Cattāri Brahmavihārā

I usually practice with the recollection of death either to snap myself out of a stupor or simply arouse a sense of urgency. This morning, however, the remembrance of death served not to shock the system as much as to inspire me to practice in the best possible way within the limitations of the moment.

Normally, I expect and even demand that the moment be suitable, if not perfect, for meditation.  Even if I manage to slog through it is often with a feeling of resentment–there is a part of the mind that feels entitled to having just the right circumstances and when the conditions are not just so it rebels. 

This morning, though, a novel idea arose with the aversion towards my sloth and torpor and it was simply this: how would I want to pratice if I knew I would soon be dying? How would I want to prepare the mind knowing that there was no time to wait for just the right moment to come later because there would be none? And, although this thought didn’t magically transport me to the brahma realms it did help me to let go of the negativity and aversion that was clouding the mind and to practice more wholeheartedly by bringing clear comprehension and mindfulness to the meditation.

May we all live in the light of death and make the most of our opportunities to practice!