Thought for today 27-3-2014

Did you know that meditation can help you get more out of your exercise or workout routine! 

Meditation increases your discipline and concentration, strengthens your willpower and your ability to be more present.

Meditate for a few moments before a workout. Breathe slowly, breathe deeply and relax all the muscles in your body...

Meditate after your workout to cool down. 

Give yourself a few minutes to rest your body and mind, so that you're ready to switch into the next activity.

Soul Sustenance

Forgive To Forget 

A key principle to remain light and stable in relationships is – forgive and forget - it’s a well-known principle – one that we sometimes find difficult to practice. It can be modified to forgive to forget. Sometimes we spend many years with so much bitterness inside us for a particular person, with an inner violence of wanting to make the other pay (emotions of revenge), the one who has supposedly hurt you. If you don’t strike back immediately, you at least want to keep this guilt card in your pocket, to be pulled out at a later date: “Oh yes, well what about the time when you….” We keep this bitterness inside us because we haven't forgiven. It does not resolve the situation; the only thing it does is increase our pain, makes us heavy and does not let us remain in peace. So the key is that if we do not forgive, we cannot forget. When someone has offended or insulted us, the last thing we want to do is to let it go. And yet, if our desire is to have a healthy, lasting relationship, that is exactly what we’ve got to do. 

Sometimes, when it is a question of a broken relationship, it is not only a matter of forgiving the other, but of forgiving yourself for having allowed yourself to enter that experience. It was you that took the step to allow that experience to be entered into. If you hadn't taken that step, you wouldn't have had that experience. You accepted that challenge, that relationship, and what might happen in it – you were aware of the possibilities when you entered in the relationship. So not only do you have to learn to forgive the other, but also to forgive yourself in such situations. Only then will you be able to forget. 

Message for the day

Contentment makes one virtuous. 

Expression: The one who is content is free from selfishness, yet is concerned about filling the self with inner treasures. Such a person finds his stock of treasures always full and overflowing. So his thoughts, words and actions are those that are constantly bringing benefit to those around.

Experience: When I am always content, I always experience myself to be victorious. I am easily able to learn from all situations and use all my experiences to move forward. Also I become a giver. I thus get the love and good wishes of those around me and am also able to experience constant progress.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought for today 26-3-2014

To appreciate all scenes of life is to remain happy and cheerful. 

Every scene in my life has a reason and I need to appreciate that reason. Each scene is an opportunity to express my inherent talent (some quality of mine). If I do not use that quality which I need to use in that scene and slip into some negativity, I have lost the opportunity to act out well in that scene and missed out the joy of my role in the scene. So, I need to ensure that I enjoy every scene of life beautifully. Today I will remain happy. Happiness is a choice and I choose to be happy. Everything that is happening has a reason - I understand and appreciate that reason. So, whatever happens, I choose happiness. I understand that there is no meaning in all that I do, if I don't do it with happiness.

Soul Sustenance

The Life Jacket Of Hope 

In the midst of the constant changes of life and confusing or chaotic situations, hope, becomes our life jacket, which helps us to keep afloat and not to drown in the hurricane that at times causes unexpected or sudden changes. Without hope, we expect the worst. Our vision gets cloudy; we do not find or see any ray of light to see by. The mind fills with questions, allowing it to be overpowered by doubts and insecurity. Fear takes control of us and everything turns into a mountain or an un-climbable wall. It seems to us that we will not be able to get out of the difficult and critical moments, or it will be difficult for us to get out of the "hole". We feel incapable of going forward. Fear and doubt paralyze us and prevent us from deciding with clarity and acting with determination. We need to find support or help and, when we don't get it, we go even further down. 

Living with hope keeps us awake. With hope we are open to the opportunities that life offers us. We overcome fear and expect the best. With hope our forces are joined in order to deal with and overcome difficulties. We maintain the vision that everything will get better and things will streamline themselves, giving out benefits to all. Hope helps us to keep the meaning of our life alive. 

Message for the day

Cooperation brings beauty and growth. 

Expression: Everyone seeks for cooperation from others, but the beauty lies in cooperating with others. True cooperation is that which is given with the heart and touches the lives of others positively. It inspires others to be cooperative too. This is the true help that one can extend to others. 

Experience: When I am able to be cooperative with others and provide them with the help that they require, I am able to enjoy the joy of giving unconditionally. I am free from expectations from others and I am able to enjoy the growth that I perceive in others. I don't expect others to change for me but because they can improve. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought for today 25-3-2014

Feeling stuck? Stressed? Don't quite know what to do next? Wondering how to deal with a particular situation or person?

Don't worry, help is at hand! Within your multifaceted personality there will be one bit which has the answer. 
There may be an aspect of you creating the disturbance, trying to be heard. 

Another part, keeping quiet, observing, listening, and staying out of the fray.

Give yourself that inner attention and ask questions to the many faces of your personality. 

Unravel and release all the stressed thinking to find the answers. 

Gain clarity and the person, the situation won't seem daunting at all!

Soul Sustenance

Creating a Positive Atmosphere 

To create a positive atmosphere at home or at office, while interacting with your family members or colleagues, emerge positive energizing thoughts in your mind like * I am a peaceful soul, child of the Supreme Soul, the ocean of peace, * I am a loveful soul, * I am a blissful soul, * I am a powerful soul, etc. These positive thoughts spread in your home and office in the form of positive vibrations and have a positive influence on your family members and colleagues also. As a result you can maintain your peaceful, positive state even amidst actions and interactions with them. When you are clearly established in this stage of self-respect (positive consciousness), they will be more co-operative in your work and will have greater respect for you. Obstacles from your surroundings will not affect you. 

Message for the day

True spirituality is that which makes one practical. 

Expression: Usually spirituality is perceived as something that has to be kept separate from the normal daily life. But true spiritual life is that which is very practical. The one who is able to fill himself with spiritual power is able to use this power for being better and better in his practical life. 

Experience: When I am able to recognize the inner beauty and am able to give myself time to be in touch with this spiritual aspect, I am able to be powerful and beyond chaos in all situations. I am able to go within to find the immense power and use it in practical situations. So I find myself being successful in practical situations. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought for today 24-3-2014

To look at positive in people is to relate to them well. 

Seeing positive in people earns me multiple benefit. One, I will be able to keep my mind free from negativity. Two, for having seen the positive side of people, I will be able to encourage them to use that aspect of theirs when in interaction with me. Three, I will also be able to earn their good wishes as I am relating to them positively under all circumstances. Today I will only have good wishes for everyone I meet. I will take a good thought for everyone dear to me and also for the ones I come into contact with. For today, I will not think negative about anyone. If the thought does come, I will postpone it.

Soul Sustenance

The Two Close Companions Of Peace (A Meditation) 

Sit comfortably and relax… Remind yourself of your spiritual form as a soul - a point of subtle light (non-physical light), a sparkling star, situated between the two eyebrows... Now visualize your star-like form and emerge the feelings of peace looking at this form with your mind’s eye… experience stability and contentment in this inner value of peace, peace is your own treasure... Fully let go off all your concerns, tensions and worries and allow all of yourself to become deeply peaceful... Now, feel the vibrations (energy waves) of your peaceful light form radiating outwards into the world... Be aware that the vibration of your peaceful form is like a gift... Consciously transmit this gift of peace with the pure desire of calming and relieving the stress and peacelessness of others...

As you radiate the power of your peace into the world, you do so with great love... As you give the gift ofpeace, with love, you are aware that you are able to serve others, reach out to others, in this invisible but extremely significant way... This awareness brings about a new sense of meaning in your life and you experience deep feelings of happiness within your heart... It is a happiness which takes the form of bliss, a bliss or satisfaction experienced as an invisible fruit received in return of unconditional serving… You realize that your peace does not live alone... True peace is that which is shared with others… it always has with it its closest companions... an experience of love and a feeling of pure happiness… 

Our basic spiritual characteristics of peace, love and happiness are values that can be compared to the primary colors of the soul. While the soul can experience these values, it is only when they are mixed together (to give different shades) that they emerge though our attitudes and behaviors as virtue. Virtuous thoughts, words and actions restore balance and harmony to our inner life and to our external relationships. 

Message for the day

To be strong is to be free from the influence of the body. 

Expression: To allow the body to influence the mind is to be doubly ill. The one who allows himself to be doubly ill is not able to deal with the illness of the body. On the other hand, the one who is powerful in the mind is able to maintain the inner strength in spite of the disease and so has the power to put in effort to finish it. 

Experience: Instead of being conscious of the disease of the body, all I need to do is to maintain the consciousness of being powerful internally. Then I would not be afraid of the disease of the body but will have the courage to deal with it. I am able to see the disease as something temporary and will soon find myself rid of the illness, as I am powerful within. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought for today 23-3-2014

Everyone copes with grief differently, 

so be patient and give yourself time to heal.

Accept your feelings and find constructive ways to release your emotions. 

Recognise that there's a loss and a vacuum that needs to be filled thoughtfully. 

Also know when to reach out to get support and share your grief.

And whenever you remember the person you've lost, send them love and good wishes.

Soul Sustenance

The Psychosomatic Effects (Effects On The Body) Of Fear 

The human being is psychosomatic by nature – what that means is that our health is deeply influenced by our behavior, thoughts, emotions and social relationships. Therefore, in order to experience good health, we should care for our life style, our mental, sentimental, emotional and relational world, as well as our communication. Fear is bad for our health. It manifests itself in the form of anger and promotes coronary diseases. Fear suppressed for a long time ends up producing diseases such as cancer. Apart from cancer and heart attacks, there are other illnesses brought on by fear: addictions, anxiety, arthritis, asthma, irritability, nervous breakdowns, memory loss, gastritis, back pains, baldness, diarrhea, sciatica, crying attacks, alcoholism, constipation, hypertension, cystitis (bladder inflammation), vomiting, palpitations, digestive disorders, ulcers and migraines. 

When we get old, our neurons do not die, but rather the connections between them disappear, that is what recent scientific research suggests. The neuronal connections or synapses keep us lively and young. When we have pleasant experiences, such as during meditation or when we are on a holiday or are surrounded by friends or while working in a team, some examples of activities in which we feel happy, the neuronal connections are more fluid. However, the lights go out when we feel fear. It is an emotion that is capable of slowing down and blocking the electrical impulses between the neurons. With fear we are less creative and we get older more quickly. If we do not want to suffer illnesses (or want our illnesses to get worse) we should learn to manage and overcome fear. 

Message for the day

Even the impossible becomes possible with determination and there is sure success. 

Expression: The one who is determined is the one who never gives up in adverse situations. He is able to use all the challenges as a means for self-progress. He is never deterred with situations which seem difficult to handle, but is able to creatively bring out new ideas that help him to cross over the obstacles with ease. 

Experience: Determination brings confidence in me and in my ability to achieve what I set out to achieve. I am able to remain confident and sure of my own success. This confidence gives me the encouragement not to let go half way through, but to do something till the end. With each obstacle that comes my way that seems to deter me from my path, I find myself improving and progressing, making myself better and better. So I am able to experience success constantly. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought for today 22-3-2014

To have the right understanding is to have the ability to finish the past. 

What happened in the past continues to bother me, unless I make an attempt to resolve it. When I bring understanding to the incident, I am able to finish the pain of the past. That means I need to learn something from it, or see some benefit that has come from it. Either way, once I resolve, I would find myself moving forward with lightness, without the burden from the past. Today I will resolve one thing of the past that is bothering me. I will take some time and try and bring meaning to what happened. There is surely something that it was trying to teach, if I am open to learning. So, today I will get to the bottom of the situation and take the learning.

Soul Sustenance

The Limitless Mind 

If we compare the two entities – mind and matter – the most obvious difference between the two that comes to the forefront is that one is non-physical and the other is physical. Another very important difference between the two is that whereas on one hand, matter has limits, in the sense, that’s its fixed in time and space. The mind, on the other hand, is beyond limits, in terms of physical parameters. It’s not fixed in time and space. 

When we take a close look at what is going on in our mind, its power becomes visible to us. Since its not fixed in space, it can link me to a friend in, as far as, Washington or Singapore in less than a second. My mind can even move in many different directions at once. Since the mind is not fixed in time, I can think about yesterday, or about fifteen years ago; about tonight, or the next three years. That’s the reason we can say that the mind is limitless, hence powerful. 

Thoughts also have different levels of power. Sometimes they fly past the mind leaving hardly any impact on us. At other times, they are accompanied by such feelings so as to influence our entire perception, even our complete inner mental state. Thinking about a visit to Kashmir I made last year, for e.g., I could find myself carried back mentally into the beautiful experience and its attached emotions. Filled with happiness, I will even radiate this happiness to others nearby, through my thoughts, facial expressions, words and actions. On the other hand, thoughts about the death of my close relative a few years ago will have an opposite impact on me in the present moment. 

Message for the day

To consider oneself an instrument of God is to be light. 

Expression: To be an instrument of God means to allow God's qualities to flow through one's life. It means to be available for God's task to happen. The ones who considers himself to be an instrument neither has ego of the work that is done through him nor has he any difficulty in dealing with situations. He is able to do everything well and with ease. 

Experience: When I am an instrument of God, I am able to remain light even while being responsible. Being an instrument I would naturally consider myself responsible for God's task to be done through me. Also since I am God's instrument, I feel the responsibility of making myself more and more beautiful. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought for today 21-3-2014

If you find it difficult to have effortless attention for long periods of time, 

you need to build up your focus endurance, just as athletes push past their point of exhaustion.

Gradually expand your attention span by working for slightly longer stretches.

Regularly give yourself short attention breaks. Every couple of hours, mix high focus intense activity with less intense activity.

When your attention begins to waver, stop telling yourself that you can't focus. 

Start telling yourself: "I can focus." "I can do a bit more."

Soul Sustenance

What Is And What Is Not Real Happiness? 

Real happiness is not an external stimulation by watching an action movie or eating out or buying a new dress; it is not the result of acquiring something – whether it be a new car or a position, or of receiving some good news. True happiness is not relief from suffering – whether from an illness or a difficult situation, nor is it the achievement of a goal – whether personal or professional. All these are externally dependent, where happiness is confused with stimulation, excitement, achievement, acquisition or relief. Happiness is not all of these.You also know that happiness is not a future promise. It can only be experienced now. 

So what is spiritual happiness - perhaps a better way to describe spiritual happiness is contentment. This comes from a complete awareness and acceptance of the self as we are now at an internal level, and an acceptance of what is at an external level. Sounds difficult? The highest happiness is bliss which can be experienced only when the soul/self is totally free of all attachment and dependency. Sounds even more difficult? But this is a spiritual understanding and definition of happiness, which is not difficult to accept and make a part of our life, once there is a deep understanding and absorption of spiritual knowledge, but spiritual knowledge which is accurate and complete in all aspects. Spiritual happiness is a direct result of spiritual knowledge. Without complete knowledge of the self, one cannot remain ever and truly happy (happy as per the definition above). 

Message for the day

The one who is loving is the one who experiences freedom. 

Expression: The root of suffering is attachment, because attachment makes one bound. To be truly free means to learn to love and appreciate while remaining independent. Others' state of mind or task does not negatively influence one's own responses to the outside environment. There is the ability to be free and express one's own specialities without being coloured. 

Experience: If I cannot keep myself free from attachment I am constantly experiencing suffering. Because I am attached, I am dependent on someone or something I have created a space for in my mind. When that person or object is criticized, neglected or not with me, I feel pain in my mind and I experience a sense of loss. Then I am not able to be loving. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought for today 20-3-2014

There's no use crying over spilled milk right? 
But if you don't recognise the importance of the spilled milk, you'll just make the same mistake again.

Leverage the regret to your advantage, by learning from the experience. 

Then harness the lesson learnt by asking yourself: what will I do differently in the future to prevent similar regrets?

Soul Sustenance

Motivation 

The example of an iceberg shows the need to see under people's surface behaviour; the need of a deeper insight. 

Only 10% of an iceberg is visible on the surface, 90% is under the waterline, invisible, but yet prominent. If there is a wind coming from left to right, just by seeing the visible mass, we think it will move the iceberg to towards the right. If, against all expectations, the iceberg moves in the opposite direction (left), it is because, under the waterline, there is a strong current running towards the left. 

Sometimes you, as a leader, try to move people in a certain direction by giving them orders, instructions, explanations and encouragement, but you do it on the basis of what you see above the surface. The visible part represents what is at the surface such as appearance, behaviour, manners etc. You do not see what moves them under the surface so you become surprised and maybe frustrated seeing them move in the opposite direction. The main part, which is the 90% not visible, is within the subconscious. Under the surface (subconscious) you will find emotions, fears, attitudes, deeply held values etc. 

If you want to move people, if you want to motivate others for a project or even just to reach others, you need to be aware of these kinds of things that you find under the surface. The key to understanding others better is to be more aware of your own feelings and under-currents, because, at a deep level, we are very much alike. If you understand your own fears and strong motivators, you will understand others much better. 

Message for the day

To be strong is to be free from the influence of the body. 

Expression: To allow the body to influence the mind is to be doubly ill. The one who allows himself to be doubly ill is not able to deal with the illness of the body. On the other hand, the one who is powerful in the mind is able to maintain the inner strength in spite of the disease and so has the power to put in effort to finish it. 

Experience: Instead of being conscious of the disease of the body, all I need to do is to maintain the consciousness of being powerful internally. Then I would not be afraid of the disease of the body but will have the courage to deal with it. I am able to see the disease as something temporary and will soon find myself rid of the illness, as I am powerful within. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought for today 19-3-2014

Like a caterpillar crawling from leaf to leaf, 
we get too comfortable with the routine of our lives. 
We forget that we were born to be a butterfly.

All we need to do is let go of our comfort zones, 
build a cocoon of transformation around ourselves and 
dream of our true colours.

Like the butterfly, we too can emerge from the cocoon 
to the warm rays of the sun; unfold and spread our wings, 
and discover our capability for flight.

Soul Sustenance

The Key To Mental Freedom – Spiritual Knowledge 

The world is full of many wonders; incredible works of art and architecture, of science and invention, but the greatest of them all by far is the human mind. It is the mind's play that brings about all activity in the human world. The outline of everything people construct is first formed in the mind and then filled in with matter to assume a concrete shape. History, science, culture, trade and commerce, in fact all knowledge and systems of our day-to-day world, are but the projection and fulfillment of thoughts born in the mind. If the mind, by concentrating itself on matter, can bring about such wonders and attain such miraculous physical powers as we have, what can it not attain if it concentrates on itself and on the Supreme! 

Disorder and tension on the individual level and as a result on the social level are the result of ignorance of the self and the world around, such that the mind stays without rest. It runs, jumps and churns aimlessly, lashed by waves of feelings and emotions. Like a spider caught in its own web, the individual becomes entangled in nets which are the consequences (results) of this ignorance of the self and the fundamentals of life. When we receive spiritual knowledge from the seed of the tree of humanity, the Supreme Being or God at the present time, we begin an upward journey that takes us through deeper and deeper levels of understanding and experience which create freedom from these nets. This freedom, as a result helps us create a positive future, not only for ourselves but we also take up the responsibility of creating the same for the complete tree of humanity, which is primarily the purpose why God shares this knowledge with us. 

Message for the day

To have knowledge means to remain cheerful. 

Expression: The one who has the right understanding based on accurate knowledge is the one who is able to remain content even during difficult situations. Since there is a clear understanding about situations and the people around, there is no difficulty in giving the best under all circumstances. Such a person uses all challenges to enrich his own capabilities. 

Experience: When I am able to use knowledge as a weapon in a positive way, I am able to understand everything that happens. I understand that there is a reason for whatever happens and there is something to learn from every situation. So I am not upset with the varied situations I am faced with, but am able to remain cheerful enjoying everything that comes my way. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought for today 18-3-2014

A bar of iron costs $5, 

made into horseshoes its worth is $12, 

made into needles its worth is $3500, 

made into balance springs for watches, its worth is $300,000. 

Your own value is determined also by what you are able to make of yourself.

Soul Sustenance

Seeing Yourself In A Positive Light 

Sit down in silence, relax, breathe deeply and create a space within you… Now feel yourself looking at your inner being, with your third eye, in a different light… Instead of focusing on your weaknesses, failures, what you lack inside, what is lacking in your life, look out for what beautiful treasures, your qualities, specialties, talents, etc. you have inside you, look at the positive aspects of your life and bring them into your conscious awareness… Becoming self-aware in this way, realize, you have so much to offer, so much to give to others... 

Now, create a beautiful image of yourself where you see yourself as free… free of negative feelings for yourself and others, with a pure heart and a peaceful mind… Feel and see your inner greatness, discover that you are special and unique… Come back to being your own friend… Love yourself, accept yourself and respect yourself… Appreciate and value the qualities of others… 

Feel fine being yourself, in that space, in that room that there is within you, where you are secure and safe, where you can enjoy the marvelous thing that is your own company, the company of a positive being… 

Be awake and full of life… you are happy… at peace… feeling peace… sharing peace… feeling free… Having seen yourself in a positive light, prepare yourself to enter into action, maintaining your stage of self-esteem… 

Message for the day

Even the impossible becomes possible with determination and there is sure success. 

Expression: The one who is determined is the one who never gives up in adverse situations. He is able to use all the challenges as a means for self-progress. He is never deterred with situations which seem difficult to handle, but is able to creatively bring out new ideas that help him to cross over the obstacles with ease. 

Experience: Determination brings confidence in me and in my ability to achieve what I set out to achieve. I am able to remain confident and sure of my own success. This confidence gives me the encouragement not to let go half way through, but to do something till the end. With each obstacle that comes my way that seems to deter me from my path, I find myself improving and progressing, making myself better and better. So I am able to experience success constantly. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought for today 17-3-2014

When it's too hot, we complain, 

too wet, we complain,
too cold, we complain, 

too windy, we complain.

The next time you catch yourself complaining about the weather, stop. 

Remind yourself to enjoy the change. Appreciate the gradations within the heat, cold, wet etc.

When you stop complaining you can then do something to make the situation more bearable. 

For example, if it's too hot, pour yourself a cold drink and then continue with your tasks!

Soul Sustenance

Changing Your Belief System To Overcome Feelings Of Revenge - Part 2 

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. 

Message for the day

To finish excuses is to take up full responsibility. 

Expression: To take up responsibility means to be ready to bear the consequences of the action done. The one who is responsible will never give excuses, but will be able to take the responsibility of correcting the situation. Under all circumstances, such a person will be able to give his best without situations hindering his output. 

Experience: When I am responsible, it is not important for me why a mistake happened, but it is more important for me to find a method so that I am able to rectify what has gone wrong. So when I am responsible I am neither worried nor concerned too much for whatever has happened. On the other hand I am able work with lightness to improve the situation. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought for today 16-3-2014

How often do you reply to "How are you?" with "Busy, very busy"?

If being busy is taking over your life, stop! 
Be productive and effective without being 'too' busy.

Avoid taking on too much by learning to say that two-letter word, "no". 

Rather than say "no" to everything, think about what you want to say "yes" to. 

Get clear on your priorities and know your limitations.

Soul Sustenance

Vision, Goals, Strategies And Action Plans 

A vision is what you can see but not yet reach. The most powerful dimension of vision is not the long term dimension but actually the way you choose to see yourself in your work, circumstances, relationships, etc. Important changes start occurring by simply choosing to see things and people differently. That will have a huge influence on the decisions you make and the results. This is the power of vision. 

Goals are aimed at achieving the vision. They should be achievable in a short span of time and represent what you can see and reach. Goals should be specific, measurable, actionable, relevant and time bound (SMART). 

Clarification of goals then sets the agenda for the strategies (how) that are necessary to achieve those goals, to drive those goals forward. The strategies then need to be broken down into very specific action plans.

Message for the day

The one who is loving is the one who experiences freedom. 

Expression: The root of suffering is attachment, because attachment makes one bound. To be truly free means to learn to love and appreciate while remaining independent. Others' state of mind or task does not negatively influence one's own responses to the outside environment. There is the ability to be free and express one's own specialities without being coloured. 

Experience: If I cannot keep myself free from attachment I am constantly experiencing suffering. Because I am attached, I am dependent on someone or something I have created a space for in my mind. When that person or object is criticized, neglected or not with me, I feel pain in my mind and I experience a sense of loss. Then I am not able to be loving. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought for today 15-3-2014

Do you have the habit of rehashing decisions already made?

If the decision is not working out for you and you're not happy, then see if changing your decision is an option. If it is, then change it.

If you don't have the option to change your decision, then like with anything else, just take the opportunity to make it work for you!

Soul Sustenance

From Knowledge To Experience - Part 2 

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 ofknowing 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.