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Retreat Dharma Talks

Befriending Mortality: Living An Awakened Life Through Mindfulness of Death (Maraṇasati)

Death is not exactly a typical dinner table topic in modern, dominant Western culture. We all “know” that we die, yet we tend to ignore it and put our collective heads in the sand. Rather than running away from our inevitable mortality, we can harness the power of this reflection to stay aligned with our deepest values and to live and love more fully. Through mindfulness of death (maraṇasati), we become more present for this miraculous, passing show called life with gladness and gratitude.

Fully embracing our life’s impermanence can give rise to a deep letting go and freedom, so that we can be fearlessly and peacefully prepared for our death as a potentially liberative moment. Considering the myriad spiritual benefits of maraṇasati, let us come together to explore this supreme practice, one on which the Buddha invited us to reflect daily for the sake of ourselves and others.

This silent retreat includes one daily session of interactive practice which is particularly essential for deepening and supporting our engagement with maraṇasati practice.

This retreat is silent except for teacher-led Q&A, small groups, or other practice meetings.

Frank Osteseski will join this retreat as a special guest.

2024-10-27 (7 days) Spirit Rock Meditation Center

  
2024-10-28 Sitting with Instructions (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 64:13
John Martin
2024-10-28 Did you ever forget that you were alive and suddenly you remembered? (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 57:44
Nikki Mirghafori
Mindfulness of Death practice supports us facing fear of death, living with intention and aligned with our values, avoiding common regrets at the end of life.
2024-10-29 Morning Instructions: If this were my last breath, what would I want the state of my mind-heart to be? (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 56:30
Nikki Mirghafori
2024-10-29 Don't Wait (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 1:19:49
Frank Ostaseski
Death is not waiting for us at the end of a long road. Death is always with us, in the marrow of every passing moment. She is the secret teacher hiding in plain sight. She helps us to discover what matters most. We don’t have to wait until the end of our lives to realize the wisdom that death has to offer.
2024-10-30 Letting Go to Befriend Death (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 57:11
John Martin
2024-10-31 Maranasati Practice Instructions, Arising & Passing (Day 3) (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 55:04
John Martin
2024-11-01 Morning Instructions: Releasing into peace and intention setting through deathbed visualization. (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 56:01
Nikki Mirghafori
2024-11-01 Three Dharmettes: The 5 Daily Reflections, Supports for Maranasati, and Forgiveness (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 54:17
John Martin, Kodo Conlin, Nikki Mirghafori
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