In the work Excerpt from the Tibetan Book of Living and Death, Sogyal Rinpoche explains his thesis that a particular type of meditation can help prepare yourself and loved ones for death. This meditational practice is Tibetan tradition called phowa. The word phowa refer to a transference of consciousness and allows one to die peacefully. Phowa is often performed by relatives, close friends, and master of this practice, and is still widely used in countries like Australia, Europe, and America. Rinpoche describes three meditation techniques to help one perform phowa.
In the first practice, the person who using the phowa meditation should get comfortable and on a meditative posture. If a person, such a one close to death can meditate in a sitting
or laying position. Next the person must relax their mind and envision the religious figure that is most relatable to them with a radiating light. A golden light in the sky can be envisioned instead if one does not relate to any religious figure. In some cases the visualization can be difficult and can be solved by filling their heart with their presence. Next, the person must completely focus their mind, heart, and soul on the figure chosen and pray a prayer provided by Sogyal Rinpoche in this writing. After prayer is finished, the person will imagine that the presence is moved by sincerity and smiles. The presence will shine a scream of light from their heart that will cleanse the person of all negative karma, destructive emotion, and obscurations that cause suffering. The meditating person will picture their body disappearing into the light and soar to the sky. One can stay in this peaceful state for as long as they wish. The second practice described by Rinpoche start the same way as the first practice, resting in a relaxed state while conceptualizing a wise presence. After words, the person should ideate their consciousness as a light from the heart the shoots out and flies into the heart of the presence. The light then dissipates and merges with the presence. One must also believe that the mind will transformed into enlightened mind. The third and final practice Sogyal Rinpoche suggests is simpler then the previous two. After relaxing the mind, the person will picture their mind merging with the mind of their particular presence and becomes one mind. Rinpoche ends this passage by explains the each version of the phowa meditation are powerful. One should pick whatever practice is most comfortable for them at that moment. He concludes his work by pointing out the objective that one should become familiar with the practice in order to build confidence for when they perform phowa on their self and others
According to his biography, Ernest J. Gaines grew up in Oscar, Louisiana on a plantation in the 1930s. He worked picking potatoes for 50 cents a day, and in turn used his experiences to write six books, including A Lesson Before Dying. While the novel is fictional, it is based on the hardships faced by blacks in a post Civil War South, under Jim Crow and 'de jure' segregation. In A Lesson Before Dying, the main story line is a sad tale in which a young black man named Jefferson, is wrongfully convicted and sentenced to death. Grant Wiggins, a teacher, is persuaded by Jefferson's grandmother Miss Emma to help Jefferson become a man before his execution. The struggle for Grant to get Jefferson to cooperate, and Grant's own internal development are the main plot-points; however, the background commentary on systems of racism is the main theme.
Living Buddha, Living Christ has taught me the true meaning of Buddhism, and it demonstrates what the path to true enlightenment is. The following concepts have stood out to me, and they are ones that I relate to on a more personal level. Buddhism has perceptions that are not always seen by everyone, but they are concepts that are important for our own happiness.
This book shows us that, even in the face of hopelessness, there is indeed hope, and there is a need to move forward. There is nothing that can change what the outcome will be in the end. However, in light of this, a person is left with two options. Either they could deny and fight it the entire way, or accept it, learn from it, and move forward. This paper will show you,, when given this situation, what the outcome will be when one choices to accept it and move on.
Epicurus was a philosopher who was born in 341 BC and lasted until 270 BC. He examined the situation of death and came to the conclusion that once one is dead, no harm can be done, due to the fact that they no longer exist. Stephen E. Rosenbaum is a philosophy professor. Rosenbaum wrote the essay “How to Be Dead and Not care”, in which he explains Epicurus’ views and then defends Epicurus’ beliefs about death. The reason why he defends Epicurus, is because he’s being logical. Rosenbaum also believes that we spend too much time thinking about death, which is something we will never have to experience. However, Thomas Nagel who’s a philosophy and law professor, disagrees with both Epicurus and Rosenbaum. Nagel believes that one doesn’t have to experience
While we all would agree that racism is immoral and has no place in a modern society, that was not the case in the U.S. in the 1940s. At the time African Americans were treated as second-class citizens, it was made near-impossible for them to vote, and they were discriminated in many ways including in education, socially and in employment. It was a time in which segregation and racism perforated the laws and society, a time in which African Americans were “separate but equal,” segregation was legal and in full force. Apartheid was also everywhere from the books to in society. Blacks were not truly seen as equal as they were seen the the lesser of the two and it very much felt that way. Blacks were oppressed in many ways including having unreachable requirements to vote, such regulations included literacy tests, poll taxes, and elaborate registration systems, but it only started there.
Death comes to all in the end, shrouded in mystery, occasionally bringing with it pain, and while some may welcome its finality, others may fight it with every ounce of their strength. Humans have throughout the centuries created death rituals to bring them peace and healing after the death of a loved one.
Sogyal Rinpoche stated “When you start preparing for death you soon realize that you must look into your life now.and come to face the truth of yourself. Death is like a mirror in which the true meaning of life is reflected.” Death is imminent. Many people today fear death for various reasons. Some people are able to accept it, while others deny its existence.
Describe the spiritual practices you would use to prepare yourself to begin a spiritual care conversation with this patient. Tell us how these spiritual practices relate to important aspects of your spiritual journey and formation. The spiritual practices I would use to prepare myself with a spiritual care conversation with Mr. Yu who is dying would require be vulnerable and willing to make some mistakes to begin a spiritual care conversation. First like Steve in the example I would approach the oldest son or whoever seems to be willing to talk to me about Mr. Yu. It would depend upon who was willing to engage me in conversation when I walked in the room and introduced myself. There are stages in dying. Some people who are dying
Meditation is an age-old practice that has renewed itself in many different cultures and times. Despite its age, however, there remains a mystery and some ambiguity as to what it is, or even how one performs it. The practice and tradition of meditation dates back thousands of years having appeared in many eastern traditions. Meditation’s ancient roots cloud its origins from being attributed to a sole inventor or religion, though Bon, Hindu, Shinto, Dao, and later, Buddhism are responsible for its development. Its practice has permeated almost all major world religions, but under different names. It has become a practice without borders, influencing millions with its tranquil and healing effects.
...elp them achieve liberation as they pass through the bardo state between death and rebirth. It is through these ritual practices in Buddhism that one can both express their faith and feel connected to their spirituality.
For Buddhists death is not the end, in fact it is a new beginning. Buddhist believe in reincarnation and the cycle of rebirth. One can be reborn into one of six realms, heaven as a god, human, asura as a demi-god, the hungry ghost realm, the animal realm, and hell. What realm one is reborn into depends on one’s karmic actions. Buddhists believe in facing death and accepting death early on in life as it can happen at any time. It is a tradition for Buddhists to meditate with a dying body. This is important as it teaches a lesson, which is that of the impermanence of life and “the changeable nature of reality.” (End Link) It also teaches one to “conquer the fear of dying, and to experience the dissolution of ego.” (End Link) Buddhist believe in preparing for death by unleashing the mind from strong attachments that cause suffering. With the release of attachments it is believed that the passing from this life to the next will be more peaceful. With the belief in karma Buddhists believe that all the good karma that they build up and the desire for enlightenment will result in the rebirth into a better
The nurse becomes the confidant, the guide through the darkness, a source of comfort for those experiencing the trauma of losing a child. To successfully fulfill these nursing roles, in addition to roles that must be fulfilled to meet other patient’s needs, one must acknowledge their own definition of death and educate themselves on cultural and societal norms associated with death and dying. It is important to identify one’s own definition of death and dying but also understand that one’s preference does not define the death experience for others. The individuality and uniqueness of each death experience means that one definition of death may be hard for one to accomplish. It is important to maintain an open mind, nonjudgmental spirit, and impartiality for the cultures and practices of others surrounding death and dying. A culturally competent nurse is not only responsible for acknowledging the cultural norms of others but also respecting and educating themselves about the death rituals of their patient’s culture and providing the family with as many resources to safely and effectively fulfill their cultural practices. Education is empowering for the nurse who is navigating the death and dying process. Education often supplements ones credibility with the dying patient and their family which can ease overall anxiety and further promote ones role as a patient advocate and provider of
When preparing for death Buddhist generally agree a person’s state of mind while dying is of great importance. While dying the person can be surrounded by friends, family and monks who recite Buddhists scriptures and mantras to help the person achieve a peaceful state of mind. Buddhism asserts that all being live beyond the various fluctuations of this life. Death is merely a passage to rebirth in another realm such as the human world, a pure land or the flowering of the ultimate nature of the mind.
The concept of human mortality and how it is dealt with is dependent upon one’s society or culture. For it is the society that has great impact on the individual’s beliefs. Hence, it is also possible for other cultures to influence the people of a different culture on such comprehensions. The primary and traditional way men and women have made dying a less depressing and disturbing idea is though religion. Various religions offer the comforting conception of death as a begining for another life or perhaps a continuation for the former.
The subject of death and dying is a common occurrence in the health care field. There are many factors involved in the care of a dying patient and various phases the patient, loved ones and even the healthcare professional may go through. There are many controversies in health care related to death, however much of it roots from peoples’ attitudes towards it. Everyone handles death differently; each person has a right to their own opinions and coping mechanisms. Health care professionals are very important during death related situations; as they are a great source of support for a patient and their loved ones. It is essential that health care professionals give ethical, legal and honest care to their patients, regardless of the situation.