Books of Faith
Books I read during our US Trip..
During my recent visit to US and Canada I have compiled some notes from 3 books, which could help lead to contentment, happiness and a purposeful life. I have tried to summarise them, in my own wa, to share the ideas with others. These are only notes of my understanding of the books. I do not take any credit for the ideas, as they are not mine. These notes are dedicated to my friends.
The first book “The Art of Happiness” by Dr.Howard C Cutler MD, an Internationally recognized practicing psychiatrist, based on his extensive interviews and discourses of His Holiness The Dalai Lama.
The second book `A New Earth – Awakening to your Life’s Purpose` by Dr.Eckhart Tolle MD, who is a renowned Spiritual Leader, Author and a practicing Psychiatrist.
The title of the 3rd Book is PURSUED by Rev Jud Wilhite, Senior pastor of Central Christian Church, at Las Vegas, USA.
The book Persued, is based on Prophet Hosea and his marriage to Gomer the prostitute, as ordered by God. This is an illustration of God`s Pursuit of us, in spite of our repeated sins and failings. His grace is radical and His love is as fierce, as it is jealous.
Important concepts or points from all the 3 books have been put together in a short note below. The points from all three books compliment each other and overlap and therefore they are noted at random.
A new born child provides joy and happiness and is not tainted with negative emotions. Gentleness, joy and goodness are fundamental qualities of human beings. Goal of our life should be towards achieving happiness around us- which is the very purpose of life. Happy people are more sociable, flexible, creative, tolerate frustrations, more open and reach out to help others. We are nurtured by others from birth. A child has a calm, affectionate and innocent state of mind. A happy, wholesome and peaceful mind, helps maintain a healthy body and mind. Our affectionate feelings and actions, make us relate to others and give us happiness.
All human beings have the same body mind and emotions and are untainted by negative emotions at birth. Religious, cultural and ethnic differences, are not fundamental traits. People have different traits from their genes and circumstances. If one can accept that all humans are just like you, it is easier to relate to others, with kindness, love and compassion. Being open and sharing, can be very useful for more satisfying, intimate relationships with others. Think how you feel when someone is kind to you. It helps you to be warm and compassionate to others. Try to appreciate the other person’s background before you judge them. Get to know the deeper nature of a person and relate on that level, to build a satisfying relationships. All humans want and have a right to good food, sleep, to be loved, have a shelter etc. Try to see things from the other person’s perspective, to establish a positive relationship.
Happiness is determined by the state of our own mind, than external factors. By mobilizing our thoughts, we can change our brain functions, to enhance our feelings of happiness and reduce negative effects of envy, anger, hatred, fear, greed, frustrations etc.
Unreasonable desires, lead to greed, frustrations and unhappiness. Self satisfaction is not a measure of reasonable desire. True antidote to greed and envy, is contentment. Look at your own blessings, appreciate what you have.
Internal mental outlook is more effective, to achieve happiness than external sources like wealth, success, positions or even health. Inner feeling of contentment is far more important.
Helping others, compassion and altruism are special features of human race.
True compassion is unselfish help, expecting nothing in return- like helping a fish in distress, with a hook in it’s mouth-unable to even express it’s thanks. Such unselfish actions give much inner joy and happiness to the giver.
Tendency to closely bond with others and their welfare is deeply rooted, in human nature. Historical evidence show that solitary Netherlander man perished, under changed environment, but Homo sapiens, our ancestors survived, due to their social skills and group living, helping each other. Close social ties are part of group success and survival of human race. Think how much we are dependent on other people in our life. An apple you buy, involves, retailer, distributor, sorting, storage, handling, transporting, growing, use of machinery, making them, steel making, mining the ore, shipping etc.etc.
Resentment is the emotion that goes with complaining, when you feel bitter, indignant, aggrieved or offended. Often it is a total misinterpretation. Even if there is some fault, by focusing on it, you amplify it. When you complain or react by implication, you are right and the other person or situation is wrong. You should learn to protect you from others, who offend you, without making them your enemies. Do not personalize any offence. Non reaction is not a weakness, but it is strength. Another word for non reaction is forgiveness, which is the essence of human sanity. It requires honesty, to see if you still harbor grievances, that you have not completely forgiven. Be aware of thoughts which keep it alive. Forgiveness happens naturally, when you see that it serves no useful purpose. “Forgive your enemies” is essentially about, undoing the mind,which denies you happiness. Grievance is the baggage of old thoughts and emotions,which stop you from being happy in the present.
God is in every person and all living things. God`s force is holding everything together in the universe. Christian’s accept the `Christ(God) within`- Buddhists call it the `Buddha Nature` and the Hindus `Atman` the indwelling of God. All your actions and relationships should reflect the oneness with God, which you sense deep within. Once you realise that everything in any form are unstable, not permanent, not within your control, peace will arises within you. Then you will be able to relate with compassion, to everyone and everything around you –“the peace that is beyond all human understanding”.
We are dominated by strong attachments to:- my time, my money, my achievements, my heritage, my family, my home, my car etc. We seek approval of others, in our self-centeredness. These are the basic thoughts which encourage forming our strong egos and causing many problems, in our life. Detachment from possessions,is difficult but is essential to control ego and self centeredness in life. It is the key to true happiness.
The true story of a school teacher,riddled with cancer, with only a few months to live, is a great illustration narrated by Dr.Eckhart Tolle, a practicing Psychiatrist. “One day I found her in great distress. Her valuable diamond ring was lost and she was sure it was stolen by her maid, who looks after her. She wanted me to confront her or call the police. I asked her to contemplate, how important the ring or anything else was, at this point in her life. She said it was more than just a ring for her. Her ego was speaking through her. I told her that she has to let go of the ring, some point soon in her life. Will you be less or diminished, when you are soon ready to let go of the ring? She tried to first feel, rather than think the answer. She realized that she will not diminish, but will feel stronger and peaceful to let go her unrealistic attachment to the ring. This is the inner joy, when you get the ring out of your head as a thought and the attachment to it. She thought that part of her, was in the ring. She said that she understood the advice of Jesus ` If someone takes your shirt,let him also have your coat as well`. Letting things go, is an act far greater in power, than defending or hanging on to it.” After she passed away they found her ring in her bathroom medicine cabinet”
How you react to people or situations,when challenged is the best indication, of how deeply you know yourself. See the fullness of life around you. Acknowledge the good that is already in your life and the abundance of grace. You can not receive what you do not give. Knowing the oneness of yourself and others, is true love which will lead to true care and true compassion. Do not carry a heavy mental or emotional burden of the past,in our minds. Learn not to keep unpleasant events, alive in our minds. Return our attention to the pristine, timeless, present moment. Your present perceptions, should not be distorted by the past. The present is when the life is happening- make peace with it- forget and forgive the past. Do not worry about imaginary future or things over which you have no control. Live in the present.
Negative state of our mind – Anger, Anxiety, Hatred, Resentment, Envy, Jealousy, Impatience, Irritation, Protests, Defensiveness, Aggression, Nervousness etc we perceive, are caused by others or by external factors. All of these disrupt our energy flow, affect our heart, immune system, production of enzymes, hormones and bring unhappiness and poor health. Paranoia consists of fictious story, the mind invents to justify underlying fear. It could make life miserable for you and others.
Each one of us are creating hell here on earth- not any one else. We are truly our own enemy.
Jesus said “Heaven is right here in the midst of you” Those who recognize the presence of God in themselves can recognize it in others and all of nature. God`s unfathomable power created the universe and control it. There is God`s power in all of His creation, including the inanimate objects like an atom (an external power holds the atom together). We have the ability to use the power of God in us, to guide and control our lives. We should be able to recognize this common power also in others. We can then live in peace, love and compassion to all and derive the lasting happiness in our life. “Love thy neighbor as thyself” “what you do to the least of these you do it for me” are the core of Christian teaching. Love and compassion is the core of all religions. All religions ask to protect and care for the poor, needy, weak, children, widows and all of nature. All humans are your brothers and neighbors. God is part of all nature and is indwelling in every human being. We are expected to live in accordance to God`s nature, showing love and compassion. We should help the needy now when you are alive on earth. We should not judge others or feel offended by those who are less fortunate. We should derive much joy and happiness by helping others. We should do this now when we are alive by the way we live and not in some imaginary future.
One should be either in a state of acceptance (surrender), enjoyment or enthusiasm to avoid suffering for self and others. You should enjoy what ever you do with a deep sense of aliveness. It should not be just a means to an end. This will improve the quality of your life. Enjoyment combined with a vision provides enthusiasm. What you do should inspire and enrich others around you. The power of God from within you should benefit all. The more you include others the more smoothly things will flow and come to you. Welcome success where ever you see it. Resentment of success of others curtails your own chances of success. Positive emotions strengthen immune system, invigorate and heal the body.
All thoughts of the past or future can only cause unhappiness, anxiety and problems in your life. Getting what you want can also bring unhappiness as not getting what you want. People who have more than what they need are also unhappy. Possessions, achievements, positions, or events can not provide happiness and joy- it emanates from within you. Stephen Hawkins, said on his life `who could have asked for more`, a near total cripple. Non resistance is the key to the greatest power in the universe. There should be joy and aliveness in whatever you do, uncontaminated by negativity.
Resist and avoid reaction when insulted or criticized. You will feel stronger after awhile. “Turn the other cheek”, “deny yourself”,” humble yourself”, “this too will pass” are all wise advice from the Bible.
Fundamental human qualities of love, gentleness and compassion can overcome negative emotions. We can choose our options by evaluating the consequences of our actions. A warm heart with knowledge can respect other’s views and rights. This will resolve conflicts at all levels (personal, family, social, ideological). Anger, violence and aggression are the result of unbalanced, ill informed human thought, leading to conflicts.
Tendency to closely bond with others and their welfare are deeply rooted in basic human nature. Close social ties are part of group success and survival of human race. Those who lack close social ties suffer from poor health, unhappiness and greater vulnerability to stress and poor health. All happiness and life itself depends on many others- others are indispensable as we are so inter dependent. Approach all others with thoughts of compassion, which is the best way to relate to them. Realise the value of compassion in our life and cultivate it.
Conscious decision to seek happiness can change our lives. Happy people spread happiness around them. Ultimate solution to our conflicts at all levels is to return to the underlying gentle and compassionate human nature.
Sooner or later disorder will interrupt every one’s life- in the form of loss, accident, sickness, disability, disappointment, old age or death of dear ones. Accept and align with whatever situations you find yourself. These changes in your life may look negative, but they are for something new to emerge. When you reconcile to uncertainty many new possibilities opens up. Fear no longer prevents you from actions to initiate changes. All things in existence form part of interconnected web. God`s creative empowerment goes far beyond the perceived capability of a person. There are no random events in isolation - they are all part of a divine plan.
Only in the proximity of death, many realise the whole concept of ownership (my – mine etc) stand revealed as ultimately meaningless. A return movement in life starts perhaps with the death of a dear one, slowly shrinking the circle/sphere of influence, physical weakness sets in, and you start feeling less instead of more. You are experiencing the sunset of life and one day you disappear, leaving your arm chair without attachment to your past. Approaching death can become an opening to the realm of God awakening and to the purpose of life. You are going back to where you came from just a few years ago. This can happen anytime. This return journey carries great potential for spiritual awakening.- without which there could be shock, despair and fear. Meaning of success, wealth, positions, achievements will all go away.
Ultimately nothing happens that is not part of the greater purpose of God. The humble (the meek) will live in the surrendered state and feel oneness with God. Jesus said “Heaven is right here in the midst of you” Those who recognize the presence of God in themselves can recognize it in others and all of nature. They can then live in peace, love and compassion to all and derive lasting happiness in this life on earth now. This is the meaning of New Heaven and New Earth we are expected to create from within each of us and is the purpose of our life on earth.
We fail to live up to how we are called to live by God. We do not really love the poor, care for the sick or to be God`s Ambassadors on earth, through our life.
Happiness is still best predicted by our relationships with others and how we relate to our community.
The mysterious outside force which holds the universe and even every atom together is very strong (the force of atom bomb) to hold protons together. The bible says God holds all things together. If He holds the Sun, He can hold you under any circumstances. Trust in God`s power to save and find mercy as God`s children. We need every one; their mutual encouragement and help. We are dependent not only on all others around us, but on the whole nature and Universe created by God.
Hosea 14, ver.4-7. “I will heal you of your faithlessness; my love will know no bounds, for my anger will be gone for ever. My people will again live under my shade”.
We are called to love others, serve others without any discrimination, as all are God`s creations. In order to be emotionally healthy we should learn to “need others less for ourselves and love them more”.
We should not be seeking people’s constant approval leading to emotional stress and unhealthiness. We should be able to share with others the remarkable gift of God`s Love to experience the meaning of shared purpose of life.
We are created to live beyond ourselves to have greater purpose in life. It is not simply forgiveness of sins by grace and wait for heaven. We are required to join God in His mission here on earth through our life.
If we surrender to God we will experience more Joy, Peace, Security and reaslise greater purpose in life. We are God`s Ambassadors on earth.
When we make room for God he will change our life. God wants to make all things new in us. He wants to work through us to makes changes in our communities and bring renewal to our cities. Every act of kindness, goodness, love, teaching a child, encouraging others, every prayer for others, providing food for others in need, give the best at your job etc matters, if done for God. God`s love is Agape, unconditional, expecting nothing in return. Life changes when we share our life with God. Only God can satisfy and fulfill us. We stumble around in darkness, are anxious, trip and fall. We can embrace the love of God and can rest in him or keep depending or our own abilities, striving in our own ways. God`s greatest desire is that your heart is completely is in tune with His. God wants nothing less than first place in your life. We should count our blessings one by one, be motivated by gratitude and worship God. God`s grace will inspire you to Joy, thankfulness and a yearning to work for him in your day to day life.
The book PURSUED by Rev Jud Wilhite, Senior pastor of
Central Christian Church, at Las Vegas, is based on Prophet Hosea and his marriage to Gomer the prostitute, as ordered by God. He was even asked to pay money and buy her back from her captors in prostitution. This is an illustration of God`s Pursuit of us in spite of our repeated sins and failings. His grace is radical and His love is as fierce as it is jealous. Some insight of Las Vegas and this church will make us understand this book better. Las Vegas is better known as the Sin City or the City that never sleeps. A wide variety of entertainments, peep shows, bars, drugs, gambling from street level to world class stage shows are available. Many Casinos are very large with 5 to 6 thousand rooms, multiple gambling areas of 10000 sq ft or more in each floor, 10 to 20 separate 24 hour bars and restaurants; separate parking buildings of 1000 cars or more for employees. In Central Church “ It is OK to be Not OK” You can come as you are with no dress code. The Central Church do much work in the Jails, with drug addicts and homeless in Las Vegas. The Church has an ultra modern light and sound system with seating capacity of more than 5000. Every week end 4 services of 1 hour each with top class music, a short sermon and a prayer is held which are well attended. Children are taken care in separate areas with appropriate facilities for each age group.
The theme of the book is that God will overcome any barrier to patiently bring us home from any circumstances to be with him. He is calling us to renew our life to be his Ambassadors here on earth, to enjoy His Joy forever, in spite of our repeated sins and failures, as Gomer was restored by Prophet Hosea as an example for all of us. The Central Church activities are a practical demonstration of God`s Agape, unconditional love, through those who are willing to be His Ambassadors here on earth now.
K.GEORGE JOHN, MARUTHIKUNNU, TIRUVALLA, KERALA, INDIA. June 2009.
