As you would know, our 40 Day Retreat of this year is coming up, and just to say to you that this period in 1978 was a very special one. The whole atmosphere of the environment was different, as though a Divine Light surrounded the entire place protecting it, guiding it and lifting it. And every time that I observe this period, I feel the same thing. This is therefore a wonderful opportunity for all of us to receive that powerful grace that flows during this period.
This is a period that I did not determine in terms of dates and time. It happened, and what a beautiful period that it happens in: a sacred time for the Christians as they observe Lent and Easter, and a sacred time also for some of the other traditions. The 40 Days, as it happened, were not something I decided, that I was going to be in a period of 40 days. 40 Days just happened. This is why I believe that the number 40 is a sacred number.
When I think of these days I remember a process in Nature, that process where the caterpillar transforms into a butterfly - the process of metamorphosis; where the caterpillar becomes immobile. When its maturity is reached, it can go no further in terms of that form. Then Nature puts it into that process where it becomes immobile, encrusted, hidden inside, and a process of metamorphosis begins where it is going to change its form.
This process continues in the crust until finally, something cracks through the shell and it is the emerging butterfly. As the shell begins to crumble and the wings begin to harden, the butterfly is going to take its first flight. No longer bonded to the ground anymore; a walking creature, it is now able to fly. Now it is able to soar into a higher space with so much more power and vision.
When I think of the 40 Days, this is the process that I think about. It is a time when we commit ourselves to that kind of transformation where we hold ourselves in this space of discipline, and we commit ourselves to that change, not allowing anything outside to disturb us. That’s how I felt during the 40 Days of 1978. I felt such a protection. Only my family members surrounded me like a huge crust, and they kept such a marvelous discipline. It was immaculate, complete: time wise, desire, discipline. The energy field just grew. And it seemed that no one could enter this space who was not allowed to come into this space in an automatic way. It felt like a crust of energy. And a wonderful process took place inside with total guidance. Everything was guided just perfectly. And at the end of the 40 Days there was a big difference – a huge shift in consciousness and the freedom that came with it. – The freedom to soar in an energy space.
As we come into this period, I want you to become more aware of the kind of grace that is around. Be aware of the kind of energies that flow. Open yourself to that grace and begin to think of ‘how can I discipline myself so that I can make another step in my transformation?’ That is the goal of life – to make steps of transformation.
Destiny has placed you in this influence. See the meaning of it. You are no longer like those in the street. You have become more spiritually awakened. And having this opportunity means that it is destiny. You were meant to be impacted by this. Let us begin to think of that and the changes we want to make. Let us begin to think of the discipline that is necessary and let us be committed. Even if we are not going to be here physically for the entire 40 Days, or for the 40 Days in general, wherever we are that crust of grace will continue to be with us.
This is the feeling I get as I come into this period. I look forward to each day of this 40-Day period with a lot of joy, knowing that special grace is going to come during this period to hold our space once more in that beautiful energy and togetherness. I look forward to the guided transformation that is going to take place.
Have a divine day everyone.
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