The Power of Anniversary Times - Remembering Our Loved Ones

I recently came across a teaching of White Eagle’s in which he talks of the power of anniversary times. We have just had our Anniversary Service in the Temple here at New Lands and I was very aware of a special blessing for everyone present. Also at this time, perhaps more than ever, I felt the interpenetration between the two worlds. The Temple is truly a ‘gateway into heaven’ which helps us feel the absolute reality of the inner world. The Temple was filled not only with angels of the light, but also so many now living in bodies of light who have worked in the Temple in this incarnation or in temples of the past.

One lady leaving the service told me how for her it was the anniversary of the passing of a loved one and the comfort of feeling their presence had touched her deeply. White Eagle says:‘The ancient Brothers never failed to hold their special group meetings and work their rituals on powerful anniversary dates. The date of birth or death is an important anniversary date in the life of every man, woman and child.’ In a way I think White Eagle is here encouraging us to remember our loved ones and their anniversary dates—whether it be their birthday into the physical world or their birthday into the heaven world. Think of your dear one with love and thankfulness for their life with you and they will indeed be able to cross the bridge and come to comfort and uplift your heart.

I am sometimes asked whether it is right to think of our loved ones in this way, or whether it holds them back. White Eagle assures us that it does not hold anyone back. It gives them great happiness to be able to help us experience the joy of inner communion and the realisation that life is eternal. Where there is love there need never be separation as he so often reminds us. So as we approach Father’s Day this Sunday it may be a time particularly for us all to remember our fathers and give thanks for their lives on earth and all they gave us. Or if we did not know our father or there is difficulty in remembering such a relationship, pray that this is a time and a day when new understanding may awaken in our hearts.