Metaphysical A to Z: S is for Spirit

Ah, spirit.  It's a word and a sentiment that is tossed about quite a bit in the 'crunchy' world of metaphysics as well as in more traditional religious and spiritual pursuits.  What exactly does one mean when they refer to spirit?

Well, I suppose it depends on the context in which the word is used and the beliefs one subscribes to in interpreting the definition of spirit.  Since I can't speak for anyone else, I shall give you my interpretation and opinion on who or what spirit is.

First off, the word spirit can have different meanings as I mentioned, depending on context.  If we turn to Merriam-Webster for guidance, among the many definitions for spirit are:

1.  :an animating or vital principle held to give life to physical organisms

2

: a supernatural being or essence: as

a capitalized : holy spirit

b : soul 2a

c : an often malevolent being that is bodiless but can become visible; specifically : ghost 2

d : a malevolent being that enters and possesses a human being

3

: temper or disposition of mind or outlook especially when vigorous or animated <in high spirits>

4

: the immaterial intelligent or sentient part of a person

To me, Spirit (with a capital "S") can refer to what you might call God or Source.  It is that from which we all came and to that which we all return.  An energetic being, born of love and light.  One of my most favorite quotes is "We are not humans having a spiritual experience, we are spiritual beings having a human experience."

Most people think of the Holy Spirit.  I always wondered who or what exactly IS the Holy Spirit?  If there is father (God) and son (Jesus) then where did Holy Spirit come from?  Doesn't the connotation imply something bigger and all encompassing?  Doesn't it sound truly Divine?  Isn't it often imagined as beautiful and full of light and love?  Isn't it beyond our human understanding and existence? If we religiously (for some) invoke the triad of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, then don't we acknowledge that there is an energy of sorts that is there to guide us?

Someone's spirit is akin to their soul or their essence.  That energetic soup that makes them who they are.  Our bodies are but vessels for our spirit while here on earth.  When we die, our soul or spirit is believed to leave our bodies.  Some people can sense when this is going to happen for others or even for themselves.  Some people see or feel the 'spirits' of those around us, especially when someone is preparing to die.

I've never liked the term ghost.  The whole idea of disembodied spirits being somehow bad and intent on scaring people and being mean and nasty just doesn't resonate with me.  It's too Scooby Doo-ish!  I think instead, 'ghosts' are simply spiritual beings that for one reason or another just are not ready to fully 'fly' and leave the earthly realm.  They may have unfinished business here or be afraid to leave loved ones behind. Maybe they are afraid of going to the next place.  Perhaps they are held here by loved ones who refuse to let them go energetically, like a rope of sorts, keeping them from flying free.  Maybe they are just jokesters and are having fun playing with those still here on earth.  Some may find it amusing, others may find it scary.  Especially if you don't know who the 'ghost' is.  Often, all you need to do is ask them what they need and give them permission to move on.

I know people who see 'dead people'.  They are not crazy.  They are well educated and respectable members of the community.  How do you explain that?  Others feel the presence of those on the other side.  it may or may not be a warm and fuzzy feeling.  I'm sure it can be scary.  Sometimes, it's because they bring us messages.  The problem is our wonderful logical human brains can't explain or make sense of it, so we make it fit into what feels good and comfortable to us and write it off as 'wishful thinking' or 'imagination' or 'coincidence'.

I really like the 4th definition.  Spirit is that feeling and knowing part of you.  It is what makes you, you!  If only we listened to it more often...

Spirituality is simply being in touch with your own spirit and the collective spirit of love and light.  Embracing who you are and from which you came.  It doesn't matter what you believe, just that you have something that makes sense to you.

My hope for everyone is that they connect with their spirit and with Spirit and find their path to peace.  Being open-minded and getting out of your head and into your heart is a good place to start.

If you are interested in a really good introduction to spirit, I highly recommend The Anatomy of the Spirit by Carolyn Myss.  It was what started me on this journey and it is thought provoking and a worthy read for everyone, no matter what your beliefs.



Namaste.

The day the angels fell down

"Mommy, when the angel fall down?"

This was the question posed by my 3 year old son, the evening of his twin sister's funeral.  It was Christmas time, December 22nd, and we of course had an angel atop our tree.  That morning, she had fallen off the tree, so we fixed her up straight before we left the house for her funeral.  We didn't think anything else of it.

As we sat watching a TV show together that evening, he randomly asked about the angel.  Assuming he was referring to the morning, my response, of course, was to say, "Honey, the angel is not going to fall down.  We fixed it!"  He said, "Yes, mommy, the angel fall down." He was pretty insistent.  I figured he was tired.  The poor kid had been through so much.

In the morning, upon coming down stairs the very first thing I noticed was that the small angel on top of our mini Christmas tree in the kitchen was on the floor.  I blamed the cat for being mischievous and replaced her.  When we went into the playroom, the angel atop our tree was barely hanging on, tilted very sideways!  Can't blame that one on the cat.  There was really no explanation for it.  Then it hit me.  He was right!  He knew the angel was going to fall down again!  I got my son and showed him.  He smiled.  I asked him how he knew.  He just looked at me and smiled, as if to say "Why didn't YOU Know?"  We put her back on the tree.

Later that evening, an angel I had received a day or two earlier, that was held by a suction cup to my bedroom window was found to be on the windowsill.  The suction cup still adhered to the window!  By the time I found that one, I actually laughed out loud.  I finally got it.  The angels were falling down.  My son knew it was going to happen before it did.  A sign?  Think what you will.  I don't for a minute believe it was only coincidence that nearly every angel in our house fell that day.  Do you?

A rather perfect snow angel, don't you think?

The next day he gleefully played with his sister.  Saying "Oh, Geggie, look!" and then looking at us as if he realized we didn't see her and that he was the only one who could.  He excitedly said he saw her many times in the months that followed, pointing her out with absolute certainty in his voice.  I wish he remembered now what he saw and knew then...

On Christmas night, I remember talking to my older son about Meggie and Heaven and spirit.  He asked if she could see us.  I said yes, I believe so.  He asked if she could see the children in India.  I said yes, I'm sure she can, although I also wondered why a 6 year old child was asking about children in India of all places.  He was on a bit of a geography kick with a Leapfrog toy he'd gotten, so it wasn't so bizarre, but still.  He asked if she knew when bad things were going to happen. I said I don't know, maybe.  He asked if she could stop them from happening.  I said I don't know, probably not, but she could probably help people through it.  I tried to reassure him she was looking out for all of us as our own personal guardian angel.

The next day, December 26th, we woke to the news of the massive Indian Ocean earthquake and Tsunami! Twice in one week, my boys seemed to predict the next day's events.  How did he know? One in our own home, another on the other side of the world!  I was a bit mindboggled.  He again asked if Meggie would be able to be with the children who died in the tsunami.  Yes, yes she would.  I bet she is already there playing with them and their kitties in Heaven I told him.  He seemed to like that answer.

Meg's twin brother coloring, with pink, in her Land Before Time Coloring Book

the day after she died

" Meggie in the Clouds"

Earlier that week, on December 20th, 2 days after her death, her twin did his first finger painting.  It was a landscape.  He was sitting at the kitchen table with my father.  There was a sun and some clouds.  Blue, brown and oranges dominated.  He pointed to a spot in the 'sky' of  his picture and completely on his own, without being asked, said "Meggie there.  In the clouds."  As if to tell us, duh, don't you get it?  She's an angel now!

There were other signs that week.  They began the night she died as I lay awake in emotional agony.  Her twin in bed between my husband and I.  He was asleep and then suddenly opened his eyes, sat up, took my husband's face in his (just like Meghan used to do, but he had never done) and softly patted his face and gently said "It's ok daddy."  I swear it was Meghan's voice, her words, not his.  He closed his eyes and fell asleep as quickly as he had woken.  It was as if he wasn't really even awake, but channeling her.   When I finally dozed off for all of about a half hour in the wee hours of the morning, I woke to see my grandmother and Meghan floating above my bed.  I literally shook my head and thought I was dreaming.  I remember smiling again, realizing Gram really was taking good care of her.  I felt a sense of calm and gratitude.  I wanted them to stay forever and talk to me, but they were gone almost as quickly as I saw them.  I still don't know if I was really awake or in an another space and time, but I saw them.  They looked so... real.  It brought me some comfort.

So when people ask me about signs, I say yes.  I've gotten signs.  Many of them.  I believe in them.  I can't always explain them scientifically, but I've no doubt we live on in spirit and can find ways to communicate.  In that first week after she died, I received many signs.  There were many, many more to come.  They've taught me volumes.  I don't believe in coincidence.

It was the start of a spiritual journey that has opened my eyes to my own spiritual gifts and has led me to who and where I am today.  That, however, is a story to tell another day.

Know this.  Twinship transcends death.  Love transcends all.