We revisit the adventure from the Upanishads of Nachiketa and his odyssey to meet with the Lord of Death. We look at the wisdom to be gained through the examination of Nachiketa’s initiation into his journey of awakening.

Nachiketa accepted this journey, what he did was he went out into the woods and he sat down without moving for three nights and he waited for Death. You see, you have to offer yourself in order for a genuine journey. Yes, this can come as a blow, but if you choose it then you really have to give yourself as Nachiketa did.

Sitting in the Fire (20:30) – Nachiketa makes his descent into the underworld in pursuit of Yama, the Lord of Death, where he was made to sit in the presence of Pestilence, War and Famine while waiting for Yama’s return. Looking at Nachiketa’s bravery, we reflect on the difficulties that we sit with while in meditation that we must learn to meet with courage and equanimity.

You sit like Nachiketa did, it may not be with War, Pestilence and Famine but it’s restlessness, fear, loneliness, guilt and all the stuff that you may have run away from in your life – you sit quietly and it says, ‘Remember me? I’m here.’ You really have to sit with what you are afraid of if you want to grow.