A few thoughts ago, I wrote about death of the body, the vessel that holds you inter consciousness or “soul”. My father died this past December after a five year long illness. We had a lot of time to think about and plan for his death. As we did, I came to believe that only his vessel would die; his soul would live on. In his case, he souls lives in heaven. I truly saw his soul pass into the light three days after his death.
What happens after the body dies; how long does it take for the soul to go elsewhere albeit to heaven or to another vessel. Some souls still have a purpose on Earth and are reincarnated into another body or vessel. Others are ready to enter the ultimate peace, the light, heaven.
How long does that take? How does it happen? Only those who have experienced know. Though many have expressed their thoughts in words and music. Three of my favorites are the book “The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud”, by Ben Sherwood; and two songs: “Cold Water” from Damien Rice and “Free Bird” by Lynyrd Skynyd.
In “The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud” Charlie dies at a young age and believes his younger brother needs him to remain. Charlie does for years but and he and his brother learn that for life to continue as it should or should have, Charlie must pass on. The lesson is we who remain behind need to give permission to those who pass to move on. We had to do that with my father in his final days. The family gathered when we know it was time and gave permission to go. I think that permission was why in just three days he passed into the light. God Bless. In “The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud” Ben Sherwood writes of many who pass much more quickly than Charlie. Many don’t realize they have died at first, but when they do and realize they have permission, they pass on. Permission — give it to your loves one.
In the song “Cold Water” Damien Rice tells the story of death (which he describes) as cold water. After feeling surrounded by cold water, the soul struggles. He can’t let go at first and prays to the Lord to “hear me now”. He wants to pass into the light. By the end of he song he does and the music at the end is so surreal and peaceful. It makes you realize how wonder passing on is. Death is not unpleasurable for the soul; it is a opportunity for peace at the hand of God.
Finally, “Free Bird” by Lynyrd Skynyd. I think this is one of the greatest songs of all time. Listen to the live version; it is 15 minutes of pure heaven. I don’t know if Lynyrd Skynrd intended the song to be about death and passing, but I think it is. He is leaving–death of the vessel. He is free as a bird now–the birds are his path to the light. He speaks of not being able to change and accepts responsibility–God accepts sinners into heaven. And he speaks he has to go–he can’t stay behind; the soul has to move on.
I don’t think that death and what happens after words is all that unclear. I saw that with my father and knowing made accepting easy. It is all about believing and faith. What do you think?
Do you know of other writing and songs?
You all know I like animals. I haven’t had a pet for years. Last year my kids talked me into a getting a cat. He–Huey–is a rescued cat from Kentucky. He lives here with me in New Jersey. Huey is a joy and provides so much inter peace that I speak of. Get to know Huey. Check out his MySpace site under the link Huey Yoakum.
Previously I wrote what a wonder pets are to helping us achieve inter peace and stillness. Then it is no surprise that I wholeheartedly support all the many groups opposing cruelty to animals. While I still eat turkey, chicken and fish, I wonder. Is this right? And to use animals for sport, to test, etc., is just undoubtedly wrong. Wearing of furs…how could you! Support animal rights…they are living creatures that some say are as intelligent as human beings, maybe smarter than some. What do you think?
A couple of blogs ago I wrote of how music can bring a stillness to your inter consciousness. It can put you in the now, the presence. Bring a serenity and allow you to forget the past and the future. There are other things that God has provided us that can bring that same serene. These include nature–flowers, trees, water, etc., and pets. Pets could be more aware of their inter consciousness than humans. We live in a hectic world full of violence, cheating, displeasure. Use the gifts God had given us among them music, nature and pets to find your sense of Presence–living in the now–without the worry of past and future. What do you think–Day 11.
I have been thinking a lot about death since my father passed away on December 28 of last year. What is death? The body still exists but the soul or life is gone. The body is a only a vessel for the soul. Death is when the soul leaves the body; not when the body dies. Again, the body is only a vessel; life is the soul. Where does the soul go? To never never land? To heaven? Another vessel–reincarnation? I truly believe that the body and soul separate at death. I also believe in heaven and a higher being. But reincarnation intrigues me. What do you think?
Have you ever heard of musicophilia? It is the study of the science and history of music. I stopped at Starbucks yesterday for a latte. The cup had a quote from Oliver Sacks. It was: “Music can lift us out of depression or move us to tears — it is a remedy, a tonic, orange juice for the ear. But for many of my neurological patients, music is even more — it can provide access, even when no mediation can, to movements, to speech, to life. For them, music is not a luxury, but a necessity.” Oliver Sacks is a psychologist and author of many books including “Awakenings” (was made into a movie with Robin Williams); and “Musicophilia — Tales of Music and the Brian”. Has anyone read Musicophilia? I want to buy and read it. You know how I agree with his quote; see What’s on Your Mind Day 5. Maybe my friend is a musicophiliaist and doesn’t know it. Music can bring so much interpeace and joy. We need to take advantage of the gifts God had given us. Today music gets a rap for the violence and images some think it causes. I don’t what to debate that today…but only what us all to look at our inter-self consciousness and utilize music for interpeace. We need that in the world of turmoil we live in. What do you think — Day 9. P.S. — Starbucks had great, educational, inspirational and informative quotes on their cups. Don’t miss them.
Our only thought today—our hearts go out to the Spitzer family and our sorry for all the pain they are incurring due to acts of stupidity.
It looks like another scandal. The governor of New York will most likely resign. All for sex…is he that stupid? I don’t understand it. We all are sexual creates; sex is a normal human desire. But to let is ruin lives; hurt those we don’t love. Can’t we control ourselves? Can’t these people control these urges and live within moral and ethnic standards? Throw the key away; I have no symphony. And I just don’t get it? Why do the do it? Why do they risk so much?
The weather was very severe this weekend in certain parts of the country. Records were set for snow fall and rain fall in many parts of the country. No doubt, weather severity in the past few years seems to have gotten worse. The swings and departures from normal weather patterns have gotten greater. Does this all mean anything? Is environmental changes the cause? Or is this God’s wrath as some may claim? Can we do anything to stop these weather claimities? What do you think?
I have a friend. She is a little older. We won’t say how old but she has experienced life. She is a retired nurse by training , but her real passion in life is music. Today she stills play the organ, piano and keyboard. She plays at funerals and social clubs. Though age has brought her some aches and pains, she finds music playing thearaputic. And I think the music keeps her young at heart and free-spirited. Until I met this good friend, I took music for granted and never though much about the soothing impact it can have on our lives. We just grew up with it there. Music is a talent, an art that God has blessed the world with. Sometimes we just need to stop and live in the moment. Look around and begin a spiritual awakening. Music can be part of that awakening. What do you think?
