We are the product of our thought, word, and deed. In general, we reap what we have sown. Everything starts with the thoughts we plant in our mind and then nourished by our words to reach the materialization phase upon visualization. Squash doesn’t produce calabash. If you want to grow squash, sow the seeds of squash. If you wish to plant calabash, do the same. In other words, if you desire to live in peace, love, and happiness, you must continually send the vibration of these values through the psychic atmosphere.

The first step to wisdom is to admit you know nothing.  Yet, until one is ready, this is almost an impossible thing to admit.  The false personal ego identity, which may make claim to knowing so much, rebels when considering that all its thoughts add up to nothing.  It does not matter whether the accumulation of what one believes to be knowledgeable has been gathered through the practical experience of daily life, through formal education, or through religious teachings.  All is stored up in a make-believe identity of the personal ego, which prides itself that it is a storehouse of such knowledge. 

Yet, such accumulated knowledge is not to be classified as wisdom.  A person may be quite knowledgeable by worldly standards–yet totally lacking in wisdom.  For any person who possesses wisdom–and there are but a few on this physical earth dimension–there is an awareness that goes beyond being knowledgeable.  

Until we can empty our consciousness of any belief that what we know has any significant value in the eternal scheme of things, there can be no release to wisdom. As most people base their identities on their accumulated knowledge, to challenge such knowledge is to challenge their sense of identity or existence, as they perceive it.  The greater such accumulated knowledge, the greater the task to declare, “For all I know–I know nothing.”  Dr. Paul Masters Leon

“Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” Lao Tzu

Pride and arrogance are among the illusions of the false self, and we must get rid of them before we begin our spiritual journey. Most of us were born as rough stones. To let go of the roughness and transform ourselves into cubic rocks, we must rebuild our minds. Many people take pleasure in pride and arrogance, forgetting that we are all like card castles. Our wealth, health, along with all other accomplishments, may vanish unexpectedly. Therefore, before we boast about our achievements, we would rather be kind in words, thoughts, and actions and give glory to God.

Everything in the universe is interrelated. Since time immemorial, no living species was able to live alone. If you want to be intelligent and wise, you have to know yourselves and learn how to deal with others. For this reason, Lao Tzu said, “Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.” Make the habit of developing true power through your daily meditation.

Since everything depends on your mental attitude, let happiness fill your heart every second, every minute, every hour, and every day. Each time you have the opportunity to breathe; it is God’s blessing; don’t take it for granted.  

Each one of us has a mission. Seek to know yours and ask for help to fulfill it. But to reach the garden, you must open the gate. Remember that the road to the garden is long and rocky. You may face all kinds of difficulties, and even become the laughing stock of others. Some of you may get tired and give up their missions. Others will fear the unknown and turn back to the middle of the road. But the journey is enjoyable to those who ask the divinity for guidance and assistance. With patience, discipline, and perseverance, you will reach the gate and enter the garden.

“Jealousy says, “Compete with each other.” Envy says, “Destroy each other.” Empathy says, “Help each other.” Love says, “Empower each other.”
Matshona Dhliwayo

“Whatever talent a person has should be dedicated to the rest of humanity – indeed to all living beings. Therein lies fulfillment. All men are kin. They are of the same likeness, the same build, molded out of the same material, with the same divine essence in each. Service to man will help your divinity to blossom, for it will gladden your heart and make you feel that life has been worthwhile. Service to man is service to God, for He is in every man, and every living being, in every stone and stump. Offer your talents at the feet of God. Let every act be a flower, free from the creeping worms of envy and egoism and full of the fragrance of love and sacrifice.”  Sathya Sai Baba

Although change brings vast improvement, most people prefer to live their lives in the same old habits. Once they let some cultural patterns ingrain their system with a false belief, they are reluctant to release them. Since time immemorial, infectious diseases have occurred and spread across the world. In many ancient societies, people believed that spirits and gods inflicted disease and destruction upon those that deserved their wrath. Today again, the pandemic of COVID-19, albeit occurred in modern society, hasn’t changed their beliefs. Many churchgoers still consider prayers as the best alternative for healing. Some of them even ignore the required barrier measurements. 

Although whoever gives themselves up to God’s will indeed gain illimited power, but giving oneself doesn’t mean reciting prayers. If you wish to let God’s will rule your soul, you must be able to make the following divine sacrifices:

Release doubt, fear, anxiety, stress, and negativity from your mind; they can slow your evolution process down.

Align yourself inwardly with the present moment to open your consciousness and be divinely connected.

Let go of your ego energy, and let love and compassion enter your heart. When you open your heart to love, you do actions that serve the wellness of humanity.

Create peace around you and let its vibration flow into the universe. Hostility, anger, and resentment toward others keep you in the old emotional pattern. Avoid blaming or judging others. Instead, always be ready to forgive. With forgiveness, you cleanse your mind and empower God’s presence.

When you come to the manifestation of God’s presence, you become unshakable.

When you develop the habit of making love the nourishment for your soul, you will attract others and share unconditional love. You will become unshakable.

The pandemic of COVID-19 is neither the first nor is it the last one we will face. We should instead awaken our consciousness and see God as the quintessence of everything. As long as human beings consider God as an anthropomorphic figure, they will be stuck in their false belief and limit the inner power.

• 

It is a natural law that ebb and flow occur to complete the cycle of life. Human beings are reluctant to leave old habits behind. We always have the option to let go of any behavior that harms others, but some of us choose to stuck in long-term unhealthy habits. Sometimes things happen to compel us to release negative thoughts. Before the occurrence of the COVID 19 pandemic, we could enjoy along with friends the fruit of socialization. Instead of transforming social time into constructive meetings, many people used it to criticize and judge others.

Never take for granted what Mother Nature gives you a chance to enjoy. Social distancing is a lesson against social misbehavior. Now is an excellent time to go within, let go of negativities, and move on to a healthier way of thinking.