Chapter 1: The Transience of Life

Cherish your loved ones and express your feelings openly. Life is fleeting, and none of us can escape its inevitable conclusion.

One moment, you’re a curious 4-year-old enchanted by cats.

Then, you transform into a 10-year-old captivated by LEGO and Star Wars.

Next, you find yourself as a 16-year-old, overwhelmed with hormones and teenage angst.

Later, at 21, you’re reveling in carefree nights with friends, indulging in jungle juice at a gathering.

At 27, life throws challenges your way, leading to a divorce.

By the time you’re 34, you might find yourself in a hospital, relieved to recover and savor food again.

Then, at 38, you’re joyfully taking your kids trick-or-treating—one dressed as Spider-Man and the other as a character from a show you can’t quite recall. They laugh, and you sneak a few treats for yourself.

Fast forward to 54, and you’re excited to learn you’ll become a grandparent.

At 65, you and your partner enjoy a nostalgic cruise, celebrating over three decades together.

Finally, at 81, you return to an empty house, overwhelmed with grief after losing a lifelong companion, hesitating to face the silence of your home.

One day—any day during these stages of life—you may become a lifeless shell, buried deep in the cold earth, surrounded by the remains of those who came before. Your heart will stop beating, your eyes will close forever, and your thoughts will fade into silence.

You will pass away.

I will pass away.

Your parents will pass away.

Your friends will pass away.

Eventually, your children will face the same fate, hopefully long after you.

Hold your loved ones close each day.

Express your affection frequently and passionately about the little things you adore in them, because time is not guaranteed.

Love fiercely.

Embrace mortality and banish your fears.

Follow for daily reflections on life and philosophy.

These insights are taken from my forthcoming book, “YouDaimonia: the Ancient Philosophy of Human Flourishing.”

Chapter 2: Guided Reflections on Death

This first video titled "Guided Death Meditation to Live More (Maranasati)" invites viewers to reflect on death as a means to enhance the appreciation of life. It guides participants through a meditative process aimed at cultivating mindfulness and acceptance.

The second video, "Meditating on Death | On-The-Go Meditation Guided by Brother Phap Huu," provides a practical approach to integrating death meditation into daily life, encouraging mindfulness and a deeper understanding of life’s impermanence.