There is this ancient tradition that pre-dates Christianity that at this time of the year the veil between the living and the dead thins. What does that mean? It means, in one aspect, that the wall we who are alive create between us and our dead, by our notion of “us and them” for a time comes crumbling down. It means that while we have gone about our lives doing the things that we need to do to make life and sustain life, those who have gone across the divide beyond life just might be in touch with us again.
Pause for a moment and just allow that those you have loved who have passed would be here for the moment, now. What do they bring with them? There is some sense in which death burns away what was loss, what was distracting, what was a hindrance. If our loves are present now, having let go of their aspects that stood in our way, and present with their gifts and blessings, what is it that you now behold?
This is the gift of All Hallowed’s Eve, of Halloween, of el dia de los muertos, of Samhain – the ancient name of the Celtic celebration of those who have passed over to the Summerlands – and the many other ways and traditions by which human beings honor and celebrate and ponder the meaning of their dead.
Today, let us open our hearts to that other world. Let us see which of our beloved dead appear to us today, in thought, in feeling, in sight, in sound, in physical sensation, in taste, or smell. Any of these entries into human experience may just bring a memory, a contact with our loves. When they do, let us celebrate the harvest of their lives.
Bob Patrick
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