No Fire, No Brimstone

I usually sit in quiet meditation for at least fifteen minutes before I begin writing my daily blog post. It is a time when I go within, seeking any messages that Spirit might have for me and also avail myself of any creative inspirations. This morning I got a message to write about funerals and I protested loudly. I had written quite a bit about death and dying in the recent past and was really looking forward to blogging about lighter topics. But Spirit had spoken and who am I not to obey?

So what about funerals? I have not been to one in quite a while, I avoid them as much as possible. As a disclaimer, I have only ever been to Christian funerals so I do not know what is done in other religions. I know though, that some indigenous tribes see death as from its positive aspects and have a big feast to celebrate the life of the departed. They are assured that there is one other soul that has their backs in the heavenly realm.

The funerals I have been to in the past have always involved weeping and mourning. People are distraught that their loved one is no longer with them and they show their raw emotions through their tears.

But the part I most detest is the preaching that makes up the larger part of the service. There are some preachers who take advantage of a captive audience and create for themselves bully pulpits. They preach fire and brimstone on the living, shouting threats, and making unfounded declarations; people were going to burn in the depths of hell if there was no repentance of sins. Almost always, by the time the talk of fire and burning begins, I exit stage left, leaving the bad vibes and negative energy behind.

I see death as a celebration of the life the soul lived while here. The body, the earthly cloaking has done its job and is discarded like a pair of old shoes. The soul, journey completed, now has the privilege of returning back to Home, to the non-physical.

There is no fire, nor is there any burning, only peace and love, and bliss.