GIVING ALMS OF WHAT IS WITHIN YOU Luke . 11: 40, 41

From the desk of Mrs. Baby Abraham . . . . . .

GIVING ALMS OF WHAT IS WITHIN YOU  Luke . 11: 40, 41

Did not He who made the outside , make the inside also.

---BUT RATHER  GIVE ALMS OF SUCH THINGS AS YOU HAVE ; THEN INDEED  ALL THINGS ARE CLEAN TO YOU .

When we sing, we give expression of what is within you , the talent to sing.

When you  do the surgery and heal a patient, you are giving expression to the healing power and that also in the most beautiful  artistic way  that leave no scar or minimum scar without any disfigurement. When you construct a building, make it with utmost skill and efficiency that the owners will not have to spent far more on repair work constantly on the new building.  How much check and recheck  is done before launching the satellite vehicles because we take PRIDE in the successful launching which will be noticed by the whole world  and the vast amount of money spent for it.  As long as  we value others , their life, their dignity, their possessions, their skills, everything is smooth. Any no encroachment as is done at the border areas or line of control ,  the unseen border remain intact upholding the dignity of every human being. If the encroachments on land can precipitate great wars ,even world wars, how much more when the ego is violated and mangled and thrashed. The divine spark is not something to be trampled upon. People may say that it is our tradition to treat and behave in certain manner, but may not be acceptable for all who have to bear the brunt of it , that also for no fault of theirs !!!

     What is  our external possession  ? Land, houses, factories, gold,  silver, coal and mineral mines etc

What is it that is within you ?  Only each one of us know what is within our own mind. Others will recognize it by our word, our dealings and actions . If it is beneficial to our own self and to others, there is peace in family and society and nation. If we have jealousy, hatred,  we know how the whole society reel under them.  All qualities is under our control. If we want, we can be good, if we prefer to act against, we  violate our own self and the freedom and liberty of our fellow human beings and nature. All depends on how we use our power and authority.

   When someone ask for money, we give monetary aid.  In our everyday life we conduct every thing with a generous mind and with great magnanimity. If we

continue that behavior , peaceful countries emerge without any extra effort.

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From the desk of Mrs. Baby Abraham . . . . . .

                          THE TREE OF LIFE

Revelation 2;7 , Genesis 2:9 , Genesis  3 : 22

  How to partake of the communion and companionship by living in sincerity and faithfulness !! Most often even when we are given over and above  of all our wishes and dreams, we still engage in secret relationships and secret dealings in business and in politics which mar the entire community. This is revealed in Revelation 2:7 , something which was prepared and kept for us from the veryh beginning, and something which could only be handed over to the concerned person only on maturity and when they have the power to overcome temptations and trials and  be steadfast in character   and personality.  F            or the overcomers, the very first thing granted was the ‘ FRUIT OF THE TREE OF LIFE “ which was in the midst of the Paradise of God . Today if we do  an analysis and research, how many will be eligible and worthy as overcomers to be granted this honor.  Are we strong to resist temptations of all nature.  All the heritage and treasures of our father and mother, even though we are entitled to receive , do they pass it on if we are not trustworthy. How much more the spiritual gifts.  When we acquire land in forest areas ,  the people put in extra effort to make the land profitable . If it is land or institutions inherited, still so much vigilant work has to be put in to make it more prosperous and more productive.  The material things can be done with the help of outside agencies. Eating from the tree of life or eating daily meals, cannot be done by one person so that the benefit is received by  another person. If it were so , the poor people would never have felt hunger or thirst by being enriched by the consumption of food by other people. But it never happens that way. If one child learns well in a class of sixty or seventy children , only that particular child score high marks. Only if each and everyone do their work diligently, they can score highly.

  Here how long we had to wait to eat from the tree of life even  though it was ready for us  from the foundation of the earth. Even now , all nations in all continents are so enriched with  abundant of natural resources and minerals,

See the per capita income, the comfort and the luxuries they enjoy. It is poverty amidst abundant wealth.  All the mountains and valleys are rich in themselves. All the countries in Africa are heavily laden with diamond, rubies, emeralds, minerals, oil and gas, trees which are hundreds of years old . But the state of affairs of the population there  are miserable . the reason is lack of knowledge, skill and organization , mechanical know how and lack of administrative power

to initiate and progress in the right manner. People find it difficult to maintain the already well established organizations, then how much more difficult it will be for the people where literacy rate is very low. South Africa, Namibia and other countries while enriching other nationalities who could excavate all the mines

remained backward  and without much progress . It is not the availability of riches, it the wise use of what you have that make life rich and enjoyable and worthwhile. Contentment is the sum total of what you have and how you use it

whether the possession is large or small.

Even now when education is free for all, how many are enthusiastic about availing of this opportunity. The tradition of preventing children, specially girls is so deep rooted that it requires extra will power to  cultivate and accept the broad mindedness of  accepting the progress of our own children , whether boys or girls.  No wonder the Creator hesitated to expose the wisdom to his creation who are rebellious and reluctant to accept righteous instructions and dignified ways of living . Creative ingenuity and progressive divine lifestyle is an abhor to many,

They would rather go to atrocities and laugh loudly when they watch the gasping children form the chemical  lethal gas administration  as is administered in

Syria . Unless the divinity in us is awakened, no material prosperity can solve the burning issues facing our planet . Each experimental explosions  kills millions of animals, fishes and other sea and land  and air creatures. When the bomb explodes in villages and towns, we see the after effects. When the explosions are done in sea or underground, those inhabitants there are annihilated, only that we do not see with our eyes.  Every time we dig the soil we see the earth worms and beetles, and other creatures. Deep sea or underground land areas also are habitat of so many other creatures. Who cares for them. What is right in front of us , we care little. What is beyond our view, we do not even fathom the destruction of such enormous nature. The tree of life, that is the divine wisdom is so precious. Are we mature enough to understand even a tiny bit of it .  We prefer to have gestures and sign language and splitting the spelling of words and understanding the meaning . No body is bothered about the inner eye, the inner wisdom, the enlightenment ,  the wholesome meaning which reveals far more than what is  seen outwardly. All who have studied the Shakespearian plays will understand what is the outward meaning and the inner meaning of his expressions. How much more the Scriptures , if we takes them seriously. Lightly taken, they are wonderful stories for rainy days . No wonder even after so many centuries, we are still pondering over the deep unfathomable  underlying wisdom of the divine Scriptures . The year long concentrated preparation and coaching for all the entrance exams, for employment interviews, for the higher educations  when compared to the scanty glancing over the scriptures reveals the contrast in its result.     It is self-explanatory.

Those who are highly educated, do their thinking, actions, judgments, administrations keep up higher standard from the rest of the population who look up to them for guidance, assistance, direction in various fields. Their facial expression, vocabulary, gestures, verdicts on very important matters  give evidence to their inner ideology  and tactics  . If excellent guidance is given, they can really make wonders  among all strata of population, once these percolate to all strata of society. Therefore education, that is imparting knowledge is the only way to disperse the genuine correct wisdom of all subjects. The hindrance is that even when offered free , with free books, uniform, nutritious meals,  acceptance and continued attendance faces stumbling blocks , just because of the tradition of ignorance, stubbornness  and neglect of certain sections of society . Who can find a solution  ????

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THE PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF RITUALS IN CHILDREN AND ADULTS

From the desk of Mrs. Baby Abraham . . . . . .

THE PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF  RITUALS IN CHILDREN AND ADULTS

The character of your models, idols,  heroes and heroines has tremendous impact on us.  The memory of good as well as  horrible experiences we undergo leave  lasting impressions on our minds whether we are children or adults. Can money erase it . Can a present of computer or Laptop erase it . Till your last breath the pain, the sarcasm ,  the tears, the agony, the aching throb of your heart will not leave you. Same way the congratulations , awards ( even that some people detest and make fun of us ,  ut when they themselves get it , it is commendable and acceptable  ! ) trophies and accolades .  Our worship practices , whether in churches, temples, mosques or gurudwaras  , do they comfort us  so that we look forward to going there again for more of “ such blessing experiences “ . When we remember those experiences , do our heart swell with thankfulness or do we scream at the very remembrance of it and shudder at the very glimpse of  “ those performers “.

        Spirituality  is not for painful  experiences. All the saints and sages  have peace in true spirituality. How did Swami Vivekananda  practiced spirituality ?

Nationally and internationally Swami Vivekananda is held in high respect.

But when he came to Kerala, he said it a house of mad people . Are we trying to prove it ????          At one time Kerala was God’s  own country.  Where is it  heading to now ?  How can God’s own country become devil’s   own country.  Mahabali  is no more acceptable here. Vamanan is reigning . But does Vamanan still use vulgarity and virtueless mode of behavior he did on Mahabali .    Kindness and generosity and upholding noble values  are replaced by crying, screaming , weeping and agony. Where can we find the smile and laughter of our beloved children. They are the witnesses and the sufferers of this    worshipping practices to please  these so called gods who take pleasure in the pain and crying of innocent children and others .    Will they ever have a grateful heart towards this evil god .   

If only we understand the very true meaning of godliness, we would have recognized that God has godliness . That recognition solves all problems and misunderstanding . God is the EPITOME of godliness.  There is no higher godliness and goodness anywhere in the world than what God represent. .  How can we misrepresent goodness and godliness as evil . . That is the greatest atrocity .  Will God forgive you since we do not speak what is true about God ? If we say poojaries are not good, will the poojaries accept it  , how  much more will God detest the evil performance they do as if told by God. How their tender hearts are torn forever. Will they ever forget this one week of rituals. For pongal even the cows and bullocks are decorated and fed well. Look what we are giving to our own children. All our noble behavior is for outsiders !!! If only all men and women and children give little noble behavior to family members also... it would have made our families heaven. That is the only way to bring heaven on earth. It is in our own hands. We make our own home heaven or hell , happy and contented or sad and weeping .  Sometimes we make other people’s  home hell for them when murder, rape, beating or pelting stones take place. How sad . Can we prevent it forever. In heaven there is no cry . Therefore if any one cry for atrocities any where, we can never achieve the complete harmony. It is a real herculean task. But if we, each one do our own little part, in our own house, in our own school, in our own office, factory, hospital, worshipping places, we create a small heaven  of our own. When all make their own little heaven, the whole nation is transformed into one contented harmonious place   called heaven where righteousness and justice dwell together.

       Are we becoming sophisticated or barbarians .  When the foreigners read about our Yoga centers and ritual torture ( worship )    they are forced to rewrite their high opinion about our God’s own  country.   In other parts of the world , wherever these sort of practices were prevalent, they gave up all that  and became so loving and tender hearted, caring one  another, taking care of children as their precious possession. Will any one do this sort of acts to their car, motor bike, house,  school building, hospital building etc . When people do this sort of atrocity to buses,. Cars, public property, we condemn them. Are our children of less value than our bike or car or pen or books or dress or slippers.

       This bring our attention to   the value of healthy family life , spiritual life, moral life. Our spiritual leaders should be held responsible for these practices. This is the beginning of bringing back  “ so many other traditions “  which we had eradicated when we  and our true political and religious leaders were aware of the wickedness in them.  Are they still thirsting for such practices…  What will Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Gandhiji , Nehru, Swami Vivekananda,  Pundit Rama Bai, Tagore etc  comment or commend !!! on these practices.  If only our spirit and soul respond to divinity, and spirituality as Swami Vivekanda advocated , all outward expression would have become in proper alliance with all relationships, religious and spiritual and above all social .          It will be reflected  in every family.

On one side we are progressing in artificial intelligence, digitalization,  space technology and on the other side we  restart  the most painful religious practices . Are we and our children so bad that we need these sort of thing to correct ourselves. Can we determine in our own  mind to do the righteous things and follow that. If we ask Swami Vivekananda, his opinion about these religious practices or Dalai Lama , his opinion, what will be their answers ?

Whenever we have any doubt in anything, not only religious, but medical, or agriculture or education, just pause for a minute and in your mind envision someone, a saint, sage or most proficient personality in that particular subject or Adi Sankara, and ask them that question. Wait for  the answer. You will find your answer. The answer is at hand. Ask and you will get it. If you have trust in them and not try to fool them. Just have that hopeful expectation in the most trusted way for your problems, life’s problems. You will find it. That does not mean that the children should not study but simply ask or that the workers should not do the work properly and simply ask. The fundamental good qualities are embedded in your mind from childhood. Our parents have sowed them in your mind. They are lying dormant there  and when we ponder over it , suddenly it comes     in a burst to help us, guide us and lead us in the correct path.

May our people be truly enlightened to know what is right and what is wrong.

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INTELLIGENT WORSHIP

From the desk of Mrs. Baby Abraham . . . . . .

INTELLIGENT WORSHIP

We acknowledge that we have inherited the qualities and genes of our parents, grandparents and great grandparents. W e take pride in  their achievements and virtues and traditions .  We try to follow their paths.  Gandhiji ’s children  would try to follow  his path. Will the children of Hitler, Lenin, Stalin  etc would like to follow their fathers path. Every human being has good and bad characteristics. When we prevent good from being expressive, then the  not good invariably comes out.  Just as , if it is not hot , it is cold. If it is dark, there is no light. And if there is light, darkness cannot be revealed.  It is only that we overpower the bad qualities , the virtuous has space to project itself from under the tyranny of  the wicked one . Sometimes  we are provoked continuously  with the intention of  making us go astray and commit such wickedness on the spur of the moment and then  make us feel as if we are not worthy to be called a good human being. Then as Father Damian said, “ Hello, brothers and sisters  ,  and when he also got leprosy, he addressed them “ we lepers “  . ( When we are  tormented till we utter that which is not worthy to be uttered, then the tormentors can say, we , tormenters .)

Till then Father Damian was different. He was not a leper. This is what is happening to our children in peer groups which have all bad habits. They force others    into their fold , forcing  and pouring their wickedness all over them to make everyone of the same condition . Then they can proudly say we are one !!!

If it good , then also we can say, we are one.

         How much we value our parents and teachers, determines to a certain

degree  how we project our inheritance of their fine qualities . All religion , in  their very essence, are so noble and virtuous and sacred. Our character and conduct depends on our level of understanding , it has nothing to do with the basic scriptures which is a absolutely pure. When we are asked a question in politics or biology or any subject, our answer varies according to our  level and standard of valuation.

But the correct answer cannot be more than one.

There is only one correct answer .

There can be hundreds of wrong answers.

            The choice is ours …

            Now, we believe that   divinity is within each one of us , whether we suppress it or nurture it. Godliness is within each of us, whether we suppress it or nurture it. When we behave worthlessly, that  gentle spirit depart from us .

The wicked spirit will be so happy to occupy that space in our heart. The choice is ours. Only where there is wholehearted welcome and appreciation can the  holy spirit make its dwelling place there.  No wonder we avoid enemy territory.

If we behave bad, our parents will say,  “  how come you are my child. How can you do such a thing. “  When we purposely do bad, the divinity is us say ,” how

can you do such a thing in my presence . “ That is our divine conscience.

When we lift our hearts and minds to higher level of spirituality, there is no strife and friction and disharmony. On that level, our spirit, mind, and soul             , that is our divine nature is blended perfectly , harmoniously , intellectually, intelligently  , emotionally, raised to that perfect co-ordinated sphere and is at perfect peace.

If there is a meeting, where all who are  talking abusive words, who would want to go there willingly to receive all these derogative welcoming words. Why cause so much trouble to them and force them to commit sin by your presence which they detest. By all means , we must be considerate to them and should not tempt them to sin with their lips.

When the harmonious state is achieved, the godliness within you is finding expression and they manifest as kind, wise, intelligent, virtuous words and actions and dealings. These expressive  manifestations make people understand  what is spirituality and what is wickedness and vulgarity. Worthy conduct do not call for much preaching. Where worthy expression is not revealed, we have to keep on preaching again and again that we are talking good only. The best examples are  the agricultural promotion campaign and the hartals and strikes in various arenas .  When we do not see what we proclaim, we have to verbally and “  processionally “ and in rallies explain repeatedly to the public that we are helping them , even though they do not see any result !! The false belief of people is that if they repeat the wrong repeatedly, they become true !!

It is high time that we reduce preaching and start high performance, the result of which should make further preaching unnecessary and invalid.            ! Then people will say, we will vote for you because we know we can trust you,. You have already shown us that. No need to preach. With our own eyes we have seen the result.  In our own lives we have experienced all the good things you had in your manifesto. Only become slightly better grandfathers in protecting and providing   urgently needed help for all the tired  and helpless people. Do not play the drama of  “ strange grandfathers” .

Let intelligent worship be practical demonstrations of virtuous lifestyle.

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