Life Beyond Death
The purpose of death
The nature of life beyond death
How we can prepare for death
How we can assist the dying
How We Can Assist the Dying
We have evolved a science of birth...but we are sadly in need of a science of death. When a child is coming into the world, we bustle about in intelligent endeavor; yet when a lifelong friend is about to leave us, we stand helplessly about, ignorant of how to aid, or worse, we bungle, and cause suffering instead of helping.
In addition to the customary care and compassion that we give to the dying, there are some specific things we can do to help them prepare for the spiritual journey they are about to begin.
Before death and afterward, during the transition period, inspirational music or chanting will help attune the mind to the inner planes. For example, if the person is devoutly Christian, we might play Gregorian chants or other music associated with the Christian traditions. From the Vedic tradition, the Vishnu Sahasranam is a special Sanskrit chant, which attunes the mind to the inner planes and helps prepare the subtle body for the various stages of death.
The period before death can be difficult as the body is shutting down or being consumed by disease. During this time, it's easy for the mind to become overwhelmed and unable to manage with daily life. To whatever degree possible, friends and family should ask permission to step in and take over the dying person's daily responsibilities. This is especially true for a mother with small children. She needs to know that her children will be protected and cared for. The last thoughts before death set the tone for everything that follows. Anything we can do to reduce worry and create an uplifting atmosphere will help the person through the various stages after death.
As soon as possible after the last breath, the body should be positioned face up, with hands folded across the lower abdomen. If the eyes and mouth are open and cannot easily be closed, place a cloth over the face to encourage the awareness to turn inward. It's a good idea to do these things within the first few minutes, before rigor mortis sets in. Then the body should be left undisturbed in a quiet room during a transition period of at least 24, and if possible, up to 72 hours. If it's winter time, open the windows wide and allow the room to cool as much as possible. Otherwise, set the air conditioning to the coldest possible setting. If the room cannot be cooled significantly, it's best to have the body transported to a mortuary and held in a refrigerated morgue for the duration of the transition period.
After death, the psychic connection with the body is not severed at once but disintegrates gradually over several hours. During this transition period, loud noise or injury can be painful and distracting. If circumstances demand that the body be moved, do so carefully. Then, as soon as possible, leave the body undisturbed for the remainder of the prescribed time. Any post mortem or embalmment should be postponed until after this 24 to 72 hour transition period.
It's important to keep in mind that the departed are not dead. The body is dead, but the awareness is still very much alive and sensitive to the thoughts and feelings of loved ones. If you think of them as dead, this may hold them back because they will want to let you know that they're alright and not dead.
Likewise, it's important to avoid loud or overt grieving in the presence of the body. Some grieving is natural at first. But try to remember that the departed can hear and often see everything in the room for some time after the body is dead. If they hear weeping or emotional upset it may hold them back because they will want to console their loved ones.
Sometimes, the departed can be temporarily disoriented after death. Or, they feel so alive and clear that they're unable to grasp what's happened. In some traditions, it's customary to read instructions aloud to the departed, to help guide them during the transition period. (See Next Chapter: Instructions to the Departed)
Whether you feel inclined to read aloud or not, feel free to speak to the departed and tell them you love them. Or through prayer, send your love to them and ask the Divine for their favorable passage. In whatever way you can, feel your love for them and see how alive and fresh it remains inside you. This will help the departed in their passage and it will help you bear your loss because you will feel inside yourself the truth, that there is no death.
Love is like a beam of light that will always reach your loved ones on the inner planes. They will know it is you and send love back along that same beam.
