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Powerpoint presentation for a workshop called TRANSITIONS, a workshop for Living and Dying.
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A Reflection on Cherry Blossoms
“They look like normal trees except one week a year, then the horizon explodes with white, looking like a
snow-covered expanse, so vivid, you think you’re dreaming.
A week later the trees are just trees again, like it never happened.
They signify, as they do to the Yakuza, a short, sweet beautiful life.
A Reflection on Cherry Blossoms
“They look like normal trees except one week a year, then the horizon explodes with white, looking like a
snow-covered expanse, so vivid, you think you’re dreaming.
A week later the trees are just trees again, like it never happened.
They signify, as they do to the Yakuza, a short, sweet beautiful life.
They tell us of the importance of the ephemeral, passing beauty
that we have to enjoy and be ready to let go quickly…
…because life is a collection of moments.”
- m. a. chip childers
They tell us of the importance of the ephemeral, passing beauty
that we have to enjoy and be ready to let go quickly…
…because life is a collection of moments.”
- m. a. chip childers
Accepting Our Mortality,
Appreciating The Mystery
The wonder of life is often overlooked. The
preciousness of being alive, of accepting ourselves, each other, and our world, is sometimes the last thing we remember in our rush to handle the details of daily life.
Yet remembering the fragility of our days awakens us to the truth that in every moment we are dying to something, and ultimately we, and everyone we know, will leave this world entirely.
“Graceful Passages”
Accepting Our Mortality,
Appreciating The Mystery
The wonder of life is often overlooked. The
preciousness of being alive, of accepting ourselves, each other, and our world, is sometimes the last thing we remember in our rush to handle the details of daily life.
Yet remembering the fragility of our days awakens us to the truth that in every moment we are dying to something, and ultimately we, and everyone we know, will leave this world entirely.
“Graceful Passages”
Our culture has this obsession on “the bright side of the moon”, those attributes of youth, good looks, and success that buffers us from facing the moonless night of
loss and mortality.
For those of us who have lost our jobs, experienced the breakup of a loving relationship, been diagnosed with a serious illness, or have had
to face the death of a loved one, the dark side of the moon is not far away.
“Graceful Passages”
Our culture has this obsession on “the bright side of the moon”, those attributes of youth, good looks, and success that buffers us from facing the moonless night of
loss and mortality.
For those of us who have lost our jobs, experienced the breakup of a loving relationship, been diagnosed with a serious illness, or have had
to face the death of a loved one, the dark side of the moon is not far away.
“Graceful Passages”
Acknowledging the inevitable can be
healing.
As reluctant as we may be to approach the subject,
accepting our mortality is an important
step toward embracing life on its own terms,
and recognizing the moment-by-moment gift that is LIFE.
“Graceful Passages”
Acknowledging the inevitable can be
healing.
As reluctant as we may be to approach the subject,
accepting our mortality is an important
step toward embracing life on its own terms,
and recognizing the moment-by-moment gift that is LIFE.
“Graceful Passages”
Waning into darkness each month, the lunar cycle
reminds us of a natural progression constantly repeating itself.
We may not want summer to end, yet
winter comes, revealing a different landscape altogether.
Even the most glorious day turns to night, requiring us to adapt to a different kind of light.
“Graceful Passages”
Waning into darkness each month, the lunar cycle
reminds us of a natural progression constantly repeating itself.
We may not want summer to end, yet
winter comes, revealing a different landscape altogether.
Even the most glorious day turns to night, requiring us to adapt to a different kind of light.
“Graceful Passages”
To ask for what we want is human.
To be willing to receive what comes is
grace.
While we cannot resist the natural course of change, we can choose to pass through it gracefully.
“Graceful Passages”
To ask for what we want is human.
To be willing to receive what comes is
grace.
While we cannot resist the natural course of change, we can choose to pass through it gracefully.
“Graceful Passages”
With every loss, we are faced with the fragility of our situation.
We die a little every day. In countless minor and sometimes major ways, we lose control over and over again.
How we respond to this continuous process is
our preparation for how we will face our own eventual death, as well as how we meet others during their times of transition.
To enfold the process of dying in the embrace of living is a challenge that faces us, both individually and as a society.
“Graceful Passages”
With every loss, we are faced with the fragility of our situation.
We die a little every day. In countless minor and sometimes major ways, we lose control over and over again.
How we respond to this continuous process is
our preparation for how we will face our own eventual death, as well as how we meet others during their times of transition.
To enfold the process of dying in the embrace of living is a challenge that faces us, both individually and as a society.
“Graceful Passages”
Alan Jones, Dean of Grace Cathedral in San
Francisco, says, “We practice dying every day so we can be fully alive.”
By facing our fears of dying, and
making peace with our own life journey, we can have a more spacious, free, and joyful existence.
Embracing our losses, our little deaths,
rather than resisting them, strengthens our courage to more easily accept when surrender is the only option.
“Graceful Passages”
Alan Jones, Dean of Grace Cathedral in San
Francisco, says, “We practice dying every day so we can be fully alive.”
By facing our fears of dying, and
making peace with our own life journey, we can have a more spacious, free, and joyful existence.
Embracing our losses, our little deaths,
rather than resisting them, strengthens our courage to more easily accept when surrender is the only option.
“Graceful Passages”
How do we bring beauty and dignity to our
endings?
How do we best honor sacred traditions, and yet leave room for the mystery beyond any pathway?
How might we meet each other during our times of dying – whether they are emotional, physical, or
spiritual – in the deepest way possible allowing whatever is happening to take
place without intruding or assuming?
“Graceful Passages”
How do we bring beauty and dignity to our
endings?
How do we best honor sacred traditions, and yet leave room for the mystery beyond any pathway?
How might we meet each other during our times of dying – whether they are emotional, physical, or
spiritual – in the deepest way possible allowing whatever is happening to take
place without intruding or assuming?
“Graceful Passages”
The love will endure, never fear.
In fact, beyond the personal self,
love just gets stronger, purer, freer, deeper.
The love will endure, never fear.
In fact, beyond the personal self,
love just gets stronger, purer, freer, deeper.
“Graceful Passages”“Graceful
Passages”
Resistance to Discussing Death and Dying
A culture that is more fear-based – death not seen as a natural course of living
Fear of unknown is human nature
Family’s avoidance of topic of death due to discomfort and concern of giving up hope
Brings up personal loss and grief issues for
counselors and caregivers
Resistance to Discussing Death and Dying
A culture that is more fear-based – death not seen as a natural course of living
Fear of unknown is human nature
Family’s avoidance of topic of death due to discomfort and concern of giving up hope
Brings up personal loss and grief issues for
counselors and caregivers
-Lora Matz-Lora Matz
Healing in Death and DyingHealing in Death and Dying
It's the heart afraid of breaking
that never learns to dance
It's the dream afraid of waking
that never takes the chance
It's the one who won't be taken
who cannot seem to give
and the soul afraid of dying
that never learns to live
It's the heart afraid of breaking
that never learns to dance
It's the dream afraid of waking
that never takes the chance
It's the one who won't be taken
who cannot seem to give
and the soul afraid of dying
that never learns to live
THE ROSETHE ROSE
On Fear…
“Our greatest fear is that when we die we will
become nothing.
Many of us believe that our entire existence is only a life span beginning the moment we are born or conceived and ending the moment we die.
We believe that we are born from nothing and that when we die we become nothing.
And so we are filled with fear of annihilation.”
- Thich Nhat Hanh, “No Death, No Fear”
On Fear…
“Our greatest fear is that when we die we will
become nothing.
Many of us believe that our entire existence is only a life span beginning the moment we are born or conceived and ending the moment we die.
We believe that we are born from nothing and that when we die we become nothing.
And so we are filled with fear of annihilation.”
- Thich Nhat Hanh, “No Death, No Fear”
There is no birth, there is no death;
there is no coming, there is no going;
there is no same, there is no different;
there is no permanent self, there is no annihilation.
We only think there is.
When we understand that we cannot be destroyed, we are liberated from fear. It is a great relief.
We can enjoy life and appreciate it in a new way.”
- Thich Nhat Hanh, “No Death, No Fear”
There is no birth, there is no death;
there is no coming, there is no going;
there is no same, there is no different;
there is no permanent self, there is no annihilation.
We only think there is.
When we understand that we cannot be destroyed, we are liberated from fear. It is a great relief.
We can enjoy life and appreciate it in a new way.”
- Thich Nhat Hanh, “No Death, No Fear”
On Impermanence
“Our true nature is the nature of no birth and no death.
We do not have to go anywhere in order to touch our true nature. The wave does not have to look for water for she is water.
We do not have to look for God, we do not have to look for our ultimate dimension or nirvana, because
we are nirvana, we are God.
You are what you are looking for. You are already what you want to become.”
- Thich Nhat Hanh, “No Death, No Fear”
On Impermanence
“Our true nature is the nature of no birth and no death.
We do not have to go anywhere in order to touch our true nature. The wave does not have to look for water for she is water.
We do not have to look for God, we do not have to look for our ultimate dimension or nirvana, because
we are nirvana, we are God.
You are what you are looking for. You are already what you want to become.”
- Thich Nhat Hanh, “No Death, No Fear”
Impermanence Makes Everything Possible
“We are often sad and suffer a lot when things change, but change and impermanence have a positive side.
Thanks to impermanence, everything is possible. Life itself is possible. If a grain of corn is not impermanent, it can never be transformed into a stalk of corn. If the stalk were not impermanent, it could never provide us with the ear of corn we eat.”
- Thich Nhat Hanh, “No Death, No Fear”
Impermanence Makes Everything Possible
“We are often sad and suffer a lot when things change, but change and impermanence have a positive side.
Thanks to impermanence, everything is possible. Life itself is possible. If a grain of corn is not impermanent, it can never be transformed into a stalk of corn. If the stalk were not impermanent, it could never provide us with the ear of corn we eat.”
- Thich Nhat Hanh, “No Death, No Fear”
Taking New Forms
“When we lose someone we love, we should remember that the person has not become nothing. “Something” cannot become “nothing”, and “nothing” cannot become “something”.
Science can help us understand this, because matter cannot be destroyed – it can become energy. And energy can become matter, but it cannot be destroyed. In the same way, our beloved was not destroyed; she has just taken on another form.
We can see our loved one in everything. And smiling, we can say, “Dear one, I know you are there very close to me. I know that your nature is the nature of no birth and no death. I know that I have not lost you; you are always with me.”
If you look deeply at every moment of your daily life, you will see that person. Practicing like this, you will be able to overcome your grief.”
- Thich Nhat Hanh, “No Death, No Fear”
Taking New Forms
“When we lose someone we love, we should remember that the person has not become nothing. “Something” cannot become “nothing”, and “nothing” cannot become “something”.
Science can help us understand this, because matter cannot be destroyed – it can become energy. And energy can become matter, but it cannot be destroyed. In the same way, our beloved was not destroyed; she has just taken on another form.
We can see our loved one in everything. And smiling, we can say, “Dear one, I know you are there very close to me. I know that your nature is the nature of no birth and no death. I know that I have not lost you; you are always with me.”
If you look deeply at every moment of your daily life, you will see that person. Practicing like this, you will be able to overcome your grief.”
- Thich Nhat Hanh, “No Death, No Fear”
“Where was Jesus before He was born?”“Where was Jesus before He was born?”
- Thich Nhat Hanh, “No Death, No Fear”
- Thich Nhat Hanh, “No Death, No Fear”
“Everybody is doing everything for themselves…. When you understand that this is true even about dying, you will never fear dying again.”
“Dying is something you do for you.”
“You are the cause of your own death. This is always true, no matter where, or how, you die.”
-Neale Donald Walsch, “Home with God”
“Everybody is doing everything for themselves…. When you understand that this is true even about dying, you will never fear dying again.”
“Dying is something you do for you.”
“You are the cause of your own death. This is always true, no matter where, or how, you die.”
-Neale Donald Walsch, “Home with God”
“Do you think that dying is something that occurs against your will
You cannot die against your will.”
Why in the world would I choose to die, ever?
Oh that’simple.
Because you’re done. Finished. Complete.
-Neale Donald Walsch, “Home with God”
“Do you think that dying is something that occurs against your will
You cannot die against your will.”
Why in the world would I choose to die, ever?
Oh that’simple.
Because you’re done. Finished. Complete.
-Neale Donald Walsch, “Home with God”
“Once you answer most of the questions
you’ve ever had about death, you’ll have
answered most of the questions you’ve ever
had about life.”
-Neale Donald Walsch, “Home with God”
“Once you answer most of the questions
you’ve ever had about death, you’ll have
answered most of the questions you’ve ever
had about life.”
-Neale Donald Walsch, “Home with God”
“All souls find peace after their death. Not all souls find peace before it.
Death is never a tragedy. It is
always a gift.”
-Neale Donald Walsch, “Home with God”
“All souls find peace after their death. Not all souls find peace before it.
Death is never a tragedy. It is
always a gift.”
-Neale Donald Walsch, “Home with God”
“You are different from God but you are not divided from God. That is why you can never die.
You and God are one. There is no separation between you.”
-Neale Donald Walsch, “Home with God”
“You are different from God but you are not divided from God. That is why you can never die.
You and God are one. There is no separation between you.”
-Neale Donald Walsch, “Home with God”
“Death does not exist, but the perceptions and perspectives from which they arise.
Life is eternal.”
-Neale Donald Walsch, “Home with God”
“Death does not exist, but the perceptions and perspectives from which they arise.
Life is eternal.”
-Neale Donald Walsch, “Home with God”
“The timing and the circumstances of death
are always perfect.
No death is wasted, and all death brings a message to those who leave the earth and to those who remain.
The death of every person always serves the agenda of every other person who is aware of it. That is why they are aware of it. Therefore, no death (and no life) is ever
“wasted”. No one ever dies “in vain’.
-Neale Donald Walsch, “Home with God”
“The timing and the circumstances of death
are always perfect.
No death is wasted, and all death brings a message to those who leave the earth and to those who remain.
The death of every person always serves the agenda of every other person who is aware of it. That is why they are aware of it. Therefore, no death (and no life) is ever
“wasted”. No one ever dies “in vain’.
-Neale Donald Walsch, “Home with God”
“In death you will be greeted by all your loved ones – those who have died before you and those who will die after you.
These souls will comfort you as you
release your attachment to the physical world, gently guiding you into the
spiritual realm. You need never be alone, ever, nor are you ever alone now.”
-Neale Donald Walsch, “Home with God”
“In death you will be greeted by all your loved ones – those who have died before you and those who will die after you.
These souls will comfort you as you
release your attachment to the physical world, gently guiding you into the
spiritual realm. You need never be alone, ever, nor are you ever alone now.”
-Neale Donald Walsch, “Home with God”
We never do die. We merely change form,
In short evolve into a form that human eyes can no longer see.
The reason why people change form is that
the ultimate purpose of the soul is to feel the grandest feeling called
LOVE.
- Marq Dollentes
We never do die. We merely change form,
In short evolve into a form that human eyes can no longer see.
The reason why people change form is that
the ultimate purpose of the soul is to feel the grandest feeling called
LOVE.
- Marq Dollentes
REFLECTION
on the tranquility
of Falling Cherry Blossoms
FOR A MOMENT THEY HOVER LIKE BEJEWELLED CLOUDS
AND DANCE ABOVE THE CRYSTAL STREAMS;
THEN, AS THEY SAIL AWAY ON THE LAUGHING WATERS
THEY SEEM TO SAY
“FAREWELL, O SPRING! WE ARE ON TO ETERNITY.”
-Okakura Kakuzo
REFLECTION
on the tranquility
of Falling Cherry Blossoms
FOR A MOMENT THEY HOVER LIKE BEJEWELLED CLOUDS
AND DANCE ABOVE THE CRYSTAL STREAMS;
THEN, AS THEY SAIL AWAY ON THE LAUGHING WATERS
THEY SEEM TO SAY
“FAREWELL, O SPRING! WE ARE ON TO ETERNITY.”
-Okakura Kakuzo