Sometimes not getting what you have prayed for is a miracle, that the answer “NO” from the Divine can be a kind one.

In August, 2001, I badly needed a new job. I did a manifestation technique from one of Datta’s seminars and became excited when a high-paying job opportunity came up. Surely, this would go well; after all, I had been doing the technique, this must be the fruit of those efforts, I was qualified, a friend was presenting my resume in person to the manager…I thought it looked very promising.

However, I did not get the job. I felt deflated and frustrated, like what’s wrong, I did the technique, all the dots seemed lined up. I thought these teachings were supposed to “work”. I even had doubt: why is Datta not helping me?

I went ahead and took a very simple temp job just to have some cash flow coming in.

On September 11, 2001 I was at the temp job and joined my co-workers in the fitness room to watch the TV news of the painful events in New York City that day. We watched in shock as the Twin Towers came down, and all I could think was “there but for the grace of God go I” as the job I had so much wanted was on a very high floor of One World Trade Center. People on that floor that day did not survive. That day, being alive and safe was a miracle.

Later in the day, I received a phone call from Jyoti saying Datta was going to be calling the Connecticut ashram that night, and I was invited to come over listen to the call on the speaker phone with others. On the call Datta assured us He was looking after us, and I felt the total truth of that, that He had been helping me even when I had been doubtful. My life had been spared, and I learned if I work with a technique from His teachings and do not see the expected result, there may be a very good reason and to trust the Divine.

Datta came to New York City and did a public event after 9/11 when the entire area was so depressed and despaired. At that public event, He taught a mantra: “NARBHAVEE” (also spelled “NARBHAVI” – either way ends in a long E sound). He told us one meaning is “Good things are going to happen.”

I found the mantra helped bring in hope and set me on a path to a new life, one far more wonderful than my original manifestation goal of August, 2001.