Uncertain is my life
Certain is my death
Inevitable is death for me
my life has death as its end
my life is indeed unsure
my death is sure
Not long alas this body
on the earth will lie
rejected, void of consiousness
useless like a rotten log
All beings have died
are dying
will die
In the same way I too will die
not for me
of this there doubt
All formations are transient
when one with wisdom sees
then one is disenchanted with ill
this is the path to purity
All formations are suffering
when one with wisdom sees
then one is disenchanted with ill
this is the path to purity
All phenomena are non-self
when one with wisdom sees
then one is disenchanted with ill
this is the path to purity
ref: The Four Guardian Meditations by Venerable Sujiva
Thinking of death is nothing pessismistic. The topic of death should not be a taboo. What is more certain than death?
We often behave as if we would live forever, and we grasp on
to the present, wanting things to remain the same forever. Since
ancient time, people had wanted to
live for eternality. I'm sure all of you are familar with the
stories of kings like Qin Shi Wang, seeking to live forever.
Now, modern science has come up with plastic surgery, cosmetics, beauty care products, hair dye, etc., to make us look younger. Scientist are now experimenting on how to prolong our life span.
However, the truth is, whatever arise must cease. When there is birth, there must be death, when there is death, there must again be birth.
The only way out of the cycle of rebirth is to walk the path shown by the Buddha, the middle path. Rather than spending our efforts on how to look young or prolong our life, we should channel our energy to the practice instead.
Recollections of death is useful in that it helps us to treasure our time more without making us more attached to the present. Because my life is unsure, I should spend my time wisely. On the other hand, we do not get too attached to our body as we understand that it is subject to decay and death. This also helps us to let go of other things as all formations are transient.
Do not always think that only old people die. Do not always think that we still have many years to go. Death occurs in all ages.
Just contemplate, what if I were to die the next day.
To learn about dying is to learn about living.