Freedom Friday: Being Free to Choose Life or Death...

@eaglespirit gave a writing prompt for this weeks #FreedomFriday

Freedom to Choose to Live or Die

Pondering upon these points there was a couple of things that came to mind.

• Euthanasia - End of Life (assisted suicide) when someone is suffering from an incurable disease. This focuses more on the physical suffering and a persons wish to die with dignity.

• Suicide - When one voluntarily and with intention takes one's own life.

Both of these seem rather dark topics but really there is some light that can be shed by investigating them.

First I want to start by putting myself into that situation of having a painful, incurable disease and knowing that things will only get worse.

Psychology Today presented this point which I totally agree with -

Liberty to think and decide what is best for your life is one of the greatest freedoms we have, yet there are many that do not want that option available when it is of the greatest importance at the end of life. When faced with a terminal illness and an agonizing death, who better to determine your quality of life, how much pain you can stand, how much more you wish to go on, than you?

When you've looked at these points bought up in the above statement there is one more thing I feel needs to be bought up - "

Are you really ready to die?

This life, human life, is precious, and although you may not feel that way at the time of your suffering - think - that the next moment may be your last breath moment. Are you truly ready to let it go?
Is there anything that you have left undone?
Is there anything you need to rectify?
Anyone you need more moments together with?

I had read the "Tibetan Book of the Dead", where they described the dying process. Actually a lot more than that.

The compendium of texts known as The Tibetan Book of the Dead contains exquisitely written guidance and practices related to transforming our experience in daily life, on how to address the processes of dying and the after-death state, and on how to help those who are dying. These teachings include: methods for investigating and cultivating our experience of the ultimate nature of mind in our daily practice (Chapters 2-7), guidance on the recognition of the signs of impending death and a detailed description of the mental and physical processes of dying (Chapter 8), rituals for the avoidance of premature death (Chapter 9), the now famous guide ‘The Great Liberation by Hearing’ that is read to the dying and the dead (Chapter 11), aspirational prayers that are read at the time of death (Chapter 12), an allegorical masked play that lightheartedly dramatises the journey through the intermediate state (Chapter 13), and a translation of the sacred mantras that are attached to the body after death and are said to bring ‘Liberation by Wearing’ (Chapter 14).
― Graham Coleman, The Tibetan Book of the Dead

Having read that book, when someone chooses the path to knowingly enters into death, I would ask -
Is your mind at peace or will you be desperately trying to grasp on to the last bit of life before you enter the unknown?

Often it is said that your life flashes before you at the time of death. If you still have time in this life do you need this remaining time to reflect on your life.
Is there something still holding you back, or anything left undone?

On the second point of willingly and intentionally taking one's life, I feel this involves more the mental anguish. Where someone is in a very dark place and sees death as the only way out.

I have pondered how a youth, or anyone for that instance could take there life.
Standford Children Health gave me some insights into why adolescence may become prone to suicide.

Adolescence is a stressful developmental period filled with major changes — body changes, changes in thoughts, and changes in feelings. Strong feelings of stress, confusion, fear, and uncertainty, as well as pressure to succeed, and the ability to think about things in new ways, influence a teenager's problem-solving and decision making abilities.
For some teenagers, normal developmental changes, when compounded by other events or changes in their families, such as divorce or moving to a new community, changes in friendships, difficulties in school, or other losses, can be very upsetting and can become overwhelming. Problems may appear too difficult or embarrassing to overcome. For some, suicide may seem like a solution.

I realize it is my own ignorance for not knowing what depths of despair or mental anguish some may experience, never having suffered from real depression. Only one incident in my later teens, when I could not see any future for myself, there was darkness and confusion and at that point thoughts of suicide did enter my head but that period didn't last long. This occurrence has helped me be more compassionate to others who are suffering.

This has also built my awareness that if someone is in this dark place, reach out to them. Throw them a life line!

Image source: Pixabay.com

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