Introductory Post
“Sallekhana is sacred death observed at the end of a full life, chosen with dignity, when faced with imminent departure…with the sanction of religious authority. It involves fasting unto death, with the choice of quitting the fast at any time if the person has changed his or her mind. The place of undertaking this rite is usually a sacred site… It calls for meditation upon the true nature [of things]… until the life force merges [“dissolves”?] into the unknown, in what is known as ‘samadhi’ death, or dying while immersed in meditation. Such demise is undertaken with the permission of near and dear ones, after begging their forgiveness for causing injury to them in the course of living, …all ties to the living, and mental attachments, are given up before undertaking the vow of sallekhana. The fasting is a gradual process, whereby food intake is drastically reduced at first, then given up altogether, followed by a refusal of water intake also. Death may occur at any time from within a few days to a month or more. In that period, gradual withdrawal of senses from external objects occurs, leading to detachment and inner purification, with a strong and increasing focus on meditation.” - LifePositive summary
