Memento mori is Latin for “remember that you will die.” This practice of contemplating our mortality was emphasized by Stoic philosophers such as Seneca and Marcus Aureilas, holds a place in Buddhist tradition, and has been espoused by Christian thinkers, notably the sixth-century monk, St. Benedict.
In Benedict’s Rule (which guides the Catholic monastic order of the Benedictines), he encourages monks to “keep death daily before your eyes.” The practice of memento mori serves as a reminder that death may come at any time and that we should aspire to be prepared for it. The Christian perspective emphasizes that death is not the end, but the portal by which we enter eternal life.
Many of us want nothing to do with thinking about our mortality. This is understandable as considering our inevitable death can be paralyzing and is certainly countercultural in our society that does its best avoid the topic. Life is unpredictable with no guaranties for longevity for even the healthiest among us. And in my experience as a hospice chaplain, even those who live into their 80s or 90s will often say that their lives went by in the blink of an eye. So it is not surprising that we do not want to think about our death.
And yet I believe acknowledging our mortality can ultimately be freeing and, ironically, lifegiving. It can serve as a reminder that the life we’ve been granted is both a precious gift and a passing state. Such a reminder can help us let go of the dross that so frequently dominates our time, thoughts and efforts, and allow us to focus on what is truly important. Practicing memento mori can give us an increased appreciation of life and help us to live more gratefully and in the moment.
Also, by accepting the reality of death we can reduce the fear of it. Author and Presbyterian minister Frederick Buechner, speaks to that: “I know no more now than I ever did about the far side of death, but I begin to know that I do not need to know and that I do not need to be afraid of not knowing. God knows. That is all that matters.”
I understand Buechner’s quote will not resonate with those who do not believe in a Creator or a life beyond this one. Still, I contend that the practice of memento mori can be valuable to believers and unbelievers alike as it can help us focus on what is important in this life. The discipline does not need to take up much time in our day. For those who pray, it can be as simple as gratefully remembering each morning, and perhaps periodically throughout the day, that we come forth from God and to God we will return.
There is a scene in the 1989 film “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” in which Indiana is looking for his father and is fighting with man in the Venice harbor who he thinks knows his father’s whereabouts. As their small boat is drifting perilously toward the giant propeller of a cargo ship the man (who we later find out is a devout holy man) says to Indiana, “Let me go or we’ll both die.” Indy replies, “Then we’ll die.” The man says simply, “My soul is prepared, how’s yours?”
This question of questions made a significant impression on me 36 years ago and continues to today. I believe if we aspire to prepare our souls, death, whenever it comes, will find us at peace. This will not take away the sadness of leaving loved ones and all that we cherish in this world. Nor will it quell the uncertainty of what we will find in “the undiscovered county.” But it can help us face the great Mystery not as some ominous, terrifying phenomenon, but as a familiar one with which we have a relationship.
What it means to prepare our souls will look differently for each one of us. But however it may look, the practice of memento mori can be a critical tool for us all as we endeavor to prepare our souls for death — which paradoxically can help us live our best lives while we are here.
• Tim Spengler attends Holy Trinity Church in Juneau. He is a hospice chaplain and has a spiritual direction practice (spenglerspiritualdirection.com). Spengler’s novel, “Boojum Tree,” is available locally and on Amazon.
