Momento (Maranasati), 2023
Maranasati, which translates to “mindfulness of death” or “contemplation of death,” is a Buddhist meditation practice that encourages individuals to reflect on impermanence and inevitability.
The large size of the tapestry intends to bombard us with a reminder of our own mortality, urging viewers to face discomfort and contemplate the fleeting nature of their existence. Through the seemingly sober and melancholic message, onlookers are invited to face fear and avoidance, inviting gratitude, spiritual growth, acceptance, and transformation.
As we contemplate death, we are immediately confronted with existential questions and the nature of the self. By facing this universal truth, we accept and understand that all conditioned phenomena are subject to constant change and eventual cessation.
This, in turn, allows us to truly embrace the present moment and make the most of our lives. By releasing control and embracing the unpredictability of our existence, we can adopt a more aware mode of being.
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“It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.”
