Insights - Compilation of 200 Stories on the Insights of Life: Vol. 1

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INSIGHTS

Vol. - 1

Compilation of 200 Stories

on the Insights of Life

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People travel to wonder at the height of mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long courses of rivers,

at the vast compass of the ocean,

at the circular motion of the stars;

and they pass by themselves without wondering.

— St. Augustine

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INSIGHTS

Vol. - 1

Compilation of 200 Stories

on the Insights of Life

by

Dr. Jose Kaimlett

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All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without prior written permission from the author or publisher.

Copyright © 2011 Dr. Jose Kaimlett

May 5, 2011

Reprint February 22, 2012

Published by

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ISBN 81-88360-09-3

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Foreword

Let us imagine the Neanderthals. About 200,000 years they were along ruling today’s Eurasia. They were our immediate cousins and Neanderthals most probably they used language to their advantage. Scientists today believe that used language for communication. So one author writes: "There is no reason to think that Neanderthals would not have had the ability for language."

Let us imagine that they come back from their regular hunting, bring their prey, cook and eat them. Then as dawn sets in, they sit around the fire and discuss. Some of them would surely ask questions about the origin of the earth, what they will catch the next day and what would happen to their grandmother who passed away recently. They would discuss, argue and come to some sort of general conclusions about their life, which will enable them to get a good sleep.

Let us transfer the situation to our contemporary world.

Contemporary human beings also raise similar questions, but in totally different context. If the question on the origin of the world, for instance, were raised, we know how the astronomers and astrophysicists will answer. They will begin with the Big Bang that took place 13.7 billion years ago.

Using elaborate presentations and mathematical equations, they will argue that the universe is still expanding and it will come to an end after a few billion years from now.

After such an academic seminar, the scholars will collect the payment/honoraria, withdraw to their air-conditioned bed-rooms, reflect a bit on the day’s proceedings and mostly feel proud of their contribution and fall asleep.

In both the situations they feel that they have achieved some knowledge about the world outside, they feel happy that they share that knowledge among themselves and they can reasonably be satisfied with their explanations. So they can sleep peacefully. But what both of them do not realise is another thing. The cavemen would never have imagined 6

that their answers are partial and will soon be replaced.

Similarly the modern scientists know that there will be better theories to explain the origin of the universe, but they do not pay so much of attention to it. But if we can transport ourselves to another 500 years ago, most probably the equations and explanations of the scientists will turn to be totally obsolete.

What happens in both the situations separated by about 200,000 years is the power of stories to convey insights to human beings. Using shared stories, which are surely the best knowledge available to them, they communicate deep insights on life, death, our common origin and destiny.

The narratives shared by the cave-men and contemporary scientists help humanity in providing insights to deal with our human condition better.

It is in this context that we can better appreciate the stories provided by Rev. Dr. Jose Kaimlett and published by Joji Valli. They are rare collection of stories that provide meaning and insight to human life. As such they are pearls of wisdom that we human beings badly need about ourselves and about what we can truly hope for. I wish that the readers will be able to understand and appreciate these stories and apply them to their own lives. As one great thinker says, Every understanding is self-understanding. May these stories enlighten our minds and lessen the burdens of life by providing us with meaningful insights and adequate explanations for our own life. May they be source of strength and consolation, especially in our troubled times.

I with the author, publisher wish readers an enriching time assimilating these stories, so that their life becomes wiser and they can enjoy themselves with abandonment and suffer themselves with compassion! May these stories truly provide us with insights for our life and death!

Prof. Dr. Kuruvilla Pandikattu

(Philosopher & Author)

Jnana-Deepa Vidyapeeth, Pune

March 23, 2011

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Dedicated to the whole World

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Acknowledgements

Nothing is more heartening to a ‘teacher,’ any teacher for that matter, than to see that his teachings are appreciated by his disciples. There is no greater proof of appreciation, than to see the disciples themselves going out to teach the selfsame ideals.

The contents of this book is a selected collection of

Thought for the day mailed out by me on a daily basis to all my friends.

Two of my past-pupils, Dr. Biju Kuttikatt and Jobin Plackiyil had published their collections under the title,

Tonic for the Spirit. An Italian version of a 150

Thoughts will be published by Dr. Daniele Sciuto simultaneously with this collection in May on the occasion of my 70th birthday.

I appreciate much their love and regard for me, as well as their burning desire to make available to all and sundry the inspiration and wisdom contained in them that has prompted Joji Valli and Biji Vazhayail to publish this book.

I have not seen either of them ever since they left my classroom decades ago.

I am very grateful to you, my dear Joji and Biji, for your love for me that has withstood the test of time. I wish you tremendous success in your efforts to spread the ‘light’

around. You are the light of the world. Be Lighted to Enlighten.

I am thankful to Dr. C. Drago, Dr. Joji Valli and Radha Suresh for offering honest and invaluable editorial suggestions to bring this book ‘INSIGHTS’ into being.

May the ‘INSIGHTS’ ignite incessant insights in your life and those around to share happiness, love, peace, contentment and harmony.

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Contents

1. War of Words ............................................................. 17

2. The Man Who Loved Bread ....................................... 17

3. Fasting ....................................................................... 18

4. Temptations ............................................................... 19

5. Love for the Family .................................................... 20

6. The Lottery Ticket ..................................................... 21

7. Blind Boy................................................................... 22

8. Best Detergent ........................................................... 23

9. Johnny’s Tantrum ....................................................... 23

10. An Atheist ................................................................ 25

11. The Devoted Wife ................................................... 25

12. Doing Your Duty is Prayer ....................................... 26

13. The Apostle Raises Pigeons ...................................... 27

14. Grandpa Frog........................................................... 27

15. Why Do I Work....................................................... 28

16. Efficiency Expert ...................................................... 29

17. The Omnipresence of God....................................... 29

18. The Local Repair Shop ............................................. 30

19. Selfishness is the Cause ............................................ 31

20. Winning for Ourselves ............................................. 31

21. A Carpenter’s Gift .................................................... 32

22. Paganini’s Violin ...................................................... 34

23. Price Makes Things Priceless .................................... 34

24. Two Shipwrecked Men on an Island ......................... 35

25. Mystery Deaths ........................................................ 36

26. Million Dollar Sweepstake ....................................... 37

27. Judge in Dilemma .................................................... 37

28. Who is Deaf? ........................................................... 38

29. Fear Paralyses ........................................................... 39

30. Love for the Poor Conquers ..................................... 40

31. Skeptic ..................................................................... 40

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32. Aging ....................................................................... 41

33. Do What Has to be Done! ....................................... 42

34. Criticism .................................................................. 43

35. Gratitude is an Attitude ........................................... 43

36. Keep on Going ........................................................ 44

37. Lesson from a Terrapin ............................................. 45

38. Nuisance .................................................................. 46

39. Focus on Solutions ................................................... 47

40. Handicaps ................................................................ 47

41. The Concert ............................................................ 48

42. Muscle Power is not Brain Power ............................. 49

43. Mercy ...................................................................... 50

44. Change of Mind ...................................................... 51

45. Being Smart Pays ..................................................... 51

46. Flattery .................................................................... 52

47. Half-Educated ......................................................... 53

48. Paycheck discrepancy ............................................... 55

49. Busy All Day Doing Nothing ................................... 55

50. Brain Power ............................................................. 57

51. Socialism .................................................................. 58

52. A Home is Where?... ................................................ 59

53. The Dog that Chewed off the Tag ............................ 59

54. Post Turtle ................................................................ 60

55. Who will Feed the hungry? ...................................... 61

56. Sweet are the Uses of Adversity ............................. 61

57. A Word of Encouragement....................................... 62

58. Happy to the Last Breath ......................................... 63

59. The Quality of Mercy .............................................. 65

60. Be Yourself ............................................................... 65

61. Always Hitting the Bull’s Eye ................................... 66

62. Bad Parental Example .............................................. 67

63. Learning to Fall ........................................................ 68

64. What is Truth? ......................................................... 68

65. Why Pain?................................................................ 69

66. Sacrifice that Saves ................................................... 70

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67. Rash Judgment ........................................................ 71

68. Think You Have it Tough? ....................................... 71

69. The Sinner ............................................................... 72

70. Regular Rest ............................................................. 73

71. Excellence ................................................................ 74

72. The Mouse Trap ....................................................... 74

73. Bamboo ................................................................... 76

74. Success is Failure Turned Inside Out ........................ 76

75. Spirit of the Law ...................................................... 77

76. God Never Gets Tired .............................................. 78

77. Who Listens to the People? ...................................... 79

78. Shoebox in the Cupboard ........................................ 79

79. Mother for Hire ....................................................... 80

80. Friends are God’s Way of Taking Care of Us ............. 81

81. Where Have All the Sermons Gone? ........................ 83

82. Can You Answer These? ........................................... 83

83. Rituals ..................................................................... 84

84. The Chicken ............................................................ 85

85. The Bear and the Travelers ....................................... 86

86. Great Value in Disaster............................................. 87

87. The Old Faithful Well .............................................. 87

88. Finally, Out to the Ball Game .................................. 89

89. Silly Beliefs .............................................................. 90

90. Pain Passes ... ........................................................... 90

91. The Weight of a Snowflake ...................................... 91

92. God Never Gets Tired .............................................. 92

93. An Inside Job ........................................................... 92

94. Strengths and Weaknesses ........................................ 93

95. Melrose Suspension Bridge....................................... 94

96. Love Brings Trouble ................................................. 94

97. Let Sleeping Dogs Lie! ............................................. 95

98. Destined to Win ...................................................... 96

99. It is my Nature ......................................................... 97

100. Judge not by External Appearances ........................ 98

101. Beatitudes .............................................................. 100

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102. Signet..................................................................... 100

103. They also Serve ...................................................... 101

104. Solidarity ............................................................... 102

105. The Gullible........................................................... 102

106. Truth is Truth ......................................................... 103

107. Irony of Fate .......................................................... 103

108. What would Jesus have Done? ............................... 104

109. Being a Light in the World ..................................... 105

110. Prayer .................................................................... 105

111. Jealousy .................................................................. 106

112. We are All Called to be .......................................... 107

113. Care Cures ............................................................. 107

114. No Point in Cleaning ............................................. 108

115. Simple Life............................................................. 109

116. Planning ................................................................ 110

117. To What Extent? .................................................... 111

118. Like Human Fools! ................................................ 111

119. Follow Your Bliss.................................................... 112

120. Being Good and True ............................................. 113

121. Tomorrow .............................................................. 113

122. Which one Wins?................................................... 114

123. I am Out There ...................................................... 114

124. Assumptions .......................................................... 115

125. Don’t Rest on Your Old Laurels.............................. 116

126. Discouragement ..................................................... 117

127. Forgiveness Heals ................................................... 117

128. Try to Become What You Could Have Been ........... 118

129. A Parable of Church Workers ................................. 119

130. Freedom................................................................. 120

131. What is Under Your Feet? ...................................... 121

132. Gambling............................................................... 121

133. The Complaint Book ............................................. 122

134. With a Little Push .................................................. 123

135. The Medium can Change the Message ................... 124

136. Greed Destroys Happiness ..................................... 125

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137. A Dirty Farmer ...................................................... 126

138. Barber does not Exist ............................................. 126

139. The Deacon and the Preacher ................................ 127

140. Phone Call ............................................................. 128

141. Hereford Cows....................................................... 129

142. Where are You Going? ........................................... 130

143. The Ant and the Dove ........................................... 131

144. Eagles in a Storm ................................................... 131

145. You Reap What You Plant ...................................... 132

146. Plans or Bridge? ..................................................... 133

147. Copper Kettle Christians........................................ 134

148. Warmth of Your Love ............................................. 134

149. God is Love............................................................ 135

150. Better Know Who Your Pilot is? ............................. 136

151. Entirely Guilty ....................................................... 137

152. Evil Brothers .......................................................... 138

153. Compassion Turned Sour ....................................... 138

154. Blind Statue of Our Lady ....................................... 140

155. Not a One Way Street ............................................ 140

156. A Little Bit Every Day ............................................ 141

157. The Silent Treatment.............................................. 142

158. The Silent Air Trip ................................................. 142

159. The Two Wolves..................................................... 143

160. Grandpa’s Day Out ................................................ 144

161. Parable of the Pencil ............................................... 144

162. Disobedience ......................................................... 145

163. Power of Discouraging Words ................................ 146

164. The Frog ................................................................ 147

165. Opportunity Lost is Irretrievably Lost Forever........ 148

166. The Wolf and the Lamb ......................................... 150

167. Don’t Copy if You Can’t Paste! ............................... 150

168. Frantic Pursuit, After What?................................... 151

169. How to Call the Police? .......................................... 152

170. When Your Own Conscience Condemns You ........ 153

171. All Right, Break it Up! ........................................... 154

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172. Unsolicited Compassion ........................................ 154

173. Inscrutable Ways of Bhagavan ................................ 155

174. Windows and Mirrors ............................................ 156

175. The Lone Ranger ................................................... 156

176. The Wall ................................................................ 157

177. Mother................................................................... 158

178. Procrastination ....................................................... 160

179. A Wonderful Sermon ............................................. 161

180. Courage to Face Failure .......................................... 161

181. True Love ............................................................... 164

182. Sharpen Your Axe ................................................... 165

183. Asian Farmer .......................................................... 166

184. Fear of Death ......................................................... 167

185. Anything for a Profit .............................................. 167

186. What will Happen, if I Don’t Help? ....................... 168

187. Obstinacy .............................................................. 170

188. Gates of Heaven ..................................................... 171

189. Dividing Nuts ........................................................ 172

190. A Blind Girl ........................................................... 173

191. Fear ........................................................................ 174

192. The Old Faithful Well ............................................ 175

193. Different Perception ............................................... 176

194. Limping Horse....................................................... 177

195. Trucks can be Repaired .......................................... 178

196. Stick that grew Shorter ........................................... 179

197. Easier to Demolish than To Build .......................... 180

198. You are Wonderful ................................................. 181

199. God’s Wife ............................................................. 182

200. Don’t let me Down ................................................ 183

INDEX 185

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INSIGHTS

I was on the lookout for a touching name for this book.

So I told one of my colleagues to keep scratching her brains and maybe she can stumble upon a good name.

She tells me if you come online, she would be able to help me out. I said, I am going for a walk, will come online as I get back. So I went for my usual one hour walk.

As I returned, went online and saw her on Google talk.

I opened the chat window and started writing, any insights or outsights? I pressed enter to send the text.

Without giving her anymore time to reply, I wrote again.

Wait a minute.

How does it sound ‘INSIGHTS’

Of course, without any delay came the reply. That is it.

Well. That was the moment of insight to get a touching name. It just happens — You need to be aware. ‘Be Just’.

That is how now you are able to hold this book

‘INSIGHTS’ in your hands to bring insights in your life. Now let me enlighten you what ‘INSIGHTS’ really are:

Insight is the understanding of a specific cause and effect in a specific context. Insight has multiple dimensions for example a person with very poor recognition or acknowledgment is referred to as having

poor insight or lack of insight.

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The mind is a model of the universe built up from insights. A mature mind has assimilated many insights and understands cause and effect. (Ref. Wikipedia) Insights are the deeper understandings of life with your attitudes and beliefs, which helps you to synchronize yourself and others at an emotional level. Thus making an everlasting bond between you and your surroundings

— life itself.

The Pali word for ‘insight’ is ‘ vipassana,’ which has been adopted as the name of a kind of Buddhist meditation.

Every moment you are awakened to plenty of insights.

Are you ready to grab those insights? If you are able to harness those it is yours. Let me assure you the content of this