A Gift From Bessie the Cow

          The need for open-heart surgery came upon me unexpectedly. Fear rose its ugly head as I learned that a heart catheterization will be needed…. A What!!!??

“Mahanta, (my spiritual master who provides me with inner guidance),” I wailed, “I need your help. Please show me the way.” The answer came -This need for surgery is a karmic thing and I need to go through with it. My doctor explained, “You have a faulty aortic valve. You will need a ‘new’ heart valve” he said. “There are 2 choices, a cow valve or a pig valve. You could possibly wait for 2-5 years. (I didn't have so long to wait.)

I love animals. Then it dawned on me. This animal is going to have to die in order for me to live. I told the doctor, I have eaten bacon all my life until I became a vegetarian several years ago. Let the pig live. I choose the cow. On the way home alone the more I thought about having to end a cow’s life! How awful. “Mahanta, can we talk about this? It saddens me to know that an animal, a sweet innocent cow,  has to die so I can live.” I felt so sad. The next day the doctor told me the cow valve has been chosen. “Do you think the cow was ‘put down’ humanely?” The doctor gasped. He hadn’t thought of that. “I hope so,” he said. “Me too,” I replied.

Shortly thereafter I had a chat with my inner guide, the Mahanta. “Would you like to talk with the cow?” he asked. “Yes!”, I replied. “She knows,” he said. A time was set up. I began my day with a spiritual exercise- inviting my teacher’s spiritual guidance. Shortly sleep took me to a beautiful setting. There was a pretty black and white cow, apparently contented, munching very green grass. She felt my presence and looked up at me with the softest brown eyes. I expected something else when the cow spoke to me like -a person. She told me her name was Bessie. “What would you like to know?” she asked. I was somewhat overwhelmed, I know that animals are soul, just like me, but I never “talked” to a cow.

“You know,” she said, “Souls who die to save another, advance spiritually .”

“Really,” I said. I was relieved and gained some understanding of the giving heart. “I thanked Bessie profusely, with love. I thanked the Mahanta for this unusual opportunity.

After the surgery, I asked the Mahanta how Bessie was doing now. “ She’s doing fine,” the Mahanta replied. “She’s a lovely soul.” I asked, “She does more there with you than just munching green grass then?” “Ah yes, she’s advancing nicely,” the Mahanta replied. “I am happy for her,” I commented.

I think of Bessie with a loving heart. I suspect that she is moving along with her own spiritual life. Since I received her heart valve my health is very good.