The Amazing Power of the Human Mind

The Amazing Power of the Human Mind Realisation and awareness are two iconic qualities that shine the light on the amazing power of the human mind. Aeons ago lived, lived an ambitious king named Suddhodhana, chieftain of Sakyan republics. He was captivated with the thought of perpetuating the dynasty. However, his battle fatigued son Siddhartha, was not ensnared by the Mara of trappings and adornment of power, carnal pleasures and family life. Siddhartha eschewed violence, cast away royal clothing and adorned ochre robes in the search of quintessential truth. And over a period of seven years of intense and gut-wrenching tapas which transfigured his mind, he metamorphosed from Siddhartha to Gautama and then into the Buddha. It was at Sarnath that he delivered his first sermon on the Four Noble Truths, which was soon followed by the Eight-Fold Path for citizens to pursue. Upon attaining enlightenment, the Compassionate One dissected the bewildering characteristics of the human mind. He was soon to quantify, and in an unostentatious and plain sailing manner decree that. “We are what we think and our thoughts shape our lives.” A person may be a stock individual or a personality clouded and crowded with quotidian thoughts and practices, a seeker or a savant; all are governed by this cardinal principle of how the mind operates. In case the mind is bestowed with efficacious thoughts, humans are endowed with the enriching aura of positivity. This eclipses Sisyphean and nugatory thoughts and the persona is encompassed with the stamp of shimmering jollity which is alluring and attractive. However, if the human mind is cannonaded by antipathetic thoughts, there is depletion in the prana level. The mind is then not resplendent or robust nor suffused with ennobling thoughts. On the contrary the human mind is brim-full of gloom-ridden patterns which are distressing and obstructive. Individuals become mere retainers of negativity. Over a period of time, the mind that does not get propelled or fuelled to become empowered will not be able to unyoke itself from its negativity, rendering it unable to take up adultness and responsibility. Ironically, the moment an individual realises the magnetic potential and prowess of the human mind the Universe suddenly becomes magical in its desire to support all efforts. The mind remains an enigma. Our resoluteness and positivity are the lodestars to harness its embryonic ability. This is the key to scale the summit of triumph and glory. Once there was a Good Samaritan, Sudhakar (name changed). He happened to read the maiden effort of a civil servant called ‘Enormous Vistas of Human Mind’ and a few other articles that he had written. This gentleman, with some trepidation became a ‘Facebook friend’ of the mandarin and began persuading him to be interviewed by a few T.V. channels. However, the thought process of the public functionary- who was a recovered alcoholic- kept misdoubting and disbelieving the sincerity of the Facebook friend. In disgust, he ‘blocked’ and then ‘unblocked’ the gentleman, perhaps more to quell the pangs of his own conscience. Finally, in a dawdling manner and in sheer vexation he gave in to the entreaties of the ‘Facebook friend’. Soon an amazing pattern emerged and the government administrator was invited by several media houses and estimable institutions to deliver lectures as to how he combated and conquered the battle against the bottle. Only much later did he realise that Sudhakar had lost some close relatives to the perils of alcoholism, and that he found succour in espousing the cause of conquest over the disease. The autarchic mind of the bureaucrat was ossified and looking life through the prism of tunnel vision. One day, after a series of interviews, the functionary received a distress call from a lady, who had happened to listen to one of his interviews and was also reading the book penned by the bureaucrat, which captured his triumph over alcoholism. On receiving the call, he could empathise with the woman’s husband who was fighting a grim battle against alcoholism. He silently thanked his benefactor Sudhakar, who had provided the much-needed platform to address the grievous misadventure of millions of unfortunate souls. There was a sudden transmutation in the mind of the public servant. As tears of gratitude flowed from his eyes, he embarked upon the odyssey to combat this life-threatening disease in all sincerity. Realisation and awareness are two iconic qualities that shine the light on the amazing power of the human mind. Several centuries ago, Gautama Buddha was travelling with a group of disciples. The compassionate one felt thirsty and desired some water to quench his thirst. He asked a disciple to fetch some water from a nearby lake. The enthusiastic disciple rushed to the lake but was horrified to find the water turgid as a farmer had just crossed the lake on his bullock cart. He returned back remorsefully as he could not fulfil the wish of the holy Master. Buddha was to send the disciple a couple of times to fetch water to quench his thirst. But to the dismay of the tutee on each occasion the water remained dirty and turgid. While the devotees were fidgety and distraught, Buddha remained patient. Eventually, the devotee animatedly brought fresh water from the lake and offered it to the compassionate one. Buddha smiled and drank the water. He was to say, “You did nothing. The mud settled down and the water was purged of the impurities. Let your mind also settle all the dust accumulated over a period of time.” Make no effort, let the mind settle. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar succinctly says, “Effort is a state of the body and effortlessness is a state of the mind.” This can be achieved through regular and unflinching sadhana of yoga, pranayama, meditation and the unique rhythmic breathing technique of Sudarshan Kriya. Thus, effortlessness is the trailblazing quality of mind. This is the state of total surrender, where the grace of Guru flows and miracles unfold.

MIND MATTERS AN OVERVIEW MIND YOUR MUNCHING – KNOW HOW MUCH YOU CAN CHEW

MIND MATTERS AN OVERVIEW MIND YOUR MUNCHING – KNOW HOW MUCH YOU CAN CHEW “ Seeing to this , neglecting that , once the mind stops setting one things against the other, it is no longer craves pleasure,”- Sage Ashtavakra My dear friends, what is the difference between PK and PIKU. Two alphabet. I and U.Assume I is us( protagonist Amitabh Bachchan essaying the role of Bhaskor in PIKU) and U are them (an extra-terrestrial Aamir Khan playing a pivotal role as PK in the eochmaking film which scorched multiplexes). There; CPU is cerebral. And our CPU is at the level of abdomen. Or say for vast multitudes the focus is at the midriff. It would be quite captivating watching the main primemovers PK and Bhaskor sharing their thoughts and respective metabolisms in a spaceship. We ignore at our peril that food ( which includes liquids too) has a prodigious impact on our system. Humans do not quite comprehend this vital aspect of our existence. Improper diet first takes a toll on the metabolism and then attacks other organs of the body. Simply put intake of toxic foods generates repugnant thoughts and results in a weak mind and body. The chamber of our stomach consists of three parts of which a third is meant for solids , one third for water/liquids and the remaining third for air. Wellness of body and mind lies in consumption of superfoods. They consist of seasonal fruits and salads which get digested within 30 to 45 minues. A normal vegetarian diet which is not too spicy or sweet is absorbed by the system in about 6 to 7 hours. Non vegetarian fare normally takes around 72 hours to assimilate. And during this period toxins accumulate and this affects the mind and body. Liquids should certainly not included aerated drinks , drinks laced with drugs or alcohol . These psychedelic substances blurs the thought process apart from wreaking havoc on the mind and body. I remember the remarkable lines by from the master piece movie, “ Chakra” that Zindagi mein keval do hi chakker hein , ek pet ka aur ek uske neeche ka . Yes our thoughts are the baser levels. Ofcourse, there are sages,philosophers and the enlightened ones who transcend this level and attain a super conscious state . Imagine people suffering from mental disorders? Why does it happen? Pressure! Other reasons could be heavy drinking and smoking, improper diet, lack of exercise and basically a drive to excel at any cost. Rhonda Byrne, the noted writer of The Secret, Magic and Power among others says” You are the most powerful magnet in the universe. You contain a magnetic power within you that is more powerful than anything in this world, and this unfathomable magnetic force is emitted through your thoughts.” Human mind is an enigma and a reservoir of potential. But the moot question is as to how do we tap this potential? The mind is a movie theatre where we script and enact innumerable movies and soap operas. Some funny, a few mysterious, others idealistic and sheer tear jerkers . The mind is constantly on the move. It is hyperactive. It needs a relaxation room, wherein an individual can dump the garbage, declutter it and achieve something useful for the self and the society. “The state of your life is nothing more than a reflection of your state of mind.” opines Wayne W Dwyer. The generation today is a product of SMAC, not SMACK. Smac is an acronym for software, mobiles, apps and cloud. Technology alone cannot be a substitute for the enormous potential of mind. It needs to be cultured, harnessed and harmonized with the needs and wants. Talent, energy and thoughts have to be channelized to become achievers. We need to focus on goals and objectives. Technology when misused can make people mental wrecks. A person can become addicted to watching porn, he could become a hacker or even a terrorist. We need to distinguish brain from the mind. The brain is an organ that serves as the centre of the nervous system in all vertebrate and most invertebrate animals. Only a few invertebrates such as sponges, jellyfish, adult sea squirts and starfish do not have a brain, diffuse or localized nerve nets are present instead. The brain is located in the head, usually close to the primary sensory organs for such senses as vision, hearing, balance, taste and smell. It is the most complex organ in a vertebrate’s body. Mind on the other hand is the faculty of consciousness and thoughts. It is an individual’s intellect or memory or his attention span or will. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has captured it very succinctly. He says, “Mind is like the sky and thoughts are like clouds.” Your thoughts make or mar the progress and development of the mind. In fact he further elaborates by saying that, “ Mind is like a kite and breath is like the string which can control the mind.” Through the practice of breathing techniques like Sudarshan Kriya, Pranayama and meditation among other techniques an individual can harness this enormous realm of possibility. Primarily, we need to quiten or silence the mind. We intend to live in harmony with ourselves and our environment. Or do we wish to listen to the endless chatter and cacophony of the mind? I reckon anyone would prefer symphony to cacophony or be silent. MIND – MAKE IT HAPPY To be happy in life and calm the obdurate and recalcitrant mind, human beings should be aware of certain intrinsic laws of nature. That is Law of Attraction and the Law of Acceptance. Further we need to train our minds to keep reminding ourselves that we are blessed, we are grateful and have abundance in our lives. Life is full of valleys and peaks. It can never be a rising curve or a straight line indefinitely. There are constant changes in life and we have to accept this reality without any strings. We may apparently like some peers and friends today and tomorrow move on with another group. It is inevitable and a natural process. As Buddha says, “The only permanent aspect in life is its impermanent nature.” So we need to move in life with equilibrium, equipoise and equanimity. Law Of Attraction simply states that if a person is joyful and happy the individual would attract such people and thoughts which are joyful in nature. Such a person is positive in nature and begets positivity. The reverse is also true. If the mind focusses on lack it would only attract lack. Therefore we need to be constantly reminding ourselves that we are blessed, be grateful with whatever we have and feel we have abundance. In such a situation we attract only positive energy or prana from the universe. In fact to such people universe conspires to provide more. The Bible says that if we are grateful for what we have, we will be given more and if we are not grateful and happy, all that was given would be taken away from us. The human mind vacillates between the past and the future. In the past, the mind is regretful and if it is in future it is anxious. In either case the mind is not at peace or in the present moment and so remains unhappy. Eckhart Tolle puts it, “Nothing ever happened in the past; it happened in the Now. Nothing will ever happen in the future; it will happen in the Now”. As we sweep our house, we need to declutter our mind. Sweep our mind from negative thoughts. Virendra Sehwag comes to my mind as a cricketer whose mind was not filled with cobwebs. With absolute panache he could score runs. Yes he could score a triple century and also got out on zero. But apparently it did not affect his mind. Unlike a Marcus Trescothik , who could not survive mentally on foreign tours . He suffered from multiple phobias. This leads us to various types of personalities. Personality is derived from the latin word “Persona”. The mask used by actors in Roman theatre for changing their makeup. Personality refers to our characteristic ways of responding to individuals and situations. Human mind is temperamental in nature and action. It has several attributes, different dispositions, moods and reacts and responds in a variegated manner. The mind can be our greatest friend or enemy and like a chameleon acquires various colors, characters, characteristics and keeps acquiring various patterns. Noted Psychologists, Paula Costa and Robert McCrae have developed a five factor model to elaborate various psychological traits of human personality. a) Open to experience- Those who score high on this factor are imaginative, curious and open to new ideas. b) Extraversion- People who are socially active, assertive, outgoing and fun loving as compared to those who are shy and introverts. c) Agreeableness- Essentially cooperative, caring and friendly people. Those opposite to this trait are hostile and self centred. d) Neuroticism- These are emotionally unstable people, irritable in nature and are hypersensitive. Those opposite to this trait are centred and well adjusted. And finally e) Conscientiousness- Those who score high on this attribute are dependable, responsible, hardworking and achievement oriented. Those on the opposite scale are impulsive in nature. So in which quadrant would we place our minds and personalities. WHY ARE WE SO STRESSFUL? OR WHY ARE WE STRESSED OUT? Are we running after a chimera? Or like Rama and Lakshman are we running after a non existent golden deer? Or like the Pandavas, save Yuddhistara we partake water from a poisonous lake. In all situations our mind is fully aware that what we are attempting is incorrect and inchoate, yet we undertake that activity. There are a couple of reasons for this hara-kiri or running after the hubris. We are not wakeful enough, neither are we listening to our gut feeling and or we have a woeful sense of time management. A) We are not wakeful (not sleepy in a literal sense) as we are not focused or centred. We cannot differentiate and distinguish between choices. Consequently we are gobbled by the snake in the game of snakes and ladders. B) Our mind and thoughts (a human mind on an average receives 50k thoughts a day) batter us endlessly . Now the company we keep and the food we partake has a significant impact on the human mind and body. Negative company drains a person and toxic food and drink totally enervates and debilitates our system. I was a victim and patient of alcoholism and realise the suffering one goes through it and following the techniques of Sudarshan Kriya and Pranayama overcame the disease. There is a deep connect between the stomach and mind. That is why it is called the gut feeling or the sixth sense. Our solar plexus keeps sending us signals. It depends as to whether we are conscious and wakeful enough to listen to those signals. Yoga is the latest buzzword. With regular practice of Yoga, especially Surya namaskar and pranayama our solar plexus develop to receive and transmit important signals. C) Tools for effective Time Management- a) The POSEC METHOD – That is to prioritise by organizing, streamlining, economizing and then effectively contributing. b) Do a SWOT analysis and become winners. c) Learn to work in groups and Art of delegation. d) Attempt all hard tasks first e) Build in flexibility in your schedules or else one would suffer from psychosomatic disorders. f) Develop hobbies, read creative books and self help books. g) Every morning and night while being grateful make an inventory of do’s and dont’s and must Do lists. h) Learn to say NO. Also learn to say YES. An oxymoron kind of a situation. However a Yes mind makes an individual take up responsibility. And taking up responsibility only can empower a person. Imagine a situation where you could have shouldered responsibility but evaded or shied away or a situation where you took up responsibility. Which box would you like to be in? i) Live life king size and learn to celebrate. We can celebrate only if we are able to quiten our minds. These are some ways to quiten our mind and develop a relaxation room or space in our minds. For that we can the following: Go for long walks, talk out our problems, hug a person ( perhaps someone whom you do not like), write down all our botherations, be in sync with our breath and movement, pursue a passion, be a daredevil, get out of our comfort zone, exercise vigorously( positive endorphins get released which have a soothing affect on the mind and body), have cold water baths to conquer passion and carnal instincts( they can be a distraction especially during examination times). Despite practicing all techniques, we may not be able to find our place in the sun. So what does one do? Just surrender to the immense power within ourselves and learn to accept. Realise that “Aham Brahmasmi-“ I am the infinite reality.”as written in Brihadaranyaka Upanishad . Our mind has that immense power. It needs to harnessed and realized. We just need to declutter our minds. “Your mind is aninstrument . It is there to be used for a specific task, and when the task is completed, you lay it down. As it is , I would say about 80% to 90% of most people’s thinking is not only repetitive and useless , but because of its dysfunctional and often negative nature , much of it is harmful . Observe your mind and you find this is to be true. It causes a serious leakage of vital energy.” writes Echart Tolle. Today he is a great philosopher. At the age of 29 he was about to commit suicide. There are several ways to channelize this energy. There may be some who may practice meditation, breathing techniques and observe silence to quiten minds. There may be others who remain focused by playing a game of tennis and sweating it out or pursue other passions. You have to choose the path that suits your personality. But the ultimate aim is to be in the present and lead a happy life. Feel blessed, feel grateful and feel abundance. Let your mind not be judgemental and complain and cling on to negativities. Willy nilly we provide the hook to hang the coat of negativity. Isn’t it? As Alice Walker said, “Look closely at the present you are constructing; it should look like the future you are dreaming.” In the pages that follow is a collection of articles on various facets of human life which is intrinsically connected with the mind.

*Dr. Wada

*Dr. Wada in Japan advocates calling people over 70 years old as "fortunate people" rather than "elderly people* *He summed up the secret of 70-year-olds becoming "lucky ones" into "42 sentences"* *Seniors over the age of 70* *do not need regular physical because the "standard of health" varies from person to person. He also said: "Don't believe what doctors say." This is because doctors are in contact with patients", so they do not understand what health is At the same time, he also opposes the long-term use of* *multiple drugs by the elderly, and advocates "only take necessary drugs when necessary." In other words, "taking medicine to prevent something" makes little sense.* *According to this point of view, the elderly do not need to take sleeping pills frequently. Loss of sleep time as you age is a natural phenomenon, and no one dies from insomnia. 24 hours a day, sleep whenever you want, wake up whenever you want, this is the privilege of the elderly.* *In addition, the cholesterol level that the elderly are generally worried about, even if it is high to a certain extent, there is no need to worry. Because cholesterol is the raw material for the body to generate immune cells. The more immune cells, the lower the risk of cancer in older people. In addition, part of the male hormone is also composed of cholesterol. If the cholesterol level is too low, men's physical and mental health will be unsustainable*. *Likewise, high blood pressure doesn't matter at all. More than 50 years ago, human malnutrition was widespread. So, when blood pressure reaches around 150, the blood vessels burst. But very few people are malnourished these days, so even blood pressure over 200 won't cause a blood vessel to burst.* *Dr. Wada summed up the secret of 70-year-olds becoming "fortunate people" into "42 sentences", as follows:* *1. Keep walking* *2. Take a deep breath when you feel irritable* *3. Exercise so that the body does not feel stiff* *4. Drink more water when the air conditioner is on in summer* *6. The more you chew, the more energetic your body and brain will be* *7. Memory declines not because of age, but because of long-term non-use of the brain* *8. No need to take a lot of medicine* *9. No need to deliberately lower blood pressure and blood sugar levels* *13. Only do what you love, not what you hate* *15. No matter what, don’t stay at home all the time* *16. Eat whatever you want, the fat body is just right* *17. Do everything meticulously* *18. Don't deal with people you hate* *20. Rather than fighting the disease to the end, it is better to live with it* *21. "The car must have a way to the front of the mountain" is the magic spell to make the old man happy* *24. You can't fall asleep and don't force it* *25. Doing happy things is best for boosting brain activity* *27. Find a "family doctor" early* *28. Don't be overly patient or force yourself, there is nothing wrong with being a "bad old man"* *31. Stop learning and you will grow old* *32. Don't be greedy for vanity, it's good to have everything you have now* *33. Innocence is the privilege of the elderly* *34. The more troublesome things are, the more interesting they are* *36. Do what is good for others* *37. Live leisurely today* *38. Desire is the source of longevity* *39. Live as an optimist* *40. Cheerful people will be popular.* *41. The rules of life are in your own hands* *42. Accept everything calmly* https://deemagclinic.com/2022/12/04/fortunate

Balance is not something you find - It’s something you create.

Balance is not something you find - It’s something you create. Hardships often shape ordinary individuals into extraordinary souls. Challenges refine our strength, resilience, and purpose. What feels like a struggle today may be preparing you for a powerful tomorrow. The company we keep plays a powerful role in shaping our mindset and energy. Being around positive, uplifting people helps us stay motivated and see challenges as opportunities. They avoid gossip, selfishness and negativity. There is nothing wrong with you if your life doesn’t follow the same path as others. Our thoughts, fears, and beliefs are the only things that truly hold us back. We are not bound by anything outside of ourselves. The power to grow, change, and thrive lies entirely within us.

*✈️ The Man Who Lived in Terminal 1 of Charles de Gaulle Airport from 1988 until 2006.*

*✈️ The Man Who Lived in Terminal 1 of Charles de Gaulle Airport from 1988 until 2006.* *If you thought your layover was bad, try being this guy ... He missed 18 years of his life!* *Mehran Karimi Nasseri, born in 1945 in Iran 🇮🇷,* became famous for an extraordinary story of being trapped in legal limbo at *Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris.* *Due to missing identification papers, he was unable to leave the airport, and so began an incredible 18-year stay inside the terminal.* *Mehran was an Iranian refugee traveling to London, but he lost his papers in transit.* Because he had no passport, France 🇫🇷 wouldn't let him leave the airport, and England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 wouldn't let him enter. Befriended airport staff *He was trapped in a legal "no-man's-land."* He wasn't technically in France 🇫🇷 , he was just... nowhere. So, he settled in. *For nearly two decades, he slept on a red plastic bench, showered in the public restrooms, and lived off food 🥘 coupons given to him by airport staff.* *During his time there, Nasseri :* Studied economics. *Wrote his memoir, “The Terminal Man.”* *His unique story inspired the 2004 Steven Spielberg film “The Terminal”, starring Tom Hanks.* Sadly, Mehran Karimi Nasseri passed away in 2022, at the very airport where he had lived so many years of his life. *A story of resilience, human spirit, and the complexities of bureaucracy.*

A strong relationship

A strong relationship isn’t built on a sweet voice or a pretty face. What truly matters is a kind heart and unwavering trust. Outer charm fades, but inner values strengthen the bond. Two things that often steal our happiness are dwelling on the past and constantly comparing ourselves to others. True happiness comes from living in the present and focusing on our own growth. When we shift our attention inward, we begin to find peace and purpose. Life often changes through the simplest moments, not the grand ones we anticipate. These turning points usually arrive when we least expect them. Answers unfold in their own time, not when we demand them. Change is an inevitable part of life, constantly unfolding around and within us. Overthinking complicates simple situations and distorts reality. It fuels unnecessary worry and anxiety, creating problems that weren’t there to begin with. Most times, things aren’t as bad as our minds make them seem.

RIGOROUS HONESTY

Good Morning!!! God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; and Wisdom to know the difference. Thy will, not mine, be done. *~*~*~*~*^Daily Reflections^*~*~*~*~* January 26, 2026 RIGOROUS HONESTY Who wishes to be rigorously honest and tolerant? Who wants to confess his faults to another and make restitution for harm done? Who cares anything about a Higher Power, let alone meditation and prayer? Who wants to sacrifice time and energy in trying to carry AA’s message to the next sufferer? No, the average alcoholic, self-centered in the extreme, doesn’t care for this prospect – unless he has to do these things in order to stay alive himself. TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 24 I am an alcoholic. If I drink, I will die. My, what power, energy, and emotion this simple statement generates in me! But it’s really all I need to know for today. Am I willing to stay alive today? Am I willing to stay sober today? Am I willing to ask for help and am I willing to be a help to another suffering alcoholic today? Have I discovered the fatal nature of my situation? What must I do, today, to stay sober? ************************************************** Honesty and Recovery In taking an inventory, a member might consider questions such as: "How did my selfish pursuit of the sex relation damage other people and me? What people were hurt, and how badly? Just how did I react at the time? Did I burn with guilt? Or did I insist that I was the pursued and not the pursuer, and thus, absolve myself? "How have I reacted to frustration in sexual matters? When denied, did I become vengeful or depressed? Did I take it out on other people? If there was rejection or coldness at home, did I use this as a reason for promiscuity?" ~~~~~1. TWELVE AND TWELVE, P. 50-51 "Let no alcoholic say he cannot recover unless he has his family back. This just isn't so. His recovery is not dependent upon people. It is dependent upon his relationship with God, however, he may define Him." ~~~~~2. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, PP. 99-100

There was once a poor farmer named Pahom (_The story taken from Leo Tolstoy's classic tale, "How Much Land Does a Man Need?"_)

There was once a poor farmer named Pahom who believed that if he only had enough land, he would be happy forever. One day, he heard of a distant tribe that sold vast lands for very little money. Their only rule was simple: For a fixed price, he could have as much land as he could walk around from sunrise to sunset but he had to return to the same spot by sunset. If he failed, he would lose both his money and the land. At sunrise, Pahom started walking. He walked fast, marking boundaries, dreaming of how much wealth he would gain. The land was fertile, the grass was green - and greed pushed him forward. Every time he thought of turning back, he saw more beautiful land ahead and thought, "Just a little more..." As the sun began to sink, panic set in. He realized he had gone too far. Breathing heavily, he ran back towards the starting point, desperate to reach before sunset. His heart pounded, his legs trembled - but the finish line was near. Just as the sun disappeared, he collapsed at the starting spot... Dead. The chief of the tribe looked at his body and calmly said, "Bury him. That's all the land a man needs six feet." *The Timeless Lesson* Greed always promises happiness, but it ends by taking peace away. We chase more more money, more property, more status - forgetting that no one truly owns anything. At the end, we leave this world with the same empty hands we came with. In our pursuit of more, we often lose what matters most - health, relationships, peace, and time. *Remember:* The earth is vast, but our needs are small. We spend our lives expanding our boundaries, while forgetting the one truth: In the end, all we really need is enough land to rest in. (_The story taken from Leo Tolstoy's classic tale, "How Much Land Does a Man Need?"_)

Anthony Hopkins

Anthony Hopkins couldn't find a book anywhere in London. Then he sat down on a subway bench. It was 1973. Hopkins had just landed a role in a film called "The Girl from Petrovka," based on a novel by American journalist George Feifer. Like any serious actor, he wanted to read the source material. He spent an entire day searching bookshops along London's famous Charing Cross Road. Nothing. The book wasn't available anywhere in the UK. Frustrated and defeated, Hopkins walked into the Leicester Square Underground station to catch a train home. That's when he noticed something on a bench. Someone had left a book behind. He picked it up. Turned it over. "The Girl from Petrovka." The exact book he'd been searching for all day, abandoned on a subway bench in a city of eight million people. Hopkins couldn't believe it. He took it home, read it, and noticed something strange. The margins were filled with handwritten notes in red ink. Annotations. Someone had marked up this copy extensively. He didn't think much of it. He used the notes to help him understand his character, prepared for his role, and filed the coincidence away as one of life's unexplainable moments. Months later, Hopkins traveled to Vienna where the film was being shot. One day on set, he was introduced to a visitor. George Feifer. The author of the book. They talked about the film, the characters, the story. Then Feifer mentioned something that made Hopkins stop cold. "I don't have a copy of my own book anymore," Feifer said. "I lent my personal copy to a friend a couple of years ago. It had all my notes in the margins. He lost it somewhere in London. I've never seen it since." Hopkins felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. "I found a copy," he said slowly. "On a bench in the Underground. It has handwritten notes throughout." Feifer looked at him skeptically. Hopkins retrieved the book from his things and handed it to the author. Feifer went pale. It was his copy. His handwriting. His annotations. The personal copy he'd lent to a friend years earlier, which had somehow ended up abandoned on a subway bench at the exact moment Anthony Hopkins, the actor who needed it most, happened to sit down beside it. In a city of millions. Across thousands of streets. Among hundreds of tube stations. The right book. The right bench. The right moment. George Feifer got his lost book back. Anthony Hopkins got a story he would tell for the rest of his life. Carl Jung called it synchronicity, the idea that meaningful coincidences aren't random but reflect some deeper pattern in the fabric of reality. Hopkins has always been fascinated by the concept. He's spoken in interviews about learning to simply be amazed by life. "I don't know if there's a master plan," he once said. "But sometimes things happen that are just too perfect to explain." Maybe it was luck. Maybe it was fate. Maybe it was just the universe having a bit of fun. Or maybe, just maybe, some books are meant to find their readers. And some stories are meant to be told.