Why fear Death?

Death is the only certain thing in life. Death is also unknown for those who are still living. Why, then, the fear of death is considered the ultimate fear? What is in death that is so scary? Since no one knows for sure what happens in death or thereafter, it must be something other than death that we fear. Could it be the loss of 'opportunity to live' that we fear most?

Life, indeed, happens to us while we are busy making plans for the future. We keep searching for that illusive contentment through worldly possessions and running after borrowed dreams. We hardly live in the present where life is pulsating in glorious colours.

We miss it every moment and hence remain hungry for the life. We also know that the end can come anytime unannounced. The thought that we may die without fully living the life, generates fear of death. How much we enjoy what we have is more important than how much we have. Imagine someone always living in the present. Death for him will be a welcome rest. In this context, I am reminded of Stephen Levine’s powerful quotation:

“If you were going to die soon and had only one phone call to make, who would you call and what would you say? And why are you waiting?”