This week-end I attended a workshop led by Frank Ostaseski on his book, Five Invitations; Discover what Death can Teach us about Living Fully. I had read the book and highly recommend it. As I am in the end of my seventies, I realize that the warranty has run out on my life. I’m still healthy and alive but know that the horizon is looming. I do not feel anxious about this, but I do hope to let that fact influence how I live my life. In his book and at the workshop he offered the five pieces of advice that he feels death offers us in order to live a fuller and more satisfying life now. I think I’ll use his five invitations for my next five posts here.
The first, and possibly the most impactful for me is …Don’t wait!
Do what you want to do, what compels you, what you long for NOW. Don’t wait until later to tell all those people you love that you love them. Don’t postpone any longer what must be done for you to have peace. Is there is someone in your life that you need to gain peace with, attempt it today. He said to us, if you think, at the moment of your death, you will have clarity, be aware, be grateful, have strength and stamina… you are likely wrong about that. Why not do and say the things you imagine you will say on your deathbed --- now? Is there a vague longing in you? Can you explore that – get clearer on what your heart wants and act on it? What is one thing you are waiting to say or do? Can you say it, do it – today, tomorrow, this week, this year? Can you take a step toward it?
There is a poetry practice that some Buddhists follow. On the last day of their life, they write a poem – from the perspective of being at the end. Here is one that Ostaseski offers at the end of his book. It is written by a woman named Mona who was in the zen hospice that Ostaseski founded.
Sono’s Death Poem
Don’t just stand there with your hair turning gray,
soon enough the seas will sink your little island.
So, while there is still the illusion of time,
set out for another shore.
No sense packing a bag.
You won’t be able to lift it into your boat.
Give away all your collections.
Take only new seeds and an old stick.
Send out some prayers on the wind before you sail.
Don’t be afraid.
Someone knows you‘re coming.
An extra fish has been salted.
Mona (Sono) Santacroce
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