| We began the study meeting at 5:30 at
the residence of Mr. Varghese Kottickal with a prayer in the form of a Bhajan
recited by Bindu Chakravarthy, an instructor at the Houston Community College
in the Chemistry department. Then John Kunnathu briefly stated the mission of Gregorian Study Circle and the purpose of the meeting. The two books written by Dr. Joseph Thomas (One on HG paulos Mar Gregorios, and one on meditation) were introduced. And a relevant paragraph from The Mantra Meditation was read. Then Dr. Lazar Varghese, Professor of Biology at the Calicut University, gave a short talk on the history and development of religion and its relevance in human life. Then Mr. Oommen George, the Malayalee poet, recited one of his poems recently published in a weekly, and explained the significance of the poem. The poem said that the religious institution which crucified Jesus is still alive, and is still crucifying Jesus everyday and everywhere. Then Dr. Thanmoy Chakravarthy, the founder of the Vadantic Study Society in Houston, gave a very informative talk on the basic belief system of vaishnavism, and its relevance in human life. Then Mr. George Mannikarot recited three well-known stanzas from the Nobel prize winner Tagore's Gitanjali both in English and in Malayalam, and explained its significance. In a poem Tagore says not to seek God in Temples and altars, but in the fields, and in the sweat of the hard working peasant. Then a summary of the talk given by Dr. Wesley Ariarajah on Religious Pluralism at the national conference of the Church of South India was read. This was followed by a discussion session in which Mr. Sugunan Njekkad, Dr. Molly mathew, Rev. Lawrence Johnson, Rev. M.O.Oommen, Ms. Tisha Chakravarthy, Ms. Lissy John, Ms. Surekha, Vineet John, and Mr. Bose Kottickal participated actively. Dr. Molly Mathew told us the story of her encounter with Mother Teresa in Culcutta when she was a Ph. D. student. She worked as a volunteer with the mother. The mother let her work with the children. When Molly communicated her concern to the Mother that her inability to communicate with the children might make her service infective, the Mother replied with a smile that the only language she needs is L-O-V-E. Then John Kunnathu informed the participants that a trip to Chicago to attend the Paulos Mar Gregorios memorial Conference would be arranged. The meeting concluded at about 8:00 with a short prayer led by Rev. M. O. Oommen. Report by John Kunnathu
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