Unanswered Questions

Years, following years, steal something every day.
At last they steal us from ourselves away.
~Horace

I’ve always wondered if life after death is peaceful. What does it feel like to die? Is it painful? Is there a life after death? Is it a happy or a sad experience? If it indeed is a happy experience for the one who is dying, then why do we cry in case of death?

Isn’t death a part of life? Isn’t it supposed to be an extension of our journey of life? Is it true that death is a sacred event through which our soul departs from the body meets the almighty..the higher power? Isn’t it a liberating experience? Then why do we fear death? Why is it dreaded by everyone?

If the soul departs our body when we die, then why do people still cry while cremating the body? Are we selfish because we don’t want our near and dear ones to die? Or are we plain attached? Do we remember our life after death? Will we remember our close ones after death..our parents, children, family and friends?

Do heaven and hell exist? Are people happier after death or does it feel better to live? Will our souls really turn into stars after we die? Do we die when we want to, or does God just take us away? If life is so beautiful, then why must we die?

Most importantly, we cry when our near ones die..but we seldom appreciate their presence when they are around. We ask for forgiveness after someone dies, but why not when they’re alive? We reminisce when we realize that someone will never come back to us again. But why not cherish every moment when they are right there with us?

Death is a mystery, isn’t it? An intriguing one, at that!
We all have so many unanswered questions about death. We will all experience it one day.

But maybe, it will have gotten too late then…

Morn after morn dispels the dark,
Bearing our lives away;
Absorbed in cares we fail to mark
How swift our years decay;
 Some maddening drought had drugged our souls,
In love with vital breath,
Which still the same sad chart unrolls,
 Birth, eld, disease, and death.

 ~ BHARTRHARI, “Against the Desire of Worldly Things”.

(The above piece is dedicated to my dearest grandfather who passed away today morning. I know he’s in a happier place, so I won’t cry. I’m sure his soul will rest in peace.)