He is forever free who has broken out of the ego-cage of I and mine to be united with the Lord of Love. This is the supreme state. Attain thou this and pass from death to immortality.
Bhagavad Gita (chapter 2)
Thought For The Day #6
Reply
Thought For The Day #5
The five elements each have a characteristic that affects and attracts one of the five senses. The ether as sound fascinates the mind through the ear; air as touch draws the mind to itself through the skin; fire as form manipulates the mind in its favour through the eye; water as taste enslaves the mind through the tongue; and earth as smell intoxicates the mind through the nose. The senses interact with the external world and produce experiences which yield joy or grief. Falsely identifying himself with the senses, man suffers in the coils of attachment. He does not realize that he is neither the body nor the senses, that he is Brahman (Godhead) himself.
Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba
Thought For The Day #4
Throughout the dramas of our many lives, only God remains as our closest friend. He watches our progress and patiently waits for us to turn toward him. He watches and provides us with opportunities to develop love and wisdom. He encourages us to cast off desire and attachment to fleeting objects. He alone is our lasting treasure; all other possessions are like the wealth of a dream. We find no true rest until we return to him.
Jonathan Roof
Thought For The Day #3
Go within the Self, closing the door of the senses and their involvement with the restless world, and God will reveal to you all his wonders.
Paramahansa Yogananda
Thought For The Day #2
Paramahansa Yogananda explains to us how having steadfast faith in God sustains us throughout our lives. Extract from The Self-Realization Fellowship book, Living Fearlessly
In San Fransisco (in 1925), I had only $200 in the bank and was about to begin a lecture campaign. I had not enough money even to make a start; and many large bills had to be paid. I said “God is with me. He has given me this trouble and He will look after me. I am doing His work; I know he will help me.” If the whole world forsakes you, but you know that He is with you, His law will work its wonders for you.
When my secretary came to me and I told him how much money we had in the bank, he literally colapsed on the floor. I said “get up.” He was shaking: “We are going to jail for not paying our bills!” I said “we are not going to jail. In seven days we will have all the money we need for the campaign.”
He was a doubting Thomas, but I had faith. I was not in need of money for any gain of my own, but to spread God’s work. I had no fear, even for the enormity of my troubles. Fear is afraid of me. What is there to fear? Nothing should give you fear. Face all troubles with faith in God and you will conquer.
Bhagavad Gita says: “With heart absorbed in Me, and by My grace, thou shalt overcome all impediments. And think of it! I was walking in front of the Palace Hotel when an elderly woman came up to me and said, “Can I talk with you?” We exchanged a few words then out of the blue she said, “I have money to burn, Can I help you?”
I replied, “I don’t need your money. Why should you offer money to me when you don’t know me?” She answered, “But I do know you; I have heard so much about you.” And right there she wrote out a cheque for $27,000. I saw in that the hand of God.
I live by faith in God. My power is God. I do not believe in any other power. As I concentrate on that Power, it works through me. That power of God is working with you also. You will see it is so if you have faith and know that prosperity comes not from material sources but from God.
Thought For The Day #1
A Reason For Everything
Universal Nature felt an impulse to create the universe; and now everything that comes into being follows as a necessary consequence. If this wasn’t so, then even the main purpose that the ruling power of the universe directs its own impulse towards would be lacking in reason.
To remember this helps you face uncertainty with tranquility
Marcus Aurelius
Missing Words
Dear Friends
I am aware that I have been a bit quiet on the blog front lately, having not written an article for over two weeks. There have been a number of distractions and I’m also working on an exciting project at the moment (watch this space for news and updates). In view of the lack of recent blog action on my part I have decided, that from tomorrow, I will be posting my daily thought for the day on this blog, instead of on social media. That way there will be a daily blog post and I will also intersperse these daily thoughts with articles. I currently have an article in mind that I know you will find interesting and I hope that I will have the time to write it by the end of the coming weekend.
Thanks for supporting my work!
Richard
Guest Writer
The latest guest to tread the boards on my blog is Author Sheryl Browne and I’m sure you’ll be interested to read all about her and her latest book.
Author Biography – Sheryl Browne
Now residing in Worcestershire, Sheryl grew up in Birmingham, UK, where she studied Art & Design. She wears many hats: a partner in her own business, a mother, and a foster parent to disabled dogs, currently giving home to a feisty, but partially blind, midget Jack Russell and an OAP cross collie/lab.
Creative in spirit, Sheryl has always had a passion for writing. A full member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association for some years, she has previously been published in the US and writes Romantic Comedy because, as she puts it, “life is just too short to be miserable.”
Sheryl’s new novel, RECIPES FOR DISASTER, has just been released by Safkhet Publishing. Recipes for Disaster is deliciously different; fun recipes combined with romantic comedy make this book unique and cater to the romantic comedy and cookery readers at the same time. A man’s point of view also appeals to male readers who want to cook or learn how. The book had a wonderful reception in its first week on the market: over 5,000 Kindle copies sold!
A word from the publisher: Sheryl originally approached Safkhet with her book previously published in the US. She knew Safkhet had no list for the type of book and yet was not quite ready to give up hope. Kim, the editor who received her submission, loved her writing style and asked if she would like to write a romantic comedy cookbook. Having just the recipe names to work with, Sheryl gave it a go and managed to convince everybody else on the Safkhet team that a new imprint was needed. An imprint for Sheryl’s books and more just like it. Something to cheer up the reader, something bright and something that combines fun reading with recipes.
Safkhet signed Sheryl for three more books to be released within the next 18 months. They will all be published both in print and for the Kindle. Safkhet will soon accept submissions for this new imprint; up to four titles are planned for publication per year.
LINKS:
http://www.safkhetpublishing.com/books/soul/9781908208057/Recipes_for_Disaster.html
Website: www.sherylbrowne.com
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Recipes-for-Disaster/245372252189480
Romantic Novelists’ Association
http://www.romanticnovelistsassociation.org/index.php/about/author/sheryl_browne
A loveahappyending featured Author http://loveahappyending.com/sheryl-browne/
Twitter: @sherylbrowne
Guest Writer
Today I welcome Author Darlene Jones to my blog, and she’s going to introduce her book to us.
EMBATTLED by Darlene Jones
A long time ago, I lived in Mali. Every single day, I wished I could wave a magic wand to relieve the heart wrenching poverty. My experiences there led to the writing of this story. Some aspects of EMBATTLED reflect my desire to wave that wand and make the world a better place—if only wishes could come true. And of course, every novel needs its love story, so along with the sci-fi magic, I’ve added the requisite romance.
Em’s life is taken over by “beings out there somewhere.”
- Yves, the “being” in question, gives Em,
a) the power to speak any language as soon as she hears it,
b) the ability to make people do whatever she says,
c) a shield to make her invincible.
- In this new life Yves has given her, Em has no knowledge of,
a) her true identity,
b) her family or friends,
c) her job as a junior high school principal.
- EMBATTLED is,
a) a sci-fi adventure story,
b) an action story,
c) a love story.
- EMBATTLED also deals with the weighty human issue of,
a) war,
b) war,
c) war.
d) All of the above.
With blood on her hands, strange words coming out of her mouth, and her face all over the media, Em knows that she did stop the jungle battle, storm into the armed courtroom, face and defeat the zealot soldiers. But, “working” for the powers controlling her, she is haunted with not knowing about or being connected to her own life. And, at some point she will have to decide which of her two lives are her true destiny.
Yves has his own set of problems as a rookie learning to be a Power, trying to communicate with Em, facing her doubts and questions as well as his own, and struggling to control the onslaught of emotions that arise from his association with humans. He risks losing his chance for advancement, his chance to free his people, even his life, by falling in love with Em.
http://emandyves.wordpress.com www.emandyves.com
A loveahappyending.com featured Author
Interfaith Prayer Meeting – Bath Guildhall 5 February 2012
Dear Friends
It gives me great pleasure to be able to share with you the write-up of the interfaith prayer meeting held in Bath on 5 February 2012.
REGION 7: Mayor of Bath’s Annual Call To Prayer to all Faith groups
For the last ten years the Sai Baba organization, along with representatives from seven major faiths, have been asked to make a short presentation at this annual event in the splendid Guildhall. This year the theme was ‘Bath’s Industrial Heritage’ which was challenging to say the least!
The Mayor opened the event and called upon the Mayor’s Chaplain to MC the proceedings. The Reverend welcomed the audience drawn from Bath and the surrounding region and expressed happy surprise that extra chairs had to be brought in, despite the snow, to seat the large number assembled.
The Christian Youth representatives from St Saviour’s led the way by summarizing their activities and core values. They welcomed all to visit their church and enjoy their most valued sense of community and love of Christ Jesus.
The Jewish tradition followed with a vibrantly sung prayer drawn from the Torah with a brief explanation.
This was followed by Ruhi, a 4th generation Bah’ai who gave a brief history of her faith and heartfelt reading and song.
Then came the Islamic faith group who led a question and answer dialogue, mentioning that there are between 1200-1500 Muslims in Bath and informing us of the local Islamic tradition of the city.
They were followed by Arun Bedi from Swindon who led the Sikh tradition’s contribution. He explained the potency of the 2 primary symbols of Sikhism and the power of Aum. He finished by chanting and translating a prayer.
Buddhism followed with another question and answer dialogue led by a monk from the Bristol Buddhist Centre, and then we enjoyed a beautifully sung Liberating prayer blessing in English.
We were then treated to a sweet rendition of the Gayatri mantra and a bhajan led by Satyen Gadher and his group of young Hindu children who, in their beautiful colourful dress, lit up the proceedings with deep heart and respect.
To close the proceedings and before we broke for tea and mingling came the Sai Baba group with our Sarvadharma. Knowing the Mayor’s love of song, we wanted to get everyone singing and so kept our presentation to a minimum, focussing on the Universality of Swami’s message and the commonality of His teachings with those of other traditions. Without God, without Love and without Service there would be no Industrial Heritage in Bath, regardless of the faith and beliefs of those who created this magnificent city.
It was heartwarming to see many in the audience joining in with a couple of devotional songs with which we concluded the proceedings, accompanied by Kathryn Crosweller on the guitar :
Happy are they who in friendship willingly work together …who in peace united willingly work together.
And to finish, the rousing song Let the Love we’re sharing spread its wings, fly across the earth and bring new joy to every soul who is alive…Samasta Loka Sukhino Bhavantu….
Afterwards, the Lib Dem MP of Bath, the Honourable Don Foster, who had been singing at the top of his voice, told Clare that he thought everyone in the UK should be encouraged to sing this song regularly…!
The event aims to bring together all the various faiths so that the promotion of common values and purpose can be shared and felt. To this end much was achieved this year. There was a definite feeling of tolerance, understanding, mutual co-operation and appreciation of each other’s spiritual paths.
It’s also a wonderful networking opportunity and most of us enjoyed interesting conversations with those from other faiths. A representative from the Islamic, Buddhist and Ba’hai groups have each accepted an invitation to come to our Sunday Study Circle to speak on a chosen theme of their particular tradition. This outstretched hand of welcome and friendship is as our Sai would hope and expect of us and we look forward to further extending this sense of sharing and openness to other groups.
Roland Pargeter, Bath Sai Group.
Author - Richard F Holmes 