Why come to Earth? I share the following thoughts in my talk, “Welcome To Earth“, an orientation to the biggest adventure and most amazing journey we will experience in this life…Our Life Here On Earth!
If we live in perfection in the afterlife, call it Heaven, Utopia, or whatever, why in heck would we come to Earth? Even with all of the beauty and love that exists here, factor in all of the negativity, cruelty, sickness, crime, disease, hatred, discrimination, and death, given a choice, would you venture here? Experiencing a lot of trauma and violence in my life, there was a time when I would have undoubtedly said, “no way!” Following a lot of contemplation on this, now I would say, “Hell ya!”
Consider the following scenario as a narrative to share some perspective on this.
Heaven equals 24/7 bliss. After a while it would feel boring. I can only drink so many heavenly margaritas, experience an endless variety of blessed sushi, and gorge on divine chocolate. En route to yet another party with fellow soul brothers and sisters, I see the following billboard…
What do you think? Would you sign up? What an amazing challenge! You land on Earth totally forgetting who we are with over 7 billion others, trying to find our way. You can choose to be any one of thousands of roles, your own unique personality, and a set of challenges, from mild to really difficult, in this maze called life. This would be a best selling video game! And just like in video games today, we lose a life, but then return.
For those who signed up for this adventure, think of the never ending options we have for finding our way back. You have the free will to make a million possible choices, from religion to agnostic, victim to taking charge, employed vs. homeless, rich vs. poor, love vs. hate, etc. And with each choice we realize that there is a cause and effect from each choice we make. The ultimate game of life! What is death in this case? It is simply when the ball passes through the flippers and into the black hole in a pinball game. But then another one appears. The more we play, the better we get at the game. Eventually we master life, learning a ton along the way. And with 7 billion new stories being updated every day, imagine the body of knowledge that exists in Heaven.
Some say that God made humankind in his/her own image, so why not imagine Heaven having their own version of a reality show. Imagine the plasma screen they have to watch any one of 7 billion plus incarnations of The Truman Show. Imagine watching the 7 billion ways people here are trying to find their way back home! And get this, some are rooting on their soul brother who is President Trump this time around, wondering what on Earth could be next! A never ending supply of gossip, drama, hope, and tears.
So when your life feels overwhelming, consider the scenario I shared above. Hey, I could be as right as your beliefs are. Just do your best, challenge yourself, and know that one day, you will master this game, and probably set a new record! It is all a part of the game of life. You will get there. There is no failure, only progression.
Hint to succeed in this game: focus more on love vs. hate, listening vs. talking, learning and applying vs. stagnating, empathy and understanding vs. judgement, forgiving vs. righteousness, and learning how to love self along the way, so that you too can help others through their challenges.
I am sure that we will bump into one another on one of your rounds, so please be kind to me. I will be the one smiling and saying hi, and has also been through the ups and downs of life.
“There is no need to search; achievement leads to nowhere. It makes no difference at all, so just be happy now! Love is the only reality of the world, because it is all One, you see. And the only laws are paradox, humor and change. There is no problem, never was, and never will be. Release your struggle, let go of your mind, throw away your concerns, and relax into the world. No need to resist life, just do your best. Open your eyes and see that you are far more than you imagine. You are the world, you are the universe; you are yourself and everyone else, too! It’s all the marvelous Play of God. Wake up, regain your humor. Don’t worry, just be happy. You are already free!”
Dan Millman, Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A Book That Changes Lives
Round 2,386 for me (-:
