The Book of Joy

by Dalai Lama XIV

This death meditation is much less involved than the one that the Dalai Lama described, but it shares the same goal: using the reminder of death to help us be truly alive. Reflect on the words: “Anything that has a birth has a death, and I am no exception.” Consider the following: “There are many conditions that can lead to death. Death can never be stopped. Nothing can prevent the inevitable.” Now imagine that you are on your deathbed. Ask yourself the following questions: “Have I loved others? Have I brought joy and compassion to others? Has my life mattered to others?” Imagine your funeral. Imagine your loved ones making preparations for your funeral and referring to you as “the late so-and-so.” Reflect on what people would say about you. Are you happy with what they might say? What might you need to change now to change what will be said then? Conclude with the resolve “I shall always live my life with purpose. Time never remains still, and it’s up to me to use my time in the most meaningful way. I shall live in harmony with my deeper aspirations so that when my final day arrives I will be able to leave with ease and without remorse.”