Today in Catholic churches all over the world and in many Anglican's as well people will be marked on their foreheads with the words "Remember that you are dust and to dust your will return" This may seem a very depressing way to begin the lenten season; many will feel it is saaying that they are a load of rubbish and lack dignity and value.. But this is not really the case. It is a reminder of our mortality. Death is something we all have to face as it is part of the whole mystery of life. For Christians it is a reminder that we all participate in the Paschal mystery which includes life, death and resurrection not just as some future reality but something we experience in our lives day by day.
In the Buddhist tradition we hear the words of the Evening Gatha " Let me respectfully remind you that life and death are of supreme importance. Time swiftly passes by and opportunity is lost. Each of us should strive to awaken..." Again we are challenged to face reality. Psychologists tell us that we all have the underlying fear of anihilation and in order to eliminate the toxic effects that this fear has in our lives we have to face the whole mystery of life which includes the dying. This can only happen I think when we spend time in silence so that we are able to be in touch with our deeper level of consciousness where we experience for ourselves what is the fullness of truth.
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