Give time to God: Dada JP Vaswani

Oak Brook, IL: Dada addressed a diverse audience of more than 500 people on Saturday, June 6, at the Drake Hotel, in Oak Brook, IL, a suburb of Chicago.  He spoke on the topic, “Stay Connected,” and also conducted a Question & Answer session, addressing a variety of topics including life after death, marriage, forgiveness, and the power of thought.

Dada launched his talk by drawing attention to the growing epidemic of loneliness and suggested that the cause of this is because so many of us are not spiritually connected.

He offered several practical suggestions on how to stay connected to our spirituality, the first of which was to open and close the day with a prayer.

Another recommendation Dada gave was to read some positive literature before going to bed.  Dada also advised that to “stay connected” we should try to stay relaxed always and to avoid over work. 

“Remember, work is not the end of life. Work is only a means. Work purifies our antahkaran—the inner instrument,” he explained. “Do your work;  it is your duty to do.  Beyond that, give time to God.” 

To stay connected, Dada advised forgiving “even before forgiveness is asked.  This is the mark of the man who actually stays connected,” said Dada.  â€œIf you don’t forgive, you will lose your piece of mind, and if you lose your peace of mind, the connection breaks.”

In addition, Dada suggested that “whatever be the work that you do…do it in the very best way that you can because it is your offering to the Lord. Give to the world the best that is in you, and the best will return to you.”

Dada’s final practical suggestion is one that he calls us to again and again: help others. “Help as many as you can to lift the load on the rough road of life,” he urged. 

Following Dada’s talk, the mayor of Oak Brook, Dr. Gopal Lalmalani, moderated a Question & Answer session, which touched on a diversity of themes.

Dada guided one audience member on what to look for in a partner. “Is your partner a person of faith?” he asked.  â€Secondly, is he a person of self-control—does he get irritated, does he get angry at the least excuse? Of this always be sure,” he advised.

One audience member asked, “When will there be peace in the world?”  To this, Dada answered simply, “When there will be peace in your hearts.” His response was met with enthusiastic applause.

Dada brought his great sense of humor to his answers, as well.  When one audience member asked, “How do I deal with liars?” Dada very seriously and matter-of-factly answered, “Consult a lawyer.” The response earned roars of laughter.

One audience member noted that the expectation in the modern world is for humanity to speed up.  However, the scriptures tell us to slow down.  This audience member wanted to know how to reconcile these two expectations.  With wit and thoughtfulness, Dada said, “Blend both. Slow down and also move faster.  Slow down in matters terrestrial, in matters that belong to this world, slow down,” he said. “But in matters divine, in matters that relate to God, run fast.” The audience laughed and applauded in agreement.

Jim Nagle and his wife, Tely, have spent the last two years of their lives completely focused on restoring the most beloved institution of the western suburbs, the Drake Oak Brook Hotel.  Nagle's history with the property dates back to 1968 when his grandfather first introduced the Drake to the then six year-old Nagle.  "I know it sounds crazy, but I remember running around the hotel with my siblings and cousins like it was yesterday.  We felt like we were in a palace," stated Jim.

"My wife and I were fully cognizant of the fact that we had been entrusted with rebuilding one of Chicagoland's greatest brands - The Drake," said Jim.  "Despite the fact that the hotel and surrounding ten acres had fallen into a state of shambles, people still remembered the best of the Drake Oak Brook because they had spent many of their seminal life events at this property."  "Tely and I only hope that our effort lives up to everyone's expectations."