Confronting the Beyond through the Reflection of Existence

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As I have done for the past few days, I sit calmly in front of my monitor, relishing the peace of having nothing to do. Yet, somewhere in my mind, someone offers me the challenge of taking on something!

I would rather resist the temptation to write, as I recognize that I lack the energy and concentration needed to compose a lengthy story—particularly about my struggle with the sudden changes brought on by ageing. (Reflecting on my seventy years of living, I see that my worst illness was a bad cold!), and now it happens such a big thing!!

However, I have often contemplated death, and this time, I find myself reflecting on it more deeply and with a sense of respect. I believe this is an important issue.

It is good to know there is an end, at least in this form as we live, and to let close friends and family accept once there is a farewell.

To hear from Dr Carl Gustave Jung how he tells us:

In 1944, Jung suffered a heart attack and experienced what he then claimed to be an experience ‘after death’: ‘What happens after death is so unspeakably glorious that our imagination and our feelings do not suffice to form even an approximate conception of it’ (Letters, Vol. 1,343, cited by Yates 1999:6).
… He addressed this issue on different occasions, notably in a letter addressed to Kristine Mann in 1945, in which he argued that this experience gave him a ‘glimpse behind the veil’ (Letters Vol. 1, 358-359, cited by Yates 1999:7).
From Carl Jung Depth Psychology

Of course, I don’t intend to say farewell—not yet! But in my new situation, I can consider it.

As you may know, I am not religious, and yet, I no longer identify as an atheist. I believe that once our bodies have fulfilled their purpose and naturally fade away, some unearthly energy hidden within our unconscious will be released into an unknown realm. If we can understand our dreams, we might provide insight into where this energy goes.

By the way, my condition is relatively stable, and I must maintain this until April when I am scheduled for another surgery, provided that everything remains the same or improves!? Thank you all for your support.💖🤗🙏

The image on the top by 1dontknows

44 thoughts on “Confronting the Beyond through the Reflection of Existence”

  1. It’s reassuring to hear that your condition is stable, Aladin, and that you have a health plan going forward. It must be really difficult adjusting to not working after so many busy decades. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and reflections with such openness and honesty. Your words carry a profound sense of peace and acceptance … and I’m deeply moved by your contemplation of life, ageing, and the journey beyond.  

    Please know that you’re in my thoughts often and that I’m sending you much love and positive energy across the sea between us. Your strength and wisdom must be a beacon of light for all those around you. Love and light, Deborah.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Your encouraging words inspire me to keep striving for success in chess! (I am referring to Ingmar Bergman’s The Seventh Seal.) Honestly, as you recognised my support in your journey, you have done more than ever to help me find my independence and confidence. Thank you from the depths of my heart. Sending my true love.

      Liked by 1 person

      • I haven’t watched this great film (or don’t remember because I was too young) but understand your meaning entirely for this is one of the most celebrated of chess games on film!

        Playing chess with death is also a great metaphor to consider while enduring our dark nights of the soul. As we consider the choices before us, life or death, and which moves to make in order to live.

        I’m deeply moved by your reply here. Love and light, Deborah x

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Dearest Aladin, the reflections you shared about the positive state in which we will find ourselves after death are reassuring and beautiful. Sometimes I look at it as a liberation from anguish and depression
    I wish you a quick recovery and I keep you in my thoughts

    Liked by 1 person

  3. I’ve been chronically ill for 35 of my 75 years. It slowly but constantly gets worse – and I wonder sometimes when and how it will all stop. Being a practicing (though very liberal) Catholic helps – but each person has to make peace with not existing on this earthly plane, because we know it WILL happen.

    I hope there’s something there. I believe there’s something there. And I wonder occasionally how it will all go.

    But I have books to finish here, people to love, and we have just found out that there is to be a grandchild, when I thought none of our three children was going to reproduce (the son who will ‘continue our line’ is 36).

    It’s a crazy but beautiful world. Wish we took better care of it for the next generations.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. PS Wishing you the luck part of your surgery – that it go very well. The skill part is established, and there are painkillers and such in our modern life that make it much easier on us than even a hundred years ago. I shudder to think of what earlier generations went through, but the medical profession has made SOME advances.

    It’s amazing what they CAN do, considering all they still don’t know about people like me (hoping I hold on long enough for them to figure us out).

    Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Alicia, I have two wonderful grandchildren. Although I was initially very sceptical about bringing children into this world, my son wished for a family legacy to continue, and I hope the future will be much brighter than what we see now.

      I’m truly sorry for what you’re going through, my dear friend. Yet, you are an excellent writer, capable of positively or wisely impacting the world and the people.

      Blessings! 💖🤗

      Thank you ever so much for your kind wishes; I wholeheartedly agree! We are indeed fortunate to live in this modern world. I am sending my sincerest gratitude.

      🙏🥰

      Like

      • Keep us in the loop. Congratulations on your sensible son. He has been reared properly, and I applaud his optimism.

        The blessings of children far outweigh the many inconveniences of them, especially if the parents (and especially the mother, who tends to bear the mental load as well) have some support.

        Liked by 1 person

  5. Jean Raffa's avatar Jean Raffa

    I’m with you Aladdin. In December I read Marie-Louise von Franz’s book On Dreams and Death: A Jungian Interpretation. She’s a brilliant writer, and there was lots of information about dream symbols from different religions that refer to death, but it wasn’t really very helpful. Still, her conclusion about life after death was similar to Jung’s and it’s a perspective I have also long shared.

    After a bunch of tests indicated I had a serious heart issue, on Jan. 2, I had what was supposed to be double bypass heart surgery (but turned out to be a triple bypass). . . without fear. Just peace and acceptance. That was four weeks ago as of yesterday. Recovery has been slow but steady. I tire easily and have no motivation to do any writing, but all is well. My dreams have been reassuring; they seem to suggest I have more to do before my time is up. That feels good. But I must say I’m feeling my age for perhaps the first time! Still, it’s very good indeed to be alive!

    Much love and warm wishes for your healthy and speedy recovery! Jeanie

    Liked by 1 person

    • Oh, my lovely teacher! I am so happy to hear that you have overcome your complicated surgery and are living an endearing life. It seems we both understand our age simultaneously. As you mentioned, I am also happy to watch my grandchildren grow and see how fortunate they are.

      And I still have a lot to do; I must read so many books!

      Thank you for your wise and kind words, my dearest Jeanie. I also want to express my appreciation and best wishes for your recovery.

      💖🙏😘🌹

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Susan Scott's avatar Susan Scott

    hi Aladin, I’m sorry to hear you’ve been chronically unwell for much of your life. I hope your upcoming surgery heals what’s needed to heal. I fractured my wrist four and a half weeks ago, surgery was done. It’s been incapacitating in many ways but I believe I’m on the mend.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Oh! I’m sorry to hear about the trouble with your wrist; I’m sure it will recover soon. I’m not chronically ill—hopefully not! I haven’t had any health issues until now. However, I’m at an age where such things can happen. So, we shall see what comes next. Thank you, dear Susan, for popping by.🙏

      Like

  9. Thank you, Aladin, for sharing these thoughts on death. It can bring some comfort to those of us who are struggling either physically or mentally. I pray and hope your recovery goes well. Take care as much time as you need right now. Your health is important.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. I am not religious either, but I am pretty certain that there is ‘something up there’. Like finding a little star which will shine, and were we will go… ✨💫⭐

    In the meantime, look after yourself, dear Aladin. 💖💛

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Such honest reflections on life and death Aladin. When we hit these sudden changes in our health and start to contemplate our mortality it can be very sobering, yet also very enlightening. For me, after a close call four years ago, I changed my whole attitude and approach to my life and now live a far more fulfilled one…less work pressure, more looking after my body and nurturing my soul. It sounds as though you’re doing this and doing well.

    I’m so pleased things are stable now, do take very good care of yourself and sending much healing love and light.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Very sobering yet also enlightening; that is it, my dear wise Lin. Such an accident awakens us from a state of ignorance. I worked hard and never considered my body to be anything other than a machine! Now that I am aware of this, I shall do my utmost to follow your advice, simplify life, and enjoy the environment for the time that remains.
      You are incredibly kind, my lovely friend; thank you for your wise and valuable words.

      🙏💖🤗

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Mona West's avatar Mona West

    Dearest Aladin,

    I have allowed myself to be distracted by the man babies breaking things in my country and deeply regret that I have missed your recent blog posts. I’m very sorry to hear you are dealing with aging body issues but greatly relieved that you can experience the feeling of having nothing to do. I love that feeling! We are close in age and I am dealing with some issues of my body not functioning as well as it always has in the past. I reflect on death often and am so heartened to see that we share some similar perceptions put forth by Jung and MLvF. I feel that my soul is eternal but cannot say exactly what my soul is. My ego of course has her moments of fear but mostly I can simply see that my time here is much shorter than it’s ever been before and I wonder what will survive consciously as I enter / re-enter the Mystery. Mostly I’m okay with that and like yourself I do not expect to be going real soon. I really only want to wish you a full recovery and as complete a healing as possible. I am immensely grateful for your friendship and I love that we continue to share similar experiences even if they are not the ones we might prefer. I will hold you in my Heart always and think of you with Healing Energy and much Love. If we retain our personal consciousness I look forward to seeing you on the Other Side and if not we will still be what we’ve always been and it will not matter about personal. Be well and Heal well my Forever Friend.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Oh, my lovely dearest Mona! I am so delighted to hear from you and have you by my side. I wonder how long we have known each other; has it not been since the internet came to life? It is incredibly strange how time has passed, though I have always felt your presence throughout these times with me.🥰
      I am confident that I will be delighted to meet a kind-hearted friend like you on the other side, no matter what awaits us. I will sincerely cherish your kind words, my lovely Mona. Thank you!💖🙏🤗

      Like

  14. niasunset's avatar niasunset

    Dear Aladin, I amso glad to hear you are fine and things are stable now, I do believe everything will be better everyday, because you are a strong one, You have your own power, be sure, you are always in my thoughts. Thank you for your sharing, whenever you wish be with us, we love your wisely written posts, but also take care of yourself. Much Love, nia

    Liked by 2 people

    • Oh, immense thanks for your lovely appreciation, my dear Nia. Your encouraging and heartfelt words have filled my soul. This means a great deal to me and gives me enormous strength.

      Sending love and my deepest gratitude. 🙏🥰💖🌹

      Liked by 1 person

  16. Okay, on the temporary mend!

    One surgery at a time. Aladin, I know you have limited energy, but please remember to spend a bit of it with us out here in blogland who have become fond of you!

    x💖🌹💖o

    Liked by 2 people

  17. I’m glad you’re stable, Aladin, if not improved. I think contemplating death and being at peace with the transition every one of us will oneday face is healthy, much better than fear and dread. Nothing we need to hurry along, and sad to let go of this miraculous gift of a life, but something we can accept as natural when the time comes. It’s what makes every moment precious, even those that are hard. Hugs.

    Liked by 1 person

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