Food for the Soul

November 13th
Remember that complete surrender alone makes us clear channels for the Supreme.

Since Thou hast given me refuge and taken me into Thy safe-keeping I have lost all fear.
My long night of anxious waking is forever ended.
I sit now with contentment in my heart; I walk with free spirit,
And I sleep with surrender in my soul.

We need Divine guidance from within. There are two wills, God's will and self-will; both are active. The foolish man chooses self-will; the wise man chooses God's will, because he does not feel safe to be separated from God and His guidance. This is wisdom, but this wisdom cannot be imposed. Life has its culmination when we learn to have a true sense of God as supreme Doer. When we acquire spiritual surrender, we rise above all troubles.

I am only an instrument in Thy Hands, O Lord;
Make me an efficient instrument.
Help me never to forget that Thou art behind me in every act.
Take from me all egotism and self-importance;
May I always be a humble instrument, wholly submissive to Thy Will.

[Swami Paramananda, Book of Daily Thoughts & Prayers, p. 352]

Birthday Wishes From Shania Vala

With so much sadness in my life this year, being such a traumatic week, with the death of two close friends, I felt so blessed to receive tonnes of wonderful birthday messages and Diwali greetings. Thank you ALL for thinking about me. I would like to share the email greetings below sent by my wonderful friend Shania and her Mum, Saras, from Middelburg, SA. Your kind words really touched my heart - and they are deeply cherished. THANK YOU SO MUCH & SAI BLESSINGS to you and the family.


Hi Kree

"It’s Your birthday...and we thinking how glad we arethat You were born.You have given us so much-supported us, encouraged us,cared for us; We didn't even need to ask.We celebrate Your wonderful self!We are in awe of Your boundless generosity,Your infinite kindness-that gentle inner glowthat You so freely use to warm our lives.Your birthday is as much a celebration for usas it is for You, maybe even more…and We wish for You the Best of Birthdays,the Best One Ever.May each birthday be better than the last.Most of all, We hope You will always beAs happy as You have made us.

Lots & Lots of Love
Saras. Shania, Kapesh & Lesshika

Jay Naidoo - Sudden Death

Wednesday, 7th November, was my 41st birthday - a birthday I will never forget.

I left school for two hours to attend the funeral of my late teacher, Jay Balbharan at Manukau Gardens. What a dignified, peaceful but sad day, with his beloved family and so many friends present. Three quarters of the people must have been teachers, as Jay was so well liked and respected. Everyone was overcome with grief for the loss of such a special person who was robbed of life.

But more sad news was to arrive later that same evening. I got a phonecall that our good friend, had had a massive and fatal heart attack while mowing the lawn. His name is Jay Naidoo, he was 50 years old, his wife is a teacher and they belong to the same spiritual group as the late Jai Balbharan - such coincidences. Only minutes before, he and his family were planning his daughter's birthday party. It is shocking news to hear that a fit and happy man, with no signs of illness, could die so suddenly, especially after we had all spoken to him at Jay Balbharan's funeral only hours earlier!

I will always remember Jay since it was because of him and his other friends that we chose to live in Papakura. When we immigrated to New Zealand, in the first week of arriving in Papakura, Jay & Kay visited us every night to see how we were settling in and Jay continued to phone me everyday in that first month. Jay was a caring friend to all who had the pleasure of knowing him, a devoted dad to Keshnee and Rasika and an inseparable doting husband to Kay. The shock of his death and emptiness he leaves behind will be hard to fill.

Jay's funeral will take place tomorrow, Saturday 9th November from the family home in Rushgreen Place, Pahurehure (Papakura, Auckland) from 10:30am - 2:30pm, and then at the Manukau Memorial Gardens from 3pm - 4pm.

My heartfelt sympathies to the family as they come to terms with this sudden and devastating loss. God, grant us understanding, acceptance and faith always. May Jay's soul rest in heaven's peace.

On a brighter note, yesterday/today is Diwali but we are not celebrating due to the passing away of my father-in-law, Charles Vandayar and my Uncle George this year. God's richest blessings to all who celebrated Diwali - wishing you light, love and happiness always.

Kree

"You must be willing to sacrifice human friendship to gain Divine friendship."
[Swami Paramananda, Book of Daily Thoughts & Prayers, p. 348]

Sad News - Jai Balbharan Passed Away

Monday, 05 November 2007

Those who knew an ex-teacher of Mansell Intermediate School (Auckland), Jai Balbharan, will be sad to know that he passed away today. I got the text message at assembly this morning; fortunately I visited Jai at Auckland hospital yesterday.
Jai was an energetic and wonderful person, very health conscious, a keen golfer and a dedicated teacher.
Jai leaves behind his three children and wife Devi, (who was my form teacher in Std 7).

The funeral will take place this Wednesday 7th November (my birthday) at 11:00 - 12:00 at the Manukau Memorial Gardens.

May Jai's soul rest in heaven’s peace.

OM SHANTI

Praying for Jai Balbharan

I am sad to inform you that my Afrikaans teacher from Risecliff Secondary, Jai Balbharan, who taught there from 1981 - 1997, is in Auckland Hospital, taking his last few breaths. Jai had an haermorrage on 25th Oct 2007, just 3 days before his 50th birthday. He has not regained consciousness since then and has been taken off oxygen support and drips on Wednesday, 31st Oct.
Last year August Kanthan had successful surgery to repair his mitral valve and three months later Jai underwent the same surgery but his valve was replaced with a metal valve. There was infection in the valve and due to complications with warfarin medication, doctors were unable to operate. I visited Jai in hospital today and it is just a matter of time before he is called to rest. Please keep Jai and his family in your prayers.

If you know of anyone from Risecliff Secondary, please invite them to join my group on Facebook.
Read more about heart valve repair/replacement.