Embracing the Layers of Death: A Journey to Living Fully

Speechless ! As I finished reading the book “ Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom, I could only marvel at the way how the book represented life lessons thru experiences it kind of made me question my own life made me cry and left me in awe .

I just couldn’t get over a line from the book …” The truth is, once you learn to die , you learn how to live : which formed a trigger for today’s blog ….

Death is a topic that many of us tend to avoid or fear. It is the ultimate unknown and final destination that we cannot escape. Yet to many of us it’s a taboo subject even though it impacts our lives.

Scientifically speaking, death is the end of our physical body. It is a natural process that we cannot control. However, spiritually, death is seen as another dimension, and we are not just our body or mind but something more. Despite this perspective, death still brings grief and loss to those who are left behind.

The first layer of death ("la muerte chiquita,") is when we become aware of our temporary existence. As children, everything appears infinite . However, as we grow up, we begin to understand the inevitable end of our lives. We realize that we are not here forever, and this affects our outlook on life. We start prioritizing things around us and our once-never-ending happiness and joy start to fade away. This is the first death, where we lose our innocence and become aware of our temporary existence.

The second layer of death "la muerte grande," is the physical death that we all know. Death is inevitable and unpredictable. We can delay it, but we cannot avoid it. This thought can often bother us because we have good reasons to be alive. We make meaning out of this life, and we become aware of our existence. We are human becoming, and all of these come to a stop when we die. 

The third layer death "la muerte del olvido," is the final death or the death of memory. After we die, we exist in the memories of those who knew us. However, there will come a time when our name will be taken for the last time, and we will be forgotten. This is the final death, and it is inevitable for most of us. Unless we are a legends, our existence will become meaningless after two generations. People will no longer remember us, and our existence will fade away. This fear of not leaving a legacy scares many people. We try to deny our decay and seek immortality through fame or legacy. However, eventually, everyone will be forgotten.

Understanding the layers of death can bring emancipation. It dissolves our ego and calms our desperation. It allows us to work with our futile existence and accept our temporary nature. Although we may try to seek immortality, the reality is that we will all be forgotten one day. It is a matter of time. We can work towards leaving a legacy, but we should not let it consume us. We should live our lives to the fullest and embrace the temporary nature of our existence.

In Mexico , there is a concept of three deaths which is a powerful reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of making our time on this earth count. It is a call to action to live fully and leave a positive legacy behind. In Mexican culture, death is not seen as something to be feared, but as a natural part of the cycle of life. It is a reminder to cherish our time with loved ones and to create meaningful connections that will endure beyond our physical existence.

In conclusion, death is a layered process that affects us in different ways. Although it is natural and inevitable, it is important to understand its impact on our lives. Rather than fearing it its only practical to accept it and live our lives to the fullest. We can leave a legacy, but ultimately, we will all be forgotten. It is a part of life, and we should accept it.