Grief is part of the human experience; however, the grief of daughters whose mothers have died is particularly significant. The components of grief differ widely, and you are the expert on how to navigate this challenging yet sacred journey. I wrote The Eternal Bond: Daughters Honor their Mothers on the Otherside to help empower women in grief and to share potent narratives that daughters have shared with me. These stories include otherworldly events, because grief is not limited to ordinary dimensions. Manifestations of connection to the other side include inner knowing, visions, dreams, or signs that miraculously take place. Although grievers may be reluctant to discuss this phenomenon, it can be enormously healing and validates that these sacred encounters are real.

The grief journey is a personal mystical initiation. I have survived profound grief, and I know that once our psychic and somatic consciousness is shattered, often out-of-the-ordinary occurrences take place. This is a spiritual opportunity to align with Divine forces, particularly with the loved one you have lost. The mystical and sacred communion that can take place is beautiful.

Discussing these experiences with trusted friends, family, or healthcare professionals can be helpful, though I urge you to be discerning about who you share these miraculous encounters with. It takes courage to talk about these occurrences. The "otherworld" is not linear, and you may experience this dimension immediately after your loved one's passing or even years later, as I did. Research has shown that experiencing connection with loved ones on the other side is not unusual, though there persists the belief that if you discuss these events, you will be labeled as "crazy." Of course, if you feel that you cannot function, or if these experiences are upsetting to you, please seek out a trusted therapist or physician for help.

After a loved one has died, there is a yearning for reconnection, and that is understandable. However, the metaphysical dimension does not always arrive because you want it to. It is not something that you can command. These dreams, signs, and inner knowing are present when they are present. Although you can cultivate spiritual practices through dream healing, meditation, or other spiritual tools to help facilitate them, they may not occur immediately. Don't be discouraged; what I have discovered is that these signs and dreams usually occur when you least expect it.

You may be tempted to consult a psychic or a medium to help you make this sacred connection. However, I recommend waiting at least six months after your loved one has passed away when you are feeling less vulnerable. Although there are many mediums and psychics who only have the best of intentions, some may take advantage of their clients by promising that only they can relay information about your loved ones. They may urge you to purchase several sessions with them, which is of course, unethical. I work as a psychic, and I know that I cannot promise to be privy to the spirit world. It is not up to me or to any psychic or medium. I believe that the person who has passed will decide how and when they wish to appear to you. This is a relationship and, in any relationship, both people provide input. Please be wary of anyone who tries to convince you that their information is correct, especially when your inner knowing tells you that that is not the case. It is also prudent to ask for referrals from friends or arrange an initial call with a healer to see if you are both aligned. After the reading, a good barometer of what constitutes a healing is to ask yourself questions. Was the information correct? Do you feel relieved? Do you feel inspired? Are you upset? Pay attention to your body's visceral reactions, because your body never lies.

The common philosophy to "let go" does not serve anyone. I was told to "let go" of my mother because she was on her own journey and I was basically on my own. Of course, this was not what I wanted to hear, because my bond with my mother was strong. I could not imagine then, or now, why she would abandon me. Instead, I suggest that you "let in" your loved one and find ways to incorporate her/him into your life. For example, reading the books she loved, keeping photographs around you, talking to them about your day, and having an intentional dream or meditation practice can not only be helpful, but it is healing. I wear the necklace that my mother bought me of the Virgin of Guadalupe with the inscription "You got me!" every day.

After interviewing countless women about their experiences in grief (and conducting a research study), I was heartened to hear that I was not the only one who experienced visions, signs, and dreams about my mother after her passing. I saw blazing neon lights for over a year in my apartment and was also shown depictions of the other side that words do not adequately explain. The women I spoke with were eager to share their experiences with me, even though they usually included the phrase: "Please don't think I am crazy." I am appreciative of their willingness to share their metaphysical occurrences, and below I have documented some of their comments.

Have you experienced mystical experiences after your mother passed away?

1. Dreams of my mom, and when I am in nature, I can feel her with me.
2. Dreams and I often call out to her in my sleep.
3. My radio went off, and when I asked for a sign a year later, the radio went off again. I believe it was her.
4. Had a vision and she told me she was taken, and she was not ready.
5. I feel her presence and a warmth comes over me. I have her walking stick, and I can feel her energy in my hand when I touch it.
6. My daughter spoke with her when she was two years old.
7. I felt her presence when I went to a religious park with my daughter.
8. She shows up in dreams, and I pay close attention to nature, and I can feel her all around me.
9. She had a near-death experience and said she was blissfully happy.
10. Songs on the radio would magically come on like clockwork. Recurring dreams.

In the book, daughters shared their experiences of the metaphysical dimension, and you may have had similar experiences. Grief is not pathological and is a wound, and like any wound, it leaves a scar—but remember that you are more than your grief. When we are willing to share our stories with others, we can understand the many facets of grief, since it is not a one-size-fits-all model. Grief can provide opportunities for self-reflection, insight, and inner knowing, and most importantly, death does not eradicate the eternal and enduring bonds of love between mother and daughter.

Grieving is a form of prayer—a prayer to be retrieved from the land of sorrows, and a prayer to reunite with our loved ones. Grief is a voyage to the underworld and possesses many gems of wisdom. However, these insights cannot be told or taught; they must be felt and experienced. This process can last a lifetime but also possesses various degrees of power—sometimes it will feel shattering and frightening and other times quiet and bittersweet. I cannot tell you that it has an endpoint, but although it never truly ends, it changes as the sting of grief transforms into grace.

I believe that the most important component of the grief process is faith. I am not referring to a particular religion or spiritual path. Depending on one's religious or spiritual orientation, this faith can be comforting. However, I believe that faith in yourself is key. Faith that you will be offered a connection with your loved one from their higher dimension can indeed take place, and when they are ready. I hope you have faith that you will be able to continue your life with your loved one for grieving is fundamentally an act of bravery. The bonds of love that you experience do not end, for they are eternal.