Cattāri Brahmavihārā

The Tibetan Buddhist tradition contains an extremely effective meditation on death called the nine-point meditation on death. It is presented with three root truths, three reasons for each truth, and three conclusions that follow from them:

Root: Death is certain. No being has ever escaped death.
I am constantly becoming closer to death. There is not much time to practice Dharma.

Conclusion: I must practice Dharma.

Root: The time of death is uncertain.
The lifespan of human beings is not fixed. 

More conditions endanger life than support it.
This body is extremely fragile.

Conclusion: I must practice Dharma now.

Root: Nothing can help at the time of death except my Dharma practice.
Wealth can’t help.
Friends and relatives can’t help.
Your body can’t help.

Conclusion: I must practice Dharma purely.

Excerpt From: “Wholesome Fear: Transforming Your Anxiety About Impermanence and Death” by Thubten Zopa.