God loves ordinary beings. That is His strength. He does special things for good people. He will help you meet with an accident, he will take away everything from you, he will ensure that you get into deep trouble.... If you think i am insane here you probably are right but God is not... He ... Views: 512
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: 946
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: 971
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: 783
“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: 829
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: 746
“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: 801
“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: 866
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: 813
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: 849
“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: 807
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: 847
“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: 834
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: 755
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: 774
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: 827
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: 790
“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: 790
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: 844
“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: 790
“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: 739
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: 818
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: 782
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: 750
“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: 825
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: 839
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: 825
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: 778
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: 777
“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: 818
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: 818
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: 881
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: 680
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: 716
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: 2975
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: 662
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: 820
Tom was a wonderful human being. He was kind, caring and helpful to all those who sought his assistance. The only problem was that most of us did not like to be around Tom. Much as he tried to be a "good" person, there was always an aura of doom and gloom around him.
It didn't matter whether ... Views: 503
It was many years ago. The boy was not more than ten years old as he stood beside the man that early morning. They were both standing on the shore of the Atlantic looking east toward the rising sun. The chill morning air caused a slight shiver to run through the boy. The man, seeming to know ... Views: 588
Sometimes, the simplest things are the most profound.Many times, the most obvious things are often ignored. A good percentage of the time the most common sense principles are the ones most disregarded. Perhaps, it's because we are so intent on making a living that we forget about making a ... Views: 648
I first met Cindy during my second year of college. It was in the cafeteria where she bumped into me. Yes, she literally bumped into me and her food tray went crashing into everything. I heard her mutter under her breath, "What an idiot!"
"Pardon me," I replied, not knowing what else to say, ... Views: 563
It was not much of a job, yet, everyday she was there. The little bake-shop always seemed to be open and she would greet me, whenever I went in, with a sad smile. Then one day, I moved to another part of the country and quickly forgot the bake-shop and the woman with the sad smile.
Beginnings ... Views: 750
In the United States, we just celebrated the "Thanksgiving" holiday. Many other countries have their own versions of "Thanksgiving." But thanksgiving is not something that should be celebrated on one particular day of the year. It is good that a day has been chosen for this, but it is up to each ... Views: 551
Legend has it that Robert the Bruce of Scotland was losing the battle and he barely escaped with his life. His soldiers were hard pressed to keep up the fight as many were wounded and dying. The Bruce, tired, dismayed and broken-hearted found a hidden cave where he took refuge.
He threw down ... Views: 691
When my son, Jonathan, was much younger,I would try to help him with some of his tasks, whether it was his homework, chores or even just plain, simple advice. Many a time he would look at me in exasperation and say, "I know that, dad." Even when he did solicit my help directly, he would listen, ... Views: 493
As many times as I've changed residences, moved from one state to another, even moved from country to country, I've been filled with a mixture of apprehension and excitement.
For many of us, just moving from day to day, month to month or year to year creates a similar anxiety or a subtle ... Views: 468
I always watch the Olympics on television. I don't mean that I don't want to be at the real goings-on, but generally, that's not possible. Now, mind you, I am not obsessed by it. I just like to watch. I just like to see the champions, the aspiring gold, silver and bronze medal winners. I like ... Views: 499
In times when it seems our entire world is falling apart, there is a great need for us to stop and take note of where we are. Things can happen around us and things can happen to us, but the most important things are those that happen within us -- in our thoughts and perceptions.
It is true ... Views: 679
The past six weeks have been instrumental in teaching me patience. Normally, I'm a very patient person, but every once in a while an event raises its head and says, "Hold still, son, you have a lot to learn about patience and the wonderful things that could happen when you learn the secret of ... Views: 609
My little son asks me crazy questions but they make a lot of spiritual sense to me. The other night when i was reading the famous Hindu epic 'Mahabharata' to him he very curiously asked me " Appa(Dad) Which school did Krishna(revered Hindu God) go to ? Which company did he work for? " I told ... Views: 387