Bhagavan Ramana/Happy New Year

[Guest guest]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

 

I am still out of town and checking the list mail from the web now

and then. Will be back around January 21.

 

This last year, and especially last semester, was unusual and

difficult one for me on many levels. On September 11, one of my

former students, along with her boyfriend (who was also one of our

college alumni) happened to be on one of the planes that crashed into

the world trade center. As I looked into my old grade roster, I saw

the name of the student and the grade that she had gotten. On seeing

the mother of the student and not knowing how to console her for her

loss, I took out the grade roster and showed it to her and said that

her daughter had been a good student. The mother on seeing her

daughter's name glowed with the most beautiful smile.

 

Later in the semester my daughter Mira was born, among very

complicated circumstances, 7 weeks earlier than expected. We watched

with some concern her initial struggle to gain weight as she faced

the usual issues children born a bit early do. Again, I thought about

the precious beauty of life and the opportunity we are given to love.

I saw the extreme affection showered on Mira by her older siblings

who held her. Mira receives on an average 800 plus kisses (that's a

rough estimate) a day from her brother and sister. She seems to take

it all in stride, mostly smiling, and at times puzzled by all the

commotion.

 

As the year ends, I feel grateful for many things in life, especially

the friendship and fellowship of the spiritual sangha. Once when my

teacher visited Sri Ramana, the sage was keeping silent and would not

speak. When asked about the highest state, Bhagavan simply pointed to

the sky and then to his Heart and smiled.

 

In my early adolescence, I used to read many books by spiritual gurus

and scholars. Once my teacher told me to read about Ramana Maharshi

and I purchased the "Talks....". How does one describe magic?

 

Sages tell us that in life, most fruits are bitter sweet. But the

fruits of spiritual fellowship and meditation on the Self are sweet

only.

 

I would like to wish you all, all the sweetness in the world.

 

God bless everyone with all good things in life and with peace, good

will, and amity.

 

Love to all

Harsha