Awareness Of Death In Every Breath

Awareness of Death Series - Awareness of Death in Every Breath

As a palliative care doctor, I see death often. Death is certain. Its timing is not.

In this guided practice, we rest our attention on the breath. Then we let each breath remind us that this life is fragile and precious. This is not meant to frighten you. It is meant to open your eyes.

When we remember death, we stop wasting our days on what does not matter. We come back to gratitude, and to this moment, while the heart is still beating and the day is not over.

Suitable for beginners and experienced meditators.

Transcript

Guide mindful breathing. Awareness of death in every breath Working in Palliative Care I see death very often. It teaches me many things. That death is inevitable. That the time of death is unpredictable. The following exercise is designed to help us become aware of death in every breath. It is not an exercise to make you feel fearful. It is an exercise to make you aware that death really can happen at any time. And if we are not aware when it happens, We may go through a lot of suffering. First, Make yourself comfortable. Relax your body. Close your eyes gently. Take two deep breaths slowly. Breathe naturally. Notice the flow of air through your nose. Rest your attention gently on the breath if you are distracted by any sounds, Body sensations. Thoughts or feelings, Gently bring your attention back to your breathing. Rest your attention on the breath for a few moments. When you are ready, Ask yourself how often you remember the fact that you may die at any time. Perhaps once a year? Perhaps once a month? Perhaps once a day, At night. When the house is quiet, And the thought arrives uninvited. If your answer is any of the above It was not enough. I say this not because it is wrong. But because it is the nature of our mind to look away from death. Now bring your attention to your breath. The breath that began when we were first born. Is not going to be there forever. Our life lies in this very breath. The moment it stops. We will die. And it can stop at any moment. Every breath is potentially the last breath. Let every breath remind us that death can happen at any time. Notice the in-breath That's the beginning. NNN Then a small gap. The out-breath the beginning and the end. Then another small gap. Even this very breath dies. Not one of them stays. Death is in every breath. Death is part of us. We cannot run away. And if we cannot run away, It is better to become aware of the fact that death is part of life. There's no need to fight. No need to control your breath in any way Just let it come. And let it go. Nothing has been taken from you. The body is still warm. The heart is still working. The day is not over. This is what the practice is for. Not to make you afraid of death. But to make you aware that death is just part of life. Nothing special about it. Given that our breaths are numbered Why are we still wasting our life on things that do not matter to us? Why do we make ourselves so busy and tired and forget the preciousness of life? Breathe and remember that in every breath breathe and know that you are fully alive That is enough reason to be grateful. Enough reason not to waste our time thinking or worrying excessively. Now is the time to live our life. Now feel your hands. Feel your feet on the floor. Hear the sounds around you. When you are ready, Open your eyes. Thank you for your courage in sitting with this. May you be well. May you be at peace. And may you remember death in every breath.