Today is Easter Sunday. Jesus, the embodiment of the Christ consciousness, resurrected today. The beauty in this story lies in his victory over death. Like all memorable stories, good conquers evil.But what does "conquer" and "victory" mean when we live in an age where evil continues to surround us? When corrupt politicians, violent students, dedicated gang members, mindless drug users, and brazen criminals seem to be the majority in this country?
As Paramahansa Yogananda wrote: "This Christ consciousness, the infinite Christ, is God's intelligence and love knocking on the closed eyelids of our souls, urging us that all we have to do is look to this light within and we shall see all ignorance and diversities vanish. To him who has opened his inner eye, everything is one."
With this in mind, let us not degrade today by celebrating without first meditating and devoting time to God. Only when we achieve divine joy, love, peace and calmness in meditation then we realise that we are all souls. Only then we understand our true nature and not want to hurt one another as Jesus demonstrated on the cross, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."
He could have called upon the angels to help him but he did not. He held no anger but only love towards those who hurt him. Let us consciously strive to live like this and maybe the next time we get into a fight or have an opportunity to do something wrong to benefit ourselves, whether legal or not, we would think twice and just walk away remembering that Christ was in a worse situation and still came out the victor.
Have a happy and holy Easter.
Kirk Budhooram
San Fernando