The following is a guided death meditation inspired by Atisha's 9 contemplations on death from the 11th century.
This meditation will touch upon our impermanence.
By pointing our mind towards our inevitable death,
We begin to grow our awareness and acceptance of it.
Remember,
Transformation happens when we step into our discomfort rather than turn away.
If you do get too uncomfortable at any point,
Check in with how that's showing up in your body.
It's okay to stop the meditation and come back to it at a later time.
Facing our own mortality can be difficult,
But when we do,
We invite ourselves to begin living better in the present.
This is a meditation on change and how it shows up within us.
Let's begin.
Sit in a comfortable position that invites relaxation in.
Softening your eyelids,
Straightening your back,
Keeping your head level to the ground,
Beginning to settle into your perfect meditation posture that works for you.
Aiming to release tension around your joints,
Your jaw,
Shoulders,
Knees.
Centering your awareness on your breath at this moment.
What does it feel like to breathe here now?
Inhaling and exhaling through your nose.
In this new meditative state,
Bring to mind an intention for today's practice.
Inhaling and breathing in energy.
Exhaling and letting go of whatever needs to be released.
We plan so many things in our day-to-day lives,
But there's only one thing that's certain.
One day,
We will die.
Death is inevitable.
All of us will die.
The greatest historical figures have all died.
The most anonymous among us have died.
In 100 years,
Many of us will be gone.
Your lifespan is ever decreasing.
Each breath you take brings you closer to your last breath.
On this day,
You're closer to death than you were yesterday.
One day,
Your time will run out.
Death will meet us whether we are prepared or not prepared.
Avoiding talking about death won't stop us from dying.
It doesn't matter if we've done that thing we want to do or if we haven't done it yet.
Your life expectancy is uncertain.
Death itself is certain.
You should be mindful that today could be your last day.
What things have you left unsaid?
There are many countless causes of death.
Consider the endless possibilities.
Your body is fragile.
What does it feel like to breathe?
An invisible virus,
A piece of paper,
A tiny scrap of metal can all show us how weak our body really is.
Your loved ones can't stop death from happening to you.
You cannot bring your loved ones with you.
When we die,
We leave the people in our lives behind.
Your objects are of no use at the time of death.
You cannot bring them with you.
It doesn't matter if you are rich or poor.
Material wealth does not stop us from dying.
Your body won't save you.
Even your body gets left behind.
You must learn to let go.
Consider these nine contemplations of death.
Death is inevitable.
My lifespan is ever decreasing.
Death will happen whether or not I'm prepared for it.
My life expectancy is uncertain.
There are many causes of death.
My body is fragile.
My loved ones can't stop death.
My objects do not come with me after death.
My body won't save me.
One day,
I too will die.
Connect with the awareness of where you are in this moment.
The room you are in.
The sounds floating around you.
The feeling of the earth beneath you.
Taking a moment to dedicate your meditation practice.
May we all find the liberation we seek.
May we all have a good death.
Bringing movement to your body.
And opening your eyes when you're ready.
Thank you for meditating with me.
