The living Self dies not.

Excerpt

Pervaded by the living Self that tree stands firm, drinking in its nourishment and rejoicing; 'But if the life leaves one of its branches, that branch withers; if it leaves at second, that branch withers; if it leaves a third, that branch withers. If it leaves the whole tree, the whole tree withers. In exactly the same manner, my son, know this.' Thus he spoke: 'This body indeed withers and dies when the living Self has left it; the living Self dies not. That which is that subtile essence, in it all that exists has its self. It is the True. It is the Self, and thou, Svetaketu, art it.'

Source Khândogya-upanishad, Sixth Prapâthaka, §10 · 📖 Read the full passage

✨ To meditate on today

According to the Khândogya-upanishad, a father teaches his son Svetaketu, through the image of a tree, that the body withers when life leaves it, but that the living Self, the subtle essence that connects all that exists, does not die: "Thou art it." Today, as you pass a tree, place your hand on its trunk and feel the same life that carries you, saying inwardly: "That is what I am."

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