Death: An Inside Story

Posted on April 16, 2023 by webmaven

“In a way, what you refer to as life, right now, is like soap bubbles being blown. A rock, a plant, and a human being are all like soap bubbles of different kinds. The layer of covering of the bubbles is the complex amalgamation of memory – various kinds of memory.

The difference between a ‘human bubble’ and a ‘rock bubble’ is just this: a rock bubble is mostly physical, with a thick covering and less air inside.

The entire Yogic process or the entire spiritual  process is to wear this bubble thin so that one day when it bursts there is absolutely nothing left. It then moves from the bondage of existance to the freedom of non-existance, or Nirvana.” – Sadguru. Passage taken from Death: An Inside Story, p 31 

I have found this book to be extremely informative and beneficial and would HIGHLY recommend it, ie it’s a must read! AI generated image created in NightCafe..

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What is the Best Way to Truly Help Others as They Die?

Posted on April 1, 2023 by webmaven

I truly value the Tibetan Buddhist teachings on death and dying. Like most Yogic practices, they have developed over centuries of  deep examination and  practice. Below is a quick read, but an invaluable resource for all hospice workers, clinicians and caregivers.

What is the Best Way to Help Others as They Die?

Some excerpts:
“The most important thing is to help anyone who is dying to relax. Doesn’t matter what religion, or no religion. That’s the most important thing. Help them relax and have some kind of positive environment, and positive thought processes.” –Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche

“You want consciousness to exit from the crown, and merge with luminous emptiness awareness, so that your consciousness becomes vast like the sky. Reminding them of this is very helpful.” – Lama Tarchin Rinpoche Continue reading →








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‘I’ve been associated with caring for over 10,000 people at the end of their lives.’ Dr Kathryn Mannix

Posted on February 21, 2023 by webmaven

I am totally enjoying the The Dying Matters Podcast It is really well done, very interesting and covers a wide range of topics. Currently listening to this episode with Dr. Kathryn Mannix, which I would highly recommend!

 








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Importance of Death Rituals

Posted on February 16, 2023 by webmaven








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Cultivating Everyday Compassion Pema Chodron

Posted on February 5, 2023 by webmaven
“These days, many of us feel anxiety and gloom when we look around or read the news. This is natural and understandable, but at the same time it’s important to find ways to cultivate optimism. As it says in an aspiration that I recite often, “in relating to the future of humanity, I will be optimistic and courageous.” Without having some sense of optimism, it’s easy to fall into some passive or defeatist attitude. Why try to do anything to improve the future if it’s hopeless anyway? But according to the teachings on karma, the future is unwritten. What we do now does matter, not just to ourselves but to everyone who is part of this interconnection that we call Mother Earth. Even smiling at someone once can have tremendous ripple effect that goes out and out- who knows how far? If this is the case, then think of how much we can affect the world by enthusiastically training in opening our hearts and minds, day after day.”
From Pema’s book “Welcoming the Unwelcome” pg. 144








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Online Course: Study the Tibetan Book of the Dead

Posted on November 17, 2022 by webmaven
I was interested but skeptical of  a video course seen in my Facebook feed entitled: The Tibetan Book of the Dead:Decoding an Ancient Masterwork  but I signed up on a whim. Half way into it I am deeply impressed with the breadth of knowledge and enthusiasm of the presenter  and would HIGHLY recommend this course!! The participant’s questions and Q&A sessions are also excellent, I really can’t say enough about this course.You purchasethe course (I paid $40) and then have access to watch and listen as you please, it consists of four 2.5 hour modules and 2 shorter meditations.
clear light buddhaDeath (letting go) is something you can practice now.
The Book of the Dead is fundamentally a meditation manual, and this course presents the central practices that underlie the book, and that prepare you for your final journey.Breathtaking in its profundity, bewildering in its complexity, and applicable to anything that ends, this classic tome will become your companion after this course, and guide you through life’s most challenging moments with confidence and grace.Study with esteemed scholar-practitioner Andrew Holecek. Please contact the website or  find the link to the course on facebook if you need a scholarship or discount!








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