Sometimes death seems closer than other times. In the past few days I’ve encountered the idea of death in different ways. Shamanic Healer, Carol Tunney, who was so helpful to me last year at this time, died on Friday. Jon’s insulin shock yesterday, got me thinking what could have happened if it went untreated. And I was intrigued by Elizabeth Nichols-Ross, blog writings about being an Undertaker in Cambridge NY.
Carol’s death reaffirmed my beliefs about what happens after we die. I don’t know if it’s true or not, but even though I didn’t get to talk to Carol, before she died, and tell her how much she helped me and that for me she was a powerful healer, I think she knows how I feel. Because I believe we can communicate with people after they have died. And for me this hasn’t come through a Seance or planned ritual, but at odd moments when I feel the presence of the person and communicate with them through either words or emotions. And I feel different afterwards, as if something has been resolved. With Carol, I brought myself back to the state I was in when she performed my Soul Retrieval ritual. I opened my mind and heart to it and let Carol know how she helped me. And I truly believe that if this is possible with anyone, it’s possible with Carol. Who claimed to be able to be between many worlds when she was alive.
But I also know, that this is a belief. I remind myself that I don’t really know if this is the truth or not. It may just be a function of my brain being stimulated in a certain way or a rationalization to make myself feel better. I have my beliefs, buy I have more respect for the idea of the Great Mystery, of not knowing, than thinking I actually do know.
And if these beliefs were truly tested, by the death of Jon or of my own impending death, I have no idea where they would go.
So why speculate on something that can’t be known? Which brings me to Elizabeth’s writings on death. As an undertaker, she is not concerned with the afterlife and what may or may not happen, but with how the living deal with someone’s death. There’s something so matter of fact and practical, yet also emotional, about the way Elizabeth treats death, that I actually enjoy reading about it. There’s something comforting in how ordinary it seems. It’s not about the unknown, as much as the familiar. Elizabeth writes about the ritual transition from life to death. That’s her part in it. And on a professional level, she doesn’t have to deal with what happens next for the dead or the living. But there’s something powerful in the ritual she provides. She makes death seems like the most natural thing in the world. Which, of course, it is.
As an undertaker I may not have to be concerned with the after life, but also as an undertaker I have had some wonderful experiences with the dead that make me believe in the continuation of the spirit.
It is such an honor to be the caretaker of dead as well as taking care of their families. Seeing and feeling the peace that often is present is comforting to me, even when a family may not choose to see their loved one.
Thank you for your thoughtful words.
Thank You Elizabeth, I was so inspired by your writing. I’d love to hear about your experiences that make you believe that the spirit goes on.
Very touching post, Maria. And, Elizabeth, I too would love to hear about those experiences.
I know spirit lives on. I’ve experienced many many things that convince me…..and others who didn’t believe. My mother convinced me she’d just be “a plane away” (and not the airplane plane!). I know it’s true. 🙂
I feel the same way Kim.
Dear Maria, As for the afterlife, trust your “gut” feelings. Your heart & mind. After many decades of living, I have come to trust this, my instinctual feelings. It is something one feels deep within, but without awareness of, is not listened to. Your feelings about Carol appear to be deep. Just maybe she was communicating with YOU! We all have our personal intuitions. Some we feel others will think are so-called, “weird.” So what! As a kid I believed in guardian angels. Then “maturity” & I came to “rational” thinking:) Well, now I know I have a Guardian Angel. Who is it? I have a feeling it is someone close who has died & remains, guarding, guiding me. Thank you for this post, “The Most Natural Thing.” It is peace & a connection that forever remains.