The Stoics had a phrase,
Memento mori,
Which essentially meant to remember that life is short.
We will all die and therefore while we live,
We must live in accordance with our values.
In the Buddhist tradition,
There are many practices that are about contemplating death,
And in the same vein,
It's all about really appreciating our life by understanding that our attachments are temporary,
Our relationships are temporary,
And instead of this being a somber and sad thing,
It can be quite beautiful because it teaches us to appreciate in a deep,
Deep way.
So if you find today's practice challenging,
That's absolutely fine.
Just trust that with this practice,
We are not glorifying or succumbing to anything negative.
Go in knowing that while death can seem like a scary concept,
It's something that when acknowledged can offer us a great freedom,
Unimaginable freedom.
So let's go ahead and dive into our practice.
Find a comfortable position.
You can be lying down or seated.
Gently close your eyes and just go inward,
Beginning to focus on the breath.
With each inhale and each exhale,
Just begin to cultivate a little gratitude for this breath.
Notice the quality of the breath.
Notice its temperature and the way that it animates the body,
Expanding the body,
And the way that there's a gentle release with the exhale,
A trust.
Now today,
We're going to focus on a sense of detachment and gratitude through our death contemplation.
So what I'd like you to do is begin by thinking about all of the things that you really love.
Perhaps a favorite book or a TV,
A cell phone,
A computer,
The things that you use often,
The things that you rely on.
What I'd like you to do is imagine that all of these things are collecting in a room and you are standing in the doorway of this room.
And as these things materialize into the room,
You see them there,
All of them together,
Adding to as you think of new things.
And as you breathe here and watch,
You notice they begin to slowly fade away,
Fading completely away from existence.
And you're standing there in the doorway and you're watching these things go.
What do you feel?
Continuing to breathe,
Just ask yourself,
What do you feel?
Now bring to mind all the people that you love in your life,
Starting with your friends,
Maybe coworkers,
Even people you just like.
Imagine all of these people beginning to congregate in this room.
See your family entering this room,
Your parents,
Your children,
Your dogs,
Cats,
Pets.
Every living being that you love and like and every living being that has influenced you is gathering in this room.
And you see them there and you feel the joy that they bring you.
And very slowly they begin to collectively fade away,
Fading and fading until the room is once again empty.
And you are standing there in the doorway,
Breathing.
And I'll ask you again,
How do you feel?
Finally,
Imagine your place in space in this world,
The house or apartment you live in,
The places that you traverse,
Where you work,
Anywhere that you often go.
And imagine all of those things shrinking down,
Fitting in this room and slowly once again beginning to fade away.
So now you are here in this doorway.
All of the places that you go,
Any parks or events or areas to connect,
All of the people,
All of the things,
All feed away.
And you stand here in the doorway asking yourself,
How do I feel?
Now from this doorway,
Begin to walk into the room right into the center of the room.
And as you breathe,
Feel yourself beginning to slowly fade away until there is absolutely nothing.
No thing is left.
But you are here meditating and I invite you to take a nice deep breath.
And as you exhale,
Gently blink your eyes open and just look around you at all of the beauty around you.
All of the color and life,
The opportunity.
See it with new eyes,
New appreciation.
And allow a smile to cross your face.
This life is a gift.
And to remember that is to truly live.
I am wishing you all joy,
All good things.
Thank you for practicing with me today.
