A sick man turned to his doctor who was preparing to leave the examination room and then said, "Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side". Very quietly, the doctor said, "I don't know" "You don't know? You're a Hindu man, and you don't know what is on the other side?" replied the sick man. The doctor was holding the handle of the door; on the other side came a sound of scratching and whining and as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness. Turning to the patient, the doctor said, "Did you ever notice? My dog has never been in this room before. He did not know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear. I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing. I know my master (the Creator/God) is there and that is enough" May there be peace within you all. May you all trust God - that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

A Zen master once recalled an incident from his life. 'When I first visited my master, I sat beside him for three years and he did not look even once in my direction. One day, he gave me a loving glance. That moment filled me with immense joy. Three years passed and then one day, he looked at me and smiled. His smile seemed like the most extraordinary blessing. After three more years the Guru stroked my head lovingly. How miraculous that moment felt. Another three years went by and then one day suddenly, he held me tight. That was it. I disappeared and so did he. All that remained was oneness'.

(How did this union occur? Over the twelve years, the Guru dissolved the disciple's ego completely, purified his mind and made him empty. Slowly, the disciple began to cast away his beliefs and attachments and develop feelings of love, faith, and ultimate surrender).