And then, the shocking call of impending death…the hard cold reality of all that autumn heralds…the awareness that on the physical level, all is temporary. “Take nothing for granted” the voice on the other end of the phone says.
My take away is gratitude for all the one life, about to end, has brought to the planet. The blessings of knowing one person, the love shared woven into the stories of life, begins to dance across the stage of my awareness.
In Bali, death is greeted with three days of open altar interaction with the dearly departed. Favorite items, meaningful objects, symbolic foods and drinks are all arranged as if the deceased were about to arrive for a surprise party. The soul is invoked and communed with by all who pay their respects. We living are encouraged to say what hasn’t been said, to complete unfinished business, to express the love, as well as sadness, anger, fear, remorse and all that is necessary. Repeatedly. After the three day window, the altar is cleared. The body has been cleaned, blessed, and buried and awaits the cremation fire, when the auspicious time comes.
What business is left unfinished in your life? What have you been taking for granted that wants to be appreciated now? What rituals will assist you as you continue living, even as others pass? Where can you set up an altar? As Ki to Happiness stimulates these areas of consideration, reach out here if you could use some support dealing with the daily death that happens all around us in this and any season…