In How to Die An Ancient Guide to the End of Life, the famous ancient Roman philosopher Seneca discusses how to accept one’s death and the certain conditions needed to be found. Seneca believed that life although beautiful in its own right was a long journey towards death and needed to be prepared for as best as possible. You must practice towards death by understanding how to die with the fullest life, how to have a good death, and what must you do to accept your own passing.
We ought to let our minds guide us in death more than in any other matter. A person should follow impulse when making an exit, whether he desires a blade, or a noose, or some kind of concoction to fill his veins, he should go ahead and break the chains of slavery. Each of us ought to seek a life that wins approval from others, but a death, from himself. The best one is the one that pleases him. These are foolish thoughts: ”Someone will say I didn’t do it bravely enough, or too recklessly, or that there was another kind of death that had more spirit to it.” Think instead that the plan you have in your hands is something that report is not concerned with. Look to this alone, that you get yourself away from fortune as quickly as you can. Otherwise there will be people there to judge your deed harshly” (p. 80).
Although the frequent concept of death seems fearful, and troubling at times there is a sense of long-term peace when practicing for your inevitable end. By universality accepting death, the true importance of life can be spread further and liberate whoever from the anxiety of the unknown. Whether you believe in an all-powerful God or nothing at all death will always be around us and it’s important to enlighten yourself before it’s to late.