George Saunders

So death is the moment when somebody comes and says, you know, those three things that you've always thought of, I have to tell you, they're not true.

You're not permanent.

You're not the most important thing.

And you're not separate.

So that's, I know, I just can't.

I think about it a lot, I think.

But I don't find it a more – I find it kind of a joyful thing because it's just a reality check.

Well, I think probably it's just any instance when you step out of those three delusions that we just talked about.

I don't know about afterlife.

I don't know about that.

But I think any moment, even in this life, when you get clear of that trio of delusions, you're saved.

Because then what's to be afraid of?

I mean, the reason I don't want to die is because I'm me, right?

I'm so fond of me, and even when I'm not fond of me, I'm quite attached to me.

And I've had a couple of times in my life, just briefly, where I could feel, oh, okay, there's a little distance there between me and self, I guess you would say.

If you could get a lot of distance, then death would just be no problem.

experiences you had of when when sort of the it was the world opened up a little it was just nothing particularly magical just after long periods of meditation uh i i think it probably manifests in small ways you know that your your feelings don't get as hurt uh you you know you see an unflattering picture of yourself and you go oh that's funny you know but um

The teachings that I've read, that's the indication is that self is the problem.

Self is also so beautiful.

You know, it's so wonderful to have a self.