What is death like

1. Death the Awakener

2. The human birth is very precious, because there is a possibility of practising dharma and embarking on the search for the eternal. However, this life too is bound to end. Death is inevitable and inescapable. A life lived with unawareness of death brings remorse when death strikes, and a life lived with awareness brings about a transformation. A Life of UnawarenessDeath is certain and inevitable. If the impending death cannot awaken you, what else can? Though death is an amazing remedy for awakening, there are many dull-witted who do not wake up. They think that none can escape death; that there are no means to gain freedom from death, so there is no point in even attempting to transform.

3. Death awaits all those who are born. Each one, without any exception, must die. In spite of this, people are not vigilant. They indulge in useless activities, as if ignorant of death looming overhead. They spend time pondering and fighting over trivial matters; struggling to gain petty posts and positions. Though they observe many who are unhappy or have been ruined, even after attaining immense riches and status, they live in the illusion that they themselves will never meet with such fate. For them, things will be different. They are not able to see their own death in another’s. It is only a matter of time – after a few moments, days or years. This event is certain, therefore wisdom lies in becoming alert with regards to death and experiencing a transformation. However, if you realise this only at your deathbed, you will be filled with remorse for not having strived to attain the Truth and losing this priceless opportunity. But, there is nothing that can be done at the time of death. By then, it is too late. Death brings with it myriad realisations – the realisation that the body, which you took pride in maintaining is perishable; that the wealth you carefully coveted has not brought you happiness and in a nutshell, you have lived an unsuccessful life. Your hopes will die and dreams will be shattered as you see yourself a helpless destitute in the face of death.

4. Realisation Brings TransformationIf you awaken to death, you will realise the value of time, the impermanence of life and gather speed in the spiritual pursuit. Once a team of three visited Rome to gain a deeper insight into Christianity. There, they were in the august presence of the Pope. He asked, “How long do you plan to stay to accomplish this work?” The first member answered, “Three months.” The Pope said, “You will hardly be able to discover anything.” The other two felt disappointed as they were planning to stay for even less time. The second had decided to stay for three weeks and the third, for just three days. The Pope said to the second member, “You will be able to do a lot.” And to the third he said, “You will be able to do much more.” What was the mystery behind this? The awareness that time is limited expedites work.Cognisance of death will not just speed up the pursuit but it will also show the worthlessness of negative thoughts like anger and the futility of indulging in sense-objects. Victory and defeat will both seem pointless and cause neither elation nor depression; equanimity will dawn and the witness in you will manifest.You do have time. But it is constantly on the go. You are moving ahead in the queue of death. Your turn will come soon. One who is awakened to death and accepts death as a fact of life, begins to get transformed.Understanding and accepting death delivers a powerful blow to the ego. The notion that ‘I have numerous possessions. I am my own master; I can do as I please,’ is shaken. Now you understand that no matter how much you have, you will have to leave everything here. And if it is to be left here, then attachment to it is pointless. Thus, the knowledge of death knocks your ignorance, attachment and ego and you begin the search for the eternal.

5. Remembrance of death will inspire you to turn within. Your life will begin to change. Discrimination between what is worth and what is not will arise. The quest for the eternal will commence. You will start becoming meditative. The observer within you will be awakened. Gradually you will start becoming a witness to all the worldly events. When you forget death, you become the doer. But the awareness of death will turn you towards becoming a witness. If you become the doer you will get trapped in the web of thoughts. But if you become a witness you will march towards the real attainment. Your gaze will shift away from the futile and turn towards the gain of the worthy. You will start benefiting the moment you turn within. Dharma is not difficult. What is difficult is to realise the need for dharma.Art of DharmaDharma is that process by which the eternal is attained. Dharma is that means by which you go from time to the timeless. Dharma is the art by which the negativities get destroyed. There are many arts in the world but out of them, the spiritual art is the best, because studying any other art does not lead to awareness of one’s True Self. Also, the other arts cannot rescue you from your negativities. Dharma is that art by which you come closer to yourself. A life of dharma lived even for a moment is better than a hundred years lived in ignorance.Animals cannot practise dharma because they are unaware of the inevitability of death. Man is an animal until he has become aware of death and the search for the eternal begins. On attainment of the eternal, he attains Divinity.

6. Thus, awareness of death marks the beginning of the search for dharma. Dharma strips you of the desire for post, position, status, wealth, family, etc. They are no more the goal of life. The intelligent one sees the world as a gambling house where whatever one may have won, has to be left at the gate. There is no freedom to take anything outside. He contemplates that if all that he has gathered will remain here, if everything will be snatched away from him at the time of death and nothing will come to his aid, then he must do something that can help him at the time of death. He deliberates upon what can accompany him beyond death and goes after it.Arise! Awaken!Just as a hawk takes its prey by surprise, death too shall destroy everything in a moment. You will writhe about but will not be able to free yourself from its claws. It is on its way. It will attack at any moment. Before it can make you its prey, wake up!Before death approaches, become steadfast and abide in your real home. You have missed this opportunity many times; do not lose it now. Make haste and reach your real abode or else you will get lost en route. Do not depart before tasting the true nectar. Awaken before such situation arises. What you cherish as reality is nothing but a dream, a delusion. The body and its relations are impermanent. Time slips away and the bubble of life may burst any moment. Therefore attain the Eternal. Move away from the periphery and establish yourself in the centre. Listen to the inner silence.

7. It is not worth wasting even a single moment. Every second is important. It is worthwhile only if spent in living in the ajna of an Enlightened One. You waste precious moments attaining wealth and running after worldly pleasures. The Wise Ones say that do not seek security in the ephemeral. Seek it in the eternal. What you are chasing will soon shatter into pieces. It will disappear in no time. Everything is transient. No relation is possible between you and the world because it is constantly moving, changing, and temporary. The one who can comprehend the impermanence of life, begins to value the eternal. To wish for anything permanent in this ever-changing world seems useless to him. Give up the attraction for unstable elements. The idea of comfort in them is a delusion. Seek the eternal. Focusing on anything other than the eternal will surely lead to suffering.May all hear this clarion call from the shores of the eternal.May all endeavour in that direction and make progress. May all attain the supreme state of being.