“When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.”― John Lennon

She is not a religious person. She likes to think of herself as spiritual on one level, believing there is something greater than we can even conceive out there in the universe (except for the great minds who have risen to such a level of consciousness). She was raised to believe in God, Jesus as her brother, Mary as her mother.  Such a foundation formed in a child’s mind usually stays…it had stayed with her. She still recites the Hail Mary from time to time; she still crosses herself when she passes a hearse or on-duty ambulance.

She feels there is beauty even in darkness.  There is ugliness even in beauty.  It does very little if you have hurt someone or made mistakes that impacted on others, if you do not first acknowledge it.  That does not mean to live a life of guilt. Guilt is like a barometer, measuring moral good and bad. Oh, you know when you have crossed that line!  You feel the twinge in your gut telling you “uh-oh, what have I done.”  You may continue on that same path, but I have a sneaking suspicious once you are “aware” of its ugliness, it will never be the same…never  be as joyful…never ever will you be able to reach bliss.

Like a person addicted to heroin who first experiences that pure high…nirvana, he calls it and every other time he shoots up, he is chasing that same feeling which he never will achieve.  Imagine if for once, just once, you achieved such a high, a pure white light of consciousness of feeling uplifted and serene just by meditating or chanting your favourite prayer or mantra!  Now that would be something to chase…what a beautiful goal in life.

What feeling do you get when you give someone something without ever owing them anything, without they`re asking for anything…just because you want to give?

The other day she was rushing to work and stopped to pick up a bagel and cream cheese…it was cut in half and she took one out to eat quickly before getting on the Métro.  She passes a young man, who she often sees at the same spot begging for money. She had not gone to the bank to get any money since her trip, so she handed the bag with the other half of the cream cheese bagel and simply said, “Please, it is still warm…” and left.

Walking to the Métro,  towards rue St-Denis at midnight where it gets a bit tricky to cross the street, she stands at the centre of the street on a block of cement not to get hit by the oncoming traffic  and waits patiently.  An off-duty ambulance stops and waits for her to cross the street.  She felt so blessed…what a beautiful gesture, a selfless act!  It gave her such a nice warm feeling walking home at one in the morning. What a lovely way to end her day/night.

Amma, (Mata Amritanandamyi) is an Indian Guru, a saint, Divine Mother, a deity,  who believes in Love and Compassion.   Thinking of the death of John Lennon today, December 8, 1980,  she cannot help but be reminded how he believed, modeled and sang about peace, compassion and love as well.  Amma chants, Lokah Samastah Sukino Bhavantu (May Peace and Happiness Prevail).

snowing petals
like white flowers falling
from the sky

John Lennon  wrote a song in January 1970 and this particular song was recorded the very next day.  Apparently, this is something quite rare.  It is said he repeated the studio recording three times and that was it…it was ready. Surely he was also blessed at that moment writing about peace…not condemning necessarily those who do wrong because after all, we may have a chance in another life to do good.  She believes that it is often in this same lifetime we are given an opportunity to change our lives around.  She saw it family…people who had led a life of greed and hurt many people along the way.  The last twenty years of their lives, they became better persons…they suffered illnesses, suffered loneliness and isolation but their attitude in life turned from bitterness to a state of satisfaction and fulfillment.

Karma is a chance

a free get-out -of-jail card

to recover.

©Tournesol’16/12/08

“A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality”(John Lennon)

Here is that famous song, the late John Lennon composed and sang 46 years ago:

Instant Karma by John Lennon

Instant Karma’s gonna get you
Gonna knock you right on the head
You better get yourself together
Pretty soon you’re gonna be dead
What in the world you thinking of
Laughing in the face of love
What on earth you tryin’ to do
It’s up to you, yeah you

Instant Karma’s gonna get you
Gonna look you right in the face
Better get yourself together darlin’
Join the human race
How in the world you gonna see
Laughin’ at fools like me
Who in the hell d’you think you are
A super star
Well, right you are

Well we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun
Well we all shine on
Ev’ryone come on

Instant Karma’s gonna get you
Gonna knock you off your feet
Better recognize your brothers
Ev’ryone you meet
Why in the world are we here
Surely not to live in pain and fear
Why on earth are you there
When you’re ev’rywhere
Come and get your share

Well we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun
Yeah we all shine on
Come on and on and on on on
Yeah yeah, alright, uh huh, ah

Well we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun
Yeah we all shine on
On and on and on on and on

Well we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun
Well we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun
Well we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun
Yeah we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun