An old man died disappointed in life. He was honest and could not tolerate dishonest people. When he met the Lord in heaven, he asked, If human beings are your creation, then all of them are your children. Why are there so many differences amongst them God replied kindly: Each person who is born on this earth has a unique message to offer to the world. It is only through these lessons one understands life and godliness.

When people tell lies, it implies that things are not as they seem. Learn to look behind the facade. When someone dies, it reminds us that nothing is permanent. Life is impermanent. So dont take life for granted. When one criticises you, it teaches that no two people are alike. When someone breaks your heart, it teaches you that loving someone does not always mean that love will come back to you the way you want it to. When someone cheats you, it teaches you that the root cause of evil is greed. Even good deeds offer their own messages. Hence, the world is like a university teaching us in unique ways always. Let your life be one of learning. Learn to do everything with love and devotion . Be grateful for everything. Then you will receive Divine Grace. This is the law of life.

With devotion, your third eye or intuitive eye opens, and you would see many meaningful coincidences occurring in your life. You will see the hand of God blessing you in mysterious ways. We might think we are individuals ; actually we are a collection of many identities. The one in you who listens to me is different ; the one that creates problems is different. I am a father, with reference to my son, a son with reference to my father, and a boss with reference to my employee. Therefore there are several identities in one individual. How to achieve a balance with so many identities How to transform the negative ones into positive

Buddha advised his disciples to move around with five seekers, so that their presence would impact the other. Ones purity would empower the other. Atmasmaranam or self-remembrance is an important aspect in life. We have to remind ourselves of the great teachings of enlightened masters. When we are forgetful, unconsciousness takes over. We have to become conscious and remember that we have to decouple ourselves with the wrong self.

The wrong self has its survival games. We have to see them clearly and understand . Observe how the wrong self is a function of the lower self and the game of life is to operate from the higher self . This is not difficult, but one has to practise with joy. Dont work for joy; instead, work out of joy.

Truth does not dis-empower. Whatever the truth, one should be able to see it. Truth does not operate in a way to please one. Truth reveals the facts of life. Do you want to be with fact or fiction
Further, we can unify all the various identities we have at our disposal. That is the alchemy that spirituality invites us to experience . We can do that only if every identity in us is driven by a principle . Be principle-oriented . The foundations of our lives must be based on goodness.

Every identity should be anchored on transformation. Transformation means growth. If all identities are transformed, then we become individuals. Or else, we would be like those seated in a chariot with each horse galloping in.

Whatever we do, we must do the best we can. We could excel in our chosen profession or the work we do at home by using our full potential. There is something about a good book, play, article, or home that puts us in touch with the most creative paths of life that lead to the divine.

To strive to excel does not mean doing things perfectly. What we achieve in life could be full of imperfections but still be excellent. Excellence comes from exercising responsibility and being accountable .

Take a closer look at the plants in your garden or in your balcony. They are excellent just by being the way they are. We may not make it to the celebrity charts and be recognised as being among those who have made it to the popularity charts; that definition of success is too narrow. But, there is something about what we do with full effort that brings us closer to the origins of our life.

There must be some reason why God made us imperfect. If not, we would never have made the effort to be better human beings. We would not have been expected to be kind and compassionate . We would never have tried to empathise with others. We would not have developed the depth and the understanding that makes us good human beings.

We see the potter at the wheel, creating a world of harmony and balance, the weaver creating patterns and designs that are beautiful. We invent the machines , technologies that help us make useful products for daily living. We marvel at the strong structures built by the mason, the attractiveness and compelling quality of places of worship that bring us closer to the divine.

We grow in sync with the unfolding universe. On the larger canvas of life we are all part of the composite picture. Like the strings of an instrument that create music, we play in unison , creating the many divine melodies that resonate throughout the universe. We have been given tools with which to work so we can co-create with God.

We need not be ever discouraged that we do not make it to the popularity charts or become among the richest or most famous. Many are those silent and dedicated souls who work behind the scenes. They create all around them worlds of excellence out of a sense of responsibility and solidarity with the rest of the human family. We must give of ourselves and the world will open its arms to us. To work with purpose and spirit is to connect with the divine. Sometimes the work someone else does may be left incomplete for us to complete. At other times there is a sense of work being finished, by someone who has seen through something to its very end.

There is no hierarchy in work. The manual and the intellectual are both equally important ; dignity of labour is important . Be sure that in the divine plan, the bricklayer and the carpenter are as important as the academic and the professional.

Listen to the call of the spirit within you. What you do in life is all a part of the divine symphony being created by your work. Make full use of all the opportunities that unfold before you. Work then as if you are part of a divine orchestra. Your work is connected with the universe and all forms of life around. Sing the song of creation and do your part.