All is One and One is All

Today world is marked by two eras, era before 9/11 and era after 9/11. The attack on America shocked the world and left Americans speechless. This attacks were claimed by some Muslim fundamentalist groups as revenge for whatever reason. Attacks on Christians in Orissa, India was appallingly alarming. Insecure Hindus are threatened that Christians and Muslims will dominate them. Muslim militants attacked a church in Baghdad recently and killed at least 40 worshippers. There are many more instances where ignorance of the people has been showcased in the name of religion. I think there is a deviation of attitudes among people of good will. Religion is the platform to create a disorder and chaos in the universe. A true religion does not promote violence in order to spread its religious values and virtues. Every religion I have known does promotes peace and harmony broadly. No one has a right to nick the freedom of a person, and if it is done than the person is dehumanized and considered to be below human dignity.  

Enlightenment attempted to keep religion confined to the private sphere but 9/11 proved to be the end of privatization of religions. I have problem here in both aspects, a religion cannot be private because it concerns universal matters, on the other hand religion cannot produce fundamentals who think that their religion is the true religion. How do we analyse this problem? Is it anything to do with religion at all or just politically motivated ideals? Is it the fear of insecurity that drives the thirst for blood from other religion? 

I was brought up in a lovely neighbourhood consisting mostly of Hindus and Muslims. Do we not live as one family despite our differences? Do we really make differences based on religion? I was born in a village which has no hospital, and in fact a Hindu woman helped my mother at her labour, that is how I was born. I owe this Hindu woman a lot. She is no more now. I think we transcend our little ghettos of religion when we consider other human as our fellow human. During my high school days, I used work in an estate owned by a Muslim, and he paid me for my work which helped me pay my fees. Time again this Muslim estate owner checked my progress in school. This shows his concern for me regardless of my religion. I am indebted to this Muslim. Whenever I go home I have a warm welcome from my Hindu and Muslim neighbours apart from my family. Isn't lovely? It raises my hope for humanity and its prosperity. It shows me how God works in different people and religion. 

Do we really need religion if it divides humanity into several painful fragments through the means of violence? I do wonder at times,why some people slaughter other people in order to promote their religion? Do you thin God will appreciate this?  I don't think God will appreciate the destruction of his own creation by his own creature. God created us in his image and likeness because He wants us to be like him, if possible strive to perfection. 

Those who try to destroy the peace and harmony of the universe are clearly evil doers within religious spheres. They work subtly by indoctrinating or brainwashing of the innocent tender youngsters. They sow seeds of enmity between brothers and sisters and these seeds do yield fruits to a large extent because evil is alluring and seems like winning. Sometimes it is hard to distinguish between good seed and bad seed of evil, thus both prosper. As Jesus said, let the weeds grow along with the good crop, day will come when all the weed will be gathered and burnt in the fire. This should be our hope when good will triumph over evil. Evil cannot conquer good but it can overpower the good to some extent. Let us hope against hope that one day this world becomes one religion, A religion of Love and peace. 

God's Utmost Love for the humanity

Have you ever wondered at the diversity of humankind? Why don't we look alike? Can humans do this? I thin NO. I think there is someone out there who has plans for each one of us. Every human creature on earth is unique both in external features as well as interior features. Who can design nearly 6 billion creatures that would look unique and different from each other. Besides, the animal kingdom,  flora and fauna which are uniquely designed by a designer. This designer must be absolutely original in creativity. I wonder whether we know this designer or sometimes we just take for granted and forget our own designer. Is it fair for us to forget our Mothers? In the same way how can we forget or neglect our creative designer? I would like call this invisible designer as God. God had a plan for the universe and us. He thought about me much before I was born and planned to place me in his creation or grand design. I consider this as my utmost privilege. 'For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb '(Psalm 139). This is true indeed. There was God in the abyss of my mother's womb to arrange the members of my body. Thus creating a beautiful creature. Don't you thin God loves this work of creation of humankind? I think he does love us so much that he keeps his creation growing despite destruction of his creation by some evil forces. This is the utmost gesture of God's love to the humankind. I reckon that this is one of the strong proofs for God's existence. 

I was travelling in London underground train, I noticed a mother cuddling and fondling her child with utmost happiness and love. She expressed her love for the baby child through her actions and even few whispering words which I am sure the child understood. I was so taken aback by this gesture of love exchanged between mother and child. Child in return smiled and felt so comfortable in her mothers bosom. I am sure all of us under the sun have felt the same at one point or other in our early life. One of my close friend did not have children for nearly 4 years, that was worrying her a bit, does this mean that God did not have plan to design a child through her? No, God probably waited for sometime for whatever reason. She is now blessed with a wonderful baby boy recently. I am sure God works in mysterious ways and different times. Why do we love our own children? Why our heart feels for our children? Don't you think there is something between the parents and children? I think God creates humankind out of his utmost love for the humanity through the help of parents who bring forth God's creation to the world and it is God who transfers His 'utmost' love to His creation through parents. Thus parents show that utmost love to the child of their own. Therefore God is present in the world through our parents who are instrumental in bringing God's love to the humanity. Therefore God does exist and does marvellous works in the world. 

Most often we tend to either forget or take for granted the gift God's utmost love for us. It is hard to when we forget our own designer. But I have a theory; when we drift away from God, we can go back in time and remember our days as little babies in the bosom of our mothers, and thus remember God loves us with his utmost Love for the humanity. 

Night Voices in Tegel

Stretched out on my cot

I stare at the grey wall,

Outside, a summer evening 

That does not know me

Goes singing into the countryside.

Slowly and softly 

The tides of the day ebb

On the eternal shore...

We the poor, the rich,

Alike in misfortune,

The good, the bad,

Whatever we have been 

We men of many scars,

We the witnesses of those who died,

We the defiant, we the despondent,

The innocent, and the much accused,

Deeply tormented by long isolation,

Brother, we are searching, we are calling you!

Brother, do you hear me?

C.F: Written from a prison cell in Germany by pastor, theologian, and martyr, Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

Church of the Poor

Poverty can be a human state determined by both material and physical wellbeing of an individual. Therefore how do we access poverty critically keeping abreast of our own fellow persons who are in dire need of basic necessities of life namely; food, shelter and clothing.  I shall elicit some of the views by Catholic Church, Islam and Hinduism and also philosophical views not to ignore the philosopher in the room. Excuse me if this becomes an exegesis.

 

John Paul II says the Catholic Church should be a "Church of the poor" that practises a preferential but not exclusive option for the neediest. Therefore, such a Church is "a community of faith that embraces and practises the evangelical spirit of poverty, which combines detachment from possessions with a profound trust in the Lord as the sole source of salvation."

Catholic catechism brings forth the issue of poverty and thus says; God blesses those who come to the aid of the poor and rebukes those who turn away from them: "Give to him who begs from you, do not refuse him who would borrow from you"; "you received without pay, give without pay." It is by what they have done for the poor that Jesus Christ will recognize his chosen ones. When "the poor have the good news preached to them," it is the sign of Christ's presence.

"The Church's love for the poor . . . is a part of her constant tradition." This love is inspired by the Gospel of the Beatitudes, of the poverty of Jesus, and of his concern for the poor. Love for the poor is even one of the motives for the duty of working so as to "be able to give to those in need." It extends not only to material poverty but also to the many forms of cultural and religious poverty.

St. John Chrysostom vigorously exclaims: "Not to enable the poor to share in our goods is to steal from them and deprive them of life. The goods we possess are not ours, but theirs." "The demands of justice must be satisfied first of all; that which is already due in justice is not to be offered as a gift of charity."

The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbour in his spiritual and bodily necessities. Instructing, advising, consoling, comforting are spiritual works of mercy, as are forgiving and bearing wrongs patiently. The corporal works of mercy consist especially in feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead.  Among all these, giving alms to the poor is one of the chief witnesses to fraternal charity: it is also a work of justice pleasing to God.

He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none and he who has food must do likewise. But give for alms those things which are within; and behold, everything is clean for you. If a brother or sister is ill-clad and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit?

When her mother reproached her for caring for the poor and the sick at home, St. Rose of Lima said to her: "When we serve the poor and the sick, we serve Jesus. We must not fail to help our neighbours, because in them we serve Jesus

Islam: All human beings, according to Islam, have been created by one and the same God, and for this reason they belong to one great brotherhood. All being descendants of the same progenitor, Adam and Eve, they should naturally be each other’s well-wishers. They must willingly come to one another’s assistance, like members of the same large family. Islam has, therefore, laid the greatest of emphasis on the support of destitute and disabled members of society. It is a sacred duty of the wealthy to give part of their possessions to fulfil the needs of the deprived sections of the community.

According to Abdullah ibn Umar, the great religious scholar of the first phase of Islam, “If the zakat levy is insufficient to meet the needs of the poor, then it is the duty of the rich of every town to put the poor on their feet.”

Abu Zar Ghifari, a companion of the Prophet, reported that the Prophet, while sitting in the shade of the Kabah wall, said, “They are the losers.” Abu Zar enquired, “Who are they, O Messenger of God?” The Prophet replied: “Those who pile up heaps of wealth and (pointing in all directions with his hands) do not spend like this and this.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

“Every good act is charity. Your smiling to your brother is charity;  an exhortation of your fellowman to virtuous deeds is equal to alms-giving; your putting a wanderer on the right road is charity;  your assisting the blind is charity; your removing stones, and thorns, and other obstructions from the road is charity; your giving water to the thirsty is charity. A man’s true wealth, as regards the Hereafter, is the good he does in this world to his fellow men. When he dies, people will say “what property has he left behind him?” But the angels will ask, “what good deeds has he sent before him?”

Hinduism: Hindu society recognises and values interdependence. According to Vedic theology, society can meet everyone's legitimate needs if the various individuals perform their respective duties. These duties embody the ideal of extending God's shelter to others. For this purpose, the system ofvarnashrama-dharma allocated specific duties to each varna and ashram. For example, the vaishyas were considered responsible for the animals; women were especially entrusted with nurturing children; kshatriyas were obliged to ensure the physical safety of citizens; and sannyasis were required to remind everyone – especially householders – of their spiritual duties.

The less fortunate were cared for within the extended family. Religious obligations also included various forms of charity. For example, scripture obliges the householder to step outside the front door before each meal and to announce three times "Is anyone hungry? Please come to take your meal!" Only then would the family eat, with or without guests. Today, Hindu families are still renowned for their hospitality. Other acts of generosity include giving alms and clothing, and ritually feeding the poor, holy people and animals. A righteous life, whereby God is perceived in nature, naturally protects the environment. Planting trees and digging wells have long been considered to bestow considerable spiritual merit.

Social change and industrialisation have now meant that Hindus have established charitable organisations to adopt functions previously fulfilled more locally, within the community. These charities are often connected to religious institutions.

Philosophers: You walk past a drowning kid.  You can save the child, but you will have to wade into a shallow pond and muddy your trousers and ruin your shoes.  Is it immoral to keep walking and leave the kid to die?

From this hypothetical and variations thereon, Peter Singer distils a principle: "'If it is in your power to prevent something bad from happening without sacrificing anything nearly as important, it is wrong not to do so.'"  Building on this principle, Singer develops the general rule that "those who are financially comfortable" should donate 5% of their annual earnings (or more, if they are rich) to aid organizations that alleviate poverty.  

While some agree with Singer that individuals have a moral responsibility for others less well off than them, and further that we should all be developing means of discharging that responsibility, we therefore think the hypotheticals have led Singer astray.  As economists have learned, abstract models that work in theory tend not to operate so cleanly in the real world.  All of those "externalities" that economists - and moral philosophers - have ignored for the sake of elegant conceptualizing have a way of refusing to be ignored once the conceptual gets concrete.

Immanuel Kant’s practical philosophy provides sufficient resources to develop and make plausible the claim that there are basic positive duties of justice, some of which may have a global scope.

Thus in conclusion I would like to remark that every religion does promote the basic concept of charity; charity to needy. In the contemporary economic world where economic crisis inevitable, government tries to keep the economy going by imposing unpleasant measures which ultimately might help the poor if that is the intention of the government. We do indeed wish to live in an equal world but unfortunately it is not the system of world today. We can pray that this world be a kingdom of heaven one day. 

Courtesy: www.christusrex.org
                    www.alrisala.org
                    www.hinduism.iskcon.com

A Royal Wedding and Monarchy

A couple days ago I tuned into BBC news on the television to get a glimpse of the world as I always do to watch at least the headlines before I grab a film to entertain myself. To my pleasant surprise I learnt that Prince William was engaged to Kate Middleton, and the pleasant surprise turned into unpleasant surprise when BBC carried the news on Royal engagement for nearly half an hour without even giving a break. I was so annoyed I turned off the television and hit the sack as soon as possible. As I lay in my  bed I got some weird feelings in my mind and heart about the Monarchy and its dominance for centuries. I allowed the thoughts to linger in my mind which consoled me to some extent. As I was growing curious about this whole  business about Monarchy in England, I was enthused to look up and read about it. I learnt some facts and figures which refreshed my memories from my high school when we had to study History of Europe and particularly Britain. No wonder why British like their Monarch. They love their queen who is mere a figure head who has some nominal powers but they are merely ceremonial but still they hold monarchy as an integral part of the British system. 

During the past many centuries after the Roman left Britain, different tribes in England formed their own little ghettos and time again struck the other tribe. Until at last they decided to have one ruler who is an able person.  Actually if we consider the history of Britain I think Britain is living on the glory of the past. Able kings and queen strained their every nerve to build this country as a powerful economic giant which ultimately ruled the world in some sense. I have  now a great regard for the monarchy of England. India was jewel in the crown for the queen of England. Queen Victoria claimed herself as the Empress of India even though she never visited India. She was proud to the empress because India was unique for both its wealth and culture. 

Back in 1981 the big royal wedding took place between Price Charles and Princess Diana, sadly this wedding ended when popular princess Diana died in a car crash. Since then there weren't any royal weddings. Wedding of Prince William and Kate will a much awaited celebration to the country and to all of us. I am so glad that William has decided to marry a simple girl from the village Kate. I think royal family is changing according to the time and space. Their long love life came to light when the revealed their secret engagement. Prince William decorated the lovely ring finger of Kate Middleton with his mothers (Princess Diana) ring of sapphire and diamond. I am looking forward to the big wedding which will showcase the grandeur of England to the world next year. Plans are already in place. 

The economists predict that this wedding will bring a significant benefit to the country. Asda has already made souvenir in the form of cups and plates for the couple. There will be many more things which will obviously attract the tourists from every walk of life. Prince William is not too keen in spending too much of public money for his wedding since country is in economic crisis. This is commendable. I think if government gives a good and timely publicity I think this wedding can be the popular wedding of the century which can bring in lot of economic benefits and the benefits can boost the economy ultimately to cut the deficit. God protect our queen, as Britons say its an important task for us all to pray for the royal family. 

Doors of destruction and rivers of blood

For the past seven years, the Iraqi Christians have been targeted by waves of attacks on their churches, monasteries, homes, businesses and in person. A Bishop and Several Priests were killed and even slaughtered in cold blood. Since the events of 2003 more than half the Iraqi Christians fled the country, thousands have been killed, and more than 60 churches, monasteries were bombed. In less than a week after terrorists’ attacked Iraqi Christians during a Sunday mass in the heart of Baghdad, al-Qaeda has threatened to stage more similar attacks on Christians.

In a reported warning, an al-Qaeda affiliated group, Islamic State of Iraq (ISI), claimed that their attacks were legitimate and that the time had come for Iraqi Christians to face the doors of destruction. "All
Christian centers, organizations and institutions, leaders and followers, are legitimate targets for the muhajideen wherever they can reach them,” the statement said.“We will open upon them the doors of destruction and rivers of blood,” it added. 

Father (Père) Wassim Sabih (Waseem Sabeeh Al-kas Butros), 27 years old and Father (Père) Thaer (Thaer Saad-alla Abdal), 32 years old were killed during the attack on Our Lady of Salvation Syrian Catholic Church by terrorists during Mass Sunday evening, in Bagdad, October 31, 2010. Father Rafael Alkotaily critically injured is now undergoing a number of surgeries t Ibn Al-Nafis hospital in Baghdad. More than 63 were killed in the bloodbath. Another 120 were wounded. Hundreds of dependents are now helpless. (http://www.thecsf.org/).

We will open them the doors of destruction and rivers of blood, is a mere statement of ignorance. I am sure some people in the world like to see blood being shed and this drives them to do anything to taste the blood of the innocent. I am astounded at the disposition of some people who claim that destroying other fellow human is legitimate. Iraq is the constant target for the terrorists. Iraqis are poor lamp to slain, where are we going? Is it really religious fight or some destructive ideologies in force in the name of religion? If it is religiously oriented than how can any religion claim that one religion is superior to others? Does God really consider some people or religion as superior to others? I am sure no God will be pleased to see his own creation fighting over superiority of Himself. I think we have gone too far and failed to realize that religion is sacred which is the abode of humanity and whole creation. 

I reckon that this world is lacking a direction. World is at its cross roads which is used and abused by some people with crap ideologies driven by the selfish motives. Today Baghdad tomorrow Assam and one day the world itself will be shedding blood if we don't start to change our hearts and embrace the ideology of harmony. Let us wait and see what more to come, this attitude will not really help the on going destruction of the human race.  

Easier said than done

If I were to ask you who is the most happiest person in the world, what would you say? A person who has load of money, contented in life, go loads of degrees, experienced peace in life etc.. I think the most happiest people in the world are Children in the games field during their busy school time. When I attend the lectures in my college, I prefer to sit at the window so that I can do away with my boredom. Every time I looked outside I see a bunch lovely little toddlers screaming and jumping with joy in the play ground adjacent to our college. I always envy them for the are the most happy people, not that I am not happy. My happiness is of different level than those screaming toddlers. Let me say a bit about adult happiness. Adult happiness is generally determined by an external force (not always) which drive us constantly to the path of happiness. This is not so spontaneous and most often it can demand certain amount of discipline and way of life. I am not saying it is bad but I am only saying it is different kind of happiness. 

Children make me happy all the time. Their joy echoes God's creation. 'God's glory man fully alive' says Ireneas, I  think that is absolutely true. When I see a child smiling I feel God is still around me. 'Let the children come to me', unless you become like children.....' says Jesus, and this is very true in today's world. I am convinced that children are the assets of humanity. Their happiness is spontaneous and makes us smile. 

'Smile and the world will smile with you....' my favourite quotation has proved wrong to some extent in London. I am afraid before I leave London I would be like a log of wood when someone smiles at me. Ipod and reading papers and magazines is the rampant feature in London. I like to jog every now and then to keep myself fit, and on the way I come across people who prefer not even look at me but rather they would prefer to see a dog, and even to the extent of talking to the dog. Are we regressing in our concern for our fellow human beings? If you look at a man to extend your human fellowship, they would think I am anti-man, if you see a woman to extend your care for her, than she will stare at you as if you were going to mug her. I am not sure as to what I should do at this juncture? Therefore I grab a free news paper in the train station and read it until I reach home. That is going with the current, am I doing the right thing? Or I should start smiling on the streets, which will be a bad idea? London is the home of writers, poets, warriors, business men/women, etc. and most importantly 'centre of the world', but do all this help the world to build or to destroy?

Can we be like those children in the play ground, who go beyond their own and mingle with all sorts of little children? It is easier said than done, because children's mind and hearts are not influenced by external corrupt and selfish drives. We can be like children, only we have undo certain prejudices that have corroded our whole being ultimately affecting our affection to our fellow humans. Can we just look at the human person and smile before we smile at the dog? I think this is much easier. Can we just read new papers at home and put away our ipods in order that we try to see the other person front of us. I think we can and I wish one day this world becomes a haven of joy and happiness like those children in the play ground. 'We shall overcome someday, oh deep in heart, I do believe, we shall overcome some day', Charles Tindley's word resonate in our hearts as we hope against hope. 

India is rich but Indians are poor

'For to those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance' (Mat 13:12). India is one of the developing and emerging global economic power. Everyone eyes at India as it rightly projects to West as one of the economy generating power. Most companies tend or at least aspire to base their business outsourcing in India. There are loads of call centres and BPO's all over India. As I walk in the streets of London I feel proud to be an Indian because everyone thinks Indians have money. New papers report about the latest economic figures as improving at faster level. Is this true? Are we so rich as Indian or only some of us are rich in India? Does the world know that at least 38% of the population lives below the poverty line? Does the media and business world show the slums in Mumbai or just the multimillion house of Mr. Mukesh Ambani? It is all irony for me when I tune into news channels. I am sure there are so many issues that India as a nation should be responsible for showing the world that we are emerging economy. Look at our neighbour China, Do we really know the economic power of China? Every tiny or large material I touch in the Market is Chinese made.

Let us do some in depth enquiry into the economic well-being of India. I am proud to be a part of emerging global economic power, but my question is do we really showcase it when we  have some many issues being swept under the carpet? Our GDP is pretty consistent and there is significant growth, as for 2009 it is $1,235 trillion (nominal), and GDP per capita income is $1,032. Our GDP growth rate as for 2010 is 8.8%. GDP per capita income is so important to measure the wealth of the people in a country. Now this is measure as you know by averaging the GDP of the country. I am apprehensive about the whole business of averaging. How can someone average the wealth and say that is the wealth or income of the People? Does it give us the real figures since there is huge gap between the poor chaiwala and Ambani's. Now the misery of the low income earners is doubled since there is a significant growth in the inflation rate. As for September 2010, inflation rate is 8.62%. Does this inflation help the poor? Price of rice (staple food for most Indians) go up by even 5% will result in forgoing a heavy meal among the poor. I am sure people around the world can figure out these figures, I am no mathematician.

A month ago Guarding had a whole page dedicated to showcase Mr. Mukesh Ambani's expensive house. It was rated the most expensive house in the world. I thrilled to read that India has the 4th richest man in the planet but I am also aware that India has the most poor person in the world. I used to work in the slums in Ramwadi, in Pune who struggled to meet their both ends. They lived in absolute miserable condition along the sewage canal. The stink and mosquitoes brought deadly diseases like malaria, dengue, cholera and so on. Their children were sickly because of the malnutritions. On the other hand, there were huge multimillion buildings like Gold adlabs, Mc Donalds, ect. right next to the slum. I don't have to blabber on this after giving an extensive glance at the reality of India.

Thus, are Indians really rich? I would emphatically say that Indians are rich but most of them are poor and many of them live below the poverty line. Mr. Obama made trade deals with India, everyone was fascinated with the idea. How does this new trade deal help the people in the slum and remote villages, for instance the deal of Obama includes jet aircraft, Do we think an ordinary person can afford flying in India? Let me leave at that allowing Indians to think further and think before you leap.  

A BLEEDING FAIRYTALE

I have heard a symphony in the echoes of breaking hearts,
A beautiful harmony of pleasure and pain,
Blinding visions of shearing spells
Touching an emotion which does not exist
Like a tempting mirage of a world after death.

I look at myself in the vanishing throes of doubts and despair,
Desperately clutching the last remains of painful sanity,
Swimming in the floating pools of ecstasy,
Forgiveness does not come easy baby,
Its flows bitterly like a dream stuck in the channels of your brain.

Dont look into my eyes , darling,
Coz you will find nothing there,
Its a waste of time trying to break into my barriers,
Coz those borders are not even there.
Swollen rivers of thirsting gallows
Looking at the end of a hope which blossomed
Illusions are pricey sweetheart, too fragile to be held
Like a mist of whispering minims.

by Karishma Gomes (My Friend)

People's Choice

I am thrilled to read guardian front page reporting the release of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. I am sure her 15 years have been most ridiculous years of her life, however she seems to have gotten more energy to be an able leader to move forward her fight for democracy in Burma. Guardian reports her life in jail (house arrested). She suffered to the maximum. She lost her British husband who was not allowed into the country. Her children were also refused visa to Burma. She was completely cut off from the world. Limited visitors were allowed to see her with high security checks. She was not allowed internet access. She could access some mail but with highly monitored mails by the authorities. She remained behind four walls for nearly 15 years.

I think some of us would lose hope within 15 years but Suu Kyi kept on hoping against hope that one day she will lead the party which is based on democracy. She is an incredible woman of hope. I think hope personified in her. As I see Burmese situation, I think Suu Kyi will triumph after her long waiting. I am sure most people in the world will be happy at her release even though some of the Burmese fundamentalists will try to oppose it. Why is this century which claimed of human justice and equality is still in the darkness of injustice where some ethos of the powerful prevail? Do you have an answer? I don't have. But I can say one thing; this world is evolving everyday, minute, and every second. Humans have become so adamant that they consider other humans as their subjects. 

God created this world and gave all powers to the humans not to dominate but to take care of his creation so that human can be free and responisble. God's creative creation is used and abused. I am sure we all have hearts and minds that are filled with good things and we decide on good instinct  but sometimes a speck of evil in us tries to take control of us, this is the disaster of ourselves and our neighbour.

I watched the film, Darfur directed by Uwe Boll; based on the real brutal events of this innocent village Darfur. The leader of the Darfur village optimistically says that Janjaweed (Arabians) are not our enemies but they are our brothers. It is nothing to do with religion because Darfur villagers are also Muslims. It is all to do with race, black and Arabs as the leader of the village mutters as his tears roll down his cheeks. Next moment they are all killed brutally by the Arabs. The whole village is wiped out completely. Isn't a genocide? It is a genocide. I don't know why human consider others as lower to them (Race). Hitlar did the same inhuman thing in the history. 

I think we need to find God in ourselves to begin with then in others. I think unless we are convinced that God created us equal our struggle for power will prevail. 

Enlightenment is a way to interior peace

Journey into oneself is quite a challenging process but it can be very rewarding too. Buddhism is a religion which makes a human being journey into oneself. To attain the ultimate one should withdraw from this world of thoughts, ideas, noise, temptations and one's own freedom. We can find the supreme being or at least we can access the supreme being at one point of our life and this is called Enlightenment.

Human beings are complex and limited. Humanity has survived for several thousand years with all his complexity and limitedness. How is it possible? Why are human beings not extinct like dinosaurs or dodo? Why are other species on earth go extinct? I think we have answers to these questions based only on our limited perception of the reality. There is something we cannot grasp because we are limited. Humans can arrive at some consensus because our experience can be through our five (some say 6) senses which are equally deceptive or don't agree with others sensual perception. Each one can perceive his own way. Therefore there is a problem in our understanding of the reality. How do we solve this perpetual and inevitable problem (issue)? Philosophers have tried to distinguish the reality which we perceive and the reality which is beyond our perception.

As I was walking down in healthcare in Wandsworth Prison, I visited an inmate who was bedridden. He was an Anglican and admired Christianity as a whole. He had suffered a lot in his life but he did not find any meaning in life until at last when he was behind the bars in some country where the condition of the prison was not very appealing. He realized that he had find meaning of his life in his own self not outside. One needs to go to the depth of one's being layer after layer like onion which peeled layer after layer you find the real crust. That is how Mr. X in found his real meaning in life and now most happy person in life.

Most often we tend to think the real life is outside us, or others and other things give me joy and fulfilment in life, true to some extent. What if I have all the pomps of life and still I find emptiness within me like Mr. John Pridmore, about who I have posted earlier. I think we are the master of ourselves. No one can steer us but oneself. I have had several people saying that one can be master of oneself but it is challenging as we live in the families and society which will demand certain amount of involvement which will surely curtail our inner freedom. Let us try to transcend these so called external blocks and find inner meaning and peace and if you like enlightenment.

Braga City full of Life

(This is an old post reposted)

Now its more than three weeks I am in Braga in Portugal. Braga is not a big city to use a map or satellite navigator as in London but more friendlier city. My encounter began with city began with few of the people who spoke no English, this is only to say that English is not only the language we can communicate with. They spoke no English and I spoke no Portuguese but we understood most of the conversation except for few words we had guess. First few days I used to ask the people for directions, not only to know the directions but I wanted to converse and know the people and their culture and their way of life. I think I succeeded in doing that for a large extent. Braga is not a diverse city but more localised city with more of Portuguese culture, music, food, dressing etc. When I was conversing with People, I realized that many of the words are similar and same as in my mother tongue, like culear, meza, butao etc. It made me more feel at home apart from the facet hat we were colonised or converted by the Portuguese several years ago. I do think that Goa in India has the similar kind of culture as it is here. Now I know why Goans like to talk about Portuguese, they are lot of things in common.This is an old post, reposted.

Ugly means to an End

My first reaction to the student protest in London against fee rise was pessimistic but this morning when I read the guardian I realized that the fee rise will hit the students locally but more importantly it will affect the overseas students. Deputy Prime Minister's ugly plan to axe the richer students and help the poorer students of the rural area looks very alluring but it will reduce the inflow of overseas students coming into the UK. I was talking to an overseas student who pays nearly £10000 for her Master in London apart from her lodging and other payments. She also told me studying in the USA is much cheaper than in the UK.

Higher education costed around £1400 in 1980's but it is likely to go up to around £12000 by 2012 according to Clegg's fee rise policy. I like the idea of Mr. Clegg to help the less privileged students in the rural areas but the means used is really not suitable to the current times. Students have to pay through their nose in near future and this will either make the students not to study or students will look for opportunities abroad where education can be cheaper. This will ultimately hit the economy to a large extent and the wonderful plan of the present government to cut the deficit might end up in creating more deficit because overseas students support the economy extensively.

Another student friend of mine expressed her concern to meet both ends here in London. She was explaining how young girls go for prostitution (prostitution of any kind; modelling, stripper, etc.) to support their education and their lodging. It is really a pathetic situation. How are we going to justify this? Are we going to say what girls are doing is wrong? Or they are doing the right thing to support their education? It is really a big issue which is not addressed in a right way. I am sympathetic to the students who have to work hard especially in the free times in the coffee bars, shops and so on to support themselves. I witness pretty number of students do this part time job thus they can pursue their higher education. I am particularly sympathetic to the under graduate students who try to work and study. It must be absolutely hard for them since they have just come out from their cosy life with their parents. I have a student friend who worked whole of her summer to support herself in the coming year, now when does she rest? It is a big question. Do these students get some rest or they stress out when they just 18 years. This will ultimately lead them into a complete stressful life ahead.

Today's protest might get some hopeful results. Students from different walks of life are going to petition to the government to withdraw it's ugly plan to raise fee. I am perplexed at the government which promoted human concern especially in terms of economy before the election but now it is doing just the opposite. Dear students, let us go on fighting for a cause. I am sure we will yield its fruits later if not now.

Civilize the Civilized

Guardian of today reports about the British expedition into the uncontacted Indians in Bolivia and other parts of South America. Indians are most vulnerable and innocent people of the planet. They can be victimized in the name of civilization. People in the cities are civilized than the Indian who prefer to live away from these civilized people of the city.

Let us try to understand the meaning of the terms civilized and uncivilized. These two concepts are equally important to all of us. Suppose a person acts weird than he is called as uncivilized, on the other hand, if a person who looks smart, speaks smart and thinks smart is called civilized. Is this right way of looking at the reality. Some would say Yes, but others would sit back and think twice. A person who is mentally ill is called crazy in the sight of those who are not crazy. But if we had the ability to venture into the psyche of that crazy person; he might think the others are crazy. Therefore it is very difficult come to a conclusion whether one is right or wrong. To further emphasize, are we sure that there is right and wrong in this world? Or it is just our popular consensus? It is a big challenge for the philosophers to prove their metal in this line of thought. Many of them try to arrive at a consensus but often they were counter refuted by their contemporaries.

Let me narrow down the condensed philosophical implications on the topic above; if we say civilized people are right and they are free and most happy people in the world, are we right? On the other hand if we say these so called bush people (I don't like the title) are non-civilized as a result they are unhappy people, therefore we have a duty to civilize them and make them like us; are we right?

I worked closely with Indigenous people of Guyana for a year. I was teaching in the school. My experience has been tremendous. I think they are the most happy people in the world where there is no war, communal fight, domination, power tussle, debt, detrimental deceases, and so on. One of the most incredible attitude I appreciate in them is, their way of life with minimum things. They don't have things to store, or money to deposit in the bank in other words no security as we would call it. But how do they survive; yes they do, Birds of the air don't sow.

Today their happy times has come to an end because of the invasion of the city people taking away their women, men, children in the name of making them civilized. How do we see this? Can we just ignore and go along or respond?

I will be following these kinds of news very closely so that we are aware what is going on around us. Let us wake up and try to civilize the civilized people who wants to civilize the Indigenous people who are part of the nature (we have lost this sense of Nature, as a result nature turns to us in fury).

Loneliness and Peer pressure.

Loneliness can be a boon or bane. Most of us do feel lonely at some point of our life. But fortunately we come over it soon because of our perseverance and circumstances around us. But a few unfortunately fail to get over it. This is time when loneliness will be a bane when it will corrode subtly our whole being. Most teenagers feel this especially those who are under peer pressure. Teenagers tend to think if they don't have a boy friend or a girlfriend, there is something wrong with them. As a result they go after seeking for this unreasonable way of life and end up in the trap of drugs, alcoholism, skin trade and so on. Ultimately it will ruin the life of a beautiful creation of God in the hands of evil doers. Nip in the bud is the idiom appeals me to some extent, where if you nip it for the benefit of the bud, than its fine, but nipping in the bud for someone's benefit is absolutely wrong and will lead to a disastrous ending. I think if you don't have a boyfriend or a girlfriend nothing to worry, it is because you are not yet ready not that something wrong with you as the popular trend would advertise.

Peer pressure is the key issue to most our problems in the world. Peer pressure not among the teenagers, it can be with anyone. If my friend has an iphone, than I also must have, this is typical consumeristic attitude which has dominated the world market. I am not saying it is wrong to have an iphone but is it really needed for me or do I have enough income to possess one of those phones. We need to watch out for this evil of peer pressure, most often this will tempt us in a subtle, fascinating way. If we are not careful, it is assured that we succumb to it soon. This ultimately will lead us into an emptiness of self and this I would call loneliness.

Therefore my dear friend especially teenagers, watch out for this. Let us not succumb to unreasonable trends of the world today where external drives are very attractive and most dangerous.

From Gangland to Promised Land

Mr. John Pridmore's flabbergasting speech at the Wandsworth prison, where I work as a volunteer in the Catholic chaplaincy, was a bold reminder to the inmates that God loves us as we are. He spoke with lot of conviction that Jesus is the healer who loved him through out his life but he went on to say how he failed to recognize this love. Parents divorce at the age of 11 shattered him completely and went out to find meaning in life but taking a path of Gangster which ruined him to some extent until at last he realized there was emptiness and a strong sense of fear in his heart despite being a powerful gangster both in the US and in London.

As he was going his way as a gangster he was told to attend a catholic retreat which transformed his life completely. Now he was a new person who was once looking for meaning in life out there committing crime became a disciple of Jesus and this resonated in his address to the packed prisoners at the prison chapel. He also spoke of the importance of the Mass and the confessions. Confessions is the another significant life changing event in his life. He spoke to a catholic priest for an hour and he felt how sorrowful and how sinful he was. This sorrow of sin wrapped his life with fear and insecurity. Confessions did change his life and his lifestyle.

His story about the chicken and golden eagle mesmerised the spectators completely. Golden eagle is supposed to fly high in the beautiful blue sky but it remained as chicken pecking the dirt down below. In the same way Jesus created us to be somebody but often we tend not to choose this somebody and this will see our demise. He convinced the inmates that they all can be golden eagles, but they have to decide, no outside persons can decide for them.

John Pridmore is the author of best selling book 'from gangland to promised land' is absolutely a masterpiece of his own life story. I was thrilled to read the story of his life which of course scary and hard to read indeed. His second book 'A GANGSTERS GUIDE TO GOD' is also in the market. He is goes around the world as envoy of Jesus to spread the kingdom of God and try to inspire the prisoners around the world to change their life style as he himself has done.

I think this is indeed an excellent act of charity. As Jesus said 'you visited me in the prison', 'I have come to set free the prisoners', may his work of charity and compassion to the inmates might yield much more fruits. I wish him all the very best in your mission to bring good news and God's kingdom on earth.
http://www.johnpridmore.com/

Companions working hand in hand

Companions programme is indeed a wonderful activity of Jesuit Missions. It ventures into unknown keeping the Jesuit charisma of venturing into the unknown. The main mission of the programme is to help the poorer and less privileged children of the developing countries like India, Guyana, Africa and so on as told by Ashleigh Callow of Jesuit missions. I was thrilled to hear that Ursuline girls school at Wimbledon like to work along with a school somewhere in the unknown place called Aishalton in Guyana. I was thrilled because I taught in that school which basically caters to the Indigenous people of Guyana. I had an opportunity to speak to the pupils at Ursuline school about the situation and my experience at this school. This school is unheard of by the pupils here in London for that matter even Guyana is somewhat unheard of to many people.

I enjoyed talking to the children at Ursuline. They were obviously happy to hear me speak because they must had a change from their usual routine school stuff. Apart from that, they were certainly inspired by the school in Aishalton. They like to work along this school and they have started their work already, by exchanging letters. Even exchanging letters might take ages since access to Aishalton School is very slim. I am sure despite this their work will progress considerably because I know the pupils both here in London as well as in Aishalton. They both are absolutely incredible.

I wish both the school all well, and may the work began continue to yield plenty more fruits.

Domestic Industries are in Jeopardy

Obama signed a new trade deal with India announcing nearly $10 billions business deal which will include lot of Boeing Jet planes. This is considered to be a great deal by many top Indian business people. He addressed them in Mumbai and encouraged to support the deal. Obama also passingly mentioned about the domestic industries. Domestic small scale industries will be in jeopardy but Obama assured it is not the case, rather it will boost the Indian economy as a whole. Many of the people have welcomed the trade deal but I am not too sure whether the people in the village know anything about it, in any case many think what is the matter, it does not affect the poor people in the hinterland of India.
Let us try to analyse the situation of India and the new deal together. Indian economy is growing according to the West. I am very proud to be in Europe and hear people say, oh India is rich. But if I go to the grass root of the problem, it is a perpetual problem for several years where Rich get richer and poor get poorer. How do you compromise this two extremes? Sharing of wealth is a distant dream for us Indians. I am not denying the good will of those people who share their wealth with the less privileged.
Enormous amount of money is being pumped into the budget every year by the government, but irony is money does not reach the needful. When money comes down the lane, it has many tributaries to distribute, and at last when it reaches the real need it just a pittance.
Obama's new trade deal means more American market in India. Americanization of India. I am not too sure about the domestic industries and their fate. Some years ago when Mc.donald's came to Pune, the petty pani puri and vada pav shops were moved to the fringe of the city. They virtually had to abandon their petty trade and business. Poor little business people had to find something for their survival. Therefore I am sure you can see the problem here. It is just a tip of the iceberg I am trying to present but there is lot going on in the business world. Let us try to open our eyes and see what is going on around us and if possible try to sympathize with the people who are likely to get affected by the multi international firms invading our sacred business world.

Evil Power or Good Power powerful

There is so much evil in the world, but how do we understand Evil. Is it only a concept or reality? Evil is the absence of Good, as many philosopher would say. But evil can be a mere concept for several people and for other several people it can be a reality. The evil power is so strong in the world today, which at times triumphs and fragile humans do succumb to it with or without being aware of its consequences. Evil can be very deceptive and bewitch us to a large extent. It can come as a consolation but how do we distinguish whether it is evil when it comes in the form of a good.
If the power of evil is so strong, don't you think that the power of good can be greater than evil. Indeed yes, the power of good is much more powerful than the evil. We all humans have two conflicting forces, drives or virtues in us, and they innate. The two forces decide our fate in most cases. Discernment of the best possible virtue can be a tedious task as we are fragile homo sapiens. Most of the time good virtue in us does speak for us and give us best results and not only to us but best results to others too. Sometimes the so called evil virtue(as I call it) might dominate and come out with flashy suggestions which might ultimately devour us and those around us.
Choosing between these two options can be very painful task. We 'cannot love two masters'. Either this or that. There is no middle path (Buddha). Either or plays a significant role in each one's life. This painful state might lead us into depression. How do we try to choose without any pain for oneself and others?

God of equality

Birthday is the reminder from God that God still loves the world. Every new born child is the gift from God. God is so transcendental he cannot show us himself or we cannot see him as he is but he makes himself visible through several ways that we as weak humans can understand and grasp that visibility of Him. How nice of God to do that? It is absolutely remarkable act of God, that is why Jesus washed the feet of his disciples to make them understand that no one is superior to others. Son of man can do such and noble act why can't we do it. It is a pretty gigantic challenge for all us who are growing in this capitalistic society where each one fills his or her own barn even at the cost of other. Tremendous amount of pressure is built in each humans as we are born in this universe. Race plays a significant role in our lives. Race to be the first in the class, in business, in computers, sports, in almost everything. This indeed cripples us to some extent even though we might get a momentary success in our struggle to attain this race.
God reminds us not to be master or dominate our neighbours, as he said rightly, those who are fist will be last and who are last will be first, we have a responsibility as belonging to one human family to support and help each other even at the cost of our own self. It is hard to give 5 bocks to a beggar when I need to buy an itune gift card for my girlfriend. It is hard to give sometime for someone who has lost his/her mom when I have a long awaited appointment to have point to lager at the pub.
We can make difference if we start doing it. I am sure there are many people out there who think like me but when it comes to action it can be really challenging. Thus it is our disposition that lead us to an action which emerges from our inner motivation (attitude). We all are God's children and we ought to be like God's children. Children of love, peace and generosity. Let us try to make visible this to our fellow neighbour.

Thinking to think

Umpteen times we think with our mind but sometimes we think from our heart and even our body. As humans its natural to forget what we think, therefore this blog would help us to remember the thinking we think and share and co relate with the thinking of our fellow humans in and around us.
The great virtue that the humans acquire is thinking, here I am not saying that animals don't think. I suppose we all are capable of thinking in our mind. If one thinks that he or she cannot think than he is not in his mind, even one who is not in his mind could think. When we cross the road in a busy traffic signal we think and look around us so that we are not knocked by some vehicles.
Each human thinks in different wave length. One might assume that he or she thinks better than others, but according to me there no better and least thinking. I make only two differences in thinking, that is empirical and non empirical thinking. For instance, if there is a snake crawling in the woods, a child might think it is a rope, but a fully grown makes the difference between a rope and a snake.
Let us explore our mind with an open and critical mind. I will be discussing in this blog several aspects of human day to day life. I wish this blog would be mile stone in thinking with the people whether they are so called thinkers and so called ordinary thinkers like me. Be a part of this thinking and discussion.

Bonfire

Boredom can eat you away, was my feeling after the long hours of lecture. As all humans I needed something to ease away my boredom. One of my classmates suggested some practical device to do away with my boredom. He said today is the bonfire day in London. I was absolutely amazed about the thought of bonfire in the torrential rain that was showering from above. We engrossed ourselves in discussion about the bonfire in order to avoid boredom and the rain. I suggested to him about the festival of light Divali being celebrated with sky full of fireworks, but his reply was different. The bonfire in London is a commemoration of Gun powder plot. It is also called Guy Fawkes night. It was when Catholics decided to blow off the parliament for whatever reason, but fortunately they failed to so. Therefore the country celebrates the failure of gun powder plot. It is nothing to do with Diwali but of course for us Indians it does make sense when Guy Fawkes night and diwali falls on the same night.
With thought in mind I put my hood on head and walked quickly to the banks of river Thames to see sky full of fireworks and unfortunately to my bad luck I saw only bare, wet and cloudy sky. They (whoever arranges) decided to cancel because of the down pouring rain, fair enough. Walked around along the river dodging the visitors to take a pleasant walk but failed to do so because of the constant flash of the camera penetrated the retina of my eyes which blinded me. This all happened in the time where I wanted my boredom to turn into joy and happiness. In any case I did feel happy looking at the people who were absolutely amazed to see London eye, Westminster parliament and other attraction at the spot.
Everything happens for the good, and don't be prepared for anything, even if you prepare, prepare for the worse and when it does happen you are not disappointed. This world is full of uncertainties, but it is left to you and me as to how we make certain of the uncertainties around us. World in absolute flux.