Gerald D'Cunha

Pic.: Anima D'Cunha “As long as you think that the cause of your problem is “out there”—as long as  you think that anyone or anything is responsible for your suffering— the situation is hopeless. It means that you are forever in the role of victim,  that you’re suffering in paradise.”   - Byron Katie in ‘ Loving What Is’ “I love you for what you are.”  Have I said this to my loved ones – my wife, son, friends, students, colleagues and many others around me? Yes, I have… Time and again. But, then, have I understood the deep meaning of this line whenever I have said it? I doubt, I have… To be honest, ‘No’, I haven’t. This morning, I said it again… One of the things I detest – rather hate – my wife doing to me happens in the mornings when I am in a frantic hurry to leave home… I do not want her to irritate me, nag me, play her broken record… press the button of my irritation and stress… when a dozen con...

Pic. Anima D'Cunha I regularly remind the young students in our PD sessions, that they need to set fine benchmarks in order to propel themselves to success. “When your benchmarks are low, shallow, your inner drive, too, will be shallow… Only when you set high standards of achievement… a loft benchmark, you will be able to reach there… You need icons and heroes to inspire you… You need great role-models.” Whatever the human heart deeply aspires, it attracts. This has been the theme of the age-old Law of Attraction. “What you deeply like, deeply admire… you attract in you.”  The Law is as plain and simple as that. “You become the hero you worship.” So, there is power in the Law of Attraction. Therefore, the choice of our icons and ideals… our values and life-principles… yes, the choice should be made ‘consciously’. For, the Law doesn’t discriminate between the good icons and the bad icons… the good ideals and the bad ideals… It brings forth whatever we deeply, deepl...

Pic. : Anima D'Cunha “W hen  you judge others, you do not define them,” said Earl Nightingale, “You define yourself.” Honestly, how much do I know about another person’s life? Then, what business do I got to judge him? Invariably, the tendency to judge others, at the drop of a hat, comes from some deep insecurity in us… rather, some deeply-rooted ignorance… It is a habit, and, if not curbed in time, it does become our character… Therefore, the opening line: “When you judge others, you do not define them… You define yourself.” Yes, it reveals more about youself… about your ignorance, your insecurity… Your immaturity. In the PD session, last evening, Shreeshay narrated this popular story… A twenty-four-year-old young-man was travelling in a train. Looking out of the window, he cried excitedly, “Dad, dad, look… the trees are going behind us.”  The father smiled at his young son and said, “Is it not amazing, son?” ...

Pic.: Anima D'Cunha I am never tired of telling our young boys and girls, even little kids, during the PD sessions, that everything they tell in the class - be it on stage or in groups – is a story. “Everything you tell here is a story… everything can be told as a great story,” I remind them, “and you are a great story-teller.” I, also, remind them, “Our life starts and ends with stories…. As little kids, we listen to stories told to us by our parents and grandparents… Then, when become parents and grandparents, we tell stories to our little-ones.” Stories sustain life… They give meaning and hope to our existence! L ast evening, my wife and I watched the latest edition of the movie ‘The Jungle Book’. Like almost everyone around us, I, too, have watched the earlier version of ‘The Jungle Book’ many times over. I have read the book, too, several times…  And, yes, the story doesn’t cease to fascinate me… Such a simple story… but, how timeless!...

Pic.: Anima D'Cunha “Fire and swords are slow engines of destruction, compared to the tongue of a Gossip.”   - Richard Steele     D o I gossip? Much, much less now. But, the habit is not gone fully. There is some strange kick – a kind of self-gratification – whenever we gossip about other people… I, obviously, did not like when others gossiped about me… I hated it… I knew how damaging it was. And, that realization was enough to lock my own loose tongue… Leave other people alone, as you want them to leave you alone. But, then, as I told you, there ‘is’ some strange kick, some intoxicating substance, coming out of the gossip we all indulge in. Hence, we fall prey for it… become its addicts… “Gossip spreads faster than fire,” the saying goes. I add this: “It sells faster than Salman’s movies, too!” E arly in the morning, today, when I opened ‘Bombay Times’, I was amused…  In fact, I was shocked and angry ...