Abdul Qadir's Journey to Baghdad

I like Abdul Qadir's story very much. My mom has narrated this story from a story book to me along with great stories of Arabian nights. Now I am going to share the beautiful story of a young boy 'Abdul', his journey to Baghdad, his pleasing attitude and principles. He set an epitome for all of us.

Many years ago, in a small village, near to Baghdad city, there was boy named Abdul was living . One day a young boy named Abdul saw a large group of people returning from Arafat Mountain, thousands of miles away from his place in the neighbourhood of Mecca after performing Haj. After coming to know about those people, he gave a thought why he was born and he decided to pursue knowledge. Abdul went to his mother and asked her permission to make a journey to Baghdad in order to pursue a career in knowledge. Mother understood the divine call and promptly gave the permission for him to go. She gave him 40 gold coins which was his share he inherited from his father. She stitched these 40 gold coins inside the lining of his coat collar and gave him permission to leave. When she stepped out of the door to bid him a farewell, she said, “Oh, my son! You are going! I have detached myself from you for the sake of Allah knowing that I shall not see your face again until the day of last judgement. But take one advice from me. My son, you always feel the truth, speak the truth and propagate the truth even when your life is at stake”.

Abdul traveled with a small caravan heading for Baghdad. During the journey, when the caravan was passing through the tough terrains, a group of robbers on horses suddenly attacked the caravan and started looting. None of them however took the slightest notice of Abdul, until one of the looters turned to him and said. “You are here poor boy! Do you have anything with you? Abdul replied, “I have got 40 gold coins which are stitched by my mother in the lining of my coat underneath my collar.” The looter smiled and thought that Abdul was just joking. He left him alone and moved elsewhere. When their leader came and the looters took this boy to their leader and said to him, “A poor boy claims that he is in possession of 40 gold coins. We looted everybody but we have not touched him because we hardly believed that he has got gold coins with him”. Then the leader put the same question but Abdul replied the same. Then the leader ripped through his coat and discovered that he indeed got 40 gold coins inside the lining of his coat collar.

The astonished leader asked Abdul, what prompted him to make this confession? Abdul has replied. “My mother made me promise to always be truthful even at the cost of my life. Here, it was a matter of only 40 Gold coins. I promised her and never betrayed her trust, so I told the truth”. The looters started weeping and said, you have adhered to the advice of your great mother but we have been betraying the trust of our parents and the covenant of our Creator for many years. From now onwards, you would become our leader in our repentance and they all decided to give up robbery and from that day, became righteous persons.

Later Abdul has grown up and became a great scholar. Our world saw the birth of a great saint, Shiek Abdul Qadir Al-Gilani. Right from young age with his gesture of sticking to promise that he made to his mother and speaking truth, he gave us a message.

Written by: Adit
Oct 2010, Minneapolis MN

Light of Asia

Speech given by Adit:

Birth of Buddha:

Siddartha / Gautama was born around 566 B.C. in Himalayan Foothills to Queen Maya and KingSuddodhana.

Rising:

King wanted him to be an emperor of this world. He decided to protect him from possibilities of spiritual path. He provided all luxuries to his son, inside the 4 walls.

The Four Signs that changed Siddartha:

1. Old man with white hair, withered skin, staff to lean.

2. Maimed man (distorted).

3. Funeral procession & corpse.

4. A monk in yellow robes, shaven head, empty bowl.

His chariot explained the meaning of each sign. His chariot’s name was Channa.

4 Noble Truths:

1. The truth of suffering

2. The truth of cause of suffering

3. The truth of cessation of suffering (suffering can end)

4. The truth of path that leads to nirvana

8 Eightfold Path:

· Right understanding

· Right thought

· Right speech

· Right action

· Right livelihood

· Right effort

· Right mindfulness

· Right concentration

If anyone sees ‘NIRVANA’ in his life time, he won’t reborn.

Five Hindrances:

· Doubt

· Lust

· Hatred

· Worry

· Languor

Definition of Karma: Karma à means action. Every time a person acts there is some quality of intention at the base of the mind and it is that quality rather than the outward appearance of the action.

Buddha’s Ethics:

What makes a person a Buddhist?

· Do not destroy life

· Do not steal

· Do not commit sexual misconduct

· Do not lie

· Do not take intoxicating drinks

There are some similarities between Buddha’s Ethics and Ten Commandments

Ten Commandments:

· Do not have any other Gods before me

· Do not make unto thee any carved image

· Do not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.

· Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

· Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lordyour God is giving you.

· Do not kill

· Do not commit adultery

· Do not steal

· Do not bear false witness against a neighbor

· Do not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.

Holy Book:

Holy Book of Buddhism is ‘TRIPITAKA’. It was written by Buddha Ghosa in Pali

Famous Mantra:

OM MANI PADME HUM – Jewel in the Lotus

If you take refuge in 3 Jewels:

· The Buddha

· The Dharma

· The Sangha

The chant: http://youtu.be/3T-7Ug7x2uE

Buddham saranam Gachami

Dharmam saranam Gachami

Sangham saranam Gachami

Meaning is:

I go to Buddha for refuge.

I go to Dharma for refuge.

I go to Sangha for refuge.

Dalai Lama, the Spiritual Leader of Buddhism:

Dalai Lama is said to be incarnation of Avalokiteshvara or Chenrezig

Dalai Lama is spiritual leader of Tibetan people. Dalai means Ocean (Spirituality as deep as ocean); Lama means Guru (Teacher)

Three Vehicles: There are 3 ways in following Buddhism.

Theravada (conservative)

Mahayana (liberal)

Vajrayana (subset of Mahayana)

Spread of Buddhism:

Many Eastern countries in Asia are following Buddhism. China, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, Tibet, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Bhutan, Vietnam etc.

Conclusion:

World should follow some of His great sayings.

Written by: Adit
July 2010, Minneapolis MN

Ancient Indian Universities

Centuries ago.......Taxila University........Nalanda University........

*************An interesting blog is on it's way***************

Written by: Adit
Apr 2010, Minneapolis MN

Breathing techniques

Speech given by Adit:

In our busy lives, from dawn to dusk, we never notice when exactly we are breathing in and when we are breathing out.

When do you become aware of your own identity?

When do you become aware of yourself?

When do you become aware of your life?

Breathing comes in first place much before livelihood, materialism etc.

The first thing we have done on this Earth is breathe in. The last thing we are going to do is Breathe out. In between Life is existing.

In our busy life, our mind is wandering from past to present events like a pendulum, we don’t even observe when we are inhaling and exhaling.

‘Now’, present is the moment. Find time to get importance of breathe.

Mind is like a kite and breathe is the thread. Breathe is like a thread that’s joining to heart and mind.

Rhythm of breathe is connected to emotions.

When you are smiling, the breathing is just normal and where as when you are angry on someone, your breathing rate is very much faster than the normal breathing. Did you ever observe? *smiles*

BREATHING:

4 sources of Energy:

1. Food, water – we can survive without Food, Water (at least for some days)

2. Sleep – We can survive without sleep (at least for some days)

3. Knowledge – We can survive without knowledge may be through out our life *smiles*

4. Breathe – can we survive? No.

Importance of Breathe:

Demonstration:

Close your eyes

Breathe in (Take deep breathe)

Aware of your breathe, body

Breathe out

*smiles* Aren’t you feeling fresh? Aren’t you feel active?

Breathing Techniques:

There are many breathing techniques: Pranayama, Bhastrika

Among them, Pranayama is an important Breathing technique.

Pranayama is a Sanskrit name given to one breathing technique.

Pranayama: Increases Life Force.

There are different mudras (Signs) while doing Pranayama / Breathing techniques namely, Adi Mudra, Chihn mudra, Chinmaya mudra, Meru mudra

Benefits with Breathing Techniques:

While practicing Breathing Techniques, you are concentrating in breathing, so you are living in the present.

You are concentrating on inhalation and exhalation, so you are going to be in present moment in any breathing technique.

It gives you peace of mind.

MEDITATION:

There are 7 levels of existence of human-being:

Body : We are going to become aware of this body through

physical asanas (physical exercises)

Breathe : We are going to aware breathe by Pranayama or any breathing technique

Mind : Level of mind, by meditation

Intellect : (Chitta): We are going to aware of Intellect when we use our brain, intelligence. Eg: I invited you for this session, your brain telling you, you have to attend the session.

Memory : (Smriti): We are going to aware of Memory when we use our brain to recall the events. Eg: Who brought you here?

Ego : (Aham):

Demonstrate: stand up …. did I name anybody’s name? I didn’t call anyone by name, so no one didn’t stand up. That awareness of belongingness is called ‘Aham’. Appropriating to oneself all physical and mental activities ‘I eat’, ‘I see’, ‘I talk’ etc is called ‘Aham’ or ‘I consciousness’.

Consciousness: (Chetna): We are going to aware of Consciousness, when you use your intellectual powers. The meditation takes you there.

Meditation:

Introduction:

According to Bhagavad Gita, the undisciplined mind acts as our enemy, whereas a trained mind acts as our friend.

So there is a necessity to know our mind: We intend to do many things – make resolutions to cultivate good habits, to kick certain bad habits, to study with concentration, to do something with a concentrated mind.

How a person behaves, feels and thinks, how he conducts himself in a given set of circumstances is largely determined by the state of his mind.

So becoming aware of our thoughts is ‘Meditation’.

It’s becoming aware of State of peace of mind.

It’s a spiritual technique and adopted as key elemental part in some religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Islam etc.

Meditation

• Transforms life
• Reduce stress and anxiety
• Energizes you
• Improves your patience
• Gives you peace of mind
• Gives you presence of mind

RULES TO BE HAPPY:
1….Opposite values are complementary.
2….Accept people and situations as they are.
3….Don't become football of other people's opinions.
4….Don't see intentions behind other people's mistakes.
5….Present moment is inevitable.

Once the distinction becomes clear, then journey towards the source begins:

Who am I ?

What I am responsible for?

What I am not responsible for?

In this spiritual path, everybody has to walk alone. The quest is the need of the soul. One can attain answers with deep silence, breathing techniques and meditation.

Don’t see the problems as big. If you compare them with universal problems the problems what you think big will become small.

More responsibility, more growth. More you complaint, more you decrease.

Don’t resist thoughts while doing breathing techniques.

Eg: If I say don’t think about Red Monkey when you do breathing/meditation by closing eyes. You will think why I told not to think about ‘Red Monkey’. *smiles*

So whatever thoughts you get, don’t resist. Just invite them.

Failure in exams or failure in relationships is not failure in life.

Responsibilities not given but taken.

More you resist, more you persist

Events come and events go.

Face the challenges in life like a solid rock which is hit by waves

Don’t relate happiness with an event

Don’t catch the anger from a stressful person. Anger is contiguous.

Energy goes where your attention goes.

Conclusion:

There is a clear distinction between religion and spirituality. In Technical words, Spirituality is a Framework and religion is the application built on it. For instance, a banana and banana skin: Religion is like the banana skin and spirituality is the banana. Religion is outer ritual and habits, a way of life; spirituality is the quest for the source of life, going back to the source, knowing deep within us we are part of the divinity.

Breathing and meditation are the technique related spirituality and they are not related to any religion. Breathing and Meditation are good mental exercises. Nowadays, even doctors are suggesting these techniques for peaceful living and proper blood circulation.

Written by: Adit
Jan 2010, Greensboro NC

Charles Dickens the master of Prose

Speech given by Adit:

Whenever we hear about ‘A Christmas Carol’ or ‘David Copperfield’ or ‘Great Expectations’, who comes in our mind??

It’s CHARLES DICKENS.

Charles Dickens born on : 7 February 1812 and died on 9 June 1870.

He lived just 58 years, but he mastered the art of Prose with his endless invention of unique, clever personalities and powerful social sensibilities. Thus we got numerous novels, short stories from his pen. We always remember him as a man, who invented Christmas because we got a great book ‘Christmas Carol’ from him. So as a mark of respect, we call him ‘A man who invented Christmas’.

He portrayed many real life people of his life as a character in his novels.

The popularity of Dickens's novels and short stories has meant that they have never gone out of print. Many of Dickens's novels first appeared in periodicals and magazines in serialized form. Dickens often composed his works in parts, in the order in which they were meant to appear. Such a practice lent his stories a particular rhythm, punctuated by one minor “cliffhanger" after another, to keep the public looking forward to the next installment.

Life:

Early Years: Middle class background

Charles Dickens was born on 7^th Feb.’1812 in Portsmouth, in Hampshire as the second of 8 children in a middle-class family to a clerk in Navy Pay Office. When he was ten, the Dickens family moved to Camden Town, London. From childhood onwards he has particular fond for the reading novels.

He talked, later in life, of his extremely poignant memories of childhood, and of his continuing photographic memory of the people and events that helped to bring his fiction to life.

In 1827, Dickens began work in the law office as a clerk. It was a junior position, but as an articled clerk, Dickens would eventually qualify for admission to the Bar, and it was there that he gleaned his detailed knowledge of legal processes of the period. This education informed works such as Nicholas Nickleby, Dombey and Son and especially Bleak House- whose vivid portrayal of the endless machinations, strangling bureaucracy of the legal system of mid-19^thcentury Britain did much to enlighten the general public.

At the age of seventeen, he became a court stenographer and in 1830 met his first love, MariaBeadnell. It is believed that she was the model for the character Dora in David Copperfield.

Journalism and early novels:

In 1834, Dickens became a political journalist, reporting on parliamentary debate and travelling across Britain to cover election campaigns for the Morning Chronicle.

His journalism, in the form of sketches which appeared in periodicals from 1833, formed his first collection of pieces Sketches by Boz which were published in 1836 and led to the serialization of his first novel, The Pickwick Papers, in March 1836.

Though he was busy in writing novels, he continued to contribute to and edit journals throughout much of his subsequent literary career.

In 1836, he married Catherine Thomson Hogarth, the daughter of editor of the ‘Evening Chronicle’. They had ten children.

Catherine's sister Mary entered Dickens's Doughty Street household to offer support to her newly married sister and brother-in-law. Dickens became very attached to Mary, and she died after a brief illness in his arms in 1837. She became a character in many of his books, and her death is fictionalized as the death of Little Nell.

In 1836, he accepted the editor of the job of editor of Bentley’s Miscellany and continued in it for 3 years. At the same time, he penned great novels ‘Oliver Twist’, ‘Nicholas Nickleby’.

Dickens made two trips to North America. In 1842, he travelled with his wife to the United States and Canada, a journey which was successful in spite of his support for the abolition of slavery. During his visit to New York city, he gave lectures on copy right laws.

Dickens's work continued to be popular, especially A Christmas Carol written in 1843.

After living briefly abroad in Italy (1844) and Switzerland (1846), Dickens continued his success with Dombey and Son (1848); David Copperfield (1849–50); Bleak House (1852–53); Hard Times (1854); Little Dorrit (1857); A Tale of Two Cities (1859); and Great Expectations (1861). Dickens was also the publisher and editor of, and a major contributor to, the journals Household Words (1850–1859) and All the Year Round (1858–1870).

Literary Style:

Dickens's writing style is florid and poetic, with a strong comic touch. His satires of British aristocratic snobbery—he calls one character the "Noble Refrigerator"—are often popular. Comparing orphans to stocks and shares, people to tug boats, or dinner-party guests to furniture are just some of Dickens's acclaimed flights of fancy. Many of his character's names provide the reader with a hint as to the roles played in advancing the storyline, such as Mr. Murdstone in the novel David Copperfield, which is clearly a combination of "murder" and stony coldness.

Characters:

Dickensian characters—especially their typically whimsical names—are among the most memorable in English literature. The likes of Ebenezer Scrooge, Fagin, Mrs. Gamp, CharlesDarnay, Oliver Twist, Micawber, Abel Magwitch, Samuel Pickwick, Miss Havisham, WackfordSqueers, and many others are so well known and can be believed to be living a life outside the novels that their stories have been continued by other authors.

Episodic Writing:

Most of Dickens's major novels were first written in monthly or weekly instalments in journals such as Master Humphrey's Clock and Household Words, later reprinted in book form. These instalments made the stories cheap, accessible and the series of regular cliff-hangers made each new episode widely anticipated. American fans even waited at the docks in New York, shouting out to the crew of an incoming ship, "Is Little Nell dead?" Part of Dickens's great talent was to incorporate this episodic writing style but still end up with a coherent novel at the end.

So many authors followed later Dickens's technique of writing in monthly or weekly instalments.

Social Commentary:

Dickens's novels were, among other things, works of social commentary. He was a fierce critic of the poverty and social stratification of Victorian society. Dickens's second novel, Oliver Twist(1839), shocked readers with its images of poverty and crime and was responsible for the clearing of the actual London slum tha t was the basis of the story's Jacob's Island. In addition, with the character of the tragic prostitute, Nancy, Dickens "humanised" such women for the reading public; women who were regarded as "unfortunates," inherently immoral casualties of the Victorian class/economic system.

Literary Techniques:

Dickens is often described as using 'idealised' characters and highly sentimental scenes to contrast with his caricatures and the ugly social truths he reveals. The story of Nell Trent in The Old Curiosity Shop (1841) was received as incredibly moving by contemporary readers but viewed as ludicrously sentimental by Oscar Wilde:"You would need to have a heart of stone”.

Autobiographical Elements:

All authors might be said to incorporate autobiographical elements in their fiction, but with Dickens this is very noticeable, even though he took pains to mask what he considered his shameful, lowly past. David Copperfield is one of the most clearly autobiographical but the scenes from Bleak House of interminable court cases and legal arguments are drawn from the author's brief career as a court reporter. Dickens's own family was sent to prison for poverty, a common theme in many of his books, and the detailed depiction of life in the Marshalsea prison in Little Dorrit resulted from Dickens's own experiences of the institution. Little Nell in The Old Curiosity Shop is thought to represent Dickens's sister-in-law,^{[citation needed]} NicholasNickleby's father and Wilkins Micawber are certainly Dickens's own father, just as Mrs. Nicklebyand Mrs. Micawber are similar to his mother.

Notable Works by Charles Dickens:

Charles Dickens published over a dozen major novels, a large number of short stories, a handful of plays and several non-fiction books. Dicken’s novels were initially serialized in weekly and monthly magazines, then reprinted in standard book formats.

Novels:

• The Pickwick Papers
• The Adventures of Oliver Twist
• The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby
• The Old Curiosity Shop
• Bamaby Rudge (A Tale of the Riots of ‘Eighty
• The Christmas Books
• A Christmas Carol
• The Chimes
• The Cricket on the Hearth
• The Battle of Life
• The Haunted Man and the Ghost’s Bargain

• The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit
• Dombey and Son
• David Copperfield
• Bleak House
• Hard Times: For These Times
• Little Dorrit
• A Tale of Two Cities
• Great Expectations
• Our Mutual Friend
• The Mystery of Edwin Drood
• The Lazy Tour of Two Idle Apprentices

Short Stories:

• Sketches by Boz
• The Mudfog Papers
• Reprinted Pieces

Christmas numbers of Household Words magazine:

• What Christmas Is, as We Grow Older
• A Round of Stories by the Christmas Fire
• Another Round of Stories by the Christmas Fire
• The Seven Poor Travellers
• The Holly-Tree Inn
• The Wreck of the “Golden Mary”
• The Perils of Certain English Prisoners
• A House to Let

Christmas numbers of All the Year Round magazine:

• The Haunted House
• A Message From the Sea
• Tom Tiddler’s Ground
• Somebody’s Luggage
• Mrs. Lirriper’s Lodgings
• Mrs. Lirriper’s Legacy
• Doctor Marigold’s Prescriptions
• Mugby Junction
• No Thoroughfare

Selected non-fiction, poetry and plays:

The Village Coquettes (1836) The Fine Old English Gentleman (1841) Memoirs of Joseph Grimaldi (1838) American Notes: For General Circulation (1842) Pictures from Italy (1846) The Life of Our Lord: As written for his children (1849) A Child's History of England (1853) The Frozen Deep (play, 1857) Speeches, Letters and Sayings (1870) Conclusion: In the world of literature, Charles Dickens regarded and ranked as number 1 in the prose who didn’t shy away to write his own early life past and depicted many of his own experiences into characters of his novels, which is missing in the writings of present day authors. Based upon the interests, we and the present day authors should take inspiration and a leaf from this great man, the master of prose. Written by: Adit Oct 2009, Greensboro NC

King of Pop - Michael Jackson

Speech given by Adit:

After working many hours in office from dawn to dusk or after attending classes from morning to evening, once you reach home in the evening, what gives you great relief? Listening to Music.

In the music world, Beatles, Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson has left their impressions in this world. Just last week, we lost a great musician ‘Michael Jackson’. As a tribute to MJ, I would like to talk few words about him.

He was born on August 29^th’ 1958 and died on June 25^th’ 2009

He referred to as the “King of Pop”, his 1982 album Thriller remains the world’s best-selling album of all time, and four of his other solo studio albums are among the world's best-selling records: Off the Wall (1979), Bad (1987), Dangerous (1991) and HIStory (1995).

In the early 1980s, he became a dominant figure in popular music and the first African American entertainer to amass a strong crossover following on MTV. The popularity of his music videos airing on MTV, such as "Beat It", “Billie Jean” and “Thriller”. Videos such as “Black or White” and “Scream”, with his sister Janet Jackson made Michael Jackson an enduring staple on MTV in the 1990s. With stage performances and music videos, Jackson popularized a number of physically complicated dance techniques, such as the robot and the moonwalk. His distinctive musical sound, vocal style, rhythm and dance influenced many artists around the globe.

Let’s take a brief look about his life.

1958–75: Early life and The Jackson 5

Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American recording artist, entertainer and businessman. Michael Joseph Jackson was born on August 29, 1958 in Gary, Indiana to a working-class family. The son of African-American parents Joseph Jackson and Katherine Easter Jackson, he was the seventh of nine children.

His siblings are Rebbie, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, La Toya, Marlon, Randy and Janet. He first joined his brothers’ group ‘Amazing Jacksons’. Later the Jackson Brothers formed a band ‘The Jackson 5’. Young Michael and his brother Jermaine were the lead vocals. In 1966, they won a major local talent show with renditions of Motown hits and James Brown’s "I Got You (I Feel Good)”, led by Michael.

The group set a chart record when its first four singles – “I Want You Back”, “ABC”, “The Love You Save” and “I’ll Be There” peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.Starting in 1972, Jackson released a total of four solo studio albums with Motown, among them -Got to Be There and Ben.

He then began a solo career in 1971 while still a member of the group.

1975–81: Release of the album - Off the Wall

In 1979, Jackson released his solo album, Off the Wall.

It was the first album to generate four US top 10 hits, including the chart-topping singles “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” and “Rock with You”. In 1980, Jackson won three awards at the American Music Awards for his solo efforts. That year, he also won Billboard Music Awards for Top Black Artist and Top Black Album and a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough".

1982–85: Release of the album - Thriller, Motown 25, We Are the World and business career, Awards

In 1982, Jackson released his next album, Thriller.

Seven singles from Thriller concurrently hit the Billboard Hot 100 top 10, including "Billie Jean", "Beat It" and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'".

Beyond its record-breaking success among fans, Thriller instituted multiple changes within the music industry. It raised the importance of albums. The New York Times said, "The moonwalk that he made famous is an apt metaphor for his dance style".

In 1984, Jackson was invited to the White House to receive an award presented by U.S. President Ronald Reagan for his support of charities that helped people overcome alcoholand drug abuse.

He had very friendly attitude and produced albums with other singers. Jackson co-wrote the charity single "We Are the World" with Lionel Richie, which was released worldwide to aid the poor in Africa and the US. He was one of 39 music celebrities who performed on the record.

He worked with Paul McCartney on the two hit singles "The Girl Is Mine" and "Say Say Say".

1986–90: Skin disease, Release of the album - Bad, autobiography, films, Awards, King of Pop

In the mid-1980s, Jackson was diagnosed with skin disease vitiligo and lupus; the latter was in remission in Jackson's case, and both illnesses made him sensitive to sunlight.

In 1987, Jackson released his next album, Bad

Though Bad had lower sales than Thriller, but still it was a substantial commercial success.

In 1988, Jackson released his first autobiography, Moon Walk. Jackson wrote about his childhood, The Jackson 5, and the abuse he had suffered.

Though he complained about his childhood, he credited his father's strict discipline as playing a large part in his success.

In March 1988, Jackson purchased land near Santa Ynez, California to build Neverland Ranch at a cost of $17 million. He had a brief stint in films.

Famous Actress Elizabeth Taylor gave a nickname “King of Pop” to Jackson, when she presented Jackson with an "Artist of the Decade" award in 1989, proclaiming him "the true king of pop, rock and soul". U.S. President George H. W. Bush presented the singer withThe White House's special "Artist of the Decade" award in recognition of Jackson's musical influence in the 1980s.

1991–93: Release of the album – Dangerous, Awards

Jackson released his eighth album Dangerous in 1991. The album's hit songs are: "Black or White", "Remember the Time", "Heal the World".

Jackson was given the "Living Legend Award" at the 35^th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.

1995–97: Release of the album - HIStory

In 1995, he released the double album HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I.HIStory received a Grammy nomination for best album.

The first single released from the album was the double A-side “Scream/Childhood”. "Scream" was a duet, performed with Jackson's youngest sister Janet Jackson.

Marriage and life:

In May 1994, Jackson married singer-songwriter Lisa Marie Presley, the daughter of Elvis Presley. Jackson and Presley divorced less than two years later, remaining friendly.

During the HIStory World Tour, he married Deborah Jeanne Rowe, dermatologist nurse. Jackson has 2 sons and one daughter.

Charity:

Jackson donated and raised millions of dollars for beneficial causes through his foundations, charity singles, and support of 39 charities.

During the trip of World Tour for ‘Bad’ album, he invited underprivileged children to watch for free and gave donations to hospitals, orphanages and other charities.

Jackson founded the “Heal the World Foundation” in 1992. The charity organization brought underprivileged children to Jackson's ranch, to go on theme park rides that Jackson had built on the property after he purchased it. The foundation also sent millions of dollars around the globe to help children threatened by war and disease. Jackson performed to 3.5 million people in 67 concerts in the part of World Tour for ‘Dangerous’ album. All profits from the concerts went to the "Heal the World Foundation", raising millions of dollars in relief.

Surgery:

During his music career, from 1979 onwards he worried much about his ‘big nose’. He went on multiple surgeries on his nose to make it thin.

In 1992, One little girl from an orphanage in New Jersey’s last desire was to see Michael Jackson. MJ was busy in changing his appearance and was busy to make arrangements for surgery to make his nose half from original size. Still he met that girl in that busy schedule. After seeing him, instead of satisfied, that girl started weeping. MJ asked why she was crying. She said, I don’t want to see changed Michael. I wanna see the real MJ, not this MJ.

MJ was silent for a moment and replied her ‘I am not handsome, that’s why changing my appearance’. Girl said, ‘You are just looking at your nose much. I am looking you. So you have to see yourself, not just nose’. The words touched MJ’s heart. He wrote in his diary “that the girl’s words daunted me many years whenever I do makeup. But what to do? I have to change my appearance. I am a timid’.

Controversies:

His often changing appearances and eccentric behavior, generated significant controversy which damaged his public image. Though he was accused of child sexual abuse in 1993, the criminal investigation was closed due to lack of evidence and Jackson was not charged.

Conclusion: Awards, Planned Release of the album - This Is It, death

He have been inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, won 13 Grammy Awards, 13number one singles in his solo career, and the sale of 750 million records worldwide.

He died on June 25^th’ 2009. At the time of his death, he was preparing for This Is It, a series of 50 concerts that would have been held in London beginning July 13, 2009.

In the music world, Michael Jackson regarded and ranked as number 1 in Pop music and he will always remembered as ‘King of Pop’.

I always thought he was from future. He presented great music, great dance for yesterday, for today and for tomorrow. He was ahead of time. He left us early from Earth. It’s end of an era.

I don't see any other musician in this world does music shows with such an enthusiastic and an energetic way. May be other singers may overtake him in singing, but no one can beat him in a combination of singing & dancing together. His dance was amazing. Our world lost a great musician. It’s end of an era. To the best of my knowledge, Elvis Presley was a great singer. MJ was a great singer and great dancer too. In solos, these two guys left their impression in this world. In groups, Beatles are #1.

Many actors, actresses around the globe imitated his dance movements of his 'moonwalk'. His music was inspiration to many other musicians.

In poetic sense, if any great king or great emperor dies, we say a star has fallen from the sky. If a poet dies, we say a star has risen to the sky. This our king, ‘King of pop’ is different. He raised as a star named ‘Pop star’ just next to Pole star.

Written by: Adit
July 2009, Middletown NJ

Inspirational Thoughts

Friends! In this, I would like to quote few events of some great people and so we can take a leaf from their stories. I salute these great people wholeheartedly.

Abraham Lincoln:

Take a one cent coin and look at the figure. It's none other than the great Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States.

You should know the events that he faced in his life, how he tackled and how he just continued his journey. Take inspiration from him.

Abraham Lincoln had two business ventures fail, lost 8 different elections and had a complete nervous breakdown before becoming president in 1816. His story is a great inspirational confidence story in that he shows how if you just keep moving towards your dream, you will eventually make it.

Abraham Lincoln overcame great setbacks and obstacles on his journey. Take a look at the synopsis of his life and see whether you would have had the courage to continue on.

1809 Born February 12

1816 Abraham Lincoln's family was forced out of their home and he needed to work to support his family.

1818: His mother passed away

1828: His sister dies

1831: A business venture failed

1832: He ran for the State Legislature. He lost.

1832: In the same year, he also lost his job. He decided he wanted to go to law school but couldn't get in.

1833: He borrowed money from a friend to start a business. By the end of the year, he was bankrupt.

1834: He ran for the State Legislature again. This time he won.

1835: The year was looking better as he was engaged to be married. Unfortunately, his fiancee died and he was grief stricken.

1836: This was the year he had a total nervous breakdown and for 6 months was bedridden.

1836: He sought to become Speaker of the State Legislature. He was defeated.

1840: He sought to become Elector. He was defeated.

1842: Marries Mary Todd. They have 4 boys but only one would live to maturity.

1843: He ran for Congress. He lost.

1846: He ran for Congress again. He won and moved to Washington.

1848: He ran for re-election to Congress. He lost.

1849: He sought the job of Land Officer in his home state. He didn't get the job.

1850: His son, Edward, dies.

1854: He ran for the Senate of the United states. He lost.

1856: He sought the Vice Presidential nomination at a national convention. He got less than 100 votes.

1858: He ran for the Senate again. He lost again.

1860: Abraham Lincoln is elected President of the United States

1862: His son, Willie, dies at age 12.

1865: On April 14, Abraham Lincoln is assassinated.

Whenever you see his picture on a coin or anywhere, you should recall to your mind, those events that great man has faced in his life.

Events come and events go.
Face the challenges in life like a solid rock, which is hit by waves

----

Arthur Ashe:

Arthur Ashe, the legendary Wimbledon player was dying of AIDS which he got due to infected blood he received during a heart surgery in 1983.

From the world over, he received many letters from his fans, one of which conveyed:"Why does GOD have to select you for such a bad disease"?

To this Arthur Ashe replied:

"The world over -- 50 million children start playing tennis, 5 million learn to play tennis,
500,000 learn professional tennis, 50,000 come to the circuit, 5000 reach the grand slam,
50 reach Wimbledon, 4 to the semi final, 2 to the finals,
when I was holding the cup I never asked GOD 'Why me?'.
And today in pain I should not be asking GOD 'Why me?'

Unfortunately, we lost him in 1993 at an early age, but the message that he has given to us will remain in this world forever.

Written by: Adit
Apr 2009, Middletown NJ