Is Suicide Dharmic?

I was visiting the Mandala Center when Llama Walker and myself joined a few students in a spontaneous discussion concerning suicide. One student asked, "what's wrong with killing yourself if you feel like your life is finished?" This question opened a very interesting discussion concerning karma, life after death, self-will versus surrendering to the divine will. I will try to briefly summarize our afternoon discussion.

First, I suggest that suicide is not a recognized practice to reach enlightenment. Just because your life on earth has ended, you are not guaranteed end up in exalted states in the subtle realms. It has been my personal experience and those of the great teachings that your state of consciousness at death determines where you go in the next life. Life is a preparation for death. At death, you are still alert and present, you are just not in your physical body. There are different realms in the astral plane that are determined by vibratory consciousness. Death does not automatically grant you entrance into the highest realms. In fact, your thoughts and consciousness at the moment of death determine the pattern for your next incarnation. Consciousness has continuity from one life to the next.

Second, do not confuse an Enlightened Beings' choice to consciously leave the physical body and end this incarnation with suicide. It takes a high level of spiritual development to chose to detach one's consciousness from the physical and leave this world behind. The karmic conditions must be right for this process to occur. Suicide requires an act of violence because the physical body must be killed in order to release the soul. There is no violence when one knows how to consciously leave the physical form. We do not always know what karma is being burned up at the end of our life, even in great suffering.

Third, When working with people who have suicidal wishes and desires, it is impossible to know from our rational mind what is best for that person. We do not know what karmic conditions have lead to the present circumstances or what results will come from an act of suicide. It is only through clearer intuitive perception of the soul that we might have a clue regarding the best interest for that person. We do an injustice to another when we judge them. We can only help others if we fully accept them and allow them to make their own life choices. It is my personal belief that suicide may be a missed opportunity to complete karma and learn on this physical plane. It takes a lot to incarnate and ending a life prematurely (personal decision to leave before the divine plan has run its course through us) requires another great cycle of birth and human development. While life can be very difficult at times, we do not always know what great lessons are being imprinted upon us. The best service we can provide results when we center in our hearts and listen with compassion and intuitive wisdom. It is not our responsibility to "save" others, but rather, to be open, loving, and able to tolerate all aspects of another without shutting down, judging or pushing them away. Our ability to stay present in all circumstances provide the greatest help and support.

Do you have a question regarding Alternative Mental Health issues. Email Dr. Mann

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Ronald L. Mann, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist, author, and consultant. Dr. Mann has been intensely involved in spirituality and meditation for over 25 years.

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