Soyinkaism: We Deserve No Nihilist – Whyte Habeeb Ibidapo

“Our government teaches the whole people by its example. If the government becomes the lawbreaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy. Often time than not, we yap over act instead of act over yap; we get engrossed in myopic politicking when our health system is amongst the worst in Africa, our education is deteriorating every day, corruption is escalating on exponential scale and employment is killing our national potential, insecurity and terrorism have claimed several lives most among whom are productive youths“. 

‘The unleashing viperous cult like Boko Haram on peaceful citizens qualifies as a crime against humanity, and deserves that very dimension in its resolution. If a people must survive, the reign of impunity must end. Truth – in all available detail – is in the interest, not only of Nigeria, the sub-region and the continent, but of the international community whose aid we so belatedly moved to seek’’. - Professor Wole Soyinka – The Wages of Impunity

The clearest way to show what the rule of law means to us in everyday life is to recall what has happened when there is no rule of law. As with any other species, human populations are shaped by the usual forces of natural selection, like famine, disease or climate. A strong culture of impunity has come to stay in Nigerian polity. No matter how you try to kill the truth, it has a phenomenal way of self resurrection. To say we are enjoying good governance in the Nigeria of today is a real thesis that needs no defence for validation. The rule behind the conspiracy scheme of governance in Nigeria is self explanatory. Nigeria has moved towards what the philosophers have identified as nihilism, in which its advocates disavow all institutions. They don’t believe in law and due process. I wonder if the current government are not close nihilists. When you don’t obey the law and breach protocol all for personal gain and you disdain institutions. You are a nihilist, if you don’t know. If you had employ the service of a negotiator to look into a matter and the result of his investigation points accusing fingers to your political associate and on that basis you refuse to take the proper action under the law, it is safe to conclude that you are a nihilist. No doubt our presidency is climbing the ladder of success wrong by wrong when it comes to proper governance.

We are blessed with all manner of blessings under the sun but the blessings and geniuses in us are hindered because of corruption occasioned by the priority and perpetuation of self above the interest of the citizenry. It could well argued that some of the problems began with inherited colonial state which made it a point of duty to isolate itself from the entire citizenry but with the extent of government transition, we should have gotten it right. Nigeria’s role in the world and African affairs had declined significantly. The democracy we celebrate is one representation narrowly concerned with rights, mainly political rights but hardly participatory or deliberative in the sense of harnessing the energies of communities let alone making them the focus of governance. There is always the shortage of many of the things that makes life and living meaningful in every part of the country. It is more or less diarchy. It is just a mockery of the government of popular reflection.

Our government teaches the whole people by its example. If the government becomes the lawbreaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy. Often time than not, we yap over act instead of act over yap; we get engrossed in myopic politicking when our health system is amongst the worst in Africa, our education is deteriorating every day, corruption is escalating on exponential scale and employment is killing our national potential, insecurity and terrorism have claimed several lives most among whom are productive youths. And above all, are the Chibok school girls that were carted away from school without a national security responsive other than a mockery of our political will power and national dignity. The Boko Haram issue is a complete mockery of our national dignity and it is actually a manifestation of the degenerations in every department of our national architecture. I believe strongly that some people are working day and night to disintegrate our great nation. Unfortunately for us, they are more purposeful and better co-ordinated than our leaders across boards. They are more dedicated to their mission than our leaders and even more disciplined. Even if we think they are fallen angels that were let loose from hell, they are still purposeful to their cause. Why can’t the government of the day be responsive enough to quash them completely? The government should better learn the basics of dedication to a cause from the fallen angels that are threatening our safety. The safety of Nigerians should be the highest law of the land. Afteral, the law protects you from being abused. It doesn’t threaten your lifestyle for someone else to have the right to exhibit their lifestyle. The government must tread where angels feared to tread.

As at today, we are not still sure about the capone of Boko Haram. Accusing fingers are directed towards the Grand commander himself others believes that it is the Northern leaders in a bid to make governance in 2015 etc. We don’t even know who to believe. Different version of truth are been spoken everyday and we forget about them easily. The fact still remains that there are innocent youths in captivity whose society and governance have failed their existence. Some persons have even taken the issue to be political rather than coming together to put an end to the problem at large. I guess one of the fundamentals of a political party is to represent platforms of ideas, policy options and visionary goals around which the electorate is invited to gather. It is rather an assemblage of power hungry individuals that wish to exhibit their nihilist abilities. It’s essentially a club of elites for the motive of sharing oil rents and political spoils. Sanity has lost its position in our governmental affairs. It’s a nihilistic affair.

It should be noted that Nigerians are tired of digesting concoctions that are filled with empty promises rather proactive actions should be taken. The law should be blind to race, gender and sexual orientation, just as it claims to be blind to wealth and power. There should be no specially protected groups of any kind, except for children, the severely disabled and the elderly, whose physical frailty demands society’s care. To prove that this government is not nihilist in doings, people that are find wanton on our security issues should be prosecuted with immediate effect. We are not supposed to be all equal. Let’s just forget that. We are supposed to have equal rights under law. If we do that, we have done enough. The same right that the government have in prosecuting individuals over alleged corruption acts should be extended to those that are been suspected to be the backbone of the fallen angels that are threatening our survival. We must reject the idea that every time a law’s broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore precept that each individual is accountable for his actions. It may be true that the law cannot make a man love, but it can keep him from lynching, and I think that’s pretty important. No man is justified in doing evil on the grounds of expediency. For this sake of this generation and generation to come, the federal government should please BRING BACK OUR HONOUR.

WHYTE HABEEB IBIDAPO is a United Nations Award winner, Africa International Arbitration Award winner and Coca cola/ The Nation Campuslife Award Winner.

Source: Abusidiqu

The Science of Hapiness

There is no gainsaying that the science of being happy begins from the moments of waking up from bed in the morning and strengthening up for the rest of the day.

“Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” ~ Ben Franklin

Whether you hate it or love it, rising early is something that we can and should all come to enjoy for its beauty and benefits. There are countless articles written of people’s success in learning to wake around 5:00 a.m. Most have slightly different reasons and indulge in the benefits their own way, but all have commonalities that lead to their success.

Waking up earlier is the most effective way to center your day. Allowing yourself time to establish your priorities, you will find satisfaction and accomplishment early on that helps stabilize and boost your mood throughout the rest of the day.

John Douillard highlights the particular ayurvedic benefits of body and mind when we adjust to the natural cycles of the day. Rising with the sun, having breakfast, a big lunch and an earlier, lighter dinner leads to relaxed, natural sleep cycles starting earlier in the evening and rising earlier in the day.

Planning to rise with the sun is a surefire way to start slow and always have the welcoming rays greet you. If you start this month, in April, when the sun rises around 6:35 a.m. EST, then to wake with the enlivening sun everyday means waking one to two minutes earlier every day and by June 18, you’ll be rising with the sun at 5:25 a.m.

Treat the sun sort of like your companion in your challenge. It rises a little bit earlier everyday, rise with it—become accountability buddies. It’s far easier to do something with someone else and although the sun is a stretch from an actual person, it will welcome you with warmth, light and energy every day.

I started taking this approach a week or so ago and already enjoy waking up a little before the sun rises so I’m there to catch it. It’s a wondrous time of day. Take it all in, take a picture and join the early rising pros.

Here are a few tips for rising early:

1. Have a good reason to motivate you. Look at your reason as a goal. Make no exceptions, hold yourself accountable, plan and prepare, be persistent and make it a positive experience followed with rewards.

2. Start slow. If you regularly wake up at eight, don’t start setting the clock to six just yet. Start by focusing on going to bed earlier. Read or do something to relax your mind for 30 minutes or so before you doze off. You’ll sleep better and feel more rested when it comes time to rise. Start waking up just 15 minutes earlier and increase the pace until you match the sun, then follow its lead. Go at your own pace and keep it consistent.

3. Before you go to bed, prepare for the morning. If there is a book you want to read, put it next to your bed; a breakfast you’d like to have, gather the ingredients; a project to work on, formulate the notes and set up the workspace.

4. Take advantage of the time. This may seem redundant but it’s ultimately important that you do something of value and also be aware of the little things. Enjoy the sunrise, the quiet and the possibilities of your day before it even begins.

5. Embrace the reward. Waking up early is a feat of personal will and determination. Celebrate your success and revel in the experience.

6. Persist. Forming new habits is hard and they don’t stick unless we push ourselves through some level of discomfort. At first, you may feel groggy and doubt that waking early is all it’s talked up to be. Nonsense. Like working out, it can be hard at first and makes us sore but once we push through the discomfort, we get stronger and it becomes enjoyable to push our physical limits. Stick with it and it will become part of your daily operations. Soon, it will feel wrong to wake later than usual, even once the sun starts sleeping in again.

Will rising with the sun help you? What do you like to do in the mornings? What would you do if you had a couple of extra hours in the morning?

Nigeria's Lessons From Obama at 54: Hope, Democracy, Tribalism and Identity Crisis.

Today, Like every other day of the year like this, we citizens of this great country, Nigeria, the largest black nation in all the earth celebrate our independence from the British colony, but have that long time ago freedom since October first 1960 actually been a solution to multi-hydra headed problem bewailing our nation especially from the socio-political, cultural war front?

The Obama Point of View:

Curled from Lawrence Chinedu Nwobu.
Nigeria has a lot to learn from Obama's politics of hope as against fear which the Republican Party and some in the Democratic Party introduced and exploited during the presidential race. The Theophilus Danjuma's, Reuben Abati's, Ibrahim Babangida's, the North and the crowd of Nigerian army civil war officers amongst others has since the end of the Nigeria-Biafra war thrived on the politics of fear, which has increasingly led to the exclusion of certain groups in both the political and infrastructural spheres, while enthroning mediocre and ethno-religious bigots. This has in turn necessitated the proliferation of self determination groups and widened the schism within an already fragile nation. When Americans were confronted with the choice between hope and fear, they chose hope. Obama's triumph in his message of hope is a lesson for the Nigerian masses who continue to be misled by the incompetent and crassly corrupt ethnic merchants, who thrive on the politics of fear as a convenient ploy to continue their strangle hold of misrule and monumental corruption.

Tribalism:

Nigeria's tribalism and ethnic hatred has been put to shame by the civilization manifested by White Americans who voted to put Barack Obama in the White House. African Americans make-up only 12% of the population, and Obama's presidency would have been impossible without the White vote. American voters disregarded race and chose merit over petty racism. In Nigeria's case tribalism as sponsored and promoted by the Reuben Abati's and his co. travellers has continued to exclude credible visionary candidates who could possibly transform Nigeria on ethnic grounds. The logic is simple enough; the benefits of good leadership touches everyone irrespective of race or ethnicity, while the perils of bad leadership likewise affects everyone irrespective of race or ethnicity. For most Nigerians resident abroad, the primary reason of residence is to benefit from the good social and economic systems in those countries and not the race or ethnicity of the people who make up such nations. If we can be contented to live in foreign climes without regards to the race of the leaders, Nigerians must as part of the lessons from the Obama experience learn to let merit come before ethnicity, this will in turn, make possible the emergence of credible leaders capable of transforming the nation.

Democracy:

America's free and fair democratic process which permitted the likes of Barack Obama to emerge the president in spite of his race is a remarkable lesson for nations like Nigeria where fraud, ethnicity and rigging of elections has since independence characterised the electoral process. It is remarkable that in over 200 years, America has continued to enjoy an absolutely functional democratic process that has over the centuries permitted the people to elect their leaders without interference, manipulation or fraud. Such transparency has evidently contributed in no small measure to the success story America represents in every field of political, technological and economic walk of life. Had Barack Obama been a Nigerian, the fraudulent electoral system would have both on the grounds of ethnicity and merit rigged him out of the process. The failure of Nigeria's democratic process has kept the nation on the sure path to self destruction. Nigeria must learn from the Obama experience and American democracy by instituting a functional free and fair democratic process, if the nation can stand any chance of survival in the long term.

Identity Crisis:

The famous Roman Catholic, Saint Francis de sales (1567-1622) once said in a famous quote, "be who you are and be that well." In other words he wanted people to be as original as possible.

The Obama phenomenon presents a lot of lessons for people and nations willing to learn from his unique experience in several areas. Identity crisis is a problem which plagues many in Nigeria. It is a topic I usually prefer to ignore, as I realise that victims of a conflict of identity bears the brunt and burden of their conflicted persona, however the Obama experience presents an opportunity to help those who may suffer such isolations of a conflicted identity with a better way forward.

Ordinarily, Barrack Obama who has a White mother had every reason to deny or subdue his Black identity in a nation like the United States of America where Blacks were once slaves, and where they have continued to face discrimination through several generations. Another grim disadvantage is the population of Blacks which is only 12% while Whites make up 67% of the population. In a democracy, the majority wins, and since Whites are an overwhelming majority, the assumption that only Whites can possibly win the White house could have made Obama to subdue his Blackness and give more emphasis on his White mother and White roots.

The lesson here is that in spite of all the obvious advantages of being White and disadvantages of Being Black, Obama choose to remain original and true to his black identity while at the same time never denying his White roots from his mother. In the end, his originality attracted the respect of both Whites and Blacks whose votes secured his victory to the White house. Nigerians who suffer from a conflicted identity, most of which are for political reasons and ignorance should learn from Obama's triumph in originality.

Comrade Lawrence Chinedu Nwobu

Email:lawrencenwobu@yahoo.com

CAN President Ayo Oritsejafor Has No Hand in The $9.3m Botched Scandal Deal.

For very once in all of the dark clouds surrounding the latest of these scandals bewailing the Christian community here in Nigeria, I decide to take to the latest clear-air speech delivered by the CAN president.

Oh, yes, Nigeria, today is regarded so much as one of the most corrupt nations in the world, more so because we its citizens have done not much more than contribute to this decapitating tragedy through media slanders and verbal assaults on the same country we all belong, so that I wonder who, where and when shall the solution to all of these menace arrive.

Well, in the brink of this present brouhaha, i have decided to pitch tent with the embattled CAN president where he's made it clearly that inasmuch as he is shocked and distressed by the incident, he'd wish to appeal to Christians in Nigeria to remember that a war has been waged against the Nigerian church. This war is being fought on many fronts and this unfortunate incident is another dimension in the assault against the church.

“It is clear that those who manipulated this conspiracy desire to create a schism in the church,” he said.

His Whole Speech:


The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, on Monday, said he knew nothing about the controversial $9.3m smuggled into South Africa by two Nigerians and an Israeli, using his private jet.

Oritsejafor broke his silence during the National Executive Council meeting of CAN at the National Christian Centre, Abuja.

The CAN leader regretted that there had been attempts in the media to link him with the incident by mischievous elements, adding that he had kept quiet all the while because he needed to explain his position to the church, which he said, was his primary constituency.

Oritsejafor, in his address, a copy which was emailed to our correspondent in Kaduna, declared that he was never a party to the movement of the $9.3m from Nigeria to South Africa to purchase arms and ammunitions.

He said, “I wish to assure you that I will not do anything to tarnish the image of Jesus Christ or compromise the divine standard of the church.

“As you are all aware, the media has been awashed in the past few days about an unfortunate incident involving the movement of funds from Nigeria to South Africa. In the unfortunate news reports, attempts have been made to link me directly with the transaction.

“So far, I have refrained from making any direct public response pending the time that I would have briefed the leaders of the church and explained my position on the issues to them.

“I believe that the primary institution that I owe any explanation to is the church.”

Oritsejafor added, “At the risk of being seen to be defending myself, I wish to confirm to the distinguished leaders of the church that the Bombardier Challenger 601 aircraft in question is mine. The aircraft was presented to me as a gift by members of our congregation and ministry partners worldwide at my 40th anniversary of my call into the ministry.

“May I be permitted to stress that the aircraft was not given to me by the President of Nigeria, neither was it a settlement for any political favour or patronage.

“With the benefit of hindsight, the President of the country was a guest in our church during the anniversary celebration when the jet was presented to me. This has construed an implication that it was a gift from the President of the country.”

The CAN leader explained further that “the President of Nigeria has nothing to do with the gift of the aircraft. By the way, I still wonder why all those saying this cannot come out to show proof so that the matter can be put to rest once and for all. Let me say that this might be an issue of the court in the near future.”

Oritsejafor, who also explained the circumstances that led to the involvement of his aircraft, said, “In order to ameliorate the cost of maintenance of the aircraft, I sought and got permit to allow the aircraft fly in and out of Nigeria.

“Based on this, I leased the aircraft on August 2, 2014, to a company to run it. It was the leasee that entered into an agreement with the people who carried out the transfer of funds. Having leased the aircraft to the Green Coast Produce Company Limited, any transaction undertaken with the aircraft can no longer be attached to me.

“Inasmuch as I am shocked and distressed by the incident, I wish to appeal to Christians in Nigeria to remember that a war has been waged against the Nigerian church. This war is being fought on many fronts and this unfortunate incident is another dimension in the assault against the church.

“It is clear that those who manipulated this conspiracy desire to create a schism in the church.”

MY TESTIMONY: LIFTED MINDED AMIDST UNLIFTING MIST.

"Son, no money: we won't be able to do that" 
"I know you need it, but how do you want us to get it?" 

These are statements that are not strange to my hears through my upbringing, even till present. 

"Man's need is unlimited and there can't be enough resources to satisfy it" 
I got to know this economics theory in real life far before I was aquainted to it later in school. It seems one can never have all he wants at a time. 

One fateful night, wednessday, 19th June 2013. 
The whole of the cumulative financial incapabilities caught up with me. Am seldom worried about such; but its like the it all broke out from an unknown reserve that night. All gulping out wildly, threatenly soaring, putting my mind into a serious tubulence. 

"Why can't I have this?... and that..." 
"This is what I need naw, not extravagant desire for God's sake!" 
"Why must it be like this? why this? ... why that?... " 
Endless Why's. 

Lost in thoughts alone in my room, I was weighed down heavily until the elastic limit of my strength broke! 
I carried my bible and launched furiously into prayer. A prayer that only metamophosize from statements of frustration. 

I prayed for so long; quoting scriptures, raising questions; wanting to understand it all; requesting for answers; challenging God to quick intervention. 
"Right away!" I remembered I said, "Does it take you so long to provide supplus at the gate of Samaria in the days of Elisha?" 

I lost the sense of time, prayed until I was soaked wet with perspiration. At one point, my Dad opened the door to my room, peered inside to see what am up to... I must have been making questionable groanings. 

It went on until I was spent out and simmered into the grips of sleep. 

I didn't wake up intil early the next morning. Around 5 a.m. 
And what woke me? A dream. Yes, a dream. 

A vision of the future! 

My brothers and sisters, it was wonderful! 
Sitting behind a car (the exact type I would love) driven by a uniformed chauffeur, I was dressed in a sleek black suite, peering over a pair of glasses into some sort of documents while discussing with a fellow on the phone. Smilling so freely. 
Beside me is "the sister". Yes, *the sister... you know naw... dressed wonderfully and 'deeperlifestically' 
...Hey, don't ask me any question futher: I dnt see her face well ! 

From what I saw, I was accomplished: doing what I love doing; at ease. 
On and on, the story went. I saw my house, home, office, even my siblings. All WOW! Just like I always wanted. 

As I woke up thinking back into the dream, being slightly dissapointed that its not yet in reality. I smiled. 

With a fresh supply of energy, I sat up, carried my bible from where it fell amidst last night struggle. I opened my bible, guess the first thing that I caught glimpse of? 

Hebrews 6: 14 ! 
" saying, SURELY blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying, I will multiply thee " 

I could bearly believe my eyes. It all looked like a Mount Zion Movie. WOW! 

I had no other business again that day than to keep praising God. I was and am so happy. 

The last night seemed like a thousand years ago - so far away! The dream is all that filled my mind. 

Elated, I set out for work (Internship) smiling all day long. Everybody noticed it. I made sure I diffused the joy into everyone around me, starting from home. No reason to be sad. 
The future is green! ... No, Golden! 

I even told my coleague at work . 
I said, "oh boy, I go rich o, big time!" 
I said it with great certainty like have never felt. 

To cap it all, The GS message that power night was: 
THE SIGNPOST OF SIGNS AND WONDERS 

1. CHRIST'S SEVEN FOLD "I WILL" 
2. HIS CONVENANT SEVENFOLD "I WILL" 
3. THE CONCLUSIVE SEVENFOLD "I WILL" 

#lobatan! 
No more doubt. Am fully persuaded. 
The mist has not lifted, (money didn't come overnight) yet my mind is lifted. 

I have never since been able to worry about 'now'. Tomorrow is comming. 

WHY AM I SHARING THIS? 
1. As a form of testimony 
2. I will like to have a written note here. You'l all see and I'll come repost when it all become real. That's however, if Christ tarries. 
3. To encourage and challenge you not just to let the heavy mist weigh you down, let it push you to pray until convinction comes. 
You know what? you will no longer care about the presence of the mist and you won't worry yourself to death before the future comes. 

Follow me sing: 
O da mi loju pe yo dara fun mi/2ce 
Tori mo l'Oluwa, eru ko le ba mi mo.... 

Praaaaaaaaise the Lord!

*--You ain't the worse!!!--*

Do you feel defeated, depressed or unhappy?

When I first starting coaching clients, I thought people would seek my help because they desired to develop a healthy relationship with themselves and other people. Initially, I was surprised to learn their main objective was not love, but money. Like most people, they thought money would be the answer that solved all their problems. If they had more of it, they would live happily ever after and never have a care in the world.

Not only would money solve their problems, but it would also take away the pain they felt inside. Yes, being financially stable has its many advantages, but if you struggle with negative feelings about who you are and no longer believe in yourself, then all the money in the world will not purchase the inner peace you are looking for.

We often develop our individual worth from other people’s opinion of us. In a world full of imperfect people, this is a serious mistake. Too often we hear how we are not good enough and could never measure up. After a while, many people start believing what they hear. They begin to feel life is overwhelming and downright hard. Emotionally, these people are not healthy. They often struggle with depression, anxiety, loneliness and have an inner sadness that is difficult to explain.

From my experience working with people from all over the world, this problem is global. However, there is a solution. You are not meant to live a life of hardship and pain. You can begin to love yourself from the inside out. Here are three simple steps to start you on this transformational journey.

Step 1: You need to take complete ownership of your life. No matter how difficult your circumstances appear to be, you have the inner power and ability to embrace positive change.

Step 2: You can control your emotions and change your negative self-image. Part of this is realizing your individual worth is never defined by the thoughts and opinions of others. Do not let their negative actions change your inner knowledge that you have unlimited potential.

Step 3: Stop blaming others! You are the authority of your life and responsible for your personal happiness. Positive change will never occur when you place blame on anyone or anything for your misfortune and how you feel inside. Being personally accountable for every aspect of your life will allow you to take control and make the changes you seek. This includes the ability to leave situations that are dangerous and unhealthy.

A new found freedom will occur once you take ownership of your life by embracing the possibilities, no longer listening to the negative opinion of others or placing blame on anyone or anything for your situation. You are now what I call an empowered person and well on your way to loving yourself so you can experience life as it was meant to be. Magnificent! - See more at: http://familyshare.com/how-to-love-yourself-from-the-inside-out-overcome-depression-anxiety-and-self-defeating-behavior-by-taking-ownership-of-your-life!

*----- "Death is a perfect insult."----*

"Never judge on how I died, but how I lived m life before I died, because in the faraway land, it shall also determine where I shall be for ever."
Hogan Cooperland.

To those who lost their lives in the ill fated plane carrying the corpse of late Agagu. How a man dies does not ever matter.

Yes, how tragic the reality of death could be to so man of us, especially the death of a loved one. I have come through life to see people, scared of death, and the question that comes to my mind is 'why?' Why are they scared?
Would you be scared of something you very certain would happen to you?
Wouldn't you rather prepare for it to face it head-long as it comes?
Maybe the rather pertinent question is: 'is death real?' Yes, I'd say if I am to answer the question in haste. Perhaps it might seem so hash to say directly that we were born to die and live again in the world beyond, which is best described b the Holy Bible as 'Eternity' and of course if would be the longest life a man can ever live, then it should also defend the existence of man.

Hence, man was made for eternity, man was born to die.

Following this holy truth therefore, it does not matter in an way how a man dies. What matters and shall ever matter is how he lived his life here on earth and shall determine where he shall spend his life here after. The reality of this truth has transcended me into that realm of inner strength and put.

I am not afraid to die.

Why should I? When I know for sure that we must all certainly die? As the age of a man is chronologically numbers mere, so is the age of a man when he dies. And should I sit down worrying my head on how my burial should look like when am gone. Who cares about in eternity?

Thank God for Jesus, who died that we might be saved. Who has gone to prepare a place for us, that where He is there we might be also. Who cares about death where there is such a promise like this, and although I , may not be able to lay grips on questions like why am here, why was I made to die even in the most uncertain way and a lot of others, yet would the certainty of His promise satisfy me.

There is some truth to the old saying, “There are only two things you can count on in life: death and taxes.” Everyone experiences death. Death and dying are an inevitable part of human life.

Some people know ahead of time when their death will occur. Terminal illnesses, when diagnosed ahead of time, allow a person to set his or her affairs in order, make relationships right, and say goodbye to loved ones. In these cases, every person involved has a chance to gradually adjust and make peace with death, as much as possible. However, not everyone has this chance. Many deaths occur suddenly. Death can, and often does, strike without warning.

No one is promised tomorrow. The only thing we can count on is today.

"Death is a perfect insult."

Many people try to be numb to this suffering. In the rush of details that fill our life, we may find temporary distraction. In the beliefs that we hold, we look for consolation. But turning away from the reality of Love Itself, even through distraction or belief, is turning away from the only possibility of going beyond our mortal predicament.

Somehow, we must receive the "insult" and still grow in love.

There are times when the loss of a loved one brings us face to face with this starkness. Then our strategies of distraction and consolation no longer work. We feel again the raw fact that has always been our situation. Even the many small endings in our life (and the beginnings as well) remind us that no thing and no one will last, no matter how much we love them.

Whatever we believe about death (and what happens after death), its inescapable nature is not in debate. But knowing that death is a universal requirement does not end our predicament - it only pushes our need to understand what life is all about, what its purpose is, to the fore.

On Love and Death, Cooperland also said: "Love is a great knowledge in human intimacies, but it is a terrible knowledge, simultaneously. Love moves you beyond the usual insult of mortality, but it takes place in the context of mortality. At the same time that love relieves you, in some respects, of the insult of mortality, it also makes the suffering of mortality more profound.

"So, to love any one is a terrible "problem" - friend, intimate, child, mother, father. To love at all is to be confronted with the terrible nature of mortality."

"With great difficulty! In My opinion, death should not be faced. Death should be transcended, like everything else. When you become involved in your mind with death, making much of death and thinking about death, then you become more and more worried.

"You think that because you are sixty-seven, death is much more important than when you were twenty-five, or fifty even, and it is not true. You should be sensitive to the possibility of death even from your youth or your childhood.

"The knowledge of death, however it may come to you through life's experience, should become the wisdom of ego-transcending practice - because you understand that death is not any different from all the other limited conditions of existence."

Death is utterly acceptable to consciousness and life. There has been endless time of numberless deaths, but neither consciousness nor life has ceased to arise. The felt quality and cycle to death has not modified the fragility of flowers, even the flowers within the human body.

Therefore one's understanding of consciousness and life must be turned to That Utter, Inclusive Truth, That Clarity and Wisdom, That Power and Untouchable Gracefulness, That One and Only Reality this evidence suggests.

One must cease to live in a superficial and divided way, seeking and demanding consciousness and life in the present apparent form, avoiding and resisting what appears to be the end of consciousness and life in death.