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A Most Graceful Gift

Right out his windowPaul Six took his final breath on August 22, 2012 at 7:10 am. He died as he lived, with an acceptance of what is, with a sense of humor, and with grace. All of you who knew Paul were undoubtedly blessed, as was I, with his wisdom, insight and willingness to give of himself fully. We knew he was a great soul. Just how great was revealed even more at his life’s completion.

I had the challenge and the blessing of being with Paul during his unexpected illness. He came to spend his 70th birthday with me and my husband, Tomas. I could see he was not well, and wanted to take him to a doctor. He wanted to wait until he returned to his home in Palm Springs. The day he was to leave, it was finally obvious to him that he had to get medical help. I took him to the emergency room, saw him through his intensive care experience where he underwent many tests, and was with him when the doctors told him the results they found: kidney failure, heart operating at 10%, and large cancerous tumor in his bladder.

Given the choice to undergo chemo, radiation and, if he survived this, a life on dialysis, or let nature take its course, Paul chose the latter. He told me that he felt complete; that he had done everything he had wanted to do, and that he did not fear death. The doctors gave him two weeks to one month to live, and since he could not go home, I sent out a letter to the Doorway Into Light organization here on Maui, and cc’d Heather Parsons,  (a certified death midwife) asking if they knew of anyone with a home with an extra bedroom. I explained the situation; that we needed a place where I could call in hospice to care for Paul as he made his transition.

Heather and her beloved husband Rob answered the call. They had only one bedroom, and so moved their bed into the living room so Paul could take their room.  This was beyond anything I could have imagined.  Paul’s soul was obviously orchestrating everything, and we all got to watch the miracles as they unfolded, one by one.

Paul with Heather, his primary caregiver

Paul with Heather, his primary caregiver

Heather, (and I) became his primary caregivers. Heather is an angel thinly disguised as a human. She was phenomenal with Paul, caring for him like a precious friend. In addition, she has all the skills, so Paul felt very safe with her.

Other friends from Maui, Sher and B showed up to help.  Two friends from the mainland Randy and Lucinda flew over, and along with Tomas and Rob, the 8 of us became the core family that watched over Paul 24/7 to make sure he was well cared for. The hospice nurses and helpers were caring and supportive. Everyone who found their way to Paul’s bedside commented on his presence and the peace that exuded from him.

One of the things I learned is that dying (unless it is sudden) is an active process. It is the final work that we must do to let go of our bodies, our emotional attachments, our mental constructs and thought processes, and finally our breath, the life force that animates us.

A wall hanging in our office says:

What matters most is
How well did you live
How well did you love
How well did you learn to let go

On all of the above, Paul excelled. He lived well and gave love through his exceptional gifts. His final gift was showing us all how to let go with a grace that opened our hearts wider than we could have imagined.

The view from Paul's bed

The view from Paul’s bed

I wanted to share with you some of the teachings Heather and I received from Paul during this profound experience. Most of these were one-liners—many that came when he was in that altered space between the worlds, in his final three weeks.

 

Paul’s wisdom:

“We are moving away from singularity toward the collective mind and heart.”

“There are two worlds. One is the world of questions. The other is the world of answers, and they are interconnected.”

“We have to tell people. They think it’s “out there”. Eternal life is inside.”

“I believe everything that happens is destiny.”

“If you dedicate yourself to spirit, you have a kind of protection. It’s the way to grace.”

“Let’s all see how we can support each other personally and professionally.”

“Everything you want is available to you. You might need help to bring it out more.”

“What a transformation. It’s so beautiful. It’s so beautiful.”

“This is profound, deep, meaningful and passionate.”

There were things Paul said that indicated he was ready to go—some of them were really funny.

“Will you help me get to the airport on a certain day and year?”

“At some time will people get tired of this and move on?”

“Is everyone getting off at this stop?”

“I want to log out.”

“They are preparing a new personality for me.”

“Will you help me with something please?  Will you open the door for me?”

“When can I go upstairs?”

“A cruise might be a nice way to go.”

“I feel myself slipping away, but it’s not hard.”

All of Paul’s caregivers expressed gratitude to be with him during his time of transition. Randy prepared his favorite foods. Heather massaged him daily.

Sher and B drove an hour each way daily to sit with Paul. Lucinda sat with him at night, and with little sleep, was always cheerful. Tomas bathed him.

We all let him know how much we loved him, and that we were happy he was with us. We continually made sure he was as comfortable as possible. He, in turn, showed us how graceful the dying process can be.

During these final days, Brenda Robards a student of Paul’s came to spend time with Paul and during this visit, it became clear to Paul that Brenda was one person that could shoulder his mantle and pass on his work. He instructed her to write a book, and that he would help her from the other side. Brenda is already receiving messages.

The rest of the view

The rest of the view

Three days before Paul died, Heather and I read his book to him, The Great Love. The essence of his wisdom is simply and clearly shared in delightful story form that will live on. If you want Paul’s advice on how to make your life really work, you will find it in his book!

My sincere hope is that we all receive the gift of being surrounded by loving family and friends when it is our time, and that we can let go as gracefully as Paul. It will be our final gift to the ones we love.

A Heart Full of Gratitude and wishing you Bountiful Blessings,

Joan Heartfield, PhD
joan@talkinghearts.com
Paul’s Maui friend since 1976

If you have a story about Paul to share, please email it to stories@paulsix.com and it will be published for others to read.

If you feel called to contact Heather or Brenda, they welcome email from you:
Heather Neeraja Parsons: Neeraja@earthlink.net and
Brenda Robards: brenda@brendarobards.com

TAURUS – The Sign of Material Stability

(The sense of ‘My’)

If Taurus could talk, what would it say?

“I walk on a steady path in life. I am solid and productive—the image of fortitude. I continue to build up my worth, while I remain the same down-to-earth person I have always been. I am someone the world can count on. I usually remain peaceful and calm regardless of how dangerous the situation becomes. I’m mastering the art of monotonous perseverance. When I finally blow my top, however, I go ballistic.

“I place value in things that endure. If I am not wealthy now, I am going to be. I know what matters to me and I am holding on to it for dear life. I do not see the sense of turning it over to anyone else.”

Color: Brown
Motto: “Make It Count”
Object: A gyroscope
Activity: Hammering a nail
Style: Stable, patient, and conservative

Ancient symbol: The Bull

Mode/Element: Fixed Earth (Steady practicality)

Anatomical part: The Neck and Throat (Gaining physical substance)

Famous Personalities: Queen Elizabeth II, Harry Truman, Barbra Streisand, Sigmund Freud and William

Shakespeare
Places in the World: Israel, Ireland, Cyprus and St. Louis, Missouri

Taurus represents the fulfillment of all the activity set into motion by the previous sign, Aries. Aries is the seed and Taurus is the blooming flower.

In the human experience, Taurus embodies a love of nature and all of its bounty. Taurus individuals have an unequaled appreciation of the material world that makes it easy for them to be comfortable and content. That is in theory; however, in practice souls who are prominently endowed with this energy are here to learn how to experience peace of mind regardless of what is going on around them. They are here to calm down and roll with the punches and many of them find this difficult to do. Eventually though, they get there.

Attaining a state of calmness is much easier to do when one is self- employed and when there is no one in a superior position to answer to because in that case the pressure is primarily internal. When the pressure comes from the outside, and Taurus feels rushed, the normally placid nature of this sign is powerfully aroused. Taurus individuals trust that they can finish what they start and want to do so at their own pace in their own good time. They have incredible stamina and can endure the tedium of repetitive work that goes on indefinitely. They simply do not wish to be disturbed while they are enduring it. Do not provoke the bull and incur its wrath for hell has no fury like a raging bull.

Rage, however, is the last straw for Taurus. Normally, this sign is famous for its good-natured amiability. Taurus’ energy is synonymous with the energy of the planet Venus, the goddess of love. Taurus brings the goddess down to earth, so she can enjoy the fruits of nature.

Taureans can experience great pleasure in life; however, they are choosy about what they bring into their lives. They want quality and they demand the best. They are very definite about what matters to them and if something is not on their list of preferences, it might as well not even exist.

The bull is constant and committed. Taureans will work to the absolute limits of their capacity. When the job is done and some breathing space opens up, however, they can slow down to a point where you could not get them to budge unless you lit a fire under them—and maybe not even then. Sometimes they just do not want to do anything, go anywhere or participate in any activity except for lounging, bathing and dining.

Taurus is associated with the throat and it is hard for them to deny the pleasures in that part of the body. They love to eat good food and imbibe delicious beverages. They enjoy passive indulgences such as hanging out in the spa while dutiful attendants cater to their every whim. Taurus appreciates the finer things in life—beautiful works of music and art, a lovely home, gourmet cuisine and an enthusiastic lover with whom they can engage in amorous adventures. They usually have a mellifluous speaking and singing voice and abundant charm. So it is not too tough being a Taurus if you would not mind being what we would call an ordinary human being. Of course, ordinary, basic, good old reliable people are probably the happiest people in the world once they learn to be free of internal agitation.

ARIES – The Sign of Personal Initiative

(The sense of ‘I’)

If Aries could talk, what would it say?

“I’m the first one here and I’m ready for anything. My battery gets charged in a split second. I live in a perpetual whirlwind. I like starting new projects, sowing the seed while others reap the harvest.”

“I go my own way at my own speed. My swaggering display of boldness is a facade that works in getting me what I want. I insist upon calling the shots. I do not want advice from anyone. I want love from everyone.”

“I am honest to the point of being outspoken and genuine enough to get away with it. No matter what happens, I cannot lose. This is my life.”

Color: Red
Motto: “Make a Move”
Object: A seed
Activity: Lighting a match
Style: Self-sufficient, active, and spontaneous

Ancient symbol:

Mode/Element:

Anatomical part:

The Ram
Cardinal Fire (Urgent creativity) The Head (Aries is up first)

Famous Personalities: Houdini, Van Gogh, Bette Davis, Charlie

Chaplin, and Marlon Brando

Places in the World: Germany, England, Denmark and Thailand

If you play the board game of Monopoly, you begin at Go. Aries inhabits the space of Go on the game board of life. At its very best, Aries represents the resiliency of an unconquerable spirit, an irresistible force of nature that allows neither interference nor intervention. Aries is gifted with a consciousness that is utterly centered in its own light, so it is less subject to influence than any other sign. When an Aries individual hears something it disagrees with, it asserts its truth forcefully. Aries individuals seldom take anything lying down. They stand up for what they believe in and for their rightful place in the scheme of things.

Sun in Aries people will always be free inside no matter what they undergo on the outside. They know they are among God’s beloved creatures and they insist on being treated accordingly.

In the sequential development of the Zodiac, Aries marks the beginning of a new cycle. Metaphysically, this sign symbolizes the separation from unity and the creation of the human ego. Adam, symbolically the very first human on earth, is an embodiment of Aries energy. Adam and his partner Eve, the embodiment of the next sign Taurus, represent the time of transition from animal consciousness to human consciousness when, for the first time, the Divine entered material form and the essence we call God became our essence.

In a sense, Aries is the ego. Those who have Aries as their star (sun) sign have come here to be an original, one-of-a-kind individual, unlike anyone who has come before and like no other that will ever be again.

In the book, ‚The Great Love, We Came Here as Teachers of Love and Got Enrolled in the School of Fear‛, the Aries character is Bud. Bud learns to transform his energies through his encounter with Master Wiseheart (actually a higher frequency extension of his own consciousness.)

Bud transitions from pure egotism, where everything has to go his way, to authenticity, where everything is already just as it ought to be. He turns his life over to the creative living process and trusts that his co-creative participation in life is telling him what will serve his evolutionary growth at all times. He goes beyond the influence of the earth that is trying to sell him a program other than his own and instead remains true to his experience and to what is in his heart. No other sign is as genuine as Aries—Aries people have great self love and make no apologies about the way they are.

Egotism is very powerful in this sign—it is as if there is only Aries and what Aries thinks and feels and believes and that must be the truth. There are, however, eleven signs that follow, each with lessons that open up the portals of human perception and make them increasingly panoramic. Aries is powerful in its truth; however, it is not an all inclusive truth. Of course in a chart, individuals who have the Sun in Aries may have other components that enable them to continually stretch their parameters. Still, they remain faithful to their own independent vision of the way things are because that is what they are here to experience.

The zodiac is a continuum. After each sign has made its contribution, the wheel of life comes full circle and returns to the part of the sky that represents the energy we identify as Aries. Just as the spring rain brings the promise that something fresh and even more wonderful can materialize in the natural world, life is invigorated when Aries is prevailing once again.