As we grow older, we learn to put death out of mind; we distract ourselves; we transform it into something positive (passing on, going home, rejoining God, peace at last); we deny it with sustaining myths; we strive for immortality through imperishable works, by projecting our seed into the future through our children, or by embracing a religious system that offers spiritual perpetuation. Many people take issue with this description of death denial. “Nonsense!” they say. “We don’t deny death. Everyone’s going to die. We know that. The facts are obvious. But is there any point to dwelling on
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