Required Reading: Letter 26: On Old Age And Death
“You are younger; but what does it matter? There is no fixed count of your years. You do not know where death awaits you; so be ready for it everywhere.”
Seneca instructs Lucilius to always be thinking of death; not in a sad or morbid way; but to understand that it can happen suddenly or further away. When it comes, no one knows; yet, when it does, one should not be shocked or caught unaware.
Very many of us have not even considered that “life is ending daily”; we have no plan for our final exit; somehow our spirit; our innermost being convinces us that we are immortal; true that is; but mortal here on earth; which is the case at hand.
We owe it to ourselves to slow down the pursuit of all things external and focus on the spirit to grant it peace; we must believe that although our body ache from old age and infirmities, our mind is vibrant; it can and will still do amazing things as Seneca states “It is alert; it takes issue with me on the subject of old age; it declares that old age is time of bloom.”
Death is a sore subject in many cultures; agree. It is inexplicable; what happens when one leave this plane; there are many theories; yet, I must encourage myself by saying ‘I go back to where I came—from that realm of total forgetfulness—when I was before I became—when I will not even remember what I experienced here— just as I forgot what I was before I became.’
It is a thought that keeps me doing good on the side of heaven; for I know what truly matters is not my body; how beautiful and full of strength it is; or how frail; but my mind; my inner being; my internal capacity to think!
This is what’s eternal, what stays with me throughout the varied experiences I encounter. For “The showing which we have made up to the present time, in word or deed, counts for nothing.” I find myself blissful when I rely on the my spirit to put a decisive blow on all of this—that death is the last act which pulls the curtains on life! My last scene to give a final bow to my audience and that I intend to make it a memorable performance! Farewell!
Word of the day:
Connexion (noun): meeting point; link; union; bond (The Oxford American Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus 2nd Edition).
Quotations:
“…old age means a time of life that is waried rather than crushed”
“I feel that age has done no damage to my mind, though I feel its effect on my constitution.”
“…my mind is strong and rejoices that it has but slight connection to the body. It has laid aside the greater part of its load.”
“But is there any better end to all than to glide to one’s proper haven, when nature slips the cable?”
“Put aside the opinion of the world; it is always wavering and always takes both sides. Put aside the studies which you have pursued throughout your life; Death will deliver the final judgment in your case.”
“Even the most timid man can deliver a bold speech.”
“What you have done in the past will be manifest only at the time when you draw your last breath.”
“When we can never prove whether we really know a thing, we must always be learning it.”
“Think on death.”-Epicurus.
“He who has learned to die has unlearned slavery; he is above any external power, or at any rate, he is beyond it.”
“There is only one chain which binds us to life, and that is the love of life.”
Questions:
1) How do you feel about old age and death? Do you dread it; feel sad that you were getting old and maybe one day die?
2) Do you feel death is a bad thing? A necessary evil?
3) Would you want to live forever on earth? Why or why not?
Activities:
1) Today, “think on death” how would you want to exit?
2) To prepare physically, get life insurance to take care of your funeral expenses and leave money for your loved ones.
3) Jot down at least 10 things you could do in old age.
