An Unusual Gift From My Grandfather

Rachel Naomi Remen is a best-author of many books. Excerpt from her book, My Grandfather's Blessings is posted in the Awakin.org website. Below is my reflection to the wonderful article.

This story narrated by the grand daughter is very timely as we are approaching the gift-giving Christmas time. The conventional way of buying gifts is so terribly time consuming and people feel confused and inadequate about what to give. The spiritual approach for gift-giving is very simple. We do it as a service to God without getting anything in return. My experience of gift-giving is simple and uncomplicated like the experience of the granddaughter Neshume-le. I can easily relate to what the grandfather told his granddaughter, it is not the water the seeds need to grow but" All it needs is your faithfulness." Faith is the foundation of all relationships and of all spiritual practices.

Blessing life is the most effective way of creating and nurturing life in all forms-human and natural. There are times when relationships thin out or break up. Giving unconditional love from the heart based on the foundation of faith repairs and heals our fragile relationships. Several years ago I had an agonizing and depressive experience in my life. It was a heart-breaking experience. It took time for me to recover from it. My deep faith in the goodness of heart helped me emerge from the hurting heart to the healing heart. It was a transforming experience for me.

The best teacher is within ourselves. What we need is calmness, patience, empathy, compassion and above all faithfulness. Life offers many opportunities for working on ourselves to repair and heal our relationships. It is a daily metta, loving kindness practice that heals me and others. It is blessing from the heart.

May we relate to us and others with the loving light of faith and kindness!
​
Namaste!