death is everywhere

so, I notice death references everywhere. this isn’t just because i’m a death doula. death companion? I like companion better. reminds me of doctor who. death companion, eh?

anyway, it’s not just because i’m a death companion that I notice death references everywhere. and it’s also not just because I have for the better part of a decade studied the mahayana and vajrayana tibetan buddhism in the nyingma tradition. we talk about death as one of the most important parts of our life, often. we learn that life is preparation for death. we learn not to fear death and thus not to fear life.

anyway, it’s not about that, either.

I notice death references everywhere because THEY ACTUALLY ARE EVERYWHERE. it’s all anyone is ever talking about. even procreation. you’d think it’d be the denial, but no. it’s more of an acceptance. by procreating you must accept that one day you will die and you will live on in the memories of the people you leave behind and the impacts you make in them and the community where you live. life and death, life and death, it’s cyclical. you know that already. yes, you really do.

much of the dharma is referred to as remembering. practicing the dharma is remembering to practice the dharma. saying the prayers is remembering to say the prayers. experiencing loving kindness and compassion is remembering loving kindness and compassion. knowing timeless awareness is remembering timeless awareness.

living is remembering. you already know. you knew how to be born. you will know how to die. and you thought it was the end of your world as you knew it before you were born. and here you are. what’s next? it’ll seem like the end of your world as you know it, and it will be. but there you will be. and just like here, a cycle.

or it’s all bullshit and you drift into stardust.

don’t you see it? everything we do is in the glory of living. because we know that one day it will end.

here I am, a kid behind a screen, encouraging you to be mindful with your life choices and know you already are doing amazing.

xo