A guided meditation on death can help you face your fears about the end of life. Learn the benefits of this practice and scripts to get started.
Introduction
In today’s widely materialistic and pragmatic society, we tend to focus on the now and want to live the good life. Death is seen in many cultures as the dark side of life – the end of the road – something to be dreaded. It is the end of what is known and safe. Other cultures, however, take a different view and more positive attitude towards death.
Below we explore the idea of death and share a few guided meditations to help you grapple with this topic.
Being Mindful of Death
Mortality and awareness of death as a natural part of life are not often contemplated and cared for in a kind and understanding way. For many, the very thought of death will bring up sensations of fear, anxiety and insecurity. You might say this is understandable, but we would like to introduce another way of looking at death.
Death is a natural phenomenon of life. Life would not exist if there were no death – the duality of life and death, good and bad, sad and happy, are all a part of our natural way of being, living and passing on.
In Buddhist traditions, the aspect of death plays a very profound and important part in many practices. Being one of the core teachings of mindfulness, death and familiarising our mind with the thought of dying can bring us great calmness, relief, and appreciation for the here and now.
Being aware of dying as a natural process and part of why we live can lead us towards a less materialistic way of living. We will eventually have to release all that we obtain, experience, and feel during life. This consciousness can help calm and free our attachment to things, past experiences, thoughts and emotions, leading to a more peaceful and mindful life.
Being aware of dying and accepting it as a meaningful part of life may help us to develop more gratitude, curiosity and kindness during the time we experience life.
Benefits of Meditation on Death
Starting to explore the subject of death and trying guided death meditation would be difficult and emotionally unsettling at first. Yet whenever a sensation or thought causes our body to tense, we should try to understand what is happening and why we are so disturbed by it. Any appearance of tension and emotions is a sign to look out for; a certain space within us needs a bit more caring.
Meditation on death can be a fulfilling and profoundly freeing practice when done with self–awareness, care and kindness. Regular practice may lead us to accept and take life as it comes and feels grateful and mindful of our everyday moments.
Meditating on death can also be a way to get familiar with the topic and accept it as a part of our life and existence. A sensation of deeper peace, appreciation for the natural flow of life, and kindness towards other living beings can be felt more profoundly after meditation and death awareness practices.
Guided Meditation on Death
We should remind ourselves to be gentle and kind to ourselves as we start with a guided meditation on death, being aware of any emotional and physical changes we go through during the process.
Since the topic may cause distress and tension for some people, remember to approach it with curiosity and an open mind. It is natural and completely normal to feel unsettled and moved when looking at something, such as a death of a family or loved one.
If you wish to begin your journey with a meditation on death and become more aware and calm when thinking about it, you may start by considering the following practices:
Contemplate Nature & the Natural Rhythm of Life & Death
Spending time in nature and observing the natural flow of changes, the seasons and the cyclic aspects of life can bring you closer to feeling calm when noticing the same changes in human beings. Try noticing how easily you accept the change of seasons – the leaves falling from the trees and connecting to the earth when they dry up and become part of the soil. After some thought, you can incorporate the same sensation into what will happen to you when you die.
Like everything else, we human beings are connected to death just as we are connected to life. Our body, made of matter, will become part of the soil, the air, water and other parts of the earth, just as a fallen leaf would.
Noticing the natural rhythm of our planet can make us more connected to it, which may guide us to learn how to appreciate life and death without seeing one as more important than the other.
Become More Aware of Your Breath
A breath cycle can be viewed as a full cycle of life and death. We inhale and exhale, creating energy and the flow of life within us. Becoming more aware and conscious of your breathing during the day can guide you to appreciate and accept each moment when you are here.
Try simply closing your eyes and taking a few breaths, focusing on breathing in and out. Enjoy and notice each inhale as a gift of life – even if only a temporary one.
Practice Guided Death Meditation or Follow a Guided Death Meditation Script
Your journey with a meditation on death will help you become more comfortable with passing on.
Below you will find a few guided death meditation scripts in audio form to follow whenever you need to connect and explore the idea of death.
Realm of Death – 45-Min Guided meditation
Alan Watts – Acceptance Of Death And Meaning Of Life
Guided Meditation – Death & Impermanence
Meditation On Death
Analayo – Guided Meditation On Death, Maranasati
Guided Meditation to Connect with Deceased Loved Ones
Some people need to connect with their loved ones after they have passed away. This feeling is understandable and natural, one could say. However, it is important to try to accept that the person has already passed on.
A need to connect with the dead may come from a deep need to connect to someone you knew and loved, but it can also be a sign that it is time to establish a stronger and more caring culture with ourselves. By practicing self–love, mindful living and kindness towards the events life brings, we would be able to feel more acceptance and appreciation for everything happening while we are here.
Once a leaf has fallen from a tree, dried up and crumbled to become part of the ground, we do not seek to revive it and connect to it again. It is best to accept that this is a part of the circle of life and become more aware and present.
It is all right if we need a period of time to grieve for someone that has passed away. Our emotions are always valid and should always be considered with understanding and acceptance.
However, if you wish to be supported through a Guided Meditation To Connect With Deceased Loved Ones, below are a few links to a guided meditation that may help ease your hurts.
Meeting a Loved One in Spirit | Guided Meditation to Connect with Loved Ones
Meditation to Connect with Deceased Loved Ones
Connecting to Loved One Who Passed | Binaural | Guided meditation
The Bottomline
Becoming aware and accepting of death just as we are aware and accepting of life can be a transformative and deeply liberating moment in your life. To help you go through such a process, it is recommended to follow self–awareness and calming practices while contemplating the topic of death. Guided meditation on death can be a supportive way of learning to appreciate life and its end, allowing you to experience peace in everything that comes naturally. If you wish to learn more about meditation and how it can become a part of your daily life, we invite you to join our online meditation course at siddhiyoga.com
