In this episode Robert Thurman gives a teaching on impermanence and the power of contemplating one’s mortality to inspire action, nurture gratitude, transform relationships, and prioritize what truly matters.
Opening with a refutation of Buddhism as a life-rejecting philosophy, this podcast includes a short explanation of the Buddha’s “supreme contemplation” with guided meditations on embracing transience and death and an exploration of how considering death to be a good thing can help simplify life and re-set your priorities.
The podcast also includes: an overview of the concept of reincarnation as understood across traditions, an introduction to the Buddhist perspective on emptiness and the interconnected, blissful nature of reality, a recommendation of the work, writings and teachings of Andrew Holecek, and a personal invitation to their on-going “Death and the Art of Dying Bardo” series of online teachings via Tibet House US | Menla Online at www.thusmenla.org.
This episode is an excerpt from Bob's talk, "Facing Death to Come Fully Alive in the New Year" recorded with Andrew Holecek during the Tibet House US | Menla New Year’s gathering. To watch the full video discussion, please visit: www.teachable.com.
To learn more about Robert A.F. Thurman’s classic retreat audio recordings, please visit www.soundstrue.com or new audio book version of “Liberation Through Understanding in the Between: Tibetan Book of the Dead” by Penguin Audio, please visit: www.bobthurman.com.

"Supreme Contemplation: Facing Death to Come Fully Alive" Podcast Photo via www.gratisography.com.