Mantras have a very powerful effect on us and their healing powers are immense. When we play the mantras on CDs and hear them, the sound waves spread out. I have watched this first hand in my home. I play a different chant every day as soon as I wake up. It is very fascinating to watch my cats.

They are wild and they live in my balcony. They come for their four square meals daily. However in the morning they sit and wait patiently for me to attend to them. There are no loud mews and they do wrap themselves around me but they wait patiently. I have also observed that they are non-violent. They do not catch any mice or pigeons. They watch them but that is all. The birds also sing along with the chants. Krishna Das is their favorite.

Now many people refuse to accept this small miracle, including my husband who says that they are very well fed. I give such persons benefit of the doubt. However what disturbs me is that their nature has not changed towards each other. I have a granny cat who is a fighter and she attacks her daughter and grandson. The daughter attacks the mother. So though they practice ahimsa, they are vicious to each other. I fling water on them as I do not know what to do.

It reminds me of the story about the scorpion and the sannyasin. The sannyasin was bathing in the river and he saw a scorpion. He rescued him and the scorpion stung him. The scorpion said that he could not change his nature and the sannyasin replied neither could he.

It is true, why should one become nasty if one is not petty by nature. We must continue to be generous and kind to persons. We should not expect gratitude in return.

Mahatama Gandhi said that poverty is the worst form of violence, so when you work with marginalized communities, do not expect them to be grateful. What will surprise you is their lack of greed and spontaneous generosity.

Only we can change our behavior by the practice of Atma bhava, love for our fellow beings.

Aim Hrim Klim