Memento Mori: A Wake-Up Call to Life
Reflect, Awaken, Live
Remembering mortality to savor the beauty of life
Memento Mori means “remember you will die.” I know, it sounds a little dark at first, but really, it’s a gentle reminder to live fully and appreciate the moments you have, because none of them are guaranteed. This idea has been around for centuries, showing up in all kinds of cultures, yet the heart of it stays the same: remembering that life ends is what helps us truly live.
It’s such an essential part of the human experience, and it’s something that sets us apart from other animals. Animals grieve and feel loss, but they don’t have the awareness that they too will one day die. But humans do. And that awareness can be terrifying at times, but it also gives life a sense of purpose and intention. It pushes us to love deeply, to create, to connect, to leave something meaningful behind.
The goal is not to deny our fear of death. It’s to let the understanding of life’s temporary nature inspire us to live more fully and authentically. So maybe the real question is this: how can we hold both truths at once? How can we live with gratitude for this fleeting, beautiful life, while knowing that one day it will come to an end?
I’ve created a course on this very topic over on the Insight Timer app. In it, we explore how the idea of Memento Mori has evolved through history and different cultures, and how it can actually help us live with more meaning today. You’ll be invited to face your fear of death, use journaling to reflect and ground yourself, create your own daily reminder of Memento Mori, and close with a guided meditation that helps you embody the heart of this teaching. I hope you will join me.
Reflect deeply on mortality, gratitude, and the wonder of being alive.
I’ve also included some suggested reading below for anyone who wants to explore this topic more deeply. Books have been a huge source of comfort for me in easing death anxiety, especially after my mom passed away. A dear friend gave me No Death, No Fear: Comforting Wisdom for Life by Thich Nhat Hanh, and it truly helped. It’s such a gentle, compassionate book filled with Buddhist wisdom. If you’re curious about the Stoic side of Memento Mori, Meditations by Marcus Aurelius is a classic, while The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday offers a more accessible, modern take that touches on these ideas throughout.
