There are no guarantees about how long anyone will live nor how or when life as we know it will end. The exception is when someone chooses consciously and intentionally, one way or another, to end it. There are numerous ways to do that one of which is VSED:
What we know for sure is all our lives will end. There are many things we can do to maintain good health practices that give as better chances to live longer than might otherwise be the case and there are indeed numerous longevity studies including the famous Harvard longitudinal study that is still going on. Some interesting findings there! Regardless, Kert, it is all about the quality of life in our later years and Ikigai, which gives a person a sense of purpose and reason for living is a terrific asset. All the best to you on your own continuing journey. Fascinating stuff, this life we're carving out for ourselves, and others too.
Thank you Gary! Love your thoughtful response and continued engagement. As synchronicity would have it, I am currently sitting as a Hospice field volunteer with a patient who has done exactly that now: VSED. His body knows it’s nearing the end—the body always knows. I am learning so much about living by being in the presence of dying.
“It is ALL about the quality of life.” AMEN! Always!
Good morning, Kert! May I respond to your opening disclaimer before I read the rest of your post? :-)
At first when you mentioned someone's remark that there seems to be a proliferation of gurus here (on Notes I presume?), my mind went to those who seem to want to offer lots of unsolicited advice on how to live the good life. It is true, it's getting to be a bit too much, kind of Hallmarky sticky sweet. But I certainly wouldn't put you in that category.
I think you can usually tell the difference between someone who is trying to get likes or attention, or to feel important and wise, by venturing into the life-lesson territory, versus someone who is genuinely excited by a discovery, whether it is in their own mind and heart, or a literary discovery, a quote, and they just want to share it with others because they find it so enlightening. There is a sincerity in their words, an authenticity, a vulnerability, too, and I welcome their sharing.
But when a Substacker presumes the job of enlightening the rest of us—apparently from their lofty outlook of sage wisdom—it's a bit of a turn off. (Again, not you!)
Do I understand you correctly, Kert? Or have I misunderstood your concern?
100% Don! You’ve read me correctly. That comment by the person on NOTES, itself, was a bit preachy and “holier than thou” which is why I reflected that I never judge the sincerity of another writer when they are sharing even Universal truths—especially given I might not know their intended audience who might be exactly the Souls who need to receive that wisdom.
But that comment did cause me to be critically (in a good way) reflective of my own writing and intent. And I tried to offer greater clarity there. My ‘Stack started two years ago for the sole purpose of keeping my family informed of my Dad’s journey towards his death. Then word started to spread and I started getting subscribers I didn’t know. And then the writing became cathartic—when Dad died, I didn’t want to stop writing but the content and intention needed to change. I guess one can only write “what one knows.” That Note was an excellently timed prompt to reflect upon my purpose and to take more care not to be one “among that proliferation of gurus.”
Don, I hope some day to meet you. Your generous and inquisitive Soul feeds my own Soul even from over 3000 miles away, yet “thisclose” on Substack.
Thank you for your thoughtful engagement. Nothing less was expected.
BTW, I have to ask: Are you staying clear of random Ferris Wheels?
Yes, I no longer seek cheap thrills on rickety untested equipment. It’s just a matter of time before the next accident.
I know what you mean about learning from posts that turn you off or make you feel uncomfortable. That’s the way to do it; learn from them, not cancel them. ❤️
Well, it feels very vague to me, but I would say Ikigai means slowing down and spending my time on things that are meaningful to me rather than what is expected of me.
Wonderful to read part one since I started with part two. I like that your writing style makes reading it out of order OK.
I have been intrigued by different cultures and ways of thinking since a small child, born in Lima, Peru. My parents were there for 4 years, me, a year and a half. I still have the carved leather furniture I grew up with - full of symbols & icons. Took care of both of them & held hands on earthly departures.
It is amazing when you slow down and enjoy the small moments how rich life becomes.
There are no guarantees about how long anyone will live nor how or when life as we know it will end. The exception is when someone chooses consciously and intentionally, one way or another, to end it. There are numerous ways to do that one of which is VSED:
https://compassionindying.org.uk/resource/voluntarily-stopping-eating-and-drinking-vsed/#what-is-voluntarily-stopping-eating-and-drinking
What we know for sure is all our lives will end. There are many things we can do to maintain good health practices that give as better chances to live longer than might otherwise be the case and there are indeed numerous longevity studies including the famous Harvard longitudinal study that is still going on. Some interesting findings there! Regardless, Kert, it is all about the quality of life in our later years and Ikigai, which gives a person a sense of purpose and reason for living is a terrific asset. All the best to you on your own continuing journey. Fascinating stuff, this life we're carving out for ourselves, and others too.
Thank you Gary! Love your thoughtful response and continued engagement. As synchronicity would have it, I am currently sitting as a Hospice field volunteer with a patient who has done exactly that now: VSED. His body knows it’s nearing the end—the body always knows. I am learning so much about living by being in the presence of dying.
“It is ALL about the quality of life.” AMEN! Always!
Good morning, Kert! May I respond to your opening disclaimer before I read the rest of your post? :-)
At first when you mentioned someone's remark that there seems to be a proliferation of gurus here (on Notes I presume?), my mind went to those who seem to want to offer lots of unsolicited advice on how to live the good life. It is true, it's getting to be a bit too much, kind of Hallmarky sticky sweet. But I certainly wouldn't put you in that category.
I think you can usually tell the difference between someone who is trying to get likes or attention, or to feel important and wise, by venturing into the life-lesson territory, versus someone who is genuinely excited by a discovery, whether it is in their own mind and heart, or a literary discovery, a quote, and they just want to share it with others because they find it so enlightening. There is a sincerity in their words, an authenticity, a vulnerability, too, and I welcome their sharing.
But when a Substacker presumes the job of enlightening the rest of us—apparently from their lofty outlook of sage wisdom—it's a bit of a turn off. (Again, not you!)
Do I understand you correctly, Kert? Or have I misunderstood your concern?
Anyway, thanks for sharing!
100% Don! You’ve read me correctly. That comment by the person on NOTES, itself, was a bit preachy and “holier than thou” which is why I reflected that I never judge the sincerity of another writer when they are sharing even Universal truths—especially given I might not know their intended audience who might be exactly the Souls who need to receive that wisdom.
But that comment did cause me to be critically (in a good way) reflective of my own writing and intent. And I tried to offer greater clarity there. My ‘Stack started two years ago for the sole purpose of keeping my family informed of my Dad’s journey towards his death. Then word started to spread and I started getting subscribers I didn’t know. And then the writing became cathartic—when Dad died, I didn’t want to stop writing but the content and intention needed to change. I guess one can only write “what one knows.” That Note was an excellently timed prompt to reflect upon my purpose and to take more care not to be one “among that proliferation of gurus.”
Don, I hope some day to meet you. Your generous and inquisitive Soul feeds my own Soul even from over 3000 miles away, yet “thisclose” on Substack.
Thank you for your thoughtful engagement. Nothing less was expected.
BTW, I have to ask: Are you staying clear of random Ferris Wheels?
Yes, I no longer seek cheap thrills on rickety untested equipment. It’s just a matter of time before the next accident.
I know what you mean about learning from posts that turn you off or make you feel uncomfortable. That’s the way to do it; learn from them, not cancel them. ❤️
I'm along for the ride! I'm a little familiar with Blue Zones and Ikigai, but look forward to learning more!
Share your knowledge of each as you are comfortable! If you could describe your current “way of Ikigai,” in a sentence or two, what would you write?
Well, it feels very vague to me, but I would say Ikigai means slowing down and spending my time on things that are meaningful to me rather than what is expected of me.
Wonderful to read part one since I started with part two. I like that your writing style makes reading it out of order OK.
I have been intrigued by different cultures and ways of thinking since a small child, born in Lima, Peru. My parents were there for 4 years, me, a year and a half. I still have the carved leather furniture I grew up with - full of symbols & icons. Took care of both of them & held hands on earthly departures.
It is amazing when you slow down and enjoy the small moments how rich life becomes.
Ikigai is a beautiful way to live.
Great read!