Oneness

by Lynn “ Phoenix ” Marks

“You know we lost David. You probably didn't read it in the paper yesterday. The funeral is tomorrow.”

That's my neighbor Henry standing in his front lawn under the shade of a huge ficus tree. That tree is probably nearly as old as David was, almost 50. He was diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus less than 2 months ago. He had intense treatment and had been recovering nicely at home, or so it seemed.

It's a beautiful, sunny spring day. This day is as ordinary as every other day and yet things make sense to me differently on an inner level now.

Curiously, earlier in the week the organizer of an expo called to get my fax number to send special instructions for exhibitors. Although, I had acted like I was aware of this event, it somehow, and very uncharacteristic of me, had “slipped” my mind.

Since that call, for the past three days I felt drawn to share the expo space with others in my community, as I often do for similar events. However, no one had accepted the offer. Now today I understood. I wasn't to share the space. I was to release this space. I was meant to be somewhere else. I was meant to be with my neighbors, to share and celebrate this moment in time. Within the hour the exhibitor space was now gifted to another. I felt total ease and peace.

It was a simple, intimate service. A few of David's close friends, a couple of long-time neighbors, Henry and his wife Lois, a daughter, a daughter-in-law and nephew and even the family physician. After the deacon's opening remarks and prayers, David's long time buddy Jeff, shared words written by Lois and added some of his own. Then, David's sister Diane stood to share some of her thoughts. She said she was going to share a story and that she hoped she wouldn't cry. At first her voice was shaky although it became clearer, lighter and more positive as she relayed an experienced she had earlier this week on Tuesday.

She shared how she was at work that day. She was doing what she does everyday at work, overseeing some 45 employees. For some reason that day various people's lunch schedules got changed around and she was in the office at 2 pm. She noticed an overwhelming aroma of flowers, lots of flowers. Others noticed the scent too. They enquired. They wanted to know which flowers were so fragrant. She loved flowers. Everyone knew this and she often received them as gifts. Diane had even brought some fresh flowers from her home garden into work that morning. The aroma was so prevalent everyone was calling around the office to see where the new flowers were. If the aroma wasn't from the flowers in her office, surely flowers were being delivered or there were others in the office. By 2:15 pm the scent had vanished into the nothingness from which it had seemed to come.

That night around 6 pm Diane was home and received a call from her parents. Her brother David had stopped breathing at 2 pm that day and had passed at 2:15 pm.

Lois in her thin frame with wide eyes had commented during the wake just before the service that she was strong. Now her whole body began to shake. Henry reached for a handkerchief. They had lost another son to cancer some 5 years before. And, Diane exhumed peace as she shared her experience, as she shared remembrance of truth.

She felt compelled to share the truth we never die. We are spirits in a physical body sharing a human experience. And, as spirit-beings we can be in one place and all places simultaneously. And, at our true essence we are love. That is what Diane had experienced that Tuesday from 2 – 2:15 pm. Her brother had reached out across the miles from Miami, Florida to Lancaster, Pennsylvania and sent a message of love in the language that he knew his sister would appreciate – flowers.

Lois had created a memorial card to give to family and friends to commemorate her son David's life. Here are the words she shared from a Native American Prayer:

I give you this one thought to keep –
I am with you still, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight,
I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not think of me as gone.
I am with you still, in each new dawn.

Lois too knows that though her son is physically gone he is always here. As flesh we are mortal; as spirit being we are immortal – our existence extends beyond time and space. It is as spirit that all the love, divine direction and assistance we ever need is always here just for the asking.

Is there someone you'd like to connect with? Whether they are here, across the miles or across the cosmos, you are just a heartbeat away. You don't have to wait for death's call to connect, although this is often the way. You can do it now, with full consciousness and clear intension. You can do it anytime, from anywhere, with anyone – even without modern technology.

Just take a few deep, slow breaths. Close your eyes; go inside. Feel your breath. Feel your chest rise and fall with each breath like the waves of the ocean coming in and going out. Easy. Gently. Naturally. Be one with your breath. If words, ideas or images enter your consciousness, simply let them float out as easily as they came.

Now raise your awareness a little deeper and as you breathe notice your heart's beat. Yes. This is the place of connection to all beings. Now see the sun or moon that is shining outside of you shining within you. Feel your inner moon or sun's light pulsating within you and emanating throughout your entire being. Become one with this light. Feel the love flow freely within you. Feel the love you feel for another. It doesn't matter if it is for a friend or a foe, for a country or the world, for God or the Universe. Hold this space - lightly, lovingly. Say your message, your prayer. Shine your inner light, your true essence, your love, from this place to another. Be at peace. Know we all share this same light. Know it is done. You are one with all that is and all that ever will be. You are love.

© 2006 Lynn “Phoenix” Marks, the SpiritDiva, is a spirit coach who speaks and writes on business and personal transformation. Her latest book is Messages from God ®. For private sessions, workshops or to subscribe to her newsletter, contact spiritdiva@bellsouth.net, www.MessagesFromGod.com

Online exclusive at InnerchangeMag.com, December 2006