Picture: Christine’s picture on our altar at Anandashram
A little before midnight the phone rang; it was Angela calling to say her mother breathed her last about a half hour before (It was Thursday the 24th in late morning there).
The way that Christine passed is inspiring and conveys the nature of her soul. The day before her passing we spoke to Christine; the phone was put to her ear. As I was telling her of that the Masters’ presence with her she said, “yes.” Then when Carla was speaking to her, saying Om Sri Ram, Christine then held the phone in both hands (a surprise to everyone) and said, “Om Sri Ram.”
After the phone conversation George led everyone in singing Ram Nam, accompanied by Andrea, Angela and Honor while sitting with Christine. The next morning Angela and Andrea came to see Christine and when they walked in Christine was repeating Ram Nam. Andrea put some ice to Christine’s lips and afterwards she repeated Om, Om, Om. From that moment her breathing changed which the nurse identified as the final breaths; she left the body chanting Om.
From a spiritual viewpoint this is a supreme way to leave the body achieved by the greatest of devotees. In the Bhagavad Gita Krishna tells Arjuna:
And, in the hour when life is ending,
With mind set fast and trustful piety,
Drawing still breath beneath calm brows unbending,
In happy peace that faithful one doth die,–
In glad peace passeth to Purusha’s heaven.
The place which they who read the Vedas name
Aksharam, “Ultimate,” whereto have striven
Saints and ascetics—their road is the same.
That way—the highest way—goes he who shuts
The gates of all his senses, locks desire
Safe in his heart, centres the vital airs
Upon his parting thought, steadfastly set;
And, murmuring OM, the sacred syllable—
Emblem of BRAHM—dies, meditating on Me.
For who, none other Gods regarding, looks
Ever to Me, easily am I gained
By such a Yogi[ni]; and, attaining me,
They fall not—those Mahatmas—back to birth,
To life, which is the place of pain, which ends,
But take the way of utmost blessedness.
So, we are assured that Christine ascended directly to God and the Masters. And what great joy that brings to the Masters when a soul leaves the body in such a way. After Christine’s passing George again led all in singing Ram Nam. Truly, a blessed passing.
Please keep the family and all loved ones in your thoughts and prayers, that all may feel the great Comforter and inner assurance that all is now different, but all is well.