Thought of the day 30.05.2016

Doing Your Best

As you do, so you become. Every action that you perform is recorded in you, the soul. These imprints ultimately mould your character and destiny. When you understand this principle, you will pay more attention to bringing your best to everything you do.

Soul Sustenance

Rediscover The Essence Of Happiness (Part 1) 

Have you ever wondered - what is the real essence of happiness, what is and what is not real happiness? We count our troubles often, but we never count our joys. If we counted them, we would realize that we have many things to be happy about. Happiness, joy and love hold different meanings for each individual. A person may find happiness in shopping and another may find the same kind of pleasure in social work. But there are some aspects which have the capacity to at least put on a smile on every individual's face. Simple gestures like maybe a love filled handshake or a morning greeting. Going to each mate of yours at the work place or to each loved one at home every morning and greeting them with a huge smile on your face will bring you happiness as well as to the other person. 

So, real happiness is not an external stimulation by watching a 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 commonly say Well, what I like best, … just then stop and think. Because although each of the above episodes bring us happiness, there is a moment just before you begin to enjoy the episode which is better than when you are enjoying the episode, but you don’t know what its called or what it feels like to enjoy that. Each one of us can experience that joy, we just need to find it. Remember that happiness is not a future promise. It can only be experienced now, in each and every simple action of the day. 

(To be continued tomorrow …) 

Message of the day

Honesty brings success in relationships. 

Expression:Honesty means being the same inside out. Honesty with oneself helps one to bring about constant improvement in the self. Honesty with others enables one to relate positively under all circumstances. There is no rudeness but there is an openness that brings about love towards the other person. 

Experience: When I am honest, I am able to experience progress in my own life and others are benefitted too with my own self-progress. I am able to maintain harmony in my relationship with others because I am open with them and I find myself successful in my relationships. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 29.05.2016

Mind & Heart

A mind filled with peace creates

a heart filled with contentment.

Soul Sustenance

Overcoming Fears Connected With Negative Past Experiences (Part 2) 

The work with oneself to see what aspects of your past burden you and coming to terms with those aspects, requires silence, reflection and meditation. When you come to terms with your own past, you can let go of it and be free of it, not be afraid that the past will come back to you. If not, sometimes, it is like a shadow that follows you. If your house was robbed once, the shadow follows you that, perhaps, you might be robbed again. If they hurt you, you fear it will happen again. Sometimes that experience presents itself in dreams, in the subconscious or in present attitudes. Reliving the past in your mind, you do not fully enjoy the present. You have to accept the pieces of your past so that they do not continue to generate upsets. Accept that you had to live through them and live the present with a constructive vision of the future. 

In the above context, it helps to write letters to God about your experiences. The exercise of sharing them with God in writing brings clarity inside you and helps you to bring the spiritual light and might in your life in order not to be burdened by unnecessary experiences, unhappiness or grief. Have you ever written to God? You could do it at night and tell Him the things that affected you or that you have learned. You can tell Him the things or intimate feelings that other people perhaps wouldn't understand or wouldn't be there to listen to. You could also talk to Him about all that you question, and you do not have an answer to. And the following morning, when you meditate and study a little bit of spiritual knowledge, you often receive answers. 

Message of the day

The one who works to remove the sorrow of others is the one who is loved by all. 

Expression:When there is the one aim of helping to remove the sorrow of others, there will be nothing negative while dealing with others. There will also be no expectations from others. Working with the natural desire to bring benefit to as many as possible, enables one to continue to contribute to whatever extent possible. 

Experience: When I am able to have this one desire of helping others be more happy, I am able to make a contribution for others' happiness and progress. I then find that others naturally appreciate my selfless contribution and their good wishes help me feel light and experience progress. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 28.05.2016

Banish Worry

Worry is otherwise known as 'fantasized catastrophizing' where we create an image of the future and use it to frighten ourselves! Be aware that you are doing it, then stop doing it, otherwise the image will become a self-fulfilling prophesy. Imagine only the brightest future, and so it will be. Besides there is nothing to worry about... unless you are under the illusion that your well-being and security are dependent on material things. If they are, then you will have many ways in which you can create worry. Possible loss, damage, separation, uncertainty are but a few. Look, you're killing yourself with worry, all because of the misuse of your imagination. Don't do it. 

Soul Sustenance

Overcoming Fears Connected With Negative Past Experiences (Part 1) 

Some of our fears arise due to the situations we have lived through; for example, if you are driving a car and you have an accident. Then you take some time to drive again, because the memory of the accident awakens the fear of having another one or reliving the one you had. The person that has never had a car accident gets in the car with confidence, because they do not have that scene recorded, since they haven't lived through it. 

There are fears that we carry within us that are not of the present. Something happened to us in the dark and we are now afraid of the dark. Fears in relationships: you opened your heart, you fell in love and, after a time, you experienced pain, you felt hurt, misunderstood, manipulated, deceived or mistreated, and now you no longer open your heart for anything; it is closed off with the shields that you yourself have created. To overcome this kind of fear due to experiences you have lived through, you have to come to terms with your past and accept it fully. You cannot change your past; lamenting the past doesn't help you; complaining about the past doesn't benefit you. Those shields brought about by fears do not disappear unless you do a deep cleansing. Begin to heal your experience of the past. Part of the past is healed with forgiveness. Without forgiving, you cannot forget. 

(To be continued tomorrow …) 

Message of the day

Where there is contentment, problems finish. 

Expression:Contentment enables one to have a positive outlook towards life. So the one who is content always works towards solutions, as he is never disturbed with situations, but is always relaxed. This automatically brings the ability to contribute to others and give them the support to bring progress within them. Such a person works for his own self-progress too. 

Experience: When I am content with everything that is happening, I am able to be light in all situations. So even in the biggest difficulty, I am never caught up with the problem, but am always thinking of the solution. My mind is busy with finding the solution, so internally I remain unaffected with the problem. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 27.05.2016

Let Go of Emotions

Emotions can feel uncontrollable - we have no choice but to experience them. But to live by our emotions is to live under a tyrant's rule. Acknowledge emotions for what they are, without shame or guilt, and then allow them to pass through you like wind moving through the leaves of a tree. Remember that it is only with yourpermission that feelings can change the way you behave.

Soul Sustenance

The Creations Of The Mind 

Scientists have learned a lot about our physical functioning, but most admit that what actually keeps a human being alive is a mystery not completely solved. Rising above being just a product of chemical and electrical activity in the brain, as believed by many of us, spirituality orients me and trains me to come close to my real self, my spiritual self. Before I was a stranger to my own self, unaware of what is going inside my consciousness and distant from my own self. The first step in coming close to myself is that I learn to use the energy of my mind in the most effective way possible.For this, I decide to find a place where, each day, I can sit for a few minutes without interruptions, in order to focus on the self and explore the inner world of the creations of the mind - my thoughts, feelings, attitudes and emotions. 

There has been a lot of conflicting views in the world about what the mind is and how it works. In the teachings of meditation by the Brahma Kumaris, the mind, which gives rise to my thoughts, feelings, attitudes and emotions, is seen as a faculty of the soul, not the body. It is rather like the difference between a television set and the movies seen on that set. The movies originate in the minds of the directors, not in the television set itself. The television set is just a medium for displaying the movies. So it is with all these four creations (thoughts, feelings, attitudes and emotions). These originate in the non-physical consciousness and not in the physical brain. The brain is just a processor of them and the body is a medium via which all four are displayed or brought onto expressions, physical gestures, words and actions. When I realize this, and really understand this difference, it very empowering. I am then able to use the power of discrimination to make choices between thoughts, feelings, attitudes and emotions that are useful and empowering for myself and others, and those that bring me down. 

Message of the day

Introversion brings out the positivity within. 

Expression:Every human being has an innate positive nature because of the inherent qualities of love, peace, happiness etc. that are within. Introversion, the practice of looking within, enables one to be in constant touch with oneself and one's true nature. It helps express these qualities in everything that is done. Because of having practiced for a long time with them, these qualities emerge very naturally at the time of need. 

Experience: The practice of being introverted helps me in experiencing those qualities within me, which otherwise remain hidden during difficult situations. Thus it makes me have true self-respect and enables me to finish my ego. It also gives me the power to recognise and accept my mistakes, thus giving me the courage to work on them successfully. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 26.05.2016

Living in Peace

In order to live in peace, try not depend on anyone and at the same time try to help others not to depend on you. Help them become independent, free and responsible for their lives. In the same way, ensure you do not cause anyone sorrow, and do not allow others to be a source of hurt for you.

Soul Sustenance

Newness At Every Step (Part 3) 

Life which is above the ordinary makes it full of joy. Also, a spiritual perspective of joyful living is talking to yourself at all times and seeing positives in life’s situations, no matter how negative they may be. Along with that, loving each one and spreading the energy of good wishes in every relationship of yours makes life beautiful and full of positivity. Do this, once everyday, remember all those whom you are close to and say –You are all special souls and I have a pure bond full of love with you all. May you all remain extremely happy and full of all qualities. May you overcome different life situations easily and experience success at every step. This is giving blessings to everyone. This is positivity in karma and not only positivity kept restricted at the consciousness level, which is theoretical. Remember, people are one of the most important aspects of our life. So, interactions with them, which are positive and full of love, make life enjoyable and full of newness. 

Even God should be admired and loved in a new light each day. In this way, a relationship with Him remains full of love and enthusiasm and not just a repetitive remembrance routine which is forgotten, once completed. In fact, God is our Father and Mother and even our Friend, Teacher and Guru. Remembering God through these different relationships and also remembering God’s different virtues or qualities is a way of loving God differently e.g. you call God your Friend but do you experience that relationship with Him? Or you call God an Almighty source, but do you feel that might or power in your day-to-day life? So, everything you do should be full of variety and creativity, which will make life’s journey smooth and something to look forward to everyday. 

Message of the day

To recognise the uniqueness of my own personality is to be free from negative influence. 

Expression:The one who is aware of one's own uniqueness is able to create a strong influence on others of his own personality. So, such a person is not negatively influenced by anyone's personality traits. Even when there is a person with a very strong personality, he is still able to be free from negative influence. 

Experience: When I am able to recognise and use the specialities that are within me, I am able to remain powerful within. In all circumstances and with all people I experience this innate power. Because I am constantly in touch with my own specialities, I am able to be light and happy. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 25.05.2016

Give Time

Whatever or whoever you give time to, you give your attention to. Whatever gets your attention gets your energy. Whatever gets your energy must grow. So what will you give your time to today - who will get your attention? What or who needs your attention? Is it a task, a process or a relationship? Or are you waiting for these things to give you time and attention? How long have you been waiting? Why are you waiting? Are you a leader or a follower, a master or a slave? Mmmm...all questions today!

Soul Sustenance

Newness At Every Step (Part 2) 

A very important aspect of newness in our lives is a different perspective to life’s situations. A positive perspective makes life experiences more beautiful. A positive minded person with a positive perspective looks at life differently than a person with a somewhat negative mindset. Let’s say a person is facing a challenge at work and is not being able to come to a solution to overcome it. If he were to look at the current crisis in his life with a different perspective, he would arrive at a solution much faster and more easily than if he were to remain with the same perspective which he has been keeping for a long time. Solutions to problems can be arrived at magically at times with a different attitude and view point. But to make life full of new ideas and thoughts, one needs to fill the mind with fresh knowledge, not only from the world but also from spiritual sources which talk a lot about the self and also about God. Remember the more you know about yourself and about the Supreme Being, the wiser you will become and will look at life with a fresh perspective, which is the key to success. 

Also, looking at people’s specialties, in fact different specialties in different situations, adds a positive flavor to life. The same people will look different and nicer when you do that. Don’t forget, everyone has different specialties that we generally know and are aware of. Say, you are not on good terms with a person and you receive negative energy from that person regularly. See that person’s different specialties for a few days and you will never get tired of the situations involving him or her. This is practical positive thinking and also new thinking. 

(To be continued tomorrow …) 

Message of the day

To be ever ready means to guarantee success. 

Expression:The ones who are ever ready are active and so when a task comes up, they quickly understand it and attain success. They do not waste time and energy thinking too much about it. They recognize the importance of the task and involve fully in it and attain success. 

Experience: When I am ever ready I am able to be easy. Because I am easy, all tasks seem easy for me and effort put in for the success of the task also becomes easy. So I don't have to do a lot of effort but give my best. Thus I experience success every moment in all situations. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 24.05.2016

Time to Understand

Most people don't understand themselves or others. We need to make time for this. We get too impatient. Very often, because we are not willing to take this time, misunderstandings continue. We don't take time to listen to someone quietly and try to understand them. Then we start inventing things about them, because we simply haven't taken the time to understand.

Soul Sustenance

Newness At Every Step (Part 1) 

Living a life of positivity and creativity makes life a beautiful journey which one loves completely and enjoys to the fullest extent. Different thoughts, words and actions full of newness and enthusiasm are the driving energy of your life. Life should not be a routine with the same type of thoughts, words and actions everyday. On the other hand, life should be a journey full of happiness and variety with different types of events and not the same scenes and situations everyday. Also making a lot of interactions with different types of people everyday gives life a new touch of positivity and relaxation which would not be possible if we met the same people everyday. So, make it a point to meet new people everyday and give life a new meaning and purpose by doing different types of creative activities. Even in your job, look for different types of activities which give life a new purpose. Don’t become accustomed to a similar routine everyday which can make the job or even the house work a boring exercise. Be creative and bring newness at every step. 

Also, whenever you start your day, create a few positive thoughts or affirmations in your mind. Let them be full of success and energy and a lot of determination which will keep you full of positive energy in the entire day, so that actions can be performed without getting tired. This is what joyful living is. Also, after every couple of hours in the day, stop your work for 3 minutes and check the thoughts in your mind. If they are going in the wrong direction, give them a new direction by meditating and creating a lot of powerful thoughts or at times if you feel it more comfortable, experience silence. One is an expansion of thoughts and the other is packing up. Both are spiritual methods of empowering the mind. Both have their own benefits and are opposite type of methods but both help in mind control. Try either one depending on the situation. Also, at some points of time in the day, talk to God and make Him a part of your life as you would make a close relative or friend, in the same manner. 

(To be continued tomorrow …) 

Message of the day

Greatness lies in humility. 

Expression:The one who is humble is always willing to learn - from others and situations. So whatever happens a humble person never reacts to the situations, but acts positively whilst being in a stage of self-respect. So there is greatness visible in the one who is humble. 

Experience: Humility brings an experience of being full and complete. So naturally I am available for service, and have always the thought of bringing benefit to as many as possible. Humility also gives an experience of being a master, because no situation or person binds me, but I am able to experience freedom. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 23.05.2016

Inside Out 

There is essentially only one way in which you can bring about self-transformation - that's if you want to - but you will not think you need to if you are still taking your happiness from outside yourself, and still managing to tolerate the periods of unhappiness which result. As soon as your happiness is dependent on anything outside, you make yourself a slave to a condition, substance or perhaps a person. A slave is not free. And happiness is impossible if you are not free. Perhaps this goes some way to explaining why our happiness fluctuates. Real happiness does not go up and down. Real freedom means that your happiness comes from inside out. That will require detachment and renunciation, not least from the illusions and conditioning of society which would have you believe happiness can be acquired from outside in. Can you see it? Inside out, not outside in!

Soul Sustenance

Overcoming The Fear Of Interaction Or Socializing 

There are various activities that you are perhaps afraid of doing, but that you know they are very useful activities to indulge in e.g. if you are afraid of socializing or interacting with people, either on a one-to-one basis or in a group. In a party or a situation where lots are people are enjoying the company of each other or in a meeting with your boss for e.g., you feel out of place and uncomfortable. The problem might lie in a negative image of the self or low self-esteem, lack of confidence, fear of the other’s opinion about you, lack of spiritual strength, past failure in having done so, being influenced by the other person’s role or position etc. How do you overcome this fear? By interacting with more and more people. The more you interact and mix up with them and express your viewpoint fearlessly, you realize that it is not a problem. Even if you make a mistake or you feel unsure, with practice you will see that there is no problem. 

Most of our fears are overcome with the practice of doing what you are afraid of. If you do not make a brave step forward in order to overcome the fear of expressing yourself, you will continue to be the victim of this fear. This fear is then a negative energy that paralyses your intellect as a result of which your concentration and your decision-making power reduces. It also disorganizes your ideas, and confuses you whenever you express yourself in front of a person or people. What is more, fear produces clumsiness in your words, body movements and actions and makes you lose your image of credibility. It gives an impression of nervousness and low self-respect to the other. You have to overcome it, and you will manage to do it with practice and by changing the vision that you have of others: they are not a threat, they are not judges who are going to pass a judgment against you, they are offering you the opportunity to express yourself. If you value yourself, you will not be afraid of not being appreciated by them and others will finally appreciate you. If you do not value yourself, the opposite will happen. 

Message of the day

To be a self-sovereign is to be in control. 

Expression:The one who is a self-sovereign never finds difficulty in being in control. He doesn't have to go out of control and then bring himself back in control. The moment the order is given to the self, every thought, word and action is immediately in order. 

Experience: To be a self-sovereign means to be aware of my own specialities and work with them. When I am a self-sovereign I experience myself to be free. This is because nothing binds me but I am able to win over my weaknesses too. Thus I find myself to be in total happiness in all situations. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 22.05.2016

Power to Face

If we face our problems and respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness, or self-pity, these adverse situations that look like they could bury us have within them the very real potential to make us unshakable.

Soul Sustenance

Natural Qualities and Acquired Qualities 

When we look at ourselves from outside we can only see the surface of what we have become. We can't see or perhaps cannot even imagine the inner core (center), which, like in the example of the coconut, is the only part that really can nourish us and give us energy. The shell (in the case of the coconut) serves as a protection but we certainly can't eat it. 

In our case, the core (center) consists of natural or inner qualities such as peace, love, power, truth, happiness and so on. The shell is the ego which consists of features or personality characteristics we have acquiredthrough the journey of our lives such as experiences, abilities, memories, learning, habits and beliefs – in short, all that we are referring to when we say: 'I am so-and-so, from such-and-such family or organization or city'. 

While we are limited to these acquired characteristics, our true qualities remain inaccessible. Through deep reflection and meditation we can break the shell and activate our inner qualities from which our values or principles are born. 

Message of the day

The one who has faith is always victorious 

Expression:The one who has faith, has total faith in the self and in the progress of the self. The one who has faith is always successful because he gives his best in everything he does. He is never deterred by obstacles but progresses constantly. 

Experience: When I have complete faith, I am able to experience lightness even when I am faced with my weaknesses, because I have the faith that I am progressing. I am able to learn and improve from everything that happens. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 21.05.2016

Honesty

It takes great courage to be honest. One of the noblest qualities in a person is the ability to say, "I am sorry, I was wrong, you were right". It doesn't really matter about being right, winning arguments or having my ideas accepted. It matters more that I am able to recognise my mistakes, take responsibility for them, learn the lesson and move forward with greater maturity.

Soul Sustenance

The Relationship Between Virtues And Vices 

When we are internally strong, our nature characteristics and skills are reflected, from inside us to the outside, to everyone we interact in, in the form of virtues. If we are internally weak, those same traits emerge and radiate as vices. Vices are just qualities or virtues that have lost their focus and strength. For e.g. if we take the quality of love - when a strong soul radiates love, it is unlimited and without any conditions. Such a soul respects and has good wishes for everything and everyone and under all circumstances, irrespective of whether love and respect is coming from the other side or not. When a weak soul radiates love, he/she tends to restrict the love to limits e.g. the love would vary from person to person and from situation to situation. In a sense, if spiritual might (strength) and spiritual light (understanding or knowledge) are taken away from the virtues, they get transformed into the six vices, which make us spiritually unhealthy or weak: 

Ego - developing an image of the self that is false, temporary or imaginary.
Greed - finding short term fulfillment by acquiring material goods, a role in society or money or through the physical senses – eyes, tongue, ears, etc.
Attachment - finding security by developing a feeling of possessiveness over loved ones and material objects.
Lust - using excessive satisfaction through the senses as a means of fulfillment.
Anger - the feeling of hatred and revenge when any of the other vices are threatened or being taken away from us.
Laziness - becoming inactive on a spiritual, physical or mental level. 

Message of the day

To be free from the influence of the past is to have the ability to fly forward. 

Expression:There are so many things of the past that keep coming up in the mind again and again. Insead of being like birds holding on to the branches of the past; the one who looks at the clear sky gets the inspiration to move forward. To look at the clear sky means to look at the present moment and make the best use of it. 

Experience: The ability to free myself from the negative influences of the past, enables me to have a vision of equality. I will then not be judging others on what my past experiences with them are. I also find myself experiencing the benefit of each and every moment. So I experience constant progress. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 20.05.2016

Mistakes

When you make a mistake, learn from it, resolve not to repeat it and then forget about it. You will feel better again. Do the same with others, instead of making their mistakes bigger, dissolve them in your mind and help them also to forget about them.

Soul Sustenance

The Significance Of The Power Of Thought In Meditation 

Meditation is not a process of emptying the mind of thought. In meditation I use the natural power of the soul – the power to create thoughts, as a take-off point (or as a spring-board) to finally experience the consciousness of the true self. In meditation, I climb a ladder of well-prepared, positive and spiritual thoughts and eventually climb beyond the ladder into the pure experience of what I really am.Pondering over these pure and real thoughts can occupy the soul for long periods of time.

In the most basic stage of Rajyoga meditation, first comes the realization: I am a soul, the energy of consciousness made up of a mind, an intellect and a collection ofsanskars. My eyes, ears, nose, mouth are just the organs, which when used correctly, help me, the soul, enjoy life. I now possess the knowledge that will free me from my cage. I have the key, spiritual knowledge is the key - I am a soul, a being of light, a bird which has the power to fly freely. Knowing this, I am not bound by physical laws. I can detach and fly at the speed of a thought, to the soul world, where I can easily experience my original state. I must realize that it is impossible to have peace of mind if I cannot detach from the body. I must look upon all my family members, friends, colleagues, also as souls which have come from the soul world. We are all fellow souls. 

Message of the day

Creating quality thoughts brings happiness and lightness. 

Expression:When there is quality thinking, thoughts are not many, but each thought is special. Quality thoughts are reflected in quality words and quality actions. They reduce tiredness and carelessness as thoughts are fewer in quantity. 

Experience: When I have good quality thoughts, I experience sweetness, happiness and self-respect. I am able to recognise my own greatness and move forward with lightness under all circumstances. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 19.05.2016

Healing Power of Spirituality

The deepest wounds we all carry are locked in our subconscious (out of our awareness). Deep memories and subtle impressions, from unfinished experience, rooted in the past. The pain from those wounds comes to revisit; to block and paralyse us in the moment called now. We all know it comes without warning - 'Why am I feeling this way, I didn't mean to do that, I don't know what made me say that.' Healing does not mean finding and treating every single inner scar. It means going even deeper, past the wounds, to the core of our spirit, where we find the light and warmth of our own core qualities of love and peace. That's what heals. That's why it's called spirituality and not therapy.

Soul Sustenance

Attitude Matters (Part 3) 

When listening to a piece of information use your third eye or third ear if you like to call it that. We normally use the words third eye or the eye of wisdom. In the same way the ear of wisdom means while you listen to something about a person with your physical ears, use this third ear to differentiate between what is right and what is wrong. What that means is emerge spiritual wisdom of different life situations and the knowledge of Law of Karma (Action) i.e. What you sow you shall reap or Every action on a spiritual level causes a similar reaction or life situation to come back to us. A positive action brings a positive life situation back to us and a negative action brings a negative life situation back to us. The two ears will listen physically but the third ear will listen to the physical information after filtering it with the filter of the Law of Karma. That also means is understand every hidden aspect of the information being shared with you about a particular person and yet keep a positive attitude towards that person. 

At the same time, use the 8 powers in that particular situation like the power to tolerate, power to accommodate, power to face, power to pack up, power to discriminate, power to judge, power to withdraw and power to co-operate to bring about success in that particular situation.What that means do the right thing at the right time – resolve the problem filled situation without harming anyone’s interests on a physical or subtle level of mental energies. Also, keep good wishes for everyone involved, keep yourself free from waste and negative thoughts, maintain the positive environment of the workplace or home, spread good information about everyone including the person who may have committed a mistake or the person who has given you wrong information about that person. Lastly, remember everyone’s original qualities are peace, joy, love, bliss, purity, power and truth. Look at everyone with these spectacles of their original qualities and don’t look with the filters of negativity and weaknesses of different colours. Then everyone will look beautiful. Attitude matters and it is the key to success. So always keep it nice, pure and positive. 

Message of the day

Cooperation is to give people what they need. 

Thought to Ponder:We tend to give people what we feel they need. In the process, we tend to advice or force our ideas on them. But, what really works is trying to understand what people need. If someone, is angry, they lack peace at that time. So, I need to give peace. And of course, I need to be peaceful and patient, in order to give the peace that they need. 

Point to Practice: Today I will really help one person, by giving what he needs. I will try and understand what people around me really need and start giving those qualities. This will help me create a habit of providing the right thing at the right time. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 18.05.2016

Cheerfulness

Inner cheer is destroyed by a conscience which bites. So learn to do everything in a worthwhile way. It's an art which teaches you to appreciate your inner beauty.

Soul Sustenance

Attitude Matters (Part 2) 

Our attitude towards a person is commonly based a lot on what we listen from others about him or her, as discussed in yesterday’s message. On the other hand a person who is determined to have a positive attitude will not let all that he hears, affect him. He will maintain a balance by knowing everything about a person or what others are saying about the other person, if required and yet remaining the same. This is because sometimes in a particular role, in any sphere of life, it may be important to know everything about a person from others also. That does not mean that we should gossip about the other person and indulge in discussions about him or her. This may be unnecessary at times because sometimes people give incorrect feedback also. But that’s not true every time. Sometimes the feedback may be correct and not so nice. Also it may be important to know that piece of information about a particular person, which you are receiving. 

At that time, use your power of discrimination and judgment to know whether what you are hearing is true or not because the other person may be incorrect or may purposely be lying or lying because of his or her own lack of discrimination and judgment power. Also, at times, it may be good to refuse the other person’s piece of information or if that’s not possible, hear it, but not let it affect you negatively. In other words, neither should you be disturbed by that piece of information and neither should you share that piece of information with others. Lastly and very importantly your attitude towards that person whose information was shared should remain the same. Otherwise following your attitude change, your behavior towards that person changes and as a result the relationship with that person gets spoilt. How to keep a positive attitude for a person about whom we hear negative information? A little bit about that in tomorrow’s message. 

(To be continued tomorrow …) 

Message of the day

To be a light house is to show others the right path. 

Thought to Ponder:A light house is one which is stable even in the worst storm. When I am able to have this quality of stability, I will be able to show others the right path in all kinds of circumstances. The negativity of the situation may trouble or affect others, but I continue to provide the right direction to all. 

Point to Practice: Today I will give hope to someone who is hopeless. I will provide support, direction or encouragement to help this person move forward. I will also ensure that I am moving forward too, learning from all situations. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 17.05.2016

Consult your Conscience

To consult your conscience: sit quietly and calm the mind, allow peace to fill your heart and then place a question before your conscience, your innate wisdom.

Soul Sustenance

Attitude Matters (Part 1) 

A beautiful aspect of our lives which we sometimes do not give adequate importance to is the need for taking care of our attitude towards everyone and how we look at each one. There was once a businessman who became known as the most successful person in his field because of his hard work and dedication. Thousands of people admired and respected him. Everyone’s attitude was extremely nice and positive towards him. Sometime in the middle of his career he started doing badly and suddenly people began to move away from him. The attitude of many people towards him started becoming negative and the same people who were happy with him, in his success, no longer were there for him, in his failure. The world had turned its back to him. Why did he face such a response from the people around him? Was something lacking in him? Did he commit some mistake? Not at all. But the world was like that for him. Bad. They say your attitude for someone should not only be positive but ever-positive i.e. continuously positive. 

Are we able to always have a positive attitude for everyone? Do you ever wonder what stops us from doing that? Our perception of people changes very easily. There is a small example of two people A and B having a conversation amongst each other. B explained something negative about C to A and went away. Later in the day, C came to A to ask for help and A refused to help because he thought C was not a nice person. Who was responsible for this action? B and his negative feedback about C which he gave to A. This changed A’s attitude towards C. This can happen with us in our social circles or in our offices or even in families. Attitude matters. It is the foundation stone of all relationships. Let’s give it a thought in the next two day’s messages. 

(To be continued tomorrow …) 

Message of the day

True love brings success in relationships.

Expression:The one who is loving, likes to be with the others. Such a person will never try to be away even from people who are not loving towards him, but will be able to change the one who is not so loving with his own love. So the one who is loving is always successful in relationships.

Experience: Since I am a loving person, I am able to maintain this love for every person I come into contact with. Whether the other person is able to be loving or not, I find that I never lose my love because of being aware of my true nature.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 16.05.2016

Patience

Patience is a reflection of the peaceful mind. My peaceful mind is able to cope with all situations without becoming disturbed and agitated. It calmly accepts the resolution of circumstances and, with this patience acquires the power to deal with all situations.

Soul Sustenance

Attaining Success Using The Tool Of Visualization 

A study shows that the majority of sportsmen and women, who win at prominent international events, are trained to use the tool of visualization to achieve success. Many months before the actual event, they visualize i.e. they create pictures of success inside their minds that they have already achieved their goal. The same principle of visualization is also used to cure patients from major illnesses including cancer. Patients are taught to visualize their diseased organs free from illnesses or visualize the organs receiving healing energy in some form or the other. 
Visualization helps people to have 100% belief in themselves that they will achieve the desired goal. The efforts made with this powerful energy of belief have a greater probability of success than when you make the efforts without believing in what you are doing and without visualizing yourself as achieving your objectives. 

If you think about your failures from the past, you stop believing in yourself, lose your enthusiasm and get frustrated. Visualizing images of a positive future helps you work from the present towards the future, without allowing the past failures to have any negative influence on you. You visualize yourself as a person, who has already overcome his fears and negative habits, and the fears are removed and the negative habits are transformed. You see yourself already transformed e.g. you say - I am a soul full of all powers and not - I am going toor am trying to fill myself with all powers.The power of that vision and the positive affirmations, combined together, is such that it helps you to bring about a major change in yourself, not just a small change, because you make it easy for your sub-conscious mind that is sleeping to wake up and realize its potential. You stop always expecting the worst and hope for, visualize and believe in the best. 

Message of the day

The one who checks himself constantly is the one who experiences progress. 

Expression:The one who keeps checking himself is also able to bring about a change in himself. Such a person takes each situation as a chance to learn something new and bring about some change for the better. So there is constant improvement in his life. 

Experience: When something goes wrong, if I learn to check myself and bring about a change immediately, I will be able to experience constant progress. No situation will make me have negative feelings or make me stop, but I will be able to enjoy everything that comes my way. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 15.05.2016

Hard To Forgive

Why is it hard to forgive others? Usually because we believe that they are 90% to blame for the problem, that I am not as bad as they are. So I start to carry the load of other people's actions. If my ego is too hurt, I will have the sense of correction, of justice: 'I know I am right', 'That is not fair'. But if I start to forgive from the heart, sincerely, I remain humble and this forgiveness will bring me closer to others. Then I do not carry regrets or anger, I just let go and remain light.

Soul Sustenance

Is It Necessary To Renounce (Leave) Society To Experience A Spiritual Lifestyle? 

A good meditator is one who has a mental link or union with the internal self and the Supreme Soul or God who is the source of all goodness. This, along with an understanding of the laws of action or the laws of karma, which govern the behavior of souls, means that one does not have to renounce or leave society in order to achieve enlightenment. Rather, the soul filled with spiritual illumination faces society directly with understanding and the generosity to serve it and to elevate (improve) it. 

The soul becomes elevated not by the renunciation of responsibilities or worldly duties but by a renunciation of the negativity that exists within the role being played by it in society. A good meditator does not try to escape social obligations (duties) but rather purifies those duties by becoming filled with light, love, peace and happiness. The stage of self-awareness and God-communication injects a subtle richness into one's life-patterns. 

There are those who believe that the elevated state is beyond society and its duties. They find a quiet spot in the jungle or an ashram and contemplate (think about) deeper things. There are others who are stuck in the quicksand of their problems, and believe that those who leave society and take up a spiritual lifestyle are saints. However, holiness and virtue are qualities attained in one's life situations, not in running away from them. The elevated state is not merely a matter of elevated thoughts (which can be experienced in a sanyas), but elevated actions also, for the benefit of the self and the world. We are what we do and not so much what we imagine ourselves to be. 

Message of the day

To be a giver means to give according to need. 

Expression:The one who is a giver would be sensitive to the needs of others and will be able to give what the other person needs at the right time, instead of giving what he wants to give. Also such a person is able to give without expecting anything in return. 

Experience: When there is even a little thought to share with others whatever I have, I would naturally be able to perceive my own inner treasures and experience being full. Sharing with others, whatever I can, enables me to get their good wishes also. I thus find myself experiencing the richness of life. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 14.05.2016

Past Experiences

We are unique individuals who have been shaped by the experiences we've had.  Our talents, successes and strengths have shaped us along with the insights that have come from the failures and mistakes.  Recognizing and valuing the past allows us to make better choices today. Remember “The Hare and the Tortoise" story?

Soul Sustenance

The Location Of The Soul Inside The Body 

The soul has the following basic functions to perform: 

- to give life to the body and to maintain life inside it,
- to express and experience its role through the body, and
- to receive the rewards or fruits of past actions performed in previous births, through the body. 

These functions are controlled and monitored by the soul via the nervous and hormonal systems from a particular point in the area of the brain which contains the thalamus, hypothalamus, pituitary and pineal glands. This region is known as the seat of the soul, or the third eye. The connection between the physical (body) and the non-physical (soul) is by the medium of thought energy. Many religions and philosophies place great importance on the third eye, or eye of the mind. When viewed from the front, this region appears to be between and slightly above the line of the eyebrows. It's for this reason that Hindus use a tilak, a dot in red or sandalwood paste in the middle of the forehead. Christians also make the sign of the cross in this region. Even when one makes a mistake or expresses tiredness it's to this region that we put the hands in the gestures of self-dismay or exhaustion. After all the soul subconsciously knows that it makes the mistakes and not the body. When people are concentrating deeply in thought it is this area of the forehead where creases or lines are formed on the skin. 

Message of the day

To honor others' identity is to win their cooperation. 

Though to Ponder:True leadership is about conquering the hearts of others with my own humility. Then I can place the honor of others in front. Thus, I can attract blessings and respect from others. Also, with this, I will only have the vision of bringing benefit. 

Point to Practice: Today I will look beyond what I see in the present in people. What I may see right now may be negative or not so great. But I look at their potential and what they are capable of becoming. When I do this, I will be able to help them recognize their own potential. They would also then want to use this potential in the task at hand. Your respect also earns their respect and they give full cooperation. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 13.05.2016

Peak and Trough Times

There are times in the day when you have plenty of energy (peak times) and other times when your energy is at low (trough times). Your focus and attention span ebb and flow.  Do you know your peak and trough times?  Even though each day is different, you'll most likely find you have a consistent rhythm of daily peaks and troughs.  Why not, integrate a variety of tasks according to your energy and focus levels?  So, if you're trying to be productive at the wrong times, it's time to rethink your working habits.  Tackle the 'difficult' and the creative tasks during your peak times.  Use your trough time to do 'easy' and routine tasks.