| The length of one's life is uncertain. Death is certain. The Buddha recommended that both lay and monastic followers perform the following recollections on a daily basis: 1. I am sure to become old; I cannot avoid ageing. 2. I am sure to become ill; I cannot avoid illness. 3. I am sure to die; I cannot avoid death. 4. I must be separated and parted from all that is dear and beloved to me. 5. I am the owner of my actions, heir of my actions. Whatever actions I do, good or bad, of these I shall become the heir. The first four recollections require no faith and can be perceived in the here and now. I find that regularly contemplating the above recollections are helpful in reminding me of my own mortality. They also prompt me to question my direction in life and what I'm working on. It's often easier to make frequent but smaller course corrections than really big changes. With all that said, I still find myself falling into the illusion that I can control what happens in my life and that I'm building something permanent. We can certainly influence aspects of our lives, but at the end of the day it's all impermanent, beyond our absolute control, and will pass away. |