Conquering Fear of Death: Embracing Abhinivesha in the Spirit of Halloween

Halloween is here - a day of costumes, treats, and spookiness. But there's a serious message we can embrace to help us live a full life.

In yoga philosophy, there's a key teaching known as Abhinivesha (one of the 5 Kleshas or barriers to us knowing our true nature. Abhinivesha is one of the hardest ones for us to conquer and refers to the fear of death or the clinging to life.

This is a common, understandable human fear that subtly influences our daily lives. But what if we could shift those fears so that we can explore living more fully and openly with the certainty of our own death.

The essence of Yoga philosophy is that our true nature is pure unlimited consciousness that is never born or dies.. The only thing that dies is the physical body which is temporary and like a set of clothes.

The transmigrating soul travels between Lokas (plains of existence) and will be re-incarnated until the lessons of the previous lifetimes have been played out (enlightenment - or freedom from Samsara). We call this eventual liberation or Moksha.

BUT - we are very attached to our sense of self as the body, and the mind. But think about it?

How can we be the body if the body has changed so much from being a baby to now... we're not the same 'body' as we were even a month ago as cells renew. We are also attached to our sense of self as the Mind and Senses... But think about it? How can we be the thoughts, emotions, likes, dislikes and personality when these things change and flow constantly...

The below video explains this key concept some more.

Halloween/Day of the Dead: A Time of Reflection

Halloween isn't just about haunted houses and pumpkin carving; it is a festival rooted in honouring those who have passed away. Its origins trace back to ancient Celtic traditions celebrating the festival of Samhain. This festival signalled the end of the harvest season and the onset of winter, a time when the veil between the living and the dead was believed to be at its thinnest.

This ancient tradition resonates closely with abhinivesha. Instead of fearing spirits, communities embraced their presence, reflecting on life and death and committing to LIVE fully whilst we still can in this body. Instead of viewing these occasions with fear, embrace them as moments to celebrate life, acknowledge loss, and connect with loved ones—both living and departed.

Here are a few ways to incorporate Abinyvesha into your daily routine:

1. Mindful Meditation: Set aside a few minutes each day to sit quietly, focusing on your breath. Allow your thoughts to flow without judgment and reflect on how you want to show up that day for your life. 

2. Meditate on your own death: Powerful buddhist meditations focus on this which can be emotional but also life changing. Once we face this, we can then come back to LIFE and live it.

3. Ponder what you might do differently: if you’d taken your last breath which places would you regret not visiting, which hobbies did you put off, what things did you think you had more times to do, which people would you have connected more to, what might have been left unsaid. 

4. Journaling: Write about your feelings and experiences. This can help clarify your thoughts and foster a deeper understanding of your inner self. 

5. Practice gratitude for what we have now in this precious human life. 

6. Nature Walks: Spend time in nature, observing your surroundings. Let the beauty of the natural world inspire reflection and insight.

7. Connect with Others: Engage in meaningful conversations with friends or family. Sharing perspectives can enrich your understanding of yourself and others. How can we be more kind, helpful and compassionate. 

Join us in a class where we often explore a key concept of yoga philosophy to truly live in JOY!

Join us on zoom or in studio www.sole2soulyoga.co.uk