"Living Through Transitions"
by Rev. Christine
3/22/98

 

"This existence of ours is as transient as autumn clouds. To watch the birth and death of beings is like looking at the movements of a dance. A lifetime is like a flash of lightning in the sky, rushing by, like a torrent down a steep mountain." The Buddha.

I like that "death of beings is like looking at the movements of a dance," the dance of life; graceful twirls, joyful leaps and bounds, dramatic movements and the final stance — acceptance -- we take our bow -- it is done.

Today’s talk is about "Living Through Transitions." Last week we had a speaker from "Hospice of the Valley." We continue the theme of life. In teachings of Divine Science we view death as a life transition — for there really is only life.

The word transition — the dictionary gives us this definition: "the passing from one condition, form, stage, activity, place etc. to another. The period of such passing. 2. Music — a shifting from one key to another — an abrupt change into a remote key — a passage connecting the two."

Friday was the first day of spring. We are nearing Easter, the celebration of the great resurrection of Jesus the Christ. We are reminded of new life -- eternal life. The period of Lent is the preparation for a new life; the cleansing away of old beliefs and habits that no longer serve us. Much like the rains that clear away the dead leaves and branches leaving trees barren. The barren trees begin to bring forth new life, new buds for leaves, and blossoms for fruits.

If we observe nature, we see the cycle of life. That nothing is permanent in this world. Although, life continues to come forth. That which was asleep springs forth -- Tulips and daffodils make their appearance, the birds sing once again. The earth is in a resurgence of energy. The days get warmer and longer, with the promise of more life. Each new season brings forth its own song and dance.

Early morning of January 21st, during my sleep state I had a visit with my mother. Nine days before what would have been her birthday. It is not uncommon to have communication with loved ones gone at their birthday and around the anniversary of their death.

My mother told me that she did not really die; she only moved away. She went up north to a clinic where she was cared for and nurtured back to health. She looked great like in her 40s -- her cheeks were so rosey and eyes so bright. My sister that had passed on in 1992, was with her.

Living through transitions, that is the message from Jesus. That life continues. It is only changing from one vibrational frequency to another; from the visible into the invisible light rays. Which he mastered and demonstrated to us, and for us to someday do also.

Life is like a beautiful melody -- one musical note after another. When we finish this melody, it is time for a new one — a new theme — a new vibration. We go through transitions all the time. Every life is like a book with many chapters, and each closed chapter is a major transition, and the next chapter a new experience in life. Each new birth, is a new volume to the existing books. The volumes go on and on into eternity.

Since I was a little girl I knew of death. My first father passed on when I was 5, and at 9 my second father also died. My second father came to me in a dream.

He also visited my mother, not in a dream state, she awoke to his presence in the room. The room was bright filled with light, although it had been dark during the night. He sat next to her on the bed. She could even touch him. He came to comfort her, letting her know he was alright. He said, he was happy living and working on the other side. It was very much like earth with buildings, parks, and such.

At 16, my girlfriend that lived across the park from us committed suicide. About 9 years later she came to me in a dream state then I woke up suddenly, sat straight up, to find a man’s face surrounded by glowing light. He looked like a sea captain of the old days with a beard, and cap. The lips were moving but I could not hear. I knew though, I was given a warning to change my life — which I did. I did not go back to sleep that night. Later on I found out that it probably was my great grandfather.

My son, who died at age 9, for 10 years came to me periodically in my dream state. We visited in what I call the "otherside." I always knew when it was time to come back. Suddenly, my conscious mind would remember that he was dead, and I had to return. We would have time to hug and say goodbye. Sometimes I was aware of crossing a bridge.

For the next few days I always felt so good, renewed by the love between us. He was always as I had remembered him until the last visit. That last visit he was a young adult, tall and thin, he would have been 19. My daughter was also there, she was 21 at the time. I knew we came to a closure, and he was moving on with his life.

Also, about this time last year my sister that had passed on in 1992, came to me during another dream state — I had gone through a dark tunnel -- like slide, and came out to another place. I was standing in a street or alley. Then this woman came walking towards me, she was wearing a dark trench coat.

At first I couldn’t make out who it was, then I recognized it was my sister. She was young and beautiful with long hair in flowing ringlets. We embraced — it was like we merged — the love was so great. It felt so good. I then saw my mother walk by, she didn’t see us. I knew this was a message that my sister would be in the after life for my mother, while I would help on this side.

I’ve had other experiences too. This was a strange one. For about 1 ½ years I had dreams of another girlfriend that I hadn’t seen for years. The first time I found myself sitting in a rocking chair, holding her like a child, comforting and rocking. Things progressed, and then the last time was when I helped her to pick out a new wardrobe, she was ready to have a job. Shortly, afterwards my sister brought this girlfriend’s brother to visit. I told him of my dreams. To my surprise, she had been dead for close to two years. I’ve also, assisted those I don’t know personally.

There are some people that have experienced a near death experience. These experiences have been recorded to happen while they actually died. They come back with great detail of how it is on the other side. Most go through a dark tunnel following a bright light with a sensation of great love. Then they are met by one or more other beings which are there to guide them. Always these people come back with a great sense of knowing that life is eternal, and that there is a purpose for them being here — they had to come back because they weren’t finished with this life experience.

There are others that have had an experience similar to a near death while in a dream state or altered state of consciousness. Our NDE support group talk of these kinds of experiences.

Some people have a hard time believing in eternal life, or life after death, but to me because of my experiences I know life goes on and on, always unfolding and evolving.

When we know someone in our life is getting ready to leave this plane of existence, we can be of help, by sharing our views of death, and to listen to their’s. They say we leave much like we enter. When the time comes near they spend more time in the afterlife, or in twilight sleep — between here and there. Visitations come to many, some are angels and close relatives or friends. They come to reassure they are never alone — that life goes on. A new beginning is nearing.

For everyone, everyday is a sort of death and rebirth. If we live each day as if it were the last, then there are no regrets. No baggage to take with us into the afterlife, or our next phase of life. Everyday is an opportunity to give up anger, guilt, pain, suffering -- all those things that keep us in ruts like a broken record. It may be a new day but are we playing the same old tune?

Symbolically we do spring cleaning; clean out the cupboards and closets, wash down the walls, remove the cobwebs. Open the windows letting in the fresh air and warmth of the sun. Ready for Living and more Life.

Living through transitions gracefully takes trust. Trust to let go of everything in the past, and control of the future. Trust in a divine order, a purpose, and time for all things. Trust in your God Self, in eternal life. Then one is truly liberated to live in the present now, and free to dance their dance of life.