WE HAVE ALL OF ETERNITY

My elder, who gives me the most precious teachings there are, often said: you are breathing, so all is well.

Life is hard here on planet Earth. Particularly in this day and age, where family and community have been replaced by the state and school, where human relationships — once at the heart of our lives — now come after financial considerations, injustice, and wars, where the outsized power of the wealthiest has eroded the common sense with which we should be addressing the great problems of this world. All of this creates a way of life that is empty of meaning, stressful, illogical, where one must work hard just to obtain the bare minimum. We lack emotional support — at least not as much as in the past, when family and community members were close, always ready to lend a hand and offer support through life’s trials and uncertainties.

Yet the foundation of the human soul remains the same. Our fundamental nature has not changed. We are still beings with a spirit that knows no end. We migrate from life to life, returning between each stay on Earth to a world of light where there is only love and acceptance. The perfect and luminous support of our soul family and our guides — who never judge us — accompanies us in our learning of the soul’s path. We then enjoy a rest and a renewal of infinite beauty. After this time of renewal, together with our guides and their guides, we prepare for the next sojourn on planet Earth. For we are destined for something far greater. Earth is a school. Difficult, yes — but the harder the passage, the faster we learn.

Let us never lose sight of the fact that earthly life passes very quickly, and that we will soon return to a world full of love and light. We must tend to each moment with the intention of planting the causes that will allow us to evolve toward that luminous state where suffering no longer exists and infinite bliss reigns. Many have reached it in a single lifetime — this is what is known as the light body, or rainbow body. Most of us, however, take many lives to get there. And that is perfectly fine: each day brings us closer to that ultimate goal. Evolution is endless — some reincarnate as planets, others as suns, and others still become creators of universes.

So, in our small lives here, let us not be discouraged. It is hard, it is difficult — but each moment carries us further along the Beauty Way.

There is a simple daily meditation that creates the right causes to move us swiftly along the Beauty Way. The master Patanjali called it the four infinite thoughts. It consists of cultivating, as often as possible — in our moments of meditation and throughout the flow of the day — four inner dispositions that transform our lives from within and create the most favorable circumstances for our spiritual evolution. These four thoughts are:

LOVING KINDNESS — COMPASSION — JOY — EQUANIMITY

Loving kindness must permeate our relationships with all beings, from the smallest creatures to those in positions of authority. Even toward those who wish us harm — if our thoughts remain benevolent, they will not hinder our evolution. On the contrary, they will become stepping stones toward increasingly favorable life circumstances.

Compassion must extend to all beings without exception. There is so much suffering in this world. Physical help is valuable, of course, but beyond that, the most powerful help that exists is our own evolution. Our light, our enlightened words, our vision purified by spiritual practice — these are our greatest contributions to the easing of the world’s suffering.

For joy to radiate around us, it must first dwell within us. A sincere smile is naturally contagious. And when we take the time to cultivate ourselves through spiritual practice, a deep joy arises on its own within us, effortlessly.

Since we are breathing — inhale, exhale, the breath of life — all is well, all is good. There is no need to worry or agitate ourselves. Let us remain in equanimity, that evenness of soul that recognizes in every being the immortal soul aspiring toward liberation.

May this weekend be an opportunity to cultivate these four infinite thoughts and let your light shine. Happy weekend to all!