There’s a beautiful lesson that can be taught by an etch-a-sketch. It’s that everything is impermanent. It reminds me of a tradition carried on by buddhist monks–they create beautiful, elaborate images with colored sand. Then, when the work of art is complete, they let it blow away in the wind. It’s to teach a lesson–one of non-attachment and impermanence.
Life is impermanent; the universe is constantly in a state of change. Everything, from the cells in your body, to the stars themselves are in a state of change–each dying its own death. And then, being born anew. If you fear death, and become attached to life, then life is already dead.
Soon, your body will die. But you won’t, because you are the universe. And you’re alive in the birds, the trees, the wind, the ocean, the stars, and everything else in creation. Nothing real dies, and only love is real. You are love. You are the universe. You are real.
November 12, 2007 at 3:06 am
“Soon, your body will die. But you won’t, because you are the universe. And you’re alive in the birds, the trees, the wind, the ocean, the stars, and everything else in creation. Nothing real dies, and only love is real. You are love. You are the universe. You are real.”
Those are my exact ideas about death, exactly. I think that is what organized Religion was originally trying to say, but it’s just so skewed from it’s original teaching. I’m extremely close friends with a Mormon, and I love him with all my heart, but he could never understand why I could believe in that, yet I didn’t want to be a part of any religion. He thought I just didn’t want to be labeled.
Now I know quite a few Baptists, one of them leads this Bible study, and I got into a really interesting philosophical conversation with him and he believes that the Bible is the truth, and to follow the bible is the only way. So basically if you’re not Baptist you’re going to hell. I don’t even believe in hell or heaven. He actually gave me a Bible as a present, and it’s a beautiful gift, because I know what it means to him. He thinks that he can guide me towards Christ.
June 25, 2008 at 10:57 pm
wow, this is my life right here, my exact same friends.. if you are the laura i think you are.. haha
The first time i ever heard of a sand mandala i thought it was ridiculous but i came to realize the message, the message really brings peace to ones self
What is the point of life if you are worried, especially about death since you cant stop it, i don’t necessarily look forward to death but i am ready at anytime to see what it is like. I am now wiling to accept it, but i do hope it is at least 70 years away! ☺