49 days

49 = 7 x 7
7 weeks
each week of 7 days

The time to journey through the bardo
and reincarnate in 1 of 6 realms
so the Buddhist teachings say

In reality
only words for me right now
intriguing ones
but far from living truth
still they exist in the wider framework of practice that does make sense

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100
100 years....about the longest we will live
a ripe old age
100 years x 365 days/year  = 36,500 days
how many days will we actually live?
maybe half that
but the days whittle down,
minute by minute
day by day

We seem to have a lot of time
yet any finite amount
is but a drop in the bucket of infinite
squander a day here
another one there
soon we will reach the end of our time

Funny how we can embroil ourselves in negativity that can last years!
Oh well, we have lots of time!


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Today is the 49th day
Fieka, you breathed you last breath 49 days ago

You were a living being, just like we are
here for so many years
you did the best that you could in the world
just as we do
and in the end
you left in peace
with your children by your side
What more could a mother ask for?

You left your mark in the world
your footprints in the minds of others
inspired many others
like my wife, your husband Bill
your Children and friends

We are all but children
born to travel to that last moment of life
and to use this illusory journey of life to give meaning to it

Back to the mystery you have returned
blazing the pathway for us

We learn from you
as we learn from all our ancestors
and we shall honor you
by living life to the best of our means
so that we may teach others of their own journey

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While we are alive
Form is emptiness
when we die
Form is emptiness

In this moment
we are born
we live
we die

We magically appear onto this stage of life
and just as magically dissappear
where do the days go? the weeks? the years?
In a moment
a life has flashed by

We must never forget the sacredness of this moment
Each of us is a tree
but we forget we are a forest as well!
The individual we are
is always and at each moment
the full embodiment of the infinite
here in the same body
right now
a jewel in indra's jeweled net
whose luster is so far beyond our limited imagination

Fieke, you bubbled into existence
as have I and all beings who are now here enjoying life
May our ancestors remind us of the preciousness of this life
so that we may not squander our time

Your family and friends remember you on this day
thank you for the preciousness of your life
may you have safe journey in your new one
whereever you are

E Ma Ho