“There are those who look on death with a naive, thoughtless cheerfulness, thinking that for some unknown reason death will work out all right for them, and that it is nothing to worry about. When I think of them, I am reminded of what one Tibetan master says: “People often make the mistake of being frivolous about death and think, ‘Oh well, death happens to everybody. It’s not a big deal, it’s natural. I’ll be fine.’” That’s a nice theory until one is dying.”
Sogyal Rinpoche
author: Tibetan Book of Living and Dying
Dharma Teacher of coach ilg
Noble Sangha,
due to karmic waves, ilg grew up surrounded by people dying. we lived on the (then) border of the San Juan National Forest, 4 miles west of Durango, Colorado where i – y mi familia – still reside. our house was one of the first houses reached before the era of cell phones…and when s(om)ething ‘went wrong’ with hunters, athletes, hippies, and most commonly; drunk and/or high High School kids…on weekends especially, our late night/early morning hours were interrupted by a freaking out person (usually, as stated above, a high school kid) screaming about driving their car off the edge of the steep mountain road above my house. they went on – out of their minds – about the blood, broken bones, and moans from their friends pinned beneath cars, sandwiched between oak and pine trees…my dad (God Elevate His Atman) and i would get into our blue Jeep Cherokee with the freaked out person and drive into the night, up the steep and narrow road, often snow-covered. my M(om) would call the police, often having to wait crucial long minutes on our 6-family ‘party line’ before getting through. with the feeble yet surreal illumination by our flashlights, i recall prying apart Gamble Oak branches, honing in on the moaning of the dying, bleeding, broken beings…which, probably minutes earlier were like me; full of brash youthful confidence of a life stretching out in front of us like rainbows across our long lifespan…
it was a hec of a Way to grow up…how many ways my young self saw the contortions of a human frail body twisted, broken, wrapped about trees and boulders and searing hot cars…the other-worldly glare of the ambulances arriving, the crackle of the paramedics walkie-talkies…
if you wait for such a stage as described above by my Teacher?
you will meet with more than mere disappointment at (y)our inevitable Bardo Entry (physical death)…
if we do not train for our Bardo Entry and the resultant Soul Navigation required?
we’re coming back…
again and again, and endlessly again…perhaps not even as Blessed as Humans…
until we learn to use this Bardo of our precious Life to Rise Higher, and Learn the Ways of Dying…Consciously…Graced…and Blessed…
that is all,
study well, this life, my Noble Sangha…and help me to, as well…
head bowed,
spirit vowed,
ec
These teachings are the "Rasas" or "sap" of Wholistic Fitness. You’ll find insights to ponder, student chi to keep your own chi topped off, and plenty of proven training techniques to test on your own body, mind, and spirit! Also, you’ll find my very popular Race Reports, and news of our Sangha’s (community’s) latest transpersonal fitness adventures!
with a “thud” and a “whack” that’s a poignant arrow shot! Straight to the point!
We are all surrounded by death from beginning to end.
Like the arrow releasing from the bowstring, traveling through the air, and hitting its’ target; so to is our lives..
Warrior Leaf…
Om Mani Padme Hung…
head bowed,
ec
From a Buddhist point of view, the actual experience of death is very important. Although how or where we will be reborn is generally dependent on karmic forces, our state of mind at the time of death can influence the quality of our next rebirth. So at the moment of death, in spite of the great variety of karmas we have accumulated, if we make a special effort to generate a virtuous state of mind, we may strengthen and activate a virtuous karma, and so bring about a happy rebirth.
THE DALAI LAMA
The quality and strength of our virtues at the time of death will determine how far the arrowhead pierces……
EC,
This past Saturday while traveling home I hit a patch of nasty black ice. After Mr. Toad’s wild ride I found myself upright on a huge bank of snow quite some distance from where I started within 20 seconds. I remember thinking – hey this might be it – and I said a quick Thank You prayer for this time around. I don’t know if I was “ready” or not – however I was mighty glad to see the three wonderful people who came to my assistance and help me out. A practice session perhaps…..Leslie
Precious Yogini LH,
(shaking my head)…
“On the way to Mecca…many dangers…”
– Rumi
oh my Treasured One…your Spiritual Victory was assured by your Thought of Gratitude for this Time Around…ilg reckons you passed Their practice test…yet again…thou art Protected…ever have been, ever shall be…
love with white ice on top,
ec