Blaming others is a common tactic that people use to avoid taking responsibility from fear. Our unconscious fearful minds often push us to deny the reality of our own responsibility and to shift the responsibility onto others.

In 2020, the world faced a tragic event—the global pandemic that originated in Wuhan, China. The virus spread rapidly, affecting people worldwide. However, instead of uniting to find a solution, countries resorted to blaming each other for the outbreak. This blame-shifting allowed leaders to evade responsibility and the risks associated with protecting their own people. By denouncing others, they avoided confronting the reality of the crisis and its potential consequences. Why can’t we simply say, ‘This is my responsibility. Let’s work together to find a solution’?

This shows how the fear of death can lead people to act in wrong ways that are harmful to themselves and others. Rather than blaming others, it is important to take responsibility for our actions and work towards finding a solution to the problem at hand.

However, the temptation to blame others often becomes stronger when we fail because failure can trigger feelings of vulnerability and mortality. Those who are mentally and spiritually healthy are better equipped to resist this temptation. However, ultimately, none of us can escape the fear of death, not even national leaders at the summit level. We are all weak and vulnerable humans who need the ultimate solution to our mortality. This is the reason we are easier to be tempted to blame others.

Actually, in my understanding, we are all failures when it comes to the perspective of death because it is an inevitable fate for every human being, regardless of their social status. In the sight of God, we are all equal in the face of death. Fundamentally, we don’t have to blame others whatsoever. However, blaming others is the easiest to relieve the soul which is frightened.

Here, I would like to present different ideas rather than blaming others. I would like to invite you to give thanks in every situation. Yes, giving thanks in all circumstances, rather than blaming others, is a much better way to bring relief to my soul in the face of fear. Ironically, we might actually be blessed when we fail severely because it helps us understand the reality of our existence and feel it deep within us. On the other hand, when we succeed, we might be able to hide from the reality of death. So that, the person who has been successful may suddenly come to realize the true reality of human existence at the time of their deathbed. However, if we can overcome the temptation to blame others, we can be stronger, wiser, and continue to grow—no matter the circumstances.

Who can escape the fact that we are all going to die and the fear of death that comes with it? However, if we find a scapegoat to settle our deep fear, controlling that inner fear of death becomes easier. This is why we tend to blame others and find scapegoats. Blaming others takes the form of saying things like “I’m miserable because of you,” “I’m suffering and going to die because of my family,” or “I’m unhappy because of you.” This habit of blaming is hard to remove without an awareness of the deep roots of human existence controlled by the power of the fear of death, and it may persist for a long time.

Blaming others is a way to cope with the fear of death. By finding a scapegoat, we can temporarily alleviate our fear and shift the responsibility away from ourselves. However, this habit of blaming can cause harm to others and create a vicious cycle of hurt and pain. And it can definitely come back to me and destroy my life. And the consequences of blaming others can be like an epidemic that spreads and affects more and more people, leading to tragic outcomes. And it destroys all related beings in this matter regardless of whoever.

So, it is important to understand the fear of death, which tempts us to blame others. And, fundamentally, we need to seek the solution through reconciliation with God, who alone can calm the fear of death. By establishing the right relationship with God, we can find peace and overcome the fear that weighs on our minds. This approach offers the best hope for mankind, which has lost eternal life and paradise.

Today, we find ourselves occupied for the most part. Can you fathom a scenario where we’re not engaged in any activity? The truth is, even in this moment, we are involved in something, despite no external force compelling us to do so. Actually, an internal force compels us to act. We continue to make choices about our actions. What internal force, then, drives us to undertake these tasks?

Reflecting on my adolescence at around 15, I devoted myself to rigorous study due to my family’s dire circumstances—poverty, weakness, and hopelessness. The family’s predicament pressured me to excel academically, yet my motivation was not driven by a lofty or pure intention. Looking back, I realize the driving force behind my efforts was the fear of death rather than genuine love or passion. Still, I gained praise from family members who perceived me as a dutiful son striving to improve our situation. Now, I understand that the motivation underlying my actions was rooted in the fear of death. If we do not examine our intentions deeply, the true motivation behind our deeds can easily remain hidden.

Considering the concealed motivations steering human actions, I argue that over 90 percent of our current motivations originate from the fear of death, with a mere 10 percent attributed to other factors. Even labeling the remaining motivations as ‘out of love’ might be overly generous, prompting a more thorough scrutiny of their authenticity. In this discourse, I posit that, from the perspective of motivating forces, love serves as the antonym to fear.

It appears that two abstract notions propel this world: the fear of death and the power of love. However, the latter is frequently tainted and corroded by the former. Nonetheless, I contemplate the kind of society we could create if driven solely by pure love akin to pure gold. Personally, I eagerly envision such a prospect and would describe it as ‘Paradise.’

Regrettably, we lack the ability to bring about such a society without the Creator’s love. Only His pure love can heal us from the fear of death and restore our corroded and contaminated love. The ultimate remedy for the fear of death is attaining eternal life, a gift only the Creator can bestow. Consequently, we must seek His love and embrace the promise of eternal life if we aspire to achieve true healing and establish a society driven by pure love.

Certainly! In many human affairs, the driving force behind our actions is often greed. But what exactly is greed? According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, greed is “a selfish and excessive desire for more of something (such as money) than is needed.” Essentially, greed is the tendency to pursue something excessively, beyond what is truly necessary.

Greed is deeply embedded only in the human world. On the contrary, in the animal kingdom, behaviors such as hoarding food, establishing territory, or competing for mates can be seen as instinctual drives for survival and reproduction rather than manifestations of greed in the human sense.

These are the two tragic examples which had happened in human history. Tulip Mania (17th-century Holland): Tulip Mania unfolded in the Dutch Golden Age during the 1630s when tulip bulbs, particularly exotic varieties, became highly coveted. Speculation in the tulip market reached unprecedented levels, with prices soaring to astronomical heights. At the peak of the frenzy, some tulip bulbs were reportedly sold for the equivalent of a luxurious house. Investors, driven by the desire for quick profits, engaged in frenzied buying and selling. However, the speculative bubble inevitably burst in 1637, leading to a swift and devastating economic collapse. Many who had invested heavily in tulips faced financial ruin, and the repercussions reverberated through the Dutch economy.

Global Financial Crisis (Late 2000s): The Global Financial Crisis (2007-2008) had its roots in the United States housing market, where financial institutions engaged in risky lending practices. Subprime mortgages, extended to borrowers with weak credit histories, were bundled into complex financial products and sold globally. The pursuit of short-term profits through the securitization of these high-risk loans created a housing bubble that eventually burst. As home prices plummeted, homeowners faced foreclosure, and major financial institutions faced insolvency. The crisis triggered a chain reaction, leading to a worldwide recession, mass unemployment, and severe economic downturns in various countries. The consequences of the crisis highlighted the devastating impact of greedy financial practices on a global scale, prompting calls for regulatory reforms in the financial sector.

But why do we have this tendency towards greed? Let’s examine the definition: ‘Greed is the tendency to pursue something excessively.’ Why do you think that humans want to have more excessively? Humans long to be filled with things that can resolve the issue of death. Subconsciously, they are searching for the settlement of the fate of death. However, do you believe that we can find the settlement of the fate of death? It’s impossible to find an escape or a definitive resolution. This compels humans to seek more and more until they gain confidence in facing death, doesn’t it? But where can we have true confidence in overcoming the fear of death?

So, I can say that the root cause of our greed comes from our endeavour to overcome the fear of death, insufficiency, and the consequences that may follow. And this fear drives us to become greedy spontaneously until we ruin our life. Ultimately, this fear is driven by our deep-seated power of death, which controls us in ways we may not even realize. Once we fall into the power of greed, we will be blind.

I can confidently state that greed is a spiritual disease that we are almost incapable of curing on our own. It drives us to constantly strive for more than we need, often leading us to lose ourselves in the pursuit of what must be accomplished for the soul. It is a motivation that arises from the fear of death, which deeply controls us as human beings. This fear compels us to pursue success, knowledge, and even charitable works. It drives us to constantly seek more, even when we already have enough. Then, why we need to have more and more excessively is because our soul constantly feels the need to settle the matter of death.

Our motivations for our actions are frequently adorned with the alluring packaging of worldly visions, passions, dreams, justifications, and even spiritual pursuits. Regrettably, more often than not, we remain oblivious to the profound influence of greed on our choices. The fundamental cause of this spiritual ailment lies in the fear of death, compelling us to pursue excess far beyond our genuine needs. Unfortunately, recognizing this reality is challenging because the true nature of our motivations remains concealed deep within our minds. The visible world surrounding us is akin to the tip of an iceberg, revealing only a fraction of the intricate dynamics transpiring beneath the surface.

However, at this point, I would like to point out that there are a few truly extraordinary individuals who overcome the fear of death, transcend desires, and achieve remarkable masterpieces in human history. But such cases are very rare, and we often struggle to distinguish.

About the Book, “The Fear of Death”, It explores how the fear of death shapes our lives, relationships, power, and even history itself.
In The Fear of Death, I uncover the hidden force behind human conflict and longing.
A book to read before you die—an essential reflection on the meaning of your life.About mental diseases, especially depression

Jealousy is one of the symptoms of the fear of death

We often feel jealous towards those who are doing better than us. When we see others’ success, it may seem like we can bless them and share in their good fortune. However, in reality, as humans, it’s difficult for us to genuinely feel and bless that way without any jealousy. Why might this be? It’s because we are deeply wounded by the fear of death. Jealousy is another sickness that arises from the fear of death. Fundamentally, our souls think that, “I must be better than others”, because that is safer than the other way around.

Logically, if someone else is doing better than us, they become a powerful force that can potentially oppress us in various ways, making us weaker and more vulnerable to the risks associated with the fear of death. In this logic, there are no exceptions, even between husbands and wives, fathers and sons in power struggles, and even between siblings. We are always inclined to consider power struggles within relationships. This sick symptom arises from our deepest subconscious. In western expression, “Suffer from sour grapes”, “I envy therefore I am”, in Korean expression, “My stomach hurts when my cousin buys land.” And in some cases, jealousy can even lead to deadly outcomes.

Let’s study of the meaning of jealousy. What is the definition of jealousy? This term is closely related to the fear of death. I’ve quoted a definition of jealousy from Wikipedia.org:

“Jealousy generally refers to the thoughts or feelings of insecurity, fear, and concern over a relative lack of possessions or safety. Jealousy can consist of one or more emotions such as anger, resentment, inadequacy, helplessness, or disgust.

Jealousy is a typical experience in human relationships, and it has been observed in infants as young as five months. Some researchers claim that jealousy is seen in all cultures and is a universal trait. However, others claim jealousy is a culture-specific emotion. Jealousy can either be suspicious or reactive, and it is often reinforced as a series of particularly strong emotions and constructed as a universal human experience.

Psychologists have proposed several models to study the processes underlying jealousy and have identified factors that result in jealousy. Sociologists have demonstrated that cultural beliefs and values play an important role in determining what triggers jealousy and what constitutes socially acceptable expressions of jealousy. Biologists have identified factors that may unconsciously influence the expression of jealousy.

Throughout history, artists have also explored the theme of jealousy in photographs, paintings, films, songs, plays, poems, and books, and theologians have offered religious views of jealousy based on the scriptures of their respective faiths.” (Quoted from Wikipedia.org)

What triggers us to feel insecurity, fear, and concern? Why do we associate fear with jealousy, and what concern is it related?[SH1] Our subconscious continues to search for a way to survive under the power of death. Jealousy is one of the mental afflictions that all individuals on earth suffer from due to the fear of death.

Now, let’s delve into a story from the Bible that illustrates the concept of jealousy and its relation to the fear of death. After Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden, they began farming for a living and had children. One of their sons was named Cain, and the other was named Abel.

One day, they offered sacrifices to God, but God accepted Abel’s offering while rejecting Cain’s. Cain couldn’t bear this rejection and the feeling of inadequacy it brought. His jealousy towards his brother grew, ultimately leading him to kill Abel with a stone in a field. Why did Cain resort to murdering his own brother? What drove him to commit such a heinous act? He was jealous of his brother who had been favoured by God. I believe that Cain’s strong jealousy stemmed from his fear of death, particularly in the context of rejection by God. The feeling of not being chosen and experiencing rejection made him feel insecure, ultimately resulting in this dreadful act.

In psychiatric terms, we can analyze Cain’s state of mind. He felt intense jealousy toward his younger brother, who received God’s favor and protection. This jealousy, coupled with feelings of failure and a profound fear of death, led him to blame and harbor resentment towards his own blood brother. The jealousy stemming from the fear of death played a significant role in driving him to commit this crime.

In our daily lives, our intuition constantly detects life-threatening situations. We are highly susceptible to harm, and when we perceive someone or something as a threat, we instinctively take action to remove that threat by any means necessary. This pattern has been repeated throughout human history, especially in political contexts. Often, politicians seek to eliminate their rivals, even without justifiable reasons, as their opponents could potentially become a threat at any time. Survival in such circumstances often requires the removal of opponents.

In the era of the first Adam, there was no concept of sin and punishment. I believe that Cain didn’t know how to cope with his overwhelming jealousy. To him, committing murder might have appeared as the easiest way to alleviate his fear of death. However, the result was devastating. Instead of finding relief, he felt even more consumed by the fear of death. Genesis 4:13-14 illustrates this: “Cain said to the LORD, ‘My punishment is more than I can bear. Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.’”

Even though Cain had removed his immediate threat, his own brother, he continued to grapple with an intensified fear of death. Why did this fear persist? It was because simply removing external threats, as Cain had done, didn’t address the root cause of jealousy. Jealousy is a common human experience, and settling the feeling itself without understanding its origin won’t provide a lasting solution. To truly overcome the sickness of jealousy from the fear of death, we must address the root issue through a fundamental restoration of our relationship with God.

Within human society, we face numerous potential threats that originate from the sickness of jealousy. Then, how can we find the clue to settle of this matter?

Jealousy arises from the fear of the power of death. Therefore, if we cannot resolve the matter of death, we cannot cure the sickness of jealousy. How can we approach the settlement of the matter of death? It requires reconciliation with the Creator. I can assert that it is the root cause of all sicknesses affecting mankind. Thus, this is a pressing and critically important matter for all of humanity.

Then, how can we settle the broken relationship with the creator? When it comes to repairing broken relationships between friends and couples, one party must exhibit humility and approach the other with sacrificial love. The depth of one’s love determines their ability to humbly seek reconciliation. The more love a loved one possesses, the more actively they can work towards reconciliation.

In the Bible, God came first, and took the initiative to reconcile with us first, demonstrating His love by giving His one and only Son for us. This love is expressed in John 3:16, which states, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” God’s offer of reconciliation is extended to all of humankind, and the decision to accept it rests with us. Even the criminal crucified beside Jesus found salvation, as Jesus promised him, saying, “Today, you will be with me in paradise.” Our role is to trust in God’s promise of mercy and reconciliation.

In this passage, we discussed the sickness of jealousy, delving into its serious consequences and exploring ways to resolve it. The ultimate remedy for jealousy is to turn toward God and place our trust in His mercy and promises, and receive the eternal life.

Share The Fear of Death

Dear readers, thank you for walking this journey with me. Let’s continue to face life’s deepest question together and seek an answer that endures beyond death.

If this resonates with you, consider subscribing. I write weekly on how the fear of death shapes our lives and our search for meaning.

About the Book, “The Fear of Death”, It explores how the fear of death shapes our lives, relationships, power, and even history itself.
In The Fear of Death, I uncover the hidden force behind human conflict and longing.
A book to read before you die—an essential reflection on the meaning of your life.About mental diseases, especially depression

The tendency of comparison

We tend to compare ourselves with others. We think that it is a natural human tendency to evaluate our own worth based on our perception of those around us. Additionally, we believe that this may help us understand our own strengths and weaknesses.

However, this can also become a source of anxiety, jealousy, and low self-esteem as we constantly strive to measure up to an idealized standard that may not even be realistic or relevant to our own lives. We often believe that the key to breaking free from this cycle of comparison is to focus on our own personal growth and development while cultivating a sense of self-compassion and acceptance, rather than constantly seeking validation or approval from others.

Then, why do we try to compare with others constantly? We engage in these comparisons because we want to increase our chances of survival by evaluating ourselves in relation to others. We consume our energy to analyze myself not to die coming from the fear of death[SH2] . We think instinctively comparison is very necessary to sustain my life to be better on earth[SH3] . What if I don’t like to compare at all with others? What if we’re free from the comparison with others?

If someone else possesses something better than we do, we may feel threatened by it, and jealousy arises. As a result, we try to study it, obtain it, or even steal it, in the hope of improving our own chances of survival in a harsh and threatening environment. Thus, comparison is one of the sicknesses driven by the fear of death.

When I was in the fourth or fifth grade, I felt inferior to my friends, especially the one who lived in my neighborhood. I could gauge how long he had studied by the light in his room. I couldn’t sleep until he did. Every day, I checked his room’s light before going to bed. Why did I do such a stupid thing? I didn’t want to fall behind; I couldn’t tolerate the idea of lagging behind him. My young mind constantly compared to my friend’s—why did I?

Such actions can be observed on a national scale and are often referred to as espionage. This action is a manifestation of man’s sickness. Nations shouldn’t do that; in fact, such an action is definitely considered a crime against another country, isn’t it? Then, why are we so lenient when it happens between individuals? Even though humans are unaware of it, we are mentally afflicted with this sickness.

On an individual level, we constantly want to know how others are living and immediately start comparing ourselves with that information. If someone has a nicer car, house, more money, beauty, or fame than us, we may long to have those things ourselves or feel disheartened by the reality that we don’t. This behavior of comparison is rooted in our desire to overcome fear and increase our chances of survival as we navigate the ever-present fear of death. To survive, we continue to compare ourselves with others, and as others become more successful, the fear of death grows within us until we can no longer bear the situation. The more a person was traumatized by the fear of death, the stronger this tendency appears.

This constant comparison is a sign of sickness within our souls caused by the fear of death. We’re tempted to monitor others’ actions and influence to prevent them from controlling us. This is why so many tragic events and incidents have been occurring in even close relationships, such as between friends and relatives, in various human societies around the world, even including international relationships between China, Europe, Japan, Korea, the USA, and more.

Can you imagine a society where there is no sense of comparison with others at all? This is the world of paradise. It’s because we are not haunted by the fear of death; we don’t feel the need to compare ourselves with others, and we don’t feel the need to be better than others at all. Our minds will be filled with peace.

Share The Fear of Death

Dear readers, thank you for walking this journey with me. Let’s continue to face life’s deepest question together and seek an answer that endures beyond death.

If this resonates with you, consider subscribing. I write weekly on how the fear of death shapes our lives and our search for meaning.

About the Book, “The Fear of Death”, It explores how the fear of death shapes our lives, relationships, power, and even history itself.
In The Fear of Death, I uncover the hidden force behind human conflict and longing.
A book to read before you die—an essential reflection on the meaning of your life.About mental diseases, especially depression

Without trust, the fear of death creeps in and attacks

Actually, building and maintaining trust in relationships is not easy, even between spouses, parents and children, or friends. But why is it so difficult? The reason may be that we often prioritize our own survival over our commitments to others, leading us to break promises and betray trust. In a world where survival is difficult, we may view breaking oaths as a necessary strategy to increase our chances of survival. Unfortunately, this mentality can lead us to view trusting others as foolish and can ultimately result in betrayal and broken relationships, especially among allies and friends.

If we search for the fundamental cause of all kinds of relationship problems, we can trace it back to the broken relationship between God and humans that occurred in the Garden of Eden. As descendants of Adam, in our relationships, we lost the inner power of fundamental trust, making it impossible for us to trust others. We are deeply wounded in our ability to trust others, and this struggle persists to this day. We can’t trust others, and others can’t trust us. This is the brokenness—one of the sicknesses related to the power of death.

This lack of trust and constant doubt create a toxic environment in any relationship, whether it is between friends, family members, or even romantic partners. The absence of trust generates a fear of betrayal between all parties. This fear causes us to constantly question the intentions of others, preventing us from fully opening up and connecting with them. It can also lead to a cycle of self-protection, where we build walls around ourselves to avoid being hurt again. However, this only perpetuates the problem, creating a sense of isolation and loneliness.

In order to break this cycle and restore the power of trust, what should we do? We need to understand that we lost the inner power of trust due to the fear of death.

Fundamentally, the fear of death casts a shadow over human relationships. When this feeling of fear stirs up between people, it often leads to quarrels, weakened trust, and growing doubt. If the doubt is not properly resolved, tension will gradually increase until the relationship is consumed, and each person turns against the other, eventually becoming enemies. This reminds me of the proverb, “Swords cannot reach those who are far away,” it means that relationship issues arise between close family members or couples and can escalate to the point of causing harm or even ending in tragedy.

Humans tend to say “I trust you” very easily, but the truth is that trust may not always be genuine or guaranteed. Deep down, we are always considering the possibility of betrayal and harm. This is because humans have been wounded in the area of relationships since the fall of Adam and the sentence of death that followed. The fear of death is a fundamental aspect of man’s existence and is definitely going to undermine the trust in our relationships with others. I can say that mistrust and doubt are the sicknesses of mankind coming from the fear of death.

Here, I’d like to examine the closest relationships, particularly between husband and wife. Even though the issues of mistrust may linger in couples’ relationships, initially, it may not appear as a significant problem due to the strong bond rooted in love. However, as time progresses, the sickness of fear emerges from deep within the mind, and conflicts arise, and the fissures in the relationship widen. While some may dismiss it as a natural part of relationships, saying, ‘couples fight all the time, but love is like strong cement,’ this is not entirely accurate. As the cracks in the relationship grow, the once-strong bond weakens and eventually breaks. If the fear of death remains unaddressed, the couple essentially grapples with the shadow of the fear of death. The resulting separation not only inflicts pain on the individuals involved but also affects their children, family members, community, and even the nation. This is a serious issue that demands our attention.

The power of the fear of death cannot be underestimated, as it influences every aspect of our lives, including all our relationships. To maintain healthy and robust connections, it is essential to understand the impact of the sicknesses of mistrust, doubt, which stem from the fear of death, on our interactions with others.

At its core, we need to understand that we are deeply affected by mistrust, primarily driven by the fear of death. We dream of fully trusting each other . This realization will occur when we are healed from all the sicknesses caused by the fear of death—when we attain eternal life. This is why the genius Friedrich Nietzsche anticipated the Übermensch, the superman who overcomes the power of death, freeing himself from its grip. We may not grasp all the thoughts of the great philosopher Nietzsche; nevertheless, I understand that he truly struggled to overcome the fear of death.

Dear readers, thank you for walking this journey with me. Let’s continue to face life’s deepest question together and seek an answer that endures beyond death.

If this resonates with you, consider subscribing. I write weekly on how the fear of death shapes our lives and our search for meaning.

About the Book, “The Fear of Death”, It explores how the fear of death shapes our lives, relationships, power, and even history itself.
In The Fear of Death, I uncover the hidden force behind human conflict and longing.
A book to read before you die—an essential reflection on the meaning of your life.About mental diseases, especially depression

Pandora’s Box

In Greek mythology, Pandora, the first woman on Earth, let her curiosity get the better of her and opened a jar she had been strictly forbidden by Zeus to ever touch. In that fateful moment, all the miseries and evils that plague humanity—sickness, hardship, and jealousy—poured out into the world. This is precisely why, today, we use the phrase “opening Pandora’s box” as a metaphor for uncovering a critical secret or triggering a chain of uncontrollable disasters.

For most of us, there is one particular “Pandora’s box” that we dread above all else, one we desperately wish to keep tightly sealed: the fear of death.

Many of us tend to avoid the very concept of death altogether. We fear that opening this specific box will unleash an overwhelming wave of stress, anxiety, and despair. To comfort ourselves, we choose to believe that we have plenty of time left to live, convincing ourselves that death is a distant reality that requires no immediate attention. Furthermore, the utter lack of a clear solution to the problem of mortality breeds a sense of helplessness, instinctively driving us away from this somber topic.

However, ignoring this reality simply because we shrink from the dreadful truth may well be the greatest mistake of our lives. Keeping the box resolutely shut and denying its existence ultimately leaves both ourselves and our loved ones completely unprepared for the inevitable end of life.

Yet, we must remember that in the myth, after all the calamities had escaped, one thing remained at the very bottom of Pandora’s box, having never left: Hope. The same holds true for the Pandora’s box of death. When we acknowledge that death is an intrinsic part of life and begin to approach it with openness and curiosity rather than fear, we paradoxically discover the true hope of how to live our remaining days meaningfully. Confronting death does not mean unleashing a disaster that ruins our lives; rather, it is the most vital first step toward truly cherishing the finite time we have.

Share The Fear of Death

Dear readers, thank you for walking this journey with me. Let’s continue to face life’s deepest question together and seek an answer that endures beyond death.

If this resonates with you, consider subscribing. I write weekly on how the fear of death shapes our lives and our search for meaning.

About the Book, “The Fear of Death”, It explores how the fear of death shapes our lives, relationships, power, and even history itself.
In The Fear of Death, I uncover the hidden force behind human conflict and longing.
A book to read before you die—an essential reflection on the meaning of your life.About mental diseases, especially depression

If you were to take a psychological test at a hospital, what kind of result do you think would come out? In my estimation, most people would likely show some signs of mental health challenges, particularly depression. Generally, there are numerous types of mental illnesses worldwide. However, I can earnestly assert that among these cases, most are connected to and rooted in the fear of death. Particularly, all forms of depression, except those resulting from physical disorders, fall into this category.

Then, what is the definition of depression? It is defined as ‘to make sad, sadden, make unhappy, cast down, or get down.’ The word comes from the Latin word deprimere, which means ‘to press down.’ So, why do we, in many cases, feel ‘pressed down’? The meaning of ‘press down’ is ‘to apply force or pressure to something or to cause something to move or shift.’ Mentally, depression feels like being pressed by something immovable — no matter how much we want to move it, we can’t, because it is immovable. This immovable force can represent many things. However, these things are definitely connected to the fear of death.

And the medical definition is: “Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think, and how you act. Fortunately, it is also treatable. Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems, and it can decrease a person’s ability to function at work and at home.” (Quoted from American Psychiatric Association)

And what would be told to us as the cause of depression? “It’s often said that depression results from a chemical imbalance, but that figure of speech doesn’t capture how complex the disease is. Research suggests that depression doesn’t spring from simply having too much or too little of certain brain chemicals. Rather, there are many possible causes of depression, including faulty mood regulation by the brain, genetic vulnerability, stressful life events, medications, and medical problems.

It’s believed that several of these forces interact to bring on depression. To be sure, chemicals are involved in this process, but it is not a simple matter of one chemical being too low and another too high. Rather, many chemicals are involved, working both inside and outside nerve cells. There are millions, even billions, of chemical reactions that make up the dynamic system that is responsible for your mood, perceptions, and how you experience life.” (Quoted from Harvard Health Publishing, 2009 June 24th, on the website; health.harvard.edu, titled “what causes depression?)

From the perspectives of Harvard Health Publishing and the American Psychiatric Association, the phrase ‘It’s believed that several of these forces interact to bring on depression’ can be paraphrased as ‘we don’t fundamentally understand why depression occurs in humans.’ So, what is the genuine cause that truly makes us feel this way and become depressed?

In my understanding, I assert that the fear of death is the root cause of depression, excluding cases involving genuine brain chemical disorders resulting from external factors such as injury or malnutrition. When a person is deeply affected and traumatized by the fear of death, escaping this trauma and the sense of being trapped becomes exceedingly difficult, given mankind’s inability to elude the inevitability of death. Although the human brain functions in an extremely complex manner, if an individual feels that their life is ensnared in a maze of death-related fear with no way out, this fear can assail their cognitive function and mindset, ultimately leading to paralysis and depression. It causes them to lose all desire to live life to the fullest. The sensation of lacking an exit can indeed trigger depression, and I personally believe that it may be the root cause of mental depression. As we comprehend, we are all ensnared in the fate of death, and our souls suffer in contemplating this reality. However, our souls understand that we can’t extricate ourselves from this situation, leading us to experience sorrow, sadness, and powerlessness.”

Suppose that one is trapped in a place of death, but there is no way out. How could the person survive emotionally and mentally in a place with no exit and without any hope? Definitely, the person would be distressed and mentally collapsed. I believe that it is the real, root cause of depression.

Share The Fear of Death

Dear readers, thank you for walking this journey with me. Let’s continue to face life’s deepest question together and seek an answer that endures beyond death.

If this resonates with you, consider subscribing. I write weekly on how the fear of death shapes our lives and our search for meaning.

(We’re sick from the fear of death)

“Personally, I have struggled with an addiction to work. When I worked hard, my mind felt at peace. I found that this addiction served as a painkiller, easing my mental trauma. However, after finishing my work, I felt nervous and uneasy during my resting time, as if my mind was too sensitive to the quiet. For a long time, I was unsure why my mind suffered in this way.”

About the Book, “The Fear of Death”, It explores how the fear of death shapes our lives, relationships, power, and even history itself.
In The Fear of Death, I uncover the hidden force behind human conflict and longing.
A book to read before you die—an essential reflection on the meaning of your life.

Stalin

Joseph Stalin’s childhood was marked by poverty, hardship, and familial strife, which profoundly shaped his personality and worldview. Born on December 18, 1878, in Gori, Georgia, then part of the Russian Empire, Stalin (born Ioseb Besarionis dze Jughashvili) grew up in a working-class family. His father, Besarion Jughashvili, was a cobbler, and his mother, Ketevan Geladze, worked as a laundress.

The Jughashvili family struggled financially, living in a small, cramped house with minimal amenities. Stalin’s father was often absent, and when he was home, he was known for his heavy drinking and abusive behavior towards his wife and children. This environment contributed to a turbulent and unstable upbringing for Stalin.

From a young age, Stalin experienced the harsh realities of poverty and social inequality. His family’s economic struggles meant that he often went without basic necessities. The instability at home, coupled with the oppressive political climate of the Russian Empire, likely fueled Stalin’s early resentment towards authority and desire for social change.

Stalin’s early education began at the Gori Church School, where he initially showed promise as a student. However, due to financial constraints, he eventually had to leave and later enrolled at the Tiflis Theological Seminary with hopes of becoming a priest. At the seminary, he became increasingly exposed to radical political ideas, eventually joining the Marxist underground movement.

The hardships and challenges of Stalin’s childhood and adolescence, including poverty, family discord, and limited educational opportunities, played a significant role in shaping his later ruthless and authoritarian leadership style. They also contributed to his deep-seated distrust of others and his relentless pursuit of power and control within the Soviet Union once he rose to prominence.

After he was expelled from Tiflis Theological Seminary in 1899, he became involved in revolutionary activities, joining the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party. Stalin adopted the pseudonym “Stalin” around 1912 and played a significant role in the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917, later becoming Commissar for Nationalities.

In 1922, Stalin was appointed General Secretary of the Communist Party, a role he used to consolidate power after Lenin’s death in 1924. By the late 1920s, he had eliminated rivals such as Trotsky, establishing a totalitarian regime marked by a cult of personality. His First Five-Year Plan (1928-1932) aimed at rapid industrialization and forced collectivization, leading to widespread famine and millions of deaths.

The Great Purge (1936-1938) saw Stalin orchestrating mass executions and imprisonments, intensifying his political repression. During World War II, he led the Soviet Union to victory against Nazi Germany but also engaged in severe wartime repression. Post-war, Stalin expanded Soviet influence in Eastern Europe, igniting the Cold War. He died on March 5, 1953, leaving a legacy of both industrial progress and brutal dictatorship.

Under Joseph Stalin’s rule, the Soviet Union experienced some of the most intense political repression and mass atrocities of the 20th century. Stalin’s policies led to the deaths of an estimated 6 to 20 million people. During the Great Purge (1936-1938), approximately 680,000 to 1.2 million were executed, and millions were sent to Gulags, where about 1 to 2 million perished. His forced collectivization policies caused the devastating Holodomor in Ukraine and other famines from 1932 to 1933, resulting in 3 to 7 million deaths. World War II further exacerbated the repression, with Stalin’s deportations and brutal wartime policies contributing to several hundred thousand to over a million additional deaths.

Then, why did he live such a drastic life? Why did he choose such an inhumane existence? Why did he kill so many people in cold-blood? I would like to present his miserable, pathetic life to all my readers and delve into it with many questions. In the final stage of his life, he couldn’t trust anyone except those like his housemaid or secretary. And he completely isolated himself from the public. In my understanding, I believe that he had struggled a lot to overcome the inner fear which stems from the fear of death. And to subside this fear, he had to remove all potential enemies even including his own family members. If I were to sum up his life in one word[SH1] , I would say he had been fighting the fear of death, and in the end, he was knocked down and died, isn’t that right?

I have looked over many so-called heroes, and in conclusion to this chapter regarding heroes, I would like to say, there were no heroes—only individuals attempting to defeat the power of the fear of death. They all wanted to fight and overcome, but in the end, they failed. That is my conclusion. Thank you.

Share The Fear of Death

Dear readers, thank you for walking this journey with me. Let’s continue to face life’s deepest question together and seek an answer that endures beyond death.

If this resonates with you, consider subscribing. I write weekly on how the fear of death shapes our lives and our search for meaning.

About the Book, “The Fear of Death”, It explores how the fear of death shapes our lives, relationships, power, and even history itself.
In The Fear of Death, I uncover the hidden force behind human conflict and longing.
A book to read before you die—an essential reflection on the meaning of your life.

Socrates

Socrates was a classical Greek philosopher who is widely regarded as one of the founding figures of Western philosophy. He was born around 470 BCE in Athens, Greece, and died in 399 BCE.

Socrates did not leave behind any writings of his own, but his ideas and teachings were passed down through the works of his student, Plato, and other contemporaries. Socrates is known for his method of questioning and inquiry, often referred to as the Socratic method or elenchus. He engaged in philosophical dialogues with others, aiming to stimulate critical thinking, self-reflection, and the pursuit of truth and knowledge.

Socrates sought to understand fundamental concepts such as virtue, justice, and the nature of the self. He believed in the importance of examining one’s own beliefs and assumptions, as well as questioning societal norms and values. Socrates famously claimed that “an unexamined life is not worth living,” emphasizing the need for introspection and self-reflection.

Socrates’ teachings often challenged conventional wisdom and social conventions, which eventually led to his trial and execution. He was accused of impiety and corrupting the youth of Athens, and after a controversial trial, he was sentenced to death by drinking a cup of poison hemlock.

Despite his own lack of written works, Socrates’ influence on Western philosophy is profound. His emphasis on critical thinking, self-examination, and the pursuit of truth continues to shape philosophical inquiry and ethical thought to this day. Socrates’ life and teachings remain significant, illustrating the importance of questioning, rational discourse, and the pursuit of wisdom in the quest for a good and examined life.

How was his childhood? Socrates was born around 470 BCE in Athens, Greece. His father, Sophroniscus, was a sculptor, and his mother, Phaenarete, was a midwife. Some accounts suggest that Socrates came from a modest background.

During his youth, Socrates likely received a basic education in subjects such as mathematics, music, and gymnastics, which were typical for Athenian boys of his time. Athenian education also emphasized the teaching of poetry and literature. It is believed that Socrates had an interest in poetry in his early years, but he later turned his focus to philosophy.

He was one of the most influential figures in Western civilization who sought to discover the fundamental truth. Then, why did he seek the fundamental truth of life, the Earth, and the universe? He wanted to understand the meaning of life, the nature of virtue, justice, and the self— including why he must die and where he will go after death. I believe his strategy for addressing the dreadful fear of death involved the pursuit of knowledge. I think he hoped to find solutions through dialogue and the examination of fundamental, substantial answers. However, he was unable to reach definitive answers to his many questions.

And he died by drinking a cup of poison hemlock. The circumstances surrounding his death are detailed in Plato’s dialogue, “Phaedo.”

In 399 BCE, Socrates was put on trial in Athens, charged with impiety and corrupting the youth. Despite his defense and the efforts of his supporters, he was found guilty by a jury of his peers. The trial resulted in a controversial verdict and a sentence of death.

He questioned many things regarding the fundamental existence of mankind, the earth, and the universe. Due to a lack of records, I can’t analyze the psychological aspects of his life. However, through his achievements, I can make some assumptions about what motivated him to do such great work.

He sought the fundamental answer beneath life, beneath the visible things. In his eyes, everything was worth questioning because he knew that he didn’t know anything. Thus, he began the journey of searching for fundamental answers with questions of why and how.

I believe he wanted to know where he came from, where he was going, and why he had to live each day. Through admitting his ignorance and questioning the fundamental reasons, he was able to approach closer to what we needed to know. For example, ‘Why do we fear? What purpose are we living for?’ However, he didn’t find the truth and ultimately died by capital punishment.

And if I evaluate him, he had pretty a good life, because he admitted and recognized that he didn’t know everything about life. So, he didn’t make a big mistake in his short life.

Share The Fear of Death

Dear readers, thank you for walking this journey with me. Let’s continue to face life’s deepest question together and seek an answer that endures beyond death.

If this resonates with you, consider subscribing. I write weekly on how the fear of death shapes our lives and our search for meaning.

About the Book, “The Fear of Death”, It explores how the fear of death shapes our lives, relationships, power, and even history itself.
In The Fear of Death, I uncover the hidden force behind human conflict and longing.
A book to read before you die—an essential reflection on the meaning of your life.

Adolf Hitler

Adolf Hitler was a German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (NSDAP), commonly known as the Nazi Party. He was born on April 20, 1889, in Braunau am Inn, Austria-Hungary (now Austria), and died on April 30, 1945, in Berlin, Germany.

Hitler rose to power in Germany in the early 1930s, becoming Chancellor in 1933 and later assuming dictatorial control as Führer in 1934. Under his leadership, the Nazi regime implemented policies based on extreme nationalism, anti-Semitism, and authoritarianism.

During Hitler’s rule, Germany pursued aggressive expansionist policies and embarked on military campaigns that ultimately led to World War II. Hitler’s ambition was to establish a vast empire, the Third Reich, which aimed to create a racially pure and dominant Aryan society.

The Nazi regime implemented systematic persecution and discrimination against Jews, as well as other minority groups, leading to the Holocaust, in which millions of people, primarily Jews, were exterminated in concentration camps. Hitler’s ideology of racial superiority and his aggressive policies resulted in the suffering and death of millions during the war.

As the war turned against Germany, Hitler’s leadership and decisions contributed to the eventual defeat of Nazi Germany. On April 30, 1945, as Allied forces closed in on Berlin, Hitler died by suicide in his bunker.

Adolf Hitler’s actions and the atrocities committed under his regime have made him one of history’s most reviled figures. His ideologies and the horrors of the Nazi regime serve as a reminder of the dangers of extremism, hate, and the consequences of unchecked power.

Adolf Hitler died by suicide on April 30, 1945, in his underground bunker in Berlin, Germany. As Allied forces closed in on the city during the final days of World War II, Hitler made the decision to take his own life rather than face capture or surrender.

Hitler died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He shot himself in the head while also biting into a cyanide capsule to ensure his death. His wife, Eva Braun, whom he had married the day before, also died by suicide alongside him.

After Hitler’s death, his body was taken outside the bunker and burned in accordance with his orders. The remains were partially destroyed and later discovered by Soviet forces in May 1945.

Why did he choose such a life? What motivation led him to live in such a way? Why did he desire great power? Why did he drive his people into the hellish World War II? Did he truly wish for such an end? To understand this, we need to examine his childhood.

During his early childhood, Hitler lived in several locations in Austria, including Braunau am Inn, Passau, and later moved to Linz. His father, Alois Hitler, was a strict and short-tempered man who worked as a customs official. Adolf Hitler had a strained relationship with his father and later described him as being domineering and unsupportive.

In his youth, Hitler showed an early interest in art and aspired to become a painter. However, his father insisted that he pursue a career in the civil service. Adolf Hitler attended various schools during his childhood, including a Catholic school in Linz, but he performed poorly academically and often clashed with his teachers.

After the death of his younger brother, Edmund, in 1900, Hitler’s personality reportedly changed. He became more withdrawn and devoted himself to self-education and developing his own beliefs and ideologies.

At the age of 18, Hitler moved to Vienna, Austria, in 1907 to pursue his artistic aspirations. However, he faced financial struggles and was twice rejected from the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts. During his time in Vienna, he immersed himself in the city’s political and cultural climate and developed nationalistic and anti-Semitic beliefs that would shape his future political career.

In his early childhood, he was traumatized by his father. His father’s temper and dominating character damaged his soul. The death of his younger brother deeply affected him, instilling a profound fear. Later, he was rejected in the field he truly pursued. In truth, he should have lived as a loser, but his fear of living as one was too great. In his mind, he was young and had a strong desire to overcome his life path. Later, he joined the army and worked hard to prove himself. When he encountered the right tools to gain power in the political arena, his suppressed fear became the driving force propelling his rapid rise.

However, his energy was derived from the power of fear, and thus, he couldn’t find a positive way forward. He failed to develop a healthy worldview and chose the easiest route: blaming others. He thought that if he could remove the one thing that had been continuously bothering him since childhood, he could resolve his fear. His solution to overcome his fear was to remove or conquer those he wanted to blame.

This tendency to blame others ultimately led to a global tragedy and exacted a high price. Consequently, he became one of the most infamous figures in human history.

Despite his desire to conquer the fear of death through his passion, energy, strength, and wisdom, using military power, conquering other countries, and committing genocide against a nation - the Jews, he died and disappeared like the wind without a trace, leaving behind the worst stigma in human history.

The energy that stems from the fear of death in an attempt to overcome it is extremely destructive, both to oneself and others. Therefore, we need to correctly discern where this energy originates.

On Earth, our destination is determined by how we define the solution to free us from the fear of death. We are continually striving to figure out a solution to this fear. Most often, and quite deceptively, we tend to believe that acquiring power is the simplest and easiest path we can choose. Therefore, we strive to gain power, which often translates to dominating others. However, that method is truly a sick way to approach it and will definitely ruin our lives.

Money, technology, political power, knowledge, fame, and social networks are all manifestations of the power which is the solution we choose in our quest to be free from the fear of death. This happens in families, companies, international, and in all kinds of places, even in relationships between lovers.

Share The Fear of Death

Dear readers, thank you for walking this journey with me. Let’s continue to face life’s deepest question together and seek an answer that endures beyond death.

If this resonates with you, consider subscribing. I write weekly on how the fear of death shapes our lives and our search for meaning.

About the Book, “The Fear of Death”, It explores how the fear of death shapes our lives, relationships, power, and even history itself.
In The Fear of Death, I uncover the hidden force behind human conflict and longing.
A book to read before you die—an essential reflection on the meaning of your life.

Confucius

Let us reflect on Confucius, known as the great sage of the East. What did he seek to gain in life, what did he teach, and why did he do so? What is it that connects Confucius with our lives?

Confucius, also known by his given name Kong Qiu or simply Kongzi, was a prominent Chinese philosopher, educator, and politician who lived during the Spring and Autumn Period of ancient China from 551 to 479 BC.

Confucius is widely recognized as one of the most influential figures in Chinese history and as the founder of Confucianism. Confucianism is a philosophical and ethical system that has deeply shaped Chinese culture and society. His teachings emphasize moral values, social harmony, filial piety, and the cultivation of virtues for the happiness of both the individual and society as a whole.

As an educator, Confucius gathered disciples and traveled throughout China, spreading his wisdom and teachings. He emphasized education, self-development, and the practice of ethical conduct. Confucius believed that individuals could contribute to the realization of a harmonious and orderly society by practicing virtuous behavior and maintaining proper social relationships.

Confucius also left behind teachings regarding state governance, family relationships, and rituals. His thought regarded the cultivation of individual character and the pursuit of moral excellence as the foundation of social and political harmony. Although Confucius faced political difficulties and struggled to gain official recognition during his lifetime, his ideas gained great fame and influence after his death. The *Analects*, a collection of his teachings and sayings compiled by his disciples, became the cornerstone of Confucian philosophy and formed the foundation of Confucian thought over the centuries.

Confucius’s teachings continue to exert a profound influence on East Asian societies, particularly in China, and his thought has shaped moral, social, and educational systems. His emphasis on ethics, social order, and the cultivation of virtues left a lasting legacy, and he remains deeply revered in Chinese cultural tradition as a great teacher and philosopher.

To understand Confucius’s life and thought, one must understand the historical context of his time.

Confucius lived during the period known in Chinese history as the Spring and Autumn Period (770–476 BC). This era is characterized by significant social, political, and cultural changes in ancient China. The Spring and Autumn Period was marked by the decline of central authority and the decentralization of power. The Zhou Dynasty, which had maintained centralized control over China for centuries, began to lose its authority, leading to the dawn of an era of political decentralization. Consequently, regional vassal states and aristocratic families gradually gained autonomy, becoming embroiled in conflicts and power struggles.

During this period, social order collapsed, and traditional hierarchical relationships disintegrated. The disintegration of central authority led to internal unrest, war, social chaos, moral collapse, and acts of murder and rape. The rise of powerful aristocratic families, known as the “nobles of the feudal states,” intensified competition and conflict among them.

The Spring and Autumn period was also a time of significant cultural and intellectual development. This era marked the golden age of philosophy, during which various schools of thought emerged to address the social, political, and ethical issues of the time. Confucius was one of the most prominent figures of this intellectual upheaval, and his teachings sought to restore social harmony and moral order in an era of social upheaval.

It is important to remember that while Confucius lived during the Spring and Autumn period, his teachings continued to exert influence even after his death. His thought received even greater attention during the subsequent Warring States period (475–221 BC), which was marked by intense conflict and the rise of powerful states vying for hegemony. Confucianism eventually became one of China’s dominant philosophical and ethical systems, shaping Chinese society, culture, and governance over the centuries.

Then, why did he advocate such precious ethical teachings that remain beneficial even today, particularly to East Asian societies?

He lived during the most turbulent period in Chinese history—an era where betrayal and murder were rampant, even within families. It was a time when fear reigned over society. He lost his father to war before he was even born, and he believed that such wars should never happen to him or to society. His life was a trauma marked by fear, disorder, anxiety, and terror. He wanted to understand why such a disorderly, violent, and fearful society came into being.

In the eyes of the young Confucius, war was the greatest enemy that had to be overthrown at all costs, because all fear of death stemmed from war. Later, he lost his mother as well at a young age. It was a devastating loss for him that he had not been able to properly bid her farewell. Consequently, he stayed by her grave for years. He desired peace and began to fight against the fundamental social problems that had brought him tragedy. He sincerely yearned for peace and sought to quell the social fear of death.

Consequently, he deeply contemplated why such chaotic situations persist in human society. He reached the conclusion that all problems stem from distorted human character. Therefore, he sought to restore social order by establishing correct principles through education. However, recognizing that the issue of death was beyond his understanding, he did not delve deeply into it. In fact, he stated that he did not know much about the current state of life.

There are few accurate records regarding Confucius’s death, and various theories exist regarding the circumstances. According to historical records, Confucius passed away in 479 BC at the age of 72. One record states that he died of natural causes due to old age. It is said that he suffered from a serious illness prior to his death, and despite the care of his disciples and followers, he ultimately succumbed to the disease and closed his eyes. One of the greatest and most profound thinkers passed away after contributing to a better society through the insights he gained throughout his life.

However, he did not touch upon the issue of life after death.

In conclusion, I can evaluate him as a figure who strove to resolve this problem during a time when the fear of death dominated the world. As an author evaluating his life, I would like to point out that all his achievements stemmed from the fear of death that had taken deep root within him since childhood and his life spent seeking a solution to it. At the same time, he sought to heal a society deeply wounded by the fear of death.

However, he failed to resolve his own death and ultimately lost the battle against it. As an author evaluating his life, I would assess it as a life in which he “wrestled and fought against this problem his entire life because the fear of death was so terrifying, but ultimately lost to the power of death.”

Share The Fear of Death

Dear readers, thank you for walking this journey with me. Let’s continue to face life’s deepest question together and seek an answer that endures beyond death.

If this resonates with you, consider subscribing. I write weekly on how the fear of death shapes our lives and our search for meaning.

About the Book, “The Fear of Death”, It explores how the fear of death shapes our lives, relationships, power, and even history itself.
In The Fear of Death, I uncover the hidden force behind human conflict and longing.
A book to read before you die—an essential reflection on the meaning of your life.

Buddha

Buddha, also known as Gautama Buddha, was a spiritual teacher and the founder of Buddhism. He was born as Siddhartha Gautama in the 5th century BCE in what is now Nepal.

According to traditional accounts, Siddhartha was born into a royal family and lived a life of luxury and privilege. However, he became disillusioned with the materialistic world and the suffering he witnessed. Seeking answers to the nature of existence and the end of suffering, he renounced his princely life and embarked on a spiritual quest.

After years of rigorous ascetic practices and meditation, Siddhartha attained enlightenment under a Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India. It was at this moment that he became known as the Buddha, which means “the awakened one” or “the enlightened one.”

The teachings of the Buddha revolve around the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. The Four Noble Truths encompass the reality of suffering, the origin of suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the path leading to the cessation of suffering. The Eightfold Path consists of guidelines for living a moral, mindful, and compassionate life, aiming to achieve liberation from suffering and the realization of enlightenment, or Nirvana.

The Buddha spent the rest of his life traveling across ancient India, teaching his insights and establishing a monastic order known as the Sangha. He shared his teachings with people from all walks of life and emphasized the importance of personal experience and individual effort in attaining enlightenment.

Buddha’s teachings have had a profound influence on the development of Buddhism and have inspired countless individuals throughout history. His message of compassion, mindfulness, and the pursuit of wisdom continues to resonate with people seeking spiritual fulfillment and understanding.

According to traditional accounts, the Buddha passed away at the age of 80 in the town of Kushinagar, now located in present-day Uttar Pradesh, India.

In his life, he sought to find enlightenment regarding why humans suffer. He was deeply troubled by the many tragic aspects of life in ancient India that he witnessed and experienced. Poverty, suffering, disease, hunger, conflict, war, murder, aging, and death deeply bewildered him as a young man. So, he decided to find the answer. He truly wanted to overcome all these tragedies through understanding.

One day, he decided not to move or eat until he found the answer to all kinds of human problems.

Here are the four key insights he came to understand:

1. The Truth of Suffering (Dukkha): Life is characterized by suffering, dissatisfaction, and unsatisfactoriness.

2. The Truth of the Origin of Suffering (Samudaya): Suffering arises from craving and attachment, which are rooted in ignorance.

3. The Truth of the Cessation of Suffering (Nirodha): Suffering can be overcome by eliminating craving and attachment.

4. The Truth of the Path to the Cessation of Suffering (Magga): The Noble Eightfold Path leads to the cessation of suffering.

Then, why did he come to such conclusions? These four statements seem to offer inspiration and help us resolve our fundamental problems, but they do not. The most critical mistake was that he accepted death as it is. However, I understand why he taught in that way—because he had no other option to overcome the power of death.

To understand his deeper thinking, we first need to examine the terms “craving” and “attachment.” We must also ask, “From where do these cravings and attachments originate?” They arise because we wish to live, not die. However, his teaching is highly contradictory. To those who want to live, he asked them to eliminate craving and attachment. So, the path he guided us on was undoubtedly misguided.

Once again, speaking frankly, Buddha did not question where this craving came from or why it motivates mankind; he simply stated, “Life is suffering.” I understand that he could not go beneath the problem of craving. He began with the statement, “Life is suffering,” explained that it arises from craving, and offered the solution of eliminating that craving. I understand this, because it may have been beyond his comprehension. That was his limitation.

However, beneath this statement and the idea of craving, we must understand the fundamental first cause: craving stems from our desire to escape the fear of death. Without recognizing this first cause, eliminating craving is not the best solution, because it leads us to accept the meaninglessness of life.

This teaching cannot truly motivate us to find a solution; it is like taking a painkiller. We need to heal the fundamental root cause that drives craving. That root cause is the fear of death.

However, who can dare to confront the fear of death? As ordinary people, we find it almost impossible to face this dreadful fear. I know there have been a few rare individuals in human history who have confronted the fear of death. However, they did not overcome it; they compromised with the power of death. This is similar to the attitude of a suicide bomber toward himself.

I would say they did not overcome death, but rather surrendered to its power. Surrendering is different from overcoming. We need to understand the essence of this fear and its origin. It exists because we are all destined to die.

In conclusion, Buddha sought to understand the fundamental problem within humanity. He proposed a solution that essentially suggests, “Do not confront or fight the power of death; instead, accept your fate through surrender.” This approach may seem practical, but it does not overcome the problem.

In the end, he accepted the power of death without resistance, leaving behind a message that could be interpreted as, “Do not confront it, or you will suffer greatly.”

I would say that he attempted to confront the fear of death through surrender. This approach allowed him to touch the surface of the issue and enabled his followers to explore life and death more deeply, often through symbolic or imaginative interpretations. However, in substance, it does not fully resolve the problem.

Share The Fear of Death

Dear readers, thank you for walking this journey with me. Let’s continue to face life’s deepest question together and seek an answer that endures beyond death.

If this resonates with you, consider subscribing. I write weekly on how the fear of death shapes our lives and our search for meaning.

About the Book, “The Fear of Death”, It explores how the fear of death shapes our lives, relationships, power, and even history itself.
In The Fear of Death, I uncover the hidden force behind human conflict and longing.
A book to read before you die—an essential reflection on the meaning of your life.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi

Toyotomi Hideyoshi was a prominent historical figure in Japan who lived from 1537 to 1598. He was a powerful daimyo (feudal lord) and military leader who played a pivotal role in the unification of Japan during the late 16th century.

Hideyoshi was born into a peasant family, but he rose through the ranks of the Oda clan and became a loyal retainer of Oda Nobunaga, another influential warlord. After Nobunaga’s assassination in 1582, Hideyoshi successfully avenged his lord’s death and emerged as a prominent figure in the struggle for power.

Through a combination of military prowess, political maneuvering, and strategic alliances, Hideyoshi gradually unified Japan under his rule. He defeated rival daimyo, subdued rebellions, and established a centralized government. In 1590, Hideyoshi launched a successful military campaign to bring the remaining independent daimyo under his control, effectively ending the Sengoku period of feudal warfare.

Hideyoshi implemented various social, economic, and cultural reforms during his rule. He introduced land redistribution policies to stabilize the social structure, implemented a system of census and registration, and issued the Sword Hunt Edict to disarm the peasantry. Hideyoshi also promoted cultural exchange, supported the arts, and initiated major construction projects, including the building of Osaka Castle.

Despite his achievements, Hideyoshi faced challenges in securing a stable succession. His attempts to establish his own family as the ruling dynasty were met with opposition, leading to conflicts and power struggles following his death. Eventually, the Tokugawa shogunate, established by Tokugawa Ieyasu, would come to dominate Japan.

He even desired to conquer China to extend his military power to its maximum. But what drove him to strive for such an outcome? He was born into a peasant family during the Sengoku period, a time of civil war in medieval Japan. During that era, he witnessed many traumatic events that shaped his ambitious and ruthless nature. Defeat was intolerable; to survive, he had to conquer others. Simply put, he had to kill to avoid being killed. Thus, driven by the fear of death, he sought great power. The only way to survive was to become a warlord of the time. This was the only way to overcome his fear of death and protect himself and his family from its grasp.

Later, after obtaining power, he desired even more to overcome his fate. Consequently, he invaded Korea and committed numerous war crimes. I believe we should put him on trial for these crimes. In the end, he died at the age of 62. He tried to overcome the power of death through his endeavors, intelligence, and wisdom. He struggled and fought against the fear of death but was ultimately defeated by it.

Share The Fear of Death

Dear readers, thank you for walking this journey with me. Let’s continue to face life’s deepest question together and seek an answer that endures beyond death.

If this resonates with you, consider subscribing. I write weekly on how the fear of death shapes our lives and our search for meaning.

About the Book, “The Fear of Death”, It explores how the fear of death shapes our lives, relationships, power, and even history itself.

In The Fear of Death, I uncover the hidden force behind human conflict and longing.

A book to read before you die—an essential reflection on the meaning of your life.

Napoleon

Napoleon Bonaparte is often remembered as one of the greatest leaders in history. He rose from a modest background in Corsica to become Emperor of France, reshaping Europe through his military genius and political ambition. His achievements were extraordinary, and his name remains synonymous with power.

But this raises a deeper question:
What is greatness?

Napoleon seized power in 1799 and crowned himself Emperor in 1804. He concentrated authority in his own hands and built an empire that stretched across much of Europe. From the outside, his life appears to be the triumph of human ability—intelligence, discipline, and will.

Yet this surface hides something deeper.

Napoleon’s early life was marked by instability. Growing up in Corsica, he witnessed the weakness of a small nation caught between larger powers. From a young age, he saw how fragile security could be. Strength was not optional—it was necessary for survival.

This experience shaped him.
He did not simply pursue power; he needed it.

In the military academy, he discovered a system that could turn human fear into organized force. Armies, strategy, discipline—these were not just tools of war. They were instruments of control. Through them, uncertainty could be managed, and vulnerability could be hidden.

Power, then, became more than ambition.
It became a response.

At its core, the pursuit of power often begins with a simple reality:
the fear of losing everything.

And beneath that fear lies something even deeper—
the fear of death.

Napoleon expanded his empire across Europe, but expansion could not remove this fear. The more he gained, the more he had to defend. The more he controlled, the more he was threatened. Power did not resolve uncertainty; it multiplied it.

His invasion of Russia in 1812 marked the turning point. What had once appeared unstoppable collapsed under the weight of reality—distance, winter, and human limitation. By 1814, he was forced to abdicate. His brief return during the Hundred Days ended at Waterloo. After that, there was no recovery.

He was exiled to Saint Helena, a remote island in the South Atlantic.

There, the man who once commanded nations had nothing left to command.

No armies.
No empire.
No control.

Only time—and the approach of death.

This is the point where the illusion breaks.

Napoleon appeared great because he could control others.
But he could not control the one thing that defines all human life.

He could not control his end.

In this sense, his life does not prove human greatness.
It exposes its limits.

What we call greatness is often built on the ability to dominate circumstances. But domination is temporary. It cannot overcome the fundamental condition of being human.

Napoleon’s story reveals a pattern that extends far beyond one man. People strive, achieve, and fight, believing that success will secure their lives. Power, wealth, and recognition create the appearance of stability. But beneath that appearance, the same uncertainty remains.

The fear does not disappear.
It only changes form.

Napoleon reached the highest point of human ambition, yet he arrived at the same end as everyone else. Not as an emperor, but as a man facing the limits he could never escape.

This is why his life must be understood differently.

He was not great in the ultimate sense.
He was a clear example of the human condition—
a man who gained the world, yet could not overcome death.

And in that, his story is not exceptional.

It is universal.

Share The Fear of Death

Dear readers, thank you for walking this journey with me. Let’s continue to face life’s deepest question together and seek an answer that endures beyond death.

If this resonates with you, consider subscribing. I write weekly on how the fear of death shapes our lives and our search for meaning.

About the Book, “The Fear of Death”, It explores how the fear of death shapes our lives, relationships, power, and even history itself.
In The Fear of Death, I uncover the hidden force behind human conflict and longing.
A book to read before you die—an essential reflection on the meaning of your life.

Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs was an American business magnate, industrial designer, and inventor. He was born on February 24, 1955, in San Francisco, California, and passed away on October 5, 2011.

Steve Jobs co-founded Apple Inc. in 1976, along with Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne, and played a pivotal role in shaping the company into one of the most influential technology companies in the world. He served as the chairman, CEO, and a key visionary behind Apple’s iconic products, including the Macintosh computer, iPod, iPhone, and iPad.

Jobs was known for his relentless pursuit of innovation, his emphasis on design and user experience, and his ability to revolutionize entire industries. Under his leadership, Apple became synonymous with cutting-edge technology and consumer-friendly devices, garnering a devoted following of customers.

In addition to his work at Apple, Jobs also co-founded and served as chairman and CEO of Pixar Animation Studios, which produced highly successful animated films such as Toy Story, Finding Nemo, and The Incredibles.

Steve Jobs’ contributions to the world of technology and business were widely recognized. He received numerous accolades and awards throughout his career, including being named to Fortune magazine’s list of the world’s most powerful people and being recognized as a pioneer in the personal computer revolution.

Steve Jobs’ legacy extends beyond his professional achievements. He is remembered for his charismatic leadership style, his ability to inspire and motivate others, and his uncompromising pursuit of excellence. His impact on the technology industry and popular culture continues to be felt even after his passing.

In my view, his achievement can’t be smaller than any other figures in human history. However, what really drove him to do that? What motivation, desire did he have in his mind? To understand, we need to his childhood.

Steve Jobs had a complex childhood that included both moments of pain and moments of inspiration.

He was born on February 24, 1955, in San Francisco, California, to Joanne Schieble and Abdulfattah Jandali. However, his biological parents decided to put him up for adoption, and he was subsequently adopted by Paul and Clara Jobs. They provided him with a loving home in Mountain View, California.

While Jobs had a supportive family, he also faced challenges during his early years. He often struggled academically and had difficulties fitting in socially. As a result, he developed a rebellious streak and clashed with authority figures, leading to frequent conflicts.

One of the most significant events in Jobs’ life occurred when he dropped out of Reed College after just six months. Despite not being enrolled in formal classes, he continued attending creative courses that interested him. In 1974, he traveled through India seeking enlightenment before later studying Zen Buddhism. During this time, he explored his passion for technology and calligraphy, which later influenced the design aesthetics of Apple products.

Outwardly, no doubt, from a perspective of success,[SH1] he led a successful life. Indeed, many young men desire to emulate him, striving to achieve what he has. However, this is merely an external evaluation.

Psychologically, he was deeply affected due to the experience of being abandoned by his biological parents. He was adopted with the promise that he would receive a college education. As he grew older, he found it wasn’t difficult to understand that the world is filled with danger and fear, and that he would die eventually.

I believe that he wanted to find the ultimate solution to this dreadful matter. Instinctively, he was curious about the power of technology, understanding that it might save him from a predetermined path leading to death. Throughout his life, he yearned to be strong and powerful enough to overcome the inevitability of death. He was blessed with many talents but throughout his life, he struggled to find the answer. He tried to seek this answer in technology, but failed. In the end, he died at the age of 56 from pancreatic cancer.

On his death bed, he said, “I have reached the pinnacle of success in business. In other people’s eyes my life is a success. However, aside from work, I’ve had little joy. At the end of the day, wealth is just a fact I’ve gotten used to. Right now, lying on my hospital bed, reminiscing all my life, I realize that all the recognition and wealth I took so much pride in, has faded and become meaningless in the face of imminent death.” I am certain that he failed in his life.

Share The Fear of Death

Dear readers, thank you for walking this journey with me. Let’s continue to face life’s deepest question together and seek an answer that endures beyond death.

If this resonates with you, consider subscribing. I write weekly on how the fear of death shapes our lives and our search for meaning.

About the Book, “The Fear of Death”, It explores how the fear of death shapes our lives, relationships, power, and even history itself.
In The Fear of Death, I uncover the hidden force behind human conflict and longing.
A book to read before you die—an essential reflection on the meaning of your life.

Genghis Khan

Genghis Khan, whose real name was Temujin, was a Mongol warrior and the founder of the Mongol Empire. He lived from around 1162 to around 1227. With outstanding military leadership and strategic acumen, Genghis Khan successfully unified various nomadic Mongol tribes and led a series of wars of conquest. Under his leadership, the Mongol Empire expanded rapidly, becoming the largest empire in history with a territory stretching from Asia to Europe.

Genghis Khan is remembered for his innovative military tactics, efficient administration, and the promotion of trade and cultural exchange through the Silk Road. He left an indelible impact on the regions he conquered and is regarded as one of the most influential conquerors in history. We call him a great conqueror. But is that really the case? Was he great? If so, by what standard is he considered great? Can we call him great simply because he killed so many people? Or was he the most problematic leader?

If so, I would like to ask here why he embarked on these wars of conquest. To understand the ambition of his life, it is necessary to examine his childhood. He was born into a family of leaders and possessed the potential to lead a prosperous life. However, at the age of 13, he suffered the tragedy of his father being poisoned to death by a neighboring Tatar tribe. Afterward, his family was abandoned by their own tribesmen.

In this abandoned state, he survived by eating rats and learned the immense pain of death from a young teenage age. As he shot and killed his half-brother with an arrow, he left behind this monologue: “At that age, I was no longer a child.”

This harsh upbringing must have instilled in him a crucial realization: that if one cannot control others, one will eventually fall under their control, and that failing to control the situation will lead to being seized by extreme fear. Ultimately, he came to believe that completely conquering others was the only way to survive. This was the war that raged within his mind, and the reason why conquest was necessary.

To escape his fear of death, he walked the path of the most miserable conqueror in great human history (by my standards). Outwardly, he fought against others, but inwardly, he lived his entire life battling the fear of death. Consumed by this lust for conquest, he committed countless sins. I am convinced that he is one of the most pitiable people in the world. What do you think of him?

In his later years, he invited a Taoist philosopher to ask how one could attain eternal life. The philosopher replied to Genghis Khan: “Humans cannot attain eternal life. One can extend one’s life slightly through self-restraint, though.”

He died, proving that eternal life cannot be obtained through conquest. If the conquering monarch whom I consider the greatest in human eyes—yet the most miserable in my eyes—cannot attain eternal life, how can you, the reader of this text, attain it?

Share The Fear of Death

Dear readers, thank you for walking this journey with me. Let’s continue to face life’s deepest question together and seek an answer that endures beyond death.

If this resonates with you, consider subscribing. I write weekly on how the fear of death shapes our lives and our search for meaning.

About the Book, “The Fear of Death”, It explores how the fear of death shapes our lives, relationships, power, and even history itself.
In The Fear of Death, I uncover the hidden force behind human conflict and longing.
A book to read before you die—an essential reflection on the meaning of your life.

Alexander, the great

Alexander the Great, born in 356 BC, was one of history’s most influential military leaders. He ascended to the throne of Macedonia at the age of 20 after the assassination of his father, King Philip II. From the very beginning, Alexander showed great ambition and a thirst for conquest.

Under his leadership, the Macedonian Empire expanded rapidly, encompassing territories from Greece and Egypt to Persia and India. Alexander’s military campaigns were marked by his strategic brilliance, boldness in battle, and the unwavering loyalty of his soldiers. His armies were known for their speed and adaptability, employing innovative tactics that often caught his enemies off guard.

Beyond his military prowess, Alexander was a visionary leader who sought to unite different cultures and foster a sense of brotherhood among his diverse subjects. He founded numerous cities bearing his name, including Alexandria in Egypt, which became a major center of learning and culture.

Alexander’s influence extended far beyond the battlefield. He was a student of the philosopher Aristotle, and his interest in knowledge and exploration inspired him to undertake scientific expeditions and collect vast amounts of information about the lands he conquered.

However, Alexander’s relentless pursuit of conquest took a toll on both his physical and mental well-being. His army mutinied in India, refusing to march farther east, prompting him to turn back. On his journey back to Babylon, his health deteriorated rapidly, and he died in 323 BC at the age of 32.

Alexander’s legacy is profound. His empire left a lasting impact on the regions he conquered, spreading Greek culture, language, and ideas throughout much of the known world. He is remembered as one of history’s greatest military geniuses, a visionary leader, and a symbol of ambition and adventure. The story of Alexander the Great continues to captivate and inspire people to this day. This is a summary of Alexander the Great, highlighting his positive merits.

Here, I would like to pose a question, why do you think Alexander the Great tried to conquer all the eastern empires? What motivated him to continuously move eastward? From a general perspective, these five reasons, which are based on official research, can be considered as potential motivations.

One primary motivation was his ambition to surpass the accomplishments of his father, King Philip II, and establish a legacy as a great conqueror. Alexander desired to leave his mark on history and be remembered as a legendary figure.

Another driving factor was the Greek concept of “honor and glory.” In ancient Greece, military conquest and achieving greatness in battle were highly valued. Alexander sought to fulfill these ideals by expanding his empire and becoming the ruler of a vast domain.

Additionally, Alexander believed in the superiority of Greek culture and saw it as his mission to spread Hellenistic civilization throughout the world. He aimed to promote Greek language, customs, and knowledge in the regions he conquered. Alexander’s desire to fuse Greek and local cultures gave rise to the concept of “Hellenization,” which aimed to create a shared identity among his diverse subjects.

Furthermore, there were geopolitical and strategic considerations. Alexander saw the Persian Empire, which spanned a vast territory, as a formidable rival and a potential threat to Greece. By defeating the Persian Empire, he aimed to secure his western borders and expand his own power and influence.

Lastly, Alexander was driven by a sense of personal curiosity and the thirst for knowledge. He embarked on scientific expeditions and collected information about the lands he conquered, contributing to a greater understanding of the world.

In summary, Alexander’s conquests were driven by a combination of personal ambition, a desire for honor and glory, a belief in the superiority of Greek culture, strategic considerations, and intellectual curiosity. These factors fueled his relentless drive to conquer the east and establish one of the largest empires in history. If I condense these five motivations, I can say that at its core, he was searching for eternal life, the meaning of eternity.

Among those five reasons, I want to delve into the fifth one, which states, ‘a sense of personal curiosity and the thirst for knowledge.‘ What do you think he meant by that? I believe he wanted to overcome humanity’s greatest limitation—the power of death. Ultimately, his goal was to surpass the power of death, believing that by venturing to and conquering the East, he would discover a Garden of Eden or a paradise where he could live eternally. However, I don’t think he truly sought a place to conquer the power of death, and it seems that after conquering all those territories, he fell into deep despair.

In his mind, he was constantly battling something. Outwardly, it seemed as though he fought against opposing armies and sought to demonstrate the pride of Greece. However, in reality, he was fighting against the fear of death. What he truly wanted to conquer was, in fact, the fear of death itself. If the great we consider was seeking for the eternal life, we don’t have to look up anyone in the world, just, we need to start our journey of searching eternal life.

Today, even in this very moment, we are also engaged in a battle against the power of the fear of death. And this universal truth echoes in the experience of the great conqueror, Alexander, who, despite his efforts, was ultimately defeated. I want to share that fighting and confronting the fear of death in an attempt to overcome it with our own strength is a significantly dark and destructive force—a direction that drives us toward self-destruction. It causes our efforts as individuals to become fruitless, relationship to break, groups to fall apart, and nations to be destroyed.

Share The Fear of Death

Dear readers, thank you for walking this journey with me. Let’s continue to face life’s deepest question together and seek an answer that endures beyond death.

If this resonates with you, consider subscribing. I write weekly on how the fear of death shapes our lives and our search for meaning.

Alexander wanted to overcome human limitation which is the great huddle, the power of death . Ultimately, he had aimed to surpass the power of death, believing that by venturing and conquering to the East, he would discover a Garden of Eden or a Paradise where he could live eternally. I don’t think that he sought a place where he could conquer the power of death.

In his mind, he continued to battle against something. Outwardly, it appeared that he fought against opposing armies and demonstrate the pride of Greek. However, in reality, he fought against the fear of death.