Once Everything Now is Something
Living in Harmony with Nature: The Key to a Graceful Life and Peaceful Departure
I have immense respect for the late Daniel Kahneman, a remarkable psychologist, Nobel Prize winner, and a powerful critical thinker. His work has inspired me, and his intellectual contributions have significantly influenced human understanding of decision-making and behavior. However, with the deepest respect, I find myself in gentle disagreement with his final decision to end his life through assisted death.
In his final message, Kahneman stated:
“I have believed since I was a teenager that the miseries and indignities of the last years of life are superfluous, and I am acting on that belief. I am still active, enjoying many things in life (except the daily news) and will die a happy man. But my kidneys are on their last legs, the frequency of mental lapses is increasing, and I am ninety years old. It is time to go.”
While I fully respect and understand that this was his personal choice, I believe there is an alternative perspective — one deeply rooted in the power of aligning with Nature.
Life in Alignment with Nature Brings Peaceful Departure
I firmly believe that when we live our lives in harmony with Nature, we naturally prepare ourselves for a peaceful and dignified exit from this world. Nature offers us everything we need — nourishment, vitality, and resilience — to live a fulfilling life and embrace the final stages with grace and acceptance.
Nature does not rush, yet everything is accomplished in its time. Just as a tree sheds its leaves in autumn to prepare for renewal in spring, so too can we learn to surrender to the natural cycle of life and death. Living a plant-based raw food lifestyle has shown me that aligning with Nature not only improves our physical and mental health but also strengthens our ability to embrace the inevitable with peace and contentment.
Lessons from Personal Loss
I have experienced death closely. I lost my father when I was just four and a half years old. Later, in 2011, I lost my mother. Over the years, I have seen many family members, friends, and relatives depart from this world. While losing loved ones is undeniably painful, these experiences have always taught me about life.
Strangely enough, death itself carries a powerful lesson — it teaches us to value life. When you experience death closely, you begin to cherish each moment, understanding that life is not something to be taken for granted. Death, in its silent wisdom, reveals the true art of living. And in mastering the art of living, we unknowingly master the art of dying — peacefully and naturally.
The Wisdom of Aging Naturally
Aging can indeed present challenges — physical decline, memory lapses, and a loss of independence. But these experiences are part of Nature’s plan. When we embrace them with understanding rather than resistance, we cultivate acceptance instead of fear.
Consider a river — it doesn’t resist the flow; instead, it adapts to its surroundings, shaping stones and nourishing life as it winds its way to the ocean. Likewise, when we nourish ourselves with wholesome, raw, plant-based foods, maintain mental clarity through mindfulness, and stay connected to Nature’s rhythms, we gain the strength to flow gracefully through life’s final stages.
Pain, Discomfort, and Resilience
Kahneman’s concerns about “miseries and indignities” are valid, yet Nature teaches us that resilience is built through discomfort. Every seed must crack open before it can grow into a strong tree. In the same way, embracing some discomfort helps us build emotional and physical strength. Nature equips our bodies with incredible regenerative abilities — provided we nourish them with the right foods, rest, and mindset.
I’ve personally witnessed how embracing a plant-based raw food lifestyle enhances vitality, sharpens the mind, and fosters emotional balance. This lifestyle has enabled me to face life’s challenges — physical, mental, and emotional — with calmness and resilience. I truly believe that if we immerse ourselves in Nature’s wisdom, we can transform what appears to be misery into a phase of deep reflection, joy, and serenity.
The Cultural Contrast: Assisted Death vs. Samadhi
Assisted death is largely a Western concept, often seen as a means of avoiding suffering when one feels life is no longer worth enduring. While I respect this choice, I believe there’s a powerful alternative rooted in Indian spiritual wisdom — the path of Samadhi.
In Indian culture, those at the highest spiritual levels often embrace Samadhi — a conscious departure from life in complete peace, allowing Nature to take its course. Samadhi is not a fearful escape; instead, it is a profound act of acceptance, demonstrating ultimate control over the mind, body, and spirit.
In this practice, individuals gradually detach from material desires and bodily discomforts, cultivating inner stillness and profound awareness. This deep spiritual journey allows the body to naturally surrender to the cycle of life and death without the need for intervention. Such a path emphasizes the power of mental clarity, resilience, and acceptance — all cultivated through living in harmony with Nature.
Death is Part of Life’s Journey
Nature demonstrates that nothing truly ends — everything transforms. Leaves fall, yet they nourish the soil for new growth. Flowers wither, yet their seeds hold the promise of new life. When we understand this cycle, we no longer view death as an enemy to be avoided or controlled — instead, it becomes a natural continuation of our existence.
I deeply believe that if we embrace the power of plant-based raw foods, stay connected to the Earth’s cycles, and nurture our minds and bodies with Nature’s gifts, we can naturally transition from life to death with dignity, acceptance, and peace.
A Message of Hope
While I honor Kahneman’s final choice, I encourage those reading this to trust Nature’s wisdom. The key to aging gracefully and accepting death peacefully lies not in controlling the end but in mastering how we live. When we align ourselves with Nature, we experience a profound sense of fulfillment that eases the fear of departure.
To all those seeking vitality, clarity, and joy — I invite you to embrace a lifestyle that flows with Nature’s rhythm. Learn to listen to your body, nourish it with plant-based raw foods, and cultivate mindfulness. When you live this way, you will not only enjoy a healthier, more vibrant life but also prepare your mind and spirit to leave this world peacefully — just as a leaf falls gently from a tree when the time is right.
Nature’s way is peaceful, powerful, and perfect. Let us live accordingly, and we will naturally learn how to depart with grace.
