Death is a powerful reminder to remain in the present. It summons us to be present and aware in all that we do, to be our best, to find closure with those with whom we disagree, and to practice keeping a mind that isn't distracted by the worries and preoccupations of daily life.
Meditation is about being in the present, experiencing the immediacy of the present, taking the "now" and showing up for it. Yet we rarely reflect on the immediacy of death and the potential that death...can come...at any time. We fret about losing our wallet, or our car-keys, or - on a more serious note - losing our job or a relationship. Yet how often do we reflect on our own death as a means for living fully in the moment? How often do we reflect on losing our life?
Meditate - This post is dedicated to Adam "MCA" Yauch, Co-Founder of the Beastie-Boys, devoted husband to his wife Dechen, and father to his daughter Tenzin
Headstone Photo from Customheadstones.net The Latin words memento mori—“remember death” or “remember that you must die”—were used in ancient Rome and in medieval times to remind the people of the imminence of death and the uncertainty as to its hour or circumstances. It was also believed to have been used in Rome during parades for Roman generals celebrating victories or triumphs in battle. Walking behind the victorious general would be his slave, who was given the task of reminding the general that, although he was celebrating his victory, at any moment he could be brought down by defeat. [...]
(Photo courtesy of Audrey Nadia Rubenstein) At first I felt as though my heart had been ripped open. Then my mind went into a state of disbelief and confusion. I felt a sort of numbness and despair. Finally, my heart and mind came to rest in a state of meditation and compassion… and I didn’t even know her. I just learned of the suicide of a brilliant young woman, Sharoni Stern Siegel, a local artist who was beloved by those who knew her and had shared in her art and her passion for life. Her Facebook page has [...]
This post is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Lee Lipsenthal, a man of great compassion and wisdom, whose service in medicine touched the hearts and minds of many people.
We’ve discussed and shared a lot of different aspects of meditation and how to work with the mind on this site. One topic that we haven’t strayed into is how working with one’s mind can not only affect the quality of one’s life and the lives of those around us, but also how the stability that we can find in learning to meditate can also help us when we or our loved ones approach the transition of life into death. The Latin words memento mori—“remember death” or “remember that you must die”—were used in ancient Rome and in medieval times [...]