How Contemplating Death Enriches your Life - Part 2
In Part 1 of this two-part series, we explored why it is useful for us to ponder upon the fleeting nature of our existence and how the contemplation of death can lead us to live more fully.
We left off with two phrases on which you could reflect upon before or after your daily meditation practice that invites you to turn towards the truth of your own mortality and sit in any feelings that may come up when you consider the potential and/or limitations of human life.
In this second part, I will explore two more thoughts that you should reflect upon in addition to the first two.
As I mentioned previously, these reflections are all common in schools of Buddhism but I have summarized them and adapted the wording in a way that resonates with me.
The thoughts are highlighted in bold and the words underneath are the reflections that I say to myself.
Karma and its consequences.
Every action has a consequence. What I think, say, and do at this moment will condition what I think, say, and do in future moments. May I recognize unwholesome thoughts--greed, hatred, and delusion--and refrain from indulging them. Instead, may I plant seeds of generosity, loving-kindness, compassion, forgiveness, joy, and equanimity. May I rejoice in renunciation, which protects me from greed. May the actions that I take to transform myself be of benefit to all beings everywhere, without exception.
Samsara’s unsatisfactory nature.
Samsara is fundamentally unsatisfactory. Seeking happiness through sense pleasures is fundamentally unsatisfactory. A mind that relates to life through always chasing after what’s pleasant and pushing away what’s unpleasant will lead to restless searching, ending in a life of poverty.
May I recognize that happiness does not lie “out there” in the world but turn my mind inwards, to realize that true joy, inner peace, and real freedom comes from within.
[Note: If you’re looking for further explanation of the concept of samsara please see the post Samsara is Like This].
I invite you to try this contemplation practice and to let me know what you found challenging or helpful about the practice.
As always, you can start a discussion on the Adrian Baker Meditation Facebook page or on LinkedIn.