It was a beautiful, sunny morning. “Let’s take a walk,” I said to my partner. We finished our coffee, pulled on our jackets, and prepared to head out.
Then the earthquake hit.
A heavy vibration pulled violently at my focus as we bolted for the stairwell. Living on a high floor meant enduring the prolonged, terrifying force of the shaking all the way down. Yet, amidst the chaos, a deep habit from my meditation practice kicked in. My mind anchored itself to a single prayer: “Father, Thou and I are one.”
I repeated it over and over. As neighbors poured into the stairwell, I felt as though I was praying for all of us. Space seemed to fill with that devotion, and our frantic steps felt almost weightless—like wings carrying us swiftly to the main entrance.
Once safely outside, an overwhelming urge to cry washed over me, but the grounding thought of God’s presence led me to a quiet space to restore my energy.
All around us, people gathered in parks—crying, desperately calling loved ones, suspended in helplessness. Homes and offices stood empty as we braced for aftershocks, while news of devastating destruction in other cities began to trickle in.
Yet, out of that collective shock, something extraordinary emerged: brotherhood.
The entire country rallied to help those affected. We put love into action, replacing pain and fear with active compassion, setting aside our differences to become one soul. Even in my own building, the neighbors I had fled with became closer and kinder. The shared trauma sensitized us to a deeper, mutual love.
When crisis strikes, our superficial security blankets—wealth, status, power—evaporate. But it does not have to take a tragedy for us to awaken; we can transform our mindset through the quiet retreat of worshipful meditation.
Looking back on that tragic day, I don't just remember the fear. I remember the profound signs of Divine Love:
- The prayer that transformed a panicking stairwell into a vessel of safety.
- The inner focus that brought me peace amidst the panic.
- The spirit of oneness that moved a nation to heal together.
- The lasting bond with neighbors who became family.
When we are united in God and love, we become an unshakable force. I believe this is what Oneness truly means in daily life, and it can all be distilled into that single prayer: “Father, Thou and I are one.”