Eternal soul's
2007-01-04 07:44 AM | Posted by sahayak | Permanent Link | Inspirations
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Sadly, in March 2006 both of my parents passed away. They died of natural causes, my mother, Margaret Alison Plowman, died on my birthday two weeks after being diagnosed with cancer, she was 83, and my father, Hugh McDonald Plowman, died after a long illness eleven days later, the day after my mother's funeral, aged 85. The way that Mum and Dad departed so closely together was certainly an event of immense personal loss, but it was also one filled with the highest spiritual blessings, as both are also students of my meditation teacher, Sri Chinmoy.
As a young married couple, 1949
It was their time to be called, their earthly frames tired and spent, their eternal souls are now together for an indefinite period. As a spiritual seeker I could not have prayed for a more divine ending for my parents. They were married for nearly 60 years, raising three healthy children, now both can rest, re-united in Heaven's silent embrace.
I have drawn strength and understanding of death since the passing of a dear friends wife, who was also a student of Sri Chinmoy, a number of years earlier. In both instances now I am so grateful for the privilege to have felt the most serene and powerful blessings from my spiritual teacher.
Together on the high seas.
In the outer world, the finality in the deaths of my parents was certainly an event like no other. My life has been full of so many experinces, but nothing really prepares you for that moment. Since then I have undergone periods of grief, loss and emptiness, and have found that time does distance you from the impact of the event. From the higher spiritual reality however, I have only felt love and guidance from them in my prayers, and have recieved their reassurance, courage and strength on a number of occasions during my meditations.
And looking back after nearly a year, I find that my life is a tapestry of child-hood memories and recollections in their final years.
Of particular note is the stoic courage, strength, determination and bravery my father showed through a long and protracted disease, an illness that saw him loose virtually all of his physical capacities over a twenty year period. One thing that I admire so much about my father, was that he never complained, never, about his failing health!
Over the years Dad had cheated death on a number of occasions, and because of his failing health my brother, sister and I had assumed that he would be the first to die. So on those occasions when we were unable to visit, we would say our goodbyes, just in case! But Dad, or should I say God had other ideas! In a manner befitting their lengthy marriage, where Dad was always the provider, and out of his sense of duty as a gentleman and officer, he waited until after Mum departed.
My sister and I at my brothers graduation.
I was blessed to have witnessed my mother's soul appearing before me on the morning of my birthday, the morning of her death. I was meditating and she appeared as a very youthful woman, reassuringly smiling. Shortly afterwards I received the phone call from my brother. I remember the enormous courage Mum showed, and the fear she felt as Dad's carer, helplessly watching her husband's condition gradually deteriorate, and for the first time in her life, unable to help in any way.
And of the suddenness of Mum's death: I recall a totally surreal experience. Mum was the radiance of quiet acceptance, love, peace and angelic sweetness. I believe that she was totally unaware of her earthly surroundings and condition, aware only of Sri Chinmoy's presence, her family and friends.
My brother, sister and I were so blessed to have been with them to experience the embracing silence and peace that descended in the final moments. I recall reciting a most beautiful prayer of Sri Chinmoy's, and felt that their souls were being gently received by God's outstretched arms.
Through these experiences and Sri Chinmoy's inner teachings I know that death is nothing to be feared. It is not the end, it is simply the transition that reunites us with our Source, God's infinte Love and Compassion. And until that inevitable moment I pray that my earthly-journey shall be as content, self-giving and fulfilling as my parents.
Recommended Reading: Sri Chinmoy's books - Death and Reincarnation , The Master and the Disciple
Poems by Sri Chinmoy - God, Meditation and Prayer
