SALAAM AMERICA!

By Dr. C. Drago

In America, the young passionately loved wealth, honor and power.
Money is power for Richie.
Martial arts are the only goal of life for Rambo.
Floating in her dream world, Roma thought only of romance.
Uncle Monk preached non-involvement.
The American dream ruled over everyone, until one day a strange thing happened. Chinmay, an Indian student dared to challenge them all. The solid walls of pragmatism and empiricism stood firmly against him. As an outsider was he banging his head against a wall? He was not broken down, but had to heal his deep wounds through constant forgiveness and agapeic love. How did he win the war?

• Language: English
• Publisher: CreatiVentures Publishing
• Release date: Sep 5, 2014
• ISBN: 9781502277817

Book preview

C. Drago | 1

SALAAM

AMERICA!

2 | SALAAM AMERICA!

C. Drago | 3

SALAAM

AMERICA!

by

C. Drago

4 | SALAAM AMERICA!

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without prior written permission from the author or publisher.

Copyright © 2012 by Dr. C. Drago

First Edition : June 13, 2012

Published by

CreatiVentures

C-22, Karan Gharonda

Sainikwadi, Pune – 411014,

Maharashtra, India

Mb. 9689257575/9881843756

E-mail: [e-mail]|

[e-mail]

Printed by

Augment Media Design & Promotion, Pune Cover Design by

Harish Pawar - CreatiVentures Design

[e-mail]

ISBN 81-88360-16-3

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Dedicated to all seekers of Truth and Wisdom 6 | SALAAM AMERICA!

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1

THE DREAM

That day Chinmay woke up, troubled. Though that was not very unusual, he did not recall such a dreadful dream in the recent past. In his dream, he walked merrily on a broad and smooth path leading through beautiful meadows.

Rose gardens and sun flowers beckoned him. The glorious, golden sunflowers held up their circular heads and waved a welcome as they faced the bright rising sun.

Sheep and cows grazed peacefully in the green pastures. Lambs romped about and bleated merrily for their loving mothers. Bees and the butterflies hovered around every flower to suck honey or to gather the nutritious, golden pollen. Close by, the path ran a small, sparkling stream of clear water. Tiny river fish swam joyfully and played in the stream chasing one another. Joyful birds flew just above his head and chirped loudly. The leisurely walk uplifted his spirits and as his steps danced, he began to hum aloud.

No human joy lasts for ever. He beheld many colorful butterflies fly in many a direction. They were eager to alight on one after another attractive flower. They enjoyed the honey and the pollen from the ever inviting flowers.

They flew from one to another with ease and gaiety.

He also observed the bees which did the same, but 8 | SALAAM AMERICA!

with a marked difference. After gathering nectar and pollen, they immediately headed towards the beehive. They were on a mission. They had to work for the beehive community.

They wasted no time in loitering around the flowerbeds like the carefree butterflies. The bees chose to journey towards their destination.

Whose life is better, that of the butterflies or that of the bees? Which gives more meaning and lasting joy?

Chinmay decided on the latter. Abandoning the green meadows and the attractive flowers he chose to walk on a path leading beyond. That is where all the trouble began.

All of a sudden, a dark shadow moved towards him and he saw an unfamiliar figure face him, sternly. Distracted and annoyed, he looked up at the face of the huge figure.

Its towering and threatening presence cruelly interrupted his heavenly moments of sheer enjoyment of the enchanting nature all around.

Moving steadily towards him, the dark figure blocked his view almost completely and he hardly could see beyond it. The foot path suddenly had become quite steep and narrow. He was hemmed in by brambles, fierce thorns and insurmountable rocks. Could he not use brute force to push his way through? The dark figure was too huge to tackle, he guessed. Should he turn back to the lovely meadows, and run for dear life? No. That would be cowardly, he thought.

He was not pusillanimous. He did not want to give up his journey forward. So he stood his ground resolutely and stared hard at the dark shape once more. The giant form stood there like an immovable rock and stared back at him. Its unblinking eyes seemed to spit fire. As he glared at it, unknown fears crept into his spine. His efforts to subdue the huge figure made absolutely no impression on the dreadful creature.

After a second thought, he looked for some other ways of getting by it. If I cannot defeat it, let me befriend it,

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he resolved. In spite of his goodwill, he could find no way out of this situation. He felt blocked and boxed in from the ways he visualized to escape. He could not accept defeat, that easily. His sharp mind and robust body struggled terribly for a long time to overcome the hurdle.

Feeling quite helpless and incompetent he lay on the bed, quite discouraged. He sat up, blinked his eyes. Finally he opened his eyes and exclaimed, What a horrible dream!

10 | SALAAM AMERICA!

2

THE BIRTHDAY

Chinmay stirred a little, under his warm blanket. Then he decided to get up. He threw aside the cotton blanket.

Sprawled in the huge double bed, he turned on his soft foam mattress and twisted his muscular body, vigorously.

That tight stretching action generated plenty of energy.

He stretched his broad shoulders and strong arms to the full. As usual, he tried reaching right up to the four walls of his spacious room. In a moment, tremendous enthusiasm surged up in him. Immediately, he got out of the cozy bed.

The first thing Chinmay did was to drink a liter of lukewarm water. Then he brushed his teeth, carefully. After the morning ablutions, he did some rigorous physical exercises. He was now ready to face the day. It was an important day.

As he dressed up to go out, there was a gentle knock on the door. It was time for his breakfast. Hungry and eager, he hurried to the dining hall. His family waited for him. That day would ever remain written in golden letters in his youthful heart.

The dining room was adorned with beautiful flowers.

His family rushed in with hearts eager to greet him. With a broad smile, he placed a sharp knife on the creamy red rose on the birthday cake. His name was written just next to it. His mouth watered at the sight of the chocolate-C. Drago | 11

brown thick black-forest cake. His knife sliced the huge cake right in the middle. His family clapped, loudly as they sang, joyously.

Prajna, his mother came forward and cut a thin slice.

Gently, she placed it in his open and eager mouth as a sign of her affectionate good wishes. She gave maternal kisses on both his cheeks which made him blush, pink.

Her eyes focused for a few seconds on his thinly spread, budding moustache. He guessed what she was thinking

— now you are a young man!

Tom, his father hugged him tight and so did others.

Chinmay’s joy and happiness knew no bounds.

Son, will you please do me a favor? Prajna requested.

Certainly I will. Mom what do you want me to do?

What did I teach you, yesterday?

You taught me to appreciate and live every moment of life.

‘....’

You said, not to take life in all its simplicity and complexity for granted.

‘....’

Life is a blessing in the world.

How could you be your true self?

Use discipline and meditation.

Will you practice what I taught you?

Certainly I will. I promise.

Chinmay was serious about his commitment. After the regular morning exercises he took a mat, placed it out in the veranda. He had discovered that padmasana was the most comfortable posture for meditation.

* * * * * *

Chinmay surveyed the lush green carpets of velvety lawns that spread out along the neat foot paths of the model housing colony. Meticulously planned and maintained 12 | SALAAM AMERICA!

spacious lawns and gardens proudly displayed a variety of colorful flowers and artistically trimmed bushes. It was summer. The Gulmohor on both sides of the roads wore red and green bordered uniforms. They would wear them until the rains of June forced them shed their crimson flowers. The mild fragrance of the jasmine filled the morning air. He sat upright and listened to the sounds around. The variety of birds drew his attention.

Gradually, he closed his eyes and attended to his normal breathing. In no time his body relaxed and mind entered a mysterious silence.

Suddenly he remembered the dream and the dreadful dark figure in the dream. How could he face the huge dark figure and conquer it? He did not know. He decided to ask his mother. That day, being his birthday, he could make no time to meet his mother in private for a chat. He waited patiently for some other opportune time. He wanted an explanation of the horrible dream.

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3

TROUBLE

In the deep silence of the night, the telephone rang in the hall. At half past ten, Prajna was still busy with cleaning and washing. Chinmay woke up and heard his mother pick up the receiver and talk, softly. It was a long distance call from Aunt Jane, in Chicago, America. As usual, Aunt Jane went on chatting endlessly. After the usual news and views, she continued to speak for half an hour!

My mother is tired after all the work. It is quite late in the night. My aunt does not seem to understand. Chinmay was annoyed. Prajna listened, patiently. The non-stop barrage of words was too much for Chinmay to bear.

Finally, Aunt Jane threw the bomb, Listen, I will bring two of my American friends. We will stay with you.

We will be certainly glad to have you and your friends.

That was not much of good news for Chinmay. His TOFEL exams were approaching and he had made a strict time table for his portions to be completed. Plus there were tuition classes and tests. Listening to the long conversation had upset him. It was critical time of the year.

His mother did not want to disappoint her ever eager sister. Quite dismayed, Chinmay imagined an enraged elephant enter a garden full of colourful and delicate flowers to destroy it, thoughtlessly. He sighed, helpless.

14 | SALAAM AMERICA!

* * * * * *

As he lay awake in his bed, he mused, for these Americans a hectic life is the only life worth living. An anecdote described their plight aptly — An American tourist visited God’s own country, Kerala. He noticed a fisherman after a sizeable catch, relaxing under a coconut tree. He was enjoying a glass of beer and watching the glorious sunset. The American disliked this.

Why do you waste your precious time?

What do you think I should do?

Work harder to catch more fish and sell them to the hotels.

Why should I do that?

The hotels pay very well and you will be rich.

What will I do with that money?

Buy one trawler and go for deep sea fishing. Catch a huge amount of fish. Sell to more hotels, or even export it.

What will I do with that much of money?

Then you can become a tourist. Go to a beach and sit under a coconut tree and enjoy a glass of beer.

But that is what I am doing!

* * * * * *

Within a week, the American holidaymakers landed in India. They had worked hard to make enough money to spend on themselves in the tour. Not a single moment did they keep silent to enjoy the weather and the charming surroundings.

They talked loudly and commented upon everything they noticed in India. Aunt Jane enjoyed lengthy discussions at any time of the day or night. She could discuss any topic under the sun, for an hour. Her own children got C. Drago | 15

bored of her comments and made faces. She is a chatter-box, they whispered, stealthily. As the host, Prajna had to be patient and hospitable.

Tom took the Americans to the crowded parks and museums in the city. As she jabbered, Aunt Jane helped in cooking delicious Indian dishes that took a lot of time both day and night. All the time, Aunt Jane expounded on many topics. How her tongue, not getting tired, Chinmay wondered.

The American guests thrived in leading an absolutely irregular life. That got on the nerves of Chinmay who had lived a disciplined routine. They slept only after midnight and got up late, even after nine or ten in the morning.

What hurt Chinmay most was when they ridiculed the adage— early to bed and early to rise makes a man, healthy, wealthy and