Life and Death: A Spiritual Perspective

“Death is swallowed up in Victory.”

--I Cor. 15:54

“What is man that thou art mindful of Him?”

--Psalm 8:4

There is a lot to consider in this article but in the interest of keeping it simple, so that we can see the principles involved in the subject matter, we will focus on the two words that are underlined in the quoted scripture above. The words are ‘mindful’ and ‘swallowed.’

Everyone can concede that birth and death are the two events of life that we must all go through. If not we ourselves then those close to us as well as people we do not know. These two events are facts of life that, like it or not we all have to deal with. But the real question is:-how are we dealing with it? Do we wait till they occur, then find intellectual and emotional reasons for their existence? Or do we do like the very few, ponder their reality and the true value they have, not only in our physical lives, but also in our spiritual reality? We, basically, celebrate birth and dread death. But how are we to look at these extremities, reconcile the two, and reach to a conclusion that brings us assurance and comfort?

First, let us realize that in all pairs of opposites both sides cannot have equal value. One must either true or false or, at the least, of lesser value than the other. If both were equally true then they will be the same (or equal). And there will be no difference. A good thing to do is to contemplate pairs of opposites and weigh each side to see if the difference is relative or absolute. Regarding the subject matter of this article, I propose to you that Life is true and Death is false. The question is not that there is not a disappearance of a loved one, a favorite TV star, or a political dictator, but that what has happened to the Life that was animating that living creature. You see, life is not just the period of time from birth to death but is also an Animate, Vivifying substance (energy, spirit, being) that is at work beyond what humans can create or see. Religions call this infinite life giving substance God (Omnipotent Being), although they have also given ‘Him’ human traits.

God as an infinite Life substance is the only perspective that allows us to reconcile the pair of opposites: Life and Death. Next time take a look at the news. There are human being leaving this earth on a daily basis. But have you ever asked yourself: Why does the world continue as if that person, that died, never was? What you are about to read may be shocking but in the Light of the understanding of God, it is true, that person never was. Then, who was it that was? Or a better question is what was it that was?

This brings us to Psalm 8:4 and the keyword: mindful. What ARE we mindful of? We were mindful of the human personality, their possessions, the body they had (whether they took care of it or not), the beauty of the flesh, their skills and accomplishment, and any other material attachments that went along with that person. As the word “mindful” suggests, our mind was FULL of these evidences that represented the life of the deceased. At birth we begin the construction of all these evidences, the material accoutrements, and we build layer upon layer throughout our lives and the lives of others. Thus, our minds being so filled with these constructions we lose sights of what really matters: The Infinite Life Substance behind it ALL.

What we really need is to fill our minds i.e. be more AWARE of the fact that it is Life that is living and not we ourselves. See this fact in all that we do and in each other, then when death comes (our own or others) we will see that Life (another name for God) always was and is the only existence. The only thing existing (or expressing). We can still enjoy the world and the flesh but only as it becomes a direct evidence of God’s Self-Expression (not ours). So with all that has been said so far how do we reconcile the opposites and use our keywords from the bible quotation, to help transform our awareness and bring the Comforter into our lives? The affirmation below summarizes the spiritual stance that needs to be taken in order to facilitate this transformation. It is not just an affirmation to say once and that alone will initiate the spiritual transformation. It is rather a point of departure into the way of seeing things as you move through life and direct your awareness to seeing into the movements and the workings of the Spirit (God).

All that I see, does not belong to me

Life is all there is and I am mindful it is He.

Death is swallowed up by Life, the All.

It is He I see in all that could ever BE.