Isn't it as simple as meditating on death?

Epicurus

Nirvana.Isn't it as simple as facing the fear of death?

Why, why not?


Can someone give me some tips on how to do death meditation?

Hanzze

This book (by Buddhadasa) focuses much on contemplation of impermanence of the body, which is one base of mindfulness.
It also gives a general information about Dhamma and its way out of being subject of suffering. *smile*

SeaOfTranquility

When in a calm meditative state bring up the following 3 ideas -
1. I am going to die
2. I dont' know when I am going to die
3. When I die all the I have accumulated in this life well be gone

Treat this as an insight meditation. Do not try to figure anything out. Just observe the thoughts and feelings that arise and allow them to be and return your attention to breathing. You may find this challenging, or down right unpleasant, as fear in some manifestation will likely arise. Simply return your attention to the breath till your next meditation session. Do not try to force it.

BonsaiDoug

3. When I die all the I have accumulated in this life well be gone

As an aside, I came across this pic the other day on the 'Net. Talk about perspective!

genkaku

I don't see a lot of difference in meditation on 'death' and meditation on 'life.' 'Death' may provide an additional scare factor -- a scare factor any of us might hope to overcome. It may also provide a nice threat to encourage a Buddhist practice.

But the fact of the matter is that death is part of life. More than just being an intellectually satisfying observation, this also happens to be a fact. So, when we meditate on that which we call 'death,' we are automatically meditating on 'life' ... and vice versa. Our 'life' meditations bring us naturally to confront what we call 'death.' Our 'death' meditations bring us naturally to confront what we call 'life.' Separating the one from the other is sort of like taking a knife down to the ocean with intent of slicing it into digestible slices.

All I'm trying to say is that I don't think anyone needs to push the river -- making a big deal out of the one thing or the other. Do it if you like. Don't do it if you don't like. The facts remain the same.

Just keep up a good practice.

Jeffrey

Cool pic BonsaiDoug!

driedleaf

Basically "learning" to accept it and letting go of it, instead of denying it or blocking it out from thought.

pegembara

http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/3403/death-meditation-maranasati/p1

shanyin

http://www.aci-la.org/teach_marut-guided.html

I did death meditation for about a week and I believe it changed the way I think.

I have not tried the meditation in the link. I sat there and thought of everything that could kill me before night time.

shanyin

There's something to it, the Buddha did say that mindfulness of death is the greatest of mindfulness meditations.

I read that there was a saying int he Buddha's time that 'If one does not think of death during every in breath and during every outbreath, he is said to be dwelling in heedlessness.' something to that effect

shanyin

I feel inclined to tell you to find a teacher to guide you with that meditation.

seeker242

Good video!

SeaOfTranquility

It is said in ancient times there existed a society that was based around one belief -
That anything truly important or real can not be taken away from you.

Yet we know that all conditioned things (everything that exists) is impermanent. Then what does that leave?

The infinite, the unconditioned of emptiness itself which appears to us as simple awareness,. without dualistic separation.