How may I help those who are unconscious? I am staying closer to my family because the pandemic, I feel weak when I try to persevere in my faith but I'm constantly debating with my father when I see how he is blind to the truth of life? I feel guilty, because sometimes I am not compassionate, and so many bad/mean thoughts come up on me, it makes me think I just want to stay away and forget about my family. I feel like a coward, I see his sadness and loneliness, but don’t know how to help us all.
—Leticia Silva, Brazil
Dear Leticia,
Thank you for your question. What you are experiencing is not an unusual occurrence in families—especially now with difficulties on the planet surfacing from the worldwide pandemic. We need to be vigilant, be safe, and stay in the Divine Light— in the place God has put us.
Concentrate on deepening your own spiritual life, and pray for your family and everyone in the world. Pray that they become receptive to the changes that are necessary now. Pray for their safety. Changes are needed in our inner life and outer life.
Oftentimes people will respond more to our example than our words. Seeing the difference that your own spiritual path and prayer has made in your life will speak louder than debates with your father. Hold firm to your Self-knowledge and convictions. Respecting and honoring your family members’ choices of their truth is necessary at the same time, even knowing their ‘unconsciousness’ is hurting them. Affirm your acceptance of them and your compassion for them.
When they see you acting from your center and making efforts toward self-improvements and well being, they will be uplifted. They may not be able to express what they see or feel. But to accept others where they are in their own process gives them room to change and improve. It is very difficult to watch our loved ones making errors. We can only maintain our own peace and harmony, and that will give them insight into another way of living.
God always sends us what we can handle, and for a reason, and for our benefit—even though it may not be easy to understand why such hard situations exist and how they are helping us. Most of all, change your own reaction to the difficult circumstance. Without analyzing the ‘whys’, begin to act as an observer of your life. Doing that will allow openness in your heart to God’s grace and love that will keep you strong and support your own faith and path. Your family will notice your peace and calmness and will be helped more by such efforts and qualities.
Also, when you pray or meditate, in the language of your heart ask God, with self-offering and love, to be with you in your life. God will guide and bless your efforts. Share that blessing with your family and the world. It is so desperately needed now for the planet, too. Help and change does begin, for each of us, with our families and loved ones.
A beautiful prayer that you can use throughout the day and whenever you need to surround situations in peace and harmony is the Peace and Harmony Prayer. Visualize your family and the planet enfolded in divine light and pray from your heart: “Lord, fill this world and my family with peace and harmony, peace and harmony.” Repeat this for about a minute (10 repetitions). Then visualize yourself and repeat: “Lord, fill me with peace and harmony, peace and harmony.” Again for about a minute. This will do much to keep you centered and able to give to those around you.
Many blessings on you and your family,
Joy to you,
Nayaswami Hassi
