Description
In this contemplation, we focus on the death that occurs moment by moment. Consider that, while we have the illusion of the past, and we have some thought of the future, we’re really only arriving right now. The traditional metaphor is like a moving chariot wheel: it only touches the ground in one small, ever-changing spot. In truth, now is the only moment we’re alive. The past is the illusion of memory, the future is imaginary. The instructions are to consider this moment where we’re actually alive. If there is an experience of pain, being alive in this very moment of pain. Likewise, if there’s pleasure, being alive in this very moment of pleasure. If there are thoughts, being in this moment, alive with thoughts. Like a mindfulness practice, noticing if you get lost in something and come back to this moment.
How to use
As with all of the eight contemplations, I encourage you to start with either a series – in this case, the third series – or with a short or long recorded version of this contemplation. Once you’re familiar with it, you can do it on your own and use the brief version in your daily life. This contemplation especially is meditative in nature. I find it helpful personally to spend a little time with the other third series contemplations concluding with this one.
Brief version
As you go about your life, be aware that all your memories of the past are illusory – that they’re just thoughts and ideas about what happened. Be aware likewise that plans for the future are likewise illusory. Try to contemplate and experience this moment as the only moment where anything really is.
This can be especially helpful in periods of extreme mental absorption – for instance, working on an important project or trying to organize an event.
Indications, side effects, and results
The other death contemplations primarily deal with death in the sense of the limits of a single existence – the end of life. This contemplation looks with a more granular eye at what life and death mean moment-by-moment. In reality, every new moment brings change. None of us are the same as we were the moment before. The only thing that makes it seem otherwise is the illusion of permanence. You can see the build-up of change easily just by looking, though. Consider yourself at 15 years old. Are you the same in body or mind as you were then? Your body and mind have changed, haven’t they? You are constantly being born and dying, moment by moment, a new situation arising faster than you can describe it with thought. You’re not the same as you were a moment ago. None of us remain the same. Everything in the universe is like this. Even more, this moment – now – is the only moment anything actually happens. The future and past are sterile: the past is dead; the future is not-yet-born. If there is anything eternal, the logic goes, it’s right now.
Regarding climate change, this contemplation likewise helps one see this moment clearly. Any change – whether positive or negative – will happen now. If you can be in this moment, you will not suffer from burnout or hopelessness.This brief moment is very important. This can get philosophical, but the point here is to experience this directly. If you struggle with this as a direct experience, try doing the whole series as I describe under “how to use.” (Series recordings are the first set below.) If done properly, this contemplation can lead to profound experiences of vipassana, of seeing the nature of experiential phenomena clearly. Spending a lot of time correctly doing this contemplation leads to an intuitive understanding of mindfulness (sati) beyond ideas and theory.