Lady Li was a daughter of the border guard of Ai. When she was first captured and brought to Qin, she wept until tears drenched her collar. But when she got to the palace, sharing the king’s luxurious bed and feasting on the finest meats, she regretted her tears. How do I know that the dead don’t regret the way they used to cling to life?
I wasn't familiar with the story, but it's beautiful. It reminds me of the moment after a loved one passed when it occurred to me that for all I know, death is like an injection or medical procedure I dread for weeks, and then there's a little snap and it's over and I'm on the other side of it still me. But I don't and can't know, so I'm stuck on the side where I dread all the things it could be. Of Hill's options, it seems closest to the 20-sided die, although I suspect that I count things as a belief at a lower credence level than lots of folks.
I feel like most of Hill's suggestions apply to my experience of grief as a religious person, but I could also see them applying to someone who has an Epicurean view of death as nonexistence not worth worrying about.
At almost 3.30 am I found your story and illustration. Now that was something to stay awake for a little while. Thank you Helen.
Beautiful story and beautiful writing from you
I wasn't familiar with the story, but it's beautiful. It reminds me of the moment after a loved one passed when it occurred to me that for all I know, death is like an injection or medical procedure I dread for weeks, and then there's a little snap and it's over and I'm on the other side of it still me. But I don't and can't know, so I'm stuck on the side where I dread all the things it could be. Of Hill's options, it seems closest to the 20-sided die, although I suspect that I count things as a belief at a lower credence level than lots of folks.
I feel like most of Hill's suggestions apply to my experience of grief as a religious person, but I could also see them applying to someone who has an Epicurean view of death as nonexistence not worth worrying about.
How beautiful is your story and how more beautiful are your drawings! Thank you very much!!!
Thank you for this beautiful essay
Please find an Illuminated Understanding of death and what it requires of us.
http://www.easydeathbook.com/purpose.asp
And a set of related references:
http://beezone.com/current/welcomesisterdeath-2.html
http://beezone.com/latest/death_message.html
http://www.adidaupclose.org/death_and_dying/index.html
The Ego's Fear of Death http://beezone.com/adida/ego-fear/index-47.html