The very nature of love is eternal. There is no beginning or end. It always has been, is now, and always will be. This truth can be difficult for the human mind to comprehend, but at a soul level we all rest in the knowing that love is unending and beyond space and time.
The mind’s fearful belief that love ends or can be lost creates a great deal of suffering for us in this life experience, especially when we experience a perceived loss of love within a soulmate relationship, such as the death of a loved one (which can feel like the death of a part of ourselves). Although there are many ways to define a soulmate relationship, I am specifically using that term to refer to any relationship in which one feels a close bond or soul connection with another being. Some examples include relationships with parents, partners or spouses, friends, children, grandparents, siblings, other relatives, and even pets.
In soulmate relationships it is common to feel like you have known each other for much longer than the actual amount of linear time you have been in contact. It is also common to feel very understood, connected, and loved. Soulmate relationships can also be challenging, as they often bring up aspects of our shadow and our deepest fears.
Since our hearts tend to open more within soulmate relationships, it can be especially painful when these connections end because a person transitions out of their physical body. Some of this pain is healthy and is an important part of the grieving process. When grieving the loss of a relationship, we may experience denial, anger, sadness, guilt, and regret, all of which can create a pathway to feeling true acceptance and peace about the ending of that relationship in physical form.
After we have moved through the grieving process, or even while we are still grieving, it is possible to access the eternal love that was and still is the essence of the relationship. Since love is endless and beyond space and time, it does not die when a person leaves his or her physical body. The love that was shared is eternal and can be felt anytime we hold the intention to experience it. In addition to holding this intention, it is also helpful to be in a quiet place where there are minimal distractions. This helps us access and feel love at a soul level, which is easier to do with a relaxed body and mind.
Our human self forms attachments and bonds with others, so it is important to honor and fully feel the stages of grieving. However, it’s also important to remember that the love we share with others is ever-present and eternal, and that it does not end when a loved one transitions from his/her body. When someone we love leaves their body, we actually have an opportunity to experience the relationship in a different form, from physical to non-physical. In the same way we may connect with Spirit/God, angels, saints, etc., through prayer and intention, we can also connect with our loved ones who have transitioned to the non-physical realm.
With love & gratitude ~ Erin Stohl
