Questions of Life and Death

My Father's 3 year death anniversary just happened. So I've been spending more time reflecting upon death. Not in a macabre way, as I did when I was a teenager. But rather, in a curious and inquisitive way.

Is death the opposite of life? Or is it like other side of the same coin?

An inextricable part of life that cannot be avoided, subtracted or refuted without also refusing the splendors of living?

Speaking for myself, I know there's a journey beyond this physical life. How? Because I’ve been there.

I had my first near death experience as a toddler, and being carried into the limitless light was an experience I'll never forget. And even though I still remember and feel it so clearly - being in between - I'll never be able to put into words. Which is right, because it is beyond words and human language: The feeling of being freed from the physical body and mind.

So it made sense when I was there for my Dad when his Guide arrived to escort him through to the next. I felt the flow of limitless love and light from the door that had opened - and I knew that it was time for him to have his own experience of being freed from his body. And out of respect, I stepped out of the room. So his final breaths and moments on Earth would be his own. So he would know that it was okay to let go.

Is there still grief 3 years later?

Yes.

Have I felt waves upon waves of sadness, anger, gratitude, laughter, frustration and nostalgia wash over me this entire week?

Yes.

Which, for me, is correct. Because I don't believe that grief is something to be gotten over or overcome. But rather a part of the experience of life here on Earth - an interesting journey for better understanding our own immortality and limitlessness by inhabiting a mortal and limited body. And to attempt to avoid grief, to quicken it or to numb it away - at least in my own experience -misses the point completely.

So is death the opposite of living?

Is being reminded of the inevitability of death also being reminded of what a blessing every day can be?

Is embracing the lessons of death also embracing the lessons of life?

I invite you to reflect upon these questions with me. What answers come to you?

Please feel free to share in the comments below.

And with our reflections and curiosity, perhaps can move closer to illuminating the true meaning of life here on Earth. For you, for me…for ALL of us.