The word ‘transition’ may sound like a euphemism for the more common descriptive term used today … ‘death’; however, I feel that the word ‘transition’ more aptly describes the experience.

 

Over the years, death has gotten a really bad rap because we have become so intrinsically attached to physical life that we totally fear the alternative, which is the biological cessation of life of an organism.  

 

Looking at death from a metaphysical standpoint,  we are able to recognize physical death for what it really is … a transition from the physical life to the spiritual life – moving the focus of our existence from one plane to another.

 

“Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness,
and the word 'happy' would lose its meaning
if it were not balanced by sadness.”  
Carl Jung

 

Robert Grant, a hospice  care worker from Virginia Beach, VA presents a detailed picture of life after death with research into near-death experiences (NDE’s).  In his book, the “Universe of Worlds,” Grant presents the mystical experience of Jan Manette who was rushing to get to work at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, the day of the terrorist attacks.

 

Ms. Manette, a punctual person, was unusually late that day.  As she approached the Pentagon, she immediately became fearful when she saw a huge, black oval mass hovering over the building.  It was perfectly symmetrical and perfectly still.  Above it was a brilliant oval white mass, the picture of which reminded her of a yin/yang symbol.

 

Just before the plane crashed, she saw the most powerful and unexplainable thing she had ever experienced … everything went into slow motion for her.  The plane carrying all those innocent people was a distance away from the building, but within her sight from the highway.  All at once, she saw these round sphere-like orbs of light rise up from the plane – dozens and dozens of them.  Then she saw what seemed like hundreds of them rise up and away from the roof of the Pentagon building.  She witnessed these brilliantly lit orbs swirling upward together in a spiral motion through the awful blackness of the first oval form and then disappear into the whiteness of the higher oval form. 

 

As the plane slammed into the Pentagon in a blazing explosion, Ms. Manette was instantly stuck by the realization that their souls were removed from their bodies before the crash. 

 

Although she suffered profound survivor’s guilt and post-traumatic stress from witnessing the crash, she found peace in knowing that the souls of the victims transitioned heavenward prior to the crash.  Ms. Manette became spiritually aware that the Divine True Source is indeed present and working behind the scenes at the time of transition.  To Soul, death does not exist.  It (soul) merely transitions to the next plane of existence.

 

To me, Jan Manette’s story is vitally important because it clearly shows the existence of life as Soul, not life as a physical body.  We are not a physical body with a soul   We are Soul with a physical body.  Therein lies the difference.

 

Looking at death from this viewpoint offers a deeper understanding of the passage and removes the fear associated with the act.  The Divine True Source, or God the Creator loves Soul so dearly and protects It so lovingly that transition from this plane of existence to the next is handled ever so gently, even in the face of horrendous tragedy.

 

“There should be no fear of death, for the death of the body is but a gentle passing to a much freer life.”  Helen Greaves

 

Does knowledge of Soul’s existence after physical death help survivors after the passage of a loved one?  It may serve as a comfort to know that life continues after death, but we still must mourn the physical loss.  Mourning is a sadness for our own loss and a difficult period no matter the age of the transitioned person.

 

Last week we lost a beautifully vibrant young woman, aged 20, in a tragic swimming accident.  She used to ride my school bus and I am proud to say that I experienced many happy times with this lovely gal.  However, the tragedy of her passing has left many folks feeling the searing pain of her loss – her parents, her brother, her fiancé, her best friends.  There are no words of consolation that will heal their wounds and each must work through their loss at their own pace and in their own way.

 

Earlier in the month, my brother-in-law transitioned after a long illness, but even with an anticipated passing, the pain is still evident, the loss profound, particularly to his two sons.

 

Another dear friend of mine recently lost her mother. Being an only child, this loss is considerably painful for her to deal with and her grief is immeasurable.

 

“The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.”  Kalil Gibran

 

Dr. Colin Parkes talks about four stages of grief that we are expected to follow after the passing of a loved one  – disbelief, yearning, disorganization and despair and finally reorganization and acceptance..   The names of the stages or phases of grief are really of no consequence.   What is important is that there are numerous thoughts and emotions that are experienced – some frightening, some unsettling – all are painful .  And, yet .. there is hope because eventually we do work through our pain, adjust to living in the environment from where the loved one is missing and find acceptance of the loss to move on with loving memories.  Time is our friend in this regard.

 

“The pain passes, but the beauty remains.”  Pierre August Renoir

 

Please know that you all have my warmest wishes for strength and clarity.