Written by: Bhavna Megh, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Navigating and processing grief in a healthy way can be challenging, and it's not only experience with death. Read on to get a greater appreciation of when grief may impact you and to learn how you can begin a journey of peace around all things in life, no matter how long they last.
What is grief?
Grief, commonly associated with the passing of a loved one, transcends the boundaries of death. It extends to various life transitions, from the end of relationships and jobs to residence or family dynamics changes. Acknowledging that grief accompanies endings is crucial for emotional well-being.
The widely recognized seven stages of grief offer insights into the emotional journey one may traverse. These stages include shock and denial, pain or guilt, anger and bargaining, slipping into depression, an upward turn, reconstruction and working through, leading finally to acceptance and hope. However, not everyone experiences all seven stages, emphasizing the individuality of the grieving process.
The essence of this emotional work lies in choosing acceptance from the beginning, recognizing that relationships, people, and circumstances are impermanent. The focus shifts to appreciating the cyclical nature of life—existence and non-existence forming a continuous cycle.
To embrace appreciation and acceptance, it becomes crucial to explore and raise awareness around the emotional wounds associated with loss, anger, guilt, and pain. This introspection facilitates the move into a state of forgiveness for oneself and others, an essential step toward emotional healing.
From grief to acceptance mindset
Several practical exercises can be undertaken at home to navigate the complex terrain of grief.
1. Meditation
Meditation, particularly when shifting brainwaves into theta frequency, opens the door to the subconscious mind, allowing for the reshaping of beliefs around grief and death. This practice aims to create new, healthier belief systems.
2. Journaling
Another powerful method involves exploring personal feelings about death and mortality through journaling in a 'free-flow' writing style. By asking uncomfortable questions such as one's resistance to death or reflecting on whether they have truly lived, individuals can initiate an exploration into their emotions. This free-flow writing process often leads to valuable insights into our limiting beliefs or fears around death or life, as the case may be!
3. Raising awareness
Cultural perception of death significantly framed my relationship with death and the cycle of life. Attending funerals as a child was encouraged, and the death of a person was acknowledged as that person's time to move on.
Parents, in particular, are urged to be mindful of the language used when discussing illness, death, and mortality with their children. The words we choose reflect our belief systems, influencing those around us. This awareness raises a personal responsibility for the emotional environment we create for ourselves and our children.
In conclusion, navigating grief involves a journey of acceptance, appreciation, and self-awareness. Individuals can find solace in the face of loss by choosing acceptance early on, embracing life's cyclical nature, and engaging in practices that promote emotional healing. The exploration of personal beliefs and mindfulness in communication becomes a powerful tool in transforming the emotional landscape surrounding grief.
Ready to move through grief? Book a free Discovery Call with Bhavna.
Bhavna Megh, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
With over two decades of international experience in human behavior and development, Bhavna is dedicated to inner growth. Raised in London with a logical/scientific education, she initially sought to rationalize the unexplainable. However, through personal healing experiences and connecting with the Source, Universe, God, she embraced the "magic" and developed a deep trust in it. Bhavna, who comes from a lineage of energy healers spanning four generations, combines research and experimentation to demonstrate the transformative power of her tools and processes. Her commitment to continuous learning and personal application allows her to embody her teachings and guide others on their journey toward self-discovery.
