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Here Lies Sallie Jane

October 31, 2006

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Sally Jane Canon 30d

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Do not pursue the past.
Do not lose yourself in the future.
The past no longer is.
The future has not yet come.
Looking deeply at life as it is.
In the very here and now, the practitioner dwells in stability and freedom.
We must be diligent today.
To wait until tomorrow is too late.
Death comes unexpectedly.
How can we bargain with it?
The sage calls a person who knows how to dwell in mindfulness night and day,
'one who knows the better way to live alone.'

~ Bhaddekaratta Sutta

I attended a dharma talk given by a fascinating woman named Ruth last month. I wish I could remember her last name, but it escapes me... if I remember it I'll let you know*. She was introduced as the first woman to teach meditation in the states, and flew into DC to give her talk despite her recent hip surgery... she's in her 80's ~ quite amazing.

She lectured to us on the topic of death, and it turns out, Buddhists take death rather seriously and prepare for it most of their lives. This might sound morbid, but if you think about it, death is a part of life, and being fully aware of and accepting of the fact you're going to die ~ really accepting it ~ leads to a greater appreciation for each new breath we are given to continue our path unpon this earth.

At the end of the talk, the group wheeled out a huge birthday cake for Ruth, as it was just a day or two before her 85th birthday. Did she sit down to rest and eat her cake? No ~ she cut and served the rest of it to everyone who stayed for the celebration.

Now, I have a rule that I always live by: If someone's serving cake, then by all means eat it. So I waited for a couple of minutes in line and when my turn came, she handed me a paper plate with the sweet baked concoction sitting prettily upon it, pointed her finger straight in my face and said, "ONE LESS DAY TO LIVE! Meditate on THAT!" Her eyes gleamed with an inner spark of ferocity and wisdom I hadn't encountered before and may never see again in this life.

I chuckled a bit and answered, "Yes! One less day to live! Savor the cake! Savor the moment! Thank you!" She smiled at me as I noted the whimsical necklace adorned with skulls and rhinestones hanging 'round her neck. Fascintating woman, I'd say.

If death spooks you, you're not alone ~ it spooks the crap out of me too. Everything in our being tells us to fight death and cling on for survival, and according to my meditation teacher Tara Brach, all of our fears and insecurities lead us back to a primal fear of dying. In a world where so many promises are left unfulfilled, death is the one promise we all know will not be withheld. Death will come. It will not let us down.

In a lighthearted way, Halloween invites us to come to grips with and get used to the idea. So, today I'm getting into the spirit and gettin' down with the fact I'm going to die ~ maybe a long time from now, maybe sooner than I think. Today I'll look the goblins and monsters straight in the eye and laugh along with them... at least for a spell.

Death, where is thy sting? Did Sallie Jane wish she'd smelled more roses? During her last breaths did she suddenly realize the most important things in life aren't "things" after all? Or, did she accept her death knowing she'd run the race to the fullest and loved life with every fiber of her being? No matter where your spirituality lies, part of the sting is in not accepting the fact that today I am one step closer to meeting the reaper at the end of the road, and not having lived my life as the precious gift it really is!

Boo! Now go out and LIVE!

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Sally Jane Detail Canon 30d

*Ruth Denison is her name.

Posted by vincent at October 31, 2006 12:14 PM

Comments

Thanks for this, Susan! I will eat the cake when it's offered as well. It is too easy to put things off or to live in our yesterdays!! Here is to NOW!!!

Posted by: jzrart at October 31, 2006 04:44 PM

terrific post! I have been taught all my life that life is a test and our experiences -good and bad- all benefit me so that I may pass the "exams" that come.

Years ago I attended a funeral of an elderly man, who's son proudly announced, "Good job, Dad! You took the tests and passed with honours! Happy Graduation Day!"

I do not want to die, nor do I rush to it, but I certainly don't fear it.

Now, pass me some cake please.

Posted by: s'mee at October 31, 2006 07:32 PM

Now Go Out and LIVE !

Amen!

Thank you again for today's food for thought.

Posted by: ART TEA LIFE at October 31, 2006 11:16 PM

Now Go Out and LIVE !!!

Amen!

Thank you for Another Day's Food For Thought.

BOO!

Posted by: ART TEA LIFE at October 31, 2006 11:18 PM

I'm so glad you didn't take that blogging break you were contemplating during the summer. I really needed this entry as I approach my 50th birthday next week.

Posted by: Kim at November 1, 2006 04:38 PM

A wonderful entry, Susan. Yes, LIVE your life. We grow old too soon and age brings limitations we never expected would find us.

Glad you have figured out that life is precious and needs to be explored.

Posted by: janet at November 1, 2006 04:59 PM