Like many others this week, I found myself strangely fascinated with the death of actress Natasha Richardson. Not that I was a fan per se, but I think it was more the senselessness and randomness of it that was striking. That a bump on the head can, a few hours later, cause one to be brain dead is a rather stark reminder of our own fragility. I also received word that someone I went to high school with, a father of two young children, died in a car accident and I know two more people who in the last couple of weeks had serious health scares leading to major surgeries.

Coincidentally, Ethan sent our Hardcore Dharma class a chant to memorize and it’s been propped up on my desk for the last week. It’s the chant of the jukido (time keeper) at the evening zazen:

Let me respectfully remind you,
Life and Death are of Supreme Importance.
Time swiftly passes by and opportunity is lost.
Each of us should strive to awaken, Awaken!
Take heed; do not squander your life.

It served as a good reminder this week and, as my eyes would wander over to it as I was trying to work, a motivating force to stay focused and stop wasting time. Thought some others might get some use out of it too…