What is the Grief Process ?

What is the Grief Process and the Death Process?
Understanding the Five Stages

What is the Grief Process ? Letting Go

The grief process involves a range of emotional and physical reactions. These grief symptoms can vary greatly in intensity and duration, often influencing daily life and requiring professional support if they persist. Understanding these symptoms is crucial for navigating through the different stages of grief.

Experiencing The Loss of a Loved One

Have you ever endured the painful experience of losing a family member, friend, or pet? How did you feel during that time? Did you experience intense sadness, anger, or other confusing feelings? Did you have difficulty sleeping or focusing on your daily life?

You are not alone. Many people who have experienced a loss have gone through similar feelings and emotions. This is known as the grief process.

I have experienced everything mentioned above, and I can assure you that the emotional pain and the overall experience are unlike any other.

The grief experience is so intense that medication, words, and other remedies cannot take away the pain.

All you want to do is sleep and hope to wake up to realize it was just a nightmare.

The first few days are the worst. However, the pain gradually decreases as time passes.

I am so grateful to my faith in God and HIS/HER spirit messengers for helping me face each day a bit better.

Although the loss never leaves, GOD gives you the strength to go on with the hope that we will meet again one day.

The above account is from my personal experience. However, I am aware that each person experiences feelings of grief differently.

Nevertheless, the grieving process is very real.

Processing Grief

There is no right or wrong way to experience grief. Not everyone experiences the grieving process the same way. It comes with different emotional symptoms which differ from one grieving person to another.

Those experiencing prolonged grief or developing a mental health condition may need assistance. A mental health professional can assist with intense emotions, the denial stage, feelings of anger and sadness, and the understanding of grief.

If you are suffering from a prolonged grief disorder- experiencing sadness, feel guilty, or feel angry, reach out to support groups, grief counseling, or a clinical psychologist.

In the early stages of the grieving process, everything can feel overwhelming. But as time goes on, things will get better.

When Death is Inevitable

Death is a reality. A reality we cannot escape avoid.

It does not matter the person's socioeconomic status, nationality, race, or religious beliefs.

Death does not discriminate. It waits patiently for the right moment to enter our lives.

Does the Soul Die?

Many individuals believe that the soul continues to live on while the body dies. It is a transition from one form of energy to another.

Therefore, when we leave the body and transform into our true being, we are reunited with those we mourned during our stay on Earth.

If Dying is Reliving, why do We Cry for Our Loved Ones?

If dying is not the end but the beginning, why do family members cry and pray desperately for a miracle?

Why do we question God when a miracle does not manifest?

When a loved one is suffering from a terminal illness. why do we continue to cling to the dying person and refuse to accept the impending truth that death is near?

Why is it so difficult for us to let go of a loved one who is dying?

Isn't death freedom? To be free from the earthly shackles that keep the incarnate spirit confined to the body.

So, why do we cry?

Grieving and Healing Process

Grieving Process Comment

Someone shared the following statement concerning the questions mentioned above.

"When a loved one dies, we often cry for various reasons.

Some cry because they feel a piece of them has been taken away. In some cases, they feel as if a part of them has also died.

Others cry because of guilt feelings due to what they believe they did not do while the person was alive.

Some cry due to feelings of abandonment and loneliness. Those are the ones who often will say, 'What will I do without them?" or "How will I survive without them?'

Then you have those who cry because deep inside, on an unconscious level, they know that their loved ones' earthly mission is over and are free to go home while they remain chained to various earthly afflictions. I believe these individuals are crying for themselves.

And then, some individuals cry because they don't believe in the afterlife and feel that death is final.

No matter what the reason is, it is devastating. "

Holding On to a Loved One Who is Dying

It's important to understand that when a person holds onto a dying loved one with desperation, it can be detrimental to the dying person's peaceful passing.

The awareness of their loved one's distress can make it harder for them to let go and find peace.

It's important to approach the situation with care and support and understand the importance of allowing the dying person to pass on in their own way.

According to Sogyal Rinpoche, author of The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, "...you can bring him or her a lot of unnecessary heartaches...the dying person can linger on many months or weeks longer than doctors expected and experience tremendous physical suffering."

Additionally, Sogyal Rinpoche believes that for the dying person to let go and die peacefully, their loved ones should, "...give the person permission to die, and...reassure the person they will be all right after he or she has gone, and that there is no need to worry about them."

The Separation of Body and Soul

After a person's spirit departs their physical body, they are liberated from all earthly worries and physical limitations.

They are free of all Earthly afflictions.

The spirit becomes free to journey to a spiritual realm where it can reunite with loved ones who have previously passed and experience a time of great rejoicing and celebration.

After a period of regeneration and spiritual healing, the spirit is allowed to come and visit us.

Just because we cannot see them as before does not mean they are not around.

They can see and hear us better than before.

They have not forgotten us. Their unwavering affection for us is even stronger than before.

We are not alone.

Letting Go
Saying Goodbye for Now

by Tai

When a loved one is approaching the end of their life, it is important to release them and allow them to depart.

Give them permission to journey back home and reassure them that the separation is only temporary.

Remember, the Final Goodbye is never truly final, as we will one day be reunited.

It's important to note that "farewell" is not appropriate for temporary separations.

The correct and more fitting phrase to use is "until we meet again."

Helping Someone who is going through the Grieving Process

When someone you know is grieving, the most important thing you can do is to be there for them.

While you can't take away their pain, you can offer comfort and lend a listening ear.

I know from personal experience how overwhelming and debilitating the emotional pain of losing a loved one can be.

However, having a dear friend stand by my side during those tough times helped me tremendously.

Simply having her presence felt like a lifeline and made me feel less isolated.

Grieving Process Quotes

image by Tumisu from Pixabay

1. “The reality is that you will grieve forever.

You will not ‘get over’ the loss of a loved one; you will learn to live with it.

You will heal and you will rebuild yourself around the loss you have suffered.

You will be whole again but you will never be the same.

Nor should you be the same nor would you want to.” — Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

2. "There are no good-byes for us.

Wherever you are, you will always be in my heart." – Ghandi

3. "Death is nothing at all.

I have only slipped into the next room.

I am I, and you are you, and the old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged.

Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.

Call me by the old familiar name.

Speak to me in the easy way which you always used. Put no difference in your tone.

Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.

Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together.

Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.

Let my name be ever the household word that it always was.

Let it be spoken without effect, without the ghost of shadow upon it.

Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was. There is absolute and unbroken continuity.

Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?

I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner.

All is well. Nothing is hurt; nothing is lost. One brief moment and all will be as it was before.

How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again!

Henry Scottt Holland

4- When a person passes away, their spirit lives on, surrounding us and living within our memories. Take comfort in the knowledge that you will one day meet again.

5- Death is merely a transition from one state of being to another.

Author

Saying Goodbye to Your Beloved Pet

Summary

There are various stages of grief. Whatever stage you feel stuck in, seek help. You don't have to go through this alone.

It is okay to feel sad. And it is OK to feel overwhelmed at times. However, it is essential to spend time taking care of yourself and maintain a state of well being.

During the grieving process, spirits of light are with you. Remember, your loved one has not died, he/she has simply moved on to a different dimension.

When you are feeling sad, don't hesitate to seek support from friends and family, support groups or a grief counselor. In the long run, you will feel better.