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| gailem |
 Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 6:46 pm Post subject: Fight through death: Is it possible |
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Forum Freshman
Joined: 29 Apr 2008
Posts: 23
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IS there a way to fight death? Example you use all your will power to try to survive when you are dieing.
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| DaBOB |
| Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 7:51 pm Post subject: |
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Forum Professor
Joined: 30 Jun 2006
Posts: 1215
Location: Arsia Mons, Mars
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More or less.
That depends on what type of death we are talking about. Generally if someone is terminally injured or ill they know it and accept their fate.
If you were just shot up and had no chance of survival you may be able to last a little longer if you really try (maybe a minute or two); but, eventually it will catch up with you.
As far as old age goes... well, the older you get the less useful you are to the species; or at least that's what our DNA thinks. So you could try, and as gene therapy advances who knows what will be possible. There are some yogis or Bodhisattvas who were said to have lived very long lives. However, they generally accept their fate and dedicate the rest of their years to the practice. So wait for technology or become a true and complete master of you mind and body.
Generally, as I noted on before, people sort of choose the timing of their death. The suffering is too great and/or the body knows it is time and the person accepts it and dies without struggle. I imagine if you work very hard to put these feelings and thoughts out of your mind you may be able to push it a few more minutes... or even days (depending on the ailment).
It's not unheard of for people with terminal illnesses to live normal lives. I'm sure willpower and determination have something to do with this.
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| Pong |
| Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:33 pm Post subject: |
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Forum Professor
Joined: 08 Apr 2008
Posts: 1192
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Sure you can "fight" death on some levels.
Can you fight shortness of breath? No.
Fight lung cancer? Not much.
Can you fight the actual cause of death - smoking? Absolutely.
The leading cause of death - above smoking now - is "physical inactivity". It's a funny "cause" of death but there it is. Obviously if you're a fighter by nature that factor won't apply, and you'll probably live longer. |
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| marnixR |
| Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 11:59 pm Post subject: |
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Forum Cosmic Wizard
Joined: 10 Apr 2007
Posts: 2401
Location: Cardiff, Wales
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when my dad died, we knew the end was near when one of the nurses said "he's given up the will to fight"
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biology without evolution is but stamp collecting |
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| Skiyk |
| Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 5:06 am Post subject: |
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Forum Junior
Joined: 31 Mar 2008
Posts: 203
Location: Canada
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Will power may chug you along for little while longer but everybody dies. Fact.
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| i_feel_tiredsleepy |
| Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 8:41 am Post subject: |
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Forum Ph.D.
Joined: 21 Mar 2008
Posts: 601
Location: Montreal
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"Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
" |
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| Robbie |
| Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 12:14 pm Post subject: |
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Forum Masters Degree
Joined: 08 Aug 2006
Posts: 584
Location: Dublin, Ireland
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There was a study done I think about a year ago showing no benefit in those with better mood/attitude to terminal cancer so no. (if that' what you meant) But in short, worrying will only make it worse so why be brought down by it. You dont really ever know exactly when you're going to die anyway.
Everyone will die as has already been said but you canward it off a while with exercise, good diet, and good relationships with people. Depends if you want to be here for a good time or here for a long time!
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| Pong |
| Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 11:33 pm Post subject: |
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Forum Professor
Joined: 08 Apr 2008
Posts: 1192
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So we cannot will death away. Yet, there's a positive side to this: Neither can we die so easily!
One may try so hard to clear the mind, destroy the self, yet, buoyant, we return involuntarily to this world of distractions. The conscious mind always grasping at life, is powerless. One may as well give up trying either way... then something marvelous happens: Enlightenment. Living void & without effort. This is the fruit of meditation & delight of Buddhism. Without effort - it's a funny way to live. Like finally "learning" to float instead of frantically treading water. But this was nothing more than unlearning. It can't be grasped. |
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| i_feel_tiredsleepy |
| Posted: Sat May 03, 2008 8:18 am Post subject: |
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Forum Ph.D.
Joined: 21 Mar 2008
Posts: 601
Location: Montreal
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| psychosomatic disorders are quite common, so obviously your mental state has an influence on your health, but there are limits to what your mind can do. If you are drowning in a river, you can will yourself to resist the urge to try and breathe the water, but you can't will your heart not to stop beating from oxygen deprivation. |
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| Kenny Klassen |
| Posted: Sat May 03, 2008 8:22 pm Post subject: |
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Forum Sophomore
Joined: 15 Mar 2008
Posts: 110
Location: moving soon
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The poll should be on this one
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| DaBOB |
| Posted: Sat May 03, 2008 9:58 pm Post subject: |
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Forum Professor
Joined: 30 Jun 2006
Posts: 1215
Location: Arsia Mons, Mars
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| i_feel_tiredsleepy wrote: |
| psychosomatic disorders are quite common, so obviously your mental state has an influence on your health, but there are limits to what your mind can do. If you are drowning in a river, you can will yourself to resist the urge to try and breathe the water, but you can't will your heart not to stop beating from oxygen deprivation. |
I would challenge you on this one... but I wouldn't be around to say I told you so. 
Maybe you are right.
_________________
"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." -- John 8:32
"The best mind-altering drug is truth. -Lily Tomlin
I claim to be a passionate seeker after the truth, which is but another name for God." -Gandhi
"...only try to realize the truth. There is no spoon." -Spoon boy |
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