Spiritual Things Matter

^{Photograph by: R. Scott Jaynes}

This past weekend, we flew to Arizona to attend a seminar once more by Dr. David R. Hawkins. If you have not yet read his book, “Power vs. Force,” I would recommend it to you. It is controversial in some circles, but I am all for people investigating and making up their own minds. That is the beauty of having the ability to reason and think. It is also acceptable to change your mind about something you have supported or now disagree with. It is a part of growing and expanding yourself, and it can be very fun.

As before, it was a delight to see this 80 something little gentleman still lecturing. His sense of humor is priceless, and he is full of knowledge as he relates his many experiences with his patients in very practical terms. Time and again, he explains how a spiritual awareness so very often brings a profound change in peoples lives, as well as healing to so many of our human dilemmas and pain. Many of our world’s major religions teach this truth.

We flew out a day early because we wanted to see the Grand Canyon. Initially, our plans were to do some hiking but because I just had bladder surgery, I had to forgo such an outing. Instead, we signed up to take a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon. Words fail to describe just how breathtakingly beautiful it was. I was awestruck at its magnificence! If you ever have the chance to see it for yourself, it would be well worth your time.

There is no way to happiness - happiness is the way. ~The Buddha

Yesterday, I had one of those perfect days where all seemed right and well with the world. One of those days, where despite of all the troubling happenings one hears and reads on the news programs, blogs, and television, the world seemed somehow right in my own heart and mind.

It all began in the morning when my children kept calling me, instructing me by saying, “Mama, please don’t come into the kitchen yet!” I smiled because I had a hunch that they were planning to surprise me with something really special. Finally, with excitement and glowing faces, they came and brought me into the kitchen. My children had fixed a wonderful breakfast just for me. The table was covered with a pretty tablecloth and my son lit candles to set the mood for this special moment. On the table I found French Toast and eggs, which I had recently shown my children how to fix. They cut the toast into tiny pieces and sprinkled it with powdered sugar. My daughter had placed pieces of bananas into a cereal bowl and mixed the fruit with my favorite yogurt. She proudly told me, “Mama, I know how much you love yogurt with fruit”, I hugged her and smiled - all the while pretending that I did not see the splattered egg mix everywhere and the eggs shells lying around on the greasy counter-top. I also closed my eyes to the many dirty utensils and dishes that were used in this process of making breakfast for me.

As I marveled at their love and thoughtfulness, I sat down to eat. They huddled over me like little bumblebees asking me after every bite I took, if my breakfast was really good. Since it was not my birthday nor was it even Mother’s Day, I asked them what the special occasion was. Their reply simply was, “Mama, we wanted to surprise you because we love you.” Hesitatingly, they acknowledged that the kitchen was really a mess and it would take them a long time to clean it up. I told them since they had done such a terrific job making breakfast, I would clean the kitchen. It was such a delightful moment and one that I will remember for a long time.

In the afternoon, we attended a performance in which my daughter participated. She had been attending a music camp for the last couple of years which lasts for one week each summer. At the end of the week, they do a performance for all the parents. My daughter loves music and singing, feeling completely comfortable in that environment. She was especially excited since her grandparents and great-grandmother were also able to attend and enjoy the show. I marveled at how the children could memorize these songs and movements to the songs in just one week. After the show, I saw dear friends whom I cherish and my children saw a few teachers from school, as well as some of their friends.

Later in the evening, we were invited, along with a second couple, to another friends’ home, for a fish dinner. We all enjoyed a wonderful time together, filled with laughter, great conversations, great food, and a genuine concern and love for each other. It really was a perfect ending for a perfect day!

Oh death, suddenly you come - but we fear you not.
You teach us awareness, each and every time.
You teach us humility and gratefulness.
Your presence brings new resolve into our lives -
to be kinder to all who have been entrusted to us.
To love even more deeply those who need us -
as well as those who want from us.

Oh death, you embrace us with a very cold chill -
leaving us to find warmth and comfort again.
You whisper realities into our ears that are not of this world -
that we might seek and seek,
and then finally find a deeper
and more secure place within ourselves.
Indeed, you are a part of the cycle of birth and dying -
of beginning and ending.
Yet, never the end to Light and Love -
for always it will continue on.

Let comfort come to those who are left behind.
Let light and hope illuminate the heart.
Let time bring its gentle healing kiss -
that tears may transform grief into laughter and joy again.
Let the beauty of life blossom
in each one who has loved him - whom you have taken.
Let them always remember him
and the joy and the love he so generously gave.

~Viola M. Jaynes

~Dedicated to the Memory of Barney Bolt~

While we are mourning the loss of our friend, others are rejoicing to meet him behind the veil. ~ John Taylor

Yesterday, we had a death in our family. It was something that happened so fast that everyone is still in a state of shock and bewilderment. It is one of those events where people are wondering about the fairness of life. The sorrow and pain is felt deeply.

My husband’s aunt, a lovely lady, re-married a year ago to a man she had attended high school with, but didn’t know him well until she attended a more recent high school reunion. She was previously married and had two children in this marriage who adore her, but had been divorced for a long time. She worked herself through college and had become a teacher of Texas History and Special Education over the years in a local public school. She is wonderful with young people and has loved her job. At the end of this school year, she was looking forward to retirement with her new bridegroom having planned and dreamed to spend their remaining wonderful years together.

Her new husband had lost his wife about four years ago to cancer. They had three daughters together between 18 - 24 years of age. The family was very close, their marriage was strong, and the children flourished. The loss of their mother was very hard on them. Other family members, friends, and neighbors stepped in to help. They had also lost their grandmother last year, with whom they were all very close.

I remember the first time my husband’s aunt called me and told me that she had found this wonderful man. I could tell in her voice how happy she was, and I was so thrilled for her because I knew that she had not had an easy life. There is something so profoundly comforting when you meet someone that loves you and understands you for who and what you are. A man with whom you can share your life with.

Last month in April, the health problems began. Evidently, he had an abnormal heart beat for a long time, but it had never caused serious problems. Over the last Christmas vacation, the entire family went skiing, and I was told he had some problems getting his breath. Beginning in April, he was in an out of the hospital for testing. It began to look more serious than what anyone had expected. This past week, he had a “code blue” four times. Finally, the doctor and nurse began to cry as they could not bring him back during the last code blue. They felt so helpless because his heart simply wanted to stop.

Entering into the ICU unit, I found family and friends holding each other and crying. His three daughters were in a state of shock, and my husband’s aunt and children were wounded and broken by the death of her new husband. What I heard the loudest was how wonderful it was that those two had found each other, and “how was it possible that life could bring such a sudden death.” They were in the process of building a new home together and making plans for a wonderful retirement. It did not seem fair.

The other thing that was in the forefront of everyone’s mind was the three girls that were now left without their mother, father, and grandmother. How was it possible that these young girls would lose both their parents in a matter of four years? This also seemed so incredibly unbelievable and unfair.

As I looked at this man lying lifeless in that hospital bed, I realized just how large the spirit infills a human vessel. He seemed so frail and small without the spirit of life in him. I realized that the energy and life that makes us who we are on this earth is simply too great to be housed in a small body for too long. Our body is given as a gift to us to learn lessons in this lifetime, after which it is shed to once again return from where it came.

Embracing Death

Oh death, suddenly you come - but we fear you not.
You teach us awareness, each and every time.
You teach us humility and gratefulness.
Your presence brings new resolve into our lives -
to be kinder to all who have been entrusted to us.
To love even more deeply those who need us -
as well as those who want from us.

Oh death, you embrace us with a very cold chill -
leaving us to find warmth and comfort again.
You whisper realities into our ears that are not of this world -
that we might seek and seek,
and then finally find a deeper
and more secure place within ourselves.
Indeed, you are a part of the cycle of birth and dying -
of beginning and ending.
Yet, never the end to Light and Love -
for always it will continue on.

Let comfort come to those who are left behind.
Let light and hope illuminate the heart.
Let time bring its gentle healing kiss -
that tears may transform grief into laughter and joy again.
Let the beauty of life blossom
in each one who has loved him - whom you have taken.
Let them always remember him
and the joy and the love he so generously gave.

. . . Dedicated to the Memory of Barney Bolt . . .

Viola M. Jaynes
May 2008