Lesson 79: Let me recognize the problem so it can be solved
We believe we have many problems in our world: war, famine, disease, oppression – so much suffering going on. Those are the macro-problems we face, but we each have our “own special problems,” today’s lesson observes, that we wish we could solve.
We can’t solve problems, though, until we recognize them and understand their root cause. This lesson tells us that no matter how we perceive the problems around us and believe them all to be distinct in their own way – they are all the same. The root of every problem we believe we see in this world has one source: Our belief in separation – that tiny, mad idea that we are somehow separated from God and one another.
It’s interesting that this lesson should arrive in a time when our world is practicing “social distancing” due to the coronavirus pandemic. It would appear, at first blush, that this pandemic is increasing our problem of separation. In bodily form, at least, we are the most separated we have ever been.
However, I believe this pandemic is helping us recognize that our true problem is one of separation. While we may be bodily distancing ourselves from one another, what appears to be growing is our sense of unity – our sense of a common purpose – and our growing generosity toward one another.
By social separating we are recognizing the needs of the many over the desires of the few. We are saying to one another that we care for each other when we limit our gathering together so that we and those around us don’t get sick. While our bodies may be distant from one another in this time, it is clear that this pandemic is joining us together in our hearts, minds and spirits.
We are social creatures. We love coming together in groups and connecting physically with one another. When we are forced apart in the physical world, however, we remember that none of us is ever truly alone – we are one in mind, body and spirit. We are showing that we understand this on a deep level as those who are healthy reach out to the sick and vulnerable, offering assistance, communication and Love.
We only have one problem – feeling separated from one another. As our bodies are forced apart, we realize that our true connection to one another runs much deeper than touch or face-to-face communication. We are joined at the level of mind and spirit and this time of bodily distance is an opportunity to deepen those connections – to pray and meditate not just for our own healing, but the healing of the world.
As our thoughts turn to the problems we believe we see in the world today, this lesson reminds us that we can solve them all if we recognize that separation of our minds and spirits is the true problem we face. The pandemic currently disrupting our lives is our chance to form real connections with one another that can last – and change the world – when we finally do come together again in form.
I think that’s called a “miracle.”
Photo by sebastiaan stam on Unsplash