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Death: Our Greatest TeacherNo-Body Gets Out of Here AliveTo what shall Impermanence The awareness of death teaches us to live in the present moment. If we live in denial of this basic truth, then we will pass our time on earth chasing a dream, only half awake, waiting for happiness to come at some future time. We will find ourselves finally on death's doorstep, never having lived at all. With awareness of the fleeting nature of the world, we crystalize our consciousness and realize that we can only live in this moment, which has no time and thus no end. This conscious awareness of the closeness of death, is at the heart of Buddhist and Yogic traditions, as well as many other cultures - particularly those who live in close relationship with the Earth. When you know exactly where your food comes from, and how fragile the balance that sustains your body - you are more able to appreciate the inevitability of death as a natural part of life. Practice Do this exercise also before bed, before saying goodbye and before eating a meal -- as many times during the day that you can remember. It only takes a few breaths to bring yourself back to this state of Presence. It is essential that you do this practice with the utmost sincerity if you want to get the greatest benefit. You must really feel your way into this awareness, let it open your heart, feel your sense of Presence grow as the here-and-now living moment comes into sharp focus. Feel your breath. Breath slowly and deeply. Look around at the room, the view from the window and really SEE things. Feel the morning air on your skin and really FEEL it. Tune in to all of your physical senses and appreciate them all as you continue to breath with mindful awareness. INNER WAKEFULNESS This place is a dream A man goes to sleep in the town Humankind is being led Jelaluddin Rumi(1207 - 1273 AD)-Translation by Coleman Barks |
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