From Emmanuel Elliot’s “Reminders of Reality” Newsletter:
Emmanuel Williams writes:
“I tested positive for Covid on November 25. As an 82 year-old with ongoing health issues I was vulnerable, even though we live in an isolated rural community. Fortunately my symptoms, while unpleasant, were relatively mild: low energy, a blurring of mental focusing, some breathlessness head pain; a dragdown in the feelings. As far as I know it’s over, although some symptoms will persist for a while.
“When Covid arrived I was working on three books – an anthology of poetry by Zoomuse poets, a book of riddles for music lovers, and an autobiographical book entitled “An Old Man Talking to God.” Fortunately I was given the help I needed and these projects are almost done.
“I kept taking Vit D and Zinc, and – since the weather has been warm – spent hours sitting in the sun reading Sofyan Brugger’s new book of Bapak talks, and watching oak leaves spinning in the mountain winds.
“I was born before the Second World War and witnessed widespread pain and destruction from early on. What I also sensed was a strength of community, of “We’re all in this together.” The bombers that roared through the night sky above me were flown by humans, so humans were bad. But people reached out to help and support one another, so humans were good.
“The virus that entered my body, the virus that has killed huge numbers of people – this is not a human agent, although it’s possible that our collective actions caused it. Certainly our ways of dealing with it, at least here in America, have demonstrated both a moving human response to suffering AND an appalling lack of empathy and active concern.
“This pandemic may be part of what Bapak foresaw – a period of great human suffering followed by a Golden Age. I’ve had my taste of the suffering – even in its mild form Covid is pretty awful. As for the Golden Age, well, I guess that’s up to God. And, of course, us.”
I guess this can be regarded as a Christmas edition of Reminders of Reality, and I wish everyone the joys and blessings of this special time. There are no further contributions to hand, so I plan to see out 2020 in two weeks time with a collection of Bapak’s insights into the future of mankind, assembled by the late lamented Ilaina Lennard.
Love and blessings,
Emmanuel Williams
See Emmanuel’s Zoomuse performance here:
Emmanuel, Thanks for your personal comments and insights and for sharing a bit of your early life. Over the past many years you have recognized the value of our Subud community and shared our individual and collective experiences in many formats. If there is a single commonality among us Subud members it is, by attending to our inner development we hope to become those “good” humans. I have recently received that the work you and I are doing is part of the Great Plan to sustain and preserve our tiny movement through the struggles that are to come. I’m glad to know that you are recovering form the Covid19 disease. May many good years be ahead for you.
I’m glad you are feeling better, Emmanuel.Best of the Season to you,
Lucas
So grateful you have been protected from severe illness. I am deeply moved by your work and cannot wait to receive the book of insights by Bapak..May you be blessed snd surrounded in grace, always . Blessed Christmas, Brother..❤️
Dear me Emmanuel. I knew nothing about this. And to think-I could have come over and shared it with you!
Oh well. If I continue to be neglected by Covid, I’ll have to be content with that. And though you suffered in style, I’m glad you are past it now!
Love from your brother
We are so glad you are feeling better, Emmanuel, and hope you get better and better as time goes by. Thank you for the “Reminders of Reality” posts, we enjoy reading them. Best wishes and love to you.
Thank you for kicking Covid”s ass I really do appreciate it.
Thanks Emmanuel!
It was good to hear your voice again! I hope you and your family are well.
Sending lots of Love
Serafine
Dear Emmanuel,
Very pleased you are recovering. Thank you as always for sharing your insights, we need them from you at this time. Stay well brother thinking of often & still hoping we can put a performance together in the “Golden Age”
Lots of to you
Ralph & Luzita
Emmanuel, sorry to hear about Covid 19 contacting you. So glad to hear from you that the effect has been mild, and you are managing it well. God bless you, 82-year-old, and that you get many more good years to do your work. Maybe I’ll even see you at a normal gathering. Love, Abraham