Contexts
"The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying”-Sogyal Rinpoche
This book is not only a theoretical description of death and dying, but more importantly, it also provides practical methods. The author believes that death is just the beginning of another period of life and a mirror that reflects the overall meaning of life. The book discusses in depth how to understand the true meaning of life, how to accept death, and how to help the dying and deceased.
A central theme explored in the book is the concept of impermanence and the ephemeral nature of existence. Rinpoche encourages readers to accept the inevitability of death as a natural part of the cycle of life, rather than fearing it as the ultimate end.
Another key aspect of Tibetan Buddhism Between Life and Death is its emphasis on the interconnectedness of all things and the importance of compassion in the face of death. Rinpoche emphasized the role of compassion and altruism in alleviating suffering in oneself and others, both in life and in death.
Rinpoche draws on the teachings and wisdom of Tibetan Buddhism to provide readers with a profound and transformative perspective on death and end-of-life care and guidance for transcending the fear of death and the wisdom to embrace impermanence.
Original:
“我们的使命是求得平衡,发现中道, 学习不要沉溺在现代生活的享受中, 关键在于单纯, 不要以外界活动来过分伸展自己, 而是要让我们的生活越来越简单。”
Translation:
"Our mission is to seek balance, find the middle way, and learn not to indulge in the enjoyment of modern life. The key is simplicity. Don't overextend yourself with external activities, but make our lives simpler and simpler."
This book reminded me of the deeper parts of my life that I had been neglecting, such as my spiritual needs. Continuously enriching our spiritual world can help us achieve balance and peace in our minds, which will help us face death.
"The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying” Cover of 10th Anniversary edition, 2002
《西藏生死之书》的原文摘录 (no date) 西藏生死之书 原文摘录. Available at: https://book.douban.com/subject/1050743/blockquotes (Accessed: 20 May 2024).
Death and dying in contemporary society: an evaluation of current attitudes and the rituals associated with death and dying and their relevance to recent understandings of health and healing
S M O'Gorman
It is mentioned in this article that during the first half of the 20th century, society ignored the importance of rituals related to death and dying and the need for appropriate death education. As a result, patients and professionals alike find themselves unable to cope with the inevitability of death. Fear replaces hope, and the health and well-being of society are adversely affected. In recent years, research and literature on death have gradually increased, and more and more people in the medical industry have realized the importance of death. Death education and end-of-life care are critical to health care and wellness.
The author believes that nurses should be professionals who deal with patients' emotions. In this article, a model is developed to help nurses and other professionals understand contemporary perspectives on treatment issues related to death and dying. Nurses have a responsibility to understand different cultures, personal experiences, and coping mechanisms.
Contemporary society's attitudes towards death and dying and the rituals associated with death and dying remain underappreciated. Death is often considered a very scary thing. I think it shouldn't just be nurses who are here to solve this problem, everyone needs to understand death. Art serves as a communication medium, but most works of art related to death create a dark and fearful atmosphere. I try to use healing art to break people's fear of death, so that the audience can face death and think about the meaning of life.
O'Gorman, S M. “Death and dying in contemporary society: an evaluation of current attitudes and the rituals associated with death and dying and their relevance to recent understandings of health and healing.” Journal of advanced nursing vol. 27,6 (1998): 1127-35. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2648.1998.00659.x
Elegy for the Departed is an interactive video game developed by the Wondexus team that explores themes of life and death, mourning and emotional connection. The plot of a game usually revolves around a protagonist as he or she faces a significant loss or death in their life and attempts to deal with their own emotions and struggles.
The game interface is the environment of a man in endless grief over the loss of his beloved wife and son. Players may take on the role of this protagonist and move their mouse to look around and interact with different objects. Through the protagonist's monologue, the progress of the plot is prompted. Go through their journey, from initial grief and denial, to ultimate acceptance and healing. Games often convey emotion through visual, audio, and interactive elements, allowing players to immerse themselves in the character's inner world and experience the complex process of mourning.
In addition to personal experiences, Elegy for the Departed may also engage with cultural and religious understandings of death, as well as different people's attitudes and reactions to death and loss. This game made me think about the relationship between life and death and emotional connection, and how to create emotional resonance with the audience through my works.
The archive project is a collaborative project with students from the Photography Department in February. Our theme is family and memories. The entire project is divided into three parts, family relationships, memory and family memories, and forming factors.
During the research process, we collected a large number of old objects, diaries and old photos. Because these items carry people's emotions and memories, they become personal items. I try to understand and feel the memory of the exclusive owner. In the process, I gradually learned about family models based on different cultural backgrounds. It was found that China's family model has not changed with historical changes. The contradiction between the absolute authority of parents and the freest pursuit of young people is becoming increasingly fierce.
During my investigation, I found that photos not only contain basic information such as place, time, etc., but they also convey unique emotions and specific stories. I have always been obsessed with proof in the past. I focus more on photos as evidence. I had to re-examine the meaning of the photo. I try to explore the memory represented by the photo, the mood and the emotional connection between the photographer and the subject at that time.