Hi. everyone. It’s good to see so many views and opinions on the subject of what happens after. Life is a continuum. It can’t be stopped or lost. This applies to love also. But when we get to the subject of faith it becomes difficult because it means we come down to emotions and feelings. ‘Blind faith’ is not what I mean To believe something when there is no evidence to justify it is useless. But, at least to me, there is ample evidence. Spirit and Faith are like the air we breath. We feel the wind on our face and breathe in the air, but can’t see it. The evidence is there but can’t be seen. What is the body? A mass of nerve endings and flesh, nothing more, so what drives it?
A train arrives at a station. There is a driver in front, but if there is no driver then it’s just a row of carriages. To me, spirit is like that. But can we view it with an open mind. ‘Seek, and ye shall find’. We are conditioned beings. By our environment, our childhood and circumstances. Mostly we repeat what we have heard or read, and most of us find it difficult to accept new ideas.
Love! What is it? How does anyone explain it. A much misused word, but I talk of real unconditional love. Not just for others, which is so important, but to love ourselves. Not self centred love, that’s not what I mean, or the egotistical variety. But to know, that in spite of everything, we still need acceptance and love in our hearts. If I could suggest that by going to a certain webpage you would find proof of an after life I would willingly do so, but it’s not possible because we are dealing with a much deeper subject than mere words can justify. Emotions are often indescribable. Faith can’t be described. You either feel it or you don’t. You feel love or you don’t. None of this makes you any less a worthy mortal who deserves love. Not at all. But as you give so you receive. The love and understanding on this site is almost palpable. Yes, love! Why? Because we are all joined by this one thing called grief. We would not be on this site if we didn’t care. And caring is love. Of course, to expect everyone to agree with everything is not possible, but if we fasten onto the things we have in common, and help each other then wonders can occur. Wordsworth wrote a poem that began ‘We come from God, which is our home trailing, clouds of glory’. He goes on to say that we become imprisoned in life and the world and lose that essential thing. Faith in our spiritual being. Thanks for all who replied to this thread. Blessings.
So refreshing to be able to express and respond accordingly in a friendly and respectful snvironmentviscwhat makes these forums oart, j believe, theursoeurical
Hi
To be able to express ourselves and respond accordingly in a friendly environment is what makes these forums useful, i think, a kind of therapy… . Jonathan i enjoy your observations and take and leafn something out of everyone’s comments.
The only evidence i am searching for is to know that my husband my sister and those loved ones gone before them are well in peace and free of all pain. They were good kind humble human beings why shouldn’t they? I ask.
As for my grief, deep pain abd current emptiness …i dont know.
Alk the best to all xx
Sorry didnt realise i sent the initial txt i got distracted by two little dogs fight in the street… Ooooops!
Thank you Jonathan x
I too am certain that life doesn’t end with death . Yes, I want to believe it , but it’s much more than that . I’ve had enough spiritual experiences to know this . I’m not out to convince anybody else . It’s what I believe and that’s it . I fully intend to make the most of the rest of my life . I’ve got a son and an ex wife who I love very much on this earth . And when I die , I’ll meet up again with my dad and my younger son . I’m not scared of death . It’s a section of our existence , that’s what this life it is to me .
Hi Jonathan,
I loved reading your post. I’m a Wiccan Witch and we fiercely believe in love of nature and everything around us. We believe that the spirit returns to nature which is the divine source. There are 4 large trees down the road from where I live and every time I pass them touch them, I swear they “speak” to me. Anyone watching me must truly think I’m potty!!
I’m often loathe to tell people about my beliefs because some people think we are devil worshipers but this couldn’t be further from the truth, in Wicca there is no Satan, there are no Demons.
While a loved one’s passage is always painful, witches don’t shrink from the natural processes of life. The Wheel turns, and sometimes things must be let go.
We also know the Wheel will turn again, and things that have been lost will be returned to us. The form may change, but nothing is ever really lost.
From a spiritual perspective, death is not an ending. It is simply a transition. . .
Mortal beings pass through a door to another realm of existence.
And the door has a window. We can sometimes see the other side through it. And the other side, with greater perception, can always see us.
What an eloquent and persuasive post .
Beautifully written. It was a comfort to me to read your words. Thank you
Yes YL I have. It’s very difficult to explain synchronicity. Has anyone been thinking about someone and the phone rings and it’s them? Jung felt we were all connected in his theory of ‘The Collective Unconscious’. Pain is pain the world over. It used to be thought in Victorian times that certain races didn’t feel pain as we do. Hence our treatment of people in our so called ‘colonies’. Which is of course rubbish! No matter what race or colour you are bereavement is the same; the pain is the same if there is genuine love. But also are compassion, love and understanding. I agree that it’s important to have an enquiring mind. Closed mind’s remain closed and nothing it seems,can persuade them to just look, if only for a moment, at a different view of their situation. This view may be fleeting at first, but it’s a beginning. ‘An atheist with a bigger heart’. Yes, well why not? Having a bigger heart is more important that any religious views or otherwise.
Someone mentioned about moving home and if their loved one would have approved. But it’s in the heart not in bricks and mortar. You take them with you wherever you go. Where or how you go makes no difference. A home is full of memories, as I am finding to my cost. But even if I wanted to move I wouldn’t. Someone said to me, ‘don’t make any major decisions until at least a year is up. Even then, take care and be sure it’s not your emotions guiding you’. We still live on Earth and have to be practical, or try to! Blessings.
Oh yes, I do know only too well. It’s so difficult to relate to posts on here when the pain is so intense. I am sure we all send our love and best wishes. Taking people into our hearts with love and understanding does help because love travels well. We are with you if not inbody in spirit. And that’s where your loved one is. You may well feel her presence, just give it time. Time; it goes so slowly and seems to make the pain worse. Very best wishes and keep posting.
“You don’t pay upfront for heaven”. Hi. cw. I think we do. I think we pay for being kind, compassionate, caring and, above all loving. I do know what you mean though. Good or bad, sinners, (whatever that means!), or those who do their best are welcome. It’s never too late to rectify our mistakes by asking for forgiveness. Guilt should not be allowed to get in the way of awareness.
Hi. ashtrees. I have heard of Wiccan Witches, and yes, the very idea is anathema to some. It’s the word ‘witch’ that does it. Nothing could be further from the truth. I go along entirely with your view of nature, and it’s not one bit idiotic, well, not to me. I live in a Christian non denominational community dedicated to healing by prayer. We have, in our woods’, a ‘healing tree’. It’s a big old oak that the people who come here often embrace and so often derive comfort from. Trees can teach us so much. But what drives them to grow every spring as the do? What motivates growth? Oh, I know, there is a scientific explanation as in all things, but it does not satisfy because we ask where does the tree get the idea to grow? Tree spirits abound in legend. I know people who say they see tree spirits. It’s not for me to say they don’t just because I can’t see them. That would be arrogance! They are all very sincere people. There are indeed more things in Heaven and Earth than we can dream of. But in line with this thread, is there a ‘Ghost’ in the tree? A Spirit?
Dear Jonathan
I get so much comfort from your posts and the answers they provoke. It makes me cross with myself sometimes that I should still need comfort coming up to the third anniversary of Barry’s death but there are days when I really do…there are of course many other days when the pain is more of a background ache that doesn’ t stop me marvelling at nature and being glad to still be alive. It is all a mystery really…but then that is what life… and faith… is. Perhaps we all try too hard to find answers that will never be revealed.
I really like the sound of your community and the healing tree. Sometimes healing is a long process which often leaves a scar…I think we who post here are living embodiments…and anything which helps promote it is of immense value. I saw a tv programme on trees (Judith Dench was in it) and it showed how trees communicate with each other and send messages under the ground…a little like this forum!!
Take care everyone…keep your loved one in your heart and keep healing and hoping x
Jonathan…
…I too have a fond passion for trees, I find them absolutely fascinating…I remember not too long ago watching a tv programme with Dame Judy Dench, ( My Passion for Trees ) her passion, knowledge and and spiritual wisdom of the life of a tree…Every tree has life…My Richard never shared my passion unfortunately, he was more of a flowers person…he loved his flowers, as I get enjoyment from all flowers and everything green, and thriving with nature, and our birds…Our plant-life and flowers are a marvel in themselves, as what else comes-springs back to life when they look so dead…Now if only this would happen to our loved ones…be given a second chance…I am sure we would all choose to do things better, live better, live happier and more appreciative lives without wasting any of our days, weeks, months, years…It is true, our lives really are short, shorter than we expect, and are so very precious…
Jackie…
Jonathan…
…I meant to have added, " we never realise what we have lost until will have lost it…"yet our love for that person or our dogs, never dies, no one can nor will ever take that away from us, that will forever stay buried in our heart, even though their is a piece of our heart that is now broken…
Jackie…
Thanks Jackie. My wife loved the Spring and it’s hard for me to go out into the countryside and not have painful memories. She came alive in the Spring and loved it so much. Perhaps our loved ones are given a ‘second chance’. It may be that in another dimension it happens. I think it’s in Judaism that they have the ‘Tree of Life’, the Cabala. There are many references in ancient books about ‘the healing leaves’ of a tree. A lot of pharmaceutical products come from trees, aspirin being one. So is there a Spirit in a tree? I like to think that Spirit pervades everything, but we have to seek and find. Take care.
Yes Spring with its Easter once was my favourite time of the year, Richard was a Summer ( the heat ) person but now Spring for me doesn’t have that same feeling after I lost one of my darling dogs on an Easter Saturday 10 years ago, now Richard was taken from me in Spring just before our first Bank Holiday…there was a time I loved Easter and the two Bank Holidays we have just had…
How refreshing to be talking about the beauty of nature and tree’s. I walk my dogs often in woodland and just can’t explain how much I love the nature all around me.
I walked in the most beautiful area of woodland on Saturday, I have been there often but never fail to admire what is around me. Meandering streams, so many tree’s, wildlife (inc red squirrels). Today I have done a walk along tree lined tracks, by the river, a copse, sat overlooking the river and just can’t explain how it made me feel. The healing benefits are there for anyone to benefit from for free. Firmly believe it is the best medicine available. Long walks, fresh air, makes me tired and I sleep at night. On my allotments I see so much that is coming to life, I watch the seasons. The flowers, the birds, the insects all a wonder of nature. So very therapeutic. Love tree’s and talk to them.
My husband said he didn’t want to die in spring because he loved it so much. He didn’t. He is with me on my walks.
Hi there ashtrees. I have never heard of Wiccan Witch but it sounds amazing and I hope I can find out more about the subject. Are they all over the country.