God Is Smarter Than We Are
Dear friends,
I wrote about my brain tumor and surgery at 17 years old a few weeks ago. An amazing, painful, long-recovery experience. What I did not share was that it turned out to be one of the greatest episodes of my life. The delay of my freshman year in college meant I would meet my future wife, with whom I am fast approaching 50 years. It would not have happened without that "unfortunate" health condition. But there is a second story, that resulted in the other great blessing of my life.
I was a gamesman as a youth. I played highly competitive backgammon, chess, scrabble, bridge, and eventually—when I got old enough—poker (don't ask). At some point I discovered the stock market. The hardest and best game in the world! I decided to pursue it so got a job as a stockbroker, mostly to be close to the action. I started with about $60,000 in today's dollars, and in five years had turned it into $2 million (I said I was good at games :-) ).
But a funny thing happened on the way to the bank. I lost $300,000 a month for six months in a row! But even back then, I knew God was the most important thing in my life, though I had not yet found Yogananda. I prayed one night, distraught over those losses, and got the clearest guidance I have ever received. An absolutely unmistakable instruction to "Quit your job, sell your house, and drive West." My wife, who had a marvelous job as Director of an anti-pollution organization, instantly agreed (amazingly, but that's another story) and off we went. Six weeks later we were at Ananda Village, and a year after arriving there I was a disciple of Yogananda's.
My wife and my guru both were the result of "disasters," one financial collapse and the other incredible pain, suffering, and near-death. Thank you, Lord, for giving me what is best for me regardless of how it may appear at the time. I was fortunate to see the connection between the hard event and the blessing, but had I not seen it, it would have been there all the same. And often the eventual blessing comes next life, so we never make the connection.
(As an aside… and something I often mention... please do not envision the most horrendous thing you can imagine and as a consequence resist this idea. Near-death accompanied by agonizing pain and going broke are significant, but there are worse circumstances. It can be extremely hard to see what Spirit is doing, but a plan exists nonetheless. As with anything worth doing, start small and build up slowly.)
May we accept that God's will for us is always for our best and highest. May we take what comes with gratitude, regardless of the outward appearance. Working to do so will ultimately be the making of us and bring us soul freedom.
Blessings,
David G., manager
For the staff at East West