That which comes into this world is destined to die. Brought into this world we get immersed in worldly activities, right from childhood to adulthood and through old age. In the bustle we forget that we are mortals. But, just as we had no choice in being born, we have no control over death.

The idea of death gives rise to fear. It is so today and has been so since life first began. What probably gives rise to this fear is the unknown and uncertainty that surrounds death. When, where and how, no one knows. So we resign ourselves to this fate saying, "People die, some day I will die too."

Death is a finality. What we need to do is accept death and by knowing it transcend it, not overcome it.

Death is also a much-talked about and discussed topic among philosophers. According to Osho, we are so afraid of death, that while dying, we willingly become unconscious. We lapse into unconsciousness shortly before dying and we die in unconsciousness. We cannot see our death or even our birth. That is why we do not realize that life is eternal. No more than a resting place between the cycles of birth and death where we discard old clothes and pick up new ones. It is important to know death, look it into the face and understand it, because that which we know, we become free of.

Psychological studies have shown how people react to imminent death, based on experiences of terminally ill patients. The first universal reaction on hearing the news is "No!" Then comes denial – "This can’t be happening to me." This is followed by anger – towards God, nature or fate. Then comes the stage when the patient hopes that God will extend his life or cure him in exchange for promised behavior. The person then grieves and is depressed but this is followed by acceptance and the person comes to terms with himself and with death and is at peace.

There is birth and there is death. Some say there is life after death – transmigration of the soul as the Hindu philosophy says. What the purpose of life is and what we are here on earth to accomplish are questions that continue to be asked and each person reaches his / her own answer. Each person has to seek his own salvation, bear his own cross.