CONNECTING WITH ANCESTORS & GUIDES #4

FORGIVENESS

There is no free will across the veil. The dead depend on the living to repair, complete, forgive and release them if such is needed.

If there is unfinished business with relatives or loved ones, forgiveness is vital for those close to death . The commandment, “Honor your father and mother...” should extend to our grandmothers and grandfathers, since they all were responsible for giving us life. Because of this we need to honor them with forgiveness. This does not mean we need to love them or even like them or have anything more to do with them, once forgiven. Forgiveness has the capacity to mitigate against their karmic sins and can elevate their karmic profile. When forgiveness is incomplete at the time of death, the deceased will sometimes haunt the living to receive it. There is nothing good about having this kind of intrusive spiritual energy around. It can cause "dis" -ease and even somatic complaints that usually affects one's most vulnerable system. At times one may even feel its like having them around when they were alive. Do not have these dysfunctional spirits on your altar. Forgive and release them. Maybe later on, depending on the circumstances you might reconsider them. It is important to clean the slate, to ask for forgiveness and forgive those who are dying as well as release them from any unkept promises. If that is done they can leave and exist in the beyond more peacefully (and leave you be.)

Reconciliation can be made by those expert in doing so after death but its far better to be proactive. Forgiveness is also helpful and healthful and rids us of a hidden albatross around our necks. We never recover completely from a serious misadventure until we forgive or are forgiven. If there are unrelated spirits that have harmed us (a neighbor, a caregiver, a teacher ...) the commandment does not oblige us to forgive them. However, forgiveness allows the individual to;

"Lay down my burden down by the riverside. Aint gonna study war no more!" African American spiritual song

We forgive not only to prevent disembodied spirits from haunting or harming us, but also because it is beneficial to ourselves.

CONNECTING - AN ALTAR

When dead, you can influence on behalf of others but not for yourself. The last chance for determining and acting for your own mission and fulfillment, is with your last earthly breath. You are then stuck with how you are and where you were.

Thus the ancestors need our help just as we need theirs.
Forgiveness, love and gratitude are how we help them.

In Zulu tradition the living have the potential to 'lift up' the dead ('Pagamisa') not only with forgiveness but also allowing them to work through the free will of the living. This gives them purpose again and the service they do can sometimes complete work that was left incompleted in their lifetime.

Because of the cosmic of free will,

'Ask to receive!'

An ancestral altar is a “container” or medium for asking, receiving, and giving gratitude. There has to be a give-and-take, as there is with any relationship. The dead are 'not dead', in a sense, and they are still human. In making an altar, maybe put down a new white cloth. Place on the altar the ancestors whom you loved or who loved you— grandfathers, grandmothers, mothers, fathers, cousins, uncles, aunts, and also friends, teachers, or anybody who cared for you and is deceased - even a pet. Use other containers like photos (write their name if you do not have a photo.) Include anything of sentimental value to them or and to you - a ring, an earring, a cup they used, a walking stick, or anything that can connect you to them. Anything you can wear or carry can be used for those times you want or need them close by. A locket is ideal in which you can place a sacred prayer or plant to empower the container all the more. If you have not inherited one buy one and dedicate it to them. For a 'foreign' guide whose name you do not know place a crystal or something special to represent him or her.

Introduce them to the way in which you intend to document dreams be it a journal or smart phone.

Initially it will usually be your immediate ancestors or guides who show up or script messages. The fact that you put them on your altar does not mean that they will but they may pop in from time to time or on a special occasion. Some will be with you much of the time, and once you advance spiritually, they will often network and find other guides to take you to another level because they may not be able to do so themselves. Even beyond the veil, skills are specific. If you are a musician or artist or writer a muse who may not be an ancestor can be allocated. Although you may not see, hear or even feel them, they will be there for you.

The altar is a good place to to ask to receive and give gratitude. Light a candle or incense, bring a small gift. It takes time to actualize the relationship and how they decide to best send messages of support, warning or instruction that you can most easily receive.  Each, to his/her own. We are all unique and they will know the most efficient way to help you receive their messages. Be patient.

If all this is new to you have a welcoming party and invite them into your life. Maybe place separate plates of food for the maternal versus the paternal spirits. You can eat it the next day or discard if appropriate.

Dreams are the usual way they will try to help you. The veil between the worlds is the most permeable in the early hours of the morning when we are most receptive to them coming, during REM sleep. Initially, document as many as you can recall to show commitment. Later as the process matures you will begin to differentiate the official ones that council from those that do not. It is really important not to move when you wake up. Try to retrieve the dream of the night and repeat it several times so that you have it consolidated in your mind before you reach for your recording device, or journal to record it. Otherwise, it will disappear.

“A possibility is a hint from God (or them) - one must follow it” Kierkegaard 

If you are not a dreamer they will find another way. Maybe as a power animal, synchronous happenings or a day time download when you are in a receptive or meditative state .