Welcome.
We are going to do a gentle 5-minute meditation designed to help us cultivate a relationship with death and dying,
Grounded in mindfulness,
Compassion,
And peace.
Find a comfortable position and close your eyes if that feels right.
Start by taking a deep,
Slow breath in and let it drift out.
Feel your shoulders soften.
Let your awareness settle into this moment.
There is nowhere else you need to be.
Feel the gentle rhythm of your breath in and out.
Notice the quiet that surrounds you and the quiet within you.
Everything you know is part of a cycle.
A leaf grows green,
Turns gold,
And falls.
A wave swells,
Breaks,
And returns to the sea.
You too are part of this cycle,
Arising,
Unfolding,
Dissolving,
Just as nature intended.
Now imagine death not as an enemy,
But as a quiet companion walking beside you.
Perhaps they are a wise elder,
Or a calm friend,
Or simply a shadow in your awareness.
They walk with you not to take from you,
But to remind you to live while you can.
Let this presence be here without fear.
If fear comes,
Breathe with it.
If peace comes,
Breathe with that too.
There is nothing to force away and nothing to hold on to.
With death beside you,
Turn your attention to what is alive right now.
Your heartbeat,
The gift of breath,
Memories of those you love.
See how precious this moment is because it will not last forever.
Take 3 deep,
Slow breaths,
Inhale,
Exhale,
Again,
Inhale,
Exhale,
And again,
Inhale,
Exhale,
And exhale.
When you are ready,
Open your eyes.
Carry this awareness into your day,
Knowing each moment is both temporary and sacred.
