Walls had to be moved and chairs added in order to accommodate the crowd of 500 who gathered to hear the optimistic message of Hindu philosopher, Dada Jashan P. Vaswani, at the Marriott's Frenchman's Reef Hotel Tuesday.
"If we have room in our hearts, we can even seat a million people in this room," said president of the India Association of the Virgin Islands, Lal Sakhrani.
Draped in his usual shawl and donning an ever-present smile, Vaswani, delivered a discourse on "How to Face the Challenges of Life," packed with jokes, anecdotes and even a session of laughter.
Vaswani humbly described himself as, "but a simple pilgrim, a wanderer, a wayfarer of the Lord, who keeps moving from place to place in searh of fellow pilgrims." On this, his tenth visit to St.Thomas, he said challenges are an inevitable aspect of life and do not happen on accident but rather carry a "meaning of mercy," from the Lord and should be readily accepted.
"Put forth your best effort — that is your duty," he said. "The rest is up to the Lord."
Also in attendance at the event hosted by the India Association of the Virgin Islands, were Gov. Charles W. Turnbull, Lt.Gov. Gerard Luz James, II, and senate president Vargrave Richards.
Gov. Turnbull echoed Dada's messages of love, peace, fellowship and brotherhood. " His calm message is one I can very well identify with," Turnbull said.
Lt. Gov. James called the lecture enlightening and invited Vaswani back. " Dada Vaswani, come again — we need plenty, plenty lectures from you," he said.
Due to time constraints, Vaswani was only able to deliver five of his seven recommended suggestions on how to meet the challenges of life, any of which he says can be used and applied. They are:
1. Develop and grow in a constant awareness of God's presence.
2. Never neglect your daily appointment with God (a time set aside
for silent contemplation and prayer).
3. What is impossible with man is possible with God.
4. Develop a healthy sense of humor.
5. Go out of your way to help others
