Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Rituals

Rituals can transform a situation. At the end–of–life, they help a person die a peaceful death, and bring reconciliation and acceptance to loved ones. Rituals come in many forms addressing the physical world (body), thoughts and ideas (mind), and the realms of myth (soul) and spirit (energy); helping to heal the pain of letting go, while at the same time connecting those bearing witness with something beyond earthly concerns.
Many religions have in common:
Creating a peaceful, soothing atmosphere,
Appealing to the senses,
Helping the dying person and all present to sense a sacred presence 
Some tools:
Lighting: Soft incandescent lighting or burning candles to bring feelings of peace and tranquility.
Aromas: Burning sage, scented candles, essential oils, or incense to induce a calming effect.
Holy Objects: An altar arranged with spiritually meaningful articles, medallions, statues or pictures to offer a visual focus.
Music: To soothe and inspire. Certain instruments such as harps, drums or bells, are used in many traditions. Sounds of nature and the human voice can be very healing.
Prayer: Oral prayer in keeping with the dying person's tradition
Silence: An important sound. It is good to remember the value and necessity of simply sitting in silence with the dying person.

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