An essay about death

 Part 2
 

In addition to what the Spirit Brother X wrote, we still have, on the issue of food, the wise recommendation by Emmanuel, who was our beloved Chico Xavier’s mentor, who, in the book "The Comforter", states: "The ingestion of the viscera of animals is a mistake of enormous consequences, from which are derived numerous vices of human nutrition.”Such a situation is a shame, even because, if the creature's state of materiality requires the cooperation of certain vitamins, those nutritional values can be found in products of plant origin, without the absolute need of slaughterhouses and butcheries. (Cited work, question 129)

We believe that Emmanuel's assertion is very clear and objective. The resources we need can be found in vegetable products. The advent of science and technology provides to today's human beings the ability to extract these resources from nature; therefore the terrible deaths to which the poor animals are submitted are no longer necessary. Finally, the Spirit Andre Luiz, also through the sublime mediumship of Chico Xavier, in "Our Home" tells us about the problems caused by our eating habits in the spiritual world. He assures us that in a particular period of the history of the colony "Our Home" the newly disembodied "wanted sumptuous meals, stimulating drinks, expanding old earthly vices."(Our Home, pg.55) Only one ministry, called "Ministry of the Divine Union", remained unscathed from the temptations of vices that the spirits recently freed from carnal costume were taking there. In short, it took the governor of the colony a herculean task to organize it in the face of chaos. There were several protests, attempted invasions by the unfortunate brothers who inhabited the Lower Zones etc. There was also the need of the summoning of benevolent Spirits who taught the recalcitrant ones how to feed themselves properly and in a balanced way. 

Detaching oneself from the material possessions is also a valuable measure

Some fellows have already had the occasion to tell us the following whenever we use this example case from "Our Home": "When I get to the other side, I will worry about it."But it is imperative to understand that death does not bring extraordinary changes. Instead, we remain being what we have always been, but in another energy vibration.

Hence the warning from the Spirits so that we have the willpower to change lamentable vices that we still carry, otherwise we will be drawn against great difficulties in the spiritual world. As a result, alcoholism, smoking, carnivorous feeding, sex and drug addiction, excesses of all kinds are serious obstacles to the development of the newcomers.

Another relevant note by Brother X is as follows: "If you possess some money or own any worldly assets, do not delay donations if you are really inclined to do them. Great men, who we were admired on Earth for their skill and power to materialise important affairs, emerge next to us on many occasions as desperate children, for they can no longer manage their cheque books." (Cited work, pg.23)

This is an important warning, because no one will take anything material to the spiritual world, but only the knowledge gained, the friendships or enmities, moral values. So why so much selfishness? While so many brothers are struggling with hunger, thirst, in the gloomy cold night in the world, we gorge ourselves with our excesses, we consume more and more; accumulate material objects that very often we do not use and which are forgotten in our closets doomed to destruction by time or moths...

Here is a vehement appeal from this Spirit so that we begin to rid ourselves of material things. And it would be even better if donations, from those with large sums of money or material goods, are made ​​while still in material life, with no consciousness of guilt, with detachment and love, so there are no unpleasant setbacks during the ultimate journey.

Even love must be in moderation. He says, "...do not cling too much to blood ties. Love your wife, your children and relatives in moderation, in the certainty that one day you will not be among them and, thus, they may act almost always against your will, while still respecting your memory." (Cited work, pg.23)

This is a task hard to undertake because many times our "love" is filled with selfishness. But we must understand that those who truly love unchains and is able to relinquish in favour of the other's happiness. Therefore, our love must be moderate, in the certainty that one day we will meet again and that we belong to a much larger family, under the aegis of the Creator.

Finally, Brother X urges us to experience the religion which we embrace, whatever it is. The responsibility of those who already know the path of goodness is greater and, on the other side, conscience will be the greatest judge of our deeds. Moreover, we cannot claim lack of knowledge, because all religions lead to the Father; they all teach love. Feel love in the constant practice of good is our role on this Planet. We should do the good without the intent of wanting to please everyone, because not even our Master the Nazarene managed to do it. Constructive work wipes off any hurt, any problem and it teaches us to act in God's creation. It was not causeless that the illustrious Codifier ascertained that "without charity, there is no salvation."   

Burial or cremation?

The origins of cremation cannot be traced back in the history of Mankind. Ancient civilizations performed it respecting their own customs and beliefs.

It is a complex problem for the Western civilization still historically characterized by pusillanimity and materialism.

Discussions aside, it is for the person concerned to make the formal request still in life to his family and, if possible, register it in a Notary office. But if not possible, it is the family's choice what to do with the remains, respecting the dead person's religious, ethical and moral principles.

According to the spiritist teachings, it is recommended to wait some considerable time in cases of cremation. At least 72 hours. Because not all spirits detach easily from the body, which can result in torment in the spirit world for a still not very much evolved soul, which applies to most of us.

There will come a day in Earth's evolution when we will not occupy vast pieces of land with corpses, lest we suffer the effects of such a procedure (soil and groundwater contamination, occupying a vast area that could be used for other purposes etc). We will worship respect and affection to the departed in the intimacy of the heart and by sending them good thoughts. And they - the disembodied - in return, will feel very happy to see us uncomplaining and compelled to charity because we would have donated their belongings to the needy, disengaging ourselves from atavism.  

Notes by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

The brilliant psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross pioneered the humane treatment of terminally-ill patients. She was born in 1926 in Switzerland and engaged in the field of Medicine. She was the first to be concerned about the dignity of patients who were about to penetrate the invisible. Her mission was to give dignity to patients and also sing the immortality of life to academia.  

In the book "The Wheel of Life" we find a curious passage when she narrates:

(...) "The mystery was soon explained. My friend and her husband, a well-known architect, lived in a beautiful Spanish style house. As soon as I got inside they hugged me and showed relief that I was able to make it. Was there any chance that I could not have done it? Before I had time to ask what the problem was, they took me into the bedroom and made me sit in a chair. My friend's husband sat in front of me and rocked back and forth until he got into a trance. I inquisitively glanced at my friend.

─ He is a medium - she said.

Upon hearing this, I was sure the confusion would soon be sorted and I turned my attention to her husband. His eyes were closed, he had a very serious expression on his face, and when the Spirit took hold of him, he seemed to have aged one hundred years.

─ It has worked to bring you up here - he spoke now with a strange voice, of an older person and full of urgency.─ It is crucial that you do not delay any longer. Your work about death and dying is done. Now it is time to start your second task.

Listening to patients or mediums has never been a problem for me, but understanding what they were saying sometimes took me some time.

─ What do you mean, what is my second task? - I asked.

─ It's time you tell the world that there is no death - he said.

Despite knowing that the guides' function is to help us fulfil our destiny and the promises we made to God, I protested. I needed more explanation. I needed to know why they had chosen me. After all, I was known worldwide as the Woman of Death and Dying. How could I back down and tell everyone that there is no death?

─ Why me? - I asked.─ Why not choose a pastor or someone like that?

The Spirit showed some signs of impatience. He noted that it was I who had chosen the work to be accomplished in this lifetime on Earth.

─ I'm just telling you it is time - he said. And then he enumerated a long list of reasons why I was the person intended to carry out that task: It had to be a person related to medicine and science, not theology or religion, because they did not do what they should have done regardless of having had more than enough opportunities in the last two thousand years. It had to be a woman and not a man; someone who was not afraid; someone who had access to many people and who were able to convey the feeling of speaking personally to each one of them.

─ That's all. It's time - he concluded. ─ You have a lot to assimilate.

That was indisputable. After a cup of tea, my friend, her husband and I, physically and emotionally exhausted, went to our rooms. When I was alone, I realised I had been called there for that specific reason. Nothing happens by chance." (Cited work, pp. 233-235)  

The five stages of grief

Dr. Kübler-Ross in her research has established a model that became known as the Kübler-Ross Model or the Five Stages of Grief:  

1. First stage - Denial and Isolation: It is a defence mechanism of the mind in the face of grief. The duration and intensity of the grief vary from one individual to another and also how people around it face that situation. It is a defence of the ego. This is a very delicate moment that demands a spiritual education from all of us so that we learn to accept God's Designs.   

2. Second stage - Anger: It is a moment when the instinct to survive sets us up often without our knowledge. It is a reflection of our poor basic education. It is expressed, then, in the form of aggression towards those who are closest to us. It is the aggression against oneself and against the Creator. It is the powerlessness of an inevitable situation. It is often the unwholesome questioning "Why me, so if you have bad people to die?" It is a moment that requires a lot of patience from family and friends. And it also varies in length from person to person.   

3. Third stage - Bargain: Due to the psychological insecurity, the person who is at death's threshold lets himself contaminate by bargaining. He tries to barter with the Creator. Faced with the inability to offer Him something better, he promises to devote himself to charity, to nursing homes to needy children, hospitals, churches, religious temples, abandon vices etc. The person begs God to give him more time on Earth and in return he would give God a straight life in doing the good.   

4. Fourth stage – Depression: Discouragement, disinterest, crying and among others are reflections of the psychological framework called depression. All of us have had to a greater or lesser degree these symptoms in the face of a loss. The person who finds himself helpless before the fact of death goes by that stage, which persists according to one's mental conduct and the lessons he may have received.  

5. Fifth stage - Acceptance: It is a moment of serenity before the truth. Medicine today has devoted its attention to the care of these patients and their families, so that they have a moment of peace and calm, without despair. (Continued next issue.)