Swami was preparing for a 10K run in three months. Over the last couple of weekends, while having his coffee, he had complained to us about how big a war it seemed to him. “Why don’t you ask Sam to help?” Jigneshbhai asked him over coffee the last time. “Sam doesn’t realise it. He is … Read more
The Secret of Work: Chapter excerpts from Karma Yoga – from the Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda Vol 1. Excerpts are reproduced below: *** Spiritual knowledge is the only thing that can destroy our miseries for ever; any other knowledge satisfies wants only for a time. It is only with the knowledge of the spirit … Read more
The rhythm and movement of the truck in which they had put my cage made it difficult for me to read the headlines of the newspaper lying outside. I tried hard to concentrate and finally read it. “Leopard spotted in apartment complex,” it said, and it had my photo next to it. I had appeared … Read more
“If Warren Buffett wasn’t as wealthy, would we take his advice on getting wealthy seriously?” Jigneshbhai asked us while sipping his coffee the other day. Swami wasn’t eating or drinking anything as he was on a fast as advised by his fitness trainer. So he answered in a flash. “Maybe, but I am not sure,” … Read more
Just a note to let you know that my latest book “Potpourri: A Motley Bunch of Short and Long Stories” is now available. It is a collection of Thirty One Stories of varying sizes – some of them very short (less than 1000 words) and some quite long (up to 9000 words). The topics in … Read more
“Doctors treat the disease in the body. Nurses administer the treatment to the body and mind. But when nothing works, it is the Ayah that keeps body, mind and soul together.” As I walked in for my first day at medical college, I read this quote as I entered the premises. The grave of a … Read more
My notes from ‘Vedanta: Voice of Freedom” – a selected compilation from the Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda. “Raja Yoga” – Chapter Highlights reproduced below: *** The teachers of the science of raja yoga declare not only that religion is based upon the experience of ancient times, but that no man can be religious until … Read more
Swami Vivekananda on Intellect: Intellect can never become inspired; only the heart when it is enlightened, becomes inspired. An intellectual, heartless man never becomes an inspired man. Follow the heart. A pure heart sees beyond the intellect; it gets inspired; it knows things that reason can never know, and whenever there is conflict between the … Read more
“Are we rich or poor? My son asked me yesterday,” Swami said while having his coffee the other day. Jigneshbhai and I were engrossed in the muffin at that time. Jigneshbhai looked up with a smile and asked, “What did you tell him then?” “I didn’t answer. I appeared to be busy,” Swami replied. “Hmm. … Read more