Do you have any experience of Miracles?

ANgel is a superb cellist. He is also an upcoming composer. He plays at all my workshops and over the years he has become a close friend. Born in Bulgaria, he grew up in New York and was educated at the Juliard School, where he was an exceptional student. He came to Europe to study composition and has studied in Vienna and London.

One evening, in 2022 ANgel was heading home, walking along the street in Walthamstow, London, texting someone on his phone. He was holding his phone in both hands, texting at speed as the young people who have grown up with these devices do. Suddenly a cyclist swerved into him and snatched his phone out of his hands. Before he could even realise what was happening, the cyclist vanished down the street. As he was standing there in shock, just waking up to the horror of what had just happened, the cyclist returned. He barged into him and searched him aggressively, presumably thinking that a young man with such a good phone must be rich and was probably carrying cash. ANgel was terrified. Knife crime is also a sad reality in our streets, especially in fairly poor areas like that one, and ANgel was crying, 'Please don't kill me.' The robber, finding nothing, pushed him away in disgust and sped off again. ANgel was so distressed and upset that he no longer wanted to live in the area and moved not long afterwards, to stay with a friend who lived in another borough.

ANgel is a composer. His phone is what he uses for his work. He needs a specialist phone with a large storage capacity for the composition-programme and to store all his videos. The theft was a huge blow. He was devastated. This kind of phone is not cheap and his income is not particularly strong. At that time he had no savings. All his income went on rent and bills. London is an expensive city to live in and he so he was not only deeply shaken by this event but also afraid. How could he continue with his work without his phone. He didn't know what to do.

A close friend who met him when he lived in America and 'took him under her wing' when he was still a child, came to know about the theft. He jokes that she is his 'American Mother.' She is not wealthy but her financial position is stable. She appreciated what a serious blow this was - and she gave him the funds to replace his phone with a second-hand one, which was not as good as the one that had been stolen - but it was adequate for his needs. I think that we can all be Angels for each other - and that's how 'God' works. Love is the magic which makes miracles happen.

 
The very nature of kindness
Is to spread.
If you are kind to others,
Today they will be kind to you,
And tomorrow to somebody else.

Sri Chinmoy,
Ten Thousand Flower-Flames, no 9280, part 93, Agni Press, 1983

Where do Miracles Come From?

I taught Religious Education for over 30 years so I often see events through the lens of religion. So what do the religions have to say about kindness?

In Christianity,
Love is the ultimate Goal. It teaches that 'God is Love' and Christians are commanded to love everyone - starting with loving oneself, then our 'neighbours' (anyone we meet) this even extends to our enemies. Christ's whole life was the ultimate vision and example of self-giving and ultimately sacrificial love. In Islam, charity and giving to those who are in need is one of the 'Five Pillars.' It is as important as prayer and pilgrimage.
Islam teaches -
that Allah is closer to us than the blood in our veins, so it is incumbent on Muslims to help anyone who is in need. In the Quran, there are famously 99 Beautiful Names for Allah, and each verse (but one) begins with the phrase 'In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful' which many Muslims repeat before starting any undertaking.
Compassion is understood to be the most important quality of Allah, which all Muslims should strive to live by.

In Buddhism,
the whole aim is to end suffering - for oneself and others. The eightfold path calls Buddhists to live with Right Understanding, Right Thought, Right Speech and Right Action. The attitude of Loving Kindness is central to Buddhist Mindfulness Practise.

In Hinduism
Ahimsa (harmlessness) and Selfless-Service, recognising and honouring the divine in everyone and everything are found at the heart of all the teachings.

In Sikhism
performing Sewa is central. Sewa is Selfless-Service and this is epitomised in the way that serving a meal for everyone who comes to the Sikh Temple is part of Sikh worship. There is a cental command to care for each other. I found an article by Jaswinder Singh which illustrates this - 

At the core of Sikhism lies the philosophy of selfless service, known as Sewa  Sewa is a principle that transcends religious boundaries and holds universal relevance. The philosophy encourages individuals to engage in acts of kindness, compassion and service without expecting anything in return. While deeply embedded in Sikh tradition, people of all backgrounds can adopt the principles of Sewa to enhance their day-to-day lives.

And Judaism?
At the time of writing this, the genocide in Gaza is into its 10th month and horrific atrocities are being carried out every single minute, not just every day. The death toll of 40,000 is probably half the real number as it does not include those burried under rubble or who die from illness or their wounds because the medical services have been destroyed. We are watching in horror, seemingly helpless. Israel claims to be a Jewish 'homeland.'  So what does Judaism have to say about love for all? 

I meet many Jews at the Palestine Solidarity Marches and they are adamant that this so called war has no legality or justification in Judaism. I looked up Judaism and love for all in Google and find this - 'Included in K’doshim is perhaps the most famous line in the entire Torah, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” ("https://www.sefaria.org/Leviticus.19.18?
This verse achieved its fame not just because of its simple, powerful message but also because of the well–known anecdote in which Hillel, a Talmudic sage, tells a potential convert that this rule is the essence of the Torah, something a person can absorb while standing on one foot, and that the rest is merely commentary ("https://www.sefaria.org/Shabbat.)

This is an astounding statement, especially if we understand Hillel to be saying that how a person treats others outweighs in importance how a person deals with God.'
 'Few people notice that several verses later in the same chapter another statement of prescribed “love” appears, this time mandating that one love the non–Israelite who lives among Israelites, a reference to someone who does not worship the God of Israel or assimilate into the people of Israel. The verse tells us, “When a stranger resides with you in your land, you shall not wrong him…. You shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I the Lord am your God” (vv. 33,34).... caring for self and family is not enough, and neither is avoiding abusing others. <strong>Jews must actively seek to eliminate injustice against Jew and non–Jew, wherever they see it. This is as powerful a social message as we find in the Bible.'

All Religions?
All the great religions may seem different from the outside, but when you look at the heart of them, they all singing the same song. Some Christians say that we are the Hands of Christ. ANgel's American Mother certainly showed how this can work in life. She worked a real miracle for him at that time.

Since 2022 ANgel has moved on and the shadow of that horrible event has faded. His replacement phone has served him well and he has continued to compose his music and play at events and weddings ever since.

Life is never easy!

Two months ago, ANgel was walking along a street in the City Centre, heading for an appointment and using his satnav to find his way. Suddenly a cyclist swerved close, like a bird of prey, and snatched his phone out of his hand. Again the thief disappeared before ANgel could even realise what had happened.

It was later that day that I came to know about this new theft - when a mutual friend contacted me to let me know what had happened. Phones have become so essential to our lives these days. We had no way to contact each other directly.

Sunshine and Roses 

Sometimes ANgel gets frustrated because there can be so many setbacks. He never imagined that he would reach the terrible 'ancient age of 30' without 'achieving something strong' in the way of financial security. Recognised as something of a childhood prodigy, he upset his family by striking out alone to become a composer rather than following the safer route into working as a full time professional cellist. But he had to follow his dreams and release the music which comes to him. ,

He has sometimes said, 'Why can't life be a bit more easy, a bit more smooth. I don't necessarily want to become rich and famous (although that would be nice) but it would be great if I didn't have to struggle so much. I thought I would have been able to give up busking by now - but even through I still have to busk I am not able to earn anything like as much as I did before the pandemic.

I remind him that there is a Cost of Living Crisis. It affects what I can earn from busking too. Just remember that everythig is relative and don't compare with other people. There are always some above us and some below. Never forget that we have a home to go to, a bed to sleep in, food to eat and no bombs dropping on our heads.

I remind him that we come into the world to learn and make spiritual progress, to open ourselves to God and 'His Love' and to grow in His Love and Light. He is doing that. He is changing people's lives with his music, lifting up the world.

Often it is in our times of struggle that we pray hardest and make the best progress, so just offer gratitude for everything.
Think of a heart-monitor. The trace goes up and down with each heart-beat. The only time it is flat and smooth is when we are dead!! So accept and embrace the challenges as well as the times when life is all sunshine and roses. 
Keep your meditation practice as seriously as you practise your cello every day. Offer gratitude for all your experiences and never lose your faith. It's not even a question that all will be well, but all IS well. Every experience is progress when we know how to look at it. 

Another Angel-Miracle

That coming Saturday ANgel was playing at a Wellbeing Event in Richmond. It's a regular engagement and the organiser has a huge respect for ANgel and his skill. He had to tell her about the phone-theft since she would need to contact him to finalise arrangements - and her reaction was immediate. She checked out the price of a basic second-hand phone and transferred to him. £300.00. Think of it as an advance, she said. We can take it out of what you will be earning from me in the future.

Within a week he was able to buy a phone, identical to the one which had been stolen, except that it had very little storage-space. We all offered massive 'Gratutudes' to 'The Universe' / 'God' / 'Allah' / 'The Supreme' - or The Great Spirit - whatever Name or concept you may have for that Reality.

One way or another, over the years that I have known ANgel, I have become a bit like his English mother. He is autistic and doesn't find travelling easy. He needs to arrive at a wedding relaxed and ready to give his best, not stressed out and exhausted from a difficult journey. A few weeks later I was driving him to a wedding engagement in the south of England which would have been difficult to reach by public transport. He was using his satnav to navigate. But the phone has a 'gremlin' and had the habit of jumping to any other programme. It would even phone people at random on its own. ANgel was grumbling. He was frustrated. Why was his phone so bad?

I am a Mindfulness Coach and I never miss an opportunity to draw ANgel's attention to unhelpful negative thoughts. I reminded him of what a miracle and a blessing it was that he had any phone in his hand at all. He could take it to a phone-shop and get it fixed. Where was his gratitude?

We both feel close to the spiritual Teacher Sri Chinmoy who has been my own Guru for over 50 years. ANgel keeps Sri Chinmoy's photo in his cello case and meditates on it in his own way. Whenever he is facing a difficult challenge or worried about something he 'talks to Sri Chinmoy' in this photo. He has seen so many miracles in his life since he started this practice. I reminded him of the fact and the importance of cultivating a 'Gratitude-Attitude?' Wasn't it a bit ungrateful to be grumbling about the phone instead of just feeling gratitude to the lady who had given him the money to buy it and to Guru for all he has been doing to help him? 'I wish Guru could have given me a better phone' he said, 'A more up-to-date phone with a bigger memory.' He was joking and we were laughing about this. The frustration evaporated and we continued on our way in good spirits.

The wedding went well. On the way home we left the main road and found a sunny meadow where we enjoyed a picnic. I was asking ANgel what his next event would be and when it would be coming up. He said he had another wedding coming up in early August. I asked what he was charging for it and he said £50.00. I was outraged. I said he shouldn't even step through the door for less than £300.00. He said that they only wanted him to play one tune, one song. How could he charge £300.00 for that. We had a good argument on the subject but at the end of the day he is his own man. He is an adult and I am not his mother. We had to agree to differ. 

On 3rd August ANgel went to play at the wedding he had told me about. It was in a modern church and as he was warming up and preparing to play, he noticed that the acoustics were lovely. He asked the Priest if he might stay behind after the wedding and record something while he was there. The Priest was happy to agree to this and after the wedding showed him a side-room where he could wait until everyone had gone.

As he was setting up to play, he asked the Priest if he could video the piece using his phone. Then somehow he noticed that the Priest had a much better phone and he asked if the Priest would mind recording it on his phone. The quality would be a lot better. The Priest was happy to agree.

Here is the music that Angel recorded after the wedding.

Sicilienne by Gabriel Faure

Another Mighty Miracle

Afterwards the Priest asked Angel if he would like a cup of tea before he went home. He invited him to his house, which was next to the church and gave him a meal as well as the cup of tea. They chatted in a friendly way and the Priest took his phone number, as he might have some future events, christenings, weddings or funerals, where he needed a good cellist. ANgel headed for home feeling happy and inspired.

Next day his phone rang. It was the Priest.

'After you went home last night,' he said, 'I was thinking. I know how important technical things like phones are for the young people today. For many of them it's just an indulgence. They don't need a top quality phone. It's more of a status symbol, but for you as a musician, with your exceptional talent, it is really essential that you have a phone with maximum storage, one that can take good quality videos. I took the situation to God in my prayers and I believe that He wants me to buy you a decent phone. Can you meet me in Oxford Street tomorrow? I can be there at 1.30pm. Would you be available to meet me and we can go to the Apple shop together? You choose whichever phone will be best for your needs. I will be happy to pay for it.'

ANgel was shocked and quite embarrassed. He's a generous soul but finds it difficult to accept kindness and generosity given to him. Even the £300.00 which was in effect an advance, not a gift, as he does repeat work for that lady, was difficult for him to accept - and this Priest was a complete stranger. When does a stranger make such an incredibly generous offer? This is an example of true Love and Oneness!

Next day they met and went to the Apple Shop as arranged. The Priest told him to talk to an Assistant and look for the phone that would best meet his needs, while he sat at the side of the room. He said, 'Be sure to ask for one with the best camera and maximum storage.' ANgel did as instructed and the phone he chose was £1,500. The Priest said that was fine - and paid for it. ANgel was in a complete state of shock. Gratitude to the Priest, to our Guru, to The Almighty - it seems too small a word to house the emotion he was feeling.

An unexpected Testimonial 

ANgel told me this and I asked him to record it for me as it is not an unusual response to his music. He said -

I was busking a few days ago at Highbury and Islington and there was a guy that  came and listened to me for five to ten minutes, He was listening to two or three peaces. He gave me a fiver and said, 

You are carrying a very special soul, young man. You are.such a  very gifted person.  You have no idea what a difference your music is making to the world. You are lifting people. You are changing people's lives. I just want to remind you that you are a very special soul and greatly loved by the 'Man up there' and you are not alone. You are never alone. I thank you so much for what you are doing'

Next day I was driving on the motorway thinking of these things and offering my own prayers and songs of gratitude. Suddenly I had a thought. I stopped at the next Service Station and phoned ANgel.

'Listen,' I said. 'Go straight back to the Apple Shop and find out about phone insurance. Don't take it anywhere until you have fixed up insurance.'

I know that there is a spate of these phone-thefts in London at the moment. There are many people struggling to survive and some of them are tempted 'turn to the dark side' and steal for what they need.

I urged ANgel to get the phone insured before he takes it out of the house. I know for the past month or so he has tried to save a few pounds whenever he can. I said he can use that savings and if it's not enough then continue saving until he has enough. He took my advice seriously and went back to the Apple shop to find out about insurance. I think it was £250 for 5 years - which was beyond his current savings - but they also have a scheme where you can pay £12.00 a month. He signed up for that. The Assistant said they are having a lot of people coming in having had their phones stolen. I think he said there are 6 phones stolen every hour in London at the moment. 

The sincerity of my heart,
The purity of my mind
And the generosity of my life
Are my most favourite friends.

Sri Chinmoy,
 Seventy-Seven Thousand Service-Trees, no 41056, part 42, Agni Press, 2005