I will remind myself
our temporary amnesia is the reason for all our sufferings
I will remind myself
in every moment of my life
that I will die, I will die, I will die
I want to kill all the germs in me
that cheat, hate, compete, and lie;
I want to destroy the monsters
that are jealous, capricious, and angry,
I want to awaken the part of my brain
that forgets my death; in every breath
I take, I will bethink I will die,
I will die, I will die
I forgive you, you, and you
I forgive, that, this, and that,
at the drop of a hat, I forget
all sins that made me cry,
but I’ll always recall I will die,
I will die, I will die
I want to live on the page,
I want to love at every stage,
I want to sing, dance, play,
all along my way, beyond
borders, boundaries, overlooking
centuries of agonizing histories;
I want to make love with you,
my lustrous light, but hey I want
to say, every night and day
that I will also die,
I will never ever deny that
I will die, I will die, I will die
I will remind myself
in every moment of my life
that I will die, I will die, I will die
Ah, the curse, or blessing? Of being a species that can foresee its own demise.
Good question! Thanks.
There is something very endearing about this piece. That may sound rather strange for me to say considering the subject matter, but you have written something that I feel so many people would be able to associate with – right to the root of their very being. Of course, not everyone sees this concept of thinking, especially the hedonistic young, but at some stage the cold sweat of realisation comes to us all.
Blessings, Allen
You bet, Allen. I have received a lot of criticism, someone said I have this pretence of a wannabe Socrates. That said, I am fairly convinced that being conscious of one’s death will not lead us into destroying ourselves. On the contrary, it will help us embrace life. This needs to be taught at schools and colleges. Our day should start and end by consciously imagining ourselves in the box. In our wisdom traditions, there is something called that yoga; the yoga exercise that is now popular everywhere. There is an important asana called sabasana where the exercise is to… Read more »
A most interesting reflection, from Allen and yourself; re the contemplation and acceptance of death. In Buddhism we have the Asubha (Pali) practice, involving dispassion toward the body; and taken to its extreme can include contemplating a body decomposing. I missed out on that one, but attended two autopsies. But being an odd person, I just became enthralled with how a body has such amazing parts within it! We are either a body that gives rise to consciousness, so at death we cease entirely; or, we are consciousness inhabiting a body, so at death that consciousness seeks continuation; such is… Read more »
The concept of death as a beautiful experience is originally from Hinduism, Buddhism has branched out from it by taking only three drops (thoughts) from the ocean of knowledge. That said, Buddhism, or Buddha is not any less than anybody or anything. The world has not produced a Buddha, nor a Jesus or Ramkrishna Paramhansa; again this doesn’t mean one is equating them, they stand on their own as those shining stars in the sky of humanity. I completely agree with you when you say that you’ll let the mystery be. Asubha indeed talks about dispassion toward the body, something… Read more »
Thank you for your thoughtful reply, and my apology for not responding sooner; at present I’m not able to devote much time here – sadly, as I’ve missed some excellent works. But ‘cutting to the chase’; if I may, with some trepidation, query you on a couple of points? With the practice of Asubha, there is never any redress to self-torture; it is purely a practice of deep contemplation upon the transient nature of corporality; which may, or may not include an external object. In the monastery in Thailand: Wat Pah Nanachat, we had a human skeleton in the meditation… Read more »
Yes, that is the goal. I will not agree with Megasthenes’ evidence and findings. Hinduism is not an amalgamation of religion. Buddha himself was a Hindu prince. Was a prince whose father was Sudhhodhana. Incidentally, our findings say that there we’re at least 8 Buddhas, of whom Gautam was highlighted because of his pedigree. Hinduism with its tenets are all captured in the Vedas, 6000 to 8000 years old. Buddhism branched out of Hinduism, he didn’t approve of the rituals and other things I don’t wish to talk about. Undoubtedly, he was a great rishi who’s considered a reincarnation of… Read more »
Thanks again, for the reply. I would say – that we agree on the important things; and whether the Buddha was Hindu, or not, is not what is ultimately important. I do find the whole aspect of Indian religious thought fascinating; and my time spent there benefited me immeasurably. And I always enjoy our exchanges. Keep well friend.
Absolutely. Btw, I know you are a published author. I would like to read your works. Please let me know which ones. Keep well!
Sorry friend, nothing published yet – probably never; but finding writing poetry is now my repose.
This is so similar. Writing poetry is my only repose, and I will never self-publish. Not that I am against those who do it; I don’t think I can ever stand the sight of those books stacked in my little library.