Spirits in the material world

The common view on death is that it is the end. It is something to dread, to fear. When someone dies, that person is lost forever and ever and ever. Death is the very worst thing that can happen to anyone. 



Personally, I am not afraid to die. What I fear is pain. I dread being old and not being able to move. I cringe at the thought of physical pain. I am horrified at the prospect of myself ever going “off-tangent” and not even knowing it. For me the worst possible nightmare would be a “fall from grace.” Fortunately the element of free will and choice plays a crucial role here. 

I am not afraid to die. I know that this physical universe is but a fraction of the reality that is. I know that there are other worlds that exist — worlds where there is love, light, peace, harmony, bliss. I can feel those worlds.  I can feel the sublimity of the beings that live in those worlds. I can also feel these beings help me in my work for the Pasig River, in my work for the environment, and in any work that is noble — for the “greater good.” My heart aches and sighs to be in worlds like those. One of my greatest aspirations is to bring some semblance of those worlds into the reality I exist in now. One of my aspirations is, “God save my country! Save it from selfishness, from greed. Save our environment, our people.” Well, one can dream. Dreams are always the beginning. 

Before my father died, we had regular Tuesday dinners in his condominium at Alexandra in Pasig. When he died I could feel him everywhere. When people are living they are stuck with their physicality. When their physical bodies give way, their spirit then becomes free to roam.

This can be validated by experiences one has of loved ones dying. Even though their physical bodies are cremated or buried, you can still feel them. Often you can feel them helping you, loving you. The fact of death does not mean the end of existence. In fact to foolishly believe that this worldly life is all there is to existence is a very materialistic point of view. It doesn’t give credence to the grandeur of human existence and possibilities.

Not all deaths are going off to a better place. If one hasn’t lived a good life, then the spaces one enters can be quite hellish. It’s understandable then that one would be afraid of death. But if one has learned to be aware — and consciously occupy spaces of forgiveness, of love — then when one leaves the physical body, beings of light can guide one to higher spaces where one’s spirit can take a breather from the rigors of earthly life.

Sometimes when I meditate, I enter these spaces. So I know they exist. I know a better world is there; and that better world in fact guides us in our lives today. That is why it is important to learn how to be still, to access these other worlds even while we are living. So it will be much easier when we die. 



Stillness. That’s the key. To be still. And to be aware. To be able to navigate life now instead of just going through life succumbing to whatever attracts us, instead of living life with a sense of principles. If one knows what one wants to be and where one wants to go, then the future not only for this life is good, but for the after life is very good as well. 

So this season, during All Saints’ Day, I wish you all well. Live this life in consciousness. Make the most out of it. Know that life is full of choices. If we make the right choices, we can make our spirit strong. Death should not be feared for it is not the end, but a transition to a continuously brighter and exciting future. 


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I can be reached at regina_lopez@abs-cbn.com. ʉ۬