| thai ta / BLOG 13 HOME MY BLOG MY TWO CENTS next blog ... April 2006 / Brother Li~nh passed away last week. He was one of the more influential people in Vo Vi, until he was in conflict with them. He was rich, he spoke his mind, a bit arrogant perhaps. Let's just say that he couldn't care less what people thought of him. No one could deny his contributions to Vo Vi, however. Maybe he should have donated more money to Vo Vi. Maybe it's nobody's business how he chose to use his wealth. At the Sunday meditation, we dedicated the session to him. At lunch time, I overheard unkind comments about him. Human nature. (sigh...) Li~nh and I shared some deep conversations and some warm moments together. I know nothing about his personal life. The last time I saw him, just a few weeks ago, he was talking with a practitioner, I was on my way out of the Center. On impulse, I stopped by him, not interrupting, but just to give him a quick caress on his hand. Our master Ta'm in a previous visit to the Center, on his way out gave him a pat on the cheek -- a gesture both intimate and meaningful. I hope Linh is happy up there with Mr. Tam. Don't go back here too soon. Take a break, reflect, then come back and join our Vo Vi family again. I used to be afraid of dying. You know, alone, sick, in pain, poor, etc. But I think I know how I'm gonna die. One time after the nightly meditation, I went to bed. While lying on my back, not asleep just yet, I noticed that my breathing slowed down and then it seemed to stop. My heart seemed to stop. My body immobile, but not paralyzed. My mind was still alert. I didn't feel the need to inhale. With excitement, I thought this might be the moment when I would have an out-of-body experience. Not. But, it happened once more, the second time longer than the first. Then, such a glorious peace came over me. I understood this is how crossing over can be. Just quiet. Effortless. Beautiful. Scientifically, there is evidence that the brain can survive beyond 4 minutes after your last breath intake. There's an extreme sport called deep-water diving, or something like that, where it's common for the participants to go pass the limit, the record being 8 minutes or so. It is suspected that the blood holds enough oxygen to keep the brain alive during those critical minutes, especially with those who train themselves or who are genetically geared toward such ability. Anyhow. Life. Death. Just a difference of a single breath. Your life is such a gift, my friend. Enjoy. Take a little. Give a little. Choose to love, not hate. |
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