Receiving the Heavenly Messengers

Your Guides Ayya Santussika is a Theravadan Buddhist nun, trained and experienced in pastoral care. She is co-founder and abbess of Karuna Buddhist Vihara in Mountain View. Dr. William Buchholz practiced oncology for 36 years and Vipassana for 40 years. A graduate of Spirit Rock’s 2-year Heavenly Messenger program, he lectures on End of Life care, preparing Advance Directives, and the California law regarding Physician Assisted Death. Our shrine

Why are we here? Why is this important? Why is it so hard to talk about? What if there was a pathway to making it easier, that leads to ease, peace and living a fuller life? How can we live more fully now?

Receiving the Messengers’ Gift Having less fear Being more prepared Living more fully Making it easier for ourselves and our loved ones

The Heavenly Messenger Story

Practical Preparation Having the difficult conversations Living without regrets Getting the care you want Becoming clear about what is most important to you

Spiritual Preparation Being with the way it feels right now Using these changes as a practice to develop the heart Living with greater ease and freedom

Practices in Preparation for the Messengers Forgiveness for ourselves and others Loving kindness and compassion for ourselves and others Letting go of attachment to possessions, people and who we think we are Serenity meditation – developing joy, happiness and tranquility Insight meditation – seeing the way things actually are Keeping a journal of kind and generous actions Developing faith

Meditation Meditation Meditation Meditation

Ground Rules Confidentiality Mindfulness of time The “no enlightenment rule” Showing up every week

Small Group Discussion Where are you with regard to aging, sickness and death? What do you fear? Where would you like to be?

Discussion

Parting Instructions Observe elders Read Preparation for Death and Helping the Dying Reflect and write: What do I fear most about aging? What do I look forward to or cherish about aging? Chant the five reflections daily Meditation: Stages of your own aging – birth to death Bring images or objects of aging next week for the shrine