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38 EASTERN HORIZON | TEACHINGS

Yancy: What is at the root of this fear? to endure this with acceptance? Then, there is no use
for worrying. If, on the other hand, the answer is yes,
Namgyal: Unwillingness and unpreparedness to accept then you may seek those methods and implement them.
death as an inseparable and inevitable part of life lies at Again, there is no need for worry.
the root of this fear of death. That is, we fail to see and Obviously, some ways to calm and quiet the mind at the
accept reality as it is, i.e. life in death and death in life. outset will come in handy. Based on that stability or
In addition, the habits of self-obsession, the attitude of calmness, above all, deepen the insight into the ways
self-importance, and the insistence on a distinct self- things are connected and mutually affect one another,
identity separate us from the whole of which we are an both in negative as well positive senses, and integrate
inalienable part. Those previous unhealthy and unfair them accordingly into one’s life. Briefly, we should
misreadings of life feed into the unpreparedness and recognize the destructive elements within us in the
unwillingness to just let ourselves be, to let ourselves form of afflictive emotions and distorted perspectives
blend into the rest, and to let go of the grasping at a self- and understand them thoroughly in terms of how and
enclosed identity. when they arise and what measures would counteract
them. Similarly, we should understand the constructive
Yancy: Then how do we face death with a peaceful elements or their potentials within us and strive to
mind? learn ways to tap them and enhance them.

Namgyal: We can reflect on and contemplate the Yancy: What do you think that we lose when we fail to
inevitability of death, thereby learning to accept it as an look at death for what it is? My sense is that for you, we
inalienable part of the gift of life. If we train to celebrate lose a certain wholeness, yes? Please explain.
life for its ephemeral beauty of coming and going,
appearance and disappearance, we can come to terms Namgyal: When we fail to look at death for what it
with and make peace with it. We will then appreciate its is, an inseparable part of life, and prepare, live, and
message of being in a constant process of renewal and experience our lives with that partial perspective of
regeneration without holding back, like everything and assured continuity, then that delusion can permeate
with everything, including the mountains, stars, and our thoughts, emotions, and, through them, our speech
even the universe itself undergoing continual change and actions. In that case, our thoughts and actions
and renewal. This points to the possibility of being at would be disconnected from actual reality and, thus,
ease with and accepting the fact of constant change, our thoughts and actions would be full of conflicting
while at the same time making the most sensible and elements, creating unnecessary friction in their wake.
selfless use of the present moment. In other words, it In other words, if we fail to look at death for what it
is possible to take in stride everything one encounters, is in relation to life, we could mess up this wondrous
including facing death, from the place of acceptance gift or else settle for very shortsighted goals and trivial
without complaint while living the best possible way in purposes that would have ultimately meant nothing
the present. when we ourselves finally get to evaluate it, at which
time, it would be too late. Having lived life as though one
Yancy: That is such a very beautiful description of the is not going to die, one would meet death as though one
peaceful mind, but do we achieve a peaceful mind? has never lived in the first place, with no clue as to what
it is and how to deal with it.
Namgyal: Try first to gain an unmistaken recognition
of what disturbs your mental stability and how those Yancy: You spoke earlier of the “gift of life.” Why is life a
elements of disturbance operate and see what fuels gift? Is death also a kind of gift? Please elaborate.
them. Then, wonder if there may be something that can
be done to address them. If, in your mind, the answer Namgyal: I spoke of life as a gift because this is
to this is no, then what other option do you have than what almost all of us agree on without any second