How a practice on Death brings Soul to life; and life to Soul. Maybe it would have served Dad well. It’s his Eldering now, regardless. And we should receive it with gratitude.
Thank you sis! Grandson update??? Mine is growing like a weed becoming the embodiment of time’s quick passing. I get to see him often, but it still amazes me how fast he changes. It’s a GREAT GIG, this grandparent thing, right?
I am meeting my grandson for the first time this Thursday. Jack and I are going to visit Theo, Alex and Angel for a few days. I'm so excited. He is just adorable.... I just wish they lived closer. I am working on that one... And GREAT GIG for sure! Love you, brother.
We have a similar background with our Catholic upbringing. Even though the possibility was there to learn about death through those rites and rituals and teachings, that wasn't what got transmitted to me either. Or if it did, the message was: death is the enemy, death is to be conquered, and Jesus did this for you through his supreme sacrifice.
It really wasn't until the last decade or so that I've been offered the opportunity to practice with death in a different way, both through Buddhist teachings (the 5 remembrances are one of my favorites), and through friendship with people who have made it their journey to become intimate with death. It's an entirely different way of orienting to life....
YES!!! That second part you mention, “people who have made it their journey to become intimate with death,” is exactly my practice now—well, one of them. We don’t “do” death well in our society (as you well know); I’ve been honored to be a close support in service to some of my families, when I was a principal and teacher, who were experiencing deaths in their family. It was such a privilege; through that service, I discovered a deep passion.
I love this, brother. So spot on...
Thank you sis! Grandson update??? Mine is growing like a weed becoming the embodiment of time’s quick passing. I get to see him often, but it still amazes me how fast he changes. It’s a GREAT GIG, this grandparent thing, right?
I am meeting my grandson for the first time this Thursday. Jack and I are going to visit Theo, Alex and Angel for a few days. I'm so excited. He is just adorable.... I just wish they lived closer. I am working on that one... And GREAT GIG for sure! Love you, brother.
Thank you for sharing this heartfelt piece, Kert.
We have a similar background with our Catholic upbringing. Even though the possibility was there to learn about death through those rites and rituals and teachings, that wasn't what got transmitted to me either. Or if it did, the message was: death is the enemy, death is to be conquered, and Jesus did this for you through his supreme sacrifice.
It really wasn't until the last decade or so that I've been offered the opportunity to practice with death in a different way, both through Buddhist teachings (the 5 remembrances are one of my favorites), and through friendship with people who have made it their journey to become intimate with death. It's an entirely different way of orienting to life....
YES!!! That second part you mention, “people who have made it their journey to become intimate with death,” is exactly my practice now—well, one of them. We don’t “do” death well in our society (as you well know); I’ve been honored to be a close support in service to some of my families, when I was a principal and teacher, who were experiencing deaths in their family. It was such a privilege; through that service, I discovered a deep passion.
I appreciate you and this exchange, Maia.