FRANK OSTASESKI: How to live fully when it feels like so much is dying
Jun 18, 2024
auto_awesome
Frank Ostaseski, a renowned Buddhist leader and end-of-life teacher, shares profound insights from his vast experience with grief and loss. He discusses the importance of acceptance and compassion in navigating personal tragedies while engaging with global suffering. Frank emphasizes living fully through gratitude and the necessity of presence in relationships, especially during challenging times. He encourages embracing uncertainty and impermanence to deepen connections and appreciate life. His heartfelt approach serves as a guide to finding peace amid chaos.
Embracing the mystery of life and death fosters curiosity, inspiring individuals to seek what truly matters without fear of mortality.
The urgency to pursue meaningful lives emphasizes that waiting for the perfect moment often leads to regret and missed opportunities.
Welcoming all experiences with an open heart cultivates compassion and understanding, highlighting the interconnectedness of suffering among all beings.
Deep dives
Embracing the Mystery of Death
The discussion highlights the inherent mystery surrounding death and life, suggesting that this mystery is a crucial aspect of human existence. Engaging with the unknown fosters curiosity and enhances the quality of life, prompting individuals to seek what truly matters. This acceptance of uncertainty can inspire a deeper connection to one's own life, encouraging individuals to live fully without the constraints of fear regarding their mortality. Embracing this mystery allows for a sense of aliveness and encourages a mindset focused on discovery rather than avoidance.
The Importance of Living Fully
The conversation reiterates that individuals should not postpone living their lives meaningfully. The notion of 'not waiting' stresses the importance of expressing love and pursuing one's passions without hesitation. Given the unpredictability of life, waiting for a 'perfect time' often leads to missed opportunities and regrets. This message underscores that every moment is precious, and living boldly today will allow individuals to handle future challenges with grace.
The Power of Acceptance
Welcoming everything and pushing away nothing is articulated as a profound approach to life. Acceptance does not imply approval or resignation, but rather an open-hearted approach that allows individuals to embrace the full spectrum of experiences. This perspective helps foster compassion and understanding, drawing attention to the interconnectedness of suffering among all beings. By recognizing and accepting all aspects of reality, individuals can cultivate a supportive, loving approach to both themselves and others.
Finding Rest Amid Chaos
The idea of finding a place of rest in the middle of life's chaos is emphasized as crucial for maintaining peace. This rest is not about escaping from responsibilities or challenges but finding moments of tranquility and focus in daily life. Engaging fully in the present, whether through connections with others or immersive activities, can bring a sense of ease, even amid turmoil. This approach allows individuals to support themselves and others in navigating struggles without adding to the overall chaos of existence.
Cultivating a State of Not Knowing
Cultivating a 'don't know' mind encourages openness and curiosity as essential tools for living. This mindset fosters a sense of receptivity that allows for exploration and discovery without the constraints of fixed expectations. Acknowledging the limitations of knowledge can open pathways to deeper understanding and connection with the world. Ultimately, this invitation emphasizes that being comfortable with uncertainty leads to greater flexibility and creativity in approaching life's challenges.
Frank Ostaseski (Buddhist; end-of-life teacher; elder) helps people die best. He has accompanied over 1,000 people through the dying process and trained thousands of healthcare clinicians and family caregivers around the world. He was also a lecturer at Harvard Medical School and has taught at Google and Apple Inc., has been honoured by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and appeared on Oprah and Sam Harris’ Making Sense podcast. I asked Frank to join me to talk through his book, The Five Invitations: Discovering What Death Can Teach Us About Living Fully.
Death, grief and loss are always with us, but I feel we are needing moral and spiritual guidance more than ever (every 6-12 months or so I try to cover this issue on Wild, generally aligning with a dialling up in world events). In this chat Frank and I talk through simple techniques for coping with the loss we’re feeling watching the carnage in Gaza, witnessing climate destruction and polarisation.