The Five Stages of Transcending Grief

All of us cope with grief and loss. We can’t just try to sweep it under the rug. We need to face the reality of the loss. Or do we? A Course in Miracles has a very different approach to grief than the conventional one. It’s not denial, but it does bring to bear a different view of what is real.
If you have wondered how to deal with your own grief, join Robert and Emily for a wide-ranging conversation that covers stories of bereavement, the nature of death, near-death experiences, after-death communication, and more. Most importantly, the conversation is rooted in the Course’s references to grief and loss, which contain a whole other way to look at this topic that so personally affects us all.
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00:00 Introduction
01:10 Connection between grief and loss
02:02 Sophia Pembling’s story
09:20 Course’s position: loss is not real
13:00 Near death experiences (NDEs) support loss isn't real
19:18 Healing and transcending grief and loss
22:50 Grief and loss and God's will for us
33:07 Bryan Smith: from grief to growth
34:28 Course’s process for healing grief (Workbook Lesson 284)
35:44 The Five Stage Process
42:23 John F. Kennedy "You fix the roof when the sun is shining"
43:25 Story of Brother Lawrence
46:55 Meditation as a way to deal with grief
48:00 How to heal the grief and loss the others carry
53:00 Summary
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[@christinelynn245]

Love both of your wisdom. I am inspired by lesson 284 and monk story, will put this in practice. I had an amazing spiritual teacher, mentor, minister (who practiced Acim). When she past away, for the most part, I was not sad of her passing, gently, briefly missed her for a brief moment or two. I realized before she passed, she had been in her True Self most, if not all the time and I was just beginning to increase time being my True Self. I felt as if she was just changing 'Rooms', and we are One. Not long after her transition, I had a dream where we looked at each other while at the church, as if she was confirming she is with us. So beautiful.... Also just prior to her passing I watched Thich Nhat Hanh's memorial. This was the very first time I felt there was no loss, he was just changing 'Rooms', and he is in us, one with us. As I practice ACIM, this is becoming more real. Much Love and Gratitude for your dedication.

[@sueselmic997]

Yes I buried my 29 year old son, just when you think you moved through the grief it circles back and knocks you to your knees. It’s horrific. I am grateful for Gods love and healing.

[@brigittaspelthuis2343]

grief is a process. No bigger pain as grief, I experienced it too, two times in my 57 years life in my narrative . We are human in a divine plan, but still human , with ability to feel and we do attache , that is life too. On the other side of the coin, there is grief , and there is love, you loved and still love , dead does not cut this off. That is the gift , still the pain is there. Stay in your love , stay in contact for gods love and it will carry you through .... with all up and downs. God is always good...even we do not always understand all......blessings for you.

[@IfYouOnlyBelieve]

Dear Emily, dear Robert, I wanted to express my sincere gratitude for the exceptional and profoundly moving podcasts you've been producing. Each time I listen, I feel a stronger connection between the teachings of the Course and their practical application in my life. Here in Germany, I've primarily been influenced by Kenneth Wapnick's interpretation. I hold both Ken's and your perspectives in high regard. While I recognize that there are differences in your interpretations of the Course in some aspects, I find that your approach often resonates more deeply with me. At other times, I tend to lean towards Ken's viewpoints. I'm aware that the Circle of A. has already published a book exploring these differing "visions." It would mean a lot to me if, in a podcast episode, you could succinctly delve into these distinct perspectives once again. Doing so in an appreciative and impartial manner would be wonderful. This way, the viewer/listener can make their own informed decision about which interpretation aligns best with them. Warm regards from Munich.

[@CircleOfAtonement]

Thanks so much for the comment. We probably won't do a podcast on the differences between the Circle's and Ken's interpretations because it's all in the "One Course, Two Visions" book. When considering which way to lean, however, the question to ask yourself in our view is not which approach resonates with you more, but which approach is more faithful to what the Course itself teaches? It's not about what we think or what Ken thinks. For us, it's about getting as close as we possibly can to what Jesus thinks. Hope that helps. xx - Emily

[@dr.rohitgour795]

What a beautiful message and so relatable…thanks for sharing

[@HeySeussGranny]

YES!!! 23:55 Me too Emily!!! 😄

[@BethGeer]

So happy to see you guys! Hey Emily! This couldn’t have come along at a more timely time for me - my mom’s struggle with cancer is coming to a close here soon. What a wonderful comforting message to hear - you’ve put the ACIM message on grief together so perfectly. Thank you! And Emily, sometime we need another Zoom with Corrine and Carol ! Robert you can come too 🥰❤️😊!!

[@CircleOfAtonement]

Hi Beth! Great to see you here. I'm so very sorry to hear about your mother. My mother passed from metastasized breast cancer in 2018 so I understand some of what you're going through. Our prayers and whole heart are with you and your family. 💙 - Emily

[@BethGeer]

@@CircleOfAtonement Thank you so much Emily. 🥰❤️ I truly appreciate it 💕💕

[@susan.8761]

❤️

[@tinasyoga]

My mom recently passed and this has been very hard for me, I appreciate the conversation. I did see a medium and she told me things that she would never know, it was helpful ❤️

[@liannechristian8597]

This is such an important discussion, and I really appreciate it, Robert and Emily, thank you. I got to the part where you said that science won't touch the NDE evidence, and chuckled because I'm currently reading a book by Dr.Andrew Silverman, who, with 30 years of physics research into NDEs and the Shroud of Turin, has done exactly this. The book, if you don't know of it, is called "A Burst Of Conscious Light", and many of his findings are very much in line with what the Course teaches. The Course is literally a Godsend to me, when I was in the throes of what therapists call "complicated grief", after the deaths of most of my family in a short period of time. I was suffering a deep loss of identity and major depression for years when it truly saved me. I miss all my loved ones still, but grieve in pain no more and have enormous gratitude for the healing I have received. Thank you again for this excellent podcast. ❤

[@sofiada]

this was an incredibly beautiful podcast. Emily dug real deep and shared an enormously vulnerable and moving example of the love she holds for her grandma. i found it so inspiring to witness. thank you for allowing us into your soul. what a privilege xoxo

[@j4quick]

That was a beautiful revelation, Emily . I believe it and I love it. ❤

[@sueselmic997]

I know my son is a spirit that is still alive but it doesn’t really make me feel less pain. He has sent many signs to me that he is still around me.

[@tinasyoga]

Emily I appreciate your emotion at the end, real deal❤️thank you 🙏

[@yvonneryan8588]

Beautiful thank you 🙏 ❤

[@kathleencassel368]

Great subject

[@percubit10]

I have lost so much and no longer want to live anymore. I just want to enjoy life again. I want to connect with good people and I feel worthless.

[@CircleOfAtonement]

So sorry to hear this. I have added you to our prayer list and sincerely hope you are able to feel positive about life again. 💙

[@percubit10]

​@@CircleOfAtonementMy older brother committed suicide. I had a younger brother who died of a heart attack after years of drug abuse and alcohol. I have two elderly parents who need me and I have no real purpose in life.

[@CircleOfAtonement]

@@percubit10 One purpose for living is your parents. I also recommend finding a counselor who specializes in grief and loss who can help. I wish there were more Course-based therapy in the world, but there are many wise and kind-hearted professionals who can help you find a way through this difficult time. 💙

[@percubit10]

@@CircleOfAtonement I have elderly parents and I am taking care of them, But I am losing my health and my confidence. I am so burned out. Life is hard and I did the best I could. I no longer want to live anymore. Nit like this with constant stress and depression and anxiety.

[@percubit10]

@@CircleOfAtonement it's overwhelming and the stress is killing me. I never wanted to be like this. I stopped taking care of myself and let myself go.

[@richardfeatherly2038]

Very nice episode. I'm not a deep griever myself. I feel the most sadness for others who are feeling a loss. Sometimes I feel mostly envy for the person who passed. The most grief I've felt was for a dog I had to have euthanized. I'm not sure if it's because of avoidant attachment or being somewhat enlightened in that aspect of living this life, or maybe a little of both. Thanks.

[@bettyasaleh2831]

The depth of your emotions always overwhelm me my dear dear Emily. So grateful for you 🙏🙏🙏🙏🌸💕🌸💕🌸💕