In America Death is something that we look away from. Of course the thought of not having our loved one around anymore is heartbreaking, just thinking about loosing a parent or friend brings tears to my eyes, but where did this feeling of great sorrow towards death come from? In fact some cultures outside of the U.S. embrace death and view it as one of the major life experiences.
In old Celtic tradition Irish pay respects to the deceased known as Samhain- the feast of the dead. Though in the olden days the celebration might have been more elaborate some still do practice it the same way their ancestors did. During the Samhain all windows and doors would be unlocked to allow the spirits to come and go as they please, entertainment would be provided and food would be set aside for them to eat.
The Inca civilization was filled with rituals that honored their ancestors that placed them as superior and the reason for their existence . Just because one was dead did not mean they still could not be treated or respected as they were when they were alive. The Incans believed that once the body was dead the soul departed and entered the afterlife by joining the sun in heaven and remained connected to their descendants . In preparation for the funeral which consisted of 8 days they mummified the bodies, and laid them to rest in their palaces were their servants would tend to them as if they were living .
The deceased ancestors also helped provide advise for the living in daily matters, and important decision making. Their involvement with the after life was so elaborate that they held monthly festivals in the honor of the deceased to please them. Sacred grounds or sanctuaries called Huacas were developed as a place for worship were people left offerings and prayed.
"I wished there were a place for gracious dying,
A high place with a distant view.
Where we could gather for a celebration of life
and death and friendship, old and new.
I'd like a place where there would be good music,
Good food and wine - and laughter, games and fun -
And quiet talk with friends and good discussion
Of what will happen when this life is done."
- Helen Ansley
Ever wonder how you’re going to spend your final days on earth? What if you had the opportunity to plan out your very own perfect passing? Now, what if you had absolutely no choice? One thing that I’m certain of is that the day when I get to use my E-ZPass and head toward the white light at the end of the tunnel, and I don’t mean the Midtown, I’d like to know I left this place with dignity.. What if we celebrated the choice to die surrounded by the people we love , heck why not throw a huge party and remember all the good times, pop open that bottle of champagne and toast to a great life and even better afterlife where the party never stops!
For the most part, we as humans have the opportunity to pick certain paths we want our lives to head towards. Lifelong partners, friends, family (the ones we can tolerate, of course), which pair of socks we want to wear in the morning, and what car we drive, are all things we have the natural born right to include in our daily life decisions. On the other hand, cancer, disease, and illness, whether acquired or born with, are not things we look forward to living with. Imagine if you were born or diagnosed with a terminal illness that promised nothing but agony and intractable pain every waking moment of your life. If the opportunity was presented, would you choose to leave this world on your own time or let it be taken from you without warning; it’d be so sudden that you may never get to say those final words to your loved ones or look into their eyes and smile one last time.
Euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide pose a threat to our modern-day society and the legalization of this practice has been a topic of debate for years. For some reason, people have an issue with the ultimate liberty and the right to die in a strategically planned setting. What if that terminal patient was promised certainty, . . . a promise that they wouldn’t have to suffer anymore, their loved ones wouldn’t see them in a state of constant emotional and physical distress, or possibly avoiding it all and choosing death sooner than later and never experiencing the deterioration of their life?
This blog wasn’t put together with the intention to offend any kind of higher power that could be believed to bring us into this world and take us out, but rather to surface the question: In the state of a grueling medical condition or birth disability, if given the right, would you choose when you wanted to die with the assistance of a trained medical professional?
Euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide pose a threat to our modern-day society and the legalization of this practice has been a topic of debate for years. For some reason, people have an issue with the ultimate liberty and the right to die in a strategically planned setting. What if that terminal patient was promised certainty, . . . a promise that they wouldn’t have to suffer anymore, their loved ones wouldn’t see them in a state of constant emotional and physical distress, or possibly avoiding it all and choosing death sooner than later and never experiencing the deterioration of their life?
This blog wasn’t put together with the intention to offend any kind of higher power that could be believed to bring us into this world and take us out, but rather to surface the question: In the state of a grueling medical condition or birth disability, if given the right, would you choose when you wanted to die with the assistance of a trained medical professional?
No comments:
Post a Comment