The Last Rites
The last rites have been administered to people for thousands of years, they have been administered to the terminally ill and to those who were thought to be close to death.
Depending on the religion they are associated with, will depend on how they are administered. In some religions, there are three parts or sacraments to the last rites or death rites, they commence with confession, followed by an anointing and finally preparation for the journey.
Although I do not follow any specific religion, when I administer someone’s last rites, it is as three sacraments, or rites:
- Recapitulation and Forgiveness
- Granting Permission to Die and
- The Final Rites
Recapitulation and Forgiveness – When a person has had closure with their physical existence, their transition through the domains beyond death is much more effortless. Through recapitulation and forgiveness, we complete our life so that forgiveness of events that have happened, or the wrongs of others, no longer need to be dealt with during our life review on the other side. However, no-one is expected to seek forgiveness or to offer forgiveness, forgiveness happens when you reach a certain state of heart, and it may be that some choose not to reach that place in this lifetime.
It is important that family voice any forgiveness necessary to assist in the individuals closure just as it is also important to voice words of love. Atonement is essential so the individual can pass over in peace, just speaking the words I love you or I am sorry, or even I forgive you can be very healing and may also be enough to encourage the individual to also speak words of love and / or forgiveness.
Recapitulation offers an individual the opportunity to share their life story, or at least a summary of it, which can be both cathartic and healing, but it may not be something that the individual wants to do, or can do, and that is ok too. If they can speak and they wish to talk about their life, encourage them, perhaps offer small reminders such as do you remember when…. as this can then open the door for them to be able to talk about their life.
It is from talking about their life that they may then start to think about who they need to forgive which may also include them-self, and they need to feel they can forgive them-self for any wrongs they have done in life and know that life itself forgives them. You may want to ask them how they would like to be remembered; what stories they would like shared with the younger generation etc. Recapitulation and forgiveness is about closure, in preparation for the journey, old wounds do not need re-opening, the individual concerned does not need to feel as if they have to explain why they did this or that, this is not the time for explanations of actions, it is a time of making peace with themselves and others.
Unfortunately, some people feel incredibly angry about dying, they feel angry about their life, about their decisions and the realization that it is now too late to change it, it can all be too much. Do not take the anger personally if it is directed at you, just continue to offer love and support and eventually the anger will turn into compassion.
Granting Permission to Die – Sometimes people need permission to die, when someone is aware that they are going to die, quite often they can spend much of their remaining time on this earth worrying about those who will be left behind, about money issues, family, children, pets etc. It is at such time that they need the reassurance that it is alright for them to go and that everyone who is left behind will be fine. Sometimes people can hang on for weeks and months, suffering but not wanting to leave the physical because of those left behind. Immediate family may need to speak out that permission and let the individual know that it is alright for them to go.
The Final Rites – There are two parts to the Final Rites, the Illumination Process, and the Release of the Luminous Energy Field. Obviously, we do not have a set date for the passing, so it is best to commence the illumination process several days, or preferably, several weeks before the individual is expected to pass over. It can take several sessions to clear toxic energy in the luminous energy field and around any imprints. Because toxic energy is combusted, you do not have to worry about becoming toxic yourself as these energies are working on an energetic or spiritual level not a psychological or physical level.
Always ensure you have permission to perform the illumination process or any part of the last rites, after-all, it may not be what they consider to be their Spiritual beliefs and you have no right to enforce it upon them. Sometimes it is simply that they do not understand what you do, and it may be that if you explain it in simple terms which they can understand, then they may be quite happy for you to continue.
The illumination process combusts the energy in the chakras and erases imprints from the luminous energy field, which in turn, reduces the life review process in the spirit world as most of the energy has been drained from emotional memories. All seven chakras require the illumination process, and it is best not to try to do this is one session. A complete healing may not be possible due to time restraints, but some healing is certainly better than no healing.
The release of the luminous energy field is performed only after the person has died and is then followed by the sealing of each Chakra which is done in a specific order. This is so that the luminous body does not try to re-enter the physical body or shell and become contaminated by residual energy in the body. Although for most of the time, the luminous body naturally knows what it needs to do, there is the occasional time when it requires some assistance in dis-engaging.
If you would like to minister the Last Rites to someone, please seek out a teacher, someone who can go through the process with you. It is not a game, this is someone’s parent, child, aunt etc someone’s spirit that you are dealing with, extreme care needs to be taken to ensure that you do not cause any harm or distress.
Once you have completed the Final Rites, you may find yourself assisting other family members or their friends through grief as they come to terms with what they perceive as loss.
Always Walk in Peace – Kenzo
