Death & Dying Aromansse

DEATH & DYING

Bridging the Gap

Throughout human history, there has been a common yearning and nostalgia for something deep in ourselves-our true identity, our origin. Many of us interpret it as a desire to revisit the site of our physical birthplace and childhood. Of those who do, most come away vaguely unsatisfied and unfulfilled.

They expected more but cannot define what they mean by "more." Then there are among us ordinary people, those who sometimes pause for a moment to reflect on what it all means, but just for a moment.

A growing number of us finally become astute enough to realize one way or another, that each of us will eventually be "Going Home," to our original point of origin. Not "Here," but "There," without keen knowledge of what "There" really is. It's only a matter of time.

The Life Span System, developed by the Monroe Institute, is based upon a commitment to provide a learning process for every human need. One of the programs in this system is a special kind of help for those with life-threatening illness or injuries, and for their family and loved ones. It is labeled The Going Home Program. This is a set of learning exercises on audio cassettes designed for use at a private residence, in hospitals, hospices, and nursing care facilities.

Going Home came into being with the participation and support of two long time friends of Robert Monroe, founder of the Monroe Institute. They are Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, M.D., known worldwide as a leading authority on human death and dying: and Charles Tart, Ph.D., author, professor, and internationally known for his research into altered states of human consciousness. Here are some comments from each of them:

Elisabeth Kubler-Ross:

"Ten years ago, I would not have believed that something like Going Home was possible. But here it is, and the pattern of the program is so simple that almost anyone can benefit from using it. You don't have to change your religious or other beliefs to participate.

"I also like that family and loved ones are included. So often they are not a part of the system that tries to give care to the person who is dying, and these others need help almost as much, in other ways.

"Very important, all of what we have learned and taught through the years can be a part of this program. All our books and papers can be provided to assist in the understanding of the process. All of the caregivers in hospices, hospitals and nursing homes can use their knowledge of our work when this program is used in their facilities. Now, what we begin in our workshops and lectures can be continued wherever our friends are when they leave.

"And most important, the Going Home Program is finally a way that we may be able to help our dying friends not only during their transition, but afterward as well. Several times, I myself have visited the Park, the way-station they call Focus 27 in the program. It is a beautiful place and filled with love and understanding. Maybe we will meet there someday."

Charles Tart:

"The tremendous advance in medical treatment in our times has, unfortunately, a shadowy side to it: the way we treat the dying. Instead of recognizing our natural dignity and spirituality, we suppress them and believe all things are material, so death often becomes a medical 'failure,' best ignored as much as possible. Sedate the patient, add distractions and don't think about it too much.

"Yet impending death can be a resolution and culmination of life-a time to embark on a psychological and spiritual adventure, time to become acquainted with our deeper selves that lie beyond the distractions of every day life. The possibilities are hinted at in many life experiences which normally get too little attention, which are dismissed by our too busy, work-a-day minds-the peak experiences, the fleeting mystical tastes of deeper understanding, the psychic flashes of knowing about things at a distance.

"The Going Home training series on audio cassettes is based upon modern scientific and technical discoveries for getting acquainted with and exploring the deeper aspects of your mind, what we call altered states of consciousness. While science can go only so far in thinking about what lies beyond death, we can die in a far more interesting and challenging way. Designed for the skeptical as well as the deeply religious, Going Home invites you, the dying person, to open to and cooperate with a deeper part of you that is beyond ordinary life and death.

"You don't need a medical pronouncement that you are close to death to benefit from the training series. We are all dying persons. It's just a matter of time."

Robert Monroe:

"Going Home is most particularly the result of a recent Life Span project titled LIFELINE. This program was an attempt to solve a personal problem-the onset of cancer in my wife Nancy. I felt I needed 'death insurance,' a guarantee that we could be together whatever took place.

"When our research and exploration team discovered the Park, many visits were made to verify the experience. LIFELINE then was developed and became a week-long seminar where individuals learned to go to Focus 27 (a modern label for the Park) as visitors and helpers.

"Who and what originally created the Park is unknown. An uncounted large number of humans suffering post-mortem bewilderment and fright are constantly arriving at the Park and its environs for rest and recuperation. When they are calm and rational again, each makes a choice as to the next life sojourn from the many options available.

"After several years of successful LIFELINE program experience, we realized something wasmissing. This missing element was brought forcefully into this 'loved one' with the death of Nancy. We did not deal with the emotional and other factors of the death transition itself at the Here-and-Now level. Not just for the Subject, but for the family and loved ones.

"Going Home was produced to fulfill this very common need for many who requested an answer. Perhaps it is indeed a service that can be utilized at any time or any place, before the fact."