During the month of November, we celebrate the Day of the Dead, a tradition now recognized worldwide as an essential piece of Mexican culture. In this celebration, we look at death from a unique perspective, honoring our loved ones who have passed. According to tradition, they are allowed to visit us once a year, so on the evening before November 2nd, we prepare a feast with the foods, drinks, and objects they cherished.
In Mexican homes, schools, and cemeteries, flowers, candles, and decorations bring altars to life, allowing us to remember people important to our family and history. While Mexicans can view death with respect and vibrancy, it is also true that we carry grief in our hearts for a long time, and sometimes that grief becomes a difficult barrier to let go of.
Our reverence for our ancestors has deep roots in our indigenous heritage, where life and death were seen as a continuous cycle. We recognize the existence of two worlds—the world of the living and the world of the dead—and perhaps this belief is why it’s so hard to let go of those we have loved. We believe in the thin line between these two realms, which often keeps us bound in the pain of their passing.
Our ancestors represent our roots, a source of wisdom and transcendence that reaches beyond earthly life to a place of harmony and continuity. They give us insight into who we are today; how many times have we heard someone say, “You look just like your great-grandmother,” or “That trait has been passed down for generations”?
Today, both scientific and esoteric fields explore how family patterns and characteristics repeat over time. Knowing where we come from and where we belong provides a sense of stability and belonging that helps us feel secure in the world. Connecting with the customs, language, food, and climate of our heritage offers a sense of grounding. However, it’s also essential to recognize that some of these inherited beliefs and patterns can limit us, preventing us from moving beyond what our ancestors achieved.
Have you ever felt like you carry pain, fears, or guilt that, despite consciously working on, still linger? Sometimes, we carry unresolved pain from previous generations, perpetuating it unconsciously as a form of loyalty to our lineage. To work with these ancestral burdens, today we have multiple tools, including rituals, meditations, family constellations, and even deep psychological therapies and neural reprogramming.
In my experience, beyond releasing limiting patterns, therapeutic work allows us to consciously recognize and activate the talents and gifts we inherit from our lineage. While not everything inherited needs to be perpetuated, some wisdom and skills do enrich our lives. That internal voice that sometimes tells us, “I just know” connects us to an ancestral legacy that comes not only from the Universe but also from the accumulated experience of our lineage.
Just as traditions are passed from generation to generation, so too are talents and skills, which continue to live on through our descendants. By becoming aware of our history and working toward healing, we not only release our burdens but also heal our ancestors, creating a positive change that impacts the entire lineage.
From an early age, both my maternal and paternal families introduced me to the fascinating spiritual world. Now, in adulthood, these insights about the spiritual realm have been tools that helped me process the losses in my life, bringing peace as I imagine a place where my loved ones continue to grow and learn.
The pain of loss does not follow rules; each person experiences grief uniquely, and expecting someone to stop feeling or to understand another's pain is impossible. In these moments, prudence is key. We cannot “save” someone from their pain, but we can accompany them with kindness and support, allowing them to reconcile with life at their own pace.
My invitation to you is this: if you are grieving, seek help from a professional or emotionally stable person who can offer the space you need to release your feelings and find a new way of living after loss. And if you’re supporting someone through their grief, connect with your heart to create a safe, loving space. If you feel you need additional support, don’t hesitate to ask for help.
Grief is a process of time and patience, two concepts that may feel distant and painful when going through loss. Death, however, is a great teacher; it reminds us of life’s value and invites us to appreciate everyday joys. Every day, we die a little, so, what are you doing today to live better with yourself and those around you? Make this experience beautiful and meaningful.
If you feel called to embark on a healing journey with your ancestors, I warmly invite you to explore the link below. There, you will find a transformative class and meditations designed to help you deepen your connection and healing in this profound area.
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