The first one to speak was Senator Leticia R. Shahani, President Emeritus of the Brama Khumaris Philippines Spiritual Foundation Inc. Senator Shahani was also the one who introduced the first of the two main guests, Sister Jayanti or Jenti who is a senior sister of the Brama Khumaris. Senator Shahani shared that we must train our minds and think of the right thoughts to have Inner Peace. We also must have no fear and that life is more important than things. Regarding disasters and conflicts, God is not punishing us through these because they are natural. God is here to prepare us for these and gives us inner strength. Consciousness is important. It is where strength comes from.
According to Sister Jenti, disasters happen regularly but in a country that has faith, we will overcome anything with our inner strength. We just have to train our minds. Thoughts are like noodles. Entangled. They often take us to other places not important. When we face disasters, we often see the sorrow and people are scared. This is because they are not prepared. It is a need to prepare like for a written exams or a cooking contest etc. Same with heatwave, frost, food crisis, climate change etc. It is essential to prepare but most people only prepare on the external like having enough food, water etc. What is more essential is prepare ourselves internally. We must bring our minds back to a state of stillness and calmness. We must return back to our "essence". Peace is the original state of being. We can say "Ohm Shanti". Ohm means "I am" and Shanti means "Peace". I am Peace. We are the creators of our own thoughts and emotions. Rather than "react", we must master our own thoughts and emotions. We must control these and say "I want to react differently from now on". Start your journey inwards. Understand that there is an ego. Showing anger is an expression of one's weakness. Being strong is being peaceful. If you entertain a negative thought, allow it to happen. Later on, you'll find yourself tired and exhausted, your strength draining etc. Don't be affected on what's going on around. Break free from these thoughts to experience inner peace. Once we choose peace, it will create a ripple or an impact to people around you. Take charge of what's going on with our minds. Make this an addiction or a habit. Learn to connect with God, the source of our inner strength and inner peace. We can do this by praying, meditating, yoga etc. Understand, learn and practice more how to be internally strong so that when disasters come, you will know what to do. Consciously draw the power of love to connect with God. Connecting to God is like recharging your batteries. If your batteries are not full then chances are you'll not function well. Recharge or connect with God every single day through prayers and meditation. Also, love and value yourselves. Love your neighbors. Show love, compassion and service to them. Develop inner faith and trust the thoughts that may come from God. Let go of the past if it caused you pain. Remembering a painful past is like opening a wound that is on a process of healing itself. Eventually the wound will not be healed. If it is a joyful past then feel free to remember it. We must have a cleansing of the mind. Only take to the present moment the lessons learned from a painful past. Forgiving. Who benefits from forgiving? Both actually because both can attain freedom from hurt and freedom to return back to peace. Free to experience a new chapter in your lives. Things can be done in love rather than anger. Your inner strength is enough if you're more patient, more understanding etc. We don't curse the darkness. We give out the light. Make that change that creates ripples.
The second and last speaker was of course our very own Vice President Leni Robredo. According to Gabby's family records, VP Leni is his 3rd degree cousin. VP Leni who also heads the Government's housing and development, shared to us their spirit of service during disasters in their hometown Naga city. Her late husband former DILG Sec. Jessie Robredo was always the first man out during a calamity or disaster and always the last man in when the calamity was already under control. They always ask for help specially through social media for a young boy with cerebral palsy and her grand mother who's taking care of him in a very rural area, for people in evacuation areas who lives in constant fear, for people suffering from climate change etc. People have generous hearts to donate relief goods like food, clothes, blankets, pillows etc. Regarding destroyed houses and buildings, people can always ask for the government's help through projects to rebuild their homes and their lives. She was very thankful that Brama Khumaris is there to help out not only in external preparations but most specially internal preparations so the wounds caused by disasters and conflicts may not linger long but will start the ripple of healing through love, compassion and service.
We were unfortunate to miss VP leni for a "selfie" because she was in a hurry to attend to another important gathering but Senior Sister Jenti was kind enough to pose with us. Thanks Sister! Ohm Shanti and May Peace Prevail On Earth! :-)
