The purpose of our soul’s journey is its transition from Law to Grace, from darkness to Light, from human being to awakened spiritual being. And I think the metamorphosis from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly is one of the best analogies. A caterpillar starts to become a butterfly as soon as it enters the chrysalis stage, by wrapping itself in a cocoon. During this phase, known as pupation, the insect gradually develops all the butterfly characteristics, including wings. For some butterflies the transformation may be complete in one or two weeks. But others need many months before they are ready to leave the cocoon and fly away. From the time it is hatched to the time it starts the pupation stage, a caterpillar or larva does little more than eat, grow larger and moult several times. This larval stage varies according to the species. Small caterpillars will complete their development in a week, but some large varieties will take up to two years or more. When this period is over the caterpillar spins a cocoon under a leaf or even underground, and enters it to begin the transformation. During our ‘caterpillar’ stage, we have a false sense of ‘self’. We live in darkness of Truth and are kept in bondage through our separation from God. In this three dimensional world, we live under the Law of good and evil, relating to the outer world through our five senses. We are forever trying to manipulate situations and people to reach fulfilment and happiness, which remain elusive. Then, at some point in our lives, when we are ready, Grace comes along and awakens us from our dream sleep, and we begin the chrysalis stage. This is when we gradually begin to understand that because God is the Source and substance of all form, and we are joint heirs with this Source, we are all connected to each other through infinite Love and abundance. We are all united with the Whole. Through constant practising of this truth, we develop the butterfly characteristics; we learn to shift our focus from looking outside ourselves in terms of ‘them and me’ to knowing that “Love is the principle and purpose of life; it is the energizing power in operation through all God’s beautiful Universe. It’s the one cohesive, harmonious, attractive force which holds together the whole Cosmos. It is God Himself, for God is Love”. So while we are in the chrysalis stage, we should take every opportunity of meditating upon Love, of sending others thoughts and wishes for their highest wellbeing. There are so many instances in a day when you can practise Love. Love is the perfect guide to know how to respond to any problems by asking ourselves: “What would God say or do in this situation”? This makes us go within and listen and be receptive to the ‘still small voice’. I was recently made very aware of the fact how futile it is to try and change outer situations rather than change my attitude. I had a problem with the continuous loud barking of a neighbour's dog. When I went to speak to the neighbour about it, she didn't want to know, leaving me very frustrated and feeling like a victim. This went on for a while till it suddenly dawned on me that the situation was not going to be solved by me judging her an uncooperative person. I realised the problem lay in my reaction to the situation and I started meditating on Love and how we are all connected through God’s Love. This brought about a shift in my perspective resulting in a better understanding and co-operation between myself and my neighbour over a period of time. And so in time, we become a butterfly.
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