Western culture is highly individualistic - and thanatophobic. I see a link between both. We value the individual and it'S rights and freedoms extremely high. and by that it seems that we lose the meaning of death out of our sight. Avoiding leads to no longer learning. Lack of insight leads to fear. And by this, we become obsessed with the idea of wanting to live forever/stay forever young.
A rough and extremeley shortened summary, I know. But you may get the principle idea.
The art of living we can only learn by losing our fear of death. But the fear of death we can only lose when understanding that there is no use in clinging to life at all cost. Don't be ahead of events, don't lack behind. Do not resist, nor cling for it. That way, the art of living and the art of dying become one. And fear may lose its fangs to insight.
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If you feel nuts, consult an expert.
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