Life in Spirit = Get Answers to your prayers & achieve your desires

It is always a great pleasure to be with someone who can talk well. It increases the joy if the person can speak about philosophical matters in an interesting manner.  It doubles the bliss if the person can speak about spirituality, human laws and universal truths that interconnect different faiths and generate great thoughts linking it to today’s world. I have such a friend – let me call him Zack, as he doesn’t want the real name to be mentioned in this blog - with whom I spent one evening recently in a coffee shop in Dubai.  We explore and think out of the box; we don’t talk about ordinary stuff; we try to keep the conversation engaging by challenging each other’s ideas. Of course, it is not only thoughtful but delightful as well. The summary of the conversation is the topic of this blog.

People say pray intensely; also there is a school of thought in motivational gurus that if wish to have something, have intense desire. Both works sometimes; it is just a probability. Why so? This is because of the role of subconscious mind. Even if you pray or desire intensely, it may just hover in your conscious mind. Your subconscious mind is already conditioned – usually with past experiences of right and wrong, fears and confidence, emotional experiences of sorrow, happiness, etc. If the thing you intensely desire or pray is against your ‘subconscious conditioning’, better to stop your prayer and forget your desire.

For example, Zack has been praying for a life partner and has intense desire as well. He is well qualified and has a good executive job. But despite attempts spanning more than a decade, he is not married yet, although he has met more than 50 possible life partners. He believes somewhere in his ‘subconscious conditioning’, there is an element that sabotages the conscious efforts.

Is there any hope?

Yes; if you can change the ‘subconscious conditioning’, your intense prayer and desire will be successful. However, how to change the ‘subconscious conditioning?’  It is very hard; very very hard. Probably, it would be easier to straighten the bend of a dog’s tail than to change the ‘subconscious conditioning’.

May be some psychologists agree that some kind of ‘crucible experience’ of mixed deep prolonged experiences may change the ‘subconscious conditioning’ but no guarantee.

Our conversations continued with rich thoughts while our coffee dwindled. Our arguments continued; however we agree that, subconscious mind is below conscious mind. We think, act, plan, scheme, take decisions and do many things with conscious mind and we are aware of it. But your subconscious mind is beyond your reach; you cannot control it; it will control you. 90% of the mind is subconscious mind. So if intense prayer and desire are to yield result you have to work on your subconscious mind level.

You can control subconscious mind by managing the spirit in you, because one level underneath is the spiritual mind. No one else has spoken about the importance of ‘Living in Spirit’ than St. Paul, one of the key theological gurus of Christianity.

What did St. Paul meant when he admonishes his followers to ‘Live in Spirit’?

Has it got something to do with the power to change ‘subconscious conditioning’?

Lacking our expertise in these matters, we turned online and came across a fantastic essay by Pope Benedict XVI  ‘St. Paul and the Spirit’ (http://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/b16ChrstChrch24.htm)

Some of the paragraphs in the article are close to our thought pattern i.e.”Paul teaches us another important thing: he says that there is no true prayer without the presence of the Spirit within us”.

In order to get the results for prayer or desire, one should have Spiritual life because Paul writes that "The Spirit helps us in our weakness*; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words. And ................" (Rom 8:26-27).  (* in our view weakness means subconscious blockades….)

So, when you pray and you sigh, don’t be ashamed. Instead you should be happy. (Even Jesus sighed when he prayed to bring out Lazar from death to life, a few days after his burial)

Pope Benedict XVI went on to explain that “It is as if to say that the Holy Spirit, that is, the Spirit of the Father and of the Son, is henceforth as it were the soul of our soul, the most secret part of our being, from which an impulse of prayer rises ceaselessly to God, whose words we cannot even begin to explain.

The prayer or desire in Spirit will be accomplished; it removes the ‘subconscious conditioning or blockades. Pope Benedict XVI is hundred percent correct when ge say In fact, the Spirit, ever alert within us, completes what is lacking in us and offers to the Father our worship as well as our deepest aspirations”. This, of course, requires a degree of great and vital communion with the Spirit.

What it means to all of us?

Interested readers may read the full article written by Pope Benedict XVI.  However, it is clear from Pope’s article that being a spiritual person* is the best way to do away with the ‘subconscious conditioning, blockades, etc’ and get what you pray for and desire. When you pray or desire, do it in Spirit; much better if your spirit intercedes for you with sighs!

* there are other benefits being a spiritual person i.e. love, joy, peace", etc. (Gal 5:22). "Be aglow with the Spirit" and "Repay no one evil for evil" (Rom 12:11, 17).

A Friday in History - IV

One more Good Friday passes by!

2015 Good Friday is on 3^rd April and has some significance. Some of my Charismatic prayer group elders say that this is the exact day when the Great Sacrifice happened during AD 33!

Do you know this was exactly scripted before it happened in AD 33?

God’s plan was revealed in Isaiah Chapter 53. The events mentioned in Isaiah Chapter 53 are captured in the beautiful song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFjEwrA0_ZE by Kester, who sings only for Jesus. He is such a talented singer and gets invite to sing for films for handsome fees; but he is content himself and happy to sing only for Jesus.

More details on Chapter 53 is given below:

http://gracethrufaith.com/ask-a-bible-teacher/understanding-isaiah-534-5/

http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?com=mhc&b=23&c=53

Some of the Jewish Scholars have turned to Christianity – amazed and dazed how these prophecies were fulfilled in Jesus……….however it took about five – six centuries to get this fulfilled. Well explanation lies in the fact that earthly times and cosmic time scales are different.

Oh Lord! Thy ways are the most appropriate and please bless all humanity that they may know the true Good News and be saved.

Amazing and intriguing are these events, which although happened in Earth have origins outside the Earth (& outside Universe) I submit ardently to Jesus, whom I have accepted as Saviour, along with millions of others present in today’s world. Lord, please be with us and help others to recognize you. We thank Thee for telling us about the Good Friday in Isaiah Chapter 53 and various other prophesies in Old Testament. (Now a days, Old Testamanent has only referral value; it has been replaced with the new covenant given in New Testament)

 

 

 

A Friday in History - III

As we celebrate one more Good Friday, remembering the great sacrifice for humanity, it is pertinent to note that the signs of great changes in humanity have already began. In finance, Early Warning Indicators are monitored with great care and attention. May be it is time to focus on such indicators in spiritual life as well.

In Finance, highly conservative investors like Warren Buffet doesn't get impacted by the negative developments and need not care much about the Early Warning Indicators.

Similarly, those in spiritual life, may chose to be conservative in their approach. Because when the 'unknown' hits with its full force, you need not worry. The parable in Bible about wise maidens refer to that situation.

Let us have a few thoughts about the Good Friday. It is the Friday, where the high priest himself decided to offer himself as sacrifice. See the link to the video  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sb4UGmEFyX4.

This has close link to an incident in the Old Testament. Abraham was asked by Almighty to sacrifice his only son for Him. Abraham puts the baggage for the sacrifice on his son Isacc and takes him to a mount. We can see parallel in this - when we see Jesus carrying his cross to Calvary.

Silence and meditation can takes us close to Almighty.

Man doesn't know everything in the universe. We have limitations. However, when we accept Jesus Christ as our saviour something changes in our Spirit. Life becomes more beautiful, irrespective of circumstances and happiness becomes the order of the day as the Peace of Jesus becomes a part of your life. 

Half way through the Lent

Our family (excluding children) observes Lent and as of today 25 days have passed by. 25 days remain. We are half way through Lent. By Grace of God, we are members of an active prayer group in the UAE and lot of blessings was showered upon the prayer group during last one year. Some of the noteworthy events are

- a prayer group member was electrocuted in his work place from a high-voltage source. He fell unconscious and as he was taken to hospital in the ambulance, he was written off as dead. Due to the power of prayers, at hospital he came back to life miraculously to the surprise of doctors.

- another member was diagnosed with a severe disease and was asked to rush to India for a surgery as surgery in the UAE was costly. But this would have affected his job. So he turned to prayer and during the next diagnosis, to the surprise of the doctors, the disease vanished. This is some thing similar that happened to me in Saudi Arabia (see the blog ' the prayer that produced results')

More blessings in personal life can be narrated. When I fulfilled my dream of starting my own consulting & business, my wife was nervous. Will it be successful? She heard lot of horror stories of failure of start-ups!! However, our prayers were answered and from the first month on wards, the average monthly net profit (cash profit) from consulting & related activities exceeded (!) the fixed salary I used to get as an employee. Also I got a business deal that ensured steady cash flow since the beginning of the consulting & related activities. It is equivalent to 'Manna' showered upon Israelites by Almighty during around BC 1200- BC 1500 era when they set out from Egypt to the promised land.

We are proud of being strong believers and followers of Jesus Christ. His love to his favourite creation on earth - humans is evident. He sacrificed himself for mankind and it is that love that resulted in a request that 'Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do' (Luke 23:34:)'

Who is the Father stated in Luke 23:34? The answer is everywhere in Bible. Jesus and Father are one. John 10:30.  (Such words confuses some human beings - at the outset we shall know and acknowledge the limitations of human intelligence & nature because in human race 'fathers and sons are different. The difference between human fathers and sons are so much that sometimes we can hear stories of hatred, quarrel, etc between human fathers and sons).

I tremble in my heart & soul as I write these words in the blog. I am discussing something that belongs to Creator of Universe (if not several universes) and this is beyond my capacity and hence I pray to Almighty that what I write here be reflective of real facts.

Let us thank for the immense mercy & love He has showered upon us, mankind.

Praise the Lord. 

A Friday in History - II

Good Friday is a Historic day. Something strange happened that changed the course of world history and of course that of Jews. An independent state was the dream of Jews when Romans lorded over them.  But Jews never realised this dream since those days. Instead the Jews were kicked out of Jerusalem in AD 70 -as predicted by Jesus in his way of cross - and had to go through lot of troubles which culminated in the holocaust in 1930s. [It is reported that during the massive and organised action by Hitler against Jews, the Sanhedrin was reconvened in the late 1930s or early 1940s and overturned the unjust trail of Jesus and only after that Jews got a piece of land to claim as their own in 1948.]

2^nd April AD 33 was a Jewish Passover night. After a hastily assembled Sanhedrin on the Passover night, Jews handed Jesus over to Roman Governor, Pilate accusing Jesus of violating Jewish religious laws. Pilate was afraid as he had got a strange feeling standing with the accused. He was sure this was no ordinary man- all the answers were authoritative, as he told him "You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above" But Jewish high priests put pressure on Pilate by putting forth baseless charges such as "subverting the nation, opposing taxes to Caesar, and making himself a king" etc. Pilate wanted to please Jews so as to avoid an uprising and finally washed his hands off.  

Humans are half gods. They may have 99% similar DNA of chimpanzee but humans can be considered as more divine as they create (invent) new stuff and unearthed the some of the vital secrets of the universe – however the human capacity is still vastly underutilised. There is tremendous amount of divine nature in humans. Scientists say about 95% intellectual capacity was not used by even Einstein, who may be considered as the most intelligent man walked on earth and who believed in God Almighty.

As Biblical account says, during the creation of mankind and earth something serious had gone wrong. Almighty created man as a special being however had to kick out the first humans out as something had gone wrong. When he kicked them out; he made a promise that he will reconnect with his favourite creation.

Old Testament says how Jews were asked to memorise the Passover across generations. In New Testament, Jesus asks his followers to memorise the Last Supper (Last Passover of Jesus) through generations. Old Testament says about Abraham was asked to sacrifice his only son. New Testament says about God Almighty sending his only son for becoming a sacrifice (Gospel by St. John; Chapter 17). Rigveda of Hinduism also predicts about such a sacrifice.

In order to save mankind, God himself came to earth as Jesus.

Belief in Jesus has worked wonders in the life of millions. Jesus is the true saviour of mankind as he reconnected the favourite creation to the Creator. Jesus loved to be among humans. Jesus is among the greatest motivators in the world. Many have found inspiration and consolation in him. He was able to cure the sick and even bring back the dead into life. He himself has done it in his own life by resurrecting on the third day. Many healings take place even today in Jesus's name.

Many motivational speakers of 20th and 21st century have found teachings of Jesus as the founding stone for their own ideas. Norman Vicent Peale's books draws a lot from teachings of Jesus. When I was about 18, I read the book by Peale ' Amazing Results of Positive Thinking' and it was a game changer!. It helped me to regain my thoughts in a positive manner whenever problems crossed in my life. You can see more on the book and read other commentaries in the following link.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Amazing-Results-Positive-Thinking/dp/0743234839

The beauty of Christ's teaching is that it provides peace and love on this part of the life and offers heaven afterwards, unlike some other philosophies that offer violence & hatred on this part of the life and heaven (!) afterwards. Needless to say I believe in Jesus and have entrusted all my goals and plans for 2013 and 2014 to him. As mentioned in Philippians Chapter 4, I can do all things through Jesus who strengthens me.

A Friday in History

Roman Governer of Palestine is rather uncomfortable on 3rd April AD 33. 

He was ambitious however never wanted to become the governer of the restive Jewish region. He would have been more comfortable in Spain or Gaul or Alexandria. However, this is what he got!

The previous day night, the top most authorities of Jews presented a person accusing him of violating their religious laws. He asked them to punish the man as per their laws. But the leaders of the Jews refused to do that. Pilate was afraid as he had got a strange feeling standing with the accused. He was sure this was no ordinary man- all the answers were authortative, as he told him "You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above"

But Jewish high priests began to put forth baseless charges such as " subverting the nation, opposing taxes to Caesar, and making himself a king" etc. Pilate tells the assembly that there is no basis for sentencing. He tried to avoid responsibility by sending him to the ruler of Galilee, King Herod, but Herod sends Jesus back to Pilate. Crowd demand, "Crucify him". Pilate terperdity increased when he heard that "Jesus claimed to be God's son." This possibility filled Pilate with fear, and he brought Jesus back inside the palace and demanded to know from where he came. 

Pilate finally declared Jesus innocent and washed his own hands in water to show he has no part in this condemnation. But, he hands Jesus over to be crucified to avoid a riot and to keep his job.

Jesus played a role in Roman history. For Christains, He is the God & Saviour. Muslims consider him as one of the prophets, although the teachings are not accepted. Hindu's Rig Veda has verses that predicts the Crucification much more vividly than the predictions by Jewish Prophet Isaiah. Some of the holy men of Hinduism such as Paramahansa, Vivekanda considered Jesus as God and worshipped him. In many Hindu homes of India (mainly South India), pictures of Jesus form part of their prayer rooms

Jesus is among the greatest motivators in the world. Many have found inspiration and consolation in him. He was able to cure the sick and even bring back the dead into life. He himself has done it in his own life by resurrecting on the third day. Many healings take place even today in Jesus's name.

Many motivational speakers of 20th and 21st century have found teachings of Jesus as the founding stone for their own ideas. Norman Vicent Peale's books draws a lot from teachings of Jesus. When I was about 18, I read the book by Peale ' Amazing Results of Positive Thinking' and it was a game changer!. It helped me to regain my thoughts in a positive manner whenever problems crossed in my life. The beauty of Christ's teaching is that it provides peace and love on this part of the life and offers heaven afterwards, unlike some other philosophies that offer violence & hatred on this part of the life and heaven (!) afterwards.

Antony Robbins also draws upon and explains Jesus teachings. Check out the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Af4QLc2vhs

A prayer that produced results

The chapter 11 of Gospel by St. John is unique. This chapter is unique because it speaks about a person who was dead and buried in the tomb for four days came back to earthly life again!!. The name of the person is Lazarus. He was a friend of Jesus. This is a great miracle, which only Jesus could do. The way prayer is mentioned in the chapter has got special significance. It has special importance in my life as well. Let me tell the story.

About 6 years back I worked in Saudi Arabia. Given the rather strange set of rules, we used to assemble in certain houses secretly for nourishing the christian spiritual life. Only very few courageous homes opened the doors for such prayers as it is unlawful (forbidden) in that country. (If caught jail terms and punishment follow). One such family belonged to a very religious person who worked as senior finance manager in a group of companies. (I won't give the names here, as it is better for them to be confidential). Both uncle and aunt led very prayerful lives and guided many other in that country. Thank God, now I am out of that weird country and now free to nourish my spiritual life following the teachings of Christ.

Once I got a severe back pain. I tried to manage it by taking rest at home. However, it did not help. The pain started aggravating. Finally I went to a doctor (orthopedic) in a famous hospital in the country. He sent me for physiotherapy. I believe the physiotherapist was unqualified or misread the instruction, my situation became worse and hardly could get up from the bed after a few sessions! I leaned like Pizza Tower of Italy - i.e. I walked with a lean to the left. It was very painful. It took lot of effort to sit down or get up. I walked slowly that too with pain in my back and left leg.The doctor said he needed MRI Scan of my back and X-rays are not sufficient. MRIs produced a disaster scenario as one disc was protruding out and touching some nerve that passing to the left leg. He suggested immediate surgery. I was devastated and became almost tearful.

I went into a hospital with a relatively normal back pain and made worse by the treatment. I tried to complain, but was useless. (I don't know whether it is true. But someone told me the hospital where I went had an arrangement with the doctors to share the charges of surgery). As the hospital began to force me for surgery, which I wanted to at any cost and as I had no relatives in that country or could I afford a trip back to my home country due to health reasons, I turned to my spiritual power sources.       

                                                                                                                                                   

I approached the prayer group which used to assemble at the house mentioned above. I phoned the prayer group. Many in the prayer group had also called me and offered their support.

I started my intense prayer to Jesus and turned to New Testament and Psalms. That evening I took a taxi to the home to the uncle's house. Uncle and aunt were waiting for me. Both uncle and aunty offered all the help. Uncle advised me to be practical and if it is God's will that surgery is required we can do it in Saudi itself at a different hospital, where he knew good doctors. He said there is no need to worry and consider him as my elder brother and all help would be provided. But I said it was my intent desire to avoid surgery at any cost. Aunty told me to have faith. She reminded how faith proved powerful in various instances in Bible. Jesus, before performing any miracle, usually asked a question. "Do you believe in me? or Do you believe that I can do this for you?" Only if we believe ardently in Jesus, the miracles will happen.

Both began to pray for me. While aunt prayed she was in tears and as she prayed I felt a strange sensation in my back. After the prayer, I felt more comfortable. It was a good decision to go to their home and pray with them. Both advise me to get a second opinion from another doctor.

Next day, I went to another orthopedic. At first he was little furious that I came to him when the problem got worse. Yet he agreed to examine me. The MRI Scan results and images were checked and he passed his judgement. "your MRI shows a worse case and surgery is the only remedy". He warned to get it done at the earliest or my left leg will get paralyzed. My heart sank with disappointment. I asked him whether that is his final diagnosis. He said 'yes' and added that MRIs cannot be wrong; however he said he will warp it up with a final physical examination on me. 

He asked me to stand straight and then bent me left, right, forward, backward, etc. He made lie down and twisted and moved my legs in different directions. Confusion was evident in his face.  He told me what he saw from the physical examination is entirely different from what he saw in the MRI Scan. For the first time since I entered the room he smiled and said 'young man, there is hope'. I felt relieved and said that the prayers are answered.

He then asked for the prescription from the first doctor. He changed everything, saying that it was muscle relaxants that are required. He did not prescribe any physiotherapy but asked me to wear a protective belt and to follow a few precautions in day to day life (like don't bend, don't use steps, etc). He asked me to loose weight for some time and asked me to walk to the extent possible. Under his guidance, within a week I was able to go back to work.

My goodness! How happy I was. I thanked Jesus, who is God himself profusely. The prayer worked! I went back and witnessed to the prayer group, how a miracle happened in my life. How a surgery as prescribed by two doctors initially was cured by prayer. I said that it was when aunt prayed that I felt a sensation in my back and I truly believe that is the moment when miracle happened. I thanked everyone especially aunt. They all reminded that they were mere instruments and the Glory belongs to God. Aunty told me that whenever we pray, we need to do it on 'deeply move' basis as mentioned in Chapter 11 of St.John's Gospel. That's why she said, when she prayed her eyes became tearful.

It was one of the truly powerful prayers experienced in my life. See how Lord works even in a country like Saudi Arabia. During my life thereafter, I always tried to associate with blessed prayer groups which assemble in the name of Jesus. Staying close to Jesus continues to be a blessing in life even now. My prayer is that my life be continue to be filled with positive blessings from our Lord.

I would also advise the readers of this blog be associated with Jesus and a strong prayer group where you can get the prayer support when needed.

Thank you Jesus. Thanks for loving us. Thanks for being with us. Thanks for forgiving us. Thanks for hearing our prayers.  Many thanks for all thy blessings.