கவிஞர் ஜனநேசனின் ஹைகூ கவிதைகள்-2:

ஆயிரம் கவிஞர்க்கு பாலூட்டியும்
வற்றாத மார்பு…
ஓ, வெண்ணிலா!


வாகனம் முன்னோக்கி விரையும்,
மரம் பின்னோக்கி ஓடும்,
வயதும், வாய்ப்பும்.


அடைமழை
அமோக அறுவடை,
மருந்துக் கடைகளுக்கு!


“சூரியனைக் கிள்ளி” (ஹைகூ கவிதைகள்)
கவிஞர் ஜனநேசன்
விலை: ரூபாய் 15/-
காலம் வெளியீடு
19-1, பிள்ளையார் கோவில் தெரு
கோரிப்பாளையம், மதுரை-625002

The Library of Congress

The Library of Congress is the National Library of the United States. It is also the research arm of the United States Congress. It is located in Washington, D.C. It is one of the most important libraries in the world and has the largest shelf space. Its collections include more than 30 million catalogued books and other print materials in 470 languages; more than 58 million manuscripts; the largest rare book collection in North America, including a Gutenberg Bible (one of only four perfect vellum copies known to exist); over 1 million US Government publications; 1 million issues of world newspapers spanning the past three centuries; 33,000 bound newspaper volumes; 500,000 microfilm reels; over 6,000 comic book[4] titles; the world’s largest collection of legal materials; films; 4.8 million maps; sheet music; and 2.7 million sound recordings. (Source : Wikipedia)

For a detailed article from Wikipeida:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Library_of_Congress

The Library of Congress Website:
http://www.loc.gov/index.html

Today in History from the Library of Congress:
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/today.html

Webcasts from the Library of Congress:
http://www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/

Inspiring Lives-10: "Rudyard Kipling’s birthday : December 30"

Nobel Laureate for Literature, creator of ‘Mogli‘ and author of ‘Kim’, Rudyard Kipling, was born on December 30 in Bombay (now Mumbai), India.

Book on Rudyard Kipling by John Palmer from Project Gutenberg(Full-text):
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/18045/18045-h/18045-h.htm

For detailed biography:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudyard_Kipling

Bio from:
http://www.kipling.org.uk/kip_fra.htm

Works of Kipling in Project Gutenberg: (Full text, both in ‘Word’ and ‘Audio’ files :
http://www.gutenberg.org/browse/authors/k

Full-text of Kipling’s Autobiography, “Something of Myself”:
http://whitewolf.newcastle.edu.au/words/authors/K/KiplingRudyard/prose/SomethingOfMyself/myself_chap_1.html

Notes on Kipling’s Autobiography, “Something of Myself”:
http://www.kipling.org.uk/rg_something.htm

Notes on ‘Debits and Credits’ (Post-war Stories of Kipling):
http://www.kipling.org.uk/bookmart_collects.htm#debits

Full-text of Kipling’s Famous Poem, “If”:

http://www.kipling.org.uk/poems_if.htm

Gems from the Bible-10:

Neglect not the gift that is in thee. (I Tim. 4:14)

"Moral Education: A Practical Approach" by Professor K.Rama Rao

Opinions & Reviews:

This book on what, why and how of moral education is a product of the author’s practical experience as a teacher of a moral education course meant for B.Ed.students. It contains… the rich practical observations of an experienced and dedicated teacher. Its readability is an additional reason, why it should find a place on the shelf of every library. (Prabuddha Bharata, Vol.93, May 1988)

The author has suggested five broad approaches for imparting moral education – The Direct, the Integrated, the Incidental, the Activity and the Demonstration Approach. He has suggested two techniques under the Direct Approach. The first one is based on ‘Reasoning’ and the second on ‘Discovery’. Both these have been illustrated by several examples… Prof.Rama Rao has stressed the importance of a comparative study of religions….The work fulfils a long-felt need in the methodology of Moral and Spiritual Education. (The Indian Express, Dec.2, 1986)

The decline of moral values in modern day India, the cynicism with which virtues are talked about and the way society treats its super-rich even when it knows, that the money is ill-gotten all contrast sharply with the reputation for integrity and honesty, we the people of India, had in olden days.. can moral education in our schools help eradicate the malaise? Shri Rama Rao attempts to answer the question in this book. (Bhavan’s Journal, Vol.33, No.24, July 16-31, 1987)

This book is not a bundle of dry precepts but a scholarly exposition of the necessity for moral education for children. It has in it effective means of transforming them. It contains the meaning, objectives, curriculum for different age-groups in the subject, and teaching-learning techniques. The author deserves to be congratulated. (Taranga, June 28, 1992).

“Moral Education: A Practical Approach”
by Professor K.Rama Rao
Published by Ramakrishna Institute of Moral and Spiritual Education(RIMSE), Mysore-570020
pp.377
Price: Rs.60/-

From My Spiritual Diary-14:

· A conscious life is an interesting life. Most of us are half awake and half dreaming. Unconscious cerebration must become clear, definite thinking. Then alone is life worth living. Minimize your body consciousness. (Swami Yatiwarananda)

· Have mental freshness, always have the mind of a youngster. Be a child again. Be born a second time. It is imperative to have mental freshness. Cultivate it consciously . Try to be in tune with the Divine. The waters of life are flowing. Open the channels! Open the windows! Off with bad air! Let there be freshness within, always. (Swami Yatiswarananda)

· When something is repeatedly done, it becomes a habit. Man can make or mar his career by the force of habit. It has its effect even on animals. Habit is the most potential factor in man’s life. Habit is said to be man’s second nature. Therefore, man has the power to change both his habit and his nature. In carving a new career, man is never too late. If he resolves, in a day he can change his habit. Following it, his nature changes. (Swami Chidbhavananda).

· He who blames others proves his own inadequacy. (Swami Turiyananda)

· Desires are in no way allayed by enjoyed, but rather increased more and more even as fire grows by being fed with clarified butter. (King Yayati)

· Deficiencies in all fields are made up by hard and sustained work. Spiritual realization depends on the strength of our aspiration for it, and aspiration can make up for deficiencies. (Swami Tapasyananda)

Gems from the Holy Mother, Sri Sarada Devi-1:

We suffer as a result of our own actions; it is unfair to blame anybody for it. We have to surrender ourselves completely to the Lord with faith and devotion in Him, serve others to the best of our capacity and never be a source of sorrow to anybody.

Seven Secrets of Success

1. Roof says: AIM HIGH.

2. Fan says: BE COOL.

3. Clock says: EVERY MINUTE IS PRECIOUS.

4. Mirror says: REFLECT BEFORE YOU ACT.

5. Window says: SEE THE WORLD.

6. Calender says: BE UPDATED.

7. Door says: PUSH HARD TO ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS!

A Thought for Today : December 31, 2007

I like to listen. I have learned a great deal from listening carefully - Ernest Hemingway

A Thought for Today : December 30, 2007

Among the attributes of God, although they are equal, mercy shines with even more brilliance than justice – Miguel De Cervantes

Eyecatchers-49: ‘Cheaper Energy through Wafer-thin Solar Panels’

‘Nanosolar, a company in California, USA, has started mass production of wafer-thin solar panels printed on aluminium foils. It is expected that this will make solar energy cheaper. The news has excited the entire energy sector all over the world.

Courtesy: ‘Newscape‘, The Hindu, Madurai, December 30, 2007

Facts & Figures-14 : World Population

Every TEN SECONDS, the world’s population increases by 27 people. Of these, 26 are in the developing countries…. The UN estimates that by 2050, there will be 11 BILLION . There is no guarantee that the earth plus science will be able to support a population of that size.

Courtesy: India 1000 to 2000 : A Millennium Book of Reference, Express Publications (Madurai) Ltd

Violence, Virtues, Values and Children : Where did we go wrong?

Letter-1:
The articles “Where did we go wrong?” and “Learning to kill for fun” (December 23, 2007, The Hindu) were timely and thought-provoking. When the Virginia Tech tragedy occurred, many of us were sure that such incidents would not occur in India. But we were wrong. It is difficult to restrict the use of guns only to law enforcers and to censor video games before allowing them to be sold in India. Also the increased popularity of shooting as a major sport in India has led to an increase in the sale of guns. Therefore the government should ban shooting as a sport. – A.Ibrahim, N.Parur, Kerala

Letter-2:
The incidents of violence among children are increasing sometimes with fatal consequences. This is a direct result of changing values of society and the excess of violence being portrayed on TV. Further, the older generation is also responsible as they want instant success and do not hesitate to resort to violence. From childhood, a child is exposed to violence and so he grows up to believe that there is nothing wrong in violence. – Mahesh Kumar, New Delhi

Letter-3:
Anjali Gopalan has rightly pointed out that it is the new generation of well-to-do parents who have no time to see how their children are growing up that is responsible for socially deviant behaviour. This shocking incident should serve as an eye-opener. Also, parents’ caring attitude will also go a long way in helping shape the child’s future. – K.R.Srinivasan, Hyderabad

Letter-4:
The questions raised by Anjali Gopalan and Mini Krishnan should be assimilated by parents. The visual media has a negative influence on young minds since many films and serials highlight violence and vengeance. As civilization advances, virtues and values seem to take a backseat. – Radhika Kannan, Karaikudi

Letter-5:
Two years ago, we traveled from Gurgaon to Jaipur by train. A large group of students with three teachers from an elite Gurgaon school were in our coach. The children occupied seats reserved for others and refused to vacate them. They were noisy and threw wrappers and empty bottles. When told to put their waste in the bin, they rudely replied that the government had employed sweepers for the purpose. The teachers kept mum throughout. These are students of a school that charges a six-figure fee; every student had a laptop. But apparently, they were not taught respect for law, civic sense or the respect and tolerance necessary to live in a community. – Dr.D.M.Mohunta, by e-mail.

Letter-6:
Modern parents do their best to insulate their children from poverty and the realities of life. They provide their children with money but do not teach them values. They choose the best schools for their children to score some brownie points in a kitty party or cocktail circuits. Aggression is eulogised, and encouraged. A nation such as ours cannot afford to wish away poverty. We need to realise that we are moving from deprivation to sufficiency not to prosperity. Imbalance needs to be addressed, if not our children will probably live in a socially volatile setting which will affect the coming generations. – Benedict Gnaniah, Chennai

Letter-7:
Anajali Goplan rightly emphasised the need of cultivating social values in children. Children are today witness to violence at home, alcoholism, in movies, television and news. Our society is filled with caste, religious and political antagonism. It is time to rebuild our social values and moral principles. We have to inculcate virtues like compassion, goodwill and cooperation in the minds of young children. – S.V.K.Chandran, Thiruvananthapuram

Letters to the Editor, The Hindu (Sunday Magazine), December 30, 2007

Words of Wisdom-37:

“A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.”

-Henry Brooks Adams

From My Spiritual Diary-13:

· Do not waste even a single moment in idleness or fruitless activity. (Swami Vrajananda).

· The Master used to say, “An imitation custard-apple reminds one of the real fruit.” Similarly, the Master’s photograph will remind you of the Master. Feel his presence in his photograph and devote yourself to his service and worship. You will surely be imbued with his spirit. Let your body and mind be absorbed in him. Make the Master your very own. Then everything will follow by itself. Never deviate from your spiritual path. You will succeed, I am confident of it. Gird up your loins and plunge into the task. (Swami Turiyananda).

· Don’t you know Sri Ramakrishna’s parable of the oyster? The oyster floats about on the surface of the sea with its shell wide open, just for a little drop of the Swati rain. As soon as it gets a rain drop, it dives down to the ocean bed and there forms a fine pearl. You have received the rain drop, viz., grace of the guru. So like the oyster, you too should dive deep into your spiritual practices. (Swami Brahmananda).

· There is only one sin, that is weakness. (Swami Vivekananda).

· If you think yourself strong, strong you will be. (Swami Vivekananda).

· When viewed as dharma, all secular activities metamorphose into the sacred. (Mahabharata).

A Thought for Today : December 29, 2007

Time is a circus, always packing up and moving away – Ben Hecht

Suggestions for a Happy Life!

· Marry the right person. This one decision will determine 90% of your happiness or misery.
· Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
· Be forgiving of yourself and others.
· Be generous.
· Have a grateful heart.
· Persistence, Persistence, Persistence.
· Discipline yourself to save money on even the most modest salary.
· Treat everyone you meet like you want to be treated.
· Commit yourself to quality.
· Be loyal.
· Be honest.
· Be a self-starter.
· Stop blaming others. Take responsibility for every area of your life.
· Take good care of those you love.

From My Spiritual Diary-12:

· Go from village to village, do good to humanity and to the world at large. Go to hell yourself to buy salvation for others. When death is so certain, it is better to die for a good cause. (Swami Vivekananda)

· Every man must aim at the highest ideal no matter whether he realizes it in this life or in a hundred lives. And what is the highest ideal? It is love and love is God. (Swami Vrajananda)

· That knowledge which purifies the mind and heart alone is true knowledge (Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa)

· Give attention to your breathing. This in itself is a bit of concentration. When breath is controlled, the mind will come back to itself. (Swami Yatiswarananda).

· Personal exertion is indispensable for success in spiritual life. Follow a discipline for at least four years. Then if you do not make any tangible progress, come and take me to task. (Swami Brahmananda).

· According to Vedanta, you shape yourself by your own thoughts – you are what you think you are. Have faith in yourself and keep struggling. Faith is one of the potent factors of humanity and of all religions. (Swami Lokeswarananda)

· Those who do not want anything, get everything. (Swami Akhandananda).

A Thought for Today : December 28, 2007

Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity – Seneca

A Thought for Today : December 27, 2007

Three passions, simple but overwhelmingly strong, have governed my life: the longing for love, the search for knowledge and unbearable pity for the suffering of mankind – Bertrand Russell

Q&A-19 : Where do you seek for God?

Seek God in the human being; there He is more manifested than in other beings; but He is manifested still more in a devotee. The devotee’s heart is the Lord’s drawing room, where you can have interview with Him. (Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa)

The Svetasvatara Upanisad proclaims this vision of the Divine in every human being in a great verse (4.3).

‘You are the woman, You are the man, You are the boy, You are the girl too; You are the old man tottering with a stick (in hand); You are born with faces everywhere.’

(‘Practical Vedanta and The Science of Values’ by Swami Ranganathananda; Published by Advaita Ashrama, (Publication Department), 5, Dehi Entally Road, Kolkata-700014).

Gems from the Bible-9:

“These six things doth the Lord hate: …. A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” (Proverbs, 6:16-19)

Memorable Passages-5: "Practical Vedanta and the Science of Values"

“Our people never understood the Gita as a guide to practical Vedanta until now. Swami Vivekananda wants us to understand it now. The best commentary on the Upanisads you have is the Bhagavad Gita, said Swami Vivekananda.

When Vedanta becomes practical in everyday life, tremendous social transformations will take place. Human dignity, human freedom, human equality, spirit of service, capacity for efficient team work, all these will become heightened in society. This philosophy is comprehensive. All of life is taken into account.

Much of later religious ideas were one-sided, narrow, and occasionally intolerant of other faiths and religions. But this great philosophy of Vedanta, in its Advaita Vedanta form, has tremendous strength and it confers strength on others as well. It can stand scrutiny by any science, physical or other.

But such a Vedanta was confined by our people to mere books and to the worship room!

We never tried to LIVE the practical Vedanta taught by the Gita. We worship the Gita, piously recite it, and do everything else except to LIVE its teachings…..

During my extensive lecture tour of Andhra Pradesh in 1949, from Bobbili in the north to Vijayawada at the center, and then on to Hyderabad on my way to Delhi to take charge of that Ramakrishna Mission Center, I had occasion to meet General J.N.Chowdhury, Military Governor of the State, on the last day of my five-day lecture program in Hyderabad-Secunderabad in October.

He received me cordially, we were meeting for the first time, and during the first half hour, he did all the talking and I listened. Later, when I saw a copy of the Gita on his table, I asked him: ‘General Chowdhury, do you read the Gita?’

‘Oh yes,’ he said, in a casual way, ‘when I feel the need for a little peace and consolation during my heavy and responsible work!’

Immediately I said: ‘That is not the purpose of the Gita; for peace and consolation there are plenty of other books.’

In utter surprise, General Chowdhury asked me: ‘Do you think that the Gita has a message for me in my field of work as the Military Governor of this State?’

I replied straight: ‘Yes, it has; you must know it is a dialogue between two ksatriyas in a battlefield; the fourth chapter begins with the statement that this philosophy of yoga, expounded in the previous two chapters, was known to several generations of rulers and administrators, rajarsis, the text is: ‘rajarsayo viduh’; but had become diluted and lost in course of centuries and was being taught by Krsna to Arjuna now.

Rajarsi means a person who combines raja (power) and rsi (spirituality) in oneself; it means that all who exercise power over others must be spiritual, not just religious in the ordinary sense of the term, by manifesting, more or less, the Divine within, by which they will use that power for the good of the people, to serve the people.

A Collector, a clerk, a police constable, a school teacher, and every other type of social functionary, all are handling some power or other, even a little spiritual growth will make them use that power to serve the people better and better.

This is the meaning of the combination of raja and rsi in one. Everyone must strive to combine in oneself the values of raja, power, and rsi, spirituality, expressing itself as service. Chinese philosophy calls it sagely within and kingly without. What a beautiful expression! All power, of ordinary or extraordinary levels, must have this touch of the spiritual which is the birthright of all, says Vedanta.

Sankaracharya, in his commentary on these verses, says that this yoga philosophy and spirituality was lost by falling into the hands of durbalan and ajitendriyan, ‘weaklings in body and will and bereft of discipline of the sensory energies’, and adds that it was taught for ‘bringing strength to the holders of power’, ksatriyanam baladhanaya, ‘endowed with which they would be able to protect and serve the people.’ “

- Swami Ranganathananda in “Practical Vedanta and the Science of Values’, pp.47-49.

“Practical Vedanta and the Science of Values” by Swami Ranganathananda, Published by Advaita Ashrama (Publication Department), 5, Dehi Entally Road, Kolkata-700014, 158 pages, Rs.30/-

Inspiring Lives-9: "U.S. President, Harry S.Truman :"

Harry S.Truman, the 33rd President of the United States of America, died on this day in 1972.

He was Vice President of USA, during Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s last tenure. On Roosevelt’s death, Truman became President. During his tenure, Marhsall Plan, Use of the Atom Bomb, Berlin Airlift and many other great deeds of historic importance took place.

His detailed biography from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_S.Truman


His biography from Infoplease.com:
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0760617.html


Harry S. Truman National Historic Site
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_S_Truman_National_Historic_Site


Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_S._Truman_Presidential_Library_and_Museum

கவிஞர் ஜனநேசனின் ஹைகூ கவிதைகள்-1

வாழ்க்கை எனும் விஸ்வரூபத்தை ஹைகூ எனும் வாமன அவதாரத்தில் அடக்குகிற உரிமை கவிஞர்களுக்கு உண்டு. ஆனால் ஒன்று மட்டும் சர்வ நிச்சயம். கவிதை எவ்வளவு நீண் டாலும் சரி, எவ்வளவு சுருங்கினாலும் சரி, அது வாழ்வின் பிரதிபலிப்பாகத்தான் இருக்கும். மனிதன் கண்டுபிடித்த எந்த விஷயத்தில்தான், மனிதன் வெளிப்படாமல் இருந்திருக்கிறான்?…

இதற்கு கச்சிதமான எடுத்துக்காட்டாகச் சில ஹைகூ கவிதைகள்:

கும்பிட்டு இருந்தால் சோறு வருமோ

விரல்களை விரி தாமரையே

சூரிய சக்தி கிட்டும்

எனும்போது வாழ்வின் ஒட்டு மொத்தமான பிம்பம் கிட்டிவிடுகிறது.அதிலும் கவிஞர் ஜனநேசனுக்கு மிகவும் இளகிய மனசு. சகஉயிர்களிடம் அன்பைப் பொழிகிறார்.

நெல்கட்டு சுமக்கும் காலுக்கு

ஒத்தடம் தரும்

வரப்புப்புல்லின் நன்றி

வரப்பிலே நெற்கதிரைச் சுமந்து கொண்டு விடுவிடுவென்று நடக்கிற கால்களை நாமும் தான் பார்த்திருக்கிறோம். ஆனால் இப்படியொரு நினைப்பு வரவில்லையே. என்ன செய்வது, நாம் கவிஞர்கள் இல்லையே!

பிற உயிர்கள் பால் இவ்வளவு நேசம் காட்டுகிற கவிஞர் தன் உயிரை ஈந்த அந்த உயிரை மறப்பாறா? ஹைகூவில் ஆத்மார்த்த நமஸ்காரம் செலுத்தி விடுகிறார்.

மெல்ல முடி எடுங்கள்

பிள்ளைக்கு வலிக்கும்

படபடத்து வேகும் அம்மாவுடல்.

இவரின் அன்பு எல்லையில்லாதது. காக்கை குருவிகளையும் தாண்டி, மரம், செடி, கொடிகளையும் காதலிக்கிற அன்பு. அவர் வியக்கிறார் -

துப்பிய விஷம் அருந்துகிறாயே

நீ சிவபெருமானோ

ஓ…. மரம்!!

பிறருக்காக விஷம் அருந்துவதுதான் கடவுளின் தன்மை என்றால், இந்த பூமிப் பந்திலேயே நிறையக் கடவுள்கள் இருக்கிறார்கள் என்று இனங்காட்டி விட்டார்.

யோசித்துப் பார்த்தால் வாழ்க்கை என்பதே கவிதைதான் . அதில் இல்லாத மென்மையா, வேகமா, சுகமா, சோகமா, நவரசங்களா? கவிதையில் வாழ்க்கை வருமென்றால், இவையெல்லாம் வரத்தான் செய்யும், வரத்தான் வேண்டும்.

அதுதான் சிருஷ்டி வேலை, சித்து வேலை, அதிசயம், அற்புதம் என்கிற வியப்பு. இதையும் கூடக் கவிதை ஆக்கலாம், ஆக்கியிருக்கிறார் இந்தக் கவிஞர்.

முறுக்கேறி விறைத்தும்

குழைந்து பாடுகிறாயே

வீணைநரம்பு !

இதுதான் கவிதையின் இலட்சணம். இது இவருக்குள் கைவருகிறது.

கவிஞர் ஜனநேசனின் “சூரியனைக் கிள்ளி”க்கு பேராசிரியர் இரா.கதிரேசன் அவர்கள் எழுதிய முன்னுரையிலிருந்து”

சூரியனைக் கிள்ளி” (ஹைகூ கவிதைகள்)

கவிஞர் ஜனநேசன்

விலை: ரூபாய் 15/-

காலம் வெளியீடு

19-1, பிள்ளையார் கோவில் தெரு

கோரிப்பாளையம், மதுரை-625002

Memorable Passages-4: "A Thousand-year-old Story from India"

“… a thousand-year-old story from India.

It is about a farmer who has only one horse to pull his plow, and the horse runs away. His neighbours say, “That is terrible!”

The farmer says, “Maybe.”

The next day, he comes back with two horses. His neighbours says, “That is wonderful!”

“Maybe,” the farmer says.

His son tries to break the horses and ends up breaking his own leg. “Oh, that is horrible!”, the neighbours say.

“Maybe,” he says.

The next day, the army shows up to take all the men to war, but they can’t take his injured son. Now the neighbours say, “Oh, you are so lucky!”

What do you think his response is? Right: “Maybe.”

And the story goes on and on, as does life. If you believe in something, and it has not worked yet, maybe you are judging too soon. When you think you are in trouble, maybe you are not. Maybe it is only temporary….”

Courtesy: “Notes from a Friend : A Quick and Simple Guide to Taking Charge of Your Life” by Anthony Robbins (By the way this is a wonderful book, everybody who wants to make his life fruitful should read it without fail!)

A New Way of Living

Jesus told his disciples, “If you are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Pray for the happiness of those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, show the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Give what you have to anyone who asks for it; and when they are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. Do for others you would like them to do for you.

Stop judging others, and you will not be judged. Stop criticizing others, or it will all come back on you. If you forgive others, you will be forgiven. If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more and running over. Whatever measure you use in giving – large or small – it will be used to measure what is given back to you.

A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. A tree is identified by the kind of fruit it produces. A good person produces good deeds from a good heart, and an evil person produces evil deeds from an evil heart. Whatever is in your heart determines, what you say.

From the leaflet published during the ‘Candle Lighting Service’ on April 4, 2003 by the Lady Doak College, Madurai. My grateful thanks to the college.

Prayer of the day-10:

To grow a little wiser by day
To keep my inner life both clean and strong
To free my life from guile, my heart from wrong
To shut the door on hat and scorn and pride
To open up to love the window wide
To meet with cheerful heart what comes to me
To turn life’s discords into harmony
To share some weary worker’s heavy load
To point some straying comrade to the road
To know that what I have is not my own
To feel that I am never quite alone –

This I would pray from today,
For then I know my life would flow
In peace until it be God’s will I go.

From the leaflet published during the ‘Candle Lighting Service’ on April 4, 2003 by the Lady Doak College, Madurai. My grateful thanks to the college.

Anecdotes-3:

This is a thousand-year-old story from India.

It is about a farmer who has only one horse to pull his plow, and the horse runs away. His neighbours say, “That is terrible!”

The farmer says, “Maybe.”

The next day, he comes back with two horses. His neighbours says, “That is wonderful!”

“Maybe,” the farmer says.

His son tries to break the horses and ends up breaking his own leg. “Oh, that is horrible!”, the neighbours say.

“Maybe,” he says.

The next day, the army shows up to take all the men to war, but they can’t take his injured son. Now the neighbours say, “Oh, you are so lucky!”

What do you think his response is? Right: “Maybe.”

And the story goes on and on, as does life. If you believe in something, and it has not worked yet, maybe you are judging too soon. When you think you are in trouble, maybe you are not. Maybe it is only temporary.

Courtesy: “Notes from a Friend : A Quick and Simple Guide to Taking Charge of Your Life” by Anthony Robbins (By the way this is a wonderful book, everybody who wants to make his life fruitful should read it without fail!)

From My Spiritual Diary-11:

· Highest knowledge, devotion, spirituality – these can only be acquired through great self-effort, One has to struggle hard to win them. Then only do they become one’s own and enduring., filling the mind with joy unspeakable. None can make a gift of these to another. Spiritual practice has to be diligently performed. Then only can realization be attained. The degree varies with the intensity of spiritual effort. What is gained without discipline or hard labour loses its gravity, is not highly valued, and does not bring the happiness earned by hard struggle. Moreover, it goes away as easily as it comes, and it is of little use when we are buffeted by the angry billows of life. In dangers and difficulties, in trials and tribulations, it is swept away altogether. To make spirituality one’s own means saturating oneself thoroughly in the idea of the realization of the Self so that one’s nature is wholly changed and an entirely new personality is developed. It is like being reborn again in this very body. Such a thing is possible only if one is wide awake and strives for it to the utmost, as if one’s whole life is at stake. Thus one must continue spiritual practices without interruption and with single-minded devotion as long as the goal is not achieved. (Swami Vrajananda)

· A kind look, a cheering word, a helping hand, — these are much more valuable than tons of preaching and empty worship.

· Where there is selflessness, there God’s grace works wonders.