Diana, Jack, Grandpa, George and Carl

The first person to come to me in spirit to say goodbye after they had left their body behind was Diana Chung. She was 24. She died of Leukemia. She was a beautiful Chinese and Indian girl from the islands. We were friends at college. Diana's goodbye was perfumed. She once told me that what made her the most sad about having a short life was not getting to be an old lady.

When Jack came it was not to say goodbye. No, he came mid transition and his intention in contacting me was to hang on to life. He was in a state of panic and desperation. Terrified of losing hold on this life. His energy hit me like a blast of sudden gale force wind and knocked my chair across the room. At first I didn't know what it was, but then I realized it was Jack, hanging on, terrified of letting go. I talked to him and eased his mind. I helped him let go.

My grandfather came in a dream. He wanted to die in a burning house, but I went in after him and talked him into coming out, if only to meet my little girl. And he came with me. In the real world they lost him on the operating table and then suddenly he came back.

George came with after shave that had always turned my head. I thought it was sexy on him. He came to say goodbye and remind me to claim the inheritance he'd left me. I never did.

Carl came to see me in a dream and gave me an assignment to do for him in this world. He wanted me to deliver a message to Donna for him. To remind her that he is waiting for her and she is not alone.

Goodbye Dreams

I had another one of those goodbye dreams. All through my life, I've connected with people who were dying in my dreams. Usually, the dream comes right at the moment that they pass. This time, the dream came a couple of days before he passed.

I'm not ready to discuss much about the dream, except the distinct memory of touching his face and comforting him, and letting him know how much he is loved.

But I wasn't much of a friend. The last time I saw him was at a funeral for somebody else. We'd drifted apart.

But I remember when we were pretty good friends.

It's a funny thing when you have an authentic connection with someone, the passage of time doesn't change anything. The connection remains as poignant as ever.

Thank you for saying goodbye.

Cynicism

I was thinking as we drove over the pass that cynicism is its own reward. When you're cynical, nothing occurs for you that would dispute your view. All world views are like this: self-confirming. So I guess that is also true of believing in something greater than yourself, or believing in a higher power, or that life has purpose and meaning. If you believe it, it occurs that way. The bottom line for me has to be how I feel within the context of any given world view.

When I am in a cynical mindset, I have a pretty bad time. Very little happens that inspires me. Life seems flat, predictably so, and my energy wanes. In short, I get the blues. On the other hand, when I am in a spiritual mindset, I feel connected to a larger context. The horizon opens up, and I become inspired by myself and others. I have more energy and enthusiasm.

In short, the context is decisive.

A little bio

Just so my readers know, I am an ordained Spiritual Healer and Reiki Master. I can do distance healing, as well as in person, hands on work. I think I was naturally gifted as an energy healer to begin with, and Reiki brought my skills along even more. Reiki also taught me how to do energy healing without hurting myself by taking the other person's pain. I still have that option. When it's my grandson, for example, I go ahead and pull it to me and away from him. Most of the time, however, I provide a clear channel for the universal life force energy to pass through me into the person I am working on.

A couple of years ago, I completed a program and became certified by the University of Metaphysics as a Holistic Life Coach. I'm currently enrolled in a Metaphysical Coaching program with the same school. I also do Tarot readings. I have no formal training in it, but when I trust my intuition it seems to go well. I'd be happy to provide readings. It's good practice for me.

I do not charge for any of these things. I subscribe to the "Reiki Do" philosophy. These are God-given gifts. So long as I have enough money to live on from other sources, I will give freely of these gifts.

I have had a tendency to keep this part of myself quiet, and as a result I have not practiced as much as I probably should. My friend Richard Halsey fusses at me for, as he puts it, not doing my job. Perhaps it is time for me to come out of the spiritual closet.

Welcome to Soul Visions

What have you seen from the perspective of your soul?

When I think of my "soul," I am thinking of the part of me that transcends this life, this body and this time and space. It is the eternal dimension of my existence. If often think of my soul as my higher self, the part of me that knows itself as eternal. There is a part of every person that listens when that person speaks, watches as that person acts. This dimension of self is not directly involved in what is going on within this current life in time and space. It is the "watcher."

In connection with an eternal dimension, this authentic or elemental self endures.

When you are in touch with your essential self, what is your view of life?

I see my current life as one of many, a small interval on a long journey. I don't know where I am journeying from or where I am journeying to, but that doesn't seem to be a problem for my soul. There is a knowing beyond my grasp that inspires my trust and confidence. When I am in touch with my soul, I relax into life. I become more present and less reactive, and a vast sense of peace flows in.

Do you take time every day to connect with your soul self?

In order to connect with my soul self, I have to slow down and come to a state of rest. In this state of rest, I consciously back up into my higher self. A few conscious breaths, a moment of deliberate relaxation, and the connection becomes evident. I have never felt as whole and complete as I have when I'm in touch with my soul.