Thought for Today 31-5-2012

You many know someone really well, but you'll never know all the details of their life. 
To keep your relationships and connections fresh, 
avoid making assumptions and taking each other for granted.

Be genuinely interested in others, ask questions and discover something new. 

Ask them about their greatest adventure, their most profound lesson in life, or their latest plans.

Soul Sustenance

Choosing Peace Over Anger Making the choice of peace is a simple choice, which lies in the hands of each one of us, at every moment right through the day, every day. A lot of people would choose a world, the world out there, made of peace but spend most of their time remaining peaceless in their own inner world, and then in their next door world, i.e. in their personal interactions. A lot of us would prefer a life of peace and we try to shape up such a life, only to be influenced by the old belief about how it’s absolutely fine to get angry once in a while, without which it’s difficult to get things done. We also get influenced by those people around us who continue to get angry for the shallowest of reasons. These people could be either at home, at the workplace, in the friend circle, the world at large or people who do not matter too much to us but whom we encounter every day - at the vegetable market, on the highway, or even in the movies for that matter! Unaware of the root causes of their anger, all these people around us will find a thousand ways to justify it, and will keep continuing with the habit in their lives. Their emotional un-clarity is so deep and addiction to the emotion of anger is so powerful that they will probably laugh at the idea that anger is a negative emotion and is form of weakness or suffering. They will, on the other hand, say that peace is timidity and a form of weakness or suffering. So, if you do choose peace over anger in your life then you are also choosing to be in a state of power and becoming free from suffering as a result. However, after having made that choice, to experience it in every moment of your life, it is necessary to rediscover where your peace is located inside you, it’s true nature or essence, how to access it through meditation and finally how to use it or apply it in your daily life.

Message for the day

The one with zeal and enthusiasm is constantly tireless.  Expression: Zeal and enthusiasm brings the willingness to move forward under all circumstances. Never are there are any excuses given, whatever the difficult situations or challenges that one might be faced with. Instead whatever has to be done is done without any tiredness. Also the best is made out of all situations. Experience: When I am able to be enthusiastic under all circumstances, I am able to be tireless. This tirelessness gives me the courage to move on and experience constant success. I become aware of my own resources and make the best use of them. So I also experience internal progress, constantly.

Thought for Today 30-5-2012

To connect with the Supreme power (God) is to experience the divinity within. 

The Supreme being (God) is an eternal source of all qualities. When we connect to Him in our minds, we are able to experience these qualities naturally. The more we connect with Him, the more it becomes easy to connect within too and experience inner divinity. Let us take this thought of being with God as His helper. Instead of just wasting our thoughts on what is not good, let us spend a few moments each day helping God in his task of creation through our pure thoughts of good wishes and pure feelings. This will enable us to experience inner divinity.

Soul Sustenance

Going Beyond Others’ Perception Of Us

Watch how many things you do during the day are dependent on how you imagine the other sees you: your husband, your friend, your child, your cousin, your aunt, your boss, the secretary or whoever. You imagine how they are going to look at you and, as a result, you mould yourself accordingly. If you depend on the look of the other, inwardly you will always feel fear. You want to please the other so that they continue to see you as you want.

Because of the dependence that we have on the other to appreciate us, value us and not to reject us, we want to please them. If, in spite of doing everything possible, they do not appreciate us or are not happy, how do we feel? Cheated. After having done everything out of wanting to please them! Inside, you want to please them because you want them to keep on loving you, or you don't want them to sack you from your job, or you are afraid of being different or not being accepted. That kind of dependency takes us away from our true authenticity. If you look at yourself well, in the end, others will look at you well and the one who does not look at you well will perhaps teach you something, but your value and self-esteem do not depend on the look of the other. In this state, you are open because you trust yourself and you have personal security.

The other entity can also be the Supreme Soul (God). We are afraid that God might judge us for being sinners or not. If I think God looks at me with that vision of whether I am a sinner, whether I am this or something else, I distance myself from Him. A judge like that does not help me to live with wholeness. In general, in society, there has been a distancing from the relationship and experience with God, because we have learned that He is a strict being and a judge. Actually, God is love; God looks at me well and sees my potential and my beauty (which reflects His), God embraces me and, in this embrace, He frees me: He does not allow me to depend on Him? 

Message for the day

Determination fills a thought with power. 

Expression: Any thought which is added with determination automatically brings confidence. This confidence naturally fills the thought with power. When there is the thought, 'I can do it', there is surely the power to do it. Then there are no distractions, nor is there any comparision with others. All resources are put to the maximum use and the task is accomplished.

Experience: When I am able to fill my positive thoughts with the power of determination, I am able to bring all my special thoughts and plans into action immediately. I am able to feel the satisfaction of bringing equality into my thoughts, words and actions. There is no feeling of helplessness, but there is only confidence and courage in doing what I am supposed to do.

Thought for Today 29-5-2012

The one who uses the virtues within is the one who is divine. 

When we are constantly using the virtues that we have, we are able to sustain the divinity within. Irrespective of whether people do it or not, it is more important to see what we have to lose if we lose touch with these virtues and what we have to gain if we work with these virtues. Working with virtues consistently gives more power than working with weaknesses. It gives power to both the situation and ourselves too. Let us practice with one quality each day. When we continue to create a thought of positivtiy and sustain it through out the day, we are able to experience the divinity at all times. Even if the situation outside is not conducive to this experience, we are still able to experience our inner divinity. 

Soul Sustenance

The Mental Kaleidoscope (cont.) We are so used to controlling people and situations to obtain a particular result that we have forgotten how to use the power of faith. The Law of Faith says, 'Plant the right seeds, make the right effort, but also let things be.' Faith does not mean to be passive (inactive) but rather to have acted and thought about something and then have the patience and trust that the Drama of Life is also taking care of it; the outcome of any action is not just up to me. In the spiritual knowledge taught by the Brahma Kumaris, we often hear the term 'a faithful intellect is victorious'. As the Drama of Life turns, such an intellect works like a kaleidoscope and can perceive and see the often hidden, beautiful patterns in life’s situations that, in time, become visible and benevolent. Success, or victory, depends as much on doing the task with the right intention, as it does on allowing things to take their own course. Wisdom is an awareness of this balance.

Message for the day

True victory lies in inspiring courage in others too.  Expression: The one who is victorious enables others to be victorious too. Such a person will never make the other person seem any less. He will never allow the other person to feel defeated because the one who is victorious is a bestower. He has the ability to give courage to others and fill with hope to achieve something better. Experience: When I have the feeling of being victorious, I would naturally want others too to experience the same. I would look for ways to give courage and support to the ones who are losing. This will never let me lose hope in myself or in others and will also win the trust and good wishes of others. So there is a constant experience of being victorious.

Thought for Today 28-5-2012

To recognize the inner positivity is to be connected to our divinity. 

When we recognize that we are pure beings with a lot of positivity inside, we are able to tap that inner divinity that lies hidden. Negative experiences and influences do colour our inner divinity. But in fact, we would love to be connected to our inner divine virtues and experience positivity under all circumstances. 

Whatever I want is what I am. In all my interactions and connections I would love to experience feelings of peace, love and happiness more than anything else. And so that is what I am. When I am connected to what I really want, I am able to experience the divinity within. Whenever a negative experience takes me away from the real me, I just need to remind myself of who I really am and what I really want. 

Soul Sustenance

The Mental Kaleidoscope A kaleidoscope creates beautiful patterns from chaotic bits and pieces, which are scattered everywhere. When the kaleidoscope is turned, disorder becomes order, chaos becomes beauty and symmetry. The Drama of Life is constantly turning and we are part of its cyclic movement; sometimes this cyclic movement of life is supportive, comprehensible (understandable) and enjoyable and, at other times, it is tense, fearful, stressful and incomprehensible (not understandable). There is confusion and fear because we do not understand what is happening, why it is happening and how it will get better. Things not only appear chaotic but also hopeless. If the intellect is able to go beyond the questions of 'Why?', 'What?' and 'How?' and just be still, without judgements, or pressure, for some period of time, then things do work out. To do this requires faith. The power of faith means that we know that somehow and somewhere right solutions and answers will come in their own time. (To be continued tomorrow…)

Message for the day

To bring newness into actions means to contribute for the betterment of the self and others.  Expression: There is a constant desire to do something better that makes a contribution to oneself and to others too. So the one who thinks of newness can bring about such a contribution. There will not be something different that can be done. But the same thing can be done in such a way that there is benefit visible. Experience: When I am able to bring newness in the way I do things, I am able to experience constant progress. There will also be the satisfaction of bringing about newness and creativity even in ordinary actions. Along with this will also be the satisfaction of making a contribution in every action of mine.

Thought for Today 27-5-2012

When you are full with the treasure of good things that you have imbibed you begin to donate to others too. 

Check if you are expecting either from others or from situations or you are yourself a donor. Where there is any kind of emptiness within there is expectation and you will not be able to give others. Practice looking at your own specialities and see what you can contribute to others from this treasure. When you make the practice of sharing the good things you have, you'll stop expecting from others. 

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.

Message for the day

True royalty lies in humility. 

Expression: The one who is humble never reacts but responds in the right way to situations or challenges. Thus there is royalty visible in all words, actions and behaviour. So there is newness visible in the way of responding to situations. 

Experience: When I am humble I am able to be beyond the influence of praise and defamation. This is because I am stable in the state of my self-respect. Also because of this I am able to bring about newness and I am able to be creative in responding to situations too. 

Thought for Today 26-5-2012

The world is a stage and we are all actors. Each actor plays a unique part and is responsible for their own actions. 

Responsibility means doing the right thing no matter how big or small the task may be. 

Each one of us has a special role to play in the making the world a better place.

Soul Sustenance

A New Journey With A New Personality  Anyone who shows an inclination in getting to know the Supreme Being closely has a fascinating journey in front of them.Spiritual knowledge is the vehicle in which I make this extremely interesting journey full of exploration. Without sitting in the vehicle, I cannot make the journey. As I sit in this vehicle, I am introduced to this new, multi-faced, peaceful, loveful and blissful character in my life, a character who is spiritually rich with treasures of knowledge, virtues, powers, happiness and blessings, a character commonly called God, by everyone. He is a character who introduces himself as being just a point of conscient light, a form very simple and plain. Yet, hidden beneath that simple light, incognito form is an immense volume of experience, wisdom and depth, such that even a lifetime spent in this journey, in his company, does not bring you to knowing him completely. The more you dive into the ocean of knowledge contained within the light, the more you discover and the more treasures of knowledge and experiences you receive. Every time you make contact with this new found companion called God, there is growth inside you and there is an increase of peace, love, happiness and power inside you. It's just as if after you've begun this journey, you're never quite the same again. However much time you spend in his company during the journey, whether it be in imbibing knowledge from him or remembering him during meditation or even sharing the benefits of this journey to other friends and relatives so that they can also start this journey themselves and experience what you are experiencing; whether you do either of these for a few minutes or an hour, there's always an experience of subtle growth and development inside you. (To be continued tomorrow...)

Message for the day

True honesty to the self brings the power to bring about change.  Expression: To be honest is not just to be truthful. It is more to be honest with the self. The one who is honest with the self constantly has the aim of bringing about a change for the better. Each situation is used as a chance for the betterment of the self. So there is always the aim not to repeat the mistakes that are committed once. Experience: When I am honest with myself I am able to feel the constant progress and experience the happiness of moving forward under all circumstances. I have the power to understand the situation, not just from my point of view, but more in a detached way. So I am able to understand and accept whatever the situation holds for me and learn from it humbly.

Thought for Today 25-5-2012

When you practise Raja Yoga, the intellect detaches from the present world, and the restless mind slows down. You become aware of subtler thought-waves from the Supreme. With His help, you gain power over harmful habits, taking more responsibility for yourself. Merged in love for God, you will pass one test after another and nothing on earth will shake you.

Soul Sustenance

A New Journey With A New Personality  Anyone who shows an inclination in getting to know the Supreme Being closely has a fascinating journey in front of them.Spiritual knowledge is the vehicle in which I make this extremely interesting journey full of exploration. Without sitting in the vehicle, I cannot make the journey. As I sit in this vehicle, I am introduced to this new, multi-faced, peaceful, loveful and blissful character in my life, a character who is spiritually rich with treasures of knowledge, virtues, powers, happiness and blessings, a character commonly called God, by everyone. He is a character who introduces himself as being just a point of conscient light, a form very simple and plain. Yet, hidden beneath that simple light, incognito form is an immense volume of experience, wisdom and depth, such that even a lifetime spent in this journey, in his company, does not bring you to knowing him completely. The more you dive into the ocean of knowledge contained within the light, the more you discover and the more treasures of knowledge and experiences you receive. Every time you make contact with this new found companion called God, there is growth inside you and there is an increase of peace, love, happiness and power inside you. It's just as if after you've begun this journey, you're never quite the same again. However much time you spend in his company during the journey, whether it be in imbibing knowledge from him or remembering him during meditation or even sharing the benefits of this journey to other friends and relatives so that they can also start this journey themselves and experience what you are experiencing; whether you do either of these for a few minutes or an hour, there's always an experience of subtle growth and development inside you. (To be continued tomorrow...)

Message for the day

True honesty to the self brings the power to bring about change.  Expression: To be honest is not just to be truthful. It is more to be honest with the self. The one who is honest with the self constantly has the aim of bringing about a change for the better. Each situation is used as a chance for the betterment of the self. So there is always the aim not to repeat the mistakes that are committed once. Experience: When I am honest with myself I am able to feel the constant progress and experience the happiness of moving forward under all circumstances. I have the power to understand the situation, not just from my point of view, but more in a detached way. So I am able to understand and accept whatever the situation holds for me and learn from it humbly.

Thought for Today 24-5-2012

When you allow situations to collide 
with your head & start thinking about them, your heart is affected & you become over emotional. 
Over-thinking makes small things big & your head heavy. 

So the next time something collides with your head, lighten up, think well & make big things small.

If your head happens to collide with your heart, 
take a moment to make your heart strong & remind yourself to stop being sensitive.

Soul Sustenance

From Knowledge To Experience (cont.)  The same mechanism of the pole-vaulter which was explained yesterday is involved when a person wishes to attain realization of the self and an experience of a higher state of consciousness. To experience realization, we have to run some distance, collecting the necessary information. Then we use the pole of knowledge and wisdom to lift us off the ground of ordinary consciousness. But, we must then let go of the very pole of knowledge that we used to elevate our minds and take a jump of faith, flying over the barrier of 'ordinary consciousness' to experience a new and higher level of consciousness. If there is no faith, then there is not enough trust to let go of the pole and jump. Many people do not let go of the pole of knowledge and, as a result, fall (like the pole vaulter) into the spinning of speculation and the habit of analysis and discussion – they are unable to experience spiritual consciousness. The pull of the ego, which does not let them have faith, draws the consciousness back to the ground. The irony is that they think they have jumped over the barrier and regard themselves as being in the privileged position of knowing or being knowledgeful. Then they think that from this privileged position they are in the position of judging and being better than those who 'know' in a different way or in other words better than those who do take the jump of faith and are truly spiritually enlightened. The truth is that the ones who let go of the pole and cross the barrier are the ones with the more wider, mature, creative and humble intellect and are filled with spiritual strength, because of reaching the stage of experience.

Message for the day

The one who has the courage to face is the one who can bring about a change.  Expression: When there is a challenge which brings out a negative response, there is an immediate desire to move away from the situation so that the negativity finishes. But the real challenge is not the situation itself, but the expression of a weakness within. The one who has the courage to face this weakness and work on it is able to bring about a change accordingly. Experience: When I am able to face the challenge of working on my own weaknesses, instead of moving away from the situation I am able to experience progress at every step. Then there will be no feeling of helplessness but I will be able to have full control on the situation. So there is the ability to learn from each situation and move forward constantly.

Thought for Today 23-5-2012

Real happiness is neither a high nor a low. 
It's not a stimulation. It can't be earned, or manufactured.

Happiness is not dependent on anything or anyone. 
It can't be outsourced. When your happiness is a dependency, there is every chance that you will be disappointed.

Real happiness comes from within. 
It is a state of being. So, this week, be happy!

Soul Sustenance

From Knowledge To Experience  One aspect of practical spirituality is the practice of values such as tolerance, patience, flexibility, humility (egolessness) etc. Another is for the meditator actually to experience the highest level of consciousness. It is said that when this highest level of consciousness is experienced, there is the strength to practice those values that create well-being. How can we go beyond the stages of information, knowledge and even wisdom to experience the original state of the soul, that is, truth? One way to describe the above process is to compare it to the game of the pole-vaulter. The pole-vaulter has a long pole to help jump over the barrier. The athlete runs for a short distance, and then quickly fixes the pole into the ground, enabling the body to be lifted up. When the athlete reaches a certain point in the air, the very pole that was used to get to that point is discarded; if the athlete fails to let go of the pole, then the body will be propelled backwards and it will be impossible to accomplish the task of jumping over the barrier. We shall explain this comparison tomorrow.

Message for the day

To have the awareness of being God's instrument is to bring about a positive change.  Expression: When there is the awareness of being an instrument of God, there would be the desire to do the best and be the best. So each and every thing I do would be for the improvement for the self. Due to this there would be divinity and speciality seen in every thing that is done. This would also bring the awareness of all the resources and they would also be used in a worthwile way. Experience: When I am aware of my own role and what I contribute through my specialities, I recognise the fact that I am a beautiful instrument of God. This awareness naturally helps me be in my state of self-respect under all circumstances. I find myself giving my best and making myself more and more beautiful within. So I find that I am able to bring about a positive change with great ease

Thought for Today 22-5-2012

Like the trained eye of a jeweler who discerns the real from the imitation, we too have an insight, a subtle clarity that enables us to sense what is of value, what is true and false.

Today, trust more and more in your ability to discern between real truth and the apparent truth. 

Soul Sustenance

The Power Of The Imagination  The power of the imagination is extraordinary. The imagination is one of our greatest resources. It offers us many options and, with the clarity of our intuition and the power of our intention, we can use it to bring about abundance and success in our lives. It is a matter of using the art of the imagination in a constructive way so that it does not betray us. The imagination should be used for our more healthy and positive intentions. When the imagination is influenced by our limiting fears and beliefs, our mind begins to imagine the worst; it creates fearful scenes that end up generating phobias and blocking us. Then we turn the imagination into an instrument to create negative fantasies that distance us from what is real. We believe in the fantasies that we have imagined. The imagination has to used to help us overcome our limitations and not the other way round, which would be when the imagination is influenced by our limiting beliefs and our fears, with which it weakens us and keeps us locked into the cages created by our own mind. From a grain of sand it imagines and creates a great mountain that prevents it from advancing, and this mountain only exists in its own mind. When the imagination is used in a positive way, it is capable of turning a great mountain, a difficult situation, into a grain of sand. There is nothing too big that the human being cannot overcome.

Message for the day

The method to bring about a permanent change is to bring about newness in thinking.  Expression: To bring about a permanent change for the better means getting the mind trained to new ways of looking at the same situation. Only with this new understanding will there be a new response. Trying to bring about change in a superficial way will not bring about a long-lasting change. Experience: When I train my mind to think creatively I'm able to keep my mind busy. In this way I'm able to free it from thinking negative and waste. Also I find myself enjoying every scene that comes in front of me and I also find myself constantly progressing.

Thought for Today 21-5-2012

Some circumstances are just beyond your control. Often, all you can do is accept this fact, hang in there, stay calm and 
do your best.

Try to curb your expectations and be understanding of yourself and others. Everything else will work out in its own time.

Soul Sustenance

Re-Discovering Inner Treasures 

Whenever the situation or atmosphere becomes polluted with tension, sorrow, or negativity of any type, withdraw immediately into the self and dive deep into the ocean of sanskaras, picking up the pearls of peace and contentment. Come back to that situation feeling refreshed, calm and clear, with the strength to deal with any circumstances. The process of self-introspection (self observation) need only take a few moments. 

Meditation 
Let the intellect focus on the following thoughts and reading over them slowly, go deeply into the experience of each state being described: 

The soul is a point of energy, weightless and light situated at the center of the forehead... Let the intellect see deeper into the self and emerge the memory of the stillness of the original state of the soul, a state full of love, peace and bliss... Let the outside world continue on its way, but for a few moments be detached from it... turn within, and enjoy the inner treasures... of calmness, of peace, a very pure experience... the peaceful soul can more easily gather together its inner powers... Peace itself is a rare power... just sitting and feeling still, experience the refreshment and restoration of strength to the intellect... the cleansing of the mind. 

Message for the day

The method to finish waste thoughts is to deal with the mind with love. 

Expression: When there are waste thoughts in the mind which one tries to stop, it becomes difficult to do that. There is discomfort and difficulty experienced. On the other hand, when the mind is taught to take the right direction with love, there is a quick and dramatic change. 

Experience: When I learn the art of speaking to my mind with love, I am able to free myself from waste thoughts without any feelings of suppression. Concentration too becomes easy and all thoughts are directed towards the right direction. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought for Today 20-5-2012

Commitment to the self means to have commitment to remove weaknesses. 

Commitment for the self means to have the recognition of one's own weakness. It also means to have a clear vision for one's own progress and perfection. This will then create a powerful identity within which will enable us to do away with weaknesses. Let this day be committed for removing some weakness within myself that is creating an obstacle for others and myself. When I do this I will help myself and create a positive influence around. Then there will be only positive growth. 

Soul Sustenance

Enjoying My Stay Inside The Physical Body 

An interesting comparison to understand clearly the relationship between the soul and the body is that the soul is the resident of a house or an apartment which is the physical body. It's the awareness of who is the resident living, which is separate from where he is living. I need to realize, that like a resident of a house cannot be the house; he does not and cannot identify with the place in which he resides; in much the same way, I am not my body, the place in which I reside, but I am a resident. A resident of a physical house may or may not stay in the house for 24 hours, depending on his/her role. But I, as a spiritual resident of this physical body spend all my time inside it, in fact a complete lifetime, then I move in to another house or apartment. Since I spend so much time inside it, I need to maintain the body, take care of its upkeep and the kind of physical and spiritual atmosphere that exists inside it. When I keep it clean, fresh and vibrant, only then can I live in it comfortably. 

Do not forget, there's plenty of rubbish and dirt waiting to enter the apartment. My apartment's windows are my eyes and ears, through which rubbish can come in. This rubbish can be in the form of negative information, scenes, images and words. Rubbish dirties the resident, in this case my consciousness, taking me away from my true, positive, spiritual state. My nose, facing outwards, is like the front door of my apartment: it's the first part of me that faces the world. If harsh winds of difficult circumstances blow, and I don.t know how to protect myself, I will catch a cold or fall sick i.e. my front door will be harmed and I.ll become vulnerable. The living room of the apartment is my tongue which makes the first impression on anyone, whether it be positive or negative. There will be constant attacks on our windows, doors, living room, etc. But if I am aware and alert, I will keep my house in order. If any rubbish does get in, I need to soon clean it out again, so that the atmosphere inside the house remains positive and I, the resident can enjoy my stay in it. 

Message for the day

Self-respect brings constant learning and an experience of success. 

Expression: Where there is self-respect, there is naturally a positive and elevated state of mind. There is openness and enthusiasm to bring about progress in one's life. Everything that is done is towards this end. So, the one with self-respect naturally reveals one's speciality in all thoughts, words and actions. 

Experience: When I am able to maintain my own state of self-respect, I am able to enjoy the beauty that life brings. I'm able to understand, accept and make use of all situations in the right way. So, whatever the situation may be, for me there is a constant experience of progress. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought for Today 19-5-2012

When we're working in a team, we need to make sure that we inform all the details to everyone involved in the task.

The task is easy to accomplish when those involved 
feel part of the team. So, make sure you communicate clearly, simply and openly.

This will naturally create a flow of contributions and 
enable the team to give their best to the task.

Soul Sustenance

Can Love And Freedom Co-Exist (Exist Together)? 

Is it possible to love others and be free at the same time? Yes. To reach this state in relationships great wisdom is required. In different types of close relationships, most people love the other, but tie one another down. Thus they lose their freedom. When freedom is lost, happiness goes away, and true wellbeing gives way to unhappiness. Often we look above all for love, love we believe will change our life. We see it as the recognition of our inner value by another person. However, we trip over ourselves in looking for this love. Necessity is what motivates us and we try to satisfy it with an object or person who matches up to perfection. 

We have an immense emotional need for love, and the fear of remaining in a state of unsatisfied wanting. In our search to fill our need, we are prepared to deceive ourselves. Many people allow the love of another person to define their personality to such a point that, if they are rejected, they lose any sense of who they are and of the purpose they have in life. Often the relationship is colored by one or both people in the relationship, by fear. 

To free ourselves of the tendency to depend, we should have a strong heart, without any selfish desires; a heart that has nothing to hide and that, as a result, is free and without fear; a heart that does not hold on to closed beliefs, to old negative experiences; a heart that has good feelings and is free of bitterness; a heart filled with the true values of peace, love, freedom and solidarity . which as a result is stronger and fuller. 

Message for the day

The power of determination brings all thoughts into practice. 

Expression: There are a lot of thoughts that come into the mind that should come into practice immediately. These thoughts come according to the demands of time or according to the kind of people that one comes into contact with. But the only way to bring all these thoughts into practice is to use the power of determination. Where there is determination there is the commitment to use all the resources for the realisation of that thought. 

Experience: When I am able to use the power of determination, I am able to realise my inner potential and use it in the right way. So I am able to experience constant progress, because all my thoughts are for my own self progress and all these thoughts naturally come into practice. I never give up anything with temporary setbacks but am able to do everything for the constant progress of the self. 


In Spiritual Service,
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. 

Message for the day

Love creates the right environment for others' positive growth. 

Expression: Where there is love, a natural environment for others' growth is created. Love gives the ability to perceive the positivity in others and gives the encouragement to others to bring about that positivity and use it for the benefit of the self and others. 

Experience: When I have love for others, along with perceiving their specialities, I am also able to recognise and use my specialities and inner powers more and more. Knowing and using these specialities is naturally for the benefit of those around me. This gives me an inner experience of power which makes me a constant giver and a support for those around me. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought for Today 17-5-2012

The one who knows the art of connecting to others is successful. 

We are normally good to people who are good to us. But when someone is not behaving well, we tend to change our attitude, our response and our behaviour towards that person. We wait for the other person to change, in order to change ourselves. So neither do we find change in others nor in ourselves. When we know the art of perceiving others’ specialities and connecting to them, we are always successful. We are then not dependent on the other person’s behaviour for our own growth. We are able to see each one’s positive aspect and take it in ourselves too. So we are richer with each interaction.

Soul Sustenance

The Law of Focus and Attention (cont.) 

If our attention is focused on people's defects and weaknesses, we transmit energy to these aspects and strengthen these weaknesses in the other person and in ourselves. If, on the other hand, our attention is directed at the positive aspects of others, we reinforce these qualities and virtues and help this person express them, which is also beneficial to us. 

Our personality is made up of a series of values, beliefs and habits. If we wish to transfer our energy to new and positive aspects of ourselves, we must choose the personality traits that we want to emerge from us, focusing our time and energy on them and, in this way, this virtue, value or quality will manifest itself in our life. 

Message for the day

The one who is calm and cool is the one who makes the right decisions. 

Expression: The natural nature of the human mind is to come under pressure and tension during negative situations. When there is a challenging situation, there is naturally the tendency to find it difficult to maintain an inner state of calm. But the one who has the ability to go within and find the inner calm is able to be clear in thinking and is able to make the right decisions. 

Experience: When I am able to experience the inner state of calm, I am able to be clear in my thinking. With this clarity I find the right decisions and solutions emerging very naturally within my mind. I will never have the difficulty of having to make decisions, but all decisions are made with ease and they are right too. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought for Today 16-5-2012

If there is the thought that we can do things ourselves without other people’s help, it means that we have arrogance of our own potential or we are not able to have trust for others. This lack of trust doesn’t allow us to use others. potential for the benefit of the task. So we are deprived of a very useful resource and we will not be able to be happy. We need to understand the fact that there is greater success in cooperation. It is much more useful to invest our time and resources in training and developing others’ potential. This brings about the best from people and so there is a greater contribution and hence greater success in every task that we take up.

Soul Sustenance

The Law of Focus and Attention 

Wherever we focus our attention is where our thoughts are directed with most frequency and interest. Thus energy is produced in this direction, whether positive and beneficial energy or negative and harmful energy. 

If we have a complicated mind, which thinks too much about certain things unnecessarily, our attention may be led towards the obstacles, problems, upsets and the things we worry about from a critical and negative viewpoint. By paying more attention to difficulties and problems, we feed these types of thoughts with our attention, so that we end up attracting these situations towards us. Finally, the problems and obstacles absorb us due to the amount of energy we have invested in them, turning what was perhaps a molehill (something very small) into a mountain. 

The situation does not necessarily change immediately on changing our attitude. With this inner change, however, we will have more energy, clarity and determination to face up to and change the situation. When we focus on seeking solutions to problems and difficulties with a positive and enthusiastic attitude, we attract positive energy towards us, and this helps us transform mountains into molehills. 

(To be continued tomorrow .) 

Message for the day

To pay constant attention towards positivity is to be free from tension. 

Expression: To pay attention means not to think, speak or do anything waste, negative or even ordinary. The one who keeps attention in this way and also allows no negativity from outside to go within, is always free from tension. There is also the proper use of everything that is available. 

Experience: When I am able to pay constant attention and also use the inner treasures within for a positive purpose, there is the use of the inner potential. When there is the recognition and use of this potential within in this way, negativity finishes; just as sunshine finishes darkness. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought for Today 15-5-2012

Honesty is to speak that which is thought and to do that which is spoken. There are no contradictions or discrepancies in thoughts, words or actions.

Soul Sustenance

Realizing The Form Of The Supreme Soul (God)

The Supreme Soul is a soul, with the same form as human souls. The only difference is in the qualities, not in the size. We have rightly thought that he is great, but His greatness doesn't mean that He is expanded throughout the entire universe. The power of a soul has no connection with its physical dimensions at all.

Some people are of the view that the Supreme Soul is formless. Anything that exists must have a form. Qualities indeed are formless, but the source of those qualities cannot be without form. For example, fragrance has no form but the flower does. Just as the sun has form but the light and warmth it radiates do not. The Supreme Soul has a form, but the qualities radiating from Him do not. In other words the Supreme Soul is not love but the source of love; the Supreme Soul is not truth but the source of truth, etc. If he is formless then communication with Him is impossible. The very word "yoga" implies a meeting between two entities, both of which have a form, if not a physical one, a subtle (non-physical) one.

The Supreme Soul is a conscient (living) micro star just as I am. Knowing his form, I can bring that image onto the screen of my mind and begin immediately to experience his powers and qualities by associating them with that beautiful form. There is more benefit experienced in meditating (concentrating) on his form and qualities as compared to focusing on one's breath, candle flames, etc. 

Message for the day

The virtues of honesty and courage bring success.

Expression: The one who is courageous is never deterred by challenges, but moves on towards success. Combined with courage, is the virtue of honesty which allows one to be consistent, sincere and true in the efforts put in. So success comes with proper effort and there is also humility visible in such a person.

Experience: When I am courageous, but at the same time honest in my efforts that I put in for achieving success, I'll never have ego. I will be able to get the cooperation and good will of all, and especially the protection and the help of God. I will find myself moving slowly towards success with everything I do.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Soul Sustenance

Changing Your Belief System To Overcome Feelings Of Revenge (cont.) 

The urge for revenge and the false taste of victory or happiness related to it can only end when the belief, that others are responsible for what you feel, is seen as a false one. Only when you take full responsibility for whatever thoughts and feelings you create will it be possible to end the anger and the hatred that seeks revenge. When someone hurts me, I create a negative image of myself and the other person in my mind.s eye, in different ways. I see myself and the other in a negative light, myself as a victim and the other person as a victimizer. I need to stop doing that and see myself and the other in a positive light, in the same light as before, irrespective of the negativity that the other has radiated to me. When we do that, we will stop pointing the finger at others for whatever hurt we may feel. Only when it is fully seen and accepted that someone can hurt or harm my vehicle, the physical body, but not me, the controller or driver of the vehicle, will rage and the desire for revenge stop existing inside my consciousness. 

When I start seeing the person who has committed some negative action which is projected towards me, with an innocent, unbiased, untarnished vision, hatred will be transformed into love and compassion for both, me and the other person. Then it will be possible to be totally free of all judgment, criticism and any desire to seek justice and take pleasure and experience victory when justice is delivered. Only then will it be possible to rediscover true happiness in life, because as long as there is even the slightest trace of an urge to seek revenge for what someone has done to me, and the desire to experience the false happiness which is experienced when such revenge is delivered; both of which, the happiness and the revenge, are forms of subtle violence; true everlasting and deep peace, contentment and happiness can never be experienced.