Saturday afternoon movie

Just watched the movie Fierce Grace, a movie about Ram Dass' journey through life and his recovery from a stroke. There were some powerful reflections on suffering in life, and here are some of the quotes and stories that moved me the most:


A month after the passing of her boyfriend in Columbia Abby saw him in a dream and asked what she should do if she were to find love again on earth. He said, "This is small peanuts. When you find that love I am apart of it."

Rachel passed away at age 12 in Ashland, OR and this is a letter from Ram Dass to her parents:

Steve and Innita,

Rachel finished her brief work on earth and left the stage in a manner that leaves those of us left behind with a cry of agony as the fragic threads of fate are dealt with so violently. Is anyone strong enough to stay concious through such teachings as you are receiving? Probably very few and even they would only have whisper of equaminity and peace amidst the screaming trumpets of their rage, gried, horror and desolation. I cannot asuage your pain with any words. Nor should I for your pain is Rachel's legacy to you. Not that she or I would inflict such pain by choice, but there it is and it must burn its purifying way to completion.You may emerge from this ordeal more dead than alive, or something within you dies when you bear the unbearable, and it is only in that dark night of the soul that you will prepare to see as God sees and to love as God loves. Now is the time to let your grief find expression, no false strength. Now is the time to sit quietly and speak to Rachel and thank her for being with you these few years and encourage her to go on with her work knowing that you will grow in compassion and wisdom from this experience. In my heart I know you and she will meet again and again and recongnize the many ways in which you have known each other. And when you meet you will in a flash note what now it is not given to you to know why this had to be the way it was. Your rational minds can never understand what has happened, but your hearts if you can keep them open to God will find hope their own intuitive way. Rachel came through you to do her work on earth which includedher manner of death. Now her soul is free and the love that you can share with her is invulnerable to whims of changing time and space. In that deep love include me too.

So much love.

Ram Dass

Suffering brings us closer to God.

- Ram Dass' guru in India

My stroke is an incarnation. There are qualities in me that would never have come out. I am at peace now more than I have ever been. The peace comes from settling into the moment. This moment is alright.

-Ram Dass

I am touched by these reflections and words and just thought I would share. Love to all.

Joshie and Stephie