As Above, So Below

Everyday as I watch television, more and more Haitians are being found- under rubble and debris. Last week when I heard that Haiti was hit by a massive earthquake, I couldn’t believe one of the poorest countries that has undergone political upheaval, a health crisis, still fragile from last years quake would suffer another blow. Time and again when I observe how lives have been shattered all I can do is try to make sense of it all.

It's easy to search for answers when removed. But the affliction of humankind is everyone's concern. I ponder could this be karma – the cycle of birth and death that leads to perfection. But karma seems like a harsh judgment call- why would so many souls that choose to live in a poor country have to endure the hardship of a natural disaster? Or is this disaster the result of a group who committed a past sin and had to face consequences of cleansing together?

King Solomon says in The Book of Ecclesiastes, "there is a time for every purpose under Heaven". What he is saying - is to be prepared - humanity's actions will go in cycles. There will be times of goodness and prosperity, and times of selfishness and poverty. So, due to mankind's decisions, we can expect the best and the worst.

I think of my Kabalistic teachings where I learned God is not responsible for mans inhumanity to man. Humankind is solely responsible for determining its own destiny. There is no anthropomorphic God who looks down upon the earth and makes day-to-day decisions. We have been given the gift of wisdom, and it's up to us, if we choose to use it or not.

In the story of the Prophet Elijah there's a turning point concerning God's involvement with humanity. After Elijah establishes the one true God, he travels to Mt. Horeb seeking God's approval. But, God is not impressed by Elijah, and asks him why he has come. Then, God creates a whirlwind, an earthquake and a fire - but, God is not within any of these phenomenon. So, Elijah does not receive any accolades or favors from God as he expected. He is certainly not recognized as the leader he wanted to be. The only phenomenon Elijah does experience is "a still, small voice". In my opinion, this is telling us: don't look to God for approval or explanations - instead, listen to that still, pure voice within yourself. This is where you'll find your answers.

It's our mission to follow that inner voice- the one that speaks to us from our soul. By treating our fellow man as we would want to be treated; expressing love and compassion in all aspects of life we choose life over death and grow in our service to humanity.