Pages

Sunday 28 May 2017

DR SCHINDLER: LIVE 365 DAYS A YEAR: W.C. ENGLISH, A REMARKABLE MAN

2017 0528 22 Dr Schindler: Live 365 Days A Year: W.C.English, a remarkable man


Dr John A Schindler, M.D., in his masterpiece, "How to Live 365 Days a Year" discusses 12 guiding principles to make your life richer, starting with "Keep Life Simple." He writes [pp 98-100]:

W.C. English, a remarkable man. One of the finest men it has been my great fortune to know was a man who made himself entirely happy in the world that lies at the tips of our fingers, visible to our immediate sight, and always withing hearing. His name was W.C. English. 

I met him when I was in college; he was already in his sixties. W.C. English was John Burroughs, John Muir, and Gilbert White of Selbourne all rolled into one. He enjoyed everything around him. His life was simple, his only needs were eyes to see, ears to hear, nose to smell and fingers to feel.

He needed no automobile to travel. He could see more afoot. And in a mile afoot, he found infinitely more wonder than most people find in ten thousand miles on wheels. He knew every plant, every bush, every tree, by its scientific name, as well as its common name. 

He knew the insects. They astounded him. He enjoyed the birds and could spot and name them from far off.  He thoroughly knew his world, and was entirely at home in it. At night he was at home with the stars and the sounds of the forest. He knew about geology, fossils and caves.

He lectured or wrote an essay when he  needed money. But he had no great need for money, because he was richer than Henry Ford and John D. Rockefeller combined. He would chuckle when he heard of other people's misfortunes, asking why people should be foolish enough to cause themselves so much trouble.

For him the people he met were as interesting as the plants and birds, and he treated them with the same solicitude. He was one man who was truly loved and respected by all who knew him. His wife always said that she adored him more every year.

We can't, of course, be W.C. English or live like him. But the point is, we should cultivate the ability to find our enjoyments in the common things which are always at hand. To be able to do so gives living a most tremendous lift whose value cannot be overestimated. Developing a capacity for enjoying what is at hand carries with it simplicity in living.




Sunday 21 May 2017

WILFRED PETERSON: ART OF GIVING

2017 0521 21  Wilfred Peterson:  Art of Giving




From The Art of Living by Wilfred Peterson

The Art of Giving




We give of ourselves when we give gifts of the heart:
Love, kindness, joy, understanding, sympathy,
tolerance, forgiveness.
We give of ourselves when we give gifts of the mind:
Ideas, dreams, purposes, ideals, principles,
plans, projects, poetry.
We give of ourselves when we give gifts of the spirit:
Prayer, vision, beauty, aspiration, peace, faith.
We give of ourselves when we give the gift of words:
Encouragement, inspiration, guidance.
Emerson said it well:
"Rings and jewels are not gifts,
but apologies for gifts.
The only true gift is a portion of thyself."


From The Art of Living
by Wilfred A. Peterson




YouTube Video: Wilfred Peterson's Art of Giving: [Click Here]








Sunday 14 May 2017

WILFRED PETERSON: "SLOW ME DOWN, LORD"


2017 0514 20  Wilfred Peterson:  Slow Me Down, Lord

Wilfred Peterson [1900-1995]
Wilferd Arlan Peterson [1900-1995] was regarded as "one of the best loved American writers of the 20th century, renowned for his inspirational wisdom and aphoristic wit". He was a frequent contributor to This Week magazine, Science of Mind magazine and Readers Digest

His inspirational essays began to appear on the "Words To Live By" page of This Week magazine in 1960. Letters of praise from admiring readers led to the publication of The Art of Living, the first of a series of books that would sell millions of copies.

His published works include: The Art of Getting Along (1949), The Art of Living (1961), The New Book of the Art of Living (1962), More about the Art of Living (1966), Adventures in the Art of Living (1968), The Art of Living in the World Today (1969), The Art of Living Day by Day (1972), The Art of Living Treasure Chest (1977), The Art of Creative Thinking (1991) and The Art of Living: Thoughts on Meeting the Challenge of Life (1993).


"Slow Me Down, Lord"  Poem by Wilfred  Peterson






Sunday 7 May 2017

SUNDARAR THEVARAM: PITTHA PIRAISOODI [பித்தா பிறை சூடி]

2017 0507 19  Sundarar Thevaram: Pittha Piraisoodi [பித்தா பிறை சூடி]



Samaya Kuravar "Nalvar"


Sundarar
Sundarar [சுந்தரர்], also known as Tampiran Thozhar [தம்பிரான் தோழர்] was an eighth-century saint poet who was one of the most prominent among the 63 NayanarsSundarar is unique among the Nayanars in that both of his parents are also recognised as Nayanars.

The hymns of seventh volume of the PanniruTirumurai, the twelve-volume compendium of the poetry of Tamil Shaiva Siddhanta, were composed by him. His Thiruthondathogai is the original nucleus around which Sekkizhar's Periyapuranam was developed. 

It is said that while Sundarar was being married, the service was interrupted by an old ascetic who claimed Sundarar as his slave, stating that Sundarar's grandfather pledged him according to an ancient palm leaf manuscript in his possession. 

Shiva as old ascetic claimed Sundarar as his slave
A court of Vedic scholars concluded that the palm leaf was legally valid. Crestfallen, Sundarar resigned himself to the servitude in the old man and, following him was led to the Thiruvarutturai Shiva temple.

The old man was said to be Shiva himself, who told him: " You will henceforth be known as Vanthondan, the argumentative devotee. Did you not call me a mad man just a short while ago? Begin your hymns addressing me 'O mad man [பித்தா]!". 






பித்தா ! பிறை சூடி ! பெருமானே ! அருள் ஆளா !
எத்தால் மறவாதே நினைக்கின்றேன் மனத்து உன்னை 
வைத்தாய் பெண்ணை தென் பால் வெண்ணை நல்லூர் அருள் துறையுள்
அத்தா ! உனக்கு ஆளாய் இனி அல்லேன் எனல் ஆமே.





பொன்னார் மேனியனே ! புலி தோலை அரைக்கு அசைத்து 
மின்னார் செஞ்சடை மேல் மிளிர் கொன்றை அணிந்தவனே !
மன்னே மாமணியே ! மழபாடியுள் மாணிக்கமே !
அன்னே உன்னை அல்லால் இனி யாரை நினைக்கேனே !