It is not your fault

Unable to find a good job after studying law in England Mahatma Gandhi ji in the year 1890 took up  a job in South Africa. At that time apartheid*was at its peak and in the gross injustice inflicted by man on man  Gandhi ji found his element.


A great soul does more than touch the person, the Mahatma transforms. Ordinary souls or 'athma' achieve greatness when they are able to connect to God or 'Par -athma' and absorb some of God's infinite greatness.  They achieve spiritual strength and they become fearless, yet compassionate, wise and yet humble, this permits them to transform the world as we know it.


Those who are so blessed also attract people and resources almost automatically, even more so because they need them but do not plead for them.  Gandhi ji had many supporters and one of his great admirers and followers was a German industrialist named Hermann Kallenbach.  In 1912 Kallenbach bought eleven hundred acres of land near Johannesburg and gave them to Gandhi ji, who founded a settlement called Tolstoy Farm ( Gandhi ji was a great admirer of the Russian writer Leo Tolstoy and they corresponded frequently.)

One day Gandhi ji, had to travel to Johannesburg for some work and the car that they used at Tolstoy farm needed to be serviced at the garage. He asked his son Manilal to accompany him to town. He instructed Manilal that while Gandhi ji attended to some affairs Manilal should get the car serviced and then return to pick him up for the journey back home at 5:30 pm.

After the young Manilal had delivered the car to the garage he realised that he  had lots of time to spare. Wandering around he saw that there was some sort of entertainment  show going on. Manilal bought a ticket and so enjoyed the afternoon that he soon lost track of time.

As the show ended Manilal panicked as he saw that the time was 6:00 pm he rushed to pick up the car and Gandhi ji. In a response most of us are familiar with, when Manilal arrived to pick up his father he glibly lied, that he was late because the folks at the garage could not finish the servicing in time.

Manilal not yet a father could not appreciate the fact that parents worry when things do not go as planned with their children. Gandhi ji at 5:30 pm had called up the garage to find out if the car was ready and was told that the car was awaiting delivery since 4:00 pm.

Gandhi ji looked at his son with dismay and said; " That you must lie deeply saddens me. However I do not blame you, it is all my fault. There must have been some lapses or deficiencies from my side and I must have made some great mistake in your upbringing." "I will have to atone for my mistake  and I wonder what I must do." Gandhi ji continued.

Manilal had been exposed, and was apologetic, but Gandhi ji refused to yield blaming only himself. After a minute spent deep in thought Gandhiji declared; "I will punish myself by walking home rather than drive there. Manilal, you take the car home and I will come walk home." Gandhi ji immediately started walking toward home which was 27 kilometres away.


Understanding parents takes a lot, and understanding a Mahatma even more. Manilal kept apologising profusely and sought his father's forgiveness. Gandhi ji simply turned a deaf ear and kept on plodding along.


After walking for many hours Gandhi ji arrived home early in the morning with Manilal trailing in the car the entire way.  Gandhi ji did not complain and for that matter did not even utter  a word for the reason for the delay or what had transpired.


This incident was narrated by the ashamed Manilal to the worried residents of Tolstoy farm. Manilal was saddened by his poor conduct, and vowed never to tell a lie again. from that day on Manilal devoted most of his life spreading the message of the Mahatma.

My thanks to the compassionate and talented Dr. Naresh Thukral who also happens to be my brother in law for narrating this incident to me.

* Apartheid - Meaning apartness in Afrikan. Apartheid was race discrimination viciously practiced by a  minority group of white foreigners that ruled the native and foreign coloured people of Southern Africa by violence and sheer terror depriving them even basic rights.

The Bengali & The Tiger

Actual poem written by a Bengali school teacher

Through the jongole I am went
On shooting Tiger I am bent
Boshtaard Tiger has eaten wife
No doubt I will avenge poor darling's life


Too much quiet, snakes and leeches
But I not fear these sons of beeches
Hearing loud noise I am jumping with start
But noise is coming from my damn fool heart


Taking care not to be fright
I am clutching rifle tight with eye to  sight
Should Tiger come I will shoot and fall him down
Then like hero return to native town


Then through trees I am espying one cave
I am telling self - 'Bannerjee be brave'
I am now proceeding with too much  care
From far I smell this Tiger's lair


My leg shaking, sweat coming, I start pray
I think I will shoot Tiger some other day
Turning round I am going to flee
But Tiger giving bloody roar spotting Bengalee


He bounding from cave like footballer Pele
I run  shouting 'Kali Ma tumi kothay gele'
Through the jongole I am running
With Tiger on my tail closer coming


I am a telling that never in life
I will risk again for my damn  wife!!!!

My thanks to Ms. Priti Quinn for this article

The Bitter Woman

We may not be aware of it but every encounter with another being, effects us in some way or the other.

This is why the ancients stressed upon the company we keep. Good, noble and loving people enrich us and some not so good people tend to impoverish us.

With good fortune, it was on the auspicious day of Gur Poornima (full moon) at the ashram of Baba Ishwar Singh in Dehradun (India) that my wife Mohini and I met a spiritual man, Kulwinder Singh who makes a living by driving a taxi in NewYork city.

Contrary to perception, truly spiritual individuals are egoless people, often witty, deep in character and exude peace and joy. A spiritual person can impart positive energy to us if we are receptive. Their presence always leads to an awakening, like the petals of the bud blooming into a flower.

The nature of Kulwinder's work brought him into contact with many people. Passengers drifted into his life for a few minutes to a couple of hours.  He shared this as one of many experiences, on how his life had been transformed by the teachings of the Guru.

__________________

One day a lady got into Kulwinder's cab. She was quarrelling  with someone at the other end of her cellular phone.  She was in a terrible mood and and snapped an address at Kulwinder . Soon after they started they got caught in a traffic jam. The woman turned her wrath on Kulwinder, she was very unpleasant, and disrespectful. She vented all her anger on Kulwinder, blaming him for deliberately delaying her by moving so slowly through the heavy traffic. She then resumed her quarrel with the unfortunate person on the phone. This was repeated several times during the long drive. Kulwinder remained unaffected by the woman's disgraceful behaviour.

About 10 minutes before they reached their destination the woman hung up her phone. Brooding for a while before holding her sullen face in her hands, she began to cry.

When they arrived Kulwinder said “ Miss we are here” . The woman just sat unmoving in her seat. Kulwinder reminded her a couple of times that they had arrived at their destination.

When they arrived Kulwinder said “ Miss we are here” . The woman just sat unmoving in her seat. Kulwinder reminded her a couple of times that they had arrived at their destination.

She looked up and started crying again and said “ I am sorry, I abused you, I know my behaviour was unacceptable. You may not know it but I am not a bad person, and normally do not behave in this way. Its just ....... .  However I am very curious as to, why did you not react and say something back?”

Kulwinder replied “ Miss, I do not know what your problem is and why you behaved in the way you did. I cannot change you or your circumstances but I can definitely manage my response. If you permit me I can tell you what I believe in and maybe you will understand why I did not react”

The woman still sniffing requested Kulwinder to say more.

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“Let me first tell you a story about Mahatma Buddha” Kulwinder said;

One day as he approached a village, Mahatma Buddha met an aggressive man who was in a foul mood. He started abusing Lord Buddha, who merely stood there listening to the man for quite a while as the insolent man went on and on with his acidic tirade.  At last, exhausted and emptied of his toxic anger the man sat down.

Mahatma Buddha politely asked " If you have finished, may I proceed on my journey?"

______________________

The foul mouthed man looked at the Mahatma in astonishment and said; “ I have been so bitter in my behaviour towards you and abusive in my conduct, yet you just looked at me smilingly. Are you deaf, a coward or mad? “

Mahatma Buddha said “ I have just come from the neighbouring village. As I was departing from that village, a kind man presented me a tray of wonderful sweets. I took the tray, and I shared the sweets with other residents of the village and everyone was happy. Unfortunately my brother, you gave me something which I cannot share with anyone else, therefore I cannot accept what you have showered on me. You must take what you have brought here for me, back with you.”

Kulwinder told the woman “ Had I accepted what you gave me, I would have shared the misery with the next passenger, and whoever I came in contact with for the rest of the day. Imagine the pain and anguish I would have inflicted on my family when I returned home. Forget me for a while , think what will happen to you when you walk around with this toxic anger? How will be your behaviour with your loved ones and your family?”

The woman started sobbing uncontrollably and after a few minutes said “please forgive me and thank you for your words of wisdom”

Kulwinder Singh, replied “ It is God you must thank for his great mercy and kindness and my Guru for his teachings which I imbibe.”

* Guru Poornima is also the auspicious day on which lord Buddha gave His first sermon at Sarnath (Uttar Pradesh, India).
* Mahatma means great soul.

                                                                 

Man O Man!

Man is difficult to understand;

When without money, eats wild vegetables at home
When has money, eats same wild vegetables in fine restaurant.

When without money, rides bicycle;
When has money, rides the same ‘exercise machine’.

When without money, walks to earn food
When has money, walks to burn the fat

Man O Man ! never fails to deceive thyself !

When without money, wishes to get married;
When has money, wishes to get divorced.

When without money, wife becomes secretary;
When has money, secretary becomes wife.

When without money, acts like rich man;
When has money, acts like poor man.

Man, O Man! never can tell the simple truth !

Says share market is bad but keeps speculating;
Says money is evil but keeps accumulating.
Says high positions are lonely but keeps wanting them.
Says gambling and drinking is bad but keeps indulging;

Man O Man ! Never means what he says and never says what he means!

My Thanks to Mr. MN Kumta for this contribution

The reflective individual

It is dawn now at the Ashram of Sant Baba Ishwar Singh ji on the outskirt of Dehradun. Rising each morning at 4 am I join the morning meditation and prayer at 4:30. followed by a couple of hours of silent contemplation before breakfast. The ashram provides a perfect place for rejuvenation.


An ashram literally means a sheltered abode. A shelter need not be only of the physical kind that protects the body. A true shelter envelopes also the mind and the spirit, allowing the individual to connect with the life giving energy of the cosmos. Known by numerous names this life force normally called God has to be experienced not learnt.


Only where there is love, friendship, peace and understanding can a house become a home. Similarly an ashram comes alive with the presence of a living Guru. The presence of the teacher/ master called Guru provides the recharging energy and wisdom at the ashram.


Visiting a mere structure has little meaning and acts more like a spiritual placebo, providing a superficial feeling of goodness which soon vanishes leaving the soul and the inner person untouched.


At the ashram my tensions ebb away as I sit here and contemplate and observe the monsoon fury which is so easily absorbed by the forest at whose edge the ashram is nestled.


Pursuing people and things, we are so busy in our daily lives experiencing love, hate, greed, lust etc. Yet we learn almost nothing from our experiences unless we reflect (look back and review) and analyse whatever happens.




Genuinely happy and successful people are often spiritually strong for they are in touch with their inner self. To connect with their inner being, they look inwards and reflect. It is however difficult to reflect on our experiences with the constant and omnipresent din of our social environment. We need a getaway place.


The quest for a getaway is initially a physical place, but we soon learn that it fulfills only a small part of our craving. The fortunate ones learn that the getaway is a spiritual place and within our own very being.


This spiritual place can be found within us but for which a living master is required. This master called a Guru leads people to discover their own inner space. This is the place where we hear, see, and feel not only ourselves but the entire creation. Peace, joy and understanding come to the reflective mind and spirit.


The first part of our spiritual journey takes us only to the inner space where we reflect. This reflection is useful if it is evaluated appropriately. Our reflection is tested against our values acquired from our parents, teachers and society at large. Much of this is material and some of it spiritual.


Like a beacon of light the Guru's teachings illuminates a way forward, helping the individual to choose between right and wrong. The Guru provides the precious touchstone for making the right choice.


It is helpful that each night before we fall asleep and review in a few minutes the entire day like one watches a movie. Reflecting on what transpired, one can judge what should have been done or said rather than what actually took place. This provides the seed for  corrective actions in future words and deeds. 



Truly reflective people exists simultaneously on two planes. They interact physically on the social plane yet their spirit and  mind operates at a higher plane making them happier and enabling them to be more  successful.

What do we discuss?

Great     minds discuss ideas;
Average minds discuss events;
Small     minds discuss people.


   -  Eleanor Roosevelt

A Victory for Credibility.

Great personalities generate movements and phenomena million fold more powerful than they achieve as individuals. Anna Hazare is one such individual. Love him or hate him but you can't ignore Anna Hazare.

Anna has unleashed a thunderbolt of civic indignation and touched the consciousness of the Indian masses. More incredible was that it is backed by an Indian populace which had accepted and abetted corruption as a way of existence for most of their life.


Since dawn of time, exploitation has been a reality. As can be seen in nature, a good exploiter normally the parasite exploits only to the extent that the host is able to sustain. This is not because parasites are kind they will ensure that the host cannot escape or will not die, so that the parasite can continue to feed off and exploit the host.

Unfortunately the politicians, bureaucrats, and many officials have been excessive in their exploitation and now it appears that they will destroy the very society that they have sworn to serve and protect. Many are parasitic and feel they have many hosts that they can feed off and do not mind killing off the hosts by sucking the life out of them.

A little 'baksheesh' was always considered acceptable for work done or support or advice provided. Nowadays so pandemic corruption has become that the cost of corruption is greater than the cost of genuine business, not only in monetary terms but in wasted time and resources.

It is hoped that the movement will hopefully singe the parasites, but there lurks a real danger that the seething anger is giving rise to a firestorm that may engulf both good along with the bad.
If uncontrolled, like a tsunami it will lay to waste a lot in its path.

What do Anna Hazare and his close associates like Kiran Bedi have that they have won the hearts and minds of a large number of Indians?

CREDIBILITY.

Credibility is something that the political leaders lack in spite of numerous pontificating speeches and press conferences. Everything they utter is treated with disdain and suspicion. If they cannot convince they confuse and if they cannot confuse they corrupt the system.

If all else fails they set the various government agencies to hound those who dare to question them. Prime weapon is of course the tax departments followed by numerous other agencies with unbridled power to disrupt lives and commerce.


Credibility gaps in the Government and political leadership are;

1. Government is headed by a Prime Minister who until recently was viewed with great respect and therefore of whom the whole nation has great expectations. Now charged with dereliction of duty and blatant omissions in his administration. Disappointment is high because expectations are great.
2. Government is now run by family cartels.
3. Average thirty fold increase in declared net worth of members of parliament in each term served.
4. Ostentatious lifestyle of leaders
5. Acts do not match words.
6. Zero tolerance for dissent.
7. Presence of significant number of criminals in government and political parties nurturing criminals.
8. Aggressive and overbearing in its approach
9. Making life more difficult and stressful for society. 

Credibility advantages of Anna Hazare;

1. Headed by Anna Hazare, a Gandhian who always practices what he preaches.
2. Consistent and works democratically
3. Spartan lifestyle
4. Surrounded by illustrious and highly respected and clean individuals
5. Very little assets if any at all 
6. Dignified and passive in approach.
7. Firm and consistent with deeds matching words

Only time will tell if David will win or Goliath will crush the challenger to his authority and power. At the moment Anna Hazare has the support of the people and the moral advantage, while the ruling Congress party has the political legitimacy and the brute force.

Why is the government unable to persuade the people to accept their view? Why is it that many of us are unable to get our point across and to be belived?


The important lesson to be drawn for all of us in all walks of life can be gleaned from Edward Murrow’s quote; "To be persuasive we must be believable; to be believable we must be credible; credible we must be truthful."