Gerald D'Cunha

“Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.” Socrates W ell, let’s accept the fact, that none of us here, on this planet, knows everything. And, none of us is fully prepared for the onslaught of change. But, learning has, always, been the outcome of our childlike curiosity, our sense of wonder and our ability to take risks by walking the less-trodden path. This was so since the beginning of time… It’s the quest that has been driving man to learn more and more and more. Therefore, the time we now live in – time of Information Technology – is not the end of Time… It’s just one more passage of time. You and I are simply happened to be here through this passage… Yes, let’s accept the fact, that, today, the information and knowledge are available ready on the platter for each one of us… They are right there at our fingertips. If any of us is still complaining, he/she being plain lazy… It’s an excuse. We all can make the best use of the inform...

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...

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...

Will fear go from my life? Will anger go? Will jealousy go? Will insecurity and greed go? Will lust and guilt go? Well, if these weren’t present in me, I wouldn’t have asked these questions, here… And, if they hadn’t bogged me down, I wouldn’t have bothered about them… Yes, because my life has all of them – fear, anger, greed, lust, jealousy and insecurity… because my well-being and confidence are hugely affected by them… I, frequently, ask the questions: “Will they go?”… “Will my life be free from all these ‘demons’?”…”Will I be confident, happy?” In life, some things are certain: Every tunnel has to have an end… Every dark cloud has to have a silver lining. Yes, every thought of despair should promise me hope… Fear should promise me courage… Lust, greed, jealousy and insecurity should promise me freedom… Anger should bring the promise of compassion… Death has to promise me Life… Hell has to promise me Heaven… Yes, these are some cert...