A beloved member of the Mount Soma community recently passed away. At such emotional, delicate and tender times, one naturally wonders why. How could such a thing have happened? What are we to do with our grief? Why would a person with so much to live for be taken away? What is the nature of life and death?
To honestly speak of such a thing, I can only come from a place deep within myself. To do so is not so simple in such a sensitive time. I hope my words are understood and well received.
To ask why someone passes when they do, it is best to remember Lord Krishna’s words from the Bhagavad Gita, “The course of action is unfathomable”. It is not even so simple as to claim it is karmic. The are times when one can be ‘called’ upon to do some work on some other level that gives them the opportunity to move more rapidly forward with their evolution. We are not to second-guess such things or even pretend to know the answer. We can only remain humble with respect to the possibilities. From our side, of course, life is always precious. It is natural and appropriate to protect all life. We do our best to support the lives of one and other always. However, to understand the mechanics of incarnations, I feel offers great comfort in such times. To view the matter from a worldly perspective is natural and appropriate, but humility regarding the cosmic scheme of such things is wise and does, I believe, also offer comfort to the grieving who are willing to be with that understanding.
For myself, the loss of a dear friend or loved one is an inward time. It is a time when I feel their soul deeply. It is a time when I desire to be with them in my silence. It is a time when I feel I have some sense of how they are doing and can offer my love and assistance during their time of transition.
Traditionally, it is a time when the grieving come together to mourn. I do understand that, but it is not my way. For me, it is a time properly spent in relative silence with the deceased, not with the living. I understand this may even offend some, but for me it is not proper to attend a funeral. Or perhaps better said, a funeral is a quiet inward and alone time. That is just how I am, and I feel it is important for the deceased that I do so.
It is important to understand also that only the physical body dies. The soul lives on. There is much anecdotal evidence of this, but for me that understanding came another way. As I child, I remembered. But I did not understand how I could remember. But it was a memory. Only in later life when I first heard of reincarnation did I then understand how I could be remembering. So for me, the notion of reincarnation is self evident and unquestionable.
Many wonder what happens after death. I can best say that the possibilities are endless and depend largely upon the ‘angle of entry’. It is said that when one is meditating regularly, they naturally go to the transcendental level, to the highest heaven. I have no doubt that is true. Of course, there can certainly be a brief time of confusion. However, that would be sorted out rather quickly and quite naturally.
I know there are many questions about reincarnation, life after death, and so on. However, I feel now is the time for me to be with our beloved friend. So if you have questions, please feel free to post them, but also please understand if I, for now, choose not to respond to some or all. This is a delicate and heartfelt time. Please forgive anything that may seem improper or unclear. At this time, I can only speak of such things from deep within myself, from a level that is difficult to express in writing. I trust these words will offer some comfort and understanding.
Thank you, it helps. Jai Guru Dev.
Thank you for this post. I love what you shared. Loosing a dear friend suddenly has never happened to me. It is of course very shocking and it raises waves of disbelief, sadness and questions. What you wrote helps me to find a still-point of peace with it all, allowing a longer time between the waves.
Thank you! I knew some of this already but understanding the cosmic picture a little better helps tremendously.
Very beautifully and delicately said. Amen
Thank you for the post. I know this is a very tender time of sacred transition. Different spiritual traditions deal with this part of life slightly differently and it is important to be aware and flexible with that. There is no single “right way”.
In the Jewish tradition there is a prayer called Kaddish, which is recited by those in “mourning” daily for a year after the passing of a loved one. Kaddish means Holy. And it is essentially a prayer in praise of God. At one time in my life that confused me. Now I understand that the prayer helped me to accept and feel the huge mysteries of God’s creation.
My heart goes out to everyone experiencing this transition. It also urges me into a very quiet prayerful space.
Beautiful
Beautiful; Thank you…
This blog soothes me. I didn’t see any particular karmic affliction in Harry’s Jyotish chart that would indicate dropping the body early. Humility brings peace. Godspeed Harry- you were well loved.
After a day of shock and sudden transition for many of us, it feels to me natural for our dear friend to move on to pursue his dharma on another plane of existence. I’ll still miss him being here with us – his intelligence, humor, sweetness, his unique way – like no other.
Thank you Brahmarshi that helps. At times the feeling of grief was so strong I just needed to reach out to someone and ask why. It felt like something great and beautiful had been torn from the fabric of our world. But everyone is just feeling as bad as I am with the same questions. I guess the only place to be, is holding myself and my feelings. Your blog has helped tremendously. He is so loved by so many people, it is beautiful.
Thanks for the beautiful blog Maharshi. I know we will all miss Harry very much. He was foundation member of the Mount Soma community. It certainly can be confusing to try to understand the complicated web of karma and dharma and purpose and so forth. If he had to go it does seem fitting that he transitioned while many of us were meditating.
Godspeed Harry. I look forward to next time our paths cross… Who knows maybe you will make your way back to Mount Soma…
Thank you, Michaelji.
I am not sure how shock, confusion, awe, appreciation, love, bewilderment can be all in the same bundle. . This is a time when knowing I don’t know gives me a deeper quiet.
My eyes are red, Harry, but I am not crying. Farewell.
Thank you..this helps bring light to something that is so hard to make sense of.
Thank you Brahmarshi. I have been feeling the need to stay within to reflect, ponder, and appreciate the exquisite nature and gift i chose to reincarnate here, now, with you and our Surya “family” at Mt Soma, nation and worldwide.
You answered many questions I’ve had since Donna called me Monday morning. Yet, I felt everything you’ve explained above. My sadness, grief, anger needed a place to “be”. I appreciate the space here to share these emotions, and feel it is as a funeral would be, to share in our pain and offer solace to one another.
When my father died 3 years ago, I couldn’t talk to anyone for a week, I had to stay inward. I realized then there weren’t for me, anyone words that could “console” me, and it wasn’t necessary. Inward was my solace. Inward is home.
My heart has been with Lisa, and my longing again to be there “with” community.
I am so sorry for your loss.
Thank you for this blog Brahmarshi..I look forward to all of them yet none more than this one at this time. I did not have a lot of time to get to know Harry however I did not need a lot of time to experience how great he was. For me your words were perfect and I am sending loving thoughts to all at Mount Soma.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the community. Such a tight-knit group even though separately geographically, ours hearts go out to everyone.
What a beautiful blog.
When time passes by and the wounds are healed i would love to see more on this.
This blog gave me answers for questions i wanted to ask for a while.
The thought of you communing with Harry’s soul brings me great comfort.
Thank you for making this easier for all of us. He was well liked and loved.
This morning I remarked, as my husband and I were planting a fig tree how, at our stage in life, planting it seemed full of hope. My husband said: (he only met Harry once)….why don’t we name the tree after Harry? and so we did. Later something keep urging me to research. The result , seems to be completely appropriate for our wonderful universal friend, Harry. Incidentally, first known indications of this adaptable species is 80 million years ago.
FromWikipedia
“Fig trees have profoundly influenced culture through several religious traditions. Among the more famous species are the Sacred Fig tree (Pipal, Bodhi, Bo, or Po, Ficus religiosa) and the Banyan Fig (Ficus benghalensis). The oldest living plant of known planting date is a Ficus religiosa tree known as the Sri Maha Bodhi planted in the temple at Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka by King Tissa in 288 BCE. The common fig is one of the two sacred trees of Islam, and there is a sura in Quran named “The Fig” or At-Tin (سوره تین). In East Asia, figs are important in Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. The Buddha is traditionally held to have found bodhi (enlightenment) while meditating under a Sacred Fig (F. religiosa). The same species was Ashvattha, the “world tree” of Hinduism. The Plaksa Pra-sravana was said to be a fig tree between the roots of which the Sarasvati River sprang forth; it is usually held to be a Sacred Fig but more probably seems to be a Wavy-leaved Fig (F. infectoria). The Common Fig tree is cited in the Bible, where in Genesis 3:7, Adam and Eve cover their nakedness with fig leaves. The fig fruit is also included in the list of food found in the Promised Land, according to the Torah (Deut. 8). Jesus cursed a fig tree for bearing no fruit (Mark 11:12–14). The fig tree was sacred in ancient Cyprus where it was a symbol of fertility.”
Tomorrow we will plant two kiwi, vining plants that intertwine and produce wonderful fruit. We will name them Lisa and Harry. We have never given our plants or trees names before.
Thank you for the tender embrace, Maharshi. Even though it has been a brief time we meet, thank you for the journey, Harry, Lisa and community of Mount Soma.
I cannot find any words that could convey what I am feeling, but I do so appreciate what everyone else has contributed here. What I do notice is what Martha noted…there are waves of disbelief, and questions, and an inability to understand. But all around that, holding all of it, I am gratefully aware of a silence and a peacefulness that is most comforting.
May your journey be filled with peacefulness, Harry.
It is interesting to realize that like matter and energy, life cannot be created or destroyed. It just changes form. When people come and people go, life has not been created or destroyed. Just the form that life takes has changed.
One can verify this for himself. When one goes in and checks the awareness, are there any holes there? My friend was here last week, he doesn’t appear to be here this week, but when I check inside, there are no holes. Nothing is missing – from inside.
I’m not able to go next door to see him. But when I check within, he seems to be there. I guess I’ll have to pick up the internal phone and connect with him that way.
Thank you for this blog. There are so many feelings, dynamics, and levels… Since you wrote this blog, I have been reflecting on how much comfort there is in not knowing.
Sending all of you love! So much we don’t know…
What a shock! What a loss. I saw Harry last at the Hanuman installation. I felt then that he was in such a good place. He was very busy running around helping with everything, but at the same time I felt a joy and a peacefulness that was so deep. He was taking it all in and knew he was right where he was to be. He was a different man from the person I had met more than a decade before – softer, gentler – his physiology was somehow changing. He carried himself differently and related to people from a warmer place, a place of love. It was amazing to see. Little did I know his work was about finished here, but I would imagine that living at Mount Soma and walking to morning meditation would have given him a pretty good “angle of entry.” God’s speed, Harry. My heart also goes out to Lisa. My thoughts and prayers are with you through these difficult times, and I hope you can feel my energy holding you with love.
Perhaps I didn’t want to accept the fact. Perhaps there were other reasons. If feels like Harry is still here. I saw him in the morning before I left Mount Soma. Under the umbrella was his lovely sweet smile. That image kept popping up in my mind. Thank you Maharshi for your beautiful and comforting words. I needed to hear them.
On the morning of March 23rd I awakened earlier than usual to the most beautifully exquisite pre-sunrise sky. A very deep sense of gratitude and peace filled my being. It felt like the beginning of a new world to me.
A short time later I received notice by email that our Beloved Harry had passed. I then knew why I felt that way—he was on his way to the highest heaven. Strangely I felt joy for him and the incredible next journey he must be on.
Great love to all my Mount Soma family and friends, Nancy C