I am the writer of the book titled “Not Mantras, Not Rituals … just Love” and the creator of the mathematics board game “PUZZLESUM”.
Not Mantras, Not Rituals … just Love.
Published by Pauline Publications, Mumbai. (The Daughters of St. Paul)
Most of us are aware that Global warming and climate change, for which we are partly to blame, have serious consequences and that steps need to be taken to address these problems. Thankfully the world has started responding positively to this need However, many are ignorant of the fact—or, worse still, couldn’t care less—that our spiritual or social environment, too, is in serious trouble and capable of causing even more damage. This deterioration in the quality of our spiritual environment is caused by mean-minded, militant bigots who dislike, or rather hate anything or anyone outside their particular ‘club’, and by shallow-minded self-servers, who push to have selfish desires and lifestyles turned into rights.
In Not Mantras, Not Rituals … just Love, I explain how and why in this unhealthy state of our physical and spiritual environments God is present and definitely relevant. In each of the twenty short chapters there is a message or thought that is worthy of reflection. Is there a God who cares? What is love? Is there heaven and hell? Who is Jesus? These are the topics dealt with in the book.
Readers have said that it is “very inspiring”, “very good”, “food for thought” and “I got a lot from this book”.
PUZZLESUM
In 1992, I designed a board game using Number Tiles and Equaliser Tiles (Operation tiles). The patented concept allows players to write equations on the board. Some have referred to it as the mathematics equivalent of scrabble. The game – then called SUMFUN - won an award when I displayed it at an International Toy Fair in Sydney. It was sold primarily all over Australia as an educational game. However, it was soon realized that it was a fun family game as well. Later on I made a few improvements and changed the name to PUZZLESUM. Besides the board game, I also wrote a couple of puzzle books using the same concept. At present, Creative Educational Aids is, under license from me, manufacturing and selling the game in and around the Indian sub-continent.
I sincerely hope that those who shared happy times with Ilka and me at Christ Church School in Byculla would read my book and, perhaps, play Puzzlesum. I hope also that many of my friends who grew up with me in Bhusaval (once spelt as Bhusawal) would do the same. I have no doubt that they, like me, still recall the happy times we had in Bhusaval, and all the great dances at Limpus Club – our beloved railway institute. No doubt, some would remember the Lyons family band - the Bunny Lyons band – that played at many of the functions held at this club.
4 comments:
Congratulations for your BLOG!!
It is wonderfully created.
I wish you all the best and many many visitors to your blog.
Sr Joeyanna D'Souza
Thank you Sr. Joeyanna for your comment and good wishes. And I thank you, Sr. Antonette, Sr. Rosy and the cover designer, Nilesh Bagwe, for the excellent work done on my book.
Hi Malcolm,
I found the book “Not Mantras, Not Rituals … just Love” very profound yet easy to read. I believe, it is very inspiring and is written to show the intimate connection between Our God and us, His children. It explains how God's love is always present, is all encompassing and unconditional. It shows us how to reciprocate this divine love, the human way, through adhering to the commandments, accepting and loving one another and by being compassionate. The book is non judgmental, and the answers to everyday problems and issues are explained with simple clarity. As a school teacher I see it as a great teaching and reference book for all ages across the globe.
Sumfun is a great game. My daughters and I spent many hours playing it. I also used it as a teaching tool with my granddaughter. As a primary school teacher I had a few sets in my classroom and the students enjoyed the challenge of the game. They played the game during their classroom free time and this helped them consolidate their knowledge of the algorithms. I am sure Puzzlesum is as challenging and enjoyable.
When I saw The Lyons Band photograph a rush of warm and beautiful memories of Bhusawal reawakened - our wonderful childhood, our great friends, our simple and happy fun-filled days - the dances, the jam sessions, the walks to the Tapti river, the picnics and the games we played in the Church grounds. I hope all our dear friends, of long ago, who see the photograph will share the same nostalgic memories.
Thanks Malcolm, for rekindling these memories and hopefully many of our old friends will be brought together
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