There is Light in Loss
The word ‘DEATH’ is so harsh and sounds like ‘THE END’ however it is just another beginning. For this reason I prefer the word ‘transformation’ as it’s more truthful. When a form dissolves it always creates new life. Visualize a time-lapse showing the decomposition of a plant. The individual plant dissolves but in doing so gives life to new bacteria, mould and a multitude of other organisms; when one plant dies eventually a new plant emerges from the soil. There is no such thing as death, there is only endless new beginnings.
“For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one”
Even though we know the process and science behind transformation there’s still part of us that can feel uncomfortable with it. This is the ‘I’ or ‘me’ concept that doesn’t want to disappear. Meditation is a great tool to dissolve the into something greater than the individual self, embrace impermanence and connect to the eternal realm. We also learn to die before we die. We begin to connect to a timeless place that is much deeper than thoughts or individual identity. Yes we get swept up in thoughts and concepts, however we also return to a place of no thoughts and no concepts. Ask yourself these questions: who are you when you have no thoughts? Do you die when you stop thinking? The gaps in between the thoughts...what is that place? When we meditate we can observe the process of our thoughts coming and going. This observational field is vast, conscious and eternal. Within this field we can also observe endless endings and new beginnings. Every day we think 60 to 80 thousand thoughts; in between those thoughts are gaps of nothingness, mini deaths.
Any ending in the physical world can cause suffering in the mind, but not in our awareness. Our awareness is connected to the whole and understands eternity and oneness. When a job, relationship or holiday ends the mind can create a feeling of sadness. When a person dies their physical form, story and personality disappearing can create immense fear and disorientation. The key is to surrender to the feelings that arise and move towards the discomfort rather than hiding. Accepting any feelings of helplessness, fear and sorrow carries us to greater understanding.
When something transforms it offers us a great opportunity for spiritual growth. When a form dissolves it is a gateway into pure awareness, and possibly an experience of oneness. There is a possibility, if we don’t retract, that we can have a self realization and connect to the whole. When something we love transforms there is a massive gap left behind where they once were. The more time we spent with them; the more we loved them; and the more we identified with them...the greater the gap left behind. Inside that gap is the possibility to discover stillness and peace. There is no greater stillness to be found than in a space that is now empty that once used to be filled. When our loved one transforms they enter a field of pure awareness; this is the same field of pure awareness that resides in all of us; so if we connect to that place we are one with them.
When pets and loved ones have transform I find my body sobbing; there is always a compassionate space for the grieving process which I observe with curiosity and acceptance. Sometimes I have found myself laughing and crying at the same time! I’ve noticed a combination of happiness and sadness often combining when transformation occurs. I sense the deepest part of my being there is a celebration of the transformation…of the being finally returning home while their body is recycled back into the ecosystem. Our conscious awareness, that is connected to the intelligence of nature, knows that there is nothing to be sad about.
People often report when people are passing they look translucent or having a glow, especially close to their time. They may begin to smile and look deeply peaceful as the weight of their psychological suffering is dissolving. This is the light of pure awareness literally shining through. When I was recently with a glowing relative who was transforming, his last words to me were ‘it’s so beautiful’.
Guided meditation to dissolve stress led by Aruna Shields
Resources
For deep relaxation and guided meditations visit YouTube channel Aruna Shields TV
To learn to transcend (meditate on your own effortlessly) visit www.tm.org