As we age, the body's nature is to deteriorate, and, as this occurs, our self-identity begins to alter. We may identify ourselves more with our mind or our feelings or perhaps with that which we call the soul or spirit (though soul may be defined as "embodied spirit"). Though difficult to accept, such self-definition as other-than-body gets closer to the reality of things (or no-things, if you will). It is quite logical that when the physical existence ends, that, if, in fact, there is a continuation of being or consciousness, it will occur on the non-physical levels of mind, feeling, and soul or spirit. Now it could be that mind and feeling are so inclusive in body that they cease as well, though it's not logical. It is logical that, if there is such a continuation of consciousness as self, we would want to prepare ourselves for this transition. Such is the purpose of probably all the world's religions in one way or another.
Om mani padme hum, the Buddhist mantra and directive, states,
"You hold the lotus in your hand" (according to an acquaintance who has studied and translated such things). Of course, we/our nature is the lotus, borne in earth, proceeding up through water, and finally breaking the surface into the air and the sun.
So, upon death, how are we to prepare ourselves for being in a state beyond the physical? Many would say to "put your faith in God," though I and many others would not. In fact, they would say, "Put your faith in yourself" (though I would want to be prosaic and use "yourSelf"). However it may be articulated, we do need to be able to experience that level of being that is beyond self as we have come to know it. Some claim to have found this in a kind of God-driven awareness. I haven't. I have been able in my life to find practices that allow me to disassociate from my physicalness and perhaps even "transcend" it. Once I ingested a lot of LSD for a while and this definitely got me "there," giving me quite a glimpse and experience of what is beyond the physical. I also would lay in
"isolation tanks" for extended periods, which did give me a certain experience beyond the body, as it were. Such experiences actually did provide a definite impression and memory of "transcendence," however, the most practical practicum was that of formal Buddhist meditation, which consisted of initially vipassana, and finalized in many years of zazen. This practice did not so much "get me there" as it did simply to give me a "break" from the physical identity and a kind of experience of an identity with "true nature," as it's called in Zen Buddhism (and perhaps others as well). I should note that something of this nature did occur in the years in which I practiced the theosophical meditation as presented by Alice Bailey, however, that was a very intellectual experience which I ultimately could not translate into my reality. Zazen, on the other hand, has the effect of non-mentally stripping one down to that which one is--which is essentially no-thing. It's a much more natural process which does not have to be dissected or followed or "understood." It is more a settling into one's real self, which, seemingly paradoxically (though only seemingly), is no self at all. It actually relates to the Cartesian directive, "I think, therefore I am." If you do not think (of yourself or at all, i.e. are without thought reigning in your mind), "you" cease to exist. Though I don't know if Descartes actually had this reverse-thought.
Winding up, to die adequately, we must realize such things.
Om mani padme hum, the Buddhist mantra and directive, states,
"You hold the lotus in your hand" (according to an acquaintance who has studied and translated such things). Of course, we/our nature is the lotus, borne in earth, proceeding up through water, and finally breaking the surface into the air and the sun.
So, upon death, how are we to prepare ourselves for being in a state beyond the physical? Many would say to "put your faith in God," though I and many others would not. In fact, they would say, "Put your faith in yourself" (though I would want to be prosaic and use "yourSelf"). However it may be articulated, we do need to be able to experience that level of being that is beyond self as we have come to know it. Some claim to have found this in a kind of God-driven awareness. I haven't. I have been able in my life to find practices that allow me to disassociate from my physicalness and perhaps even "transcend" it. Once I ingested a lot of LSD for a while and this definitely got me "there," giving me quite a glimpse and experience of what is beyond the physical. I also would lay in
"isolation tanks" for extended periods, which did give me a certain experience beyond the body, as it were. Such experiences actually did provide a definite impression and memory of "transcendence," however, the most practical practicum was that of formal Buddhist meditation, which consisted of initially vipassana, and finalized in many years of zazen. This practice did not so much "get me there" as it did simply to give me a "break" from the physical identity and a kind of experience of an identity with "true nature," as it's called in Zen Buddhism (and perhaps others as well). I should note that something of this nature did occur in the years in which I practiced the theosophical meditation as presented by Alice Bailey, however, that was a very intellectual experience which I ultimately could not translate into my reality. Zazen, on the other hand, has the effect of non-mentally stripping one down to that which one is--which is essentially no-thing. It's a much more natural process which does not have to be dissected or followed or "understood." It is more a settling into one's real self, which, seemingly paradoxically (though only seemingly), is no self at all. It actually relates to the Cartesian directive, "I think, therefore I am." If you do not think (of yourself or at all, i.e. are without thought reigning in your mind), "you" cease to exist. Though I don't know if Descartes actually had this reverse-thought.
Winding up, to die adequately, we must realize such things.
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