May I Have Your “TENSION”, Please?

Although the following letter was written in 1991, its message remains timeless:

January 1, 1991

I wish you a happy and prosperous New Year.

It takes three hundred and sixty-five days of changes to bring about the new year. Yet the surroundings of this life change at the beat of every second. The only thing that is constant and true is held within the heart.

Savor not the changes, but the grace and gifts that are continually showered upon us. Then our perspective and the outcome of this life is very enjoyable. Things may be ambiguous in this life, but life itself is never ambiguous. Gather affection for the unchangeable, then all the changes do not matter.

It is easier to wish for joy in one’s life, yet harder to bring it about. Each one of us has to turn within and find the true joy, the true consistency and the real gift that always has and will reside within ourselves.

Acknowledge the grace and kindness that has been so abundantly bestowed upon you. That in itself has the power to bring spring to the driest of the deserts.

I would love to see you soon, and I wish you the best.

With love and blessings,
(signed)
Maharaji

My most memorable experience with “helping” a dying patient was when I was a paramedic. We responded to a call in one of the so-called “projects”. As we entered the front door, we saw an elderly black man lying motionless on a hospital bed in the living room. His family was gathered around him, heads bowed and weeping softly.

His wife explained that he had a long bout with cancer and had been recently sent home from the hospital. Several attempts were made, but the patient was unresponsive to verbal or painful stimuli.

When we contacted the man’s physician on the phone, we were told that he was sent home to die in peace, but that his family was not prepared for that event. The doctor instructed us to transport the man to the hospital so that he could die there, and added, “No heroics”.

The patient remained totally unresponsive while we transferred him from the bed onto our stretcher, and was not aroused at all as we rolled him out to the ambulance, lifted him into the back, locked the stretcher in place, and closed the back doors. I rode in the back with him while my partner drove at normal speed (no lights or sirens).

I continued my attempts to stimulate him by calling his name several times, while gently pressing a knuckle into his sternum (that normally hurts a LOT). Still no response. I decided that my written report could wait until after our arrival at the hospital.

Then, something deep within me told me, “He’s not responding to words or pain. Try love.” I picked up his hand and held it in mine. With my very next breath, I focused on the primordial vibration within me and FELT this precious gift of life flow through my body. At that exact MOMENT, the man opened his eyes, turned his head, looked into my eyes and smiled. He then closed his eyes, and died.

I wasn’t saddened, I was humbled. I felt grateful and fortunate that I was “used” to comfort and assist this man during his transition from this life to whatever happens next.

People who are dying are spiritually attuned, and their need is for that to be validated. My patient was oblivious to verbal and painful stimuli. But, somehow, he was awakened by an unseen force that can only be FELT. Although no words were exchanged, there is no doubt that his smile was his way of saying “Thank you”. It was as if he was waiting for that affirmation of Love, God, Truth – whatever you want to call it – before leaving his body.

This one incident was a gentle reminder to trust in the ONLY thing that is worthy of our trust: The one Love that connects us all.

I’d like to take this time to thank my good friend and webmaster, Stephen Caudill, for his patience and expertise in setting up this website. Stephen’s website is http://www.mechavox.com. He can be reached at vox@mechavox.com.

The photo of me in the “Biography” section was taken by my friend and massage client, Pam Nobles, who, in addition to her portrait photo skills, also owns her own dance studio in Apalachicola, Florida.

As a paramedic, I responded to a call at a small hotel. The manager reported that a guest was having “difficult breathing”.

On arrival, we walked into the man’s room. He was in his 60’s, lying on his bed with labored breathing. He had a bulbous red nose (like W.C. Fields), and a small bottle of nitroglycerin tablets on the nightstand next to his bed. His breath smelled like he’d been drinking. I read his name on the Rx.

I said, “Mr. Johnson (not his real name), do you have any other problems besides angina?” He said, “Go away.” I explained that the manager called us to check him for his labored breathing and that, since we were there, he should let us evaluate him. There would be no charge if we didn’t transport him.

While my partner began to take his blood pressure, I asked if he was taking any other meds. He said they were in the “grip” at the foot of the bed. I opened the small leather pouch and saw several generic Rx’s from a VA hospital.

Just then, the guy got up off the bed, BP cuff still dangling from his arm, sat in a chair directly in front of me, flipped open his small suitcase, pulled out a pistol, pointed it at his head, closed his eyes, and leaned back in the chair – all within 3 seconds.

My immediate thoughts were 1) “Well, he’s not pointing that gun at me”, 2) “He’s not mad at me”, and finally, “I wonder how loud it’s gonna be?”

My partner then literally ran over the top of the mattress, wrenched the gun from the guy’s hand, opened the chamber, and dumped 6 bullets onto the bed.

When the police arrived (attempted suicide), the guy told the cop, “You got a gun, YOU shoot me.” The cop calmly said, “I got no reason to shoot you.”

Realizing that this man needed to hear the right words to help him at that time was a no-brainer. I asked him again, from my heart, “Mr. Johnson, what is going on?” He replied, “I was a prisoner of war in a German concentration camp.”

At that moment, Rick Garzaniti stepped aside and the following response just flowed through me: “Mr. Johnson, you didn’t let them kill you then, don’t let them kill you NOW!!” It was then that he got up and willfully laid down on our stretcher.

This is a perfect example of how being present, treating the patient from our hearts, and listening with our being is so important.

It certainly worked for me.

These are a couple of referrals I’m happy to make. For a great place to eat Mexican food or fresh seafood in Tallahassee, I recommend Cabos Island Grill and Bar. They have daily food and drink specials, and a Sunday Brunch that can’t be beat! If St. George Island is on your list of places to visit and/or stay, I recommend staying at Moonray. Both are owned by my good friend (and massage client), Mike Ferrara. Mike also has a 38 foot Trimaran, Bout Time, available for !/2 day and full day charters. Click on any of the links in this message for more info on the restaurant, the beach house, and the cruise.

Prem Rawat, widely known by the honorary title, “Maharaji”, has been traveling the world for more than 30 years bringing a unique message of peace. He gave his first public addresses at the age of 3, and by the age of 13 he was responding to invitations to speak in the United States and Great Britain.

His message is from the heart. He speaks about the possibility for each person to find peace within, regardless of circumstances.

Addressing a distinguished audience at the invitation of the United Nations Association of Malaysia, he recently said, “Peace is a fundamental necessity, and begins with each individual. And, yes, peace is possible.”
Through The Prem Rawat Foundation, he also spearheads significant humanitarian initiatives aimed at improving the lives of people most in need.

From large cities to remote villages, millions of people around the world come to him for inspiration and guidance. Even as his audiences increase, Prem Rawat’s message remains directed to each individual. “If you are looking for fulfillment and peace,” he says, “the solution lies within. If that is what you want, I can help.”

For more information, please visit the following websites:
www.tprf.org
www.maharaji.net
www.contact-info.net

“All roads have an end and thus all journeys upon them will some day end. Find the universe within you and you may journey forever.” – Prem Rawat