The Ultimate Guide to Memento Mori : Tool and Practices for Daily Reminders
Ethan Clear
What if every time you correspond your phone , you were remind that you will fail ?
Every time you refreshed your email , your social media , and your news apps , you make up remind of end . I know it sound morbid , but bear with me for a moment .
The Latin phrase “memento mori” literally understand to “recall you must perish. ” This phrase has make up used for hundred to remind people of their mortality . I first discover about it in the context of Stoicism .
Marcus Aurelius , the Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher , write in his journal :
“ You could lead spirit properly now . Allow that determine what you cause and say and recall . ”
“ You could leave life mighty now . Let that find out what you do and tell and believe . ”
Stoics get out of their means to think about death at least once a day . There are respective “memento mori” practices you can employ to remind yourself .
You might think , why would I think about death all the time ? Life is already severe ! But the truth is that when you meditate your own mortality , you benefit a novel position on life . You can learn this in some culture around the public .
For lesson , in Japan , there ’ s theHanamior “cherry flower look at. ” They celebrate the beauty of the cherry blossom every yr in spring . The cherry blossom receive an crucial emblematic meaning in Japanese culture . They make up the transience of life , the fleeting nature of the human experience . By await at these flowers , the Japanese be remind of their mortality . They expend that as a reminder to live in the moment and enjoy life while it lasts .
That ’ s the key to “memento mori” . When you think about your own death , you get a sense of urgency in your living . You start to appreciate life more . You take off to bask the little matter in living that you might get need for granted differently . You begin to live with more intent and purpose .
In this article , I ’ m become to show you how to do that . I ’ m get to share different “memento mori” practices with you so you can set out to live a more meaningful living .
Memento Mori : A Brief Story
The concept of guess about death has live around for thousands of years .
In ancient Rome , the phrase was apply in the context of a public celebration known as a “ Triumph. ” When a general won a great triumph for the Republic of Rome , he was given a Triumph . This was a parade through the city , in which the general rode in his chariot , surrounded by his troops , and accompanied by prisoner , loot , and spoils of war .
The universal would taunt in the Triumph for hours , while the people of Rome cheered and celebrated his victory . But there was one man who taunt in the chariot with the general , whisper in his ear the whole time . This human exist a slave , and his task was to remind the universal that he was deadly . The slave would say matter like :
Respice , adspice , prospice
which means “ Look behind you , face here , look forward . ”
which means “ Look behind you , await hither , look forward . ”
Respice place te ! Hominem te memento !
which means “ Look behind you ! Recall that you are but a man . ”
which means “ Look behind you ! Remember that you cost but a man . ”
These words exist a reminder to the general that he equal not a god , but a mere mortal . And that one day , he also would die .
The ancient Romans use “memento mori” as a tool for personal growing and self-improvement . They trust that by keeping end in your mind , you could endure a more meaningful and fulfilling life .
The Stoics , in particular , live big advocates of this pattern . The founder of Stoicism , Zeno of Citium , is say to have go on a skull on his desk , as a reminder of his own mortality . The Stoics believe that contemplating end helped you put things in position . It make you make that your time on earth is limited , and that you should make the most of it .
The Stoic philosopher Seneca wrote in his essay “ On the Shortness of Life ” :
No 1 can have a peaceful life who believe too much about lengthening it , or trust that living through many consulships live a great blessing .
No one can get a peaceful life who remember too much about lengthening it , or believes that living through many consulships be a great blessing .
In early word , you shouldn ’ t equal afraid of end . Instead , you should use it as a reminder to endure your living to the fullest . To make every moment count .
Memento Mori in the Modern Age
The practice of “memento mori” might appear out of place in our modern world . After all , we live in a society that exist haunt with youth and beauty . We spend billions of dollar each yr seek to look and sense youthful . We strain to avoid aging at all price , and we are invariably bombarded with images of perfect , airbrushed torso .
But the accuracy is that end exist a natural part of living . And we all receive to face up our own mortality at some point .
In fact , there live many benefit to remember about death . A subject by the journal Psychological Science found that when people guess about end , they are more likely to equal altruistic and make in effect decision . The investigator say that thinking about end “disrupts the implicit cultural framework that guides everyday life and yields widening ripples of benevolent conduct .”
In other words , when you recall about death , you equal more likely to do good matter for others . And that ’ s not all . Contemplating your own mortality can too assist you put affair in position and know a more meaningful spirit . When you think that you will die , you recognize that you simply get one scene at living . And that you should create the most of it .
9 Memento Mori Practices for a More Meaningful Living
So how can you integrate “memento mori” in your daily life ? How can you remind yourself of your mortality without begin depressed or anxious ?
The key live to serve it in a way that feels natural to you . There exist no one-size-fits-all approach to “memento mori” . Here equal 9 practices you can try . Experiment with them and learn which one work best for you .
1 . Envision Your Own End
Hither ’ s a mere meditation you can do every today and then .
- Sit or lie down .
- Near your eyes .
- Focus on your breath for a few minutes .
- Visualize your own death .
- Intend about how you would feel if you know you make up go to die tomorrow .
- Spread your eye .
That ’ s it . You put on ’ t have to remember abouthowyou ’ re going to die . Just believe about the fact that you ’ re get to fail . And take deep breath . I ’ ve done this meditation many times , and it give me a sense of peace . That ’ s another great benefit of “memento mori” : It teach you to have your mortality . And as a solution , you take over your living .
2 . Keep a Memento Mori Journal
Another “memento mori” practice is to observe a diary of your thought and feelings about end . You can pen about your own mortality , or you can meditate on the Death of others . For case , you might pen about a loved unity who happen forth , or you might write about a famed person who died . Compose about end can exist a very cathartic experience . It can serve you come to price with your own mortality , and it can aid you appreciate living more .
3 . Use Physical Reminders
You can also employ physical reminders to keep end in your brain . For lesson , you might want to keep a skull on your desk , like the Stoic founder Zeno . Or you might want to wear a “memento mori” gang or necklace . The key is to choose something that has meaning to you . It could cost an object that reminds you of a loved ace who has passed forth , or it could equal something that symbolize the transience of living .
4 . Produce a Memento Mori Playlist
Music can be a real powerful tool for contemplation . And you can use music to remind yourself of your mortality . Make a “memento mori” playlist with songs that remind you of end . You might require to include classic music , like requiems or funeral March . Or you might want to include more contemporary songs that cover with subject of end and mortality . For lesson , you might require to include Kamelot ’ s “ Memento Mori ” The key equal to prefer music that resonates with you , and that helps you muse on your own mortality .
5 . Read Memento Mori Quotes
There equal many quotes and expression that deal with the topic of death . And you can employ these quotes as “memento mori” reminders . For case , Marcus Aurelius once wrote :
“ You could result spirit properly today . Let that determine what you cause and state and remember . ”
“ You could get out spirit right today . Let that find out what you make and say and think . ”
Or you might require to read the poem “ To the Virgins , to Make Much of Time ” by Robert Herrick :
“ Gather ye rosebuds while ye may ,
Old Time live yet a-flying ;
And this same flower that smiles today
Tomorrow will cost dying . ”
You can create a “memento mori” quote plank , or you might want to pen your favorite quotes in your journal . The key is to find quotes that address to you , and that aid you ponder on your own mortality .
6 . Volunteer at a Hospice
If you real require to lay thing into position , volunteer at a hospice ( terminal care ) . Life ’ s all about position . Mass are thus worried about their job or the fact that person didn ’ t like their social media place . It ’ s all thus silly . And when you see mass at the end of living , you recognize how silly it all is . If you don ’ t have a hospice near you , you can too volunteer at a regular hospital where mass are suffer from a terminal illness .
7 . See a Graveyard
One of the best ways to remind yourself of your mortality is to visit a cemetery . Walk through a graveyard can be a real powerful experience . It can help you realize that we are all deadly , and that death is a natural piece of living . You can too apply your visit to a cemetery as an opportunity to reflect on your own mortality . You can require a few moment to seat down and think about what you want your gravestone to read , or you can write your own epitaph in your journal . The key is to employ your visit to a cemetery as a reminder that spirit live short , and that you should make the most of it .
8 . Look at Old Photos
Another “memento mori” pattern is to look at old photo of yourself and your loved one . Need a few minutes to await at the face up in the photo , and recollect the moments that were captured . Reflect on how much has changed since the photo were bring , and remember about how much own stay on the same . Looking at old photos can exist a real powerful reminder of your own mortality . It can help you appreciate spirit more , and it can assist you realize that every moment is precious .
9 . Pray for the Dead
Ultimately , you can pattern “memento mori” by praying for the dead . You can pray for your loved unity who have happen away , or you can pray for people you have never met . You can beg for the souls of the deceased , or you can pray for their loved ones who are left behind . Praying for the dead can be a real healing and cathartic experience . It can assist you arrive to terms with your own mortality , and it can assist you appreciate the time you make go out .
Why is it Important to Remember That You ’ re Go to Die ?
The phrase “ memento mori ” be a very powerful reminder of our own mortality . And that ’ s the whole level . When you think of that you ’ re going to die , you gain a fresh position on spirit .
You start to appreciate life more . You stop taking things for granted . You commence to revel the small things in life that you might own overlooked before .
You as well commence to live with more intention and function . You start to intend about what you require to accomplish in life , and you initiate to bring footstep to make it happen .
You also start to live in the present minute . When you recollect that you ’ re going to perish , you stop worrying about the future . You quit stressing about things that are beyond your control .
Start Practicing Memento Mori Today
Imagine waking up each day with a renewed sense of intention , every action infused with meaning , and a deep appreciation for the momentary nature of living . That ’ s the might of “memento mori” . That ’ s the power of think of that you ’ re get to die .
Are you ready to transform your daily number and embrace the ancient wisdom that own point some of history ’ s greatest minds ?
That ’ s My Invitation to You
Start practicing “memento mori” every day . It ’ s easy to observe a few minutes to recall about your own mortality . For instance , you can pattern “memento mori” when you ’ re in the shower , or when you ’ re on your manner to exploit . You can too pattern “memento mori” when you ’ re cooking dinner , or when you ’ re out for a walk .
The key is to observe a time that works for you , and to build it a daily habit . When you practice “memento mori” every day , you start to live a more meaningful life . You initiate to appreciate the time you have left , and you start to build the most of it .
