I'm thankful ...

I'm thankful for ...

For my shadow that watches me work
because it means
I am out in the sunshine

For a lawn that needs mowing,
windows that need cleaning,
and gutters that need fixing
because it means I have a home.

For all the complaining
I hear about the government
because it means
we have freedom of speech..

For the parking spot
I find at the far end of the parking lot
because it means I am capable of walking
and I have been blessed with transportation.

For my huge heating bill
because it means
I am warm.

For the lady behind me in church
who sings off key because it means
I can hear.

For the pile of laundry and ironing
because it means
I have clothes to wear.

For weariness and aching muscles
at the end of the day
because it means I have been
capable of working hard.

For the alarm that goes off
in the early morning hours
because it means I am alive.

-- from a forwarded email

Jonathan Livingston Seagull

A great spiritual book: small and simple enough for kids and adults.

full book text

Jonathan Livingston Seagull - a story by Richard Bach

there are no two

In matters spiritual, truth has to be re-discovered by and for a human being for direct realisation. If it is repeated, it becomes an intellectual idea, a matter of ''I'', ''I'', ''I'' and 'You', 'You', 'You'. Thus truth becomes a lie when it is repeated; it just becomes a safeguard, security, solace and satisfaction for the ego ! Repetition of scientific truth is useful. It develops technology. Repetition of lie in politics is very harmful as the lie then begins to appear as truth due to propaganda. Politicians then come to power to control everything. For matters deeply psychological and spiritual, one has to be a light to one's own self.
The truth here is not at the top of the ladder of concepts, conclusions, ideas or interpretations. It is there where you are, in your daily life, in your tension and temptation. It is not in Brahma Sutra ! To think that you are a Brahma-Jnani by reading explanations of Brahma Sutras is but another self-projected aggrandizement. It is immature thinking, unworthy of people who are alive and affectionate.

The essence of all 555 Brahma Sutras has been made available by Adi Shankaracharya in one line :

«Brahma Satyam Jaganmithya, Jivo Brahmaiva Naapara»
«'No-mind' (Universal Intelligence) is real, mind is myth. Life, manifest as well as unmanifest, is the whole. There are no Two».

-- Shibendu Lahiri

human pain

Why does Consciousness let humanity suffer?

The definition of being unconscious is suffering and pain. Our mind is the creator of our pain and suffering. If Consciousness is Light then suffering is darkness. Darkness is not the opposite of Light but its lack. When we are in dark, darkness seems real but when there's Light, darkness cannot exist. The sun of Consciousness is always shining, for it; darkness is not even a possibility. It doesn't need to do anything to remove darkness because it's light itself. If we are in darkness because our eyes are closed, the only thing we need to do is open our eyes and see the light. Is it valid to ask the Sun to remove our darkness if our eyes are closed to it?

Why did He even give the possibility of closing our eyes?
If we never experience darkness would we even appreciate or understand Light?
There would be no fun in playing the game if game doesn't have an objective.