Sometimes we work so hard to improve ourselves physically and intellectually that we forget about our spiritual development. I eat healthy and exercise to feed my body, I read and study to feed my brain, and I practice mindful activism to feed my soul.
In answering the question - “What happens when we die?”, Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh replied:
“The question can be answered when you can answer this: What happens in the present moment? In the present moment, you are producing thought, speech, and action. And they continue in the world. Every thought you produce, anything you say, any action you do, it bears your signature. Action is called karma. And that's your continuation. When this body disintegrates, you continue on with your actions. It's like the cloud in the sky. When the cloud is no longer in the sky, it hasn't died. The cloud is continued in other forms like rain or snow or ice. Our nature is the nature of no birth and no death. It is impossible for a cloud to pass from being into nonbeing. And that is true with a beloved person. They have not died. They have continued in many new forms and you can look deeply and recognize them in you and around you.”
All your thoughts and actions continue on and bear your signature. What a wonderful thought and awesome responsibility.
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