In presenting a reflective account of his personal journey, the author shares that patience, acceptance, appreciation, perseverance, determination and self-awareness are some of the qualities essential to cultivate if one aspires for developing greater concentration.
Developing Concentration: A Personal Journey Read More »
The same word Gladius is the root for gladiator, a fighter who fights against wild beasts with the help of his sword. A sword by itself wields no strength, unless the hand that holds it has immense courage. While the gladiator has the courage to receive the wild beasts knowing he can fight against them with total strength and surrender, a man who is on a spiritual quest does the same and is no less than a gladiator.
The Sword-Lily: Of Gladiators and Receptivity Read More »
In addition to exploring Gratitude in a variety of hues, the issue also features pieces on the inner significance of Navaratri, the festival of Devi, and the cultural significance of Ramayana. Other highlights include a reflection on patriotism and leadership in the light of recent events in Afghanistan, and ‘The Real Gandhi’, an insightful essay approved by Sri Aurobindo.
A Deep, Intense, Constant and Total Gratitude Read More »
In these passages from the Mother’s works, we find a rich variety of the various hues of the soul-quality that is gratitude. Gratitude that helps us connect with the Divine, that is a humble recognition of all that the Divine has done and is doing for us, that helps us cure our egoism, the movement that can bring us unalloyed joy.
Gratitude, a Hue of the Essential Vibration of Love Read More »
In these passages, the Mother guides us that in order to accept the Grace with a pure feeling of gratitude, one must have a certain inner humility which makes one recognise one’s helplessness without the Divine Grace. She also points out that for most people blows in life are needed to know to the very depths that there is no entity without the Divine Consciousness and the Grace.
Grace and Gratitude – Words of the Mother Read More »
Through this delightful little story written by the Mother in French sometime between 1893 and 1912, we recognise how gratitude is generally the most neglected virtue.
The Virtues – A Gratitude Story Told by the Mother Read More »
In our flower-meditation series, Sheeba Naaz reflects on her own experience and a few other gratitude stories she has heard and witnessed around her. She reminds us that it is not really the happiness which makes us feel grateful but on the contrary it is gratefulness that makes us happy. The Mother’s ‘handkerchief’ story also finds a special place of honour in this beautiful piece.
Morning Glory and the Varied Colours of Gratitude Read More »
An interesting fable from the Panchatantra which illustrates the spontaneous gratefulness of an animal which is often found missing in man.
The Grateful Beasts and the Ungrateful Man – A Story from the Panchatantra Read More »
A heartfelt reflection by Shiva Kumar which makes the reader feel grateful for witnessing through his words an experience of the Divine Friend whispering of Love and life as a means to seek that Love.
“I Had a Dream. . .” – See That Smile Behind the Whisper Read More »