We carry the dead with us

For October’s mortal musings, we’re exploring how the past is always present (for better and for worse) through our ancestral legacies and generational inheritances.

Welcome to Mortal Musings—our monthly roundup of what’s sparking inspiration, contemplation and shifts of perspective in the realm of life, death and impermanence. We hope you enjoy!

If you’re not already familiar with family constellations (or thinking about trying it for yourself), consider this your sign from the universe. As the title suggests, It Didn’t Start with You by Mark Wolynn, Founder and Director of the Family Constellation Institute, considers that many of our most intractable patterns and emotional struggles (treatment-resistant depression or anxiety, money problems, or repeating relational conflicts) may be rooted in generations past. This book reveals how our family history affects us in ways we may not realize—and the possibility of  breaking free from patterns that have shaped our lives from the beginning. MARK WOLYNN

Not convinced that generations past might be the source of your own struggles? See generational patterns and hidden legacies come to life in Maud Newton’s Ancestor Trouble. Newton delves into her complicated Southern family history, uncovering secrets and confronting the patterns passed down through generations. Yeah, you might want to reactive your old ancestry.com account and do some digging. MAUD NEWTON

Ancestors don’t just come from our blood lines. In Buddhism and other contemplative traditions, it’s believed that we also have spiritual lineages and land lineages that connect us to those who came before, and who can provide guidance and support along our path. Episode 5 of The Way Out Is In: THe Zen Art of Living podcast, hosted by Buddhist monk Brother Phap Huu and journalist Joe Confino (a former HuffPost colleague of Carolyn’s) offers dharma insights for connecting with our roots. THE WAY OUT IS IN

Samhain is a holiday with ancient Druid roots held at the end of October, marking the end of the harvest and the beginning of the darker half of the year. It’s also (like Halloween, which comes from it), a celebration of the dead. The Spirit of Samhain is an excellent  documentary that explores how a small 1982 costume party (held at the height of the Troubles), grew into a Ireland’s biggest Halloween festival. Marking the end of the harvest and the thinning of the veil between worlds, Samhain became more than just costumes—it offered the town of Derry a communal release from tension and conflict. VIMEO

Join Maura in Denver, Colorado for an evening of reflection and conversation around life’s impermanence. Inspired by the global Death Over Dinner movement, and through the lens of Death Archetypes, a contemplative personality test, attendees will explore their relationship with mortality, their ancestors, and the legacies they carry. It’s a chance to reflect on end-of-life preferences, share personal insights, and connect with like-minded individuals in a warm, supportive setting. Who are you in the face of life’s impermanence? REGISTER HERE

What’s been sparking death contemplation for you these days? We’d love to hear about it—send a link our way, and it just might end up in a future edition.

— Maura & Carolyn

P.S. Don’t forget to join us for Death Over Coffee, our monthly Sunday morning salon series where we gather to reflect, connect, and explore life’s biggest questions over a cup of coffee. This event is available exclusively for our paid members, so if you’d like to join in, consider upgrading for just $5/month. We hope to see you there!