"Quien teme a la muerte teme ya sea la pérdida de la sensación o el miedo."

The idea here is pretty straightforward. If you're afraid of death, it boils down to one of two things. You're either scared of losing the ability to feel—because death means the end of all experiences—or you're terrified of the concept of fear itself. Let's break it down a bit.

Historically, this kind of thought can be traced back to ancient philosophical musings. Think of the great Greek philosopher Epicurus. He had a lot to say about fear and death. His whole deal was about achieving a tranquil mind, and he argued that death should not be feared because when we're alive, death isn't here, and when death comes, we aren't around to experience it. It's kind of a 'don't worry about what you can't control' scenario.

Now, imagine a real-life situation. Picture Sarah, a nurse working tirelessly during the height of the pandemic. She's surrounded by death daily—patients coming in, some not making it out. Initially, she's crippled by the thought of death. It's always looming, and she's consumed by worry. But over time, she realizes something profound. Her fear isn't so much about the actual event of dying. It's the loss of connection—the inability to feel the warmth of her family, the joy of simple moments, and the fear of fear itself. It's paralyzing.

Sarah decides to take a more Epicurean approach. She starts focusing on the present, the sensations she can feel now. She dives into the warmth of her morning coffee, the hugs from her kids, the laughter with her friends. By doing this, she finds herself less caught up in the fear of death. She's living more fully in the now, and that in itself is a kind of freedom.

So, how can you apply this wisdom to your life? Start by identifying what you truly fear about death. Is it the idea of not experiencing anything ever again? Or is it the fear of the unknown, the fear itself that grips you? Once you pinpoint it, you can start tackling it head-on. If it's the loss of sensation, make a conscious effort to appreciate your current experiences. Savor the little things—the taste of your favorite food, the sound of your favorite song, the feeling of the sun on your face. If it's the fear of fear, try to embrace it. Understand that fear is a natural part of being human. Acknowledge it, but don't let it control you.

Think about a scenario like this: You're about to give a big presentation at work. The fear kicks in—sweaty palms, heart racing, the whole nine yards. Instead of letting it paralyze you, you recognize it. You say to yourself, "I'm scared because I care about doing well. This fear means I'm alive and invested." You take a deep breath, focus on the task at hand, and step into the moment. The fear is there, but it doesn't own you.

In essence, fear of death is a part of the human condition. But by understanding what specifically you're afraid of, and by grounding yourself in the present, you can start to live more fully. It's not about eliminating fear completely—it's about not letting that fear dictate your life. So, grab that coffee, hug your loved ones, and dive into the sensations of the now. Embrace the fear, live fully, and you'll find that death isn't as terrifying as it once seemed.