At the risk of sounding morbid, no one is getting out of this world alive. Our souls are immortal, but our bodies are not. At a certain point in time our life projects are going to come to an end along with our relationships as we know them and this lifetime’s opportunities to fulfill our soulful aspirations. Paradoxically, when we consciously come to terms with our bodily mortality, our lives take on a deeper richness, depth, and meaning. We see each moment as a gift and take nothing for granted. We cherish our loved ones even more. Acceptance of depth makes us more alive. In today’s Gospel from Mark 13:32 Jesus tells us, “But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
Life is a precious gift. We should view the time that has been allotted to us on planet earth as a canvas upon which to paint images that echo into eternity. Why generate portraits of fear, anger, and selfishness when we can create scenes of love, joy, and nobility? When I was growing up, I would hear my elders say, “Life is over in a flash.” Now I know what they were talking about: life unfolds all too quickly. Today, let us decide to be awake, aware, and alive. Let us decide to bring our best to each and every moment. Let us decide to do all that we do for the love of God and Guru. Remember, it is heaven all the way to heaven. Yogananda tells us, “Don’t depend on death to liberate you from your imperfections. You are exactly the same after death as you were before. Nothing changes; you only give up the body. If you are a thief or a liar or a cheater before death, you don’t become an angel merely by dying. If such were possible, then let us all go and jump in the ocean now and become angels at once! Whatever you have made of yourself thus far, so will you be hereafter. And when you reincarnate, you will bring that same nature with you. To change, you have to make the effort. This world is the place to do it.”
Divine Mother
You have generously give me
This life and this time.
May I treasure each moment of it.
Gospel Truth and Yogananda’s Wisdom
