A thought-provoking video presenting the view that death is an illusion, that life is a dream, and that the present moment is the only moment available to us and the doorway to all moments. It is one perspective among many on death, offered here as something to reflect on rather than as settled fact.
The video, “Why death is just an illusion – thought provoking video,” comes from the YouTube channel theJourneyofPurpose (TJOP). Its description credits the audio to an excerpt from Alan Watts, lists Alan Watts, Steve Jobs, Jim Carrey and Nick Vujicic as speakers, and credits Thich Nhat Hanh beneath the lines about the present moment.
The reflection below, on the breath and on mortality, is a contemplative practice you might use alongside the video.
Whenever the thought of impending death becomes too threatening, we give more importance to the exhalation, to relaxing and letting go. More importance does not mean to change the breath. It only means more attention, more importance mentally. And we relax and let it go. Relax and let go.
But at other times we might find that the fact of our mortality is not really sinking into the mind. And in such times, we might decide to give more importance to the inhalation, to the fact that I cannot be sure. I cannot be sure even of the next breath. This could be my last breath and even if it is not my last breath it is certainly one breath closer to death. With every breath we are coming closer to death.
And coming ever closer to death we are preparing for death. We are facing it. We are training in the art of dying. We are no longer running away from our own shadow. And training in the art of dying is training in the art of living. Death is part of life. We can only live fully when we accept death, when we face death rather than pretending it is not there. Gradually, slowly, we become whole by allowing death to be a part of our life.
Reflecting on mortality can bring up strong feelings. If it becomes overwhelming, this practice is no substitute for support: consider talking with a qualified mental health professional or someone you trust.
