Why not death?

[dust1n]

Why do we continue to press on. I can't seem, really, to find any answer, no longer how I search, on why anyone, especially myself, would want to just continue living. There is nothing guaranteed to look forward to looks towards.

 

[Venatoris]

Personally, I'm indecisive. I can't choose the method of suicide which suits me best. When I finally do, I'll let you know.

 

[LuisDantas]

There is certainly nothing wrong with death. Neither is there anything wrong with the lack of certainty in life.

Life is the proccess of overcoming uncertainties and seeking good reasons to do so. It is not supposed to have many true assurances, but instead to spend a lot of time and effort seeking purposes and putting them to test.

 

[dust1n]

There is certainly nothing wrong with death. Neither is there anything wrong with the lack of certainty in life.

Life is the process of overcoming uncertainties and seeking good reasons to do so. It is not supposed to have many true assurances, but instead to spend a lot of time and effort seeking purposes and putting them to test.

What happens when you run out of uncertainties to test and fail to conjure any personally meaningful reasons to continue to exist, mainly because spending a lot of time and effort to capture any particular purpose or meaning and putting to them the test has become ultimately a fruitless venture?

 

[Nerthus]

You can always find something to look forward too. To give in is death itself.

 

[dust1n]

You can always find something to look forward too. To give in is death itself.

Of course you can find something to look forward to, but what is something worth looking forward to that has any actual verifiable basis?

 

[Nerthus]

Of course you can find something to look forward to, but what is something worth looking forward to that has any actual verifiable basis?

Life. I actually really enjoy living.

 

[Ozzie]

Why do we continue to press on. I can't seem, really, to find any answer, no longer how I search, on why anyone, especially myself, would want to just continue living. There is nothing guaranteed to look forward to looks towards.

One of the lessons an immature ego learns with time is that life is a journey. Its a pretty good trip but if you want to check out early no one else gives a damn if you waste the opportunity. So why not life?

 

[LuisDantas]

What happens when you run out of uncertainties to test and fail to conjure any personally meaningful reasons to continue to exist, mainly because spending a lot of time and effort to capture any particular purpose or meaning and putting to them the test has become ultimately a fruitless venture?

You become bitter, I guess. And you decide whether or not to involve yourself with the uncertainties of other people.

 

[dust1n]

You become bitter, I guess. And you decide whether or not to involve yourself with the uncertainties of other people.

And if displeasure is still inescapable on a regular basis?

 

[dust1n]

Life. I actually really enjoy living.

I see how that wouldn't serve a problem.

But looking forward to 'life' isn't going to be a verifiable of an enjoyable experience for a lot of people. What verification can they get?

 

[bobhikes]

There is nothing guaranteed to look forward to looks towards.

I find this statement completely wrong. Everyday there is something that makes me smile for a moment and that moment is what I look for. Even on my darkest days someone was able to make me see joy. I dwell and remember the joy of those days and can smile again. It is for this that I live and will continue to live.

If you can not see this joy or do not experience it before you give up I suggest a radical change. Get outside your box try to experience life in a new way. You can do this over and over again. You don't have to though you can just give up. I will tell you though that one moment of joy can last many life times. We still tell stories of my Grand Parents to my children that have never seen them and we fill them with joy for that moment which fills me with joy again.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Why do we continue to press on. I can't seem, really, to find any answer, no longer how I search, on why anyone, especially myself, would want to just continue living. There is nothing guaranteed to look forward to looks towards.

There will always be something to look forward to dude, it's just that you won't know what most of them are ahead of time. In fact, those are usually the best ones.

 

[Aquitaine]

Why do we continue to press on. I can't seem, really, to find any answer, no longer how I search, on why anyone, especially myself, would want to just continue living. There is nothing guaranteed to look forward to looks towards.

IMO it's 'cause we're born with a fear of death and suvivalist instincts, affecting us on all levels to ensure we try to stay alive and prosper through life as best we can. Some people may see that network of instincts as a blessing which acts as a neccessary foundation to help life blossom and to ensure we atleast give it a try - others may see it as an involuntary "decree" which dictates to them that they must survive, even if they no longer wish to. I'd imagine most people who commit suicide actually somehow "invalidate" or "bypass" there own survivalist instincts beforehand whether through bravery, stupidity, desire, or because they're suffering so much etc.



Meh, I dunno. I guess it just depends on how you look at it. Dunno if that helped.

 

[Penumbra]

Why do we continue to press on. I can't seem, really, to find any answer, no longer how I search, on why anyone, especially myself, would want to just continue living. There is nothing guaranteed to look forward to looks towards.

Generally, people press on because they enjoy living. Everyone has times where life is pretty horrible, but they can look back at previously enjoyable periods of life and look forward to the potential of future enjoyable periods in life.

Other people don't enjoy living. They can't think of anything to look forward to, and neither do they enjoy the present. This is depression, generally. It's a bit hypocritical of me to say this, but if you're depressed you might want to consider getting professional help to ensure nothing really bad comes of it.

I fall into the second group, where I neither enjoy the present too much nor is there anything in the future I look forward to. To answer your question, I press on because I wish for my life to have a net beneficial effect. In other words, I'd prefer it if my life, before being exhausted, did more good for others than bad for others. It's impossible to know for sure whether this is reached or not at any point, but I definitely don't think it's been reached yet, and I have specific plans on how to reach it, so I press on.

Of course, what this really is, is my natural survival instinct attempting to continue self-existence. It's working, obviously.

IMO it's 'cause we're born with a fear of death and suvivalist instincts, affecting us on all levels to ensure we try to stay alive and prosper through life as best we can. Some people may see that network of instincts as a blessing which acts as a neccessary foundation to help life blossom and to ensure we atleast give it a try - others may see it as an involuntary "decree" which dictates to them that they must survive, even if they no longer wish to. I'd imagine most people who commit suicide actually somehow "invalidate" or "bypass" there own survivalist instincts beforehand whether through bravery, stupidity, desire, or because they're suffering so much etc.



Meh, I dunno. I guess it just depends on how you look at it. Dunno if that helped.

That's pretty much it.

 

[Rainbow Mage]

When one begins to question the meaning of life, why they should continue living, and what it's purpose is, they're starting to reach true wisdom. This world has no purpose. It is a place we come to learn love and goodness. It is a world of maya/illusion. When death comes to you, greet him like an old friend, and die in peace.

 

[Penumbra]

Why do we continue to press on. I can't seem, really, to find any answer, no longer how I search, on why anyone, especially myself, would want to just continue living. There is nothing guaranteed to look forward to looks towards.

Also, you've got a Camus quote as your signature.

Have you read his essay, The Myth of Sisyphus? I'd imagine that you have, and it basically tackles the question of this thread. If you've read it, was the essay satisfying to you? If you haven't read it, I'd recommend it.

 

[bain-druie]

Dust1n: is joy something you once had and have now lost, or is joy something that has always eluded you?

To find your path, I believe it is good to start by finding what can give you joy. I mean the simple things; not someone you had a crush on in junior high school, or anything like that - a pure, simple joy, like the sight of a double rainbow, or the thrill of scoring in a sports game, or the exhilaration of an early morning swim, or even just the smell of apple wood burning or the bitter taste of black coffee, hot and strong. Sensory things that give a feeling of well-being. These things we all share, yet we each have a unique response. Your small joys will be yours alone; it may seem idiotic to delineate something so puerile, but it is quite often more important than it seems on the surface.

Find those things; they do not give you purpose, but they will help you find a center place of calm, so that you can think clearly, without the numbing black blanket of despair. (I have clinical depressive episodes; I know that feeling well.) If you can meditate, do so. Just breathe; don't think, don't feel, don't analyze, just breathe. Feel your breath, listen to it, close your eyes and just be.

If there is an element you feel you connect to more than the others - fire, earth, air, or water - I suggest trying to include it in calming meditation. Whatever your beliefs may be, I believe these things can be of help.

Once you are calm, having found the still center of your being, relax. Make a conscious decision that you will not continue to worry over existential questions to the point that it debilitates you.

Does your life have purpose and meaning? You'd get a variety of answers as to *what* purpose and meaning should be by definition from people holding different beliefs here, but I think we would all say 'yes', in some form there is value to your life. At the very least, the potential for value is there.

No one can tell you what that purpose is, or where your meaning lies. Correction: lots of people *can* try to tell you, and would LOVE to tell you, but they do not have the *right* to tell you. Your path is for you alone to discover. That there is a path, I do not doubt; perhaps you do - if so, fine. Reconcile yourself to the idea of forging your own path, with your own goals and reasons.

It is true that there is nothing wrong with death; it is no enemy to be defeated or thwarted. It is a part of life, a transition. But it should be met in its own time, not chased down by one who did not want the trouble of walking through the journey in this world.

My two cents; pardon me for intruding - I wish you every blessing.

 

[St Giordano Bruno]

If one's quality of life is so poor, such as extreme chronic pain or a gradually deteriorating terminal illness, dead may be a viable option, even it there is nothing but an eternal deep sleep.

 

[DallasApple]

Sometimes you just suck air..Air is GOOD!!!

Suck AIR!