New Moon Intention

The Buddhist tradition is rich with teachings on death and impermanence.

The Tibetan Book of the Dead is an excellent example of a text that thoroughly explores the nature of this inevitable transition.

While some may cringe at what feels like a morbid contemplation, that response is the teaching, in part, doing what it's designed to do.

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Rubbing up against our mortality through contemplation will almost always churn the mind and heart into some reaction.

If the pendulum of our emotional and psychological equilibrium gets stirred, in one sense, this gives us something to observe.

It's a natural contrast agent that causes what's under the surface to pop into our line of sight.

The reaction isn't considered a problem; it's one of the things that help us see and sense what is beyond the mind.

When we strengthen our capacity to experience this part of our consciousness, the field beyond our reactions, we start to free ourselves from the impact of the pendulum-like nature of the mind.

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Contemplation on death is a tool.

It is a direct path to a deep appreciation for life.

And yet we can get at building our appreciation for life in many ways. Contemplating impermanence is just one way. It's a sure-footed way, but it's just one way.

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On this new moon, consider setting the intention of filling your reservoir of appreciation for this life.

How might you do that?
What calls you?
What is your way?

It could be spending a few minutes a day genuinely relishing a few breaths.

Maybe it's focusing on mundane things and seeing them as sacred.

Maybe it's looking directly into the light of the reality that everyone one of us will transition out of this body someday while staying awake to the gift that we are here now.

There are infinite ways.
Choose one.

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Here is to fanning the flames of appreciation for life and all the ways we might cultivate an attitude that celebrates this gift at every turn.

What's your way today?

With love,
Kevin