Your Life Story Part 3
October 27, 2024
Your Life Story Part 3
A Zen koan says, “What did your face look like before your parents were born?” That simple line is a lot to digest. It conveys the counter-intuitive thought that an original face preceded our current one. With that approach, believing that we existed before our physical birth is necessary. Such a thought supports the idea that we are, first and foremost, an invisible soul with its spiritual image.
The concept of our original face suggests that we were conscious beings before our birth. If this is true, our consciousness remains during our life. But more interestingly, if it is our soul consciousness that existed before we were born, it is also the same consciousness that survives our physical death. Those who have had Near Death Experiences (NDEs) tell us that their physical body was clinically dead, but self-awareness and thought remained. Some report that during the near-death experience, they were fully conscious and inhabited a spiritual body that could move around. They all returned to tell of their experiences; these come from people worldwide, and regardless of culture or religion, have striking similarities.
The soul’s world is different from our physical world. Even though the physical world is seemingly the most prominent, a much more profound world is underneath its appearances. It is a counter-intuitive world that does not operate only on outer appearances but on a connection to more profound energies. Some who do not know how to tap into that world may discount it as “woo-woo.” Ironically, some may believe in the miracles in holy scripture but categorize them as happenings only of “Bible days” and do not perceive the world of soul right here, right now.
In collaboration with Dr. Raymond Moody, author of Life After Life and originator of the term “Near Death Experience,” Lisa Smartt explored an area of consciousness experienced in the liminal space right before physical death. Lisa’s father would likely have called studies of other-worldly things “woo woo,” but his final words contradicted that. She went on to study the significance and distinct language of people’s final words before death. Lisa’s book, Words at the Threshold, emerged from the “Final Words project.” Here are some of her thoughts.
“I listened in awe as I transcribed his [my father’s] final words that not only painted a world unseen to me but were rich in language patterns that appeared to be unique to the end of life. Trained in linguistics, I was deeply curious about the language I witnessed … As I transcribed his words from between the worlds, I witnessed a remarkable transformation.”
Our life story is our soul’s story, which began at our soul’s creation, whenever that was.
Our soul’s story is not our unhealthy ego’s narrative. Instead, it is our most profound reason to be, our deepest meaning, and a story that continues long after we leave this realm. When we speak from our depths, I believe we speak our soul’s story.
Spiritual Practice: Pray to know more about your true nature. Meditate and then draw an impression of your soul’s face. This is the beginning of becoming conscious of your soul’s story.
Self-inquiry: What would you say if you were to speak from your depths right now?
Dear God,
Show me my original face. Amen
