I am, for the most part, a believer in logic, reason and science. It only makes sense (to me) that every being on earth and beyond came into existence as a result of some sort of scientific evolutionary process. Molecules exist as a reaction to some event. They come together in varying states to form living and non-living things. Molecules co-exist and react with and because of each other.
However, all that being true (at least in my perception), there are also things I find unexplainable through scientific analysis. I have seen evidence of what I would consider mystical happenings and miraculous changes in fate. I have spent time in prayer and had my prayers answered. I have personally had experiences that suggest there is more than science contributing to our experiences and the occurrence of events. I believe I have witnessed specific evidence of non-scientific forces at work.
The best example I have of this is the events of my dad's illness and eventual passing last year. He was diagnosed with sinus and later brain cancer, underwent numerous and radical surgeries and hospitalizations during the three months he suffered with the disease. During one of the hospitalizations he coded and required emergency resuscitation due to a problem with his tracheotomy. Luckily the doctors brought him back. After recovering from the ordeal, he conveyed details of a vision where he floated throughout the hospital. He provided a description of the waiting room, which he had never been in, and named everyone he knew who was in that room or elsewhere in the hospital while he was gone. The facts he provided could not have come from his own recollection or knowledge. How can that be explained by science?
As my dad's condition worsened, and he was in his last moments, all of his loved ones came to his bedside. I had to work that day so I was delayed in arriving to the hospital. When I arrived my sister directed me to the room, indicating that there wasn't much time left. I entered the room, filled with extended family and friends, hugged my mom...and just as I did that we all witnessed my dad take his last and final breath. You can call it a coincidence, but I don't believe that...I believe my dad, once again, was present in that room in another form and willed his body to hold on until all of us were there. Nobody can explain medically how a body can survive when it should otherwise have expired...except to say that there is a force driving the process which is removed from scientific explanation.
I suppose it can be said that all of this is simply my perception of reality, and that my specific, molecular and physiological make-up causes chemical reactions that dictate this interpretation of my experiences. Believers of this explanation would extend that theory to my dad's near-death experience.
How do any of us really KNOW the truth about what is driving our individual and collective experiences? I don't think this is something that any of us are meant to know. Perhaps the answer is not a definitive answer at all, but rather a continuum of multi-dimensional thoughts and possibilities.
However, all that being true (at least in my perception), there are also things I find unexplainable through scientific analysis. I have seen evidence of what I would consider mystical happenings and miraculous changes in fate. I have spent time in prayer and had my prayers answered. I have personally had experiences that suggest there is more than science contributing to our experiences and the occurrence of events. I believe I have witnessed specific evidence of non-scientific forces at work.
The best example I have of this is the events of my dad's illness and eventual passing last year. He was diagnosed with sinus and later brain cancer, underwent numerous and radical surgeries and hospitalizations during the three months he suffered with the disease. During one of the hospitalizations he coded and required emergency resuscitation due to a problem with his tracheotomy. Luckily the doctors brought him back. After recovering from the ordeal, he conveyed details of a vision where he floated throughout the hospital. He provided a description of the waiting room, which he had never been in, and named everyone he knew who was in that room or elsewhere in the hospital while he was gone. The facts he provided could not have come from his own recollection or knowledge. How can that be explained by science?
As my dad's condition worsened, and he was in his last moments, all of his loved ones came to his bedside. I had to work that day so I was delayed in arriving to the hospital. When I arrived my sister directed me to the room, indicating that there wasn't much time left. I entered the room, filled with extended family and friends, hugged my mom...and just as I did that we all witnessed my dad take his last and final breath. You can call it a coincidence, but I don't believe that...I believe my dad, once again, was present in that room in another form and willed his body to hold on until all of us were there. Nobody can explain medically how a body can survive when it should otherwise have expired...except to say that there is a force driving the process which is removed from scientific explanation.
I suppose it can be said that all of this is simply my perception of reality, and that my specific, molecular and physiological make-up causes chemical reactions that dictate this interpretation of my experiences. Believers of this explanation would extend that theory to my dad's near-death experience.
How do any of us really KNOW the truth about what is driving our individual and collective experiences? I don't think this is something that any of us are meant to know. Perhaps the answer is not a definitive answer at all, but rather a continuum of multi-dimensional thoughts and possibilities.
Wow. I love what you wrote...very powerful. Thank you Nicole. What a gift it was to spend your father's final moments here with him...I was with Jenna's father when he passed. I believe that we only know a teeny tiny fraction of what is possible.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I shared my website with you or not (if I did, I apologize) It's www.lyndapilkington.com.
Many blessings to you and yours today and always.
I have to agree with Linda. This was a very well thought out, powerful and interesting read. I'm sorry about the loss of your Dad, but also have the distinct feeling that you know he is okay where he is, wherever that may be. My Grandfather passed away from pancreatic cancer a few months ago. He held on a good six months longer than the doctors thought were possible.
ReplyDeleteI believe it was two part, he didn't want to leave my Grandmother, and we had family issues that needed attended to, and he didn't want to burden her with them. He wasn't awake much in his final couple days. One day he was having a conversation with somebody that was not in the room (as far as anyone could see.) He was saying, "Yes, I know, I know, I know," as if someone were telling him it was time to go. Finally, he sat straight up in his chair, shoulders square, and announced, "I AM DONE!" He slumped into his chair, never regained consciousness, and passed away shortly thereafter. It was a fitting final statement for someone who lived such an amazing life.
I don't think anyone need fear death. Our spirit will live on, as does your dads, as does my Grandfathers. Science can't explain all of our questions. With some things we'll just have to wait for them to answer themselves, and live our lives with a touch of wonder in the meantime.
Lynda and Jason,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing your thoughts and experiences. I am truly sorry for both of your losses. Witnessing the death of a loved one is quite impactful - I will likely be writing more on the topic as time goes on.
Jason - sounds like your Grandfather was an amazing man, even in his last days. I'm sure he will be missed dearly. Your experience with his death is yet another element of proof that there are forces at work in the universe which defy any scientific or other known logic.