Lesson of Bereavement

Circa 1968Lesson of Bereavement – whether people are with us now or not, we must understand that they are always with us in GodWhen we lose a loved one, it’s difficult not to think of the past, of both joys and sorrows.Should we forget the past? It’s not that we should forget everything, but let us not dwell in the past. Nothing really exists except the present moment.Relationships, including marriages are filled with mixed experiences including happiness, harmony, love, peace and also disappointments, conflict and misunderstanding.All things on earth do not last. We’ll have to leave sooner or later, leaving others behind.Will we ever see our lost loved ones again in the other world? Yes. The potential is there. Once we experience  love, we will understand that we are not separate from those here, or those who have already gone beyond.We discover a true kinship with loved ones and close friends. It is a kinship that exists now and existed from all eternity, and will continue to last throughout eternity.We are like flames that come up and out of a gas burner. Each burner is apparently a separate thing, yet all of the flames are expressions of the one gas reservoir underneath.Whether people are with us now or not, we must understand that they are always with us in God. This understanding takes time, and comes from going deep in meditation and realizing the presence of God and the all abiding love of God within yourself.Some of our own life lessons, and also what we may see happening to others, seems cruel, but only because our vision is circumscribed. Each lesson is for our own welfare. There are blessings and God’s grace flowing through every circumstance.When you experience the loss of a loved one, try to see it not as an ending of love, but look ahead toward the continued fulfillment of love.To support this work, go to: https://www.ananda.org/support/treasures/