On Death and Dying

There is movement away from the plane of daily life into more subtle attunements after the first bardo. Sogyal Rinpoche writes that the soul is "seven times more sensitive", very intuitive to the thoughts and feelings of others during this first bardo after death. He counsels care in how one thinks and speaks of the deceased. Prayer, our sincere grieving, and loving remembrance are a powerful way to support those who have passed.

I want to encourage you to resist fear when you read and think about death. We live in a culture that avoids death in our daily life. Most of us have not experienced any kind of real process around the dying of elder family members or other acquaintances. Instead, there are seasonal images of horror and fear in literature and cinema. Additionally, a new archetype of terror is emerging - the cold-blooded, super-skilled hired assassins who dispatch their unsuspecting victims with high-tech tools. I feel this is a reflection of the degree with which we ignore and fear death. You can combat these distortions in your life by visiting the sick and volunteering to help out at places like hospices, hospitals, and nursing homes. Next...