Today I came across Longchenpa’s final testament – The Immaculate Radiance. I found it profoundly moving, reading the words of this incomparable Dzogchen master who was giving his final teaching, just before he died. What a life he led. How could you begin to estimate his contribution, perhaps unlike that of any other? At the […]
Immaculate Radiance: A Testament – Longchenpa Read Post »
This Jisei, or death poem by the 19th century Japanese poet Kiba captures so poignantly the ephemeral effervescence that is a human life. Life is so fleeting. My old body: a drop of dew grown heavy at the leaf tip Kiba, 1868Japanese Death Poems: Written by Zen Monks and Haiku Poets on the Verge of DeathYoel
Life’s Fleeting Nature: Kiba’s Poignant Jisei Death Poem Read Post »
There’s nothing to add to this Jisei (death poem). So profound. Empty-handed I entered the world Barefoot I leave it. My coming, my going — Two simple happenings That got entangled. Kozan IchikyoJapanese Death Poems Written by Zen Monks and Haiku Poets on the Verge of DeathYoel Hoffman Original source: Tuttle Publishing
Empty-Handed I Entered The World – Kozan Ichikyo Read Post »
Did I love well? Did I live fully? Did I learn to let go? Jack KornfieldA Path with Heart I’ve recently been delving back into ‘A Path with Heart’ by Jack Kornfield after many years, and once again came across this lovely aphorism. He relates how when one is lying on your deathbed you are
The Measure of a Life Read Post »
Driving in to work this morning, it really struck me how close to death we all are. Flying along the road, I was continually inches away from crashing into another car. One momentary misjudgement, on anyone of a hundred different drivers part, and the result would have been dramatic. More than that …. how many
