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What is His Plan and how can we
help? This column seeks to convey the ideas of Maitreya, a Spiritual Teacher who lives in London. The unique vision of Maitreya lies in His teaching that each area of human endeavor — its rich cultural heritage, its political and economic institutions, its vast diversity of religious expression — is inherently spiritual. An ideal future would see the light of divinity shining equally through all. In our time, Maitreya is focusing on the political and economic fields, where He inspires world leaders to implement policies that will lead to an equitable distribution of planetary resources. In esoteric teachings we find ideas that give some answers to the ageless question, "What is the purpose of life?" One clue can be found in the constant interplay between spirit and matter, the duality of Christian philosophy, the yin and yang of the orientalist. Before the world of matter was born, all existence consisted of pure spirit. We know not why matter was created — some thinkers suggest that a sort of Godly loneliness urged the primordial essence to produce the countless worlds of form — all we can really sense at our present level of understanding are the almost unimaginable ages of evolution that have preceded our own. Through countless cycles of birth, death, and rebirth, the spirit aspect of creation, in a great act of sacrifice, has repeatedly incarnated in matter. Through earth upheavals and successive ages of ice and fire it has refined and purified the material aspect of creation. In the course of the journey, matter itself has become spiritualized and a totally new attribute has been born — consciousness or awareness. This awareness can also be called the quality of pure love. Like any other entity the planet Earth has experienced its own cycles of birth and death. Its most recent history has explored untold depths of misery — wars, environmental degradation, and massive starvation. Though its problems often seem too complex for easy or quick solutions, many today are sensing the imperative for change. They recognize the need for a drastic new beginning, and sacrifice their lives and energies to see its fruition. From every land we hear a new voice, as visionaries throughout the world predict the possibility of an era of beauty and hope beyond our present comprehension. They say that we need only, today, to correct our past mistakes and lay a proper foundation for tomorrow. One such visionary is Maitreya. The teachings that He brings are concerned with practical solutions to the problems of the times. "Firstly," He says, "men must see themselves as brothers, sons of the One Father." In order to accomplish this we must address the growing economic disparity we see around us. He tells us that the only way to ensure a secure future for all of the inhabitants of our planet is to learn the law of sharing. This particular lesson will carry us to our next plateau, because unless we banish widespread starvation and poverty from the earth we will progress no further. We will, in fact, eventually destroy our world. Sharing is the beginning step in realizing the unity of all creation. Maitreya says, "Throughout the world there are men, women and little children who have not even the essentials to stay alive; they crowd the cities of many of the poorest countries in the world....My brothers, how can you watch these people die before your eyes and call yourselves men?...My plan is to show you that the way out of your problems is to listen again to the true voice of God within your hearts, to share the produce of this most bountiful of worlds among your brothers and sisters everywhere. I need your help, I call on you to aid Me in My Task." If we choose to follow this message then we will find a more simple way — an existence based on sustainability rather than greed. Our chief concern will be to help the impoverished and forsaken of the earth achieve a life in which the spark of divinity will find its voice. Our heartfelt activity will find its expression in service to our planet, the source of life itself, and to our fellow beings. In these activities we will begin to express the great quality of awareness that is the goal of our evolutionary journey. This is the heritage of planet Earth. Maitreya asks each of us to help, "Teach men that to share is divine; to love is God’s nature; to work together is Man’s destiny. Take your stand on the only platform from which the Light of the future may be seen. Take your stand, My friends, together, and show the Way." More articles by Bette Stockbauer Who is Maitreya? Directory of articles by several authors Be sure to visit: Share International, a non-profit, non-denominational organization documenting the emergence of Maitreya, the World Teacher. |