What if every time you checked your phone, you were reminded that you will die?
Every time you refreshed your email, your social media, and your news apps, you were reminded of death. I know it sounds morbid, but bear with me for a moment.
The Latin phrase “memento mori” literally translates to “remember you must die.” This phrase has been used for centuries to remind people of their mortality. I first heard about it in the context of Stoicism.
Marcus Aurelius, the Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher, wrote in his journal:
“You could leave life right now. Let that determine what you do and say and think.”
Stoics go out of their way to think about death at least once a day. There are several “memento mori” practices you can use to remind yourself.
You might think, why would I think about death all the time? Life is already hard! But the truth is that when you contemplate your own mortality, you gain a new perspective on life. You can see this in some cultures around the world.
For example, in Japan, there’s the Hanami or “cherry blossom viewing.” They celebrate the beauty of the cherry blossoms every year in spring. The cherry blossoms have an important symbolic meaning in Japanese culture. They represent the transience of life, the fleeting nature of the human experience. By looking at these flowers, the Japanese are reminded of their mortality. They use that as a reminder to live in the moment and enjoy life while it lasts.
That’s the key to “memento mori”. When you think about your own death, you get a sense of urgency in your life. You start to appreciate life more. You start to enjoy the little things in life that you might have taken for granted otherwise. You start to live with more intention and purpose.
In this article, I’m going to show you how to do that. I’m going to share different “memento mori” practices with you so you can start to live a more meaningful life.
Memento Mori: A Brief History
The concept of thinking about death has been around for thousands of years.
In ancient Rome, the phrase was used in the context of a public celebration known as a “Triumph.” When a general won a great victory for the Republic of Rome, he was given a Triumph. This was a parade through the city, in which the general rode in his chariot, surrounded by his troops, and accompanied by captives, loot, and spoils of war.
The general would ride in the Triumph for hours, while the people of Rome cheered and celebrated his victory. But there was one man who rode in the chariot with the general, whispering in his ear the whole time. This man was a slave, and his job was to remind the general that he was mortal. The slave would say things like:
Respice, adspice, prospice
which means “Look behind you, look here, look ahead.”
And
Respice post te! Hominem te memento!
which means “Look behind you! Remember that you are but a man.”
These words were a reminder to the general that he was not a god, but a mere mortal. And that one day, he too would die.
The ancient Romans used “memento mori” as a tool for personal growth and self-improvement. They believed that by keeping death in your mind, you could live a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
The Stoics, in particular, were big advocates of this practice. The founder of Stoicism, Zeno of Citium, is said to have kept a skull on his desk, as a reminder of his own mortality. The Stoics believed that contemplating death helped you put things in perspective. It made you realize that your time on earth is limited, and that you should make the most of it.
The Stoic philosopher Seneca wrote in his essay “On the Shortness of Life”:
No one can have a peaceful life who thinks too much about lengthening it, or believes that living through many consulships is a great blessing.
In other words, you shouldn’t be afraid of death. Instead, you should use it as a reminder to live your life to the fullest. To make every moment count.
Memento Mori in the Modern Age
The practice of “memento mori” might seem out of place in our modern world. After all, we live in a society that is obsessed with youth and beauty. We spend billions of dollars each year trying to look and feel younger. We try to avoid aging at all costs, and we are constantly bombarded with images of perfect, airbrushed bodies.
But the truth is that death is a natural part of life. And we all have to face our own mortality at some point.
In fact, there are many benefits to thinking about death. A study by the journal Psychological Science found that when people think about death, they are more likely to be altruistic and make better decisions. The researchers say that thinking about death “disrupts the implicit cultural framework that guides everyday life and yields widening ripples of benevolent behavior.”
In other words, when you think about death, you are more likely to do good things for others. And that’s not all. Contemplating your own mortality can also help you put things in perspective and live a more meaningful life. When you remember that you will die, you realize that you only have one shot at life. And that you should make the most of it.
9 Memento Mori Practices for a More Meaningful Life
So how can you integrate “memento mori” in your daily life? How can you remind yourself of your mortality without getting depressed or anxious?
The key is to do it in a way that feels natural to you. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to “memento mori”. Here are 9 practices you can try. Experiment with them and see which one works best for you.
1. Visualize Your Own Death
Here’s a simple meditation you can do every now and then.
- Sit or lie down.
- Close your eyes.
- Focus on your breath for a few minutes.
- Visualize your own death.
- Think about how you would feel if you knew you were going to die tomorrow.
- Open your eyes.
That’s it. You don’t have to think about how you’re going to die. Just think about the fact that you’re going to die. And take deep breaths. I’ve done this meditation many times, and it gives me a sense of peace. That’s another great benefit of “memento mori”: It teaches you to accept your mortality. And as a result, you accept your life.
2. Keep a Memento Mori Journal
Another “memento mori” practice is to keep a journal of your thoughts and feelings about death. You can write about your own mortality, or you can reflect on the deaths of others. For example, you might write about a loved one who passed away, or you might write about a famous person who died. Writing about death can be a very cathartic experience. It can help you come to terms with your own mortality, and it can help you appreciate life more.
3. Use Physical Reminders
You can also use physical reminders to keep death in your mind. For example, you might want to keep a skull on your desk, like the Stoic founder Zeno. Or you might want to wear a “memento mori” ring or necklace. The key is to choose something that has meaning to you. It could be an object that reminds you of a loved one who has passed away, or it could be something that symbolizes the transience of life.
4. Create a Memento Mori Playlist
Music can be a very powerful tool for contemplation. And you can use music to remind yourself of your mortality. Create a “memento mori” playlist with songs that remind you of death. You might want to include classical music, like requiems or funeral marches. Or you might want to include more contemporary songs that deal with themes of death and mortality. For example, you might want to include Kamelot’s “Memento Mori” The key is to choose music that resonates with you, and that helps you reflect on your own mortality.
5. Read Memento Mori Quotes
There are many quotes and sayings that deal with the theme of death. And you can use these quotes as “memento mori” reminders. For example, Marcus Aurelius once wrote:
“You could leave life right now. Let that determine what you do and say and think.”
Or you might want to read the poem “To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time” by Robert Herrick:
“Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,
Old Time is still a-flying;
And this same flower that smiles today
Tomorrow will be dying.”
You can create a “memento mori” quote board, or you might want to write your favorite quotes in your journal. The key is to find quotes that speak to you, and that help you reflect on your own mortality.
6. Volunteer at a Hospice
If you really want to put things into perspective, volunteer at a hospice (terminal care). Life’s all about perspective. People are so worried about their job or the fact that someone didn’t like their social media post. It’s all so silly. And when you see people at the end of life, you realize how silly it all is. If you don’t have a hospice near you, you can also volunteer at a regular hospital where people are suffering from a terminal illness.
7. Visit a Cemetery
One of the best ways to remind yourself of your mortality is to visit a cemetery. Walking through a cemetery can be a very powerful experience. It can help you realize that we are all mortal, and that death is a natural part of life. You can also use your visit to a cemetery as an opportunity to reflect on your own mortality. You can take a few minutes to sit down and think about what you want your gravestone to say, or you can write your own epitaph in your journal. The key is to use your visit to a cemetery as a reminder that life is short, and that you should make the most of it.
8. Look at Old Photos
Another “memento mori” practice is to look at old photos of yourself and your loved ones. Take a few minutes to look at the faces in the photos, and remember the moments that were captured. Reflect on how much has changed since the photos were taken, and think about how much has stayed the same. Looking at old photos can be a very powerful reminder of your own mortality. It can help you appreciate life more, and it can help you realize that every moment is precious.
9. Pray for the Dead
Finally, you can practice “memento mori” by praying for the dead. You can pray for your loved ones who have passed away, or you can pray for people you have never met. You can pray for the souls of the departed, or you can pray for their loved ones who are left behind. Praying for the dead can be a very healing and cathartic experience. It can help you come to terms with your own mortality, and it can help you appreciate the time you have left.
Why is it Important to Remember That You’re Going to Die?
The phrase “memento mori” is a very powerful reminder of our own mortality. And that’s the whole point. When you remember that you’re going to die, you gain a new perspective on life.
You start to appreciate life more. You stop taking things for granted. You start to enjoy the little things in life that you might have overlooked before.
You also start to live with more intention and purpose. You start to think about what you want to achieve in life, and you start to take steps to make it happen.
You also start to live in the present moment. When you remember that you’re going to die, you stop worrying about the future. You stop stressing about things that are beyond your control.
Start Practicing Memento Mori Today
Imagine waking up each day with a renewed sense of purpose, every action infused with meaning, and a deep appreciation for the fleeting nature of life. That’s the power of “memento mori”. That’s the power of remembering that you’re going to die.
Are you ready to transform your daily routine and embrace the ancient wisdom that has guided some of history’s greatest minds?
That’s My Invitation to You
Start practicing “memento mori” every day. It’s easy to find a few minutes to think about your own mortality. For example, you can practice “memento mori” when you’re in the shower, or when you’re on your way to work. You can also practice “memento mori” when you’re cooking dinner, or when you’re out for a walk.
The key is to find a time that works for you, and to make it a daily habit. When you practice “memento mori” every day, you start to live a more meaningful life. You start to appreciate the time you have left, and you start to make the most of it.