"Death is with you all the time; you get deeper in it as you move towards it, but it's not unfamiliar to you. It's always been there, so what becomes unfamiliar to you when you pass away from the moment is really life"
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The quote by Bell Hooks welcomes a contemplative expedition of life and death, suggesting a profound relationship between the two. At its core, the declaration emphasizes the omnipresence of death throughout life. It presumes that death is not an alien idea presented only at the end of one's journey. Instead, it is a continuous companion, interwoven into the material of existence from the minute of birth.
The concept that "you get much deeper in it as you move towards it" recommends that as we age, our awareness and proximity to death boost. This journey towards death is portrayed as a progression, implying that with each passing moment, we end up being more acquainted with its inevitability. It encourages a reflection on how this awareness may shape our lives, potentially impacting our top priorities, choices, and worths.
Hooks' point of view that "it's not unknown to you" challenges the conventional understanding of death as a fearsome unknown. Instead, she frames it as a fundamental part of life, something that we've constantly unconsciously recognized. This notion moves the fear of the unidentified from death to life itself.
The most intriguing element of the quote depends on the assertion that "what ends up being unknown to you when you die from the moment is truly life". This suggests that it is, in truth, life that is the true unidentified, a complex and ever-changing experience that we browse daily. Life is depicted as a series of unfamiliar difficulties and unforeseeable occasions, making it the real secret in contrast to the familiarity of death.
Ultimately, this quote by Bell Hooks encourages a philosophical introspection about presence, urging us to reconsider our perceptions of life and death. It welcomes us to embrace life with interest and acceptance, acknowledging death as an intrinsic, ever-present component of our journey rather than a far-off endpoint.
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