“Imagine yourself on a ship. You are watching dolphins at play nearby. They jump out of the water one after another. Each one describes a graceful arc in the air before diving back into the sea.

The arc is like the cycle of life and death for human beings. We appear in this world like the dolphin jumping out of the water, visible for a short time. Before long, we return to the Tao -back to God- like the dolphin diving back into the ocean to complete the circle that began there.

When a dolphin disappears beneath the waves, we feel no need to grieve because we know it is still there, it is still all right, even if we can no longer see it. Loved ones who pass on are just like that. They have made the transition, but they do not suddenly cease to exist. They are still there. They are still all right, even though we can no longer see them.

One day, it will be your time to pass on yourself. As you plunge into the waves, you will find the dolphins waiting for you. You will be reunited with your loved ones and swim with them together through the infinite ocean that is the Tao or God.”- The Tao of Joy by Derek Lin