Contemplative Prayer

 

The other day I happened to watch a gospel DVD, in which one of the terms used was 'Contemplative Prayer.’ 

It got me thinking seriously about a simple mistake most of us commit daily. It opened my eyes to a fact that was staring me in the face. Let me explain.

Almost all of us parents have faced this situation. Our children constantly pester us for things they need or desire, some of which they actually can be without, but nevertheless still plead for it. Don't we try to fulfill all those requests, even though sometimes we can't afford it? More importantly don't we at times just crave for them to spend time with us enjoying our company rather than them presenting a list of requirements?

That my fellow Christians is the essence of what I realized when I heard the term 'Contemplative Prayer.'

We need to spend more time in quiet solitude, basking in his love and invoking his glory into our beings than constantly presenting our lists of requirements.

Friends Satan is hovering around, instilling greed in our minds, urging us to ask for a bigger house, high-end car, a copiously inward flowing bank balance and what not, the list could be endless. And don't we all fall a prey to those urgings?

Like parents wouldn't we just love our children to enjoy our presence, likewise our Lord would love us to just seek his presence in a quiet and humble manner.

He knows our needs, he will provide without us having to ask. Let not our prayers be more of a demand list, on the contrary it should be a moment when we open up our heart and mind to feel his presence.

Trust me friends, it could be a truly enlightening experience and most pleasing to God. The peace and tranquility we will feel is indescribable, and will be monumental in strengthening our relationship with God.

 

He will open our eyes to see things we had been blind to in the past. The strength we derive from those moments will assist us in weathering any storm. The wisdom we gain from such encounters will come of valuable assistance, when we face crisis situations, of which there will be plenty. Each situation draws us closer to God, as he is the silent protector. 

The perfect time of the day to spend in ‘Contemplative Prayer’ is early morning; a few minutes devoted in silence, basking in his presence will be astoundingly constructive and leave us smiling through the day. 

I wish you all receive abundant blessings and feel enriched by the experience of ‘Contemplative Prayer.’

 

Tribute to Irrfan Khan!

Bollywood has produced some terrific stalwarts over the years. The list is huge and for all practical purposes it's not possible to list them here, moreover it would be unfair to name just a few. But every time we lost one to cruel fate, we would always wonder if that person could ever be replaced.
 

Irrfan Khan stepped into the limelight, giving us renewed hope and cheer. His lanky swag, mesmerizing eyes and drawly voice created a new benchmark. 

His screen presence was imposing and even though he was pitted against established actors, he held his own. 

Undoubtedly, he was a late entrant when compared with many others, nevertheless he surpassed many when it came to performances and impressions. 

You will be sorely missed Irrfan Khan, not only by your fans and admirers, but also by filmmakers for whom you were the perfect option to the reigning superstars. 

With a heavy heart we add yet another name to the memorable and distinguished list, of which you are a notable part. 

Circumstances prevented us from giving you a fitting farewell. The turnout would have been stupendous, leaving no doubt about how much you were loved. 

Goodbye Sir, thanks for entertaining and leaving us with undying memories.

 

Re-view the Reviews

I put down the paper and stared blankly at the wall, the contents of what I just read still hovering in my mind, like a butterfly searching for a spot to drink nectar.

I had just read a book review by a reviewer, who seemed to derive sadistic pleasure by tearing into shreds, the contents of novel by a debut author.

For the next few minutes I stepped into the shoes of the author, trying to visualize and analyze, what he or she would be feeling, after reading the scathing review?

I wonder if a reviewer ever stops to ponder, what efforts an author puts in while writing a book. In addition to hours of endless writing, assembling of facts and figures, procrastinating about plots, characters, visualizing scenarios, and striving to create the perfect climax to enthrall a reader, are just a few of the tasks to be executed.

After all this is over, there is still the 'biting of nails' situation, when the manuscript is with a potential publisher. The period of waiting with bated breath, always fearing the prospect of rejection, are excruciating moments in the life of any author.

Therefore to be further subjected to a negative review, which can only be a shattering experience, is in my opinion, an avoidable situation for an author to seriously consider, especially debut novelists. 


I too fell into this trap and searched for reviewers when my first book was published, most of them offer paid reviews, which is equivalent to a situation where you 'pay to get punched in the nose'. Trust me, it’s a repugnant feeling.

Another observation is, that one of the basic qualities of being a good reviewer
 is to possess an excellent command over the language, which ensures they can delve into their varied vocabulary, to select subtle words, precise sentences conveying in a softer tone, what would otherwise be harsh and displeasing. Sadly that is not the case, and reviewers with a limited vocabulary tend to present a crude and lopsided review, without any concern for the author. The mocker itself is an example of mockery. To make my point, here is an example of how to write a critical review:

'The author has strived very hard to present his viewpoint on the subtleties of the plot, though at times his efforts are not entirely successful, but nevertheless the message is vividly conveyed. Probably a certain segment of readers may not be too amused, however there will always be readers who appreciate and identify with the author. In my personal opinion, for a debut novelist, it is a commendable attempt, and see very good future prospects for subsequent books'

A summary like shown above is not going to hurt anyone's sentiments, and will show the reviewer in good light for his or her empathy for the author. 

The purpose of penning my thoughts here is to shout out to reviewers, to go soft especially for debut authors, as a scathing review can cause irreparable damage to their psyche. A bit of self analysis, prior to reviewing could be a good approach to produce a subtle review, conveying the message without hurting sentiments, which would indeed be an enlightening experience for all. 

I already hear the whispers and snide retorts-If authors can’t accept constructive criticism then they should give up writing. True in a way, accepting criticism positively is something all authors have to accept, however harsh words isn’t constructive criticism.

Maybe such reviews could be digested by established authors, who would invariably care two hoots about the review, as they already have the cash registers ringing.

12 Realistic Facts of Life!

1. Hardships are part and parcel of life, they can't be avoided at any cost, so take it in your
     stride and face challenges head-on.
 
 
2.  We reap what we sow- Commit good deeds and rest assured, it will come back tenfold.


3. Love and respect your parents - Disregarding this fact can have disastrous results.


4. Respect all elders - Their combined blessings will have unparalleled benefits.

5. Honesty Pays- Living life with dignity is far superior to a life of shame. Corrupt practices
    can land anyone in that situation.


6. Truth be told - Living a life without lies is one of the toughest challenges in life. Is there
    any human being on earth who can claim that they have never lied in their life?


 7. No substitute for hard work – No pain, no gain explains this fact in a nutshell.


 8. Laziness can lead to poverty - Pauperism can attack if you fail to shake off lethargy.


 9. Don't bite the hand that feeds you- Loyalty to employer is a quality, which will not go
     unnoticed by God or man.


10. Charity is the duty of all individuals don't shirk it, as maybe one day you may need it
       too.


11. Envy can eat into you and destroy your peace of mind. Be grateful for what you have,
       and don't cast eyes on someone else's prosperity.


 12. Finally, be kind to animals, they are God's creation too and should not be Ill -treated.