Longings of the Heart

After more than a year now, a worldwide pandemic still makes way for a “mass ascension” with more than an estimated 2.5 million souls entering the non-physical realms. Now, I wonder, how could there not be deep longings of the heart in as many relatives, friends, and lovers still alive on earth, helplessly grieving loss and separation from dearly departed loved ones?

There is, by universal design, the natural thinning of a vibratory “veil” between the earthly realm which we see and know and the invisible realms in the cosmos beyond — a range of Source Energy that I myself encountered at close range, when faced with a “Near-Death Experience” (a more accurate and descriptive term that I, for one, know to be a “near-ascension experience”.

When a close friend asked me about it, I heard myself briefly say, “Returning to earth after glimpses of heaven, I no longer fear death”. After a few moments of serene silence, my friend met my gaze and said (in his few words), “You just said all what matters, dear friend.”

He then told me of his own experience with a life-threatening “close call”, after having spent several years as a grief care counselor with “accidental caregivers” (ones suddenly obliged to care for others). Thus, he knew firsthand the dynamics of “care-receiving” as well as caregiving. 

While at it, he confided that the deepest longing of his heart was to be of true service to others. And, to be effective, that service had to start with being of service to his own cogent mind, clear heart, and clean hands. His humble, kind words reminded me that:

1. “Self Care” is an everyday discipline that is indeed caregiving of a crucial nature. Just as airlines advise parents to be sure, in case of an emergency, to don their own facemask prior to the child’s, the most self-sustained person there is the caregiver.
   
   
2. Grief counseling is important. For grief to be healed and released, it must be faced. And nowadays, grief is seen as, not a thing to be denied in oneself or ignored by others, but seen as being in urgent need of quick, safe, and successful team efforts. 

In that wise, grief over the loss of a loved one is an enduring theme of cinema, yet it is also one of the most complex human experiences captured on film. Such is often depicted amidst a larger story line.

Two TV series — long-standing Heartland and now-retired Council of Dads — deal with grief’s aftereffects, as does the movie Sleepless in Seattle with a happy ending had by a widower and his son. In contrast, the movie A Star is Born centers on a starlet who is utterly devastated by the suicide of her passionate, yet drug-addicted, one true love.

Now, I hasten here to include that treasured movie, Forrest Gump — one of Tom Hanks’ many hallmark roles. It is the self-narrated story of a simple-minded man who grows in wisdom, while close at hand for him is the passing away of both his “Mama” (the sole one who nurtured his early years), and “Jenny”, his free-spirited best friend who personified the love of his life.

Not only can films about grief and loss reflect the experiences one is going through; they can also give a new perspective on bereavement, and help those who haven’t experienced grief (with its shock, anger, despair, and renewal) to understand how it differs from any other kind of pain.

And above all, when one approaches lyrical content hearing what resonates with the “Invisible”, it becomes clear that — though sincere words may ostensibly address a human love interest — core longings of the heart and soul express an ineffable, uniquely personal surrender that spirals sublimely “Upward”.

Full release of pure longing is of an ageless, inherent nature  — much more elemental than any habitual belief, faith, or hope could ever be. And it is, for certain, beyond emotional addictions or theological, even theosophical, persuasions.

Interestingly enough, such powerful longings can be fulfilled perfectly through humble and kind service outflowing to others.

Indeed, the heart sings when doing something for someone else makes for a beautiful day in the neighborhood … 

Have a Beautiful Day!