Walk Your Talk

Practical spirituality for a complicated world.

Dear Robert, 

I recently had a death in the family, which happened as the result of a preventable accident. This brings up some spiritual questions for me. Looking at this from a physical standpoint, I can spend countless hours beating myself up because I didn't do enough; if only I had done this and if only I hadn't done that, maybe this soul would still be alive in physical form with us. In the realm of spirit, however, I feel like nothing happens without a reason, and particularly something as monumental as a death, does not happen by mere chance. In the realm of spirit, if she has died, then that is because it was the time for her soul to move on. She would have gone one way or another, if not by this accident, by something else…I think. So, that's my question: spiritually speaking, is there such a thing as an untimely death?

VM, Santa Fe

Dear VM,

Thanks for your letter. I've received several questions lately regarding similar topics. People are generally interested in learning more about death, but are reluctant to talk too much about it. Well, let's face it, death is generally not a subject most people bring up, is it? In discussing the topic, it is important to do so with understanding and compassion. Too often, even in spiritual circles, people become academic or detached, and it winds up looking and sounding cruel or cold hearted.

For our purposes today, let's begin with basics. Bodies are born, they live and they die. Souls are eternal, without beginning or end. We don't really die, for the soul, the eternal divine energy animating the body, cannot die. Even further, the soul cannot be harmed and cannot suffer. The soul is a spark of the cosmic fire we call God, or the Creator. This realization doesn't mean that we shouldn't mourn when we lose a family member or friend. When someone close to us dies, or even when strangers unknown to us die, it is appropriate to have a period of mourning.

After all, we've lost the company of someone we loved, who played a part in our lives, or in someone else's life. Frankly, the occasion of a death also reminds us of our own mortality. As much as we might wax philosophical about death, most of us don't really, truly imagine that it will happen to us one day. Interestingly enough, we are multi-incarnational beings. We've lived before, died and been born again. It is the great cosmic recycling system, whereby nothing is ever destroyed. Therefore, if some asked, "Do we really die?" the answer would be yes and no. Our bodies die, but our souls continue on. We do not live in a random universe. It is impossible to die before one's time. To say otherwise would be to imply that there is no order, no higher intelligence governing the universe. In the Christian scriptures, we're told that not even the tiniest bird falls to the ground without the knowledge of the Creator. Again, let me caution that spiritual knowledge is not an excuse to preach to people who are mourning. Allow everyone their own process of grieving, and then later, it may become appropriate to discuss things from a more sophisticated spiritual standpoint.

Before we take birth as a human being on this planet, there is a period of planning and preparation in the Light. For those souls nearing the end of their incarnational cycle on Earth, there is quite a bit of freedom involved in planning the curriculum of the next lifetime. For many souls, their curriculum is chosen for them by highly evolved beings who do that work as part of their own spiritual evolution. It is quite possible for a particular lifetime to have two, three or even more possible dates appointed to die. There might even be several optional methods of death. Many highly evolved souls plan their deaths as major teaching events for those around them. These appointed times may shift as the person's evolution takes them in different directions. It is not appropriate to think that we have the power or authority to alter another person's destiny. Yet, we are all so interconnected, that it is impossible not to influence others, especially loved ones. On the other hand, torturing yourself through thinking that you could have prevented someone's death is not a good thing for you, or for them. Whether we realize and appreciate it or not, things are unfolding as they should.

There has been quite a lot written about what is called the near-death experience. Often, as the result of an accident, surgery, or other traumatic events, people leave their bodies, enter a tunnel, or approach a tunnel leading to a bright light. Descriptions of the event vary. Often people will review their lifetime, in the company of spiritual beings. Invariably, they will be informed that they need to go back, for they haven't "finished" some task or purpose. There have also been accounts of people leaving their bodies, or "dying", and being met by horribly frightening, dark spirits. These people intuitively cried out the name of God, asking for mercy or help, and were rescued, coming back into their bodies. There is no permanent hell in the sense that traditional religion teaches, yet there are most definitely what might be called "hellish regions", dominated by hateful, spiteful beings. You really want to avoid those realms, both while you're alive and after you die. Actually, there was a movie called Ghost that accurately portrayed death. It might be interesting for you to see that movie if you haven't already.

There is no need to be afraid of death. It is inevitable for all of us. All the ancient scriptures tell us that everyone has a day appointed to die. Whatever various karmic themes we might have, we all share the identical reason for incarnating on this planet. That universal theme is to establish and maintain the proper spiritual relationship with the Creator, with all our brothers and sisters, with all our fellow creatures and with the EarthMother, herself. There are many, many ways to accomplish this spiritual task. When we're so hurt by the death of a loved one, it is difficult at first to see beyond that pain into the spiritual depths of that event. With time, with study, and with dedication, we have every opportunity to advance our own spiritual knowings, to plumb the depths of every experience, death included.

Death is also an opportunity to remind ourselves of the illusion of materialism. When we die, the only things we take with us are our spiritual knowings. Some of those knowings are incomplete, and we bring that back with us later on, sometimes calling them "lessons to learn". However, when you die, you don't get to bring along your stock portfolio, your car, and your flat screen TV, or any other material possession. Many people spend their lives in the pursuit of material possessions, and when they die, all those things go to other people. This is why the great spiritual master Jesus urged us to concentrate on the things of Spirit, knowing that all we need is added. This, of course, involves great trust.

In conclusion, practice being at peace, especially when outer circumstances seem to suggest there is little reason to do so. Our human perspective can be limited, so we do well to trust in the greater vision of the inner self. I hope this column helped you. Thanks again for your letter.

OM

Santa Fe Reporter