“I suggest you see Steve Jobs' Stanford Commencement Speech (2005)”
Jobs on remembering death to cut through fear and expectations.
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I suggest you see Steve Jobs' Stanford Commencement Speech (2005): this video . The part which conveys this idea beautifully is this: "Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart" Basically, If we deeply[1] accept/realise that we are transient beings (which requires significant reflection given that we all secretly act as though we are immortal, though we may intellectual comprehend that we are not), one may more clearly distinguish between what is important in life and what is superficial. A definition of the Spiritual Path which appeals to me: "Nitya anitya viveka vichara" -- "the ability to discriminate between the eternal and the ephemeral" [2] [1] As an inherent and basic measure from which all action emanates [2] I would be willing to delve into that a bit deeper should anyone be interested.