Death can be a beautiful thing

with your e's
and your ease
and i do much more
need a lip gloss boost
in your america
is it god's
is it yours
sweet saliva
with your e's
and your ease
and i do one more
i know we're dying
and there's no sign of a parachute
we scream in cathedrals
why can't it be beautiful
why does there gotta be a sacrifice
just say yes
you little arsonist
you're so sure you can save
every hair on my chest
just say yes
you little arsonist
with your e's
and your ease
and i do one more
well i know we're dying
and there's no sign of a parachute
in this chapel
little chapel of love
can't we get a little grace
and some elegance
no we scream in cathedrals
why can't it be beautiful
why does there
gotta be a sacrifice
just say yes
you little arsonist
with your e's
and your ease
and i do one more
well i know we're dying
and there's no sign of a parachute
in this chapel
little chapel of love
can't we get a little grace
and some elegance
no we scream in cathedrals
why can't it be beautiful
why does there
gotta be a sacrifice

~tori amos

Often I consider this song when I think of what it will be like to complete this chapter; to leave the material world and visit the other side.  There was once a time when I was terrified of death; the mere thought of it brought deep pains to my stomach.  As time progressed, however, I began to gain an understanding of Buddhism and Taoism.  These philosophies teach that we are a part of a greater life form that utilizes the mutual interpolation of opposites to transmute  our beings into higher-level forms of consciousness.

Life and death are part of the inner work that each of us does in order to reach a greater understanding and become a better companion to the cosmic entity of which we are all a part.  Each of us is given ample time to progress on our inner work.  If, however, we cling to our material attachments, our energy will gradually weaken until we are dispersed into the lower forms of being, where we will start the whole thing over again and may never reach a state at which we can escape the suffering and pain of incarnation.

Awhile back, I began to realize that we are not, at all, what our material egos would have us believe we are.  Our egos would like us to believe that they are our individuality, but these egos are really an abberation.  They keep us from ascending to higher levels of consciousness because they occupy our minds with meaningless attachments.

It is important to realize how we are controlled by our attachments, and understand that this does nothing to further our inner work.  It is essential that we meditate on non-attachment, so that we may gain an understanding of how it is without any of the material things we so cherish.

Imagine what it will be like without your daily rituals and all of the things that you have acquired during this life.  When your death finally occurs, the last chance will have passed to accept the loss of these things.

If you are prepared by a lifetime of meditation and contemplation, then the transformation of death will be a beautiful ascension into a higher energy consciousness.  If unprepared, then your death will be a terrifying experience, further locking you into the cycle of death and rebirth.