Back in the ’70s, I found myself in a classroom at the Hagerstown Junior College; I was majoring in criminal justice, and I had a lot of really good professors.
One of my favorite classes was Constitutional Law taught by a professor by the name of Ken Kerle. He was an eccentric sort of fellow with some strange apparel tastes, but nonetheless a very smart and demanding professor.
I remember one class with him where I had to study over 100 Supreme Court cases; his exam would contain only 10 to 15 questions. He was very thorough, and his classes required a lot of study.
We began an interesting relationship. He would bring me “New Yorker” magazines to read; a most liberal leaning publication. I, in turn, would share my “National Review,” a conservative magazine by Bill Buckley.
Ken and I became friends, and after my graduation from HJC, he called one day and asked if I wanted to do some jail audits for the National Sheriffs’ Association; I was flattered and readily agreed.
Retired Sheriff Dick Ford was the director of this association.
As jail auditors, we would travel all over the country. And each morning before reporting for the audit, we would usually go jogging for a few miles.
Many interesting discussions were had far beyond the auditing process.
And one day, he asked if I had ever read the “Bhagavad Gita.” I responded no and asked him to spell that for me.
That was my introduction to a very interesting book.
The “Gita (Song of the Lord)” is an epic mystical poem about life, death, love and duty from the peoples who settled in the river valleys in southern Asia. It represented the inner essence of India and some of the earliest religious beliefs of that ancient land years before the Bible.
The words and lessons are intriguing.
Marc Allen, in the publisher’s remark, of Jack Hawley’s interpretation of the “Gita,” offers these opening remarks:
“When Mahatma Gandhi ~ the ‘great-souled one, the leader of India who nonviolently freed his country from British rule, died, a now famous photograph was taken of all his possessions — his simple white cotton piece of clothing, his glasses, his sandals and his well-worn copy of “The Bhagavad Gita.” It was a book he read daily, a source of endless inspiration to him.’“
Since Gandhi was a favorite person from history, I decided to read the “Gita,” and Ken and I often would have many discussions of those readings.
It contains a story, of the Krishna, a Hindu divine entity riding in a chariot with a character named Arjuna who was preparing to go into war against his uncle, and the two armies were gathered on a great battlefield….
There are many lessons shared from the Krishna to Arjuna in this text of the “Mahabharata.”
“The Gita” emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment. It says, the past is behind, so learn from it. The future is ahead, prepare for it. The present is here, live it.’” I have learned many aspects of life from these writings.
When Arjuna complained of the rain and muddy battlefield conditions to the Krishna, he received this response: “When you think of those elements you cannot control, you waste your thinking on non-important matters, there are far more important issues of life to ponder.“
As I read these words, I soon discovered a new priority; carrying an umbrella was no longer necessary when it rained; fearing the cold and heat moved down my list of concerns; elements beyond my control were wasted thoughts.
When the Warrior Arjuna was preparing for battle, he feared he may be killed. Krishna taught him that one can kill only the body, but the soul is immortal. You will be reborn to achieve those lessons you did not receive from previous lives.
“The Gita” is a very long read, but there are many topics of interesting discussion. The book is considered one of the greatest gifts ever given to humanity and is read daily by millions of people in India and across the world.
Its teachings served me well as a prison warden.
I cannot do it justice to review the entire story; it is a difficult read, but there are things to consider.
Change is the law of life. Handle what you can, and what you can’t, don’t let it control your mind.
“Hell has three gates: lust, anger and greed.”
“Perform all work carefully; guided by compassion.”
Rain is a part of nature’s cycle, a renewal.
Embrace it.
Peace to you.
