Losing someone close to your heart is a deeply profound, transformative experience. It touches the core of your being, and during these difficult times, seeking solace and guidance can provide comfort and a sense of purpose in life.

I wrote this article after two of my clients lost their father suddenly. I felt I needed to talk about how loss can affect us and hopefully ease some pain in those who are affected. In times like these, having someone to talk to or hear your pain, can be beneficial to those who have suffered the loss. I will offer some insights on those to help find healing, inner growth, and a renewed connection with the divine in the face of heartache.

The Impact of Loss

Emotional Turmoil: The emotional impact of losing someone close is perhaps the most immediate and intense aspect of grief. Overwhelming sadness, anger, guilt, and confusion may consume our thoughts and emotions. The pain can feel unbearable at times as if a piece of our own being has been torn away. It’s important to acknowledge and embrace these emotions, allowing ourselves to mourn and grieve in our own way and on our own timetable. Everyone deals with loss in different ways

Mental and Cognitive Effects: The loss of someone close can also have a significant impact on our mental well-being. We may find ourselves experiencing difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or even remembering things. It is not uncommon to feel a sense of disorientation or a loss of purpose. During this time, it’s important to be patient with ourselves and seek support from loved ones or professional counselors who can provide guidance.

Physical Manifestations: The toll of grief can extend beyond our emotional and mental realms, often manifesting in physical symptoms. Insomnia, loss of appetite, fatigue, and physical pain are common physical manifestations of grief. Taking care of our physical health through regular exercise, healthy eating, and sufficient rest can help alleviate some of these symptoms and aid in the healing process.

Loss serves as a powerful reminder of the transient nature of life. It awakens you to the fragility and preciousness of each moment, urging you to live with greater authenticity and appreciation. This awakening can lead you to a deeper spiritual connection, helping you embrace the beauty and impermanence of life.

Grief becomes a sacred journey of surrender and transformation from a spiritual perspective. It invites you to dive into the depths of your emotions, confront your fears, and explore the essence of your soul. Through this profound exploration, you develop compassion, empathy, and a profound interconnectedness with all beings.

The loss of a loved one often triggers existential questioning, propelling you to search for meaning and purpose. It prompts you to reassess your values, priorities, and beliefs, igniting a quest for deeper spiritual fulfillment. Within this quest lies solace, as you honor the legacy of your loved ones by living a purposeful and meaningful existence.

Finding Healing through Spiritual Understanding

1. Engaging in spiritual practices becomes a source of solace and healing during the grieving process. Practices such as meditation, prayer, and mindfulness help quiet your mind, connect you with the divine, and cultivate inner peace. They foster spiritual resilience, enabling you to navigate the waves of grief with grace and understanding.

2. Nurturing a connection with higher realms brings comfort to many who seek solace after losing a loved one. Exploring practices like dreamwork, or rituals creates a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms, fostering a sense of continued presence and guidance from those who have passed. Trusting in the power of love to transcend the boundaries of life and death provides comfort and reassurance.

3. Loss deepens your understanding of human suffering, inspiring compassion and empathy for others who are going through similar pain. Engaging in acts of service, supporting those who grieve, or participating in charitable endeavors becomes transformative. Through these actions, you channel your pain into meaningful expressions, contributing to the collective healing of humanity.

4. Spiritual growth often involves surrendering to the divine will and accepting the aspects of life beyond your control. Surrendering does not diminish the love you hold for your departed loved ones. It signifies releasing attachment and embracing the interconnectedness of all things. Having faith in the inherent wisdom of the universe and trusting in divine timing brings a sense of peace and healing.

Please know your loved one that passed is still around but in a different form. Often when your grief subsides, they will come through from the other side and let us know they are still around. There are many ways they do this, such as seeing butterflies or small birds around where they normally aren’t, coins everywhere you go and they can even move photos or personal objects. Ask them to let you know they are still around and if you are open sooner or later they will leave a mark.

Namaste and God bless.

For additional help and support see https://www.qld.gov.au/health/support/loss/coping