{"id":1202,"date":"2020-01-26T20:41:39","date_gmt":"2020-01-26T10:41:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/?page_id=1202"},"modified":"2020-02-26T19:31:37","modified_gmt":"2020-02-26T09:31:37","slug":"photos-for-reflection","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/photos-for-reflection\/","title":{"rendered":"Photos for Reflection"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When the mind is at ease and comfortable, reflecting on the end of life can more naturally follow. Precious insights may spontaneously spring forth about life’s end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The intent and purpose behind the five photo galleries, described below, is to aid in bringing the mind to a quieter place during the time spent in looking at and enjoying the photos. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, the natural beauty in many of the nature images may for Christians evoke contemplating the Kingdom of God on earth. For Buddhists, the images may call to mind aspirations for a Pure Land. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many website visitors may well be far removed from such peaceful natural settings. (My wife and I recall living in a high-rise city apartment building on the ninth floor when we taught English in Asia.) Also, some visitors may be shut-ins for health reasons or advanced age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The six photo galleries are as follows: \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At a Cemetery<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To stroll in the peaceful grounds of a cemetery, such as early in the morning or on a quiet afternoon, can greatly aid in reflecting on life and death. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, pausing to read epitaph inscriptions on gravestones leads to insightful and meaningful contemplation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By the Sea<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Time alone by the sea can be another ideal setting for reflecting on the end of life. Additionally, a number of people choose to scatter the ashes of their departed loved one(s) by the sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rolling waves, crashing or gently coming ashore, remind\none of impermanence \u2013 how like waves of the ocean, all things are truly\nimpermanent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Down by the Ocean<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Walking along an open ocean, one can feel a sense of calm,\npeacefulness, and well-being. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can be wonderfully conducive for reflecting on\nend-of-life realities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beside a Lake<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lakeside setting can also be a place for peaceful solitude to reflect on the end of life \u2013 the timing and circumstances of which are unknown for each of us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The stillness and serenity beside a lake, or a quietly flowing river, is ideal for contemplating life and beyond. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a Garden<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Strolling in a garden with flowers in bloom, I am reminded of these words from the Bible: \u201cAll people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, \u2026\u201d (1 Peter 1:24, NIV).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore,\nthese words hold insight: \u201cConsider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labour\nor spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like\none of these\u201d (Luke 12:27, NIV).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally,\nWilliam Blake wrote: \u201cTo see a world in a grain of sand and heaven in a wild\nflower<\/em> Hold infinity in the palm of your hand and eternity in an hour. \u2026\n(From the poem “Auguries of Innocence”)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seeing\nflowers grow, blossom, and wither can bring awareness and understanding of how\nour own lives arise, abide, and abate \u2013 the transitory nature of life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At an Abstract Art Exhibition<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A connection exists between abstract art and reflecting on spirituality. In fact, a number of abstract artists have used abstraction to suggest ultimate ideals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For some website visitors (admittedly not all), a gallery of abstract art may prompt or aid their reflection on end-of-life themes such as aging, dying, death, and the afterlife.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[Artwork used with permission from Jindrich (Henry) Degen,\nCzech-Australian artist, 1923- . www.henrydegen.com<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

————– <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reflection\nand Contemplation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In sum, the intent for featuring each photo gallery is for\nsome, who may be inclined, to use the images as a backdrop against which to\nreflect or contemplate themes such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(1) Having a Precious Human Life<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

(a) Do I take my present favourable life\u2019s opportunities<\/em>\nfor granted?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(b) Am I grateful for the well-being<\/em> I have at this\ntime?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(c) Am I appreciative for the conditions conducive for\nspiritual practice<\/em> that I have?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(d) Am I thankful for the supportive group of spiritual\nfriends<\/em> that I have?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(e) Do I realize that nothing happens without a cause<\/em>\n\u2013 therefore, the freedoms and fortune I am enjoying today must be due to accrued\nmerit in the past. And so, I must not waste the opportunities I have today!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(2) Accepting Impermanence and Death<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

(a) Know that death is definite and inevitable \u2013 for every\nperson alive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(b) Realize that the time of death is uncertain \u2013 I don\u2019t know\nwhen I\u2019ll die.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(c) Understand that my material possessions, as well as\nfriends and relatives, cannot help to prevent my death.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(d) Prepare for death now, seeing my mortality and transient\nnature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(e) Let me know and understand the importance of making my\nlife meaningful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(3) Understanding Karma (Cause and Effect)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

(a) Do I deeply know that karma is definite<\/em>?\nHappiness always comes from useful and beneficial actions \u2013 and pain from unhelpful\nand damaging ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(b) Do I realize that karma is expandable<\/em>? A\nseemingly small cause can lead to a large outcome or result. And small\nnegativity can likewise lead to a large effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(c) Do I appreciate that if a cause has not been produced<\/em>,\nthen an effect or outcome will not be experienced?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(d) Am I sobered by the fact that karmic latencies will\nnot get lost<\/em> \u2013 and that I will experience their results at some stage? [However,\nnegative latencies can be purified by the four opponent powers \u2013 power of\nregret, (not guilt); power of the foundation; power of turning away from\nfaults; power of remedial behaviour \u2013 but, positive latencies can be impaired\nby our getting angry or generating distorted views. (Chodron, Thubten. Guided\nBuddhist Meditations<\/em>, p. 87. Shambhala. Kindle Edition.)]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(e) Am I determined and resolute in watching and observing\nmy motivations<\/em> and actions<\/em> from now on \u2013 so that I can create the\ncauses of happiness and avoid the causes of suffering?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(4) Recognizing the Inherent Suffering in Life<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

(a) Can I imagine myself as an old, frail person \u2013 with the unavoidable\ndecline of my physical and mental abilities?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(b) Have I experienced getting sick without choice, or even\ncontrol, on my part \u2013 or, the sickness of others in the same predicament (such\nas those suffering with Parkinson\u2019s Disease or dementia)?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(c) Have I encountered problems, even though I did my best\nto avoid them? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(d) Have I not worked so hard in trying to obtain something \u2013\nand yet did not acquire or achieve it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(e) Have I not found it difficult to contend with strong\nnegative emotions at times, that seemed to arise from nowhere?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(5) Having Equal Love for All<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

(a) May I and all beings be happy and have the causes of\nhappiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(b) May I and all beings be free from suffering and the\ncauses of suffering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(c) May I and all beings have the happiness of complete\nAwakening that will never diminish or fail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(d) Thus may we abide in great equanimity, unruffled by\nattachment and aversion and with equal love for all beings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Source: Hookham, Lama Shenpen. There’s More to Dying than Death<\/em>. Windhorse Publications Ltd. Kindle Edition.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(e) Another expression of the Four Immeasurables<\/em> (or Four Boundless Emotions) is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

May all beings have happiness and its causes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

May all beings be free from suffering and its causes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

May all beings know pure joy untouched by suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

May all beings live in peace untroubled by anger or\nclinging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Source: Neale, Miles. Gradual Awakening<\/em>. Sounds\nTrue. Kindle Edition.)  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(6) Being Prepared for Death<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

(a) Have I made all the practical preparations for before\nmy death<\/em> approaches?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(b) Have I taken care of the practical preparations for after\nmy death<\/em>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(c) As far as spiritual preparation, have I given thought as\nto what to do for myself before I die?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(d) As far as spiritual preparation, am I prepared for what\nto do for myself as I die?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(e) As far as spiritual preparation, have I given thought\nfor what to do for myself after I die?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(7) Fulfilling Responsible Stewardship<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

(a) Do I have an up-to-date will in place?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(b) Have I streamlined and simplified my possessions?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(c) Have I organized my living space for neatness and simplicity?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(d) Have I simplified my expectations, activities (including\nsocial involvements and relationships), and pace of life?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(e) Having downscaled and decluttered my life, am I able to\nnow devote more time toward lasting, spiritual pursuits \u2013 in preparation for\npeacefully leaving this life?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(8) Embarking on a Spiritual Path  <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

(a) Have I given thought to the value of a spiritual path \u2013 whereby\n\u201csuffering, its causes, their cessation and the path must in turn be understood<\/em>,\neliminated<\/em>, realized<\/em> and relied upon<\/em>\u201d (Maitreya<\/em>, Sublime\nContinuum<\/em>, VI, 55)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(b) Do I grasp the parallel thought to the one above: \u201cIllness\nmust be understood<\/em>, its causes eliminated<\/em>, well-being must be attained<\/em>,\nand medicine taken<\/em>\u201d (Maitreya<\/em>, Sublime Continuum<\/em>, VI, 55).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(c) Do I see the wisdom of listening<\/em> and hearing?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(d) Do I understand the wisdom of contemplation<\/em> and reflection? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(e) Do I appreciate wisdom of meditation<\/em> and application. <\/p>\n\"Facebook\"<\/a>\"twitter\"<\/a>\"reddit\"<\/a>\"pinterest\"<\/a>\"linkedin\"<\/a>\"mail\"<\/a>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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