the Physiological nature of life destroys us, the idea of death gives us salvation.
Irvin Yalom
I decided to read this book primarily because I am at some point in their life experienced the fear of death. Whether from the fact that clients with similar problems at this time were very much whether from the fact that I am not getting any younger. And every year more and more I have thoughts about the finiteness of life that it caused terror, panic and paralyzing fear, reaching the physical sensation of constriction of internal organs and the heart. But beyond that called professional interest, I have never tried to avoid the topic with clients. And how the opposite effect – called for our Novosibirsk Museum of funeral culture and crematorium. The Museum has made a terrible impression – the feeling that playing with something dangerous or trying to open the forbidden door.
Back to the book. The book is wonderful, written in clear language, with minimum use of professional vocabulary. Look into the sun will blind, just as it is impossible, according to most people focus on the death. I. Yalom refutes this opinion, he believes that not only can understand their thoughts about death, but need to do it.
Starting to read the first Chapter, I thought the book would be boring, as mentioned by the Greek philosopher Epicurus and his teachings. I thought that this will continue, but I was wrong. The book contains many stories of people's lives, client cases and a lot of other interesting things. I. Yalom is trying to convey to the reader that the awareness of the finiteness of life, is necessary in order to make it more filled. Gives examples of people who, at the age of 80 in new ways feel life, to be happy. So many little things that we cling strongly (things, old grudges, sibling rivalry, money) in the end not so important, but life itself and full accommodation.
In the end, Epicurus, whom I greatly underestimated in the beginning, his teachings brought comfort, my own fear is greatly diminished so that I almost ceased to feel it. Death is Nothing, teaches an atheist Epicurus. In the literal and figurative sense, this means that there is nothing after death, namely: no pain, no fear, no negative emotions, demons, and all that can imagine people. Because after death there is no consciousness, it ceases to exist and this means that we simply will not. But why fear what is not?
the Book is a must read if you care about this issue. My little review will not be able to transfer 10% of its content, and it is important, in my opinion, every word.
Another interesting phenomenon, which is described by I. Yalom is a "ripple effect". What is it? This is some of our actions, our words affect the world around you, at people around, changed them for the better. For example, I help people cope with different life difficulties and often hear the gratitude in response. This means that I affected the course of events in a positive way. So when I die, I will not go away completely, a part of me will remain on this earth in the form of "wave effect". Similarly, I am grateful to many people in my life for support, in time they said kind words. And, including people who are no longer alive. For example, my grandmother, who was kind and accepting she is gone and the effect on how she treated me there. It gives meaning to life: we're not leaving at all, we leave behind a ripple effect.
In General, read the book, she is beautiful!
And end with a quotation I. Alama: "to Appreciate life, to feel empathy for people and deep love for everything in the world means to realize that all this is doomed to extinction".
