While we are on the subject of Death
arun on Jul 27 2007 at 6:02 am | Filed under: *favourites*, death & life, mindfulness | Click here to go HOME | or find out about SUBSCRIBING TO THE PIT |
I realise my continual focus on death might be perceived as morbid (after the last post and the one a while ago on “Before we Become Worm Food”… but i find that being appreciative and present to what I have is often heightened when I get in touch with contrast… and how dynamic and full of change life is.Its obvious I guess – but I can better see light in between shadows; more appreciate health after illness; better taste food after hunger; and of course am mindful of life when pondering death.Well that’s my story and Im sticking to it ;)I am reminded of Stephen Covey who encourages people to get in touch with what is really important by “beginning with the end in mind”. As he says in one interview:
- “Go deep inside yourself, and imagine your own funeral. Ask what is it you would like your loved ones, your friends, your business associates, and your community to say about you.”
Covey argues what you wish to be remembered for after your death in these different roles or parts of your life, will begin to unravel what principles that you wish to live by. As he reminds us “no one on their death bed wishes that they spent more time in the office”.Such thinking has often helped me get in touch with my “life compass” so to speak… helping to get over turbulent waves in friendships, relationships and of course parenting. It poses the question, “who do I really want to be and what is really important to me”…——-Getting more to specifics… the one thing that I am absolutely sure about my Funeral is that it will have to include a brief recorded message from the existentialist philosopher Patrick Hernandez.You have not heard of Hernandez and his teaching about lifes big questions!?!! Well he came to prominence in the late 70’s but like so many who are before their time… soon fell out of favour.Tell you what… you don’t have to wait for my funeral! Ive included his most insightful, his most inspirational contribution below. In it he shares his core ideas with a few dedicated followers and supporters.His message is so raw and hard hitting that you can get its essence after just 30 seconds, but do watch it a few times because it works on so many levels. In my humble opinion Hernandez was a true visionary and genius… his words have had tremendous influence over my approach to life and still ring true today. Enjoy…
hello good people at the parenting pit,
i recently found this site and am enjoying. thanks.
btw, my question has nothing to do with this post.
i live in japan with my family….husband (vietnamese born, but raised in AUS), myself (american) and our two wee ones. oor oldest tried almost a full year of preschool here and didn`t work. it`s just not right for him. that`s when i started to consider homeschooling and discovered unschooling. it seems to be a nice fit for us, but it`s been hard for me to let the philosophy permeate into other areas such discipline for example. i`ve read some of your articles, but not all so maybe you`ve addressed this somewhere and i haven`t found it yet. can you perhaps recommend books that discuss unschooling and general parenting? i know of the kream book, but are there any others?
thanks,
cyndi
hi arun,
we’re just wondering where we can get a set of pants like his?
hi Cyndi,
thanks for visiting and for your comments. I have not had any specific unschooling/ parenting books per se. Though parenting books that I have found useful have included Alfie Kohn’s Unconditional Parenting; Naomi Aldort’s book; Thomas Gordon’s Parent Effective Training…
there are others but i guess it depends what you are looking for specificially.
A great resource is the Always Unschooled egroup which along with other egroups is reviewed here.
There are a lot of wise people out there! Much more cluey than me anyway
And Jenn & Zach – the pants? I bought them as a kit with the tie & cane as well…. wearing them now actually
arun
I really enjoyed both of your death posts.:)
It’s a topic close to my heart. After facilitating in a grief support group for years and losing loved ones, it’s never far from my mind.
That’s a positive thing for me, because it helps me weigh what really matters in life. That goop on the floor just doesn’t really matter when you consider it in the light of death.
I have really enjoyed reading your posts on death. How wonderful it is to see anyone talking about death. It is never far from my mind lately. I feel like I wake up and think well today could be the last day I live. The sadness that this brings is so full of love for life it propells me forward. My heart aches for the passing of the moment. At times I want to just cry out “slow down life” and feel a keen sense of impending doom. I look at my children and wonder how I could ever leave them. After sitting with this feeling for some time I get to the place where I feel like I can step bravely forward - accepting my own death and embracing life. Then I really feel free.
Yet another connection Arun…Hernandez was one of my favourite philosophers of the 70’s also. He was much maligned for his bold statements (both verbal and fabric-related) and I appreciate your attempt to waken a new generation to his insights and rhythm.