During a few moments of respite, somewhere in the middle of the action-packed movie, the protagonist boy shares a golden quote with his rescuer, who was still grieving for his deceased son — ‘You drown not by falling into a river, but by staying submerged in it.’ Indeed. Yet in a sense, he was also making amends for absence during loss of his son, by now saving someone else’s son.
He began to tear… How many drops of tears do we need for grieving? As many as needed… but may none stay drenched in them, or drown in them. May all transform grief to strength fully. May all realise the beloved lost would wish the bereaved to find their bearings soon, to live well. It would be the best way to honour their love. This is thought transformation practice that we all need to master.
From all pain and suffering, the vicissitudes of life, may we swiftly learn — to master life and death. May we not fret loss, but brace and prepare for the inevitability of impermanence. Yet, may we also remember that even loss and grief are impermanent, with which we can transform to be gain and gratitude. Even with the most precious loss, we can cherish what already gained. And be ever grateful for what transpired.
