At Lake Powell

At 4 am, the day dawns at Lake Powell. Several carp that are up early flop above the surface of the water as they splash and play. The shadows of the red rocks reflected on the quiet lake shake are startled by the little guys’ mischief. I sit at the side of the lake, deeply breathing in and out. Along with my breath, heaven enters and leaves my body. The entire lake is gradually waking up from its sleep.

I first came here to Lake Powell 12 years ago. At that time, I saw the golden full moon rise above the lake. It was the biggest, most beautiful moon I’d ever seen. Since then, Lake Powell’s wondrous, majestic natural environment has provided me with great inspiration as I developed the Earth Human philosophy and worked to share Mago’s message.

When I visited this place again 5 years ago, drought had significantly dropped the water level. Even the plants around the lake had dried up or were rotting. It seemed as if the lake was dying. At that time, I felt the suffering of the earth’s heart from the reckless development and pollution committed by humankind. I also felt its profound mercy and compassion toward humankind. It was like the sad eyes of a mother looking with anguish upon her children who kept going the wrong way.

Humanity’s material civilization has inflicted tremendous harm to nature, yet it is human beings who become truly dwarfed when they stand before its magnificence. However, it is also human beings that are the principle figures with the ability to heal the wounds of civilization and herald a new future on earth. That’s why, as much as ever, people are the hope. People who realize that the strong sunlight, the rocks, the shimmering emerald lake, the carp that jump and play in it, and I myself are one life—such people are the hope of this earth.

At sundown, Lake Powell reflects the light of the diminishing sun, sparkling like a jewel. Even the surrounding rocks are stained with golden light. The lake that was shining a clear emerald even just a moment ago shifts to an intense jade. Going up and standing on a nearby rocky hill, I can look across the lake below and it looks wider and more refreshing.

At Lake Powell, I think of happiness for all people and the well-being of all creation. I think of true welfare that is sought by all people and all things together. It’s not the kind of welfare where the poor or socially disadvantaged get support; I dream of the kind of welfare  that grows out of a deep respect for life, that grows from conscience and conviction in the soul, and that is of all people, by all people, and for all people. A welfare world that is concerned with the happiness not only of humankind but of all life—that’s the kind of world that I want and that all people want. Heaven, Earth, and humans all want it together.