"Positive change starts with small acts of love and care!"

An Article written by Merylene Chitharai, a faith inspired spiritual eco-activist & architectural technologist

(Affiliated Member of Religions for Peace Interfaith Youth Climate Forum, Hindu Youth Network of South Africa, Religions for Peace Global Interfaith Youth Network, Religions for Peace Youth Media Team, African Interfaith Youth Network, African Council of Religious Leaders, Religions for Peace South Africa, SAFCEI & Bhakti Marga)  

After the 2022 Durban floods our beaches have been in a very bad state. This was seen with videos circulating on social media news showing hundreds of dead fish in Isipingo and Blue Lagoon. It was stated that this was due to the rivers and beaches being contaminated by sewage pollution after infrastructure was destroyed during the floods. eThekwini Municipality has closed many beaches as a result due to contamination, high e-coli levels and the water being unsafe for recreational purposes. This may leave many feeling despondent and helpless knowing that our ocean and beaches are once again polluted and our marine life is dying. 

But it also teaches us valuable lessons about living in harmony with the earth and ocean and shows us how everything is inter-connected. A simple act of pollution has major implications on our environment, not only destroying it, its creatures and eco-systems but it also affects humans with unhygienic, unhealthy and contaminated spaces resulting in diseases. We already know these lessons from past incidents but yet many policy makers and people still live in unconsciousness of their actions and the collective effect it has on the whole. 

Above: International Ocean Cleanup Day with various youth organizations, 17 September 2022. 

Therefore, I like to highlight an inspirational event from International Ocean Cleanup Day. Many youth from various organizations gathered together to clean-up the Beachwood Mangroves in Durban North. KZN Emvelo Durban North Honorary Officers with Green Buddies, UKZN Westville Hindu Students Association, IAIAsa KZN Student Branch, YOUTH4MPAs, UKZN Association of Pharmacy Students, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Seals4earth, Save Soil SA, Sri Sathya Sai Organisation of South Africa and eThekwini Municipality Durban Solid Waste had collected 4 tonnes of human waste pollution from the surrounding beach and Mangroves. 

This simple act of care and love teaches us how when we work together in partnership and as a team with a common goal that benefits the earth and the community, it creates a positive change on a bigger scale. We are not only setting the example of being the change we wish to see in this world but we are showing love and care for the Earth from a holistic perspective. In Hinduism, we call this Loka Sangraha, doing actions that benefits the whole of humanity. This small act of team spirit and positivity has a way of creating a positive ripple effect on the earth. If we had to measure each small positive act, it creates a positive change collectively in the bigger picture. Change happens in small steps. If our actions come from the intention in the spirit of a world family despite our differences, diversity, religion, race, caste, colour and class, we become a beacon of love and light. In Hinduism, from the Maha Upanishad we call this Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, "The World Is One Family". 

As a person of faith in Bhagavan Krishna (God), and looking at life from an inter-connected perspective, understanding the energetic nature of our existence as spiritual beings, my Hindu faith and Satguru Paramahamsa Vishwananda has taught me about using meditation as an act of love to help myself and my community. My contribution for International Ocean Day 2022 engaged in an OM Chanting and Earth Meditation for our Durban Beaches and Ocean. With devotees from Bhakti Marga South Africa (a faith based NPO), we gathered at Umhlanga Beach, on Sunday 18th September 2022 to create positive energy through chanting and meditation. 

Above: OM Chanting and Earth Meditation at Umhlanga Beach, 18 September 2022. (https://youtu.be/oQsMDHQ7294) 

OM Chanting (https://bhaktimarga.co.za/the-path/yoga-meditation/) is a group practice that uses the transformational power of the OM vibration to not only activate the self-healing potential of participants but also to help the surrounding environment, as a service to humanity and the earth. The vibrational waves created by the OM Chanting practise spreads out in a 2-kilometre radius, creating a harmonious, peaceful environment and a unity between humans and nature. 

Above: Earth Meditation with Greenheights Primary School, Phoenix Pioneer and Greenbury Primary, in Phoenix, 5 September 2022.

The Earth Meditation (https://earthmeditationmovement.org/meditation) helps us to improve the connection between humanity and planet Earth, by offering love, light, gratitude and positive energy to people and Mother Earth. The Earth Meditation has been an instrument of Divine Love, shifting the vibrations of our planet to one of love and positivity through the individuals that partake in it. With each individual coming together creating the power of “WE” by giving an intention of love and healing towards Mother Earth and humanity, the intention thus creates a vibration that uplifts the planet including the consciousness of all beings.

Divine Love is a powerful force that governs the very core existence of our lives. It may start as an everyday individual selfless act but it has a ripple effect that in return shapes the very world we live in. When we as an individual take an action of love from our internal heart space, we provide an opportunity for Divine Love to work through us making us an instrument of divinity. When each act of love becomes a lifestyle, we in return cause a powerful effect on our community that spreads on a vibrational level across the world bringing about a global shift of positivity and healing. 

Mother Earth teaches us every day about this selfless act of love, as she lovingly gives unconditionally. She provides everything we need from food to water to air and a beautiful home for us. She connects us to the divinity within ourselves through her beauty and lustre. In return the love and positivity we offer Her, nurtures Her.

Above: Earth Meditation at Phoenix Gandhi Settlement, in Inanda, 20 August 2022.    

In 1978, a scientifically controlled study was conducted on a group of 7000 meditators who meditated for three weeks in a state of peace and love. It was discovered that during this period global crime rate dropped by 16%, global suicides and car accidents also dropped. There was a 72% decrease in global terrorist activity. The entire world literally changed because of a group of mere 7000 meditators who stayed in coherence in a higher state of consciousness, in a state of love and peace. These powerful waves of love and peace were felt subconsciously by the entire collective consciousness of humanity and affected mass behaviour through vibrational frequency. The yogis, saints, masters or avatars also operate on these higher vibrational levels and that is how they affect change of love and positivity on this planet. Peace starts with us first in our daily thoughts, consciousness and actions. 

Above: Earth Meditation at Open Air School, in Glenwood, 04 August 2022.    

The love “WE” feel in our hearts is an actual power “WE” have. Love is the most powerful force on Earth. One individual person has the unlimited amounts of love to plant as seeds in the collective consciousness. Every time “WE” do this as individuals, we literally rewrite the planet’s future energetic blueprint. 

Our physical action in the world is then spontaneously inspired by Divine Love. “WE” as individuals will be more of a powerful service to the world. Divine Love can lead to courageous, assertive action as it is not a passive force.

Above: Earth Meditation at Hillview Primary School in Reservoir Hills, 28 July 2022.

“The moon and stars are diamonds that shows us the presence of God. You cannot experience God if you have an ego leading to attachment, greed, anger and the need to possess things. The air is the Guru which will take you from darkness to light, the water is our father; an essential ingredient to come into existence, the earth is mother; how can we dishonour our mother? Each human being has a destiny to reach a higher potential. If we destroy this planet or leave it in a bad state we are taking away this right for many people. Responsibility lies in our hands; we need to mobilize ourselves into action in our communities.” Dr. Rajwant Singh (Ecosikh)

Above: Earth Meditation at Coolkids Educare in Phoenix, 07 July 2022.

‘The simple act of care, the simple act of love and power of service are the key ingredients for change to happen in this world and in the whole Universe.’ 

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