Introduction to Mortality

In a poignant opening, Vanessa Machado De Oliveira recounts a personal moment of confronting the mortality of a loved one and herself, which frames her reflections on death and living well. She recounts waking up to find her partner seemingly lifeless and the subsequent cascade of fear and anger. This event dovetailed with a series of online sessions entitled “The End of the World as We Know It”, which brought the topic of mortality into sharp focus. Oliveira resolves to embrace living fully, acknowledging the limited time we have and the everyday little deaths that allow for continued life.

Modernity's Fear of Death

Oliveira critiques the modern obsession with defeating death, explaining that it feeds the human fear of the end and drives the relentless pursuit of ideal circumstances—postponing true living. She contrasts this with Indigenous perspectives, which accept death as part of life's cycle. Drawing on the Indigenous philosophy of "buen vivir" from Andean regions, she contrasts living well—defined by sufficiency and reciprocity—with the modern drive to "live better," which is rooted in consumption and comparison.

The Resistance to Accepting Death

In her examination of Western society, Oliveira discusses the cultural resistance to conversations about death, as exemplified by families’ often negative reactions to suggestions of contacting death doulas for palliative care. The denial of death is entrenched, with avoidance stemming from the modern aim to control and resist death's inevitability.

Indigenous Perspectives on Mortality and Collapse

Taking a broader view, Oliveira proposes that acknowledging the potential collapse of modernity is an essential but commonly avoided step for healthy societies. Indigenous cultures often exhibit a healthier approach to mortality and collapse, having processes to deal with life's vagaries that are unseen in modern contexts. The wisdom of Indigenous perspectives is highlighted through the words of Cree scholar Cash Ahenakew, who juxtaposes the limited pathways modernity offers with the richer life preparations available in Indigenous cultures.

The Exercise of Mortality

Oliveira invites readers to consider their own cultural imprints regarding death and dying. She prompts introspection about inherited views, worries associated with mortality, and gratitude for life. She uses the exercise to encourage readers to confront their fears of death and contemplate the sacredness of life's finite breaths.

A Life-Path Cree Story

Sharing a story told to her by Cree elder John Crier, Oliveira outlines four mountains symbolizing the stages of life: baby mountain, warrior mountain, hunter/provider mountain, and elder mountain. The story encapsulates the transitions and teachings corresponding to each life stage, from infancy to elderhood. This narrative serves as a metaphorical framework for understanding the journey of life, the balance of the natural world, and the importance of elders in guiding each generation through these stages.

Traveling Reflections and Modernity's Youth Obsession

Concluding the chapter, Oliveira reflects on how the story of the four mountains has been received by various Indigenous communities. These responses shed light on the value and challenges of traditions, identity, and the relationality of life stages. She critiques modernity's obsession with youth and its negation of the lessons and value found in aging and communal responsibilities. Finally, Oliveira encourages readers to actively engage with their life paths and consider their roles within this broader cycle of life experience.