Exercise 23: The Five Remembrances

Background: It is amazing how much time and energy we give to running away.

Our business, our obsession with smart phones, with constantly filling the air with talking and music.  These seem to be an attempt to free ourselves from the realities of life.

The funny thing is that the realities of life are not so bad.  They just are.  There is not an alternative to them.  If we could actually deny them, it might almost be worth it.  But we never truly escape the things we know.  We just pretend we have escaped knowing them.

The Five Buddhist Remembrances are great reminders for people from any orientation.  The version used in today’s exercise comes via Thich Nhat Hanh.

 

Exercise

1.  Place your feet flat on the floor.  As best you can, relax.
2. Think the first remembrance, with your next inhale: I am of the nature to grow old.  There is no way to escape growing old.
3.  For the exhale, and the whole next breath, embrace this reality.
4. With your next inhale, think the second remembrance:   I am of the nature to have ill health. There is no way to escape ill health.
5. For the exhale and the whole next breath, embrace this reality.
6. With your next inhale, think the third remembrance: I am of the nature to die.  There is no way to escape death.
7. For the exhale and the whole next breath, recognize this true.
8. With your next inhale, embrace the fourth remembrance:  All that is dear to me and everyone I love are of the nature to change. There is no way to escape being separated from them.
9. Exhale, and breathe your next breathe.  And accept this reality.
10. With your next inhale, acknowledge this, the final Buddhist Remembrance:  My actions are my only true belongings. I cannot escape the consequences of my actions. My actions are the ground upon which I stand.
11. Release these words, and sit in the truth that you are facing.  Hopefully you feel freed by this.

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