In general terms, catastrophic change is regarded as a natural disaster.
Earthquakes, typhoons, hurricanes, floods, tsunamis, droughts, heavy snowfall, tornadoes—all these events threaten our daily lives. They take away our living spaces, claim lives, and force people into hardship. For most of us, there is nothing good about them.
In recent years, even in Japan, we have witnessed record-breaking rainfall, snowfall, and heatwaves—phenomena so extreme that people describe them as unlike anything they've ever experienced. Yet very few stop to consider what these events might be trying to tell us.
Even with earthquakes, when they become frequent, people no longer react to mild tremors. We simply acknowledge that another quake has occurred somewhere today and carry on.
But phrases like "record-breaking," "unthinkable events," and "frequent occurrences" all point in a certain direction. They serve as signs, indications of what is to come. I believe they foreshadow the great upheavals—catastrophic changes—still ahead.
True catastrophic change is yet to come.
While signs are already appearing in Japan and across the globe, they are merely hints—the real energy of these disasters far exceeds what we have experienced so far.
So the question becomes:
How are we to receive and interpret the energy of catastrophic change?
As mentioned earlier, catastrophic change robs us of life and property. It strikes without mercy. How, then, can we face it with our hearts?
For those who do not know the truth—who remain unaware at the level of consciousness—they will surely curse such disasters. They may curse the heavens, blame the gods, or tremble in fear, believing they've incurred divine wrath.
Indeed, that is how we have responded in the past—again and again losing our lives and our loved ones. From the standpoint that the material world is real and absolute, how could anyone possibly think of disaster as an expression of love?
Surely, most people hope to live their lives without ever encountering such tragedies. No matter how often one hears the words "Catastrophic change is love," the honest feeling remains: "I don't want to go through that."
In Japan, extensive research and preparation have been carried out in various fields to anticipate potential disasters. Disaster prevention drills are held in communities, and emergency response systems are in place. When a disaster does strike, the Self-Defense Forces and volunteer organizations mobilize. Donations and supplies are sent from across the country. Infrastructure like electricity, gas, water, and roads is restored as quickly as possible. Messages of encouragement and psychological support from professionals also follow.
Right now, humans are still capable of restoring much of what is lost. It may take time, but life returns to a relatively normal state.
But what if these events occur repeatedly, one after another, across many regions in a short span of time?
Even waiting for rescue might become futile. Second or third waves of destruction may follow, leaving people helpless and forcing society into abandonment. Delayed aid might often mean the difference between life and death.
Some areas may be completely destroyed, turning into ghost towns in an instant.
After World War II, Japan rose from the ashes. However, today, economic disparity is increasingly stark. While some grow wealthier, many struggle to survive. On top of that, Japan—and the world—faces a mountain of unresolved issues. Still, for the time being, many live in relative peace.
But how will this country respond to the catastrophic changes that are to come?
Will Japan, repeatedly struck by disaster, be able to rise again as it did after the war?
The outlook is grim.
Even so, those who survive must continue living.
With everything lost in an instant, people's hearts will be left in shreds. In a society numbed by peace and comfort, people will have no idea where to begin. They will witness, while still alive, the unfolding of their own private hells.
No amount of psychological care will be enough to restore such shattered hearts. People will sink into despair.
Unless pushed to the absolute limit, humans do not truly face themselves.
Until now, we have avoided confronting ourselves, placing our hopes instead in gods, Buddhas, or cosmic powers—seeking the unseen outside of ourselves.
Perhaps only under extreme conditions will we finally understand the foolishness of that choice.
That is the very reason we each wrote for ourselves a script in which we would confront such disasters.
Yes, the scenarios in which we meet catastrophic change are ones we wrote ourselves.
So blaming the heavens or resenting the gods accomplishes nothing. But we never understood that before.
Through these self-written scripts, through stages of our own making, we send ourselves a message:
"Return to joy."
"Return to warmth."
And most importantly:
"Come home to the Mother Universe."
This is the message we receive from our true selves.
Though disasters seem to bring nothing good to the false self, they are essential events that help us meet our true selves.
The energy that flows from catastrophic change is, in fact, a current of love—an energy that awakens us.