Dying while you're alive?

Question

I've heard plenty of people say that to truly live you've got to die while you're alive. I understand it in theory, but could you elaborate on how one might do this? Thanks.

I'm not talking about literal, physical death. This is in the philosophy section...

Answer 1

For me it goes like this:

My selfish ego must 'die' every day for me to go out and be the compassionate peace worker that I am.
I must override my selfishness to have it my way (except at Burger King, and then I practice being patient, kind and loving if the order is incorrect)
I let go of holding onto grudges, resentment, anger and 'being right' if it makes someone else 'wrong'
I allow myself to not have to 'win' every argument or debate - [argument here means difference of opinion]
I give away much more than I keep of my stuff, my time, my energy, my talents.
I don't keep a 'tab' on how much I've given and not received back.
I'm willing to let go of where and what and who and when in relation to the love I receive. I may not get it from whom I choose, when I want, but there is always plenty of love for me if I'm willing to receive a little bit here and there from those who are willing to give love to me.
I volunteer heavily in the community.
I stretch myself beyond my comfort zone every day. I don't mean risk taking, but something like if I'm tired but I know that my neighbor's under the weather, I make some healthy food and take it over there, no matter how tired I am.
It's about humility for me, not humiliation.
All those things add up to a feeling of connection. And as I do all those things, along with the rest of my life, incredible things happen to me. My spouse and I unloaded an elderly lady's car of boxes at the post office for mailing. None were heavy, but there were some HUGE ones, and she was on a cane. At the end as we were walking away, she came scooting after us and put a gift card in my hand. We went out to dinner on this kind and gentle soul. And it came at just the right moment, cause we really didn't have enough money to eat that night [next day was payday - and the fridge was empty too].
Getting too long-winded here. Sorry.
Thanks for a very interesting Q. I'm starring it. :)

Answer 2

Ive been that edge of life's envelope. That borderline between life and death, and just to calm your fears. I have lost about 8mths of memory, so I do not remember anything from when I was in a coma-a period of about 4mths.

However, my mother says, which is endorsed by others. That, during that time, they could see different muscles in my face, arms, torso, legs and feet. Go through momentary spasm's. Now this could be momentary muscle, spasm or it could be muscular spasm associated with an imaginary, or memorial incident, I don't know.

That is a purely physical occurrance, I do know a monk that during meditation can slow his heart beat right down to, almost stop. He says he can, communicate with what he believes is the divine being. I think it's an simbol of his imagination, but it's what he believes so good luck to him.

Answer 3

to me it means I have to truly hit my bottom before I can appreciate what in life it is that is really good for me.in my life .because when you hit bottom it can feel like you died then to come out of the pits in life and get up ON your feet is a real taste of life.

Answer 4

OK I'm confused, how do you die if you are already dead?? Unless you are talking about people that have died and been brought back to life. Either way, I think that as long as you live your life to the fullest, you shouldn't have any regrets!

Answer 5

Every minute that we are alive, we are dying. When you come to grips with this and when you clear your mind of illusion then you are more alive.