Part 3: Anxiety or Peace

Original Ars Moriendi Panel

In original ars moriendi books, the third panel or section was often about the Temptation of “impatience” or anger in the face of suffering. Meaning, one might be angry over illness and impending death and impatient during their suffering, wishing to die more quickly. In the drawings, angels would often be depicted as countering this with offering peace or patience.

Modern Context

A more modern take on this could be topics of anxiety and finding peace. In living life, and contemplating its end, there are many causes for anxiety and a loss of peace. Alternately, how might anxieties of daily life be reduced, and greater peace in life and an awareness of its impermanence be built? In being intentional about dying well much peace could come from living well and in greater wellness, which includes reducing stress and anxiety and increasing peace.

Questions for Peace and Anxiety:

Is anything in your life stress or anxiety inducing?
How do you respond to anxiety and stress?
What brings you peace and calm in the face of anxieties?
Is there anything about the end of life that causes anxiety for you?
Is there anything about the end of life that brings peace for you?
What areas of your internal (personal) life need more peace?
Are there any relationships in your life that are not at peace?
If you could remove anxiety-inducing things from your life, what would they be?
If you could add peace-inducing things to your life, what would they be?
How do you practice mindfulness in your life?
Does the thought of your inevitable death someday create anxiousness or calm?
Published
Categorized as App