The universe is always in a constant quest to balance and being in harmony with itself. It always intervenes in areas of imbalance and disharmony. In many instances, it operates through souls and spirits that, at times, it embeds in human bodies. Archbishop Desmond Tutu was one of the chosen souls and spirits that the universe deployed in South Africa to correct the imbalance that apartheid evil forces had brought to this beautiful land.
It was not a coincidence that Tutu was born in 1931, in South Africa. This was the period when there were lots of political activities between the white Afrikaners, and whites of English descend that mainly sought to marginalize natives from the mainstream South African economy. They sought to determine to determine how the natives could be exploited to serve the white establishment.
This led to the formalization of apartheid in 1948 with the election victory of the National Party. The universe had planted Tutu in South Africa 17 years earlier and prepared to fulfill his life purpose which was to counter the evil force of apartheid. Tutu’s earthly emergence was not a coincidence, and the consciously of the injustices in his mother land, and the quest to fight it, developed with him as he grew up
Most people that Tutu met as he evolved through his youth stages, were to become inherently an integral part of his life purpose. These included: Nelson Mandela; Robert Sobukwe; and Trevor Huddleston. This is how the universe operates once it gives one a life mission – it does not leave one in the lurch. It provides one with pointers and people that will assist in heightening the awareness and consciousness of the given life purpose. In this instance, Tutu did not miss the opportunity to learn from others.
It is clear that throughout Tutu’s life that he understood that his existence as a being was intrinsically linked to other people. He did not suffer the limitations of the “I am” as a complete manifestation of his being. He correctly saw himself as part of an integrated networks that constitute humanity.
He understood that it is important that all these networks that constitute humanity, must be in balance and in harmony. Hence, whilst he could have enjoyed a life of comfort from the priesthood and his connections in London, he chose the life of struggle amongst the disenfranchised black people in South Africa. However, he did not limit his quest for justice only in South Africa, but wherever it reared its ugly head. This included condemning Israel’s occupation of Palestinian lands.
Tutu was more of a spiritualist than a religious dogmatic person. Rather than blind faith, Tutu was a man of conscientious faith. His faith and conception of God was informed by the quest for a greater good for humanity. He did not follow the mundane Christian dogma that preaches the endurance of suffering on mother earth, in exchange of living a better life in heaven.
His faith was consciously informed by the material conditions of people on earth, and the belief that as God’s children, God did not make them to suffer. Hence, he abhorred injustice universally.
Thus, whilst Tutu operated from the Anglican Church, he was actually larger than the Anglican church. It afforded him the base, and he rose above the limitations of the church. For instance, whilst operating from a Christian base, Tutu was convinced that “God was not a Christian.” His reasoning being that all peoples, and their religions are a creation of God, and that God existed even before the emergence of Christianity.
As a spiritualist therefore, Tutu was able to rise above the limitations of his own religion, and possibly that of his own church, and align himself with God as a spiritual super being, and a positive force for a universal greater good. In this regard, he was able to entrench within himself the values of ubuntu, and also mark it the hallmark of his teachings and the endless quest for universal justice.
Tutu’s soul, therefore, is one that can not be wished to “rest in peace” because it carries a a spirit that constantly seeks universal justice. Mother earth needs to Tutu’s spirit. His body that for at least 90 years has hosted Tutu’s soul and spirit, has returned to mother earth, but the spirit of Tutu remains alive, and is a powerful necessity for humanity.
Tutu’s spirit is now operating at another dimension for the same life purpose as to when it operated among us on mother earth. South Africans and other people who appreciate universal justice, should continue to implore the spirit of Tutu. It remains a concrete manifestation of what can be achieved when people dedicate themselves to a just cause.
Tutu was not a saint, but he subjected and surrendered himself to the life purpose that the universe has deployed him to do. He accepted the calling, lived his calling, and did so with aplomb. Tutu’s legacy, therefore, should prompt many to reflect on whether they are living their life purpose.
Tutu made his contribution to building a better South Africa and the world. Perhaps, we should question our own role, in building a better society. In doing so, we must invoke the spirit of Tutu to guide us in this journey.
Tembe is Executive Director at Kunjalo CDR
Twitter page: @KunjaloCDR