Baa’s final move : experience with an elderly mother figure

A fine Saturday morning during the Navratri period ( a nine day holy period dedicated to Mata- Mother Goddess) and I received a message from an unknown number on 21st October ’24. The message is a request for help from a woman for her ailing, old mother in law. I had planned a very spiritually inclined morning where I could visit the temple and do some scriptural reading of the Holy Texts. In my mind I valued the request for help for a mother figure above the worship of Mother Goddess and called up the lady to ask her for details.

She (let’s call her SJ) told me she was referred by a Mr. XYZ who told her I could help her. At first I couldn’t place he name of Mr. XYZ but later realized that his wife had been my patient in her last few months of life. After listening to her story I understood that her Mother in law Mrs. TJ at 84 years suffered from dementia, bruised limbs, bed sores, no appetite and related afflictions. I agreed to go and see her in person and left home immediately.

Once I reached their house, I found it to be very quiet, besides SJ her husband and a maid were around and the mother (Baa) was sleeping in her room. I was warned before going in as due to bed sores there’s a peculiar stench in the room and nobody liked to go near this old woman. Being a healer, I went ahead without any hesitation but was cautious enough to have my face mask on me. Baa was sleeping in a curved position and apparently with the limbs all curved in, it wasn’t possible to make her sleep straight. I saw her bed sores, bruised limbs and my heart cried out for this mother figure who was suffering silently as she had stopped speaking days ago.

I was told she had been avoiding eye contact with everyone and they thought she doesn’t even recognize anyone. Being immobile since some weeks or probably months, she had lost appetite and any food intake was causing her diarrhea. She had swallowing difficulty too so they would at times pour sips of fluids through the mouth using a spoon. I found it remarkable how she had self resigned herself from speech, food and eye contact – something I am aware the older and more spiritual minded generation had the power to do when they wanted to invite Death and take release from this material body.

I spent a good 45 minutes giving Baa reiki healing, going all round her and trying to access my reach to various parts of her body in such a way that I do not strain my back as well. The stench that I felt initially didn’t matter anymore as I was engrossed in giving her all that I had to offer through the healing energy. Then I went near her ear and though her eyes remained closed and she might not have heard me, I did Ho’oponopono – the forgiveness prayer to her and for her.

Once I came out of her room, I felt baa (TJ) following me in ether form and blessing me. I felt immense gratitude. I then sat with SJ and her husband and explained to them what I felt having given healing to their mother and taught them the way to do Ho’oponopono with her because I felt she needed a release and that I am grateful that her soul chose me t do this Seva for her. They both understood and I wrote down the prayers for them.

As I left their house, in my heart I knew I might be called back the very next day for healing hence made it clear that I was unable to come to give reiki therapy on Sundays and excused myself. I continued to do Ho’oponopono and distance healing for her for next couple of days knowing that I was helping her with her transition in a spiritual way. Her angelic pure face often appeared in front of me. Then on the 23rd October as I was out and about running errands I was invited to a particular temple to join in for special prayers. As I participated in the Havan (fire oblations) I kept thinking about Baa. Later I was informed by her daughter in law that Baa passed away very peacefully and at about the same time as I was thinking about her in the temple. SJ told me that Baa had been a big devotee of Mother Goddess and always did special prayers and chanting for the Ashtmi (eighth day of the prayer festival) and probably chose me to participate in the Ashtmi prayers on her behalf so she could leave her physical self on the auspicious day.

Such experiences enhance my faith in the healing energies of reiki and the power of Ho’oponopono as a combined strength and be it a recovery or a release – the energies work for the highest good of all. We healers are mere channels but the supreme power guides us to the right action at the right time. Gratitude is too small a word to be used for such blessings.

Baa TJ belonged to the generation that grew up understanding the Four Ashrams ( phases of life) defined in Sanatan Dharam . The fourth ashram consists of 75 years and above and beholds the theory of Sanayasa as a total detachment from worldly affairs as well as with oneself. My pranams to this old woman who enhanced my faith in Ho’oponopono and it’s assistance in clearing the blocks of emotions and attachments that hinder our path.

Monica Gokaldas