Thought for Today

The best positivity is to have good wishes for the self.

When I recognise someone's mistake I do make effort to have good wishes for him, but when I make a mistake I am not able to have good wishes for myself in the same way. I identify myself with that weakness so much that I am not able to have positive feelings for myself. Whatever happens, even if I make mistakes, I should not leave having good wishes for myself. I need to only have attention to learn from my mistakes and to maintain my own positive state of feeling for myself. When I do this I will be able to progress with ease.

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Message for the day 30-09-2010

The one who is aware of the attainments is the one who is content.

Projection:

Sometimes, there is a tendency to compare ourselves with others and find ourselves lacking in some way. This creates unhappiness in us and we are not able to remain content. Comparing ourselves with others or having expectations makes us miss out on perceiving the attainments we have in our life. And we are not able to experience contentment.

Solution:

Instead of looking at what we don't have, which is usually the practice, we need to make effort to see what we have attained or what we are attaining. Once we make this practice, we will be able to look at the positive aspect in our life, which will enable us to remain content under all circumstances, i.e., in both positive and negative situations.

Brahma Kumaris

Soul Sustenance

Inculcating Powers Through Rajyoga Meditation - The Power To Discern (Discriminate)

Meditation gives me a discerning eye - an ability to discriminate between truth and falsehood. It does this by helping me maintain a consciousness that helps me rise above competing claims to truth – the different ideologies and opinions, reasons and analysis, justifications and stories related to a situation - which can be so confusing.

The image of discernment is the jeweler, who, with the help of his eyeglass, sorts out real diamonds from false. Meditation opens my third eye, the eye of pure consciousness. When I look at the world through this eye, truth is not just an intellectual idea, but an experience of the heart. When I think and act in ways that maintain and deepen this experience of truth, I know I am moving in the right direction. Conversely, I discover that thoughts and behaviours that cloud or hide the experience of truth are coming from falsehood, no matter how much I or others may try to justify them. So, meditation gives me a reliable basis for discerning the value in different courses of action: will this help me recover my truth, or take me further into falsehood? Will it maintain the flow of love, peace and happiness in my heart, or will it cause a blockage? Previously, I may have been easily swayed by other people's demands and opinions, or by illusory ways of thinking arising from my own negativity. Like a good lawyer, the intellect is very clever at arguing its case, regardless of where the truth may lie. But, when truth is experienced in and from the heart, there is no arguing with it. Deeply experienced truth clears my mind of irrelevancies created due to possessiveness, greed, desires and ego. As I learn to create pure, positive thoughts, and connect with the divine, it is as though a flow of clear, fragrant water gradually displaces the mud and rubbish in my intellect, enabling me to see reality or truth again.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought for Today

You become a little irritated when you are not going to get where you want to be on time, or you are not going to complete your task, as you would want. If the seed of irritation is watered it grows into frustration. Unless you take some positive inner action to stop the growth of the frustration, it will grow into anger. And if you are not careful it will become a habit, a part of your personality, which you will finally come to believe is a natural part of your nature. You will even convince yourself you were born with it. That it is ‘in the genes’. Every time you become angry you cause the production of certain chemicals in your body and you will become addicted to those chemicals – then you look for people and situations which will give you an excuse to generate the ‘anger emotion’ so that you can have your daily dose of chemicals. Not only do we become attached to things and people and ideas etc, we become attached to our emotions. Anger will finally kill the body (not you, but your body). Don’t kill your body. Accept that the anger is never ever productive, know that it is just not necessary to be angry with anyone or about anything, know that it is entirely your own creation and know that you can choose a different response. Know and accept that, and you will be free!

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Message for the day 29-09-2010

With benevolent feelings and good wishes we can free people from worrying.

Projection:

When we come across someone who is faced with a difficult situation because of which he is worrying, we too usually tend to think about it. Instead of helping the other person to be free from worrying, we too begin to worry. This doesn't help either of us in anyway but only adds to the negativity of the situation.

Solution:

We need to develop such benevolent feelings for the one who is going through the situation that the power of our positive feelings will spread to them too. It will act like the light of the lamp, which helps to dispel the darkness around. Only when there is positivity in the mind will they be able to think of some solution.

Brahma Kumaris

Soul Sustenance

Churning Spiritual Knowledge (cont.)

We had discussed a few benefits of churning spiritual knowledge yesterday. Some more are as follows:

3. The knowledge that we have becomes more real: and so can give more effectively to others. We can use the jewels of knowledge in serving others. This knowledge will have much greater power and be of much greater help to others than any form of scholarly or bookish knowledge.

4. Our personality changes: Limited views and thought patterns which give birth to various obstacles can be finished by churning. Our outlook towards life becomes very broad and we become completely content internally so that name, fame, respect, insult, etc. don't affect us, they seem totally insignificant.

5. Natural bliss: By churning, spiritual knowledge becomes a source of bliss. Because of the spiritual happiness and intoxication that comes from churning, our faces will become radiant and we become instruments to attract other people towards spirituality.

6. Our concentration power increases: By acknowledging and not suppressing impure thoughts we will easily clear negative thoughts within a short period of time. Our concentration power will increase. We will be able to clear and burn impure or waste thoughts, and easily become an embodiment of positivity.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought for Today

The one who listens is the one who is listened to.

When I say something I usually expect people to follow my suggestions. Yet I sometimes find that my words are not so effective. I either find that I need to use lot more words than necessary or others don't listen to me at all. I need to be able to listen to others as much as or even more than what I tell them. When I listen I am able to take in new ideas and learn. Also, only when I am able to have the openness to learn will others learn from whatever I say.

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Message for the day 28-09-2010

Faith enables the creation of elevated fortune.

Projection:

Usually there is a tendency to leave things to destiny. When something goes wrong, we blame fate for it. Then we feel the situation to be totally out of our control, which prevents us from taking responsibility for our own life. And we will not be able to work in any way for bringing about a change and improving the situation.

Solution:

Instead of blaming fate for whatever is happening, we need to take up responsibility for creating our own fortune for the future. When we have faith in ourselves we will take up responsibility for our own life. We will then be able to work at making our each thought beneficial, contributing to our success, making a better future for ourselves.

Brahma Kumaris

Soul Sustenance

Churning Spiritual Knowledge

Churning spiritual knowledge or thinking deeply about it makes us a complete authority of that knowledge. What are some practical ways of implementing churning in our lives?

Take 15 minutes out of your daily routine every day to think deeply on any topic related to spiritual self progress (like e.g. each day’s “Positive Reflection”). You do not need to disconnect yourself from action to do this. You could do this while taking a walk, while driving to office, while cooking food, etc. By churning this way in isolation, the mind is able to concentrate immediately. Secondly if you read some spiritual knowledge and afterwards write down the essence (summary) of it for 5-10 minutes as it has influenced the mind, then you will find that essence will remain with you and deepen during the day.

The benefits of churning spiritual knowledge are as follows:

1. Churning makes the soul feel powerful: it makes you aware of your powers and increases your self-respect. Any inferiority complex ends and one experiences oneself as a great and powerful soul. Self-confidence awakens as weak thoughts diminish: "I won't be able to do this. Will I succeed or not?" Strong thoughts emerge instead: "The Supreme Being himself is with me. I will definitely be successful." Such confidence and bravery is experienced which strengthens the soul to undertake any impossible task.

2. Natural and unruffled peace in my outlook: Churning takes us to the depths of the ocean of knowledge. The depth of knowledge finishes all our attractions. In the depths there are no storms, but only the peace and bliss of unlimited treasures.

(To be continued tomorrow …)

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought for Today

The one who is constantly a giver experiences constant happiness.

Happiness is usually associated with acquiring. When I get something I am happy and when I am deprived of something I lose my happiness. So happiness is always short-lived depending totally on what I get. True joy lies in recognising and giving what people want. I constantly need to have one aim, let no one go away from me empty-handed. When I have this aim I'll able to give something which will give me long lasting happiness.

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Message for the day 27-09-2010

The one who is free from wasteful words is the one who can be light.

Projection:

Sometimes when something only needs a few words to explain, we continue to speak and expand on it for a long time. We actually use more words than necessary thinking we are clarifying things. We give the justification to ourselves that it is necessary or the other person does not understand. These words sometimes disturb the other person and spoil our relationships too.

Solution:

We constantly need to pay attention to the words that we speak. We need to check if we are using any more words than we actually need to. When we remind ourselves of a simple slogan, "speak less, speak softly and speak sweetly", our words will never be those that disturb others. We will then be able to maintain our own lightness and that of others too.

Brahma Kumaris

Soul Sustenance

Rising Above The Expectation Of Praise From Others

Sometimes, we get offended or ill almost on purpose in order to receive special treatment. Out of a lack of self-esteem and insecurity, we depend on the appreciation and affection of the other, for them to value us, praise us and always to speak kindly to us. Even though they have given us many signs of appreciation, if for a few days they give us none, our inner world or our self-esteem collapses. We become dependent on what others do, or don't do, in relation to us, whether or not they nourish our self-esteem, and then what happens? We are always waiting for the other to give us something when in reality we can give it to ourselves.

Spirituality makes us experience our internal treasures of bliss, happiness, love and power. It makes us aware that we are gives, emitters and radiators of these qualities rather than takers. This consciousness helps us rise up above the above discussed dependencies and remain seated, stable on our throne of self-respect.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought for Today

My words are effective when they are spoken with good wishes. Although I speak with a lot of logic and make the other person understand what I mean to say, I sometimes find that they are not as effective as they should be. Sometimes my words are also misunderstood and misinterpreted. What I say is not important, but how and with what feeling I say is more important. I need to keep myself free from any kind of attitude, when I have to say something to someone. Thus I find that my words are filled with good wishes and are effective too.

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Message for the day 26-09-2010

True love is felt by all who receive it.

Projection:

Sometimes we do find ourselves in situations where others are not responding to the love we are giving. We are trying to be understanding and accepting as much as possible but others don't seem to be recognising it. In such a situation we begin to blame others and their lack of feelings and concern.

Solution:

Instead of blaming others when our love and concern is not being reciprocated, we need to check the quality of the love that we give. If there is even a trace of selfishness or if it is mixed with expectations, our love will not be able to reach out and touch the hearts of others. So we need to make sure that our love is pure and unselfish.

Brahma Kumaris

Soul Sustenance

Effects Of Mental Stress On The Body

We are all somewhat aware about the effects of mental stress on the body. But, when one becomes emotionally disturbed, why is organic illness in the body not seen immediately? This is because if organic illness followed every emotional disturbance, we would become alert and pay great attention to our thoughts, feelings, attitude, etc. Rather, the organic illness by itself would have taught us the great lesson of the need to retain emotional balance. In fact, our body has a large amount of reserve capacity. For example, our heart possesses four to six times more capacity than the minimum required. Thus only when the capacity of the heart is reduced four to six times below normal do we suffer heart failure. Likewise, a good surgeon can remove twelve feet of the small intestine out of the twenty-two feet of its normal length without harming digestion. In the same way, he can remove one kidney without reducing the normal performance. Our bone marrow can increase the production of red blood cells almost seven times its normal capacity whenever required. The fact is, then, every emotional disturbance does cause negative changes in the body and reduces the attacked organ's reserve capacity. But only when all of our organic reserve is depleted do we suffer from visible organic diseases (clinical cases). The process of depletion of reserve capacity may take many years before clinical cases are seen. In this way, psychological stress acts as a slow poison, harming the body very gradually.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought for Today

You are a source of the most powerful energy on the planet because you have a mind and an intellect, which has the capacity to create thoughts, ideas and actions. If however, there is no purpose (aim and objective) to your creativity, no focus or direction, your energy and your power will leak out in a variety of directions. You will be left with a drained feeling and the subtle guilt that you wasted precious time and energy. Just as a light bulb focuses and radiates the energy of electricity, so a clear purpose focuses and radiates the power of the self. Take time out to consider your purpose in life and then how you can translate that purpose into your day, everyday. You will see your purpose in your mind’s eye. One day it will occur to you, perhaps unexpectedly, perhaps in one single thought, or a clear single image of stunning clarity (accuracy), but you will know it with a certainty that needs no questioning.

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Message for the day 25-09-2010

To know that the seed of selfless action will surely bear fruit at its own time is to be light.

Projection:

Sometimes when involved in a task, we tend to get carried away with the result. We become so result-oriented that we begin to expect the fruit of what we have done immediately. Without the recognition of the fact that the result might take time to come, we begin to get caught up with our own expectations. This creates a lot of heaviness in our mind and we might even give up what we are doing.

Solution:

When we make a contribution for something, we must develop faith that whatever has to happen will happen at the right time. We don't have to eat unripe fruit, i.e., not get carried away with immediate results but have to wait patiently knowing that the fruits of our actions will ripen at their own time. With faith this is possible and we will be able to free ourselves from negativity and heaviness.

Brahma Kumaris

Soul Sustenance

Methods Of Settling Our Karmic Debt (cont.)

There are three methods of settling our karmic debts and setting ourselves free. We have explained the first two methods over the last few days. The third method is:

3. Connecting With The Supreme Source

The third and most effective way to heal and clear the burden of our karmic debt, both inside and outside, is through the process of meditation. In meditation, we establish a direct link with the Supreme Soul, the Source of spiritual love, light and power. When we are directly connected to the Sun of spiritual energy, we can allow that energy to heal the negative sanskaras (habits and tendencies) within our own consciousness. As our energy changes, through our power of thought, we are able to send out that positive energy towards those with whom we have some difficulty (karmic account). In meditation, we open to the warmth of pure love and the spiritual light of eternal truth from the Source, healing our own self and liberating ourselves from the illusions (false beliefs) which made us create wrong-thoughts and perform wrong actions in the first place. The illusion was simply in seeing ourselves as limited, physical beings. This led us to believe that love, happiness and peace were physical and to be found externally, which in turn made us use others to get what we wanted. Healing has taken place when we experience ourselves as souls, unlimited, spiritual beings and children of the Supreme. Healing has become a reality when we rediscover our own internal resource of love, happiness and peace. Only then will we begin to see and perceive others in the same way. This spiritual vision transforms the quality of energy we give to others which then heals and transforms those relationships. Once we have fully healed our self-awareness, we can act as instruments or mediums to bring that spiritual light from the Supreme Source into the lives of others.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought for Today

To be a master means to experience inner power in a practical way.

Each one has a lot of powers within, which we can use in our daily life while dealing with practical situations. Knowledge of these powers is of course there within each one. And along with it there is an intention to use them too. But during the time when it is necessary to use them, it becomes difficult to make them practical. So the powers within are just wasted away. We need to learn the art of using the right power at the right time. With the recognition of the powers within us we also need to develop the consciousness of being a master. As a master we just need to order whatever power we need at that time and these powers will surely come to serve us. We will then surely be victorious in all situations.

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Message for the day 24.09.2010

True help is to give support in such a way that people become independent.

Projection:

Think of those people we are giving some kind of help or support. Check if we are helping in such a way to make them independent or is our help making them dependent on us.

Solution:

We should remind ourselves that our aim in helping is to make people independent and strong in such a way that they are able to support others too. Our help should never make people weak.

Brahma Kumaris

Soul Sustenance

Methods Of Settling Our Karmic Debt (cont.)

There are three methods of settling our karmic debts and setting ourselves free. We had explained the second method Self Transformation yesterday. We continue to explain the same today:

The moment we are aware that our own discomforts in relationships are due to us and not due to others, we are halfway to self-change and the clearing of karmic debts. The next step is to forgive ourselves, for wounding ourselves with our negative thoughts and actions, and to forget the past. When we do this work of inner healing, we automatically change our response to the person or situation previously causing our discomfort. Our new spiritual response is like a new step sequence in our dance with the other person and if we change our step they have to change theirs. Or maybe they are dancing the right steps and we learn to dance the right steps, too. Whatever the case, the saying, "When we change, the world changes', holds true. If they don't change, we will need to strengthen our own capacity to be patient and check that we do not want them to change in a certain way as a result of our own desires and expectations. If we do want them to change, it means we are trying to control them in a subtle way, which means we still have a selfish motive. This always results in frustration and failure as it is not possible to control another human being.

(To be continued tomorrow …)

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought for Today

With some meditation techniques, people are given ideas or mantras, which they often simply repeat. They do not penetrate the mind and do not bring any sense of meaning. Sound patterns are repeated, but nothing has really been understood. The result of this is that there is very little power generated from within to bring about change in behaviour, or personality. Thus, everything continues in the same way. In these cases, people are not focused on spirituality. As a result, after a while, such people find meditation boring, they fall asleep, or think that by repeating words, either verbally or mentally, they are doing meditation. However, the right type of concentration is not brought about simply by repeating sounds or ideas.

Natural concentration is when the mind can hold a thought for a long time, when thoughts are under our own control. Without concentration the mind goes here, there and everywhere, jumping like a monkey from branch to branch, idea to idea. When there is a natural concentration, we can control our mind and there is peace. This one-pointed concentration on a thought, holding it for as long as we like, gradually collects strength in the mind and in the self.

A strong mind is a mind that is peaceful, stable, satisfied and can remain in the deeper meaning of a thought. There is no waste caused by over-thinking, or the high speed of thought. These are the two greatest diseases of the mind these days, which is why there is so much stress and mental breakdown.

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Message for the day 23-09-2010

The one who has the power of realisation is the one who can bring transformation.

Projection:

When something goes wrong we immediately begin to look for excuses why that mistake happened. This finishes our power of realisation and we will not be able to recognise our own mistake. Then we will not be able to work at improving ourselves and we will not be able to bring any transformation.

Solution:

Instead of looking for excuses for what happened, we need to take the opportunity to check within ourselves and see our own mistake. When we recognise our mistake, however small it may be, we will be able to work on it. Only when we are able to realise our own mistake, will we be able to bring about transformation in ourselves.

Brahma Kumaris

Soul Sustenance

Methods Of Settling Our Karmic Debt (cont.)

There are three methods of settling our karmic debts and setting ourselves free. We have explained the first method Practice Of Soul Consciousness over the last two days. The second method is:

2. Self Transformation

The second way in which we can begin to clear our outstanding debts is by giving back to those souls from whom we have in the past 'taken' and with whom we now have some 'karmic account'. However, this can take time, especially if we imagine all the souls we have interacted with during many births. We are sure to have one or two people in our life right now who seem to have the capacity to cause feelings of discomfort inside us by simply being in our presence. If we are serious about clearing our ‘karmic accounts’, we will not avoid these people, nor will we go looking for them. Instead, we can use these relationships as teachers and opportunities to learn about ourselves. We can ask ourselves, "What is it within me that is reacting to this person in this situation? Why am I creating this discomfort in their presence?" In this way, we will see and understand what we need to change within ourselves. We understand which sanskaras need to be healed and transformed. It will always come down to something connected with our own ego or attachment. Our inner healing will always begin with the 'letting go' of something. When we identify what that is and when we do 'let go', we find it takes the negativity out of our thoughts and actions, thereby breaking the patterns of negative energy exchange with others.

(To be continued tomorrow …)

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought for Today

The method to serve is to become an embodiment of power.

Service to others is usually understood as bringing benefit to others through what I do. I have love for such service and make an attempt to do it too. But sometimes busy in such service, I find that my own self-progress is left behind. I need to pay attention for my own self-progress by learning from everything that happens. I thus find myself improving and filling myself with power. This power spreads around and shows the right path to others, just like a lighthouse and others continue to take benefit from me.

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Message for the day 22-09-2010

The one who has the balance of flexibility and discipline is the one who is constantly successful.

Projection:

It is of course necessary to be flexible but if we are so flexible that others take advantage of us it is not right. So we need to have a balance of flexibility and discipline i.e., to be flexible within the rules and code of conduct.

Solution:

It is necessary to take care that the flexible nature within us doesn't waste our time or other resources. We have to be able to say no if the situation demands. But whatever we say has to be told with love, which comes when our nature is that of flexibility.

Brahma Kumaris

Soul Sustenance

Methods Of Settling Our Karmic Debt (cont.)

There are three methods of settling our karmic debts and setting ourselves free. We had explained the first method Practice Of Soul Consciousness yesterday. We continue to explain the same today:

Being soul-conscious, and acting from that consciousness, naturally heals the scars (habits and tendencies) left by past negative actions which were based on the illusion (false belief) of body-consciousness. The evidence that our meditation is working is a lightness of the mind and an increasing easiness in our interactions with others. These are the signs that we are clearing our karmic debts. It is at this stage when we are gradually transferring ourselves from body-consciousness to soul consciousness that we will often find it helpful and supportive to be in the company of those who are also practicing meditation, learning to be 'soul-conscious' and making the same effort to awaken and to stay awake. It gives us the opportunity to share experiences and learn from others. We will also be less likely to find benefit or make progress in the company of those who continue to focus mainly on the material world and who still see themselves only as physical beings.

(To be continued tomorrow …)

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought for Today

It takes more energy to hate or hurt than it does to forgive. Forgiveness doesn't mean minimising, justifying or excusing the wrong. Forgiveness is a powerful choice that helps you to release your hurt feelings, move on and move forward.

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Message for the day 21-09-2010

Habits break easily when there is flexibility.

Projection:

The more we work with a habit the more it will be strengthened. When we hold on to our habits because of our rigidity, we will never be able to change them but will only be strengthening them all the more. On the other hand if we are flexible we will be able to give up unwanted habits very easily.

Solution:

If we are working with any habit which we want to get rid of, we have to remind ourselves that we must not strengthen the habit any more but have to break it. We only need to emerge the flexibility within us and tell ourselves that we needn't act in the same way that we have always done, instead we can think of something new.

Brahma Kumaris

Soul Sustenance

Methods Of Settling Our Karmic Debt

There are three methods of settling our karmic debts and setting ourselves free:

1. Practice Of Soul Consciousness

The first method is to increase the awareness of the self as soul and reduce the illusion (false belief) that we are our body. This ensures that all actions come from an inner state of peace, generosity and benevolence (kindness), without any personal gain or conscious desire for any return. This requires the gentle effort of constantly reminding ourselves who and what we are — soul not body. Our identification with our body is so strong that it can be drawn like a curtain across our consciousness in a second. The path of a soul who is waking up spiritually is therefore one of waking (awareness of self as soul) and sleeping (under the illusion that we are our body), waking and sleeping. We tend to fluctuate between the two (like day and night) until we find stability in soul-consciousness. This is why it is important to awaken and stay awake, and for that it's important to give our mind and intellect good spiritual food (knowledge) and exercise (meditation) every day to keep them fresh and alert.

(To be continued tomorrow …)

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought for Today

To be experienced means never to be deceived by anything.

It is normally understood that to be experienced means to gain expertise in something, or to become a master in a particular field. Such a person, who is an expert in one field might find himself totally impractical in daily situations. Life has so many things to teach me through the various situations. I need to keep learning from all that happens. Then I'll never be surprised or cheated by any unexpected events, but will be prepared because of being experienced.

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Message for the day 20-09-2010

With humility and love, flexibility becomes natural.

Projection:

In order to be flexible we need to have the virtue of humility. With humility we will be willing to understand the people around and their behaviour. Then we will also be able to have love for them. This automatically brings flexibility within us.

Solution:

When we come across people who are not being cooperative, we need to become humble and try to understand what the they are communicating, if not through words at least through their actions. When we are able to listen with love and understanding, we will no more be rigid but can easily adapt ourselves.

Brahma Kumaris

Soul Sustenance

What Is Karmic Debt?

Whether we are a house maid or a mechanic, a CEO or a king, we have all made the same mistake of losing our true self-awareness (soul-consciousness) as we come into the process of birth and rebirth. This is why at this present time when the world is in a state of transformation we all find ourselves with 'debts to settle' and some inner scars to heal, not only from this lifetime, but also accumulated from previous births. The web of karmic debt is weighing heavily within our consciousness. This explains why even those people who have an abundance of material wealth and physical comfort are often painful and unhappy. The burden of these karmic debts can also prevent us from finding true freedom, as the 'sins' of our past disturb our peace and our happiness in the present. If someone keeps coming into our mind, interrupting our concentration, or they trigger feelings of frustration or depression when we see or even think of them, we can understand that we are likely to have some outstanding debt with that person, and often there is a sanskara which we need to heal. Once again, there is an underlying lesson to be learnt or something that has to be changed. In these moments, although we may think we are free to think, say or do what we want, we do not have spiritual freedom. We are tied to our inner disturbance (sanskara) which has been triggered (not caused) by the outer event or presence of a person.

(To be continued tomorrow …)

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought for Today

Determination is the best companion.

When things go wrong, the first reaction is of fear. Because of this, I can't put in any effort to better the situation. I start looking for a companion, a support who can provide me help. But I rarely get help from outside. When I have to look for something to rely on, the only support I get is from my own determined thought. I need to make it my companion, not letting go of it till I succeed. This will help me overcome my fear and move towards success.

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Message for the day 19-09-2010

Flexibility makes problems into teachers.

Projection:

Flexibility enables us to move with time, slipping through life as gently and strongly as possible. When problems do come, instead of stopping with fear, we will be able to learn from them and move on, experiencing constant progress.

Solution:

In any problem that we are faced with we need to remind ourselves that the situations around us will not remain the same, things might get worse too. If we are able to be flexible now we will be able to adjust ourselves to any kind of situation that we might be faced with in the future too.

Brahma Kumaris

Soul Sustenance

Quality Transformation (Change)

Quality change is the capacity to transform 'negative' situations, or circumstances, into something beneficial for one's self and others. 'Quality transformers' are people who can turn walls of resistance into bridges of understanding and keep crossing them, who can change any obstacle into a stepping stone of success and can reverse the troubling, paralyzing dragon of doubt and insecurity into radiant self-confidence, dissolving the thought 'impossible' from the mind.

Such people work with the undercurrents of life that determine the external reality, of human interaction. These undercurrents are their attitudes, thoughts and feelings. If these undercurrents are filled with resentment, anger and selfishness, then, despite being polite and cooperative externally with people, relationships will be subject to damage and deterioration. On the other hand, when the undercurrent is filled with trust and sincerity, then the quality of life and relationships is enhanced. The fundamental source of quality is the existence of a positive undercurrent. It is not a matter of our words, actions or role (which is the external reality), but rather the foundation, the undercurrent i.e. the thoughts and the activity of the mind.

Meditation enables the mind to tune in to that undercurrent of thoughts, feelings, and attitudes, which is the invisible creator of our human reality. The nourishing power of silence, attained through meditation and spiritual knowledge, gives us the means to bring about quality transformation (change) in this undercurrent. Such change enhances our self-confidence and the capacity to creatively and positively relate to life as it is and face situations easily.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought for Today

The one who is selfless is the one who is the best judge.

When I have to take a decision, either for others or myself, there is some kind of selfishness or greed involved in it. When I think only of my selfish desires, my judgment would not be accurate. I need to be detached and see what benefit there is for each one with the choice that I am going to make. The more I think of the benefit of all, the more my judgment is accurate.

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Message for the day 18.09.2010

Wisdom is to recognize an obstacle from a distance and be prepared for it.

Projection:

Our wisdom enables us to recognize the obstacles in advance and be prepared for them. In this state there'll be no fear even while seeing these obstacles. Also, wisdom is not just to go on hoping things will be all right but to make preparations knowing well the dangers ahead.

Solution:

Our wisdom enables us to recognize the obstacles in advance and be prepared for them. In this state there'll be no fear even while seeing these obstacles. Also, wisdom is not just to go on hoping things will be all right but to make preparations knowing well the dangers ahead.

Brahma Kumaris

Soul Sustenance

What Is “Karma Yoga”?

“Karma Yoga” implies two things:

• “yoga” (meditation) by which the “karmas” are elevated and purified;

• those “karmas” by which the remembrance of the Supreme Being (God) is maintained and strengthened.

The loveful remembrance of the Supreme, is not just a "sitting" matter. If we approach meditation from this angle (as only a sitting practice), any real change in practical life takes a very long time. We should not only use meditation to improve our actions but also modify our actions to improve our meditation. In this way, theory and practice should be simultaneous. As the soul takes virtues and powers from the Supreme Soul, it gives to the world, thus increasing the capacity to take and give.

In the sitting meditation, be it five minutes or two hours, the soul dives deeply into itself and establishes an unbroken mental link with the Supreme. When the "sitting" finishes and the soul has to go back into the world of action and responsibility, the link need not be forgotten. The hands can be involved with the work and the mind can still be with the Supreme Soul.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought for Today

A deep understanding and an attitude of pure feelings results in positive thinking.

When we talk about positive thinking, it is usually just 'think positive' and 'be positive'. But just saying this, either to others or to myself, doesn't help to change my thoughts permanently, in fact usually, not even temporarily. Real positive thinking is much deeper than just to think positive. For this I need to understand and see things as they are, without colouring them with my own attitudes. Then I can deal with things in the most appropriate way, having understood everything accurately.

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Message for the day 17.09.2010

Wisdom is to learn from one's experiences.

Projection:

Things do not always go smoothly. In spite of the difficulties that we are faced with, the wisdom within us enables us to learn from all that happens. Naturally with this learning we would experience progress. If not, we will only be caught up with the past and lose the present too.

Solution:

When we find ourselves thinking about the past, or caught up with it, we need to redirect our thoughts towards a more constructive goal. We have to see if we have benefited in some way with the particular experience of the past. Our wisdom enables us to learn from everything that happens.

Brahma Kumaris

Soul Sustenance

The Law of Self-Control

The more control we have over ourselves and our lives, the happier and freer we will feel. We sometimes get angry with other people. Why does this happen? It is probably because they have not met our expectations or we were trying to control them and they have not let us. Sometimes, the simple expectation that a person should behave as we want them to is in itself an attempt to control them. When we try to control another person, which is impossible, we are bound to fail, feel frustrated and stressed.

We are capable of having power over ourselves; we can be more responsible for our thoughts and feelings. We have the capacity to choose how we respond to different situations and people that we come across in our lives. If we do not exercise much control over our thoughts and emotions, we easily fall into the tendency of seeing ourselves as victimized, and we blame others, making them responsible in our own minds for how we feel. When we do this, we are forgetting that we create our own thoughts. When this happens, we are handing over the control of our thoughts to those who influence, criticize, attack or slander us.

If we want to recover the control over our life, we must learn to control our thoughts and feelings and not blame anyone else for them. The more self-control we have over ourselves, the less will we want to control others and our capacity to influence other people positively will be greater.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought for Today

To be constantly enthusiastic is to experience freedom.

When everything is going on well I find myself enthusiastic and have the interest to move forward. But when even a little thing goes wrong, I lose all enthusiasm to do anything else. This creates a bondage for me and I find it difficult to move forward. I need to remind myself that to be enthusiastic in all situations is to be like a free bird reaching great heights. To lose enthusiasm according to difficult situations is to be like a caged bird.

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Message for the day 16.09.2010

To become worthy of blessings means to make success easy.

Projection:

Thinking of benefit for the self increases to such an extent that it sometimes takes on the form of selfishness. When we are selfish we stop thinking about others or the effect that our action is going to have on them. Then we are not able to move forward with lightness because the good wishes and blessings of others are not with us.

Solution:

In each and every action of ours we need to first check if it is going to be beneficial for us as well as for others. As much as there is benefit for others too in the task that we are doing, that much the good wishes of others will be there for the task. With these good wishes we will be able to move forward much faster and achieving success will be easy.

Brahma Kumaris

Soul Sustenance

Rajyoga Meditation For Beginners

Let us practise the steps of Rajyoga meditation:

1. I hold in my mind the words Om Shanti, ‘I am a peaceful soul’: Let us reflect on this statement, or mantra. A mantra is something that frees the mind from wasteful and negative thoughts, stress and worry. A mantra is usually repeated over and over again in order to get the desired results. However, in meditation it is not a matter of repeating words over and over again without truly understanding them. Otherwise it becomes forced concentration. Concentration of the mind should be natural because, when it is so, the mind can remain in a state of peace and relaxation for a very long time. The result of this is a recharging of the battery of the self, a renewal of energy from inside.

How do we achieve this state of natural concentration on the thought, 'I am a spiritual being', 'I am a peaceful being'?

2. I reflect on 'OM’; the consciousness of ‘I am’.
What does 'I am' mean? In this thought, the attention is drawn only to the present moment. I have no need to go into ‘I was', 'I will be', 'I hope to be' or 'I should be'. To go deep into the self, I need to be completely in the present. This thought of 'I am' takes me into the consciousness of self-realisation.

3. I focus and concentrate on the thought until I stop thinking about it and experience it.

These are the primary steps of silence and must be mastered correctly.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought for Today

Problems can be solved when there is the faith that every problem has a solution.

When faced with a problem, there's a lot of thinking that goes into it. We sometimes end up only worrying about the problem thinking that we are trying to find a solution. But worrying never brings any solution. We only end up getting disheartened and give up trying. What then remains is just the problem and a lot of waste thoughts. Instead of worrying about the problem and wasting time, it's important to work for the solution to the best of our ability with the faith that the solution will be found. Even if we are not able to find a solution at that time, it is important to have the faith that it will be found. Only then will we be able to relieve ourselves from worrying.

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Message for the day 15.09.2010

The one who is powerful shows the practical proof of success instead of just talking about it.

Projection:

It is usually very easy for us to talk about how to do things best, it is as much easy to tell others and give directions. But the one who is powerful is not just satisfied with mere words or proving to others about his success. He is more concerned more about being successful.

Solution:

We need to check if we are applying in our life what we are talking about. We need to see to it that whatever we speak about, we must put into practice. Only then will we find improvement and progress in our life. Then there will be no more the need to talk about our success but our life will reveal how successful we are. We will then be an inspiration to many.

Brahma Kumaris

Soul Sustenance

Self Esteem

If you set your sense of self worth (value) on your position, pay and material possessions, you will not have real self-esteem. All of these things come and go, sometimes at the most unexpected moments. This is why almost every single human being from corporate leaders to househusbands, from Kings to college students are not able to have constantly high self esteem. We are all taught by our society, that worth (value) is measured by rank, quantity of possessions and the amount of monetary (financial) income. Dangerous! It creates a life of sorrow and unhappiness mixed with temporary happiness. You cannot allow your self-esteem to be defined by your work, your capabilities at work, your salary level etc. True internal self-esteem comes for realizing the self as a soul and experiencing its virtues (qualities) and specialties.

Exercise: What external factors is your self-esteem based on? If real wealth is not money or possessions what is real wealth? What could you start doing tomorrow that may help you transfer your sense of self esteem from something you do or have outside yourself, to something that you are inside?

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought for Today

To do a task with love is to be constantly successful.

When I start with something new, I usually notice that I'm successful for sometime, but I do not experience long lasting success. This is because I did the task on being told or being forced by the situation. External force makes me use my resources with commitment for sometime. Love brings constant success because once I've experienced the joy of doing the task itself, I'll never give it up. Because it is done with love, I'll put in all my resources and do my best. So I'll experience constant success.

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Message for the day 14.09.2010

Success comes to the one who understands the importance of time.

Projection:

When we are working at a task, success doesn't come as much as it should because we have not been able to recognise the importance of time. Because of this sometimes carelessness sets in which makes us lose valuable time and interferes in what we are doing. Then we cannot give our best to the task.

Solution:

We need to recognise the importance of time so that we never postpone what we can do now. We will then always have the slogan 'now or never' in our mind. Knowing that what we can do now, we cannot do it as well in the future, we'll give our best to all we do right now. This will enable us to use our time in a fruitful way and success will come very easily to us.

Brahma Kumaris

Soul Sustenance

The Distinction (Difference) Between Human Souls And The Supreme Soul (God)

Human Souls: They take human bodies and experience birth, life and death.
Supreme Soul: Never comes into the cycle of birth and death.

Human Souls: They are subject to change and the dualities of pleasure and pain, growth and decay, happiness and sorrow.
Supreme Soul: Changeless. The One beyond the above dualities.

Human Souls: They remember and then forget their original pure nature.
Supreme Soul: God is always the ocean of knowledge; he does not come in the cycle of remembering and forgetting.

Human Souls: They are seekers of peace and happiness.
Supreme Soul: God is the One whom everyone seeks (longs for). He is the bestower (giver) of peace and happiness to everyone.

Human Souls: They lose their power and become weak.
Supreme Soul: God is the constant and external source of all spiritual power for all human souls.

Human Souls: They are brothers.
Supreme Soul: God is the Father and Mother.

Human Souls: They come into greed, lust and attachment.
Supreme Soul: God is bondage less (free), the liberator of all, including the sages, saints, holy teachers and gurus. He doesn’t succumb to the vices.

Human Souls: They become worshipers.
Supreme Soul: God is ever worthy of being worshiped.

Human Souls: They have desires based on bodily needs, name and fame.
Supreme Soul: God is completely desire less and selfless.

Human Souls: They have physical bodies.
Supreme Soul: God's form is incorporeal (point of spiritual energy).

Human Souls: They cannot liberate humanity.
Supreme Soul: God uplifts and liberates all.

Human Souls: They become impure through body-consciousness.
Supreme Soul: God is the purifier.

Human Souls: They are caught up by the present, have distorted (misunderstood) knowledge of the past (since they come in the process of birth and rebirth) and no accurate knowledge of the future.
Supreme Soul: God is knowledgeable of the three aspects of time (past, present and future).

Human Souls: They are takers.
Supreme Soul: God is the giver, He takes nothing.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Soul Sustenance

Relationships

A prison in Miami, USA had the highest levels of conflict, drug abuse and break-out rates amongst all prisons in the US. In came a new governor, who sent all the managers and staff of the prison on a three-day, customer service training course. When they returned he told them, "Now go back in there and treat the prisoners as if they were your customers." Two years later the prison had the lowest levels of conflict, drug abuse and break-out rates in the US. Reason? One word. Respect. Instead of seeing the prisoners as low life trash (waste), they saw them as human beings with their original but suppressed dignity, and therefore worthy of their respect. It transformed (changed) the culture of the institution.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought for Today

To see specialities in all is to become special. Most of the time, I'm caught up in looking at people's negativity.

When I see some negative quality in someone, I immediately make his specialities a background and start focusing on his negative traits. The more I think of these negative qualities, the more they occupy my conscious mind, changing my reactions too. It is natural to be coloured or influenced by what I see. If I see specialities, I'll take on a little of that and if I see weaknesses, I'll take on a little of that too. So I need to make an attempt to look at only specialities and encourage others too to use their specialities.

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Message for the day 12.09.2010

The one who does not wait for others to change to bring a change in the self is the one who really brings benefit to others.

Checking:

Think of all the things you would like to change but are not able to. Now ask yourself why you are not able to bring about a change - is it because you are waiting for others to change before you change yourself.

Practice:

Take any one thing that you would like to change and tell yourself, " I will change and seeing me the others will change too. I am the leader who inspires others to change, I will not wait for others."

Brahma Kuamris

Thought for Today

The Supreme Source (Supreme Soul) has the power to remind us of what we were because His original state of being is permanent; He never forgets Himself, is never polluted and remains forever true to Himself in the state of spiritual or soul consciousness. As a result, He is the copy of what we were, of what we are to become. Very simply, the qualities of peace, love, purity, happiness and truth are there in Him, visible and available to those who wish to tune in and receive.

What we remember, we become, and so it is important to remember the right things. Number one on the list is thoughts of the original self and the Supreme Source.

Imagine two points of energy (light): one here on the earth, in time and matter, and the other beyond the earth, in another world of silence and peace. When these two points connect through the power of thought and feeling there is a union, which allows for a flow of energy and the experience of our true being. 'I, the soul, the point, am here and the Supreme Soul, also a point of energy (light), is up there'. However, love and remembrance bring such closeness that there is no feeling of distance or separation.

To achieve remembrance that empowers (strengthens), we need to plug in every day to the Supreme Source in silence, in a way that is beyond ritual or sound. It is a personal connection, which requires no audience and no rules, only an honest heart. When a person has a positive intention (purpose), the plug of love fits into the socket and the self receives whatever it needs, whatever is useful for it to create and sustain a life of quality.

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Message for the day 11.09.2010

Become a jewel of contentment and you will become a bestower.

Checking:

During the day, check if you were always able to remain content whatever the situations you were faced with. Also see if you were able to be a giver in all the situations or if you were expecting something from others.

Practice:

At the end of each day, make a list of all that you have attained during the day. Your list could include even little things that made you happy. This practice helps you see what you are attaining and you will become a giver.

Brahma Kumaris

Thought for Today

To be free from the burden of responsibility is to fulfill the responsibility well.

When I am responsile for something or people expect me to be answerable for something, I tend to feel heavy because of these responsibilities. With the such a feeling of having a burden, I'm not able to fulfill my responsibilities to the best of my ability. Whatever responsibilities are given to me are according to my capabilities. When I remind myself of this I'll be able to be light and give my best to fulfill all my responsibilities.

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Message for the day 11.09.2010

True fortune comes to the one who recognises and uses his treasures with an honest heart.

Projection:

Sometimes we might be faced with certain situations where we find that we are not very fortunate. We find ourselves thinking about all those things that we need to have in order for us to be able to bring a positive outcome. Because of this kind of thinking, we tend to miss out on perceiving those treasures that we can make use of.

Solution:

There are a lot of treasures within us that we can use in our practical life. These treasures could be our talents, skills, or some specialities of ours. Under all circumstances we need to have an awareness of these treasures. When we are aware of them we will begin to use them in our daily life instead of just expecting things to happen right. This is what will create a good fortune for us.

Brahma Kumaris

Soul Sustenance

Anger Management And Prevention

You may believe in something called 'righteous (allowable) anger'. In other words, an anger which is justified according to your judgment, an anger that is justified because you are right and punishment should be given to those who have done wrong. Then we might ask that old but suitable question, "Did God give you permission to control the universe?” For that is what you are attempting to do when you become righteously angry towards others. This kills your effectiveness, as it damages your ability to assist those who are suffering because you are suffering yourself. This is like someone who is drunk trying to help someone else who is drunk. Your emotional disturbance destroys your ability to communicate with and positively influence those around you. But most of all, you are doing what you don’t want others to do. In that moment you are being double-faced. But your anger won't let you see it. Your so-called 'righteous (allowable) anger' also destroys your capacity to understand and feel for others and be merciful - two of the most powerful forms of the quality of love that always exists within the depth of your heart - and that is what both parties – you and the other - are in need of. Why? Because it's obvious that both are in serious pain.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought for Today

Trust comes when there is mutual respect. It is normally experienced that it is difficult to trust people around me. I do want to but the negative experiences do not let me do so. I add up to this negative experience with each incident that happens, which further breaks my trust for people. The only way to trust and gain people's trust is by having respect for them. Respect makes me look at the specialities in everyone and I am able to relate to these specialities. The more I look at the positive aspect in others, the more I am able to encourage others to use these specialities and relate to my own specialities too. This is the only way that trust comes.

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Message for the day 10.09.2010

The one with true mercy fills hope even in the ones who are hopeless.

Projection:

When we see someone who is in need or who is totally negative, a case that is totally hopeless, there are a lot of feelings aroused within us. What we feel is pity or hatred, which are only negative feelings. Such negative thoughts don't help in anyway and the person remains as he is, unable to take any benefit from us.

Solution:

Instead of having pity or hatred we need to develop true mercy for others. To have mercy means to have good wishes with love - combined with hope for them. It is our hope that enables them to develop faith in themselves too. This is the method to bring progress even in the most hopeless case.

Brahma Kumaris

Soul Sustenance

Understanding The Mental Laws

The Law of Expectation
In our relationships with others, it is good to want the best: "I hope you do very well, I am sending you my positive energy and this is my way of encouraging you and giving you courage. However, if you don't achieve what I think you are capable of, I will not feel frustrated. I will not be dependent on you satisfying my expectations, but I will always want the best for you."

If you have faith and confidence that something will happen, it is a prophecy that must come true. The expectations we have of someone, whether negative or positive, do have an effect on the person we are relating to.

Many investigations into this question confirm the influence that the expectations of educators have, both in the performance and in the behaviour of their students. Everything points to the conclusion that the teacher's expectations form one of the most influential factors in the academic performance of their students. If a teacher expects good results from their students, their performance will be much closer to their real capacity than if their teacher is expecting poor results.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought for Today

To have learnt means to bring about a practical change.

From all that happens, I usually understand a lot of things and take important lessons. But sometimes I find myself making the same mistakes again and again. So I am not able to bring about real change. Once I realise and learn from a mistake that has happened, I need to spend some time in understanding it even further. I need to ensure I don't ever repeat the same mistake. This will enable me to bring about real change.

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Message for the day 09.09.2010

Patience brings harmony in relationships.

Projection:

When there is a misunderstanding in a relationship we hardly put in any effort in order to understand the other person. We tend to become impatient and we don't listen to the other person to understand them. Because of which we start inventing things about them. This only further increases the misunderstanding.

Solution:

When we have a difference of opinion with someone, we need to give some time to understand and listen to the other person. Only then will we be able to understand the other person's point of view. This practice will enable us to finish any misunderstanding we have with others and bring harmony in relationships.

Brahma Kumaris

Soul Sustenance

Different Effects Of Psychological Stress (cont.)

Psychological stress can affect the individual and in turn the society in a number of ways:

Cognitive (concerning the mind) Effects: are inability to make decisions and concentrate, frequent forgetfulness, hypersensitivity to criticism and mental blocks.

Behavioural Effects: are accident proneness, drug taking, emotional outbursts, excessive eating or loss of appetite, excessive drinking and smoking, excitability, impulsive behaviour, impaired speech, nervous laughter, restlessness and trembling.

Apart from these effects numerous diseases caused by stress greatly magnifies, in the long run, the consequences of the stress. Meditation helps us manage stress and as a result prevents its various effects from having an influence on us.

(The above information has been verified by the medical fraternity of the Brahma Kumaris)

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Message for the day 08.09.2010

To be a donor means to give at each step and increase one's own stock.

Projection:

Usually it seems very difficult to be a donor - to give from whatever resources we have. The thought often arises in the mind that we cannot give because we are ourselves not complete or full. We find ourselves constantly trying to fill ourselves and we then have no time or thought for giving to those around us.

Solution:

We have a lot of treasures within us which we can give to those around us, our virtues, our specialities etc. Even if we have just a little and give to the others, we will find ourselves benefitting. For having given from whatever we have, we find that these treasures begin to increase within ourselves too.

Brahma Kumaris

Soul Sustenance

Different Effects Of Psychological Stress

Psychological stress can affect the individual and in turn the society in a number of ways:

Emotional Effects: are anxiety, aggression, apathy (uncaring attitude), boredom, depression, fatigue, frustration, guilt, shame, irritability, bad temper, moodiness, low self-esteem, threat, tension, nervousness, loneliness etc.

Physiological Effects: are increased blood and urine amines and steroid hormones causing an increase in blood glucose levels, increased heart rate and blood pressure, dryness of mouth, sweating, dilatation of pupils, difficulty in breathing, hot and cold spells, lump in the throat, numbness and tingling in parts of the limbs.

Organizational Effects: are absenteeism, poor industrial relations and poor productivity, high accident and labour turnover rates, poor organizational climate, hatred at work and job dissatisfaction.

(The above information has been verified by the medical fraternity of the Brahma Kumaris)

(To be continued tomorrow …)

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought for Today

To forgive the self is to have the ability to forgive others too.

I sometimes find it very difficult to forgive the mistakes committed by others. I do try to understand but am not able to understand the other person's behaviour and so find it difficult to forgive them. When I have love for myself and am able to learn from all that happens, I am able to forgive myself. When I know to do this, I can understand the other person too from his perspective and can easily forgive him.

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Message for the day 07.09.2010

To keep the aim in front of us is to move forward with contentment.

Projection:

Several times there are situations that are negative where we have to face things that are not really what we are expecting or wanting. At such times we tend to get disheartened and experience discontentment. Our state of mind becomes such that we can no longer experience peace.

Solution:

The solution at such times is to keep our vision clear on our aim. When all our thoughts and energy are concentrated on our aim, we will be able to consider any negative scene that comes our way as only a side-scene. We can easily ignore all such situations and so our mind is at rest or peace.

Brahma Kumaris

Soul Sustenance

Experiencing Freedom In Relationships

How much are you influenced by what others think of you and how they see you? The degree to which you act on the basis of what you think others want and expect of you, allows them to have power over your inner and outer world.

Important aspects are how you think others see you, how you want them to see you and how you see yourself. The person who is not conditioned by how others see them, and doesn't even think about how they would like to be seen, but who rather is comfortable with themselves, has a presence that generates comfort. Others feel fine around that person.

Let us learn to free ourselves from the conditionings that generate the thinking of how we want others to see us. Let us feel the freedom to let ourselves be how we want to be.

Try it and you will see that the results are amazing. That way, as you go along, you will take off the masks that you wear due to the fears of what others will say and think.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought for Today

Silence is a quiet and peaceful mind with only a few necessary positive thoughts. And when we are silent, there's a certain magic that happens: the penny drops; realisations come easily; decisions can be made smoothly....
In fact, silence speaks volumes if we just take a moment to listen!

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Message for the day 06.09.2010

The more we experience peace within the more there will be positivity in our life.

Projection:

We usually try to change ourselves and our negativity by working on each of them separately. We might be able to overcome them also but being connected to the other weaknesses we find that they reemerge again. Then we find that the negativity remains in our life influencing all our thoughts, words and actions.

Solution:

We first need to make a promise to ourselves to maintain our own inner positivity. Once we do that we also need to make an attempt to practice relaxing our mind and remaining calm before we do any important thing. When we practice in this way we will be able to keep our mind calm and this calmness will bring contentment through which there will be positivity in all we do.

Brahma Kumaris

Soul Sustenance

Self Responsibility (cont.)

Because we have forgotten the principle of karmic returns (discussed yesterday), we have learned to avoid taking responsibility for many of our actions. We fail to see the impact of our actions upon others and we fail to see that the real meaning of responsibility is our 'ability to respond'. Life can be seen as a series of responses which we each create in our interactions with other people and events. As is the quality of our ability to respond (energy given), so will be the quality of the return (energy received). The Laws of Karma also serve to remind us that our circumstances and our personality today are the result of what we thought and did yesterday, last month, last year, perhaps in our last birth. Many people do not like this idea or find it difficult to accept because most of us have been taught that our destiny lies in someone else's hands or in the hands of fate or luck, about which we can do nothing. Karma is also sometimes referred to as the Law of Reciprocity. It is a law which teaches us that there is no such thing as luck and that whatever happens to us today is the result of our benevolent (positive) or negative actions in the past. If you spend a few moments reflecting on events in your life, without judgment or emotion, you will begin to see connections between actions and results, causes and effects. When you see how all effects have their causes, you will then be convinced that this universal law is at work in your life at all times.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought for Today

To use the inner powers is to be a constant success.

While moving forward I sometimes have doubts about my own power to succeed. So sometimes my powers remain hidden and I am not able to have the confidence or the enthusiasm to work on the situation. Whatever the situation I am faced with, I must not forget my own inner powers. I need to recognise and use those powers which will help me overcome the situation. When there is faith within me, my mind will be open to the recognition and the use of these inner powers.

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Message for the day 05.09.2010

To be seated on the seat of self-respect is to use virtues in life.

Projection:

It usually seems very difficult to use the virtues within us when the people around are not doing so. At such times using negativity seems much easier. In spite of not having that particular weakness predominantly, say of anger, when there is provocation from the outside we tend to react with that weakness.

Solution:

In order to free ourselves from weaknesses and work with the virtues within us we need to make sure we are seated on the seat of self-respect. For this we need to recognise and appreciate some speciality within us. When we are in the awareness of this speciality of ours, we will be able to stabilize ourselves in the state of our self-respect.

Brahma Kumaris

Soul Sustenance

Self Responsibility

There are certain laws which are involved in our actions and interactions. They are not human laws requiring lawyers to interpret or the police to enforce. They are natural laws which are constantly operating in every relationship. They are often called the Laws of Karma (action): briefly described by the saying, "As you sow, so you shall reap”, described by Isaac Newton as the Laws of Motion i.e. 'for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction'. The Laws of Karma remind us that whatever quality of energy we give out, we get back. This might not be exactly 'an eye for an eye', but if we give happiness to someone, it will come back to us; if we give pain or sorrow, it will come back, perhaps not today or tomorrow, but at some time in the future.

Most of us are conditioned by the idea that we are responsible for some of our actions, but not all of them. For example, we would consider ourselves responsible for the actions which bring our colleagues together for a task at work but would not consider ourselves responsible for the argument we have with a neighbour. We would consider ourselves responsible for driving our family safely to their holiday destination, but if we nearly have an accident because we were trying to get there quickly we we sustain our family through our own enterprise and professional efforts we would take the credit, but if we turned to a life of crime to clothe and feed ourselves we might blame the inequalities of society or the years of a difficult childhood.

Through spirituality, we are reminded of the unchangeable laws of cause and effect, which awakens our awareness of our true responsibility for each and every action that we perform.

(To be continued tomorrow …)

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought for Today

The way to bring transformation in others is to have mercy for them.

Inspite of wanting to bring about a positive change in people and working towards it, I rarely find that kind of change that I expect. People continue to display their old patterns of behaviour and finally I end up only feeling disappointed or frustrated. Real change can come in people only when I am able to have a vision of mercy for them. With mercy I am able to percieve and bring out the best in people without actually being caught up with expectations. Once I am able to see the positive qualities I am able to encourage them to use these qualities

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Message for the day 04.09.2010

To be experienced means not to be deceived by anything.

Projection:

There are so many times when a situation takes us by surprise and we make the same mistake that we had made before. It is only when the situation has passed that we realise that we have actually repeated that mistake. What then remains is only repentance as the time has passed where we could have done something.

Solution:

Whenever there is a mistake, we need to take care that we learn from whatever has happened. When we continue to move forward in this way there will be no repentance for the mistakes made but there will be learning that'll make us experienced. And when we are experienced we'll never be deceived by situations which make us commit mistakes.

Brahma Kumaris

Soul Sustenance

Transforming “Reaction” To “Response”

In its original form, anger was not anger, not a negative reaction; rather it was the energy of a positive response to people and situations, but the response gradually changed to reaction. When we return to our spiritual identity, we begin to rediscover that capacity to be still, stable or centred, and we are they able to respond positively even to negative situations, or people. With spiritual consciousness, the energy of this negative reaction is transformed into being able to accept, understand and deal wisely and peacefully with whoever, or whatever, is encountered.

In order to extinguish (overcome) anger, one has to use peace and silence, to understand that peace is the original state of one's being; to remember that 'I am a peaceful being' means to emerge the consciousness of non-violence.

Silence, that is learning to put a brake on the mind and tongue, helps us to think before speaking and, as a result, saves us from many confrontations with others.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought for Today

When the mind is on auto-pilot, habits take over. Accidents occur when we say things we don't intend and crash into others' feelings. To switch off the auto-pilot, become fully aware, gain control over your mind and redirect your attention towards positive habits.

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Message for the day 03.09.2010

To have knowledge in the intellect is to be constantly cheerful.

Projection: When something negative happens, we find that there are only negative or waste thoughts about the situation or people. We try hard not to think about it but we find only those thoughts coming to our mind. With such thoughts the situation seems worse than it is and we find it difficult to remain cheerful.

Solution: In such situations instead of trying to cut out waste we need to give ourselves something positive to think about. When the intellect is busy thinking about the positive, there'll be no room for negativity. In this way we will be able to remain constantly cheerful even in the most negative situations.

Brahma Kumaris

Soul Sustenance

What Is Super Sensual Bliss?

Beyond the limits of this vast expanse of the solar system and galaxies there is a region of non-material (non-physical) light. It is not reached by any physical means e.g. by travelling in a space shuttle, because reaching there is simply not a question of light years or kilometers. It is a region which is beyond the physical plane and therefore can only be experienced through divine vision or by the "third eye" or eye of the mind during the process of meditation. Through deep meditation the soul can "travel" with its power of visualization to this region and experience the bliss of being free from the limits of anything earthly. This bliss is called super sensual bliss. Sensual bliss is the bliss which is experienced by visualizing, thinking about, seeing, tasting, smelling, hearing or touching something which is physical or in other words something which is made up of the five elements – earth, air, water, fire and space. Super sensual bliss is experienced by visualizing the soul to be completely free and full of bliss in this incorporeal (non-physical) world, in the company of the Supreme Soul or Supreme Father who is also non-physical.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought for Today

The method to stay in constant enthusiasm and to keep others enthusiastic is to see specialities in others.

Many times while I am sincerely working towards my task, I find myself losing my enthusiasm. I also might find people not very happy with me or my work. I do make an attempt to understand their feelings but fail to do so Such negative responses further reduce my enthusiasm. I need to develop the art of looking at specialities in people. The more I am able to see their positive qualities, the more I am able to relate to them with that speciality. This encourages the other person further to use that speciality. This will naturally keep me constantly enthusiastic.

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Message for the day 02.09.2010

The one who experiences freedom in the mind is the one who can bring benefit to others.

Projection:

There is usually the feeling that there is not enough time for the self. And so there is no time to spare for others too. The more we think about ourselves only, we don't seem to be able to be free for anyone else. Then we find our days just pass by without being able to bring any benefit to others or ourselves.

Solution:

Instead of taking out time separately for bringing benefit to others, we only need to see how we can help others wherever we are. We would be able to do this only when we are free from the weaknesses in our own mind. This will help us to be available to everyone around. If we are mentally preoccupied with our own weaknesses we will not be able to free to bring benefit to anyone.

Brahma Kumaris

Soul Sustenance

Meditation To Experience My Inner Beauty

Experience the following thoughts one after the other:

I sit in a relaxed position, I am comfortable… I let my body relax, keeping my back straight, my legs supported comfortably on the floor, I breathe deeply... Now I begin to carefully observe my mind… What kinds of thoughts arise in my mind? Are they positive, negative? How are they moving? Slow, fast... I carefully observe my mind and remember that I can choose my thoughts… Consciously, I begin to redirect my thoughts... I create positive thoughts about myself... I think about my good qualities, I identify a specific quality that is special to me and which I feel makes me a unique being… Perhaps the quality is being tolerant, sweet, patient or affectionate… I create a space in my inner self to discover my best quality, and for a few moments I think about it… In my mind I see the beauty of this quality and observe how I feel...

I am sweet, I am kind, and as I experience these special qualities, I begin to feel better about myself… Now I imagine using this quality in my interactions with others. How do I feel when I express and put this quality into practice?

Using a quality makes me grow, at the same time the good feelings I have about myself as a unique human being also makes me grow… I enjoy these feelings for a few moments and little by little, breathing deeply, I am aware that I am here; I express my inner beauty…

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought for Today

The method for easy progress is to claim the blessings of all.

Sometimes we find ourselves making a lot of effort and putting in a lot of energy for getting something done. Yet we find that the results are not according to the efforts that we have put in. We then begin to wonder it happens so. To be able to give happiness to those around is to increase the speed of my progress. For this I need to pay special attention to keep giving happiness and not giving sorrow to those around me. This brings me their blessings and these subtle wishes bring me happiness and success easily.

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Message for the day 01.09.2010

The one who is free from wasteful words is the one who can be light.

Projection:

Sometimes when something only needs a few words to explain, we continue to speak and expand on it for a long time. We actually use more words than necessary thinking we are clarifying things. We give the justification to ourselves that it is necessary or the other person does not understand. These words sometimes disturb the other person and spoil our relationships too.

Solution:

We constantly need to pay attention to the words that we speak. We need to check if we are using any more words than we actually need to. When we remind ourselves of a simple slogan, "speak less, speak softly and speak sweetly", our words will never be those that disturb others. We will then be able to maintain our own lightness and that of others too.

Brahma Kumaris

Soul Sustenance

Understanding And Overcoming Fears (cont.)

Listed below are some of our common fears:

• Dying
• Getting ill
• The unknown
• Loneliness
• Other people
• Authority
• Being rejected
• Being hurt
• Failure
• Change
• The future
• Being
• Being free
• Thinking and being in a different way
• Losing control
• Dreaming and making our dreams real

From these fears many other fears and blockages emerge.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris