As we have discussed,
We are designed as beings of impermanence.
Everything about us reflects it.
Our inhales,
Exhales,
Pumping hearts,
Blinking eyes.
These are all small examples of the new beginnings met with endings that we experience unconsciously at every moment.
Looking to the human body is a great way to witness the beauty of our own aliveness.
Considering this,
Every second your body produces 25 million new cells.
Wow,
That's right.
And that's in addition to digesting your food,
Maintaining homeostasis,
Pumping blood throughout your body,
And the list goes on and on.
Just think about that.
You are constantly growing and regenerating every second of every day.
But this contemplation is not about the majesty and intelligence of our human bodies.
It's about the unseen examples of regeneration,
Both death and rebirth,
That are happening at every moment as we move throughout our lives.
So over the next few moments,
As you listen to this contemplation,
Naturally breathing in and breathing out,
Simply think about the life and death cycle and the many examples we have at our fingertips to really witness this on a daily basis.
In her book,
Advice for Future Corpses,
Author,
Zen Buddhist,
And palliative care nurse Sally Tisdale states,
The body is unfathomably complex and entangled.
Bodies are unique.
Every disease manifests differently from one body to the next.
And yet,
The closer death comes,
The more universal the body seems to be,
The more familiar,
Until it becomes like walking down a street you know well.
And so with this in mind,
Stepping back into your day,
Using this contemplation as a quick reminder of just how alive you are.
