We say Newton discovered gravitation. Was it sitting anywhere in a corner waiting for him? It was in his own mind; the time came and he found it out. All knowledge that the world has ever received comes from the mind; the infinite library of the universe is in your own mind. The external world ... Views: 618
The word Karma is derived from the Sanskrit Kri, to do; all action is Karma. Technically, this word also means the effects of actions. In connection with metaphysics, it sometimes means the effects,of which our past actions were the causes. But in Karma-Yoga we have simply to do with the word ... Views: 923
During this period I was scheduled to attend a business conference at a luxurious location very similar to where I now found myself. My hotel room was much like this one, opening onto a balcony separated only by a panorama of glass. I had ventured out onto the balcony and draped myself over the ... Views: 756
As our bags were being taken to our respective rooms, Marla told me that she would see Gideon and me on the balcony around dinner time in a few hours. That seemed like a good idea and would give me a chance to be alone and relax for a short while. I enjoy company tremendously but, every now and ... Views: 820
“Interesting,” I murmured,“but I never seem to be able to figure how not to get stuck in a situation.”
“You get stuck in a predicament when you’re too attached to outcomes. If you worry too much about how a situation will resolve itself, if you are desperate, if you are full of fear, if you ... Views: 808
It wasn’t too long before we were riding in a colorful cab headed toward the hotel, about half an hour away. I was anxious to get to the beach and looking forward to enjoying the sun and the sea. Actually, most times at the beach, I prefer sitting under a large shady tree gazing forever at the ... Views: 734
The problems of next week would have to wait until this week was done. Nothing would ruin this weekend. Lulled in comfort,I must have dozed off because the next thing I heard was Marla saying,“We should be there soon. What would you like to do when we arrive? Would you prefer to rest for a while ... Views: 768
I sat silently for a while, gazing at Marla. She had appeared beautiful before, but now she was ravishing. She pretended not to notice as she browsed through a travel brochure, but I knew that she knew I was looking at her.
“Hmm . . . ,” she finally said, “if we’re going, we’d better leave ... Views: 805
“No, dear John, no instant travel this time,” she said, “no need for that now. As they say, ‘when you can walk on water, take the boat.’ We’ll use regular airline tickets —normal methods you’re familiar with. By the way, you’ll love the hotel. Right on the beach. Lots of tropical fruit and ... Views: 723
“Well, it’s great to see you both. Off on a trip,I see. But then again, you couldn’t be going to or coming from the same place,” I said as I gestured at their attire.
“No,I’m going to visit a friend,”said Gideon. “He’s experiencing some difficulties in his business and asked if I could help ... Views: 774
A few weeks passed since I last saw Gideon. I as busy with writing, lecturing, laundry, cooking, cleaning and all the other things that seem to make up a part of my rather typical, single parent life. Today, I thought, I’d take a break from everything. No writing this weekend. No special ... Views: 823
“And what do you mean by ‘no one to help when you’re lost or need assistance?’Well, my friend, what do you think I’m doing here? And why do you think Marla comes by? We are helping.Never, never forget. There is always a helping hand — always, always, always!
“And as to those who choose to be ... Views: 775
I sat there in a state of blessed bewilderment as they landed, converging all around me. Some alighted on the branches of the mango tree and others landed next to me on the ground. Most were tropical birds although some were species I had never seen. There were kiskadees and blue sackis, ... Views: 808
It was early morning in the dream and I was sitting under a large tree near my family’s farm. It was a mango tree,one of those magnificent old giants native to the coastal regions of Guyana. It was the season when its leaves shimmered in multi-colors of gold, purple, green and orange. A soft ... Views: 756
Early one morning,I was sitting at my kitchen table gazing out the window at nothing in particular. For me, this is a wonderful time of day. In it, I prepare myself for whatever the day may bring and at the same time, try to bring some unique gifts to the day.
My office is now in my home so ... Views: 738
“That’s one of the main reasons we’re back with you,” said Marla. “There are other reasons, of course, but this is by far the most important. By the time we’re finished with these adventures,there’ll be no need for us to work with you in this way and you’ll go on to finish the task you had set ... Views: 818
Gideon took another sip of coffee,leaned back in his chair and looked at me through half-closed eyes.“It’s been such a long time since we’ve done any fun things together. Marla and I have checked with others in the company and they’ve all agreed that we should take you along on one of our ... Views: 830
“Well,” I asked, “what are you doing in this neck of the woods? I know you just didn’t happen to be passing by? You must have something specific in mind — that’s why you’re here.”
“He seems to know us only too well, Marla,” Gideon said with a wink. “But then again, John, we don’t always need a ... Views: 791
Their mother would have really been proud of them. Especially since her death, the bond forged by the three of us was extremely strong. We delighted in simple pleasures,like a family barbecue on the back porch or just gathering around the kitchen table commenting on the latest news. Sometimes ... Views: 833
My first few days back home were spent going through mail, returning phone calls and playing catch-up with what was happening while I was away. Marla and Gideon were a pleasant memory and I somewhat relegated them to the background of my mind,especially since I knew they would be visiting ... Views: 795
“A matter of perspective,John,” she replied. “You’re as old as the hills or as young as a newborn day. It all depends on you and how you perceive your world. You don’t see things as they are,you see them as you are.” “Then if I’m seeing you as I am, I must be in pretty good condition myself,” I ... Views: 848
“What?”she interrupted,“do you have anything against a long-time friend meeting you at the airport? Gideon told you I’d be here, didn’t he? Sorry I hijacked your suitcase for a while. Couldn’t resist the prank. You always look so amusing and childlike when you’re puzzled.”
“Like an amusing ... Views: 786
A few minutes later as we pulled up to the gate I turned, half hoping to see Gideon again. But he wasn’t there. Deplaning and passing through Immigration and Customs are relatively simple matters, especially if you don’t have too much luggage. I only had one suitcase and a carry-on, so I hurried ... Views: 729
New Age prophets and their religious teachers spoke of various convergences and impending disasters around the turn of the century, of fire and earthquakes, famines and floods. And then there were those charismatics, wiser in the ways of the world of commerce than their more esoteric cousins, ... Views: 857
I glanced at my watch, noticing we had less than an hour or so before touch down. Dinner had just been served, but I had no desire for airline food. Not far from the airport is a café-style restaurant where I frequently stop when I travel. I thought I’d stop there on my way home and grab a bite. ... Views: 795
“Most of your questions will be answered in time,”he said.“Right now, I’m just supposed to tell you that Marla and I will be working with you again. Glorious adventures ahead, John! Now tell me about the children. How are they doing?”
I always had the impression that he knew most things, but ... Views: 798
“Well, did you miss me?” he teased as casually as you please.
“Of course I missed you,” I replied. “You and Marla just disappeared one day, and the way I figured it you must have died, because I never heard from either one of you again. It’s been years, Gideon. You do have this habit of ... Views: 800
It had been a number of years since I last saw them. We were sitting on the back porch discussing a letter they’d brought me from a friend. Since then, no word, no communication, no sign from either one of them. It was almost as if eternity itself opened up and swallowed them forever. With these ... Views: 756
Clouds hold a special attraction for me,especially when I’m flying above and can enjoy them from this unique perspective. They seem so angelic, so pure, so easily shaped into sculptures of the imagination wherein one can read all sorts of strange tales. I watched the Volkswagen beetle cloud as ... Views: 806
I recalled my first flight as a teenager leaving one country for another to continue my education. The excitement of foreign adventures was mixed with the sadness of leaving my family. As the plane took off and the northern coast of South America dropped below the horizon, I remember brushing a ... Views: 773
Somewhere between New York and London at 39,000 feet above the earth, my heart was at peace while my exhausted body and mind took the opportunity to rest. I had just successfully completed a one-week, business trip, which had taken me from one coast of North America to the other, then over the ... Views: 758
Perhaps, in the never-ending search for meaning, not only does meaning seem to elude us, but we find ourselves faced with the eternal questions of life. Why do roadblocks always appear at the most inopportune moment? Where is help when we are down in the arena and boots are on our necks? Why am ... Views: 955
I used to spend fifteen minutes looking into the mirror everyday. I wanted to appear great.Over the years looking great became an obsession with me. Till one day, i fell so ill that I lost twenty kgs over a span of two months...My body was so worn out that even a beggar would not want to ... Views: 798
People talk about work ethics. Today i had an interesting gentlemen visit me at my office. He was fuming. He was a very religious person and he was annoyed of the fact that a charming girl in her twenty's wearing tight jeans was reading the sacred book of Bhagavad Gita in the same bus in which ... Views: 972
Two people had to reach the third floor of the building.One took the elevator while one chose to walk up the stairs. Who reached first? It does not require much intelligence to guess that the person who took the elevator reached quickly.
We use the elevator so often in our day to ... Views: 640
Four gentlemen visited me in my office.They came to say goodbye to me. They did not want to be part of this world.. They blamed me for their departure from this world... "It is a shame that individuals like you are forcing us to leave this world. We came here with a noble intention but it seems ... Views: 665
Children are God's greatest gifts to the world. It surprises me when adults try to teach children how to grow up and yet most of the children when they grow up they have learnt nothing about life. The reason is simple. Parents themselves know nothing about life other than opening bank accounts, ... Views: 2958
It seems my mother knew everything... As a kid i used to come running home from school to show my report card. I fared extremely well in the exams. " I am aware of all this..." my mother would coolly reply. When i grew up and got my first job i was thrilled and dashed home with boxes of sweets. ... Views: 693
"You are sweet but very stubborn" my close friend told me ten years back. I was not ready to accept the fact that i was stubborn.Over the years many other people pointed that out to me. They told me "Vish, you say the right things but you hurt people. You have to change your attitude..." I ... Views: 563
Someone was holding a gun at the back of my head. He never pulled the trigger but it always scared me to hell ! I was always a frightened individual. I became nervous and used to panic at small things going wrong. Everywhere i went the gun man followed me... to work,to the bank, to the ... Views: 716
My son, Vignesh turns six tomorrow. Two years back when i had some serious illness i had to visit the doctor every other day.I used to take my son with me to the doctor. As i was recovering from the illness, one day out of the blue he asked me " Appa(Dad) why do you go to the doctor again and ... Views: 683
This women had a serious problem. She wanted to donate $800 towards her favourite charity. Her husband was reluctant. He did not find it worthwhile. There was a tiff in the house. This women was not working and she was taking care of her children at home. She was frustrated that her husband can ... Views: 673
The door was closed. He tried hard to get in but could not. The door just would not open. He started banging the door. Five minutes later the owner of the house opened the door and slapped him hard on his face. He fainted. He did not dare to push the door again. He never returned back... Ten ... Views: 713
An apple a day keeps the doctor away. But,what if you don't like eating apples?
Walking is good for health. But, what if you hate getting up early and you are too tired to go for a walk during evening....
A friend of mine loves going for long drives during weekend. He has been doing this for ... Views: 598
When you throw a stone in a still lake ripples are formed. For a few minutes there is a slight disturbance in the surface of the water and then eventually everything settles down. The stone sinks and disappears into the bottom of the lake. The calmness of the lake is unaffected by the stone ... Views: 711
Ants move in groups.. Ants never get tired. They are always on the move. I have never seen an ant take rest.... Is the ant really making any progress? God alone knows perhaps it could be moving in the wrong direction who knows...
Many of my friends are successful,wealthy and happy. They have ... Views: 599
Everyday at 9.45 pm in the night my son comes to me holding his favourite storybook. He is six years old. Invariably, i am busy during that time doing something important.... " You go to bed i will be with you in five minutes..." I say. He keeps persisting... I then raise my voice and say " Go ... Views: 740
History has proved that the growth of human consciousness has been traditionally very slow.I think one of the main reasons for this is because the message of all the great men and women was never projected as superior than the messengers of the message. Makes sense ! Ordinary people do a great ... Views: 922
I have stopped talking about current events but yesterday's horrendous bomb blasts in mumbai made me write this. My heart bleeds for the families who lost their loved ones and those thousands of people who were injured in this inhuman act of terrorism... I can feel the pain... The moistness in ... Views: 727
It was the most beautiful rose in the entire garden. Yet it was unhappy... This pretty rose wanted to please every person who came to the garden. Visitors to the garden where not allowed to pluck any rose. As soon as anyone would come into the garden this beautiful rose would do everything to ... Views: 603