Why This Heedlessness of Death?

They do not want to draw lessons from other people’s death or to reflect on the reality of their own oncoming death. What is the reason for this general heedlessness? This can be understood from the point of view of what is called ‘programming’. Generally speaking, whatever people do, they do in accordance with their mind’s programming. Several of our programmed actions are a natural phenomenon—for instance, feeling hungry, thirsty or sleepy. All of these happen in accordance with our biological or natural programming. Other forms of programming include those that are a result of one’s environment and of one’s self-talk. Generally speaking, a human being thinks according to his programming. Rarely, if ever, does he think in opposition to it or act against it. Anti-programming thinking is actually another name for anti-self thinking, which is something very rare. Our programming can change partially, but at a conscious level to think against one’s programming is a very difficult thing. As we know, computers work according to how they have been programmed. It is the same with the human mind. In line with their programming, people engage in various activities throughout their life. They live in this state, and in this state they die. During their life, they keep seeing or hearing about other people dying. Yet, rarely, if ever, do they seriously think about their own death. In fact, many of us think that we won’t ever face death! This predicament owes also to programming. Our minds have the capacity to know many things, but one thing that we cannot know is when, how and where we will die. It is perhaps because of this that many of us live as if death is never going to happen to us. We live and plan our lives in such a way as if we are going to live in this world forever! The study of the DNA or Deoxyribonucleic Acid is a relatively new branch of biology. A lot of research is happening in this field, which is yielding new information about human beings. It is said that a person’s DNA contains a huge amount