
Cassia Berman, April 5, 1949 – forever
I just got this awesome letter about Cassia’s death and I want to share it with all of you.
We are missing her light so much. OM.
Dear Ones,
As you may have already heard, on Friday, March 9, Devi’s day, our dear friend Cassia Berman left Earth (as she insisted we capitalize this planet to show our respect: “After all, the other planets are capitalized!”)
Like the many magical things in Cassia’s life, her death was incredible. Only three weeks ago she had been slammed with the the news that she had lung cancer! Despite this diagnosis and a surgery to relieve water around the lungs and to secure a biopsy, she was in remarkably little pain. So, when the hospital nurses were pressing her to take heavy medication, she refused, saying: “I have a high tolerance for pain.” However, the nurses insisted she take something–even a Tylenol. Cassia then asked her friend, Geeta Agerwala: “I have never taken Tylenol. What will it do to me?” !! Geeta very surprised, replied, “Nothing but make you feel better.” So Cassia decided to try some Western medicine!
Meanwhile, she also decided to have some radiation treatments and light chemotherapy, but when she got the diagnosis that the cancer had metastasized to the brain, her doctor told her that her prognosis was beyond Western medicine. She then stopped all the allopathic treatment, except minimal medicines to keep her comfortable. It was at this time when we all started praying the Mrutyunjaya Mantra for her. Amazingly, though she was weak and definitely uncomfortable when coughing spells would sometimes occur, Cassia was lucid as light and dealing well with the shocking turn of events. I’m sure our prayers reached her and were also helping.
On Friday, dear Cassia had been lying listlessly on her futon with closed eyes when Mother [her guruji: Amma Sri Karunamayi] suddenly called her from Atlanta! As soon as she realized Amma was calling, she sat up like a bolt of lightning and grabbed the phone from her dear friend, Dawn. She then lay down with the phone cradled to her ear. A few minutes passed, her eyes began to close and she was smiling beatifically. Mother was whispering to her, taking her home. Soon she fell asleep or lapsed into semi-consciousness and one hour later, as the sun was setting, her soul merged with God.
Those of us who knew and loved Cassia may well feel a piece of sparkling beauty has been hacked from our lives. But, given the destiny of all humans, how many of us will have the grace of Divine Mother’s guidance as our souls take flight?
And how many will go with our beloved Mother’s voice whispering in our ear?
On the 13th day after the departure of a loved one, in Sanatana Dharma, it is customary to have a ceremony to comfort and guide the soul on its destination. Please add your prayers now and especially on March 22.
Thank you for all of your love.
Om Om Om Shanti,
Smriti