Thinking of Death

 Another important point which is emphasized in the Stoic philosophy, is that of "Thinking of Death". 

“Let us prepare our minds as if we’d come to the very end of life. Let us postpone nothing. Let us balance life’s books each day. The one who puts the finishing touches on their life each day is never short of time.” —Seneca

“Don’t behave as if you are destined to live forever. What’s fated hangs over you. As long you live and while you can, become good now.” —Marcus Aurelius

This thought is not new for me as such. However, I came across this at the right time I guess. It helped trigger many things in me and motivated to think this way. Below are some more references.

Famously Steve Jobs had said that each morning he thought, 'If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today? '.  

In Hinduism, many many scriptures stress the fickleness of life. Adi Shankaracharya, in his famous "Bhaja Govindam" poem, wrote "नलिनीदलगतजलमतितरलम्, तद्वज्जीवितमतिशयचपलम्।" - "Life is as ephemeral as water drops on a lotus leaf ." 

Sant Tukaram has said, 

पडिली हे रूढि जगा परिचार । चालविती वेव्हार सत्य ह्मूण ॥१॥

मरणाची कां रे नाहीं आठवण । संचिताचे धन लोभ हेवा ॥ध्रु.॥

देहाचें भय तें काळाचें भातुकें । ग्रासूनि तें एकें ठेविलेंसे ॥२॥

तुका म्हणे कांहीं उघडा रे डोळे । जाणोनि अंधळे होऊं नका ॥३॥

in summary, it says, "Why don't you ever remind yourself of your death, you keep thinking about money, own material welfare etc. You know everything, that you can die at any moment. But still you act as if you know nothing about it. You have eyes, but you still are acting like a blind man."

Buddha also taught a similar meditation. called "marana-sati". In it Buddha suggests, a monk should first think in how many ways he can die now. And then, he should reflect, are there any defects in him that will remain in him. He should then try to get rid of them. And one day, when thus contemplating, he finds there are no such bad habits/defects remaining, he should dwell in joy and rapture.

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From all these quotes and passages, what I need to understand is, I do not know how much time I have. Whatever time I have, what is it that is most important for me to do? Can I die happy if I die tonight? What can I do now, to allow me to die happily tonight? 

Would I die happy if I watch TV/browse social media? Would feel better if I spend my time in meditation/chanting? Would it help if I contemplate and try to get rid of my vices?

I think many of the things are clear and straightforward. Let me meditate on this daily, till it becomes innate.

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Log: Did my chanting today, quality was poor, need to improve it.
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References:

• Steve Jobs quote: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/516733-if-you-live-each-day-as-if-it-were-your 
• Bhaja Govindam (4th verse): https://sites.google.com/site/vedicscripturesinc/home/srishankaracharya/bhajagovindam
• Buddha - marana-sati sutra: https://www.buddha-vacana.org/sutta/anguttara/06/an06-020.html