DEATH
An Inside Story
Contents
PART I: Life and Death in One Breath Death
- Death: The Most
- Fundamental Question
- Mortal Nature
- Exploring Death
- Is Death a Calamity
- Stop Inviting Death
- What Makes Us Tick
- A Bubble of Life and Death
- Understanding Life and Death
- Pancha Pranas: The Five Vital Energies
- The Sequence of Death
- Chakras: The Gateways of Exit
- Types of Deaths
- Predictions of Death
- Negative Energies
- Suicide: A Perspective
- Succour for the Suicidal
- The Consequences of Suicide
- Cheating Death
- The Dance of Death
- Transmigration
- Seeking Immortality
- Seeking the Next Dimensions
- Samadhi and Death
- Enlightenment and Death
- Mukti and Mahasamadhi
- A Few Mahasamadhis
PART II: The Gracefulness of Death Become Me
- Does Death Need
- Preparation
- Sleep, Ojas and Death
- Why Do People Fear Death
- How to Deal with the Fear of Death
- How to Live One’s Old Age
- The Wisdom of Vanaprastha Ashrama
- The Practice of Sallekhana
- The Significance of Dying in Kashi
- The Importance of the Last Moments of Life
- Helping Suffering People Die
- About Dying at Home
- Rituals from Death to the Disposal of the Body
- Is It All Right to Donate Organs
- Dematerializing the Body
- Why Are After-death Rituals Needed
- Runanubandha—The Web of Debt
- Kalabhairava Karma—An After-death Ritual at Isha
- The Scope of Kalabhairava Karma
- Training People for Death Rituals
- The Death of Infants
- The Parent–Offspring Connection in the Afterlife
- The Importance of Death Anniversaries
- Ancestor Worship
- Of Heaven and Hell
- The Essential Nature of Grief
- Going beyond Grief
- Articles of the Dead
- Empathetic Death
- Large-scale Death and Its Consequences
- Mourning Period
- Memorials, Samadhis and Pyramids
DEATH
A yogi, mystic and visionary, Sadhguru is a spiritual master along with a difference Absolute clarity of perception places him in a unique space, Not only in spiritual matters but also in business, environment and International affairs, and opens new doors on everything he touches. Sadhguru is ranked among the fifty most influential people in India Known as a speaker and opinion maker of international repute. He has Awarded India’s highest annual civilian award, the Padma Vibhushan Award, given for exceptional and distinguished service. Sadhguru has started large-scale environmental initiatives like Rally Far Rivers and the Cauvery Call, to revive India’s severely depleted rivers. These schemes have found extraordinary support among the people of Indian and leadership. They are internationally recognized and recognised Game changes that could set the blueprint for the global economy Environmentally sustainable development. Sadhguru is the primary speaker at the United Nations General Assembly Assembly and several other UN forums. They have also come regularly Invited to speak at organizations such as the World Economic Forum, World Bank, House of Lords, University of Oxford, MIT, Google and Microsoft, to name a few. At all levels, with a celebratory engagement with life in the regions of Sadhguru Active involvement covers diverse fields such as architecture and Visual design, poetry and painting, aviation and driving, sports and Music. He is the designer of several unique buildings and is a saint Spaces at Isha Yoga Center have attracted wide attention His combination of intense holy energy and remarkable innovation Aesthetics.
Three decades ago, Sadhguru established the Isha Foundation. A for-profit human-service organization, with human well-being at its core
Commitment. Isha is supported by more than nine million volunteers 300 centers worldwide.
PART I - Life and Death in One Breath
- What Is Death
Death: The Most Fundamental Question
“Hey there! You know, it’s pretty wild to think about, but one thing we can all count on in life is that one day, we’ll kick the bucket. Yeah, it’s a heavy topic, but it’s something we’ve all gotta face sooner or later. Think about it: every single day, thousands of people around the world shuffle off this mortal coil. It’s like a constant reminder that none of us are here forever.
Remember that story from the Mahabharata about the Pandava princes? They were parched and starving, and even though they stumbled upon a lake, they couldn’t just quench their thirst. There was this celestial being who stopped them, asking deep questions about life. It’s kind of like that moment when we’re faced with the reality of our own mortality, you know?
But here’s the thing: death isn’t just this distant event that happens in the future. It’s happening all the time, right here, right now, at a cellular level within us. It’s a part of life, woven into every breath we take. Crazy, right? And yet, as humans, we often push it to the back of our minds, living like we’ve got all the time in the world.
Maybe it’s because we’ve lost sight of our place in the grand scheme of things. We’re just tiny specks in this vast universe, and sometimes it’s easy to forget that. Plus, all those stories and beliefs about what happens after we die can cloud our curiosity about the true nature of life and death. But hey, maybe it’s time we start asking some real questions and embracing the mystery together, don’t you think?”
Mortal Nature
Let’s talk about something that’s on everyone’s mind but often swept under the rug: spirituality and our understanding of God. It’s a topic that’s both fascinating and complex, and it’s worth exploring in a down-to-earth way.
You see, many people believe that simply thinking about God or praying regularly will automatically make them more spiritual. But the truth is, spirituality isn’t just about religious rituals or beliefs. It’s about how we live our lives and treat others.
Think about it like this: if you’re constantly relying on prayers or beliefs in God to solve your problems or get you through tough times, you might end up neglecting your responsibilities or not putting in the effort needed to succeed. It’s like expecting to ace an exam without studying just because you said a prayer. It’s wishful thinking, and it can lead to some pretty irresponsible behavior.
In fact, history has shown us that some of the most violent acts have been committed by people who believed they were acting in the name of God. Believing that God is on your side can give you a false sense of confidence, making you more likely to act recklessly or even harm others.
Let me share a little story to illustrate this point. There were these two energetic young boys who were always getting into trouble in their neighborhood. Their parents, at a loss for what to do, decided to seek the help of the local parish priest to set them straight. They took each boy separately to meet with the priest.
Now, the priest thought he had the perfect solution to reform these mischievous boys: remind them that God is within them. But things didn’t quite go as planned. When he asked the first boy, “Where is God?” the boy looked around the room, confused, thinking God must be hiding somewhere nearby. Even when the priest pointed to the boy’s chest, the message didn’t quite sink in. Instead, the boy bolted out of the room, fearing he had somehow lost God and was in serious trouble.
The point of the story? Simply thinking about God or believing in a higher power isn’t enough to become truly spiritual. True spirituality comes from a deeper understanding of ourselves and our place in the world.
And one of the key aspects of this understanding is recognizing our own mortality. It’s only when we come face to face with the reality of death that we truly start to question the meaning of life and our own existence.
As we grow older, we start to realize that we’re not invincible, that our time on this earth is limited. And it’s this awareness of our own mortality that can drive us to live more purposefully and fully.
You see, when we truly grasp the fragility of life, we start to appreciate every moment, every breath. We become more mindful, more present. We stop taking things for granted and start living with intention.
That’s why in many spiritual traditions, there’s a strong emphasis on confronting death. Whether it’s spending time in cremation grounds or contemplating the impermanence of life, these practices are meant to remind us of our own mortality and inspire us to live more consciously.
So next time you find yourself caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life, take a moment to pause and reflect on your own mortality. Embrace the uncertainty of life, and let it inspire you to live with purpose and meaning. After all, it’s only when we confront our own mortality that we can truly appreciate the gift of life.
Exploring Death
When I was still in school, an incident happened that made me really think about life and death. I was only thirteen years old at the time, a slightly unusual child who was not usually teased, because I had a reputation that stood up for me. But this girl named Sucharita kept calling me “Jaggi the Great” for some reason. It got on my nerves, but I tried to brush it off.
Then one day after school break Sucharita was not seen. During attendance we kept calling her name, half expecting her to answer with our silly impersonations. But then his brother, who was a couple of years younger than us, shared the devastating news – Sucharita died of pneumonia during the break. It hit me hard not because someone died, but because someone my age, who was just there one day and gone the next.
Suddenly, death wasn’t just something that happened to old people; It was right in front of me and it made me question everything. I want to know where people go when they die, what happens afterwards. I had asked those questions before, but now they felt urgent.
So, I came up with a plan. I found some sleeping pills in my father’s medicine cabinet and decided to take them all, hoping to see what awaits after death. I also gave away my belongings, convinced that I didn’t need them anymore. My friends thought I was joking until the day I actually went through with it.
That night, I swallowed all the pills and wandered off hoping to find answers in the afterlife. But when I woke up, I was still here, lying in a hospital bed with tubes sticking out of me. It was a wake-up call in more ways than one.
Years later, a profound experience completely changed my perspective. Sitting alone on a rock one afternoon, I felt a deep connection with everything around me, a sense of oneness that defies explanation. It was overwhelming, beautiful, and made me realize that maybe death isn’t the end. Perhaps, in a way, we all survive.
Since then, I have embraced life with a new understanding. Death is not the final chapter; It is a transformation into something beyond our comprehension. And that’s okay. Life, after all, is meant to be lived – fully, deeply and with an open heart.
Stop Inviting Death
Avoiding life to avoid death is like trying to put out a fire with petrol. When life begins to feel heavy or uncomfortable, many people consciously or unconsciously begin to avoid it. But here’s the kicker – escaping life inevitably invites death to the party. Whether you know it or not, it’s like sending an open invitation. And guess what? Your body happily RSVPs, playing with your subconscious desire for an early checkout. Think about it: Why do we try to sidestep life’s challenges? Because we believe it is safe. But let me drop a truth bomb on you: The real safest place is six feet below. Yes, the grave – nothing happens there. No dangers, no worries, just eternal rest. But here’s the kicker: Life isn’t safe. No matter how many security blankets are put on, there is no hope for tomorrow. This is a harsh reality, but no plan or precaution can change it.
When you decide on security, you’re basically waving a flag in death, saying, “Hey, come on!” But guess what? Death does not need your help. It is like a well-oiled machine, efficient and relentless. Life, on the other hand, could use a hand. It’s like a needy friend always asking for attention and effort. Why waste your energy helping death when life really needs your support?
I’ve seen it all – people begging for blessings to save them from life’s curveballs. But here’s the thing: life is not to be missed; It is meant to be accepted. Sure, it can be messy and unpredictable, but it’s also beautiful. And if you’re tempted to throw in the towel, think again. Life is a gift, and every moment is an opportunity to make the most of it. So stop playing safe and start living. Embrace the unknown, welcome the unexpected and let life unfold as it does. Because no matter what happens, you’re still ahead of the game. Life is not a race or a game of chance – it is a journey, and every twist and turn is part of the adventure.
Take it from me: I’ve seen people run after wealth and security only to sink into despair. Don’t fall into that trap. Let life happen to you in all its messy, unpredictable glory. The reason for stagnation? It’s just slow motion death. So increase the volume of life. Embrace chaos, chase your dreams and never stop moving forward. After all, you’re here to avoid life – you’re here to live it. And trust me, this is the biggest adventure of all.