On Dying Alone

Why must human beings suffer? Because they stubbornly resist their most natural instinct- to give- through excessive rationalization. Perhaps this is why people were meant to have children. For most, the powerful instinct to unconditionally love their children is the closest that they come to the surrender of generosity. Perhaps it is also why so many 'spiritual masters' forgo having children: their generosity, materially and of spirit, is showered upon all without discrimination. In such a situation, the lessons of unconditional generosity learned through siring children become obviated. 

The excessive rationalization that stifles the generous instinct comes from the consideration of self interest. The "I would like to give, but..." mentality. It is this mentality that all but ensures that every individual dies alone. The consideration of self interest necessarily breeds feelings of 'otherness' that distance the individual from friends and strangers alike. Even the most spiritually enlightened and selfless person understands that any trace of individuality within him equals loneliness. 

Generosity, the type that comes without calculation of the consequences, is the only cure for loneliness. And yet the individual spends a lifetime calculating. Is there a measure of justice in dying alone? Is it our punishment for repeated denial of the generous instinct across our lives? Conversely, can a man be so generous that he avoids the otherness feeling that translates into the sadness and fear of 'dying alone'? It may feel impossible but no law of nature or physics would be violated by it. In any case, it's known that some people are lonelier than others, and it's clear that generosity subdues loneliness quite effectively. So yes, we do all die alone, but the generous among us just don't think about it so much, dampening the sadness and fear of it.