You’re standing at the doorway of existence

When present for death, one minute the person is there and then the next, they aren’t. The moments in between feel very sacred, so subtle, so liminal. It feels like you’re standing in the middle, the balance of something. You’re standing at the doorway of existence. One minute there’s a life, and the next there isn’t. It’s so profound and so special yet not (Fireworks). You have to be present, with this family, this body to experience this. Open your heart to this. - Aula Arthur, Founder of Going with Grace (Death Doula Training).

The Japanese character for “teacher” means “to be born before”. Teachers are those we have learned from. But I’ve learned more from those who have died before me. Much more than from those who were born before me. I’ve cared for many people who were terminally ill. And those that accepted their fate - many of them, embraced a strong sense of spirituality. - Masahiro Tanaki, An Honest Death.

Those that accepted their fate: what does this look like if we are living without a terminal diagnosis? And I don’t mean the quintessential living my best life, authentic life, sounds good on paper life. I mean, what does this feel like, how am I treating the world, what is my inner world like, what is the quality of my all-pervading consciousness? Is there peace, connection, source, ease, wonder and awe?