As we age, the suffering of old age, sickness and death becomes more of a reality, but as the Buddha has reminded us, it is never very far away:
I am of the nature to grow old. I cannot escape old age.
I am of the nature to grow ill. I cannot escape sickness.
I am of the nature to die. I cannot escape death.
Tonen O’Connor, MZC Resident Priest Emerita, will share with us how she has been preparing for the inevitable, in order to make things easier for whoever is left behind.
The first meeting will be about acknowledging that we will die, facing up to encroaching age and why this is how things are. “I believe, for instance, that if LIFE in the eternal sense is to continue it requires constant change - things both coming and going - so my death is essential to LIFE.” (Tonen)
The discussion will include talking about what we think happens at death —an after life or not, a transition? What we believe is not as important as that we believe it. We also need to talk about not leaving things undone or unsaid.
The second session will be about having a say in the manner of our death (medical power of attorney etc.), compassion for those who survive us and how to avoid leaving a mess behind. Details of what to do, information to leave etc. (This is Tonen’s strength!)
A workbook called My Way, created by the Milwaukee County Department of Health & Human Services, and intended to help us address what we want and how to make the journey on our own terms, will be supplied to those who register.
A great book on this theme is Advice for Future Corpses. A Practical Perspective on Death and Dying, by Sally Tisdale