Book Of Living And Dying Essay

In October of 2005, I was in the visitors lounge at New York Presbyterian Hospital awaiting the results of my mothers’ mastectomy. As an adolescent, I had insufficient knowledge of cancer; a disease that has negatively impacted the lives of many throughout the world. Although I did not know much about cancer, the sight of my mother in a hospital bed was just as excruciating a feeling if I had known every detail of her condition. As doctors informed my family of the success of her surgery and the removal of the tumor, thankful but also in fear that the most important figure in my life would lose to the battle of cancer if the disease were to return. As I recollect sitting by my mothers’ bedside that that night, embracing every second knowing she was still there to guide me throughout my childhood, I realize that every moment …show more content…
Being aware of the situation and learning how to turn that suffering into happiness and was what she needed. In the Tibetan Book of the Dead film, an individual that has passed away is read the “Tibetan Book of Living and Dead” by a resident of the village and a Buddhist. The consciousness of the individual is present for forty-nine days and is capable of hearing the rites. The purpose of the rites is to encourage and guide the conscious of the individual to a path of liberation. The situation of those who are currently living and experiencing a form of suffering need guidance and effort from those who are not going through hardships in order for them to be liberated from their confusion and fear. Preparation and attaining knowledge in order to prevent suffering is a way to open the mind to understanding and handling various hardships and circumstances. Whether there are obstacles to achieve a certain goal or experiencing a death in a family, knowing how to deal with that suffering can lead to liberation (Tibetan Book of the