'll get interested in doing so sometime.
Thinking of you Jennifer & Leone, sending you peace & love! Our spirits will continue on long after our body dies & having peace in our spirit is contagious to family, friends & even strangers around us. Love you both & your sweet family!
Wow. Beautifully written.
Nobody alive 110 years ago is alive today, the world is in a constant state of getting rid of the old and in with the new. This essay brought to mind a lyric in a Grace Potter song where she asks, "Are we flying or are we falling, I guess we'll never know."
Leone, I don’t know if you remember me from Asheville but I am sending you a huge huge hug. Now I haven’t been there yet, but I am pretty sure that there ain’t nothing after we die. I have had experiences over my lifetime from loved ones who have passed which makes me believe that there is something else, something more but I don’t know what it is until it is time to know. I would be more than happy to talk to you any time about these experiences. You write beautifully and come by it naturally. Life is beyond hard right now, but you clearly have a voice that is wise and helpful and touches other people.
How wonderful. This advice appears to have been written by a very thoughtful 15-year-old. Because I just read it, I am going to email a few people who may enjoy hearing from me. We get so busy that we often neglect notes or enquiries to let loved ones know we are thinking of them. I plan to be better about that in the future.
This is beautiful, Leone. You have a way with words and thoughts, just like your mom!
Great article!
"Love is all you have."
You are a wise young woman, Leone. Isn't it amazing that life and the afterlife are such mysteries? I believe our human minds are not capable of understanding it all right now, but that we'll know the answers one day. I believe we all agreed to come on the trip, and we're all learning and growing and adding to the ever unfolding adventure.
Sending you lots of love.
Why be agnostic about the afterlife when we are sure about vaccines?
I definitely wish those who are considering suicide would reach out for help. Such pain for those who are left behind and hurt so badly for the loss and some may blame themselves for missing signs or whatever. As someone who trusts in Jesus for salvation through his extended grace to me, a sinner every day, but forgiven and being transformed; I have no fear of death. I only want to make sure my kids are in a position to be safe and take care of themselves and of course worry they will be so hurt when I am gone.