We humans are wonderfully made. We are children of the divine, made in the divine image (as the Baltimore Catechism says). We are spirit beings with the abilities to know and to choose who have incarnated, that is, taken on a physical body. We come into the physical with a blank slate for the most part. Our experiences bring memories to mind and expand our shared consciousness.
      One of our tools is ceremony. Ceremony helps us communicate with Self and others, smoothing rough spots in the path of life.
     Ceremonies aid us in experiencing the changes that occur in life. Change is needed for life to be. Sometimes, however, change may be temporarily overwhelming.
     As incarnates we have variable emotions which can be quite intense. Condolence ceremonies help us to bring our feelings into focus, accept them for what they are and to release them so they do not interfere with the rest of our life’s events.
      We do not forget what has caused the emotional reaction. We simply lessen the emotional intensity to a level where we are more comfortable in processing and learning from the changes.
     If we experience an extreme weather event, e.g.,, we may lose our home, clothes and home furnishings, family photos and treasures, etc. We may also lose the physical presence of family members and friends. We may face great uncertainty and hardship. Viewing these circumstances in a loving manner in the presence of others lessens the emotional impact so we can better handle it.
     A condolence ceremony begins with gratitude. We remember and express what we are grateful for. We then pair up with another person with the intention of sharing a memory which will be useful to our partner.
      Then we relax Self. This can be done by focusing on our breath, watching Self inhale and exhale. After we are sufficiently relaxed, we each recall a memory or allow something beneficial to our partner come to mind. This is verbally shared when signaled.
      We next do the forgiveness exercise. We forgive each other to remove any blocks to a peaceful and loving life for Self. We say:” I love me. I forgive me. I love everybody. I forgive everybody.” This prepares us to release anger and other emotions.
      We then consciously release our loss, grief, sorrow, upset, etc. with the simple intent to let go of whatever no longer serves us. We can physically release this by placing these in tobacco [real or imagined], and placing the tobacco in an appropriate receptacle [real or imagined].
      The ceremony can be concluded by imagining the face of a loved one, such as a grandchild or beloved pet, feeling that love, sending it around the circle to all present.

What can we do? … What we can do!
Share love and kindness with all.

Wanisi do

Love Banishes Fear