A dear friend has just heard that her mother has committed suicide.
And another friend has a son who is contemplating doing so.

Have you ever thought of killing yourself? I have.
Long time ago. It was very real at the time.
I think the majority of intelligent people have at least thought about it.

Interesting subject isn’t it. Most people get very upset at the idea of
any of their family or friends doing away with themselves.

In some countries it is still against the law. Now how strange is that!
And it was reported recently that so many American service people were
committing suicide, that when signing up they had to sign a form that said
they would not kill themselves! Aren’t we a very strange species?

The fact that it is against the law is interesting. Doesn’t that indicate
that we do not own ourselves?  - but the state does? We are not allowed to
do with ourselves what we want. Apart from the cleaning up, and not
causing harm to another, who’s business is it what we do with our lives?

Usually, when anyone says they are thinking of killing themselves the
listener gets tight. Their own fear of death?

I consider it very courageous of someone to take such a radical and
seemingly irreversible step. Providing it is not interfering with someone
else, even if I am not happy at the thought, I consider it to be their
right to do with themselves whatever they wish.

There is a theory that anyone who takes their own life is not admitted to
a pleasant place on the other side, but has to return to this side with a
major physical and/or mental handicap. No idea if that is true - maybe
just another threat?

What I do feel is that there are a few different types of suicide.
If there is such a thing as Karma, then the angry, revengeful, punishing
sort would seem to be asking for trouble. But for someone who has not been
able to find love and happiness here, and wishes to slip away?
Let’s send them lots of caring love.

When I have met people who say they are considering ending their life, I
listen.  If we want to be helpful in such circumstances we need to be sure we are
tuning in to them, and not into our own fear. We have to get that they are
them, and we are us. And feel where they are, and tell them our inner
truth.

Take a look. If they are really unhappy, or terminally ill, do we really
want them to stay in their body - because we would be unhappy if they
leave?

As in all situations, to me, the most potential is feeling love and caring
for the other person. Of course, for that to be real and genuine, we have
to feel that for ourselves first. So let’s send ourselves lots of love as
well.



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