Big Questions in Life to be answered

Today's BT runs an article "A Good Death" and discusses what constitutes a Good Death and not how the poet Dylan Thomas described as "Rage, rage against the dying of the light".

The chief of clinical affairs, Tsao Foundation opined that a good death is "one with a good mind, one that is peaceful and one that has closure. All the big questions in life have been answered..."

When I read the last bit I can not help but let out a cynical snort. "All the big questions in life have been answered?" Can anyone really achieve that? Maybe if the person does not have really BIG questions.

Reading on the good doctor talks about how one should prepare for a good death. For a start one has to live a responsible and conscientious life so as not to depart with regrets and guilt. Perhaps that is what he means by the big questions eg. have I been a good parent, child, sibling or person in the world?

He then goes on to say that those who are prepared are usually contented, accepting and also grateful. To achieve this, groundwork has to be laid in various aspects, financial, legal, psychological, medical and spiritual. Whilst the first 2 are more manageable I feel the later ones require longer duration of effort and good cultivation. Whilst the drawing of a will and the making of an AMD cum LPA  can be done quickly when one stops procrastinating, how does one prepare psychologically for the physical pain accompanying illnesses prior to death. In particular what strategy does one adopt if the lucid mind is aware of its gradual decline into unawareness.

In addition psychological and spiritual preparation may not be so simple. One wakeful night from an overdose of caffeine I stared into the ceiling and asked myself in all honesty what I believe will happen after death. I had pursued bible studies in school and attended Buddhist classes decades later. Whilst the idea of returning home to a beloved father is comforting , the principle of cause and effect and the resultant reincarnation from the seed of  consciousness seems more tenable. Yet there are doubts and anguish which need to be resolved and processed. These in my mind are the Big questions in life that must be answered.

Having said that what is equally important is to be at peace and find gratitude in THIS life. It is looking through life nearing death and said I have been true to myself and have done what I could to bring some sunshine into the lives of others.

Indeed all are big questions but not so easily answered.