Prayers for Beloved Who Passed Away at Sedona Retreat

When people pass away suddenly and without warning it is a shock to your system. Impermanence is always with us but when change happens quickly, and suddenly, there isn’t time to adjust to the swiftness of the events. It takes time for the sudden death of friends and family to become real to our hearts and minds.

The death of several Sedona Retreat participants at the James Ray retreat held in Northern Arizona was supposed to be about growth, joy, and without warning 60 people were present when several fellow retreatants suddenly passed away during a Native American styled sweat lodge. Under such elating circumstances it is not difficult to understand how this resulted shocked for all involved as well as for the wider community of spiritually oriented people and concerned citizens. The question is what to do in the present time to heal, and move forward in a positive way.

We are social beings who bond with others. It is in our nature to want our relationships to go on continuously, however, impermanence is constantly with us each moment of each day. With every breath life is subtly different than the moment before.

There are prayers and meditation practices which do help the departed ones with their journey. It also gives us some solace to be engaging in some positive actions for the departed ones welfare, and the welfare of yourself too.

Here are two spiritual practices you can engage in If you want to there are several good websites for helping those who have passed away. The first is the Akshobhya Practice, which is very beneficial.

The Buddha Akshobhya stated an enlightened intention that all sentient beings could purify any degree of non-virtue and past suffering giving the greater opportunity to live in happier states in the future. In the Akshobhya sutra, Lord Buddha Shakyamuni actually spoke about the perseverance of Akshobhya in actualizing this intention so powerfully that countless beings have been saved from the intense suffering of lower states of existence.

See the Mahakaruna Foundation website for more information about arranging for that practice to be performed for any loved one living or deceased.

Second, there is Tara Meditation for the dead. It is simple yet profound practice you can perform at the end of any meditation. Simply visualize Tara, a feminine aspect of perfectly enlightened mind, or Higher Self. Then recite this short prayer:

“From Tara’s heart rainbow light shines forth throughout the six realms and the bardo, enveloping the deceased ones wherever they are, purifying their karma and infusing them with Tara’s radiant blessing.

“Their forms become brilliant spheres of light and dissolve into Tara’s heart-mind–a realm beyond the cycles of suffering, a realm of absolute purity and bliss.”

Perform this meditation during the forty-nine days after someone passes away. Afterwards, dedicate the merit or positive karma resulting from all of your prayers, meditations or good hearted activities to the welfare of the deceased.

Third, there are other healing prayers one can recite which are exceptionally helpful. The Great Invocation is supportive because it invokes the triple energies of God’s Light, Gods’ Love and God’s Power of Goodwill and Divine Purpose in our lives. Go here to see those healing prayers.

Finally, you can place prayer flags for loved ones, family and friends around your home, business or cabin. Think of them with loving-kindness and compassion whenever you see the flags flying in the breezes. Also very helpful is playing of the Om Mani Padme Hum CD, or Love and Compassion mantra as well which you recite along with listening to the CD.

When difficulties arise, place all troubles on the path of service, love and compassion. Take action through prayer, meditation and serving those who are suffering from the trauma of loosing someone they value. And, we should take care of our own hearts and minds through being gentle to ourselves with the healing process.

With love and good wishes,

Christopher Lee May

Tags: Akshobhya, healing prayers, impermanence, sedona retreat where people passed away, sudden death of friends and family, Tara meditation, the great invocation