When we chose to take up residence on the planet we did not care to read the Terms of Agreement. This also incorporated a Manual of Instructions for how to maintain our body to the fullest extent so that we enjoy the benefits of a healthy and happy life during our brief span of earthly existence. As members of the Human Species, homo sapiens, the main Clause provided was for us to be responsible caretakers of nature’s domain. This includes all Living Creatures, the Forests, the Air, the Waters and the Land.
Our claim to being the chosen caretaker is because we as Humans are endowed with a superior intellect, unlimited tetrabytes of memory, a silo overflowing with individual emotions and the power of intuition and perception. All this, coupled with a highly advanced brain, a process that took Nature millions of years of evolution. Central to all these faculties, the foremost gift of all was the ability to inquire into the nature and origin of our existence. This facility soon prompted an underlying quirk of character we secretly nurture in our complex human behavioral pattern, the Ego, to take charge of this mysterious and enigmatic quest to discover who we really are, the search to find answers: How did we get here; Where did we come from; Where are we going; Why are we here! After an unending series of fruitless, frustrating twists and taunting U-turns, to avoid the shame of defeat, we wrongly and disastrously concluded that WE are the Masters of the Universe! Ha!
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Ignorance, mankind’s biggest enemy is what did it for us. For this we were banished from the Garden of Eden. But by the unquestioning benevolence of the Supreme Creator, man was re-allotted the Caretaker Status, Project Earth 1.0.
However, within another 10,000 years, and due to our adherence to the lower traits of our human character: greed, cruelty, hate, jealously, all supported by a mean desire for destruction and chaos, we messed it up all over again. Only this time the message was delivered by a creature 500 million times smaller than a human being, a Virus. But will we now deflate that Ego and with deep humility pay obeisance at the Altar of Wisdom?
As humans all we can really do is to strive for survival, procreate and die. And now, Project Earth 2.0 is being paraded before us. At least now, are we willing to take up the challenge once more, a last chance? We are undergoing this current devastating interval of stress and despair during which we must decide, Do or Depart.
If it’s a “Do”, we will need to read the Terms of Agreement, really read it. We can’t call this a “Review” of the Terms of the Master Life Agreement when we haven’t given a thought to finding what it’s about, but we will by default hit the ACCEPT button.
Let’s take a brief look at what we need do.
The Agricultural Commitments: As Human Beings, our physical bodies are made up of food which comes from the produce that finds its way to our kitchen. The produce comes from the soil, earth. So we are the earth. Our main task therefore is to nurture and care for the soil using the best of our capacity. Have we ever stopped to think, and wonder, that a couple of hours or so later, our breakfast turns into us? The Earth, indeed the Universe, is full of magic, and we can turn each day, each moment, into a miracle. Aware of it or not, it’s happening all the time. Good, clean, disciplined dietary habits and the proper type of food will provide the necessary care of our earth bodies.
The Learning and Educational Commitments: Man’s true nature is embodied in his existential life, the dimension where his non-physical capacities are stored. The storehouse of memory, emotions, intellect and emotions needs to be upgraded constantly for Man to attain the full knowledge of his true self. Surprisingly, to achieve the Upgrades, we already possess the simplest of tools. Yet it’s perhaps the most difficult of personal endeavours!
We need to practice the art of sitting still. Yes, simply sit, 12 minutes, 20 minutes, longer if you can, at least once a day. Choose a quiet, airy spot at the times of your day when you are least disturbed by anyone and anything, a comfortable chair, back straight, cross-legged if you can, eyes shut, gentle breathing with concentration and full awareness of each time you inhale and exhale. Mentally check to see that if you are relaxed. Ignore the thoughts swirling thru the mind, they begin to eventually subside.
Try to reach the Source of Stillness. The process itself teaches how to progress into the practice! You soon become aware of subtle changes in your way of thinking, your health, your attitude, your emotions. The ultimate storehouse of inner nature is vast and infinite, and very powerful, the downloads, Upgrades actually, happen gradually in measured instalments. There’s no need to “pray”, that what you seek knows it all.
Imparting the knowledge of mankind’s purpose while living on this Earth to everyone, will ensure that we have fulfilled the major Terms and Conditions.
The Social Commitments: It is of course our prime duty to ensure, besides good housing with efficient sanitation systems, that everybody has access to good and nutritious food, robust health and healthcare amenities, and an enlightened education. One of the Six Commandments enshrined in the Terms of Agreement is:
Live your life for other people.
The Environmental Commitments
Another of the Six Commandments: Beautify God’s Earth.
Yes, this would demonstrate our devotion and love for the Supreme Creator. We all come from that realm of freedom and perfection, whatever is, or isn’t, you are truly free, free of all bondage your mind has subjected you to. You are That, and so is everybody else.
(The author is now a permanent resident of Goa after many years of living in Mumbai, New York and London)
