Before we move too much further from the bare-boned touch of winter, I want to bring this provocative illustration into view. I’d encourage you to be with the visual statement itself before reading on.  I wonder what it evokes for you?

Death, of course, belongs to every season.  Yet my awareness of its pervading presence is heightened at this time of year.

The figure on the left… that part of me that lives embodied, in time, in a particular life time alongside many others engaged in life time pursuits, dreams, battles, loves.  And the figure on the right… that part of me that lives in eternity, without a form but with a spacious energetic presence that it offers to a life time.  If it is allowed in.

And the two of them, in somewhat awkward conversation, beginning to move closer to one another.  Each contributing what it can to a life.  Together, creating what matters most.

I’ve had this icon tucked away in front of my schedule book for the last couple of months. And I’ve asked it to help me filter what makes its way to those busy pages.  Every so often, the drawing would fall onto my desk and I’d glance at it and take a moment to feel how broad or narrow that shaded mandorla is in my experience.  How much of what I give my attention to, and what I choose to do, is being birthed from the womb of what matters most?

When I consider what choices to make in death’s presence, the list is naturally simplified.

When I make a choice in death’s presence, it strangely gains more life.  Certainly more attention.  And surprisingly, more love.

The deepest sort of love possible.

I thank the artist, Eric Klein, for his permission to reproduce this drawing. You can view more of his evocative work at wisdomheart.org

Joseph Jastrab

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