In Honor of Richard
This story was blessed by Richard’s extraordinary wife. When I asked her if I should change his name, she replied, “Absolutely not.” Thank you, beautiful, wise, big-hearted Kimberly.
I met Richard over ten years ago when he came for a Spiritual Healing Ceremony. During that time, I learned about his multiple heart attacks, near-death experiences, and that he was a Vietnam Veteran. I only saw him once.
Ten years later:
It was a warm, sunny day when Richard and I sat under the shaded pergola in my backyard, drinking tea and engaging in candid conversation. He told me he had been living his Healing Ceremony for many years and was ready for another. He was in the process of healing his PTSD wounds from the war, and as a result of personal and group support, in a phase of intensive emotional growth. And while he remained puzzled about why he never recalled any of his multiple near-death experiences or saw the Light, Richard was extraordinarily clear about one thing—he knew he had completed a cycle and was absolutely ready to enter the next—whatever it might be.
A few days later, Richard came for his second Healing Ceremony. He brought gifts: sage he had grown in his garden, specialized purified water, and a crystal someone had given him years ago from Machu Picchu—although that gift came with a caveat—I must return it this summer when I’m there. After some discussion, he decided his intention was:
I am Unified, Awake, and Living My Open, Expansive Heart.
Richard lay comfortably upon my healing table. His eyes were closed and his breathing slow and deep. The trust emanating from his body and soul was palpable. With my Teacher to my right, as always, I placed my hands on the soles of Richard’s feet and became a vehicle for Light.
Golden/White Light of Spirit merged with the Black Light gifted to me by Apu Veronica in Peru and flowed like a pristine stream from my heart/soul space in the center of my chest, down my arms, and out of the palms of my hands into Richard. I silently repeated the prayer given by Mother Mary over twenty-five years ago—The Light of Love is All. This began what I call “the purification of the soul” phase of the healing.
I slowly moved my hands up Richard’s torso and rested them on each energy center for as long as was needed. Suddenly, arrow-like energies appeared to my inner sight, and as I focused on them, I realized they had a connection to the soul retrieval I would be doing later.
When I arrived at Richard’s head, I gently placed my hands on his crown. The Light of Love is All… The Light of Love is All… Golden/White/Black Light streamed through me, into Richard, and traveled down his central energetic column, freeing any remaining heavy energy and filling his soul with refined.
The purification of the soul phase was complete, and Richard was ready for the next facet of his healing— a soul retrieval.
While my hands remained on Richard’s head, my Teacher and power animal, a horse who has been with me since I first learned the shamanic journey in the late 1980’s, brought me to a realm within the upper world where, in a mystical sky far above me, arrows floated everywhere. Ahh. I realized. These were the dissociated parts I had seen before and, for reasons unknown to me, need to manifest this way. My Teacher handed me a basket, and we called to the arrows, “Come. Come. Come into the basket.”
Once all of the arrows had landed, I was taken to a lower world realm, a desert-like area where more arrows were waiting to be discovered. These weren't floating, or even in a pile. Their points were hidden beneath the sand, as if someone had purposely aimed a bow and shot them there.
My Teacher and I walked around the area as I pulled each arrow out of the sand and placed it in the basket with the others. I was surprised to see Richard’s power animal from ten years ago, a magnificent black horse befitting a warrior, standing tall and watching attentively. A self-proclaimed guardian of the process.
When I no longer saw any more arrows, I asked my Teacher if we were complete. He replied by lifting his arm and pointing over to the side. I turned my head and looked. Way off in the distance, I noticed a male, Native American Chief with a large woven blanket wrapped around his shoulders. I walked over to this strong, solid, grounded Being. He was holding an arrow.
I said, “Hello. What would you like me to do?”
Looking directly into my eyes, the Chief replied, “I have been caretaking this arrow for Richard. Perhaps it is the most important one. It is the Unifier.”
The Chief handed me the Unifier arrow, which I placed into the almost overflowing basket. Then I asked, “Would you tell me your name?” but his silent response made it clear it was for Richard’s ears only. The Chief’s commitment to Richard was tangible.
I now had a basket of arrows in my lap, and my Teacher indicated that it was time to go. Together, he, both power animals, and I journeyed to my healing spot in the lower world. I handed him the basket, and he immersed it in the potent healing water while the rest of us waited on the green, grassy shoreline. Richard’s horse continued to oversee everything.
My Teacher brought the basket to me once the arrowed-soul-parts had been purified. I reached for it, looked inside, and was taken aback. All of the arrows were missing. Instead, within the mystical powers of the healing water, they had alchemized into a silver star. It appeared metal and reminded me of a sheriff’s badge. I didn't understand this transmutation and looked to my Teacher for an explanation. All he said was, “Richard will understand this.” And then, “It is done.”
I removed the silver star from the basket and transported it from the spiritual realms into this one by reaching for it with my physical hands, receiving it, and then blowing it into Richard’s heart/soul space and crown. I sat at his head once again and channeled a pure stream of Light that moved throughout his entire physical/energetic system. Finally, I placed my hands on Richard’s shoulders and envisioned a bubble of protection around his enhanced, purified soul.
When he was ready, I shared my experience.
Richard listened intently. He then placed his hand in the pocket of his jeans and removed a worn wallet. I watched as his fingers explored inside the softened folds, seeking something particular. When they found it, Richard pulled it out and placed it on the altar between us.
Protected inside a small, frayed, see-through plastic bag was a silver star embroidered on blue, satin fabric. An applique that one could sew on a jacket. The star was not alone. Inside the bag was a rectangular piece of paper which said:
“I am a part of an American Flag that has flown over a home in the U.S.A. I can no longer fly. The sun and winds have caused me to become tattered and torn. Please carry me as a reminder that you are not forgotten.”
Richard told me it was a reminder of his visit to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall and had been in his wallet for many years. And then, holding the sacred star and message, he blessed me for a lifetime by placing them in my hand.
Here is some Richard wisdom:
Just because you've been doing something for a long time doesn't mean you have to keep doing it. For Richard, this included leading Native American pipe ceremonies and sun dancing while pulling Buffalo skulls around the arbor.
Healing does not need to include suffering.
Ten days post-healing, Richard’s cycle of life completed itself, and he catapulted into the new cycle he was ready for. “Whatever it might be,” he had said.
I knew this beautiful man for about eight hours of his seventy-four years, and in that brief amount of time, he allowed me into the landscape of his soul. Richard was Humble. Empowered. Wise. He knew about the nuances of water and that the heart is not just a pump and could endlessly explain these things. His perspective sometimes challenged me, which I enjoyed, as I'm often the one who challenges others, and I appreciate it when the role is reversed.
Richard lived from his open heart. He revered his family and friends, who honored and adored him.
Thank you, Richard, for gifting me your presence and trust. Thank you for allowing me to serve you along your extraordinary Life path. I imagine that as you experienced your final human death, you not only saw the Light but were lovingly embraced by it.
Welcome home, Richard. Wherever you may be:
You are Unified, Awake, and Living Your Open, Expansive Heart.
4 comments
Oh tears of joy for Richard’s transformation – for each of our transformations. I’ve been preparing for the next cycle. I look forward to healing more with you. This is the week that I move out of my home of many years. Free agent, free mystic. Thank you. This is exactly what I needed to read tonight. Tender. Love you.
Free agent. Free mystic. Is it even possible to know what anyone needs to move forward? No matter where “forward” is. Life is so mysterious.
Wow Ani This is so beautiful And such a teaching. Thank you for sharing these stories. I encourage you to share more on Facebook so more people are exposed to them. I love you.
Thank you. I will do that.