Death in View

It's one thing to understand, in the abstract, that you will die. It's another to be able to see your own death.

Elizabeth Kubler Ross mentioned often in her writings that children knew when they were going to die. Dying adults were also reported as knowing the day and helping friends and family to accept it.

This is what makes those arbitrary decades uncomfortable, i.e., 30, 40, 50. Because suddenly you understand that one day you will die and you can see it. Not only is death real and you have no say in the matter but you begin to get a sense of the length of your life. A feel for the end.

The cult of youth makes death much more frightening than it needs to be. For some time I felt it was my fault that I was aging. That I had missed some critical exercise and had allowed myself to age. All this emphasis on staying young makes death a personal failure. Stupid. When accepting your death is really the smartest thing you can do.

If you ignore the popular culture, it is possible to follow the natural path to death. From fear to acceptance to embracing the change. Taking the path is inevitable, so you may as well make a good job of it and do yourself a favor by going clear eyed into that good sunrise.

Written in 2013. Belatedly published. 

For the light

To be open and aware. To accept the light and be the light and welcome the light at all times.

Easy practices for honoring ancestors

Lots of good, plainly described ways to honor ancestors.

”You don’t have to be an indigenous shaman or ghost whisperer to have a direct, intimate, and healthy relationship with your ancestors. We all have loving ancestors who want us to fulfill our destiny as happy and well-adjusted people, and in my experience, our ancestors are the ideal guides for family healing as they are invested in seeing their future generations thrive.”

Looking West

My life is all about sunsets. I suppose that’s what happens when your main opening faces west. 

Today was a magical day beyond recording. 

Sacred Sunset

For the past five days, since the beginning of December, I have been lighting candles at sunset. There is something sacred about the action. I don't know what. It's a silent offering. I merely light them and watch them, blowing them out when the time seems right. I plan to do this until solstice.

White candles and a red tea light. 

wide mind, open heart

Once bodhicitta has been aroused in you, whatever Dharma practices that you do will lead to the attainment of perfect enlightenment. — Patrul Rinpoche

No known path

So, I'm asked what my preferred path is and I answer, "I don't know." I have never found it.

How to make sense of life

Whatever we do we should think, “I am doing this to make others happy. This is my job; this is my purpose in life.” From the moment we wake up to the moment we go to sleep this should be the motivation for every action we do. With a good heart, with a mind sincerely wishing to benefit others, our life will make sense. —Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Avalokiteśvara

Blessings and light. Gratitude and thankfulness for being in the world. 

Unattachment.

This is what the buddha and taoism propound. Yet it is emotions and attachment that bring us the greatest lessons. How could one live without love? Without compassion? It’s all about the right distance and being able to handle emotions without having them destroy good judgement. Or something like that.

Image from mr. Wallpaper