I recently bore witness to a loved one's passing. The indelible imprint from this time is the deep realization of the power and vulnerability of breath. At a certain point in the dying process, one becomes aware at such a visceral level that one, single breath separates the mysterious chasm between life and death.
The power that human beings often masquerade behind obscures our shared fragility. As I read David Abram's beautiful new book, Becoming Animal, I am made ever more conscious of the humble yet exquisite mammals we are. Sinking into our glorious corporeality, we cannot be anything but grounded. Grounded and aware of our limitations - and inspired and awed by our deeper underlying interconnectedness.
In grieving the death of another in our shared field, we open ourselves to the raw vulnerability of loss. Our grief, often expressed in tears and cries, lets our breath follow the final exhale of our loved one - reverberating in our own soulful song with all that is.
The power that human beings often masquerade behind obscures our shared fragility. As I read David Abram's beautiful new book, Becoming Animal, I am made ever more conscious of the humble yet exquisite mammals we are. Sinking into our glorious corporeality, we cannot be anything but grounded. Grounded and aware of our limitations - and inspired and awed by our deeper underlying interconnectedness.
In grieving the death of another in our shared field, we open ourselves to the raw vulnerability of loss. Our grief, often expressed in tears and cries, lets our breath follow the final exhale of our loved one - reverberating in our own soulful song with all that is.
This is the tip of the issue for you. I look forward to you continuing what you started saying here. There is so much more but how to verbalize it? Your writing has the power to lead us into reflection. Tradition prompts me to say 'I'm sorry' you had to experience the passing of your beautiful relative. Perhaps we need to rephrase the traditional response. Instead "I'm honoured" that you witnessed this and you wrote about it. I lower my eyes in humility and fear because I have not witnessed it and I can't imagine having the strength. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteDear deer one... Sending you lots of love. There are no other words. xx
ReplyDeleteYour words are powerful, and lead into reflection, but they also move from the spiritual realms here and back. I appreciate the depth of your insight. It is simple. It is profound. I like the powerful ability you have to reach out to the souls of others in your grief.
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