Death and dying the process and what it all means is a mystery to some and the process and what it means to many varies within cultures across the world. To many it entails a conclusion of the process of life, ending a happy existence just to suffer and then die. To others, life ends and you pass into oblivion, rendering all former existence null. But to me it is a spiritual transition and a part of the process of life.
It is my personal theory that death is the gateway to life as well as a part of a long process of learning and teachings provided by this level of conscience. I believe that we are born to the physical after having already existed on the spiritual plane into these bodies to learn, teach and process the true meaning of life in these bodies. Then, when our work has been completed, we are transitioned to a higher plane of consciousness. It is my view that when we have done all our work on this level of conscious we then are birthed into the spirit realm where we become ministering angels assisting others from the spirit side to help complete their journeys. I believe at the time of death the spirit is taken from the physical frame (body) is actually dying every day as our spirits expand and eventually released to another realm of consciousness.
What level of conciseness one is able to operate on after death depends the quality of life one lives while in the body. If ones work while on this physical plane is of a servant serving mankind and living a compassionate loving life towards the people, that will reflect itself on a higher plane. Some people who die after living a very negative existence will be earth bound, as wandering spirits on this earth plane. How many planes of consciousness are there? I believe there are 7 levels, each one higher than the other. When my grandmother died, my theory of death enabled me to find comfort and even help those who grieved. I knew she lived a good life, sacrificing her time and resources for the good of others. Thus, I knew she was living after death, not in a realm of suffering but in a world of peace and joy. I do not know what level of consciousness she attained, but I have reason to believe that she is enjoying her life after death. I will elaborate on this shortly.
Fear of the unknown and the suffering one does before death causes us to be afraid. Those that leave the body without suffering and/or babies are those spirits born to die without having to go through the agony of the physical world. There is another level of consciousness operating around us that one cannot see with the natural eye. Only the seers are able to glimpse into these level, hear things from this level and have a comfort about the transition called death. In sum, I believe that death is the gateway to life because spirit was never born and therefore spirit can never die, only the physical bodies dies and decays. But we all will have a spiritual body just as we all have a physical body to operate on whatever level of consciousness we are existing on.
How does this theory inform my actual experience of death and dying? I am a woman that lost my mother, father, husband, aunt and uncle within a 16 month period. I took care of my husband, mother and father in hospice and preached all the funerals myself. I already had a view on death and dying and was able to operate in spite of the closeness of these deaths because of my religious and spiritual views. However, some of the deaths were considerably difficult because even with all you think you can handle the loss of your mother, it comes as a surprise, with unforeseeable difficulties. Yet I was firm in my belief and was aided spiritually.
As a social worker, I must first account for the larger cultural context. In American society death really isn’t talked about or thought about until we are confronted with it. People want a comfortable and peaceful life with few interruptions. Furthermore, thinking about the future, the unknown, and consequences of life choices scares people from taking about death. Overall, the more you can anticipate life’s issues the more it’s not going to surprise you. Losses may still be just as painful, but at least a theory of death and previous thinking about it will provide resources for coping with tragedy.. You will have thought through how you think about death and dying and what kinds of things influence you.
In this American context, social work becomes a safer place than normal to talk about such topics. Many clients will have faced or be facing the death of a loved one or even their own dying. We must remember that everyone carries a belief about this life, its meaning, and the significance of the life or death to come. Even for those who think we do not exist after death; they hold a view of death and dying. Furthermore, every personal view will affect and influence the client. They will interact with me and with others based upon what they truly believe about death.
In the same way, I cannot separate my beliefs from my actions. My theory of death and dying will certainly shape the way I work with clients and discuss matters of death. Yet that does not mean that I will push my views on others or continually move conversations towards the after life. In contrast, I will honor the NASW ethical standards for social workers. I will keep my views to myself unless the client asks about them. I will not press my views upon them and make all efforts to respect their beliefs.
However, I would discuss matters of death and dying with them when appropriate. Why would I
handle such subject matter in the social work context? Because my primary aim is to help my client. The NASW rules do apply to this situation, and I do honor the ethical standards. Yet the client is more important than the standards, and I want to help them as best I can. In the face of death, people need hope and comfort. If my client broaches issues of dying, then I first would try to direct them to someone who can appropriately discuss the matter, such as a therapist or ministry. However, if the situation required that they need help immediately, if they threatened suicide for example, I may intervene and discuss matters of death. Again, with respect to their views, I would only aid their exploration of feelings and experiences, and attempt to offer hope to someone who seems hopeless without violating the NASW ethical standards.
