Ashes to Ashes by David Farley was absolutely beautiful. The concept of death evokes so many emotions and philosophies. Everyone handles death in a very different way. This story reminded me of the movie "The Marigold Hotel". Most of us believe that if you die when you are younger it is tragic, if you suffer painfully by a disease then death is a better option, and if you are older then we rejoice in your life. However, as the old man in Varanasi puts it, "You people come to Varanasi from the West because you're so unprepared for death." The visit to Varanasi for the narrator in the story was beautiful. They were so up close and personal with death, and it helped them to achieve ananda! After volunteering at a hospice, they share, "Being around the dying, and talking to them, helped demystify death for me." I believe death is a beautiful transition. I lost my mom when I was five, so I have been comfortable with the spiritual world for quite some time now. I tell everyone to be happy for me when I do go because I will be reunited with my mother and family members on the other side. Most people are uncomfortable with death and talking about it. I believe it is fear of the unknown, but just as Farley did, it is one's responsibility to demystify death to eliminate the fear associated with it.

     Farley does an excellent job describing Varanasi. So well described that I felt I was there. "A peaceful heaven." He describes it, "It's a cacophony of auto-rickshaw horns and buzzing motorbikes... the smell of exhaust fumes, chai, and curry, plus the occasional waft of incense, intermingle to crate the olfactory imprint of this ancient city." I loved this description. I loved his visit to the cremation grounds. I, too, want to be cremated like my mother. "Ashes to Ashes." Interesting fact that "a body can take anywhere from 2 to 12 hours to burn." The dom (cremator) shared, "Depends on one's karma." The better the person's karma the faster they burn.   Although Farley admits that he, "is a long way from the bliss" that the old man ordered him to seek, but he was able to muster up the ability to continue living after visiting Varanasi! What a great journey and a beautiful way to contextualize his transition.