Blue-Eyed Man

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Jesus 3

One of my youngest hospice patients died a week ago. He was only 28 years old. He died of melanoma (skin cancer). Since the day he was born, he was on the family farm. He spent many days outside taking care of the animals. He found out he had melanoma in his mid-twenties. Around 10,000 people die of skin cancer each year.

My patient loved animals and even fulfilled his dream of working at Sea World. He was a beautiful man with electric blue eyes and a light brown goatee. He reminded me of Jesus.

I am a hospice massage therapist for a local hospital. My patient, who I will call Josh, requested massage therapy. He had a lot of pain around his shoulders and neck. I found out later that the cancerous mole that started his illness was at the back of his neck.

Josh deteriorated fast. I saw him for three sessions. By my last session, I knew he was close to dying. I decided to do Reiki (energy balancing) instead of massage therapy. When I placed my hand a few inches above his head, I received a vision.

Visions are hard to describe because it was more than something I saw, it was also a feeling. The feeling was of pure peace and reassurance. I knew Josh was in good hands. The vision was a nature scene. I saw a fantastic blue sky. Everything was more bright and alive. The light that I saw was maybe angels or God. I’m not sure. The vision came to me in a flash. It did not stay long.

I’ve been working with hospice patients for almost three years. Sometimes I wonder if there is a mystery to death. Maybe it’s not as complicated or mysterious as we make it. Perhaps our daily reality continues through reincarnation. Or is it mysterious like our night dreams? Death could ignite mysterious travels or place us in a surreal heaven. Personally, I believe in reincarnation. I believe we live many lives. If we have reality now, we will have reality after we die.

There are ways to comfort our loved ones who are dying. These suggestions are from the pamphlet, “When Time is Short: The Dying Process,” by G. Leigh Wilkerson, RN:

Months to Weeks 

  • Listen. Express support.
  • No pressure to eat more than is wanted.
  • Help tie up loose ends if desired.
  • Express your feelings to hospice staff.
  • Call the hospice nurse if your loved one is uncomfortable.

Weeks to Days

  • Provide a calm presence.
  • Ask for the help you need.
  • Avoid waking your loved one.
  • Provide comfort, reassurance.
  • Ask the hospice staff any questions you may have.

Days to Hours

  • Provide a quiet, peaceful space.
  • Avoid waking your loved one.
  • Read quietly at bedside.
  • Have family and friends with you.
  • Remember your loved one can hear you.
  • Say loving words and provide gentle touch.
  • Call the hospice nurse if you have any concerns.

I think the most important thing you can do for your loved one is to tell your loved one that you love him or her. Even the word “love” has a high vibration. It is important to remember that words have vibration.

Dying is a natural process. We must trust that process. Dying is part of the soul’s journey. When you are dying, you are like a caterpillar in its chrysalis. You shelter yourself from the outside, and you go inside to prepare for transformation. Then when the time is right, you emerge as a new being.

r_seaman@hotmail.com

God bless you.

Namaste, world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Astral Dreaming

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astralbody

I had a strange dream a few nights ago. In this dream, I didn’t know if I was awake or not. I was typing on my computer. Everything seemed normal but then I realized that something wasn’t right. I wasn’t awake. So I walked back into my bedroom and saw my body laying in a fetal position with my back along the edge of the bed. I saw my blonde curly hair. In my dream, I panicked a little because I realized I wasn’t in my body. I said out load in my dream, “I will be right there.” I gently merged with my body, as I laid back down. Then I shook my head to wake up.

I experienced another astral dream a couple of weeks ago. Again, I thought I was awake. My dream seemed like ordinary time. I let the dog outside, and then I realized that maybe I was still dreaming. I couldn’t open my eyes fully – this was a clue. And, sure enough, I was still dreaming. I walked back into my bedroom and laid down into my body.

In both dreams, I felt like I was two people or two entities. I was a body and a spirit. These dreams have significant spiritual meaning for me. I am more than my body – that is for sure!

According to Wikipedia, astral projections or astral travel is a willful out-of-body experience. Also, it assumes the existence of a soul or consciousness called an “astral body” that is separate from the physical body.

Also, according to yogapedia.com, awareness of the astral body is believed to be stimulated by meditation, shamanic practices, lucid dreaming and certain drugs. This statement makes sense to me because I have increased my mediation practice to every day. Maybe I am making deeper spiritual connections.

night3

Last night I was a little afraid that I might have another astral dream. To be honest, I don’t like astral dreaming because they freak me out a little. I am not a skilled astral dreamer – it’s definitely out of my comfort zone! I know that I can learn from the experience, and I have a new perspective of who I am as a spiritual being. Also, I have contemplated the meaning of these dreams, and I am no longer afraid of death.

As I recall these dreams in my mind, I see that they were amazing. After my recent astral dream, I had to question whether I was still dreaming. I had to gently slap my cheek a few times to make sure that I was awake! It makes me question reality. What is reality? Is life just one big dream?

I had these dreams, but it is important that I am not attached to them. I need to let them go. These dreams helped me to awaken my spiritually. They remind me not to get stuck in earthly matters. My spiritual development is my most important task here on earth.

My most important goals on earth:

  1. Develop compassion and increase loving-kindness to all beings
  2. Understand impermanence, and live in the present moment
  3. See God in all beings
  4. Meditate and do yoga every day
  5. Feel and express gratitude
  6. Speak or write with a message that is beneficial to the listener or reader
  7. Be mindful of everything, and become a wise human being
  8. Develop the courage to face life’s challenges
  9. Forgive people who have hurt me
  10. Have good intentions

My astral dreams helped me connect to my spirituality and life goals. I see a change in my life because of my night dreams. I do not need to fear my dreams. I trust that I will always wake up.

astral-travel-compressed

Namaste, world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fluid Emotions

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breathing-underwater

Last night I had the most amazing dream. I dreamt that I was breathing underwater. I was about 20 feet under water. I remember the water being very clear, and I could see the surface of the water. While I was floating, I saw two other human beings. They were floating near each other while I was floating away from them. I was so excited that I could breathe under water! While I was breathing, one of the human beings told me that I would die if I continue to breathe the water. I didn’t listen to the human, and slowly a bright light started to descend into the water. It was a beautiful white light. As it saturated the water, I realized I was dying, and I woke up from the dream.

So what does this dream mean? According to gotohoroscope.com: To dream that you can breathe underwater also shows that you have obtained complete mastery over your emotions. Many times in dreams the sea or the ocean or any body of water will be representative of your emotional state. When you are on a boat, you are showing that you have the ability to navigate through all of your complex emotional responses. However, when you are swimming in the water and don’t even need a boat, then this suggests that you have an even greater mastery than could have previously been seen. You are extremely in touch with yourself. (See more at: http://www.gotohoroscope.com/txt/dream-dictionary-breathing-underwater.html).

I agree with the above statement. I feel like I am in touch with myself and my emotions. I can experience my emotions, and then let them go. In the past, I was so judgmental about my emotions. In my mind, I think I should have felt this way….or I should not have shown a particular emotion to someone. Now I realize at that moment; I felt that way. I am responsible for my feelings. Therefore, if I didn’t hurt anyone, I can let them go.

I like the quote from, Awaken Joy, by James Baraz: “I’ve see the Dalai Lama get very serious, even cry, upon hearing about a tragedy and then, as the subject changes, laugh a few minutes later. His complete openness to the sorrows of the world lets him also be touched by delight, goodness, and joy when these arise.”

I was glad to read that even the Dalai Lama will cry sometimes. The Dalai Lama is fluid with his emotions; without being attached to them. He is present moment by moment.

Here is a mindful approach to working with difficult emotions (taken from Awakening Joy, by James Baraz):

RAIN -When you are in the midst of a strong emotion, take a few moments to try this approach:

  • Recognize what you are feeling and name it (label it). Anger, fear, sadness, confusion?
  • Allow the feelings to be present, without pushing them away and without getting lost in them.
  • Investigate the feelings in your body and mind. Where in your body do you feel it? How does it feel in your mind – heavy, tight, open, agitated?
  • Non-identification is the key to freeing yourself from the emotion’s grip. What you are feeling is a human emotion that arises and passes away. It does not define who you are.

Namaste, world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mindfulness or Not

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drive-mindfully

Two days ago, I got into a car accident. It’s been 14 years since my last car accident, before this one. I was on a highway heading home. It was Sunday evening, and there was a bit of traffic. I was behind a black mini-van. The light turned red, and the mini-van in front of me slammed on its brakes. I slammed on my brakes too, but I was too close. I bumped into the back of the van. My bumper, hood, and grill are damaged, and I dented the hatchback door of the mini-van. Thankfully, all passengers are fine.

After this accident, I reflected on mindfulness. Sunday morning, before my car accident, I was in my meditation group, and our monk talked about his driving lessons, and he said the instructor told him, “You must drive mindfully.” Now I wince silently. I did not drive mindfully. To be honest, I was looking at my cell phone just before the accident happened. I know, I know. I should not look at my phone while driving! I tell my kids this! Now I am living with a consequence of my actions.

I know accidents happen. I forgive myself for not driving carefully, and I will be more mindful when I drive (with my cell phone turned off). I realize when I am not a careful driver, I put myself and others in danger. However, I am proud of myself because I remained calm during and after the accident. In the past, I would have been emotionally upset and crying. I think my daily meditation is helping me remain calm in stressful situations.

My new mindfulness vision while driving: When I get in the car, I will turn off my cell phone (unless I use my phone for directions). I will turn my music on low. I will keep my eyes on the road, and I will be watchful for cars, people, animals, and objects. I will slow down. I will keep my mind on the road (no autopilot driving).

PLEASE DRIVE SAFE!

Namaste, world.