Beyond
meditation practice,
there is attitude. A beginner
must learn to cultivate what is called,
“the poise of a dying man”. What is this poise?
It is the poise of knowing what is important and what
is not, and of being accepting and forgiving. Anyone who has
ever been at the bedside of a dying man will understand
this poise. What would the dying man do if someone
were to insult him? Nothing. What would
the dying man do if someone
were to strike him?
Nothing.
As
he lay there,
would he scheme to
become famous or wealthy?
No. If someone who had once offended
him were to ask him for his forgiveness would he
not give it? Of course he would. A dying man knows
the pointlessness of enmity. Hatred is always
such a wretched feeling. Who wishes to
die feeling hatred in his heart?
No one. The dying
seek love and
peace.