End of Life

Some Reflections on Death

The Five Remembrances

I am of the nature to grow old, I cannot escape old age.

I am of the nature to get sick, I cannot escape sickness.

I am of the nature to die, I cannot escape death.

All that is dear to me and everyone I love is of the nature to change. There is no way to escape bing separated from them.

I inherit the results of my actions of body, speech and mind. My actions are my continuation.

Upajjhatthana Sutta (“Subjects of Contemplation”)

Just Like Me Compassion Meditation

This person has suffered, just like me.

This person wants to be loved, just like me.

This person will die, just like me.

Walking Each Other Home, Conversations on Loving and Dying by Ram Dass & Mirabai Bush

There is a practice in Bhutan to reflect on one’s death five times a day. Not in perpetuation of fear and grief, but as an acknowledgement of death as a universal and natural stage in the life cycle. An app called WeCroak will delivery a message to you five times a day for you to consider your own life and death. Below are some of my recent favorite messages from WeCroak that have helped to put my life and death in perspective.

Life is not lost by dying; life is lost minute by minute, day by dragging day, in all the small uncaring ways.

Stephen VIncent Benet

The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate toubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.

Paramahansa Yogananda

If I take death into my life, acknowledge it squarely, I will free myself from the anxiety of death and the pettiness of life- and only then will I be free to become myself.

Martin Heidegger