Take a moment to reflect on what you have just read. See if you can bring awareness to any sensations in the body, letting your attention rest on the rhythm of your breath, a reminder that you are here now, giving yourself this time to reflect on death and its meaning to you.
Simply notice what arises as you allow the awareness of death to be present. You may do this meditation with your eyes open or closed, whatever helps you access this experience with greater depth. As you do so, bringing attention to the breath grounds you, calming mind and body, and supports you so you can observe what arises, as if you were sitting in an easy chair observing a show.
As you bring attention to your breathing, you can let into your awareness the sense of someone in your life who has died, letting this person, and the experience of his or her death, come to you. How old were you at the time? What was your relationship to this person? Notice any feelings or thoughts that you may have as you allow this experience to come. Does this in any way inform your expectations about your own death? Does it influence how you are living now? In what way?
When you are ready, open your eyes and jot down any words or thoughts that express what you have just experienced. You may also choose to do this exercise non-verbally, using color and form and choosing any art material — clay, paint, colored pencils, crayons, or pastels — that feels comfortable. You could also choose to create a collage that represents the different elements of this experience. Simply notice what arises and breathe into it with love.
*