In Buddhist death ritual the rite of separation occurs before the deceased is dead. A Buddhist sits with the dying person in his or her final days and recites the Buddha's teachings, meditates, and speaks to the person's "matter." This matter is not physical, but a bundle of energies which are an element of the Khandhas. Conversation and meditation reflect the sixth and seventh dimensions of the Eightfold Path: Right Effort and Right Mindfulness. Right Effort describes a Buddhist's effort to prevent negative thoughts, while Right Mindfulness is the expansion of awareness, such as awareness of emotions, motivations, and actions. These states “remove the desire and hatred that lead to harmful actions” (Eckel, Understanding Buddhism: Origins, Beliefs, Practices, Sacred Texts, Sacred Sites, 2010, p. 59). Meditation is essential to the purpose of the ritual as mental and moral retribution dictates the process of death and rebirth. The rites of separation have an intimate connection with the Khandhas and the Eightfold