Dear Folks,

I feel very guilty when I realize that I haven't posted anything from the past three months. I have a firm belief that one should start something new, only if the person is determined to continue the effort. I have miserably failed in this regard with respect to this blog and I promise to be more diligent in the future.

I was reading an article by Swami Visharadanand in the newspaper where he talks about the main cause of suffering. I want to share an excerpt from the article with you all.

"The main cause of suffering is the confusion about our own identity. Everyone suffers from some sort of inferiority complex or continuous feeling of inadequacy. All our worldly desires such as the desire to make money or to occupy an important position or to look beautiful are in the direction of an attempt to get over this feeling of inadequacy or smallness. But even after fulfilling these desires we thirst for more. This is so, because fulfilling desires is only symptomatic relief to cure the feeling of inadequacy; it is not a long term cure. The long term cure is in understanding who we are and why we feel small".

We are not contented with what we have and always compare with others thereby loosing our peace of mind. But contentment is not an item that you can pick from a grocery store. It takes lifetimes to be contented with what we have. But at least the knowledge that contentment is the key to happiness will put us on the right track.

It is Christmas time already. It brings out fond memories of my college days when we used to celebrate in a very grand fashion. We used to learn carols and sing on the Christmas morning. I still remember a few carols.....
I had the opportunity to witness white Christmas when I was in Lubbock, Texas. The sight of snowfall on a cold Christmas morning is hauntingly beautiful.
I wanted to post something regarding the spirit of Christmas and was browsing the internet for some material. My friend sent me an email which contained this story. I was very moved when I read it and I felt it would be very appropriate for me to share the same with you all.

The "W" in Christmas

Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience.

I had cut back on nonessential obligations - extensive card writing,
endless baking, decorating, and even overspending.

Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the
precious family moments, and of course, the true meaning of
Christmas.

My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting
season for a six year old.

For weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for his school's "Winter Pageant."

I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working the night of the
production. Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his
teacher. She assured me there'd be a dress rehearsal the morning of the
presentation.

All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then.

Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise.

So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes
early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room, I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats.

As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song.

Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the
holiday as "Christmas," I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial entertainment songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer.

So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I was slightly taken aback by its bold title.

Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy mittens, red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads.

Those in the front row- center stage - held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title of the song.

As the class would sing "C is for Christmas," a child would hold up the
letter C. Then, "H is for Happy," and on and on, until each child holding up his portion had presented the complete message, "Christmas Love."

The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; a
small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down - totally unaware her letter "M" appeared as a "W".

The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one's mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall, proudly holding her "W".

Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together.

A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen.

In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for our festivities.

For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear:



"C H R I S T W A S L O V E"


And, I believe, He still is.


Amazed in His presence... .humbled by His love.

Again, HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS SEASON!

Signing off for now.
Krishna