How Do We Prepare for Death?

How do we prepare for death?

The answer is: every day.

The Tibetans practice dying daily. This contemplation allows them to greet death with an established relationship and much less fear. For them, death is a friend, a companion on the journey of life. Life and death form a continuum of existence.

To truly accept and honor death as part of life, we must first recognize that we age and our bodies eventually fail. What if our goal was to age gracefully, honoring each nuance of the journey? By doing so, we would also be better prepared for death when it arrives.

Our ancestors have taught us that death brings meaning to our lives and that contemplating death enriches our every breath. When death is honored in our lives, each breath is filled with the sweet gratitude of life.

Contemplating death daily doesn't mean dwelling on it morbidly but rather acknowledging its inevitability and embracing it as a natural part of our existence. It means recognizing the fragility of life and the impermanence of all things. By doing so, we can live more fully and authentically, cherishing each moment and each relationship.

Here are some ways to integrate this daily preparation into our lives:

• Mindfulness and Meditation: Spend time each day in quiet reflection or meditation. This helps to cultivate an awareness of the present moment and a deeper understanding of our transient nature.
• Gratitude Practice: Reflect on the things you are grateful for each day. This can shift your perspective from what is lacking to what is abundant in your life, enhancing your appreciation for life.
• Legacy Consideration: Think about the legacy you wish to leave behind. This includes the values you live by, the relationships you nurture, and the impact you have on others. Consider writing letters to loved ones or documenting your life story.
• Embracing Aging: Accept the changes that come with aging as natural and inevitable. Honor your body by taking care of it, but also accept its limitations with grace.
• Connection with Loved Ones: Foster deep and meaningful connections with those around you. Express your love and gratitude to them regularly, and do not shy away from difficult conversations about life and death.
• Simplifying Life: Let go of material possessions and attachments that no longer serve you. Focus on what truly matters—experiences, relationships, and personal growth.
• Learning from Nature: Observe the cycles of nature, the changing seasons, and the life cycles of plants and animals. Nature's constant state of flux can teach us about the beauty of impermanence.
• Spiritual Practice: Engage in spiritual practices that resonate with you. This could be prayer, reading sacred texts, or participating in community worship. These practices can provide comfort and a sense of connection to something greater than yourself.

By contemplating death, our friends, our memories, our accomplishments, and our material accumulations, and by considering where and with whom we wish to share our legacy, we bring meaning to our lives.

Take a moment every day to gently prepare for death. This preparation is not about fearing the end, but about living life more fully, with intention and clarity, knowing that each day is a precious gift.

Deep Gratitude,
Dr. Deerheart