Why exactly are we so frightened of death that we avoid looking at it altogether? Somewhere, deep down, … - Sogyal Rinpoche

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Sogyal Rinpoche

Why exactly are we so frightened of death that we avoid looking at it altogether? Somewhere, deep down, we know we cannot avoid facing death forever. We know, in Milarepa's words: "This thing called 'corpse' we dread so much is living with us here and now. "

Avoid, Death, Dread, Dying, Forever, Living

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Ask yourself these two questions: Do I remember at every moment that I am dying, and that everyone and everything else is, and so treat all beings at all times with compassion? Has my understanding of death and impermanence become so keen and so urgent that I am devoting every second to the pursuit of enlightenment? If you can answer "yes" to both of these, then you really understand impermanence.

Compassion, Death, Devoting, Two, Understand, Urgent

Normally we do not like to think about death. We would rather think about life. Why reflect on death? When you start preparing for death you soon realize that you must look into your life now. . . and come to face the truth of your self. Death is like a mirror in which the true meaning of life is reflected.

Death, Like, Mirror, Mirrors, Realize, Thinking

Real devotion is an unbroken receptivity to the truth

Devotion, Real, Receptivity, Unbroken

In meditation take care not to impose anything on the mind, or to tax it. When you meditate there should be no effort to control, and no attempt to be peaceful. Don't be overly solemn or feel that you are taking part in some special ritual; let go even of the idea that you are meditating. Let your body remain as it is, your breath as you find it, and remain in your natural condition of unchanging pure awareness.

Effort, Ideas, Letting Go, Overly, Remain, Tax

So often we want happiness, but the very way we pursue it is so clumsy and unskillful that it brings only more sorrow. Usually we assume we must grasp in order to have that something that will ensure our happiness. [. . . ] Learning to live is learning to let go.

Clumsy, Happiness, Inspiring, Letting Go, Order, Way