suicide

An act which, despite its distaste to many people, is not to be judged. The most notable of the outcomes is the death of the practitioner - however there are other things to consider. It could be done to prove a point, to end personal suffering, or in other extreme circumstances. Consider, for instance, if one had cancer and knew it to be both incurable and excruciatingly painful - and to make things even simpler this person eighty four years of age - suicide would be justified and probably not looked down on. Many who commit suicide may look on their death as a sort of martyrdom (whether it be a delusion of grandeur or realistic is not my place to decide) and believe that it will prove a point. Then there are those who make what many consider to be a mistake and do it in a fit of passion or rage. As I said earlier, though, it is an action that is not to be judged by the living (or in my mind, by anyone). It is a matter of personal decision as to what is best for ther person considering it. While many would say it is an act of selfishness because of the supposed depression it inflicts on others, one might also question what debt we carry to others? Does meeting someone mean that I must live for their happiness? While it is a selfish act in the truest sense of the phrase - an act carried out in self interest - I would contend that this isn't something to condemn as our bashing of it would be in our own self interest. It is an act of self-indulgent hypocrisy to require someone to live through their sadness because we want to limit our own. Similarly, one who is considering the act should consider others. Other than in the instance of proving a point, it should be done discreetly and not in an overly dramatic fashion so as not to cause others undue or excess pain. As someone who has considered it many times in the past, I have thought it through very thoroughly, and while some may consider suicidal thoughts a sign of depression I would like to note that it has always cheered me up in my moments of despair as it reminds me of my impermanence and that my troubles will all be over one day. It has allowed me to cope. I speak, mind you, not only as the "melodramatic self-piteous emo goth freak" but also as someone who has been on the other end. Most notably, one should consider just how irrevocable the act is.