A journey beyond the immortality/mortality duality.
A Journey Beyond Mortality
My experience of immortality was not a mere idea or belief but a profound, visceral moment during meditation. Through an exercise that explored the body as a solid, liquid, and vapor, I felt my energy merge with universal energy, experiencing a sense of infinity that transcended words or thoughts. It was not a concept but a glimpse into the eternal.
My revelation was the foundation for our Symphony ’77 Inquiry Circle: Where Curiosity Meets Connection on Friday, January 3, 2025. We explored the interplay of mortality and immortality.
Mortality, the awareness of life’s limits, invites us to live fully and cherish the present.
Immortality, the desire to create something lasting, pushes us to leave a legacy that transcends our physical selves. Our discussion began with this duality, reflecting how these forces shape our lives and thoughts.
Inquiries shared how mortality has clarified their priorities. One spoke of how recognizing life’s impermanence motivated them to focus on meaningful relationships and authentic living.
Others shared how immortality inspires them to contribute to a larger purpose through art, acts of kindness, or mentoring.
The duality of these forces was like the contrasting movements of a symphony—dissonance and harmony, tension and resolution—each enriching the masterpiece of life.
Meditation as a Mode of Investigation
Meditation is a profound means of investigating mortality and immortality. It guides us to confront life’s impermanence while uncovering enduring truths. By quieting the mind and focusing inward, meditation creates a transformative space to explore the boundaries of the self, the finite, and the infinite.
One technique, inspired by practices like Vipassana and Yoga Nidra, is to experience the body in its various states—solid, liquid, and vapor. This approach fosters a deep awareness of the body’s physicality (mortality) while encouraging exploration of its energetic form (immortality). For example:
- Solid State: Observing the body’s physical sensations grounds us in the present moment and reminds us of our tangible, finite existence.
- Liquid State: Imagining the body as fluid encourages us to embrace change and flow, mirroring constant transformations.
- Vapor State: Visualizing the body as vapor or energy allows us to transcend physical boundaries and experience interconnectedness with universal energy, evoking a sense of timelessness.
No Distinction Necessary
These meditative explorations blur the distinctions between mortality and immortality. They reveal that our finite bodies and eternal energies are not separate but interwoven.
As these boundaries dissolve, we realize that immortality does not deny mortality but recognizes our connection to something greater than ourselves.
I also experienced immortality by watching others carry forward the shared mission of the DC Fiscal Policy Institute (DCFPI). I felt deeply connected to an enduring legacy. I’ve “recognized” immortality in transcendent meditation and the continuation of values, knowledge, and purpose through others.
Our Inquiry Circle discussion deepened, shifting the focus from duality to a more unified perspective. We all felt a sense of connection and shared understanding as we explored the interplay between mortality and immortality.
One participant questioned how we can genuinely define immortality while living within the limits of time.
Another noted that moments of transcendence, like those experienced in meditation, blur the boundaries between mortality and immortality.
We reflected on how these two forces might not be opposites but interconnected aspects of existence.
Beyond Words
Several participants resonated with my account of experiencing immortality. They described similar moments of transcendence when distinctions between self and universe, body and energy, dissolved.
As one participant noted, these experiences are beyond words and exist only as sensations we understand after they pass.
In these moments, mortality and immortality are no longer separate concepts but part of a greater whole.
A Dialogue
Our conversation ultimately revealed a shared realization: the interplay between mortality and immortality is not a conflict but a dialogue, a unified understanding that we all arrived at together.
One participant observed that immortality exists in the legacies we create, not as a denial of death but as a continuation of life’s meaning.
Another reflected on how embracing mortality can deepen our appreciation for life’s fleeting beauty, transforming fear into purpose
Key Takeaways
- Mortality: Recognizing life’s limits fosters gratitude for the present and clarity on what truly matters.
- Immortality: Considering how actions, relationships, and values contribute to enduring legacies connects us to something larger than ourselves.
- Integration: By reflecting on both mortality and immortality, we can:
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- Harmonize the temporary and lasting aspects of life,
- Experience “The Beyond,” and
- Pursue purposeful living and meaningful contributions.
What’s Next
Join us on the first Friday in February, the 7th, as we delve into our subsequent inquiry: American Fascism and Democracy As American as Cherry Pie. We look forward to continuing our shared exploration and learning from each other’s perspectives.