May be you have heard about the Great Barrier Reef, stretching some 1,800 miles from New Guinea to Australia. Tour guides regularly take visitors to view the reef.

On one tour, a traveler asked the guide an interesting question.” I noticed that the lagoon side of the reef looks pale and lifeless, while the ocean side is vibrant and colorful," the traveler observed. "Why is this?"

The guide gave an interesting answer:” The coral around the lagoon side is in still water with no challenge for its survival. It dies early. The coral on the ocean side is constantly being tested by wind, waves, and storms -- surges of power. It has to fight for survival every day of its life. As it is challenged and tested, it changes and adapts. It grows healthy. It grows strong. And it reproduces."

Then he added this telling note: "That's the way it is with every living organism."

That's how it is with people. Challenged and tested, we come alive! Like coral pounded by the sea, we grow. Physical demands can cause us to grow stronger. Mental and emotional stress can produce tough-mindedness and resiliency. Spiritual testing can produce strength of character and faithfulness. So, you have problems? No problem! Just tell yourself, "There I grow again!”

Remember, a smooth sea never made a skilled mariner- English Proverb.



Hi Dearest all,
A lovely forward (thanks sweetie) which brings up the factor of 'duality'...or 'friction' (in physic terms please not friction as in fighting) which is inherent for the human game to 'be'!

My usual analogy to understand this is the board-game! Any game you CHOOSE to play... for the sheer FUN... and LEARNING ... within it... must have this factor surely- snakes in a snake and ladder game (imagine playing snakes and ladders without snakes ... you would throw the dice and reach hundred in a minute...and thus never play it as game! Imagine playing cricket without teams... who would you play 'against'... who would make you go 'out' ... what game then? Similarly humanity as an experience requires these opposites, duality, conflict....! It’s what makes 'LIFE'! The problems arise when we caught up in it...take our defeat in snakes and ladder off the board game into real life...! The problems arise only when we view it as something ‘negative’- bad, painful...problematic etc instead of the adrenalin or inherent friction of the game!

Friction…two aspects rubbing against each other- is inherent in life... its how fire was discovered! Its part of the sexual act surely? It’s why naradmuni plays such a vital role in our mythology... he symbolizes this 'friction' which is necessary for the human game... and thus does he go everywhere 'stirring’ things up symbolically!