Gerald D'Cunha

Pic.: Manoj Nair T oday, after the training programme, a young girl asked me, “Sir, it is said, that with a slight shift in our perspective, we can see everything in new light; what do you think about it?” I smiled and replied to this girl, “I fully agree with it. Everything in life can be viewed in a new light with a slight shift in our perspective.” O ne evening, another young-man – a Buddhist student – was on his way to the Monastery. It was getting darker, and he had reached the banks of wide, deep river. Looking at the vast river ahead, the young-monk began to worry: “How would I cross this river? How can I be on the other side?” He sat there, for quite a long time, worrying and getting anxious. He was about to give up his hopes and abandon his journey... and, just then, he sighted an elderly Master on the other side of the river. “O Master, please help me... I am worried and scared: How can I be on the other side of this river?” “Be at peace, my s...

The idea of a new year is not new to us. There are so many of them… The Christians, Hindus, Parsis, Buddhists, Jains, Jews, Muslims… all have their own new years. Again, among the Hindus too, there are different new years… Like today is Gudi Padwa. It is the new year of Maharashtrians. There is Yugadi for Kannadigas. And so there are for people from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal and Punjab… and for people from every other state… their own. This Post is about the essence of the idea called a new year… and not about who celebrates it… when, where and how. No matter who we are, we all need to end the old to pave way for the new. Our old ways of going about our lives, our relationships, our pursuits of success and wealth, our expectations from others or our grievances about them… the way we look at our own selves and the way we look at others… our fears and anxieties, our despairs and hopes, our envy and rejoicing… Yes, all of these need to shed their oldnes...

I have always loved the phrase – ‘In all earnestness’! It is such an empowering phrase… very enriching! Being earnest is the fountainhead of all wisdom… and all  achievements in Life. As humans, we neither have the answers for all our questions, nor the road-maps for all our destinations… So, all that is needed from us is our quests and endeavors  in all earnestness… That alone can safe guard us, help us find our answers… and our destinations. Shri. Ramakrishna Paramahamsa would always emphasize on pursuing everything in Life, in all earnestness… whether the pursuit was material or spiritual. He would teach this important lesson to his followers through one of his popular parables. Once, a pilgrim set out on his journey to the Jagannath temple in Puri. He was very earnest in his goal and was ready to travel all the way to the revered shrine… and was prepared to give what it took… any sacrifice, any dedication. However, instead of traveling...

Last night, a contestant from a small-time town was on the ‘hot-seat’ of KBC. He worked as a computer lab-assistant in an institute and earned a salary around Rs.13,500/- pm. A family man that he was, had a great struggle to face: his father’s advanced-stage cancer treatment! As always, Amitabh Bachchan, was extremely graceful to this contestant… offering him empathy,  encouragement and hope. Amitabh Bachchan’s 70-year journey is packed with inspiration for any one who complains: “Life is full of struggle.”  So, during the course of the game, the contestant asked Amitabh as to how he had coped with his own struggle in life, and, if the Legend could help him with some tips. In a matter of not even a minute, what Amitabh said to this earnest soul, impressed not only the contestant, the audience and me, but, I am sure, it must have impressed the whole world which watched the show! “My father would tell us,” Amitabh said to the contestant, “that, till we...

I keep reminding myself, today, that I am a human. and I keep telling myself, "It is okay... It is okay." But , not before I crossed through the passion of my soul... Not before I chose the bliss of 'coming home' over the strain of 'being right'. I fell with the weight of my intolerance, I rose with the glory of a God! A bitter argument did make me sulk, yet again, today, A passing thought did cloud my heart with fear, Trust did shake for some moments, And those few moments did appear as a chasm of endless pain, Yes, the nearest ones did look to be my worst enemies... Yes, all for those few moments Of human agony,  Of living with fullness, With earnestness, With prayer, With love. Love is love because I have been lost and found... And not because lost at all... There is  celebration  Because, I am back home... I have come home! I sti...