Whisper to a Vet

As most of you know, I have another blog which is dedicated to Vietnam Vets. I began Memoirs From Nam in the memory of my first husband, who was a combat medic and killed in action in 1969. What I hoped to accomplish is happening. Veterans are opening up and sharing their experiences.

Robert and I are learning through the many postings on the blog that there is so much buried pain. The biggest portion comes from what these men and women experienced in war, but there's also a great amount of guilt these vets feel. That also causes pain. The guilt stems from losing their friends in battle -- they ask, why them, and not me? What more could I have done?

Still more, the Vietnam Era was unlike any other time in history. Our citizens, our very country, didn't treat these veterans as they deserved to be treated when they returned. That's a lot of pain to be carrying around for such a long time.

Robert had a whisper from his guidance and he left it as a comment on one of the latest postings at Memoirs. It's good and I want to share it here.

Whisper to a Vet:
by Robert Cosmar

In your pain is a great gift of awareness that can lead you past all the pain, the personal judgement, and the criticism that the ego uses to keep us trapped in time, memories and illusions.

It can seem, at times, like we are losing our sanity when the mind realizes it's losing its grip and we're becoming more aware of ourselves. Guilt can be a powerful tool of the ego and mind. It can imprison us in the past and within time.

The goal of life is awareness and the soul uses whatever is needed to bring us back home to our real selves. There is no guilt or blame in the deep core of your nature -- of you or others who have served. Only in the mind, which is programed by religion, cultural values, and philosophies is there a form of self torture that splits you all in two and beats you up.

Beyond the mind is acceptance of yourself and all that you experienced and the one thing you are all seeking: NO BLAME. The pain does not own you. Surrender to who you are and all that you experienced. Realize that this is perfect for the growth and healing your soul is seeking.

Namaste.