tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7450901364359468032.post6147514966563773237..comments2010-03-16T11:48:44.150-04:00Wolfgang Spitzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06495813752382821117wolfgangayahuasca@gmail.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7450901364359468032.post-11220629563817446642010-03-09T07:00:58.138-05:002010-03-09T07:00:58.138-05:00In my own life, I credit my struggles with suicidal ideation with allowing me to examine my mortality to a greater degree than perhaps most have. It's compelled me to think deeply about life and death and it's solidified my view that all deity-based religions are strictly man-made.Richnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7450901364359468032.post-1829533952806551872010-03-09T07:00:58.137-05:002010-03-09T07:00:58.137-05:00Does it not occur, at least for certain-minded individuals, that a realisation of ones mortality leads to despair, or at least hedonism? Rather than the energetic motivation and escape from procrastination that you speak of.Mike Dnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7450901364359468032.post-38603685397127952662010-03-09T07:00:58.136-05:002010-03-09T07:00:58.136-05:00One path leads to despair and utter hopelessness. The other, to total extinction. Let us pray we have the wisdom to choose correctly. "Woody Allen"Bobnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7450901364359468032.post-60866324482455629522010-03-09T06:59:31.694-05:002010-03-09T06:59:31.694-05:00This "phenomenological technique" sounds equivalent to the basic principle of Buddhist 'Vipassana' method of practise.Mike Dnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7450901364359468032.post-86632008937389344102010-03-09T06:59:31.693-05:002010-03-09T06:59:31.693-05:00Nice observation Mike. I agree that there are certainly parallels between the two. I believe Vipassana means "to see things as they really are," which is also part of the goal of phenomenology. I think the main difference between the two is that the Vipassana meditation practice is more focused on directly experiencing "what is," while phenomenology is more oriented towards adequately reflecting on, or describing "what is." Something to think about at least.Wolfgang Spitzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06495813752382821117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7450901364359468032.post-60524956082947909162010-03-09T06:58:47.052-05:002010-03-09T06:58:47.052-05:00I don't feel so alone in my own mortality.Kellynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7450901364359468032.post-58754401351737171122010-03-09T06:56:26.093-05:002010-03-09T06:56:26.093-05:00Thank you for sharing a bit of your intense personal experience with us! Your comments are appreciated immensely. Let's hope we don't have to see whether or not you would change your mind in that position again.Wolfgang Spitzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06495813752382821117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7450901364359468032.post-15747027551050362742010-03-05T19:32:50.157-05:002010-03-05T19:32:50.157-05:00Those of us that have had terminal illnesses diagnosed,especially if they were wrongly diagnosed, have had this experience you write about. It's funny how I thought I now have to do so many things, like write letters, make video tapes, just so many things that we put off. and as you well say, do not even think about. The longing fo me was to just be able to continue putting everything off! I asked myself, what do I do with my days, with my time? and realized they were just basically wasted! Wasted doing nothing really meaningful! But, I wanted this luxury! I wanted to not have to think about having to do all those things that I knew had to be done to finalize my life and go! It was a eye opening experience for sure! and if I ever get diagnosed with a terminal illness again, I'll do exactly as I please, and not even think about it at all. That's my take on it now anyway, who knows I'll prolly change my mind LOL! Thanks for that great article!cactusrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15804837485084424212noreply@blogger.com