Hi Linda,
sorry, but I couldn’t find any picture in Freedman’s biography titled “Death Mask”. The last three pictures in vol. II show Rilke in Sierre, his grave and a statue by Fritz Huf – maybe that’s the one you mean?!?
What I wrote before about Rilke being shackled by the emotions, expectations and needs of others was just meant in general. I sometimes write like talking to myself and not to or about anybody else. Nevertheless, reincarnation to me is a fact like it was to Rilke, too. His poems are full of beauty and inspiration, no matter if someone wants to take notice of his opinion about Christianity in the later years or his mystical beliefs or not. Also, I indeed believe that thoughts are very powerful and can affect others in a negative way as much as a prayer can do the same in a positive way (and I don’t feel ashamed for this conviction which – in both ways – is my own experience). And even if thoughts of whoever possibly affected him, it isn’t really a fault to judge or to get into self-justification – it’s just human nature to hold on to s.th. proved to be good for us or to remain emotional relations that give as an illusion of safety. But it’s not the way to reach eternal love and fortune. Rilke knew this from the depth of his heart. He struggled for the experience of true love in every relation without loosing this heart-freedom, but he finally resigned and hoped the death would bring the release he searched for so desperately. “Wohnen in den Umarmungen kann nur der, der auch in ihnen sterben darf;” – that’s what made me so sad: to know what the solution to a problem is without getting the chance to achieve it is the hardest thing to experience, much harder than being unconscious about the greater meanings of life.
I have no idea how many people he was related to in his former life are still trying to hold on to him and it’s not my concern. Yesterday I wrote under “Rose” half joking that I would like to have big pair of scissors to cut him free from all his shackles. Of course, that’s very inconsistent, because as long as I feel the need (!) to help him I’m as well holding on and don’t really trust in the great wisdom of his soul who has chosen the perfect (even if tragic) conditions for its very individual way of the final experience of unity.
A last word concerning the “observer”: I don’t think the soul as a whole is “locked up” in a body, so in my belief we are always observers AND participants throughout all incarnations. In a way, we are human individuals and our own guardian angles at the same time – which gives me some comfort when everything gets too confusing, because I know that the greater part of me still has got the plan of how the way should be continued!
Viele liebe Grüße
