Here is the view across the valley in the window of the cabin.People worry about making a good death. For most of us I think that means ‘looking good’ at the moment of death. From my observations, this hardly ever happens, death is bigger than that.
There is a story of a Zen master of old speaking his last words. His disciples were gathered around his bed, all ears. The last teaching of the Master, their death poem or just their last words are considered very important. The last words are, after all, the pithy culmination of a lifetime’s contemplation. The Masters expression of realized Truth. He spoke very softly and his disciples couldn’t hear him. Or perhaps they couldn’t believe their ears. Master, please say that again we didn’t quite hear you. (Actually it’s not done to ask a teacher to repeat him or herself.) Anyway, he spoke louder, loud enough for them to hear very clearly. I DON’T WANT TO DIE. Then he died. Leaving his disciples stood around, no doubt stunned by this revelation. He was not concerned about looking or sounding good, he spoke the truth of the moment.
No problem.
With my last breath,
The sail rises,
Clouds part—
I rise into waves of
Sky…
yes,sister, truth of the moment right now I don’t want to die either. toady the heart sutra is on my lips, i hope this brother of ours helps me to say it with all my being.
Rev. Mugo, What a blessing that your lay trainee friend is able to be awake and comforted by his friends and his practice. And how lucky are the friends who visit too. Usually the chemicals in our body have the effect of dulling our consciousness. I have been present for many deaths agree it’s hard to “look good”. And believe me, as a nurse I do try to make patients look good for the sake of their families.
Enjoy your time with the mountains!
Susan
I’m really Zenmom. The yellow hat girl is my 13 yo! Sorry!
Thanks all. Have a thought for Mark and his wife June.
We are having a wonderful time in the mountains with a long walk yesterday to Kinney Lake. Breath taking colour, will post photos latter to-day.
We are blessed with blue sky and sunshine, good health and the Way of the Buddha’s and Ancestors.
Thanks people for continuing to visit and read.