Reflections On Life And Death

A natural death is simply the price we all have to eventually pay for the fact that we have lived. The impossibility of calculating the odds against any of us being here at all means that this life of ours is a gift of inestimable value. This awareness calls us to do what we can to make the best use of the life we have so been freely given. Music: Heaven is Here by Narek Mirzaei of Music of Wisdom. Photo: Chris Lawton on Unsplash

Transcript

Dear friends,

In the last little while,

Fran and I have lost quite a number of people that we have known.

The number of deaths in quick succession has caused me to think a little more about life and death,

And that's the inspiration for this meditation.

But first,

Let us begin by bringing yourselves into a quiet space.

For this exercise,

You might like to close your eyes,

But only if that is comfortable for you.

Next,

Place your hand on your chest,

And notice the rising and falling of your chest as you breathe in and out.

With each out-breath,

See if you can bring yourself to a place of greater relaxation.

For these few moments,

Leave the concerns of the world outside your door.

Put to one side the regrets of yesterday and the fears of tomorrow,

And just enjoy your presence in the here and the now.

Let's give ourselves one minute to enjoy this time of relaxation.

Welcome back.

Looking back over the years,

I think I have always considered the death of someone to be an unequivocally sad event.

I don't mean to convey that the loss of someone is not an occasion for sadness.

There is,

After all,

An emptiness which we all feel when we lose someone we know and love.

But lately I have come finally to realise that a natural death is simply the price we all have to pay eventually for the fact that we have lived.

The impossibility of calculating the odds against you or I being here at all means that this life of ours is a gift of inestimable value,

And it calls us to do what we can to make the best use of it.

As we go about our daily routine,

We can forget what an amazing thing it is that the universe has given rise to us,

That the universe has produced you and me.

Not to mention the fact that the evolution of the universe itself has been a necessary part of this phenomenal gift.

You and I are the product of an unbroken series of coincidences stretching back beyond the beginning of time itself.

Maybe another one-minute pause is appropriate at this stage,

Just to reflect on the wonder of our being here,

A wonder that calls for an often-repeated thank you.

Welcome back.

The question then arises as to whether or not our death in due course is a price worth paying for this gift of life.

And when we stop to think about it,

We realise that of course it is.

Our departure from this life is not something that we would wish to bring about prematurely or through carelessness.

We are talking about death when it comes,

Uninvited,

In due course.

Just think about it.

We entered this world without any input on our part.

Without the payment of any fee,

We entered what can only be described as a paradise of life and possibility.

The only condition attached to this gift is the sad but true fact that at a certain point in time,

Our physical bodies will no longer be able to sustain us.

But if you had a choice between non-existence and our temporary existence,

What option would you accept?

If you have the ability to go online and listen to a meditation such as this,

You are among the luckiest people ever to have lived on the planet.

Not because you're here listening to me,

But because you had the good fortune to emerge in a time and place that allows for the possibility of a reasonable life.

So many people before us,

And so many people at the present time,

Do not enjoy the benefits that we enjoy.

And the question does arise as to the decision less fortunate people would make if they had to choose between coming into existence or remaining in oblivion.

Let us hope that no life is so awfully and irretrievably bad that never coming into existence would be the preferred option.

And this is where we,

The fortunate ones,

Have an extraordinary opportunity.

We who have the good fortune to be here in reasonable circumstances,

We have the opportunity to do what we can to make life meaningful and worthwhile for everyone around us.

We only have to look to the example of the inspirational people of this world to see what goodness we are capable of.

It's no exaggeration to say that we have the possibility of creating and recreating the world.

So an invitation to you and to me to remember that our lives came to us as a free gift.

As a result of a series of coincidences stretching back to the beginning of the universe itself,

You and I are here.

Let's think about this as we enjoy another one-minute pause.

You are here.

I am here.

We are amazingly here.

Welcome back.

This awareness of the gift of our being has the possibility of being transformational.

When we consider the wonder of our being,

All our trials and tribulations fall into a very small space.

What are any of our troubles when compared with the gift of life itself?

Yes,

Life is not as smooth as a playing field.

But neither is it as bland and uninteresting.

Life has its hills and valleys,

Its mountains to be climbed,

Its rivers to be crossed.

We see them every day.

May we each have the strength and the courage to face the challenges of this amazing journey with energy.

And may the awareness of this amazing gift of life act as an inspiration to us to change this world for the better.

Every single one of us is an architect in that sense.

And looking around,

We can see the amazing possibilities that we can create in thanksgiving for a gift beyond price.

Reviews

Thank you for continuing to make the world a better place Of us

I've been thinking of death especially because here in the United States I am part of those who are resisting the dismantling of our democracy. There's a very real chance that dissenters could be targeted. I hope to the heavens we don't get there, but I've had to ask myself if I'm willing to fight for the vulnerable even if my life is at risk. I'm 60 years old and have lived a beautiful life filled with love. If I die tomorrow I will have no regrets (It's imprisonment and torture that I fear. If we get to that place, I will take your lessons with me. You, Viktor Frankl, Maya Angelou, etc..) Please send energy to those of us fighting for our future and learn from the mistakes we've made along the way. (The rich hoarding wealth and the rest looking for who to blame is a major factor.) If it can happen here, it can happen anywhere.

At a time of loss in our family your reassuring words and kind calming voice are a great comfort. Thank you Tony

You have such a gift for "reflection" and I am so glad you share it with me (and the rest of the people lucky enough to be in this spot).
Thank you, kind Sir. 🌹

A beautiful reflection. Thank you, Tony - as always. 🙏

As always, you provide heartfelt messages for the soul! Thank you for these thoughts that lead to gratitude for life. You are a gift to this world, Tony.

I loved this meditation. Thanks for bringing it to us

As I get older 56 here...more and more I ask myself~what exactly was the purpose?!

I’m grateful to you Tony for reminding me of the incredible good fortune I have for my existence. It makes my concerns seem trivial. I’m sorry for the loss of people in your and Fran’s life but you have turned those losses into an opportunity to spread wisdom. Namaste from New Jersey!

I‘m so sorry for your and Fran’s losses but what a beautiful reflection that has come from those. Thank you Tony, you have a special gift ✨🙏🏻

I too have said goodbye to many friends and family and your reflections on the amazing opportunity and gift our life is was beautiful and true. I would be interested in your thoughts in what feels like untimely death. I have lost 2 children aged 23 and recently 42 both from cancer. It feels unfair for them both to have left this life too soon. It has made their passing so much harder to bare. Thank you for this beautiful meditation, namaste 🙏

The visits of death have also reached our shores recently; in painful succession. Thank you, for offering such clarion reminders. 🙏🏻🙏🏻

Thank you Tony. I, too, have lost 3 people in a short time. You reflection on life and death has comforted me greatly. What a blessing it is to be alive! 🩵🌟🩵🌟

Excellent! The message was perfect and the pacing ideal!

What a beautiful message today Tony. I’m so sorry for the loss of so many people in your life lately. It’s difficult but you have taken that grief and turned it into such a comforting message for all of us.
I will be listening to this message again to help comfort me in my time of need. Which I’m afraid will becoming soon.
Thank you for your beautiful soul. I’m so thankful to have you in my life.
Blessings dear friend.
💕🙏🏻

Thank you for sharing these thoughts, Tony. I’m sorry you’ve lost so many people in your life recently. 🙏🏼💝

Always a pleasure Tony
May you find new friendships to nourish your soul

Life is passing so fast, but you realize it often relatively late. Happy new year Tony.

Beautiful perspective and reminder of the value of our lives. I know that I am going to place particular focus on gratitude today. Thank you!

Beyond any words ! Loved this meditation and identified! So many of my friends complain about aging and I say there are many no longer with us that would trade places with us in a heart beat! Thank you for this meditation! Namaste 🙏🙏🙏