I’d like to share a slightly mystical yet profoundly heartwarming experience that occurred after my father passed away.
“Is death truly the end?”
No one can answer this question with absolute certainty. Yet through my father’s passing, I felt undeniably that something meaningful was passed on to me—his final, precious message.
I hope you’ll read on until the end.
A Sudden Farewell
Last year, my father, who had been bravely battling a chronic illness, left this world suddenly. The shock of his unexpected departure shattered my heart, and I cried more than I ever have in my life.
Looking back, however, that moment became a turning point that shook my entire perspective on life.
Until then, I had never had any spiritual experiences and wasn’t religious, so I rarely reflected on the meaning of death. But about a month before my father passed away, I came across a book—one I normally wouldn’t have picked up. For some reason, though, I felt compelled to start reading.
The words “the soul is eternal” and “everything is connected” lingered with me.
Had I encountered those words at any other time, I probably would have brushed them aside. But that day, they sank deeply into my heart—and, as I now realize, foreshadowed the extraordinary experiences that followed.
A “Quiet Conversation” During the Funeral Vigil
The first unusual experience came during my father’s wake. Amid the tranquil chant of the sutras, I felt as if I were talking with him—not through hearing or sight, but through a clear, mutual exchange.
“Thank you, Dad.”
“You did so well.”
“I love you.”
Strangely, I found myself smiling more than crying.
His Name on My Phone
That night, while writing a letter to my father, I opened my smartphone—and saw a sudden pop-up:
“Connect to the internet?
[Father’s Name]”
My father’s phone wasn’t around. I didn’t understand why his name appeared—but I felt, somehow, warmth and reassurance spreading through me.
As I fell asleep that night, I was enveloped in an indescribable warmth.
A thought welled up from within:
“I am wrapped in boundless love. We are all connected.”
Even though grief should have weighed me down, I felt comforted and blissful.
A Reunion Through My Aunt
The next day, on our way to the crematorium, my mother rode shotgun, and my aunt and I sat in the back.
My aunt has a strong spiritual sense and I had heard that she had experienced “possession” a few times in the past,
but to be honest, I was rather skeptical.
But on that very day, something unbelievable happened right before my eyes.
As our hearse passed in front of the company where my father used to work, his colleagues stood outside beneath the cold sky, offering silent prayers. At that instant, my aunt’s expression changed completely.
She began sobbing, raising her right hand to the workers, and speaking in a voice that wasn’t her own. When I whispered, “Is that really Father?” she nodded through her tears. In her demeanor and speech, I felt his presence.
“Thank you, Dad. You did your best.”
Tears in her eyes, she softly smiled back.
Then, as the hearse passed our home, she said, “Window… window…” When we opened it, I envisioned him reaching out to our beloved family dog—his beloved companion—sharing one final farewell. The dog wagged its tail joyfully, as if sensing Dad’s presence.
At the cremation site, as the coffin’s lid was being closed, my aunt suddenly appeared to say,
“I am not there. I am here.” She pointed to herself and uttered:
“We are all connected.”
That moment, everything clicked. The words from the book—“even without a body, the soul lives on”—resonated deeply within me.
The 49th Day: His Final Message
That wasn’t the end of these extraordinary experiences. In the days that followed, I often felt a gentle warmth in my abdomen—especially when visiting Dad’s company or sharing memories at the dinner table. My mother felt it too.
Then came the 49th day after his passing. As my mother quietly wept before the Buddhist altar, my father’s presence appeared again—this time within my aunt. As I approached her, I noticed her body was unnaturally cold, and her breath was visible in the air, as if a mystical space between worlds had opened.
And Dad spoke his final message:
“I have been with you all this time, watching over you.
Seeing you grieve makes me sad…
If you’re smiling, I’m happy too.
I have to move on now,
but if you call, I will come immediately.”
After that day, the warmth I’d been feeling disappeared completely—as if to signal that he had truly embarked on his journey to the next world.
What His Death Taught Me About Life
My father’s passing was not the end—it was a new beginning.
He taught me the meaning of life beyond death.
Rather than bringing despair, his departure bestowed me with profound love and new insights.
Facing death made me reflect deeply on how to live now. Receiving the messages from Dad’s soul helped me find a renewed purpose:
- I want to live wholeheartedly, embracing every moment without regrets.
- I want to fill myself—and those around me—with happiness.
For so long, my mother and I had dedicated ourselves entirely to caring for my father. But now I realize it’s time to live for ourselves as well. After all, you can’t pour from an empty cup—only once you’re filled can you share with others.
Having learned this through our experience, I am now walking each day with intention:
- cherishing every moment,
- letting my inner light shine,
- sharing joy with those around me.
Someday, when I fulfill my mission here and have played my part in this world, I look forward to reuniting with my father in the soul’s homeland—laughing together over our lives once lived.
If you have lost someone dear and are grieving, know this:
The bonds you share are never broken by death.
They remain with you, quietly watching over you.
What your loved one wants most is to see you smiling and enjoying life.
May these words lighten your heart, even just a little.
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