Is death the end? In a way, this question is critical to the human condition, and yet it's probably something we rarely think about. We tend to live day-by-day, thinking about the cares and concerns of the moment. Maybe we'll plan for the future, maybe we'll reflect on the past. But who really plans for the End?
Most people don't think about death until death is almost at their door. Others think about death so much that they want to experience as much as possible before it's all over. What is the proper balance?
Nobody knows for sure whether there is life after death, or if perhaps we are reincarnated or reborn after we die. But one thing we can know for certain by examining human history. Human progress and achievement has been impressive, despite the fact that we live and die in the blink of an eye. We attain great achievements as a species because we are able to pass on knowledge from person to person, and from generation to generation.
Think about what you want to achieve in your life. More importantly, think about the kind of effect you want to have on the world. The impact you have on those around you, and the influence you will have on future generations, are just as important as your day-to-day concerns.
Even if death really is the end, we achieve immortality when we live on in the people we influence, teach, raise, and love.
Most people don't think about death until death is almost at their door. Others think about death so much that they want to experience as much as possible before it's all over. What is the proper balance?
Nobody knows for sure whether there is life after death, or if perhaps we are reincarnated or reborn after we die. But one thing we can know for certain by examining human history. Human progress and achievement has been impressive, despite the fact that we live and die in the blink of an eye. We attain great achievements as a species because we are able to pass on knowledge from person to person, and from generation to generation.
Think about what you want to achieve in your life. More importantly, think about the kind of effect you want to have on the world. The impact you have on those around you, and the influence you will have on future generations, are just as important as your day-to-day concerns.
Even if death really is the end, we achieve immortality when we live on in the people we influence, teach, raise, and love.
2 comments:
The Buddha taught us, “An evil thought eradicates myriads of merits; a kind thought eradicates innumerable calamities.” The most direct method is to calm ourselves and pray with pure, peaceful, harmonious and sincere thoughts. We must purify our minds and initiate kind thoughts before leading others in acts of kindness.
I agree. It's important to develop and purify yourself before you can help others. Otherwise, you'll worse than useless to everyone, and your efforts will be for nothing. Youth is the time we can develop and grow; when we're older we can start doing really powerful and good works in the world. At this point in my life I feel like I'm in between: no longer young, but not old enough or wise enough to start my true life's mission.
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