Originally published June 26, 2020
In our culture, death is kept at a distance. It is something that is supposed to happen peacefully in hospitals attended by medical professionals. Bodies are to be dealt with respectfully by dignified mortuary employees, then locked away in steel vaults and buried deep or burned to ashes that can be released in a favorite place. Instead of solemn funerals where we acknowledge our grief, we are invited to gatherings called “Celebrations of Life” that are very social and often rather manic. But right now, it is hard to maintain that distance from death. We are confined to our homes in fear of a deadly virus and we are taking to the streets to protest the deadly racism that is embedded in our culture.
Lately, I have been reflecting about death, my own and others. There are many kinds of death – the death of the body, of a way of life, of dreams and illusions. Sometimes people will even say in great distress, ”My phone’s died!” I don’t like to think of death, but I don’t want to minimize or deny it either, saying “passed away” instead of “died”.
What happens after any kind of death is a mystery. Who know what comes next? If a dream dies, another can be born. If an illusion is crushed, truth can emerge. If a way of life dies, another one can be created, perhaps one that is more just and joyful. When I die, I may just find the mystery.
Swami Radha said that when we give birth, we are giving death. In yoga, death is treated as a gift that is given with life. The gift of death may be that it gives life definition. The possibility of accomplishing whatever I hope to be or do will end with my death. I know that when I have a definite timeline, it enhances my creativity and my productivity. Sometimes, I create a deadline in order to keep myself moving. Life comes with a guaranteed ending, but I don’t know when it is, so it is easy to forget it is there. Dare I forget if it costs me my creativity, productivity, even purpose?
When I began working with yoga years ago, my favorite pose was Savasana. Savasana was the carrot that kept me coming back to class. I loved the release from the many burdens of life that it gave me. It wasn’t until later when I began to study yoga more deeply, I learned that Savasana meant “corpse pose,” a practice for death. I loved Savasana even more. In fact, practicing Savasana became much more meaningful as I learned to use that time not just to relax my body, but to free my mind, to let go of my worries and attachments, and for a time, just be.
PRACTICING SAVASANA
The practice of Savasana is both easy and profound. Given that relaxing can be difficult in stressful times, you might want to do some stretches or asanas first. If you have a regular hatha yoga routine, you can do that. When you are ready to enter Savasana:
- Just find a restful position, lying down on your back on your mat. Then, relax. (If injuries or tension make lying on your back difficult, place a bolster, pillow or rolled up blanket under your knees. Alternatively, use another position, such as lying on your side.)
- Focus on your breath. Bring your breath to an even inhale and exhale.
- Imagine yourself lying in a place surrounded by brilliant white light. As you inhale, breathe in the light. As you exhale, see the light filling your entire body. The light is healing, relaxing, inspiring.
- Now begin to relax your body systematically. Take your mind through every part of your body. Everywhere you notice, tell your body to relax, to let go of that tension.
- When your body is completely relaxed, your mind can relax. Let your thoughts drift off, focus on your breath, and enjoy the respite.
- When you are ready, you can write about your experience if you like, or just enjoy the feeling.
REFLECTIONS
Lately, I have been using this practice often and reflecting on the many kinds of death:
- What dreams need to die? What new dream is waiting to be born?
- What illusion has been crushed? What truth is emerging?
- What way of life is ending? What new way can be created?
- What do I need to let go of to make room for something new?
- How can I embrace the fact of my death and value the finite moments of my life?
The questions are endless. Savasana can be a helpful way to address them. Recording your reflections can give you a way to see your progress. Enjoy the journey.