Life and Death Part #1

The Life and Death Cycle, like the Wheel of Fortune card of the Tarot, reminds one of the ebb and flow of nature. For all things rise and fall and are set in natural order, each with its season "of life," and then slowly transgress to "death."

This cycle reminds one of their own mortality in the physical world and further opens our mind to the concept of immortality of the spiritual world, as this is illuminated through our "soul's life." Death itself is much like beauty, for its view and meaning is in the "eyes of the beholder."

One may hold different ideas of life and death, much the same as one holds ideas of religious views. In Hinduism, for example, this eternal cycle is known as Samara. It is a Sanskrit word that means "world," with the connotation of cyclical change, that of mortality and of the cycle of death and rebirth in the physical world.

In ancient cultures, the attitude towards deathwas influenced by the belief of immortality as connected to the spiritual world. For instance, the Egyptian culture saw death as a transition—not an end—but the beginning of the next phase in an individual’s eternal path.

The Death card in the Tarot holds both aspects the higher (spiritual) connotation and the lower (physical world) association. The death card itself is depicted differently in each set of tarot decks, but its primary meaning is universal. The undertone of the symbolism is that of a final point, or a transitional period, from the "last stage" of a cycle and the time before development of "new life." Furthermore, it represents transformation and the metamorphosis into a new body.

The word "body" is symbolic of the life and death cycle, and represents resurrection or reincarnation. In the spiritual context or esoteric traditional meaning, the body represents a transition from the physical form through purification or (a healing process) to a spiritual form or (light body) metamorphosis.

This process incorporates the subtle bodies of existence and the obtainment of higher light (wisdom) through the connection with the higher mind and higher heart. It is when one is able to release from the baser mind and desires and obtain mastery over the lower world (ego mind) and gain access to our true self, by mastering detachment. The realization of our inner heart’s manifestation of discovering the internal and giving with an open heart becomes one's life purpose. Our tolerance for all increases and acceptance creates a new experience of living from a transformed state of mind.

The metamorphosis occurs when one moves from an unconscious awareness to a conscious one. This process of transition enables one to see things from a new school of thought or a higher perspective. This is the connection to the higher mind, through the initiation of higher awareness. This process is called enlightenment, which is when one has gained access to the all-seeing eye, “the eyes to see into the Beyond," (or to be connected fully with the Third Eye Chakra). This process is of spiritual growth, where one releases from cultural conditioning (false belief systems) and breaks free from the conflict of dark and light and instead accepts without judgment. The process further entails purification, which is the healing that takes place therein. This is also known as the transition from the lower mind to the higher mind.

This process is also known as the path of "ascension" and the activation of one's own inner world. Enlightenment is gained through inspired personal growth, effort, mindfulness and mastery.

Life and Death Blog