The Reminder We All Desperately Need

Death is inevitable in human life. This very thought is invigorating and humbling. The first time I got close to it was when I lost my mother. And the second time when I lit my father’s funeral pyre.

At that moment, I only wanted to hug my dad and bring him back. I realized how lonely one is in grief. I had people around me who cared about me and would have done anything to comfort me. But I stood alone, not knowing what to do and how to deal with the intense grief. I was alone in a moment that belonged to me, my father, and grief connected by that fire. The reminder that I am mortal came early in my life.

A cremation ground reminds us of our mortality in a powerful way. When somebody dies, the mortal nature of our existence hits us somewhere. If you are a little more sensitive, any dead form hits you mentally and emotionally. This is because the space between life and death is so fragile. Our existence becomes more meaningful when we consciously realize that we will not be permanent. It is necessary to remember that we are dust; to dust, we shall return. This realization in the body and mind is significant in making us satisfied with our lives. Contemplating our mortality can ease our angst and make our lives more meaningful.

We are busy belittling others or caught up in a mindless pursuit of pleasure, power, and immediate gratification. As a result, we often become overwhelmed and washed through with chaotic energies. We lose track of the reality that such a foolish chase will not make us immortal. Hence a reminder that we will not last forever is desperately needed to maintain balance within ourselves and the universe.

My abrupt encounter with mortality has helped me pursue meaning in life. It has changed the landscape of how and why I exist. My connection with nature has been my most incredible healing from any form of grief, harmonizing my internal rhythms. From time to time, I prefer to disconnect from the modern world and take on frequencies that support my mind and body. My connection to Mother Earth reminds me daily that I do not belong here forever and must play my part well in whatever I choose to do to bring meaning to my life and others.