'The real accomplishment was simply having gotten in the game.' I like that. It reminded me of that great line by Dylan: 'Her sin is her lifelessness.'
Oh wow. I love this. It takes the pressure off, to think maybe, just maybe, it’s enough to simply have been here. Thank you.
Reminds me of the Buddhist saying about the rarity of human life that compares it to a sea turtle surfacing in a vast ocean. The turtle comes up for air only once every hundred years, and there is a ring floating on the surface. The chance of the turtle's head poking through the ring symbolizes the extraordinary rarity of being born as a human and having the opportunity to encounter the Buddha's teachings. This metaphor emphasizes the preciousness of our human existence and the importance of using it wisely[1][2].
Your essay brings more questions to my mind than answers. (Always a good thing in my view).
While I understand the recognition of a lived life, and the dates people want to others to know, not much about that seems relevant to me. I’ve changed my name since I was born (I outgrew the first one). I’m not sure I care one way or the other about how many years I was here.(I’ll never be famous enough for someone to need these specifics). Will I even be buried in the dirt in a cemetery plot? (I’ve considered being placed in a coral reef to feed the sea critters or in a forest to feed the trees).
So what do I want in a headstone? Such an excellent question.
Do I even want one? Maybe. Perhaps for the others, those waiting after.
I think I would like it to say something about what was important to me.
Today I might settle on my name, and as the Dalai Lama once said “My religion is kindness.”
'The real accomplishment was simply having gotten in the game.' I like that. It reminded me of that great line by Dylan: 'Her sin is her lifelessness.'
"They all play on penny-whistles, you can hear them blow." Blow Martin, blow.
For those of us still doing the thing, thanks… what a beautiful perspective.
Nearly, it is as it happened. Just one of those things where the eternal becomes the right now and and your heart is too open to be closed off.
Thank you for capturing the opening, and being real, and present. It was beautiful. 🙏
Oh wow. I love this. It takes the pressure off, to think maybe, just maybe, it’s enough to simply have been here. Thank you.
Reminds me of the Buddhist saying about the rarity of human life that compares it to a sea turtle surfacing in a vast ocean. The turtle comes up for air only once every hundred years, and there is a ring floating on the surface. The chance of the turtle's head poking through the ring symbolizes the extraordinary rarity of being born as a human and having the opportunity to encounter the Buddha's teachings. This metaphor emphasizes the preciousness of our human existence and the importance of using it wisely[1][2].
Sources
[1] Memo From Rev. Shinseki: Hard is to be born - The Pajaronian https://pajaronian.com/hard-is-to-be-born/
[2] Buddhism With An Attitude https://www.shambhala.com/snowlion_articles/buddhism-with-an-attitude-2/
[3] There was a beautiful quote about death on "The Good Place" that I ... https://www.reddit.com/r/Buddhism/comments/exh7i1/there_was_a_beautiful_quote_about_death_on_the/
[4] How do you wish a Buddhist well? - Geographic FAQ Hub: Answers to Your Global Questions https://www.ncesc.com/geographic-faq/how-do-you-wish-a-buddhist-well/
[5] 52 inspiring Buddhist quotes and sayings on life - Nomadic Notes https://www.nomadicnotes.com/52-inspiring-buddhist-quotes-and-sayings-on-life/
Thank you Christiana. "The bad news is we are falling without a parachute. the good news is, there is ground."
My most recent post describes a trip to a cemetery that you might enjoy: https://johnmoyermedlpcncc.substack.com/p/episode-8-secrets-from-my-twilight?r=3p5dh
Thanks man, I'll check it out.
Your essay brings more questions to my mind than answers. (Always a good thing in my view).
While I understand the recognition of a lived life, and the dates people want to others to know, not much about that seems relevant to me. I’ve changed my name since I was born (I outgrew the first one). I’m not sure I care one way or the other about how many years I was here.(I’ll never be famous enough for someone to need these specifics). Will I even be buried in the dirt in a cemetery plot? (I’ve considered being placed in a coral reef to feed the sea critters or in a forest to feed the trees).
So what do I want in a headstone? Such an excellent question.
Do I even want one? Maybe. Perhaps for the others, those waiting after.
I think I would like it to say something about what was important to me.
Today I might settle on my name, and as the Dalai Lama once said “My religion is kindness.”
Well, Teyani, we don't have to get it right. We just have to get it.
Love this one the most
Wonderful.
We shake hands with life
We shake hands with God
We shake hands with the Devil
We follow Death eternal
Sorry working on a death poem which doesn't include anything I just wrote.
Great inspiration, thank you!
Thank you. Love that that is not part of the poem!