Share International
A Unique Perspective on Life
Coronavirus, Health and Disease
"All this suffering is man-made." Such was the response by the world teacher for this age, Maitreya, to a previous epidemic, the Asian flu. This statement was taken from teachings and perspectives on world events Maitreya gave to a group of swamis in London between 1988 and 1993. One Swami who attended, provided in detail the content of these talks to two reporters. That information was then disseminated to the media by Share International.
While not specifically addressing the Coronavirus (novel Covid-19), the type of events and underlying conditions which caused him to make statements about previous epidemics are consistent with what is happening today. And Maitreya reiterated, "disasters, destruction, depression and disease are man-made."
In addition to the analysis by Maitreya, a senior Master in his group, the Masters of Wisdom, also provided perspectives. This was done through his emissary, futurist Benjamin Creme.
Maitreya related the cause of epidemics to imbalances in the planes within which life exists. According to the Ageless Wisdom teachings, life exists on seven planes. The three personality and physical planes include the dense physical, the emotional or astral, and the mental. Above these are the four spiritual planes. Disease, Maitreya says, is caused by spiritual bankruptcy—preoccupation with the material while completely neglecting the spiritual.
"Why (in December) is everyone suffering from flu?" asked the associate. The scientists call it Asian flu, but the Master says: "All this suffering is man-made. Man's inhumanity to man is creating problem after problem."
– Reported December 1989
(The Laws of Life, p. 104)
Neither scientists, intellectuals nor philosophers can understand why there is suffering in life, why we are inflicted by such terrible diseases as AIDS. They cannot understand because they have a materialistic approach to life.
Man does not exist on the physical plane alone but on the mental and spiritual planes as well. Man has worked very hard and created much material wealth and knowledge but has paid little attention to the mental and spiritual bodies.
Spiritual bankruptcy creates the suffering of disease in the world, while physical disasters such as earthquakes, explosions and murder come about because of ill-health on the mental plane, said the associate.
– Reported December 1989
(The Laws of Life, p. 40)
World leaders, political and religious, have done nothing for the spiritual welfare of humanity. The Master (Maitreya) says you do not have to look far to understand how the spiritual and mental worlds interact in human affairs-no further than an ordinary family.
No matter how far away a husband or wife may be from each other, they will often know or sense if something is wrong with the other, for they are spiritually and mentally related. It is the same with people and nations: if we wrong the Vietnamese refugees then we shall suffer as well, said the associate.
Life consists of the mind, spirit and body. If the body is starved it weakens and becomes sick; if the spiritual body is starved a person fades and dies; if the mental body is starved a person loses his direction in life. The natural food for the mind, spirit and body is honesty, sincerity and detachment. If the natural evolution of these bodies is retarded or hampered by man-made laws there are always disastrous consequences.
Spiritually and mentally, many people are bankrupt. They know only how to get up in the morning and go to work. They come home and go to bed. They have been conditioned by politics and religion and condemned to spiritual and mental imprisonment. Maitreya's Swamis have a message for their fellow beings that everything around them has been created by nature, but disasters, destruction, depression and disease are man-made. The people you must demand an answer from are your leaders, those who have conditioned you and prevented you from enjoying a life of bliss and peace, said the associate.
– Reported February 1990
(The Laws of Life, p. 95)
The Master — drove home the central lesson to be learned at this time—that the concept of everything being interconnected is not a wistful theory, but the foundational concept for dealing with disease. In his words:
If man would end disease he must first end separation.
Disease is ultimately the result of wrong relationship: to our higher self, the soul; to our brothers and sisters throughout the world; and to the Whole of which we are a part. By the misuse of soul energy we set in motion the causation. By wrong relationship to our fellows we bring about disequilibrium and disharmony, and illness of all kinds. Through our sense of separation we cut ourselves off from the healing potencies which everywhere surround us.
"Daily, the evidence mounts to show men that the world is One, that humanity is an organism whose well-being depends on the health of every part, and that to ignore the signs of danger and of disease is no longer possible or wise. Many now see this and call for justice but only the cry of awakened humanity will suffice to shift the Powers from their positions of greed."
("The Future Beckons," March 1983, A Master Speaks)
In the July/August 2003 issue of Share International the Master focused on the effects of warfare on human health and well-being:
Thus it is today. In recent times, the USA, under the banner of ‘the war against terrorism’, has invaded Afghanistan and Iraq, causing thousands of civilian deaths and great physical damage to their infrastructures. The Taliban, fanatical and rigid but, in the main, uninvolved in terrorism, are dispersed but are now regrouping, training in the skills of terror. In Iraq, Saddam Hussein is no more, but a terrible legacy of deprivation and suffering, lawlessness and chaos, has replaced his baleful regime.
Now the attention of the US administration has turned to Syria, Iran and North Korea; they are warned to change or face the wrath and might of the upholders of ‘peace’, and the champions of ‘liberty’ in the world.
Thus does America plunge the world into the atmosphere of stress and fear, and thus do these give fruit to epidemics and natural disasters, which, in turn, serve to increase the fear and stress.
The Master spoke about the effects of warfare on the immune system in April 2004:
When, among nations, the Rule of Law is ignored, the whole world suffers. Thus, today, the tension which has accompanied this futile demonstration of military strength affects millions, innocent of all terrorist action or mayhem. The world is struggling now with epidemics of all kinds as the human immune system breaks down under the stress. Did the warmongers but realize the karmic effects of their ill-considered actions, they might well make amends and take sightings for another course. Maitreya, meanwhile, watches carefully this inharmonious situation, ready to intervene if necessary, ready to emerge when possible. Remember that Maitreya is in no doubt about the ultimate triumph of those who stand behind Him, who value peace and justice, freedom and love. He knows that these are the mainsprings of human existence and comes to see them enthroned in all.
It is not only man's inhumanity to man that causes disease. It is also the degradation of the environment. Maitreya stated:
Our prime task now is to look after the environment. This will become the responsibility of every individual, politician, guru, saint and scientist. Our energies will be spent in making it healthy again. When that happens there will be less suffering, disease and poverty.
– Reported October 1988
(The Laws of Life, p. 40)
The Master – further amplified the need for addressing pollution of the environment:
This despoliation of nature now threatens the well-being of all and augurs badly for future generations. Pollution of the planet has now reached dangerous, life-threatening levels, thus weakening man’s inherent immunity and bringing again to the fore diseases once thought vanquished forever.
(The Great Mother, Share International, June 2001)
The early signs of a new global consciousness can be seen as men realize the need for cooperation
in dealing with their environmental problems. This augers well for the future and shows correct response to a major danger facing the race: unless the damage now being done to the environmental balance of the planet is quickly restored, the life expectancy of many will dramatically decrease. No one, rich or poor, is totally free from this insidious breakdown of the human immune system. Men tamper with that system at their peril.
(“The New Age is upon us,” November 1998; A Master Speaks)
To create the conditions which ultimately would end the Coronavirus threat, actions must be taken that address the causes outlined by Maitreya and his group. These include:
- Halting all hostilities, whether military or economic
- Furthering cooperation between nations
- Ensuring everyone receives daily the food needed to survive followed by basic shelter, healthcare and education as universal rights
- Making restoration of the environment everyone's responsibility