Deathbed Meditation

This guided meditation begins with a practice of Hong Sau and watching the breath to calm the mind. I then guide the meditator through a visualization of being on their deathbed. This practice will help individuals prepare for their own death one day.

Trigger Warning: This practice may include references to death, dying, and the departed.

Transcript

Hello,

In today's guided meditation practice,

I would like to guide you in a meditation around death and dying.

Meditation has been said to actually be a practice that prepares us for death and dying because we're withdrawing our prana or energy from our body into this greater consciousness.

So we're withdrawing the energy.

When we still quiet the mind and quiet the body,

We're actually withdrawing that energy.

And that's what happens at the moment of death.

Our consciousness and our energy withdraws from the body.

And so that's why meditation in itself can be a great practice to prepare for death and dying.

And in today's guided practice,

I will lead us in a Hong Sau preparation.

So we'll do a brief Hong Sau to just get us into a space where we can actually be meditating,

Expanding into the scene of our deathbed.

And this meditation should help you get a greater sense of what that moment might be like.

And the more we can prepare ourselves for that moment,

The better chances are that we'll be prepared to have a good and peaceful exit from this life.

So with no further ado,

Let us begin our practice.

As always,

Find a seated position,

Whether that's in a cushion or in your chair.

Find a straight back,

Hands rested on your thighs near the junction of your abdomen,

Facing upwards in a receptive manner.

Close your eyes,

Find a gentle upward gaze.

It's as if you were staring out at a distant mountain top.

And let's take three inhales and exhales.

We're gonna tense and relax as we hold the breath.

So let's inhale through the nose,

Hold,

Vibrate,

And exhale through the mouth.

Two more times,

Hold,

Vibrate,

And throw the breath out.

Relax and feel.

One more time,

Double breath through the nose.

Hold,

Tense the body,

And throw the breath out through the mouth.

Relax and feel.

Now,

Just let the breath flow on its own accord.

Let it flow naturally.

Don't try to control the breath,

Just let the breath be.

And as you allow the breath to flow naturally,

Start to bring awareness to where you feel the breath in the nose most clearly.

On the inhale,

You might notice it at the top of the bridge of the nose.

You might notice a cool sensation.

And on the exhale,

You may start to be aware of a more warm sensation near the tip of your nose.

Wherever you feel it most clearly,

Bring your awareness there while letting the breath flow naturally on its own accord with no control.

Now,

As you continue to bring your awareness to the breath in the nose,

On the inhales,

Start to curl your right index finger just gently,

Slightly towards the palm.

And on the exhale,

Gently release away from the palm.

And as you continue to just bring the awareness to the breath,

Letting the breath flow naturally,

As you bring that awareness to where you feel it most clearly,

Also slightly moving the index finger,

You can start to begin to silently repeat this mantra,

Hong,

So.

We mentally chant Hong on the in-breath and on the exhale,

We mentally chant So.

Continue to just bring the awareness back to the breath.

If the mind wanders,

It's okay.

Just let yourself be aware of that and bring your awareness back to the breath in the nose where you feel it most clearly.

Continuing to mentally chant Hong,

So while moving the right index slightly,

Curling inwards towards the palm on the in-breath and gently releasing away on the exhale.

Your breath should be flowing naturally on its own accord without any control.

Continue to be aware of where you feel the breath in the nose most clearly.

Again,

If the mind wanders,

Gently but firmly bring it back to the breath.

Now,

We're gonna release the technique and move into an expansion stage where I'll guide you on a meditation around death and dying.

So let go of the movement of your index finger,

Stop mentally chanting Hong,

So and just feel,

Feel peace,

Feel joy,

Feel calm.

And as you are in this state of expansion,

Start to visualize yourself on your deathbed.

Where are you?

Are you in a room in your house or are you in a hospital room?

Perhaps you're outside,

One of your favorite nature spots.

Let's visualize for a moment where you are.

What is around you?

What is surrounding you in this space as you lay on your deathbed?

What do you see?

What do you hear?

Are there any loved ones around you?

Are you surrounded by family,

Friends,

Or a sense of community?

And to visualize who those people are next to you.

Perhaps no one's next to you.

Maybe you are by yourself alone or perhaps you're surrounded by your spiritual guides or past loved ones,

Deceased loved ones.

Let's visualize this for a moment.

Now visualize what might be being said.

Is there communication happening?

What are you saying to your loved ones?

Are the people surrounding you saying something to you?

Is there a conversation happening or is it just silent?

Do you notice any body language?

Are the people around you sad,

Happy,

Content,

Upset?

How are you feeling as you lay there on your deathbed?

What emotions are running through you?

Do you feel sad,

Angry,

Happy,

Content,

Love?

Is there fear?

Just drop into that and visualize.

Try to feel what it might feel like to be in this space and in this time as you're close to death.

Where are you feeling those emotions?

Try to visualize it.

Where in your body do you feel these emotions?

Perhaps you feel tightness in your chest.

Wherever you feel these emotions running in your body,

Become curious.

Why is it that I'm feeling this in this part of my body?

Does it have any deeper messages for you?

Is there any pain in the body?

Are you feeling any suffering or are you at ease?

Are you peaceful?

How are you somatically feeling at this moment on your deathbed?

Is your mind racing?

Are there a lot of thoughts running through your mind or do you have a peaceful,

Calm mind in this moment?

Again,

Just be aware,

Visualize.

Whatever might arise,

Let it arise.

And just be curious about this place in time.

Try not to judge it,

Just accept what might be arising and get curious.

And as we start to prepare to bring this meditation to an end,

Are there any other people that have joined you near your deathbed?

Or is it the same individuals?

Or have people left you?

Are you alone now?

And if you do visualize loved ones around you,

Just for a moment,

Give gratitude to them.

Give thanks for their presence in your life.

If there's any sense of any final words that need to be shared with them,

Just share them with them in this time.

Or maybe it's just touch,

Just the simple nonverbal communication.

Perhaps you want to give them a hug or a kiss goodbye.

Just visualize that for a moment.

Feel into this moment.

What is arising?

And as you finalize giving gratitude and thanks to your loved ones,

Say goodbye.

You simply let go.

And now gently and slowly start bringing your awareness back to the room that you're in right now.

Start bringing awareness back to your body.

You start gently moving your toes,

Wiggling your fingers,

Your hands,

Your wrists,

Your shoulders.

And when you're ready,

Gently open your eyes and namaste.

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