Communion with the Deceased
The Three Fold Nature of Man
Man is a citizen of three worlds.
Through his body he belongs to the world which he also perceives through his body.
Through his soul he constructs for himself his own world.
Through his spirit a world reveals itself to him which is exalted above both the others
"Rudolf Steiner" “Theosophy”
(Spiritual investigator and initiate)
- Through the body man experiences his environment
- Through the soul man experiences passions, desires which he carries within
- Through the spirit divine nature becomes manifest in the man
The soul (middle life) is the mediator between the earth and spirit worlds and as such needs to be nurtured, nourished and strengthened.
The soul itself consists of three separate regions of thinking, feeling and willing.
These areas of the soul can be cultivated by following recommended exercises as outlined in “How to Know Higher Worlds” R.Steiner.
True communion with the deceased can occur when the soul has been prepared to create the bridge between the earth and the spirit worlds. Ie. Through training, exercise in clear thinking, artistic, cultural activities, development of the soul attributes eg. Open mindedness, devotion, gratitude, equanimity, tolerance.
This is a path to know higher worlds and it requires commitment, steadfastness and a love for truth ~ a path which is safe, solid and for those who choose to take such a path, support is always available from the spiritual hierarchies.
On your journey through life you may be confronted with the death of a loved one and its accompanying grief process which affects the life and soul.
As the soul is mediator which creates the bridge between earth and spirit realms during grief stages nourishment and nurturing are exceptionally important.
Whether or not you have a chosen path which involves training and preparation of the soul, there are certain levels of communion with the deceased which can be available, appropriate and safe for both the living and the deceased.
For example:
Recognition and understanding of the process through which one travels after death.
Acknowledgement of the presence of the deceased (even if there are no apparent outer presentations of this presence)
Reading of fairy tales, (see note), or spiritual books holding your deceased in mind.
Artistic expression
See list of recommended reading
Fairy Tales
These provide soul nourishment to people of all ages and are also nourishing for the deceased who come to us during sleep, when the fairy tale works in our soul life. Through the fairy tale the deceased find a nourishing place through which they can meet the living.
"The fairy tale is like a good angel given us at birth to go with us from our spirit home to our earthly path through life, to be our trusted comrade throughout the journey and to give us angelic companionships so that our life itself can become a truly heart and soul enlivened fairy tale."
-Ludwig Laistner.
Recommended reading for the deceased:
Grimms Fairy Tales.
Spiritual poems and readings
“Verses and Meditations” Rudolf Steiner
“Life between Death and Rebirth.” Rudolf Steiner
Myths, Legends of Celtic, Norse, Greek & Roman cultures.
Suggestions – Light a candle, think of your loved one and invite him/her to listen. Speak the worlds softly and with feeling.
The most usual, concentrated time of feeling the presence of the deceased is just before sleep and on waking.
