Yoga and the Practice of Death

It seems that everything in life changes. What is temporary? What is eternal? What will I take with me when I die?

No matter what you believe about death and what happens after death, many people struggle with this inevitable part of life. As a nurse with intensive ICU and hospice experience, I have spent a great deal of time supporting both patients and families who are navigating the death process. Through this work, three things have become quite clear.

1. Most people experience significant anxiety and/or fear when faced with their own death or the death of a loved one.

2. Some people experience true despair when faced with death, and this usually comes in the form of mental anguish, deep regret, and depression.

3. Both of the above can be improved by the examination of deathlessness and the practice of living authentically by becoming aware of who we…