The intertwined aspects of existence with Dhara Kowal
In this talk Sensei Dhara Kowal challenges the conventional view of life and death as distinct events.
Instead, she emphasizes the continuous process that defines existence.
Denying the reality of death is, in essence, denying the essence of life itself.
Dhara highlights the paradoxical nature of avoiding thoughts of mortality, which ultimately leads to a denial of the richness of life in the present moment.
Zen practice, according to Dhara, offers a means to confront this reality and embrace the impermanence of existence.
By cultivating an awareness of our mortality, practitioners develop a deeper connection to the ever-changing nature of life.
Each moment becomes a new beginning and ending, teaching individuals to let go of attachments to the past, future, and even the present.
The poem shared by Dhara further reinforces this message, illustrating the simplicity and inevitability of life and death.
Through Dhara’s words and the poignant verses of the poem, listeners are encouraged to embrace each moment fully, without clinging to attachments or illusions.
The teachings of Dhara remind us that life and death are intertwined aspects of existence, and true liberation comes from accepting this reality with grace and equanimity.
