Meditations on death by Thomas Kempis

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Dear Friends,

The following thoughts of Thomas Kempis seem to be

very profound. Whatever our affiliations in this unreal world be, whether we

are protagonists of dualism or non-dualism or neo-nondualism, all of us are

going to die leaving nothing behind us, the individuals holding our memories

also becoming one with the dust, to quote from Marcus Aurelius. Hence,

existentially speaking, the understanding of death and psychologically being

prepared for that, seem to be more relevant instead of being sophists in our

articulations.

Writings of Thomas Kempis:

 

VERY soon your life here will end; consider, then, what may be in store

for you elsewhere. Today we live; tomorrow we die and are quickly forgotten.

Oh, the dullness and hardness of a heart which looks only to the present

instead of preparing for that which is to come!

Therefore, in every deed and every thought, act as though you were to die

this very day. If you had a good conscience you would not fear death very much.

It is better to avoid sin than to fear death. If you are not prepared today,

how will you be prepared tomorrow? Tomorrow is an uncertain day; how do you

know you will have a tomorrow?

What good is it to live a long life when we amend that life so little?

Indeed, a long life does not always benefit us, but on the contrary, frequently

adds to our guilt. Would that in this world we had lived well throughout one

single day. Many count up the years they have spent in religion but find their

lives made little holier. If it is so terrifying to die, it is nevertheless

possible that to live longer is more dangerous. Blessed is he who keeps the

moment of death ever before his eyes and prepares for it every day.

If you have ever seen a man die, remember that you, too, must go the same

way. In the morning consider that you may not live till evening, and when

evening comes do not dare to promise yourself the dawn. Be always ready,

therefore, and so live that death will never take you unprepared. Many die

suddenly and unexpectedly, for in the unexpected hour the Son of God will come.

When that last moment arrives you will begin to have a quite different opinion

of the life that is now entirely past and you will regret very much that you

were so careless and remiss.

How happy and prudent is he who tries now in life to be what he wants to

be found in death. Perfect contempt of the world, a lively desire to advance in

virtue, a love for discipline, the works of penance, readiness to obey,

self-denial, and the endurance of every hardship for the love of Christ, these

will give a man great expectations of a happy death.

You can do many good works when in good health; what can you do when you

are ill? Few are made better by sickness. Likewise they who undertake many

pilgrimages seldom become holy.

Do not put your trust in friends and relatives, and do not put off the

care of your soul till later, for men will forget you more quickly than you

think. It is better to provide now, in time, and send some good account ahead

of you than to rely on the help of others. If you do not care for your own

welfare now, who will care when you are gone?

The present is very precious; these are the days of salvation; now is the

acceptable time. How sad that you do not spend the time in which you might

purchase everlasting life in a better way. The time will come when you will

want just one day, just one hour in which to make amends, and do you know

whether you will obtain it?

See, then, dearly beloved, the great danger from which you can free

yourself and the great fear from which you can be saved, if only you will

always be wary and mindful of death. Try to live now in such a manner that at

the moment of death you may be glad rather than fearful. Learn to die to the

world now, that then you may begin to live with Christ. Learn to spurn all

things now, that then you may freely go to Him. Chastise your body in penance

now, that then you may have the confidence born of certainty.

Ah, foolish man, why do you plan to live long when you are not sure of

living even a day? How many have been deceived and suddenly snatched away! How

often have you heard of persons being killed by drownings, by fatal falls from

high places, of persons dying at meals, at play, in fires, by the sword, in

pestilence, or at the hands of robbers! Death is the end of everyone and the

life of man quickly passes away like a shadow.

Who will remember you when you are dead? Who will pray for you? Do now,

beloved, what you can, because you do not know when you will die, nor what your

fate will be after death. Gather for yourself the riches of immortality while

you have time. Think of nothing but your salvation. Care only for the things of

God. Make friends for yourself now by honoring the saints of God, by imitating

their actions, so that when you depart this life they may receive you into

everlasting dwellings.

Keep yourself as a stranger here on earth, a pilgrim whom its affairs do

not concern at all. Keep your heart free and raise it up to God, for you have

not here a lasting home. To Him direct your daily prayers, your sighs and

tears, that your soul may merit after death to pass in happiness to the Lord.

Yours ever in Bhaghavan Ramana

Sankarraman

 

 

 

 

 

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