Dear Readers,Greetings! Hope all of you’re doing well. I know, I know before I went for France I had promised that I’ll be back within three weeks from the day I left. That was September 27th. But I just couldn’t. Yes we had an amazing trip in France experiencing Bordeaux, Paris, Rouen, Les Andelys, Versailles, Geverny and Normandy. We returned home on October 10 late at night. So where was I for the last sixteen days? Both, my husband Manoj and I were severely exhausted with common cold and cough, so much so that even going to the dining hall for meals was a big chore. Didn’t feel like even standing or walking. Doing minor errands seemed like a remote possibility. We pushed ourselves to keep our dentist’s and doctors’......

Dear Readers, My husband, Manoj and I are going away for about two weeks on a river cruise on Seine River, France. We are leaving on Sunday and will return on October 10. For the next two weeks please enjoy reading the “Reflections” below about the meaning of God, Allah, Yahweh, Dao, Buddhachitta, Atman or any other name we give to the Cosmic Intelligence or Divine Within. Do you sometimes feel that something within you is wiser, kinder and more peaceful than you? Have there been moments when you’ve experienced this Self? For the next two weeks, I’d like you to read and reread what different philosophical, spiritual and religious traditions say about this wiser and kinder jewel deep within each one of us that I call Authentic Self.   The......

Do not confuse the whispers of the Authentic Self with the voice in your head. Perhaps you’ve not yet separated yourself from the chain of thoughts and still unconsciously identify with that voice that is loud, pessimistic and never stops talking. Begin to be more attentive. Learn to differentiate between that critic’s voice (harsh and unproductive) and gentle nudges of your Self that are unexpected, productive and wise.  When you make “focus on the breath” a daily routine, you’ll experience the presence of Awareness, presence of your higher Self. The whispers of your Authentic Self are from the one who is within you, who knows you, knows you more than you know yourself. This Self provides you freedom from your separate ego self. You may believe that your small ego......