Acknowledgments xi
A Note on Terminology xiii

Introduction: Aging and Death, Our Lifelong Companions 1
The First Messenger: Aging Is Unavoidable 21
The Second Messenger: Illness Is Unavoidable 48
The Third Messenger: Death Is Unavoidable 78
The Fourth Messenger: Heirs to Our Actions 122
The Practice: Intimacy With Living and Dying 141
Appendix: Meditation and the Practice of Awareness 165

Glossary 171
Bibliography 173
Resources 175