You Are Not Book.indb - Stephen H. Wolinsky Ph. D.

Student: Right.
realizing death / 153
Wolinsky: Now what other lies could the concept called
“my” consciousness tell itself about the concept
of death.
Student: Death is something to avoid as long as possible.
Wolinsky: Why would the concept called “my” consciousness
come up with the concept of that we should
avoid death as long as possible?
Student: As a way to avoid, well it has to do with loss,
you know, it’s almost like the concept of “my”
consciousness has the goal of existing and surviving.
Wolinsky: Survival?
Student: Survival and also of the goal of that survival
depends upon having others in my life survive
as well that some have to be without those loved
ones is too painful to experience. It is very complex.
I am glad you asked me to come up here
because it is something I would not have explored
at this depth if you hadn’t. I really stayed away
from so I didn’t have to feel all the feelings.
Wolinsky: Tell me another lie the concept called “my”
consciousness has with the concept of death.
Student: It is like the concept called “my” consciousness
has not had death. The concept of death, “my”
death, has not seemed like an issue to me, even
“my” death, being alive and dead, I have not
worried about that. It is other people’s deaths
in “my” life that has been the issue, hanging on
to the ones I love and not wanting to lose has