Awakening to Life through Contemplating Death

Published: Dec. 15, 2022, 1:19 a.m.

Perhaps Suzuki Shosan was wise in teaching that to know death\u2014that is the entire Buddhist teaching. While we are well-supported to ignore this truth, Zen practice does much to keep our mortality front and center. Doing so wisely, gently, with humility, and maybe a touch of humor, can steady the mind and open our hearts to poignancy and to our priorities for this precious human life.