Death Meditation

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“With the contemplation of the impermanence of the human form, something very deep and peaceful opens up inside you. That is why I enjoy going to cemeteries. When you accept the impermanence, out of that comes an opening within, which is beyond form. That which is not touched by death, the formless, comes forward as you completely accept the impermanence of all forms. That’s why it is so deeply peaceful to contemplate death.

If someone close to you dies, then there is an added dimension. You may find there is deep sadness. The form also was precious, although what you loved in the form was the formless. And yet, you weep because of the fading form. There too, you come to an acceptance – especially if you are already familiar with death, you already know that everything dies – then you can accept it more easily when it happens to somebody close to you. There is still deep sadness, but then you can have the two dimensions simultaneously – the outer you weeps, the inner and most essential is deeply at peace. It comes forward almost as if it were saying “there is no death”. It’s peace.”

Eckhart Tolle

Absence / Space

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Samuel Zeller

“In the proximity of death, there is always that grace hiding underneath the seemingly negative event. Death in our civilization is seen as entirely negative, as if it shouldn’t be happening. Because it’s denied, people are so shocked when somebody dies – as if it’s not possible. We don’t live with the familiarity of death, as some more ancient cultures still do. The familiarity of death isn’t there. Everything is hidden, the dead body is hidden. ”

Eckhart Tolle

You’re Projecting!

When I was a kid, we had all kinds of sayings:

Takes one to know one.

Whoever smelt it, dealt it.

Take a chill pill!

But one that stands out is: You’re just projecting! I don’t think we really understood what we were saying, but it usually left the Complainer speechless.

And with good reason.

When we complain about others, we are projecting. Byron Katie’s work includes as “turnaround.” When you find yourself grumbling about someone, she has you turn it around:

“Sheila should not operate out of fear.”

Turn it around.

“I should not operate out of fear.”

With inquiry, we find that we are projecting our own fears and inadequacies.

Page 15*

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“Well, yeah. I’m right…and they are…wrong.”

Kevin felt something in his chameleon gut. It all felt untrue.

Lily just kept eating.

“OK, maybe they’re not completely at fault. Maybe I get hot-headed and too passionate.”

Lily continued to look into his eyes, listening to him. 

There was no judgment, anger or fear in her eyes. She was listening to him, completely.

 

 

*From my next book, Kevin the Complainer

Page 14*

 

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“Yeah! And I was just playing and being good, you know?  That’s what makes it fun! They’re just mad because I was winning.”   Kevin was burning with indignation.

“Is that so?”

“Yeah! And now they’re ignoring me. I bet they want me to apologize. But I won’t. I refuse. It’s a matter of principle.”

“Is that so?” Lily continued to eat her lunch.

“Yes! I am right. They are wrong. Period!”  Kevin fumed.

“Hm. Is that so?”  Lily popped a flower bud in her mouth.

Kevin stopped and looked at Lily.

 

 

*of my next book, Kevin the Complainer

Page Ten*

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Carlos and Minji continued to ignore Kevin. Day after day, Kevin remained silently hopeful, only to be crushed by dismissal bell.

One day, Ms. Meretta made an announcement.

“Class, we have a new student. Her name is Lily. Please introduce yourselves throughout the day and make her feel welcome.”

The new student walked to her desk and sat down.

 

*(From my next book, Kevin the Complainer)

Page Seven (maybe)*

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At last!  Recess.

Minji kicked the ball and ran for cover. Carlos got the ball and kicked it toward Kevin. But Kevin couldn’t catch the ball, which meant he was “out.”

“Let’s start over! That was unfair!” Kevin cried out.

Minji and Carlos shot each other a look.

“You know very well everything was fair, Kevin.” Minji took the ball to continue the game.

“Yeah, you’re out,” Carlos added.

“Oh yeah?” Kevin asked.

“Yes,” The other two replied.

 

*My book-in-progress (Kevin the Complainer)

 

When I asked the 16-year-old daughter what she thought of this illustration, she said:

“It looks like the two cats are going to eat the chameleon.”

 

Another Page

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“Harvey woke up and complained to his mom that he felt a headache coming on.

His breakfast was overdone.

He couldn’t find his favorite gloves.

He heard something outside: Thunder rolled and cracked.

Oh no! There’s a storm! Now we won’t be able to play Kick and Cover! He muttered to himself.

He did not like the way his day was starting.”

From Kevin the Complainer

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