Our journey to understand the end

 Ultimately our struggle to reconcile the finite with the infinite is deeply personal and subjective. Our journey reflects the profound complexity of human consciousness and the constant quest for meaning and understanding in the face of life's most profound mysteries.

Artists and writers throughout history have examined the intense themes of the search for meaning, the craving for beauty, and the quest to understand what makes our lives meaningful. Here are some examples of artists and their works that explore this theme.

Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890). His vibrant and emotionally charged paintings, such as "Starry Night" and "The Bedroom," reflect his deep connection to nature and his inner emotions. His works are often seen as a quest for beauty and a contemplation of the transcendent.

Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910). In his epic novel "Anna Karenina," the characters grapple with existential questions and the search for a meaningful life. Tolstoy himself went through a spiritual transformation, exploring themes of morality and purpose in works like "War and Peace."

William Wordsworth (1770-1850). As a key figure in the Romantic movement, Wordsworth's poetry, especially in works like "Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey," explores the sublime beauty of nature and its role in shaping human emotions and understanding.

Frida Kahlo (1907-1954). Her surrealist and introspective paintings, such as "The Two Fridas" and "Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird," depict her personal struggles, pain, and the search for identity, making her art a reflection of the human experience.

Haruki Murakami (b. 1949): In his novels like "Norwegian Wood" and "Kafka on the Shore," characters often embark on journeys of self-discovery and existential exploration. His works blend the mundane with the fantastical, creating a unique lens through which to view the search for meaning.

Yayoi Kusama (b. 1929). Her immersive and visually stunning installations, such as "Infinity Mirrored Rooms," convey a sense of cosmic beauty and the infinite. Her work explores themes of repetition, obsession, and the relationship between self and the universe.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (b. 1977), Adichie's novels, including "Half of a Yellow Sun" and "Americanah," delve into the complexities of identity, love, and the pursuit of a meaningful life in the face of societal and personal challenges.

Olafur Eliasson (b. 1967). His immersive and interactive art installations, such as "The Weather Project" at Tate Modern, explore the intersection of art, nature, and human perception. His works often invite viewers to engage with the beauty and complexity of the world around them.

These artists and writers are but a few that over time have contributed to the rich tapestry of human exploration into the meaning of existence, the pursuit of beauty, and the intricate threads that weave together a meaningful life.

Beware the ides of March

"Beware the Ides of March" means "Beware of March 15th." The Ides of March was March 15th on the calendar in ancient Rome; it was also the day on which Julius Caesar was assassinated and the day is associated with death. So what happens when someone we love dies?

When someone we love dies, it's like facing an unfathomable mystery. No matter what our beliefs are, the idea that the vibrant thoughts and feelings within us could simply disappear feels incomprehensible. Even if we grasp the concept that we're made of borrowed stardust, destined to return to the vast universe, the understanding blurs into abstract anxiety as the body approaches dissolution.

The complexity of our minds struggles to grasp the idea of timeless nothingness. We are animated by fleeting electrical impulses and temporary interactions of matter, making it challenging to conceive a state of infinite inanimacy—a void beyond existence.

In those moments of loss, we yearn for a way to make sense of it all. Many artists and writers over time have beautifully explored the search for meaning, our craving for beauty, and what makes our lives meaningful. Writers ask profound questions as they struggle for answers: How can we comprehend something without substance? How can mortal creatures understand things that exist forever? Creative souls over time have spoken about the deep human struggle to reconcile the finite nature of our existence with the infinite unknown that follows.

The deep human struggle to reconcile the finite nature of our existence with the infinite unknown is a fundamental aspect of the human experience, touching upon existential questions that have puzzled philosophers, theologians, artists, and thinkers throughout history.

We are unique in our awareness of our own mortality. Unlike other animals, we possess the cognitive ability to contemplate our existence and the inevitability of death. This awareness can lead to profound existential anxiety as we grapple with the idea that our time is limited.

In the face of mortality, we seek meaning and purpose in our lives. The awareness of our finite existence prompts questions about the significance of our actions, relationships, and contributions to the world. Many of us turn to philosophy, religion, or personal reflection to find a sense of purpose that transcends the chronological nature of life.

The infinite unknown beyond death is a source of fear and uncertainty. Our mind, wired to understand and navigate the tangible world, finds it challenging to conceptualize a state of existence beyond the boundaries of time and space. This fear of the unknown often drives individuals to seek solace in religious beliefs, spiritual practices, or philosophical frameworks that offer explanations or assurances about what comes after death.

To mitigate the finiteness of individual existence, we often strive to create a lasting legacy. Whether through creative works, achievements, or the impact on others, we seek ways to transcend our own mortality by leaving a meaningful imprint on the world.

Different cultures and religions provide diverse narratives and beliefs about the afterlife or the continuation of existence beyond death. These beliefs offer frameworks for understanding and coping with the finite nature of life, providing a sense of continuity or purpose that extends beyond the earthly realm.

Philosophers and thinkers have engaged in profound contemplation about the nature of existence, consciousness, and the afterlife. The quest to understand the relationship between the finite and the infinite has given rise to diverse philosophical perspectives, from existentialism to metaphysical inquiries about the nature of reality.

More Funerals than Weddings

It’s a dark side of being a senior that you are going to face a higher incidence of people dying than you may have seen in other eras of your life.  While we all have the experience of someone we know passing away from time to time throughout life, because of the stage of life we are in as senior citizens, it is going to be more common as we move along in years.

The first big adjustment is when you start to see friends, relatives or others in your apartment complex or assisted living center pass away with some regularity.  When you are going to more funerals than weddings or baby showers, you need some coping skills for dealing with it.  How often have you heard another senior complain, “My friends keep on passing away”?  It’s a fair question and one all seniors have to deal with at one time or another.

The real reason why that question has a sense of alarm is that the passing of a friend reminds us of our mortality and because you are in the age group where this is the only step in life beyond where you are, death seems to be closing in around you all the time.  So what coping mechanisms can you use to combat the depression and the sense that the end is near for you?

First of all, when a friend or close relative dies, don’t let the first thought be about your own grief and other emotional reactions.  Think about the widow, and the children of your friend and what they are going through.  Ask yourself, “What can I do to be a comfort to the family?”  In that way, you are focusing outside yourself and on others and that is an excellent therapy for not letting the grim reaper steal vital time away from you through fear.

Secondly, don’t try to rationalize the passing of someone else.  It’s really easy to explain it away by saying, “Well he didn’t take care of himself like I do so that’s why he was taken early.”  That kind of thinking is paranoid and attempting to assign significance that isn’t there.  You really have no idea why one person passes on earlier than another one.  There aren’t any rules for this kind of thing.  Death doesn’t take one because he isn’t as worthy of more life than another.  Giving in to speculative explanations for why your friend passed away is what mythology is made of.  And it is really a form of selfishness because you are looking to show to yourself that you are not going to be the next one to go because you live right.

When it comes right down to it, really only one thing will give you comfort about the passing of a friend and that trend of people your age passing away so often.  That is to face your mortality and to come to grips with your eternal outcome.  This isn’t a sermon but many of us put off trying to understand the role of religion in our lives and whether there is any credibility to the concept of an afterlife.

Better men and women than you and I have given these thoughts some serious consideration.   The important thing is that you get to a place where you feel confident about your eternal outcome and that you feel you can go to the grave in peace because your spiritual “affairs are in order.”  And if you can get to that place, you will not be so alarmed at the passing of someone close to you.