A contented mind

Last week was a more hectic-than-normal week. I had to prepare myself for a very important occasion. I still managed to meet my usual deadlines and even beat them. In fact in a space of five days I posted four different blogs about the Pope's pastoral visit to Mexico and Cuba.

The experience (mine not the Pope's visit or blogging about it) left me drained. Consequently I do not feel I have enough energy to dig my teeth in controversial subject as yet. Do I have to offer an explanation or an apology if I do not delve into the controversial? I think not. I do not believe that I have always to tackle controversial subjects in this space.

So let me try my hands at something quite tame but, hopefully, interesting just the same.

A couple of weeks back I received a very polite note from Joseph Grech who edits the religion page in The Sunday Times. I was a bit late in sending in my contribution. Joe in his remarkably polite way just wrote:

"I look forward to receive your compilation of quotes and news."

He should have written "Get off your backside and send me your contribution now."

I replied in jest. "Ask and you shall receive. Wish for something and it will be granted.

It's a pity that you only asked for News and Quotes. Next time ask for a million euros."

Joe replied in style referring me to a story by Anthony de Mello S.J.

(http://anthony-de-mello.blogspot.com/2007/11/pray-for-contented-mind.html) which I reproduce:

"The Lord Vishnu said to his devotee: "I am weary of your constant petitions. I have decided to grant you any three things you ask for. After that, I shall give you nothing more."

"The devotee delightedly made his first petition at once. He asked that his wife should die so that he could marry a better woman. His petition was immediately granted.

"But when friends and relatives gathered for the funeral and began to recall all the good qualities of his wife, the devotee realized he had been hasty. He now realized he had been blind to all her virtues. Was he likely to find another woman as good as her?

"So he asked the Lord to bring her back to life! That left him with just one petition. He was determined not to make a mistake this time, for he would have no chance to correct it. He consulted widely. Some of his friends advised him to ask for immortality. But of what good was immortality, said others, if he did not have good health? And of what use was health if he had no money? And of what use was money if he had no friends?

"Years passed and he could not make up his mind what to ask for: life or health or wealth or power of love. Finally he said to the Lord, "Please advise me on what to ask for."

The Lord laughed when he saw the man's predicament, and said, "Ask to be content no matter what you get."

Perhaps if, from time to time, we count our blessing we would not be doing a bad thing.

Try visiting the same website. There are many other stories which can enrich your lives.