Thought of the day 30.11.2016

Touch the Stillness

Every action has its seed in a thought and every thought is a creation of the thinker, the soul. I choose what thoughts I want to create and as is my thinking so are my actions and also my experience in life. Going within, I touch the stillness and pure love that lie at the core of my being and every thought that I create is of benefit to me and of benefit to humanity.

Soul Sustenance

The I Inside (Part 3) 

If we continue to become attached to our specialties, our personality or our role for the most part of our life, then over a period of time we forget the real self which is waiting to be recognized. Every time I think I am one of the above, I become more and more disconnected with my real self which is going to give me a more permanent self-esteem and as a result a permanent happiness. The personality skills, the sparkling education success and the way I dress up, these are all temporary. This is because don’t forget life is a roller coaster where success can easily leave me within a short period of time. So, enjoy all of them because even they are attainments and enjoying attainments is not being materialistic or non-spiritual. But don’t become dependent on them for your happiness. On the other hand, the source of all the specialties and personality – the real I is a sum total of the basic qualities of the soul – peace, love and joy. All that is good inside which is eternal and also the relationship of the I or myself with a higher source - God which is also imperishable (un-destroyable) is what I need to be dependent on because it will never leave me. 

Don’t forget, in our earliest births, we were extremely skilled, very beautiful and very rich, so much so that everything good that a human being can have physically was with us. Yet we were completely detached from all these attainments, enjoying all of them. That too at a time when these attainments were imperishable, because that was the original world, a world of happiness. But, now all these attainments in our life are no longer permanent and can very easily go away from us in a split second because we live in a world which is unpredictable and with many ups and downs. No skill or role has with it the assurance of being permanent. On the other hand, it is the time when the imperishable I is the one which stands by us permanently. So, it is this I the hand of which we need to hold tight permanently and also connect the I with a permanent source – the Supreme Soul. As a result enjoy every moment of life with complete security, surety and safety. 

Message of the day

To listen to others fully is to be able to be free from repeating mistakes. 

Expression:When there is criticism that comes one's way, it should be carefully analysed to see if there is any truth in it. If there is correction can be made accordingly. On the other hand, if others' criticism is ignored or there is a tendency to defend oneself, there cannot be any correction and mistakes are repeated. 

Experience: When I listen to others with honesty, I am able to discover even the most negligible aspect in my behaviour which I can change. So I find myself constantly improving and progressing and moving on towards success. So having brought about a change, even the criticism that comes my way stops. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 29.11.2016

Self-confidence

Self-confidence is to know your way around yourself so instinctively that you always have a strength to draw on. Somewhere inside, from the stillness, you always find something that can meet your need.

Soul Sustenance

The I Inside (Part 2) 

We all are used to seeing ourselves with the spectacles of others’ perceptions which are all based on physical attitudes and clouded by the worldly view. Today, we look at ourselves with a lot of respect for all that we think is good in us and based on what others tell us about us. And then, suddenly someone criticizes us and we become depressed and lose our mood to the other person’s perception. All this because we have learnt to identify with things other than the real I. Suppose I identify with what specialties I possess e.g. I am a good debater (speaker) and this specialty has bought me a whole lot of praises from people around me all through my academic career. Over a period of time people start praising you regularly for that and the identification gets stronger. Identification means losing yourself in the object of your attachment so much that you completely forget that this is not the real you. In this case, the skill of debating (speaking) with confidence is a characteristic which I possess, which can easily lose its importance if I don’t get an opportunity to express it as I become older or am out of school or college. So, what happened to the object of my attachment with which I identified myself? Suddenly it gets back at me and the same object starts giving me sorrow if the praise that I am used to receiving because of it is no longer available. In this situation, wouldn’t it have been better that I shouldn’t have attached myself so much to this characteristic in the first place. The more the identification, the more the sorrow experienced. 

So, a simple way of not experiencing sorrow in the above case is being happy and feeling lucky for what we possess. At the same time keep a relationship of detachment with the characteristic of speaking well i.e. how we express ourselves through our words and deliver our ideas through our voice. A relationship of detachment means not losing myself in the characteristic but playing my role with it and even keeping a pure pride that I possess the characteristic. This can also be called self-esteem, but at the same time not get over-awed or over self-impressed by the characteristic. That would lead to a healthier relationship with my attainment. Even if it is reduced or is lessened by any chance or not praised any more as much as before, it will not harm my self-esteem and give me unhappiness at any point of time. 

(To be continued tomorrow …) 

Message of the day

To find reasons to be happy is to increase happiness. 

Expression:When the mind searches for reasons to be sad and sorrowful, even situations with no great significance are seen with a vision of negativity. So there is constantly an expression of words and actions that reflect the need for sympathy and reassurance. On the other hand, when there is the search for happiness, then everything is positive giving happiness. 

Experience: When I am happy, I start perceiving everything with that vision. It is like wearing coloured glasses. Whatever colour my glasses are, the whole world is coloured with it. Then, I am no longer able to perceive and recognize negativity and I am able to remain happy with everything. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 28.11.2016

Talking to the Self

When you talk to yourself in your mind, which self do you address? And how? Usually people do not talk to their divinity, but to the most superficial aspects of their everyday personality. And often it’s a stream of fears, complaints and mindless repetition of old things. If we talked that way to another human being, we would have to apologize. Learning to talk properly to the self is a spiritual endeavour. Thoughts from the past and worries about the future do not create good conversation. Instead learn to talk to your mind as if it were a child. Talk to it with love. If you just force a child to sit down, he won't. A good mother knows how to prompt her child into doing what she wants. Be a good mother to your mind, teach it good, positive thoughts so that when you tell it to sit quietly, it will. Love your mind. Stay happy.

Soul Sustenance

The I Inside (Part 1) 

We all live our lives at a fast pace, finishing one scene and entering the next one after forgetting the first scene and sometimes carrying its memories into the second one. But have we wondered or stopped to ask ourselves that is our identity which we use to perform our actions one of our profession or role or how we look or dress up or for that matter our gender or the country or caste which we belong to? When we use the term self-identity, two words come to our mind – one is what we call self or me or I. The other is identifying with what i.e. I, the self, am identifying with what? Very often I am identifying with what I am not or what I seem to be but I am not in reality. The looks and the personality as well as the education are acquired but what I am really is what I am before I learn my education and shape up into the physical characteristics that I have. So we need to train ourselves from today to do is to start seeing ourselves in the mirror of spirituality and start observing the real I or me. This is the I that is invisible to the physical eyes but is the core of what we call ourselves – human beings. As in a coconut, the softer inner surface or the core or center is what gives us strength whereas the hard exterior is what is not eaten or is lesser important. 

People who are used to the common practice of seeing in the physical mirror before starting their day are reminded of so many physical characteristics mentioned above. As a result they forget that behind the acquired exterior is a non-visible interior that also requires cleaning up and being dressed up. This is because that is what comes into contact with people’s hearts – people whom we meet everyday. Also it is the inner face that will impress people after they have temporarily been impressed by the clothes we wear and how we look. After all it is the smile that is more important than the shirt. What use is a good looking suit if the person wearing the suit is egoistic and jealousy filled? Living life in the essence of the inner self is the way of reaching out to others with love and compassion and remaining contented yourself also. 

(To be continued tomorrow …) 

Message of the day

Every reaction to situations is a reflection of one's own self-respect. 

Expression:To the extent that there is a high degree of self-respect, to that extent there is a positive response to even the most negative situations. If there is low self-respect, even the smallest situation brings forth a strong negative reaction. This reaction only makes matters worse. 

Experience: When I am able to maintain my own self-respect even in the worst situation, I am able to have a hold, control over these situations. But if I have a low self-respect I continue to blame situations and use them as excuses to feel helpless. So I am not able to do anything about these situations and just continue to have negative feelings. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 27.11.2016

Shake Hands

In the moment of shaking the hand of another, not only are we participating in a universal greeting, but we are acknowledging we are all connected in the game of life together. For what is life but a series of meetings, a gentle sequence of connectings! The touch of hands is a reminder of our unity, the squeeze of a hand says we care, and the shaking of hands says we are celebrating being together. What are we saying when our touch is too cold, our squeeze too firm or too soft, or our shake too limp? Sometimes words are inadequate, or just too difficult. Which is why we can always say with our hand what is in our heart. If you are not ready to look directly into your heart, but you'd like an idea of what's there, be aware of your hand when you next put it forward for a shake!

Try this experiment today. Enter the office with a straight face (not too straight). As you meet others who have a similar kind of straightness on their face, force yourself to smile. Then watch the other person return the smile - perhaps not to the same extent or for so long, or absolutely immediately - but it will return. This is the absolute and often instant proof of the 'ripple and reflect effect'. You get back whatever you put out. We know this, but we forget, and then wonder why everyone seems to give us a straight face, even a grumpy face, on a regular basis. Now learn to make the smile more real, deeper, smilier! Where does a real smile begin? From the heart. Can you smile at will from the heart? Why not? You need to find out soon, because you will live an unsmiling life if you don't find out what is stopping your heart reaching your face! No one else is responsible - there's only you in there! So don't go blaming others if you are not radiating from head and heart. What's blocking it? Take your time. Look in, listen in and see. You'll be surprised. You'll probably laugh, and say "How silly!"

Soul Sustenance

Uprooting The Emotion Of Worry From The Consciousness (Part 2) 

In yesterday’s message, we had explained how worry is the wrong use of the imaginative capacity of the mind and intellect. On the other hand, imagining possible positive outcomes or results will have a double effect of not only keeping the negative outcomes away from us (even if there is a possibility of them occurring), but will also attract the positive results towards us. But to ensure that both these processes happen, it’s important not to attach possible negative results to the same, even to the minutest extent, otherwise the probability of positive futures becoming a reality reduces. Worrying is another word for this attachment process. 

Worry is a type of mental habit, which arises from the belief that it’s good to worry. This belief gets acquired during our childhood. And then it keeps getting strengthened from our life experiences. We start from this belief. That attracts negative circumstances; as a result the belief gets strengthened further, because you think that with life full of so many negative circumstances, it’s important to think of negative outcomes beforehand. You don’t realize that these negative situations occurred in the first place largely due to this belief. When we are faced with a negative situation, again we worry because we hold that belief. Again it’s the same result. In this way, we are caught in a vicious cycle. How do we come out of this cycle? By changing this belief to – it’s not good to worry. Once we do that, there is no guarantee that negative situations will completely stop arising in our life, because we have performed negative actions in the past (either in this birth or past births), which need to be settled in our present, but the extent of negative situations will be minimized. And even if they do come, they will bid goodbye sooner, if we have a worry-free consciousness. 

Message of the day

To recognise one's own fortune is to be constantly happy. 

Expression:When there is an awareness of one's own fortune, there are no expectations from people and situations. Due to this I am able to recognise and use my own resources for my own benefit and also for the benefit of others. One's happiness also spreads out to the others and they too become happy. 

Experience: When I recognise constantly my own fortune, I am able to make the best use of it. I constantly remain content and am able to move forward with happiness. I never become upset with the various unexpected situations that come my way, but am able to see them as test papers that will help me move on to the next step. So I never get tired of continuing to put in effort. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 26.11.2016

Need Nothing

Everyone thinks they need to get something. But the truth is we don't need anything. We already have what we need. Trouble arises when we think we have to keep what we receive. It's the keeping that sustains our neediness. But whatever comes to us is not for keeping, it is for giving. And when you give, you get. Deep down we all know this eternal truth. It's one of those cast iron laws of the universe. But we are conditioned to think the opposite. No wonder there is a poverty of faith. Not religious faith, but the faith that the universe will bring us whatever we need, at the right moment in the right way. So start today - give, give, give - time, energy, assistance, care, and co-operation. On how many levels do you see the opportunity to give? It's good to be a 'just do it' person. Even better to be a 'just give it' person. And the paradox will make itself known - when you give you will realize you already have everything you need.

Soul Sustenance

Uprooting The Emotion Of Worry From The Consciousness (Part 1) 

What is a good definition of worry? Worry is a process of imagining the worst possible outcome or result or future in a particular situation and creating a living and active image of it in front of the eye of your mind, and then using the energy of that negative image to flow inside your consciousness so as to completely overpower or weaken your spiritual and as a result your physical self to evoke fear in the self. 

When people are asked about this process, a person who is attached to this process and is involved in the process very regularly the whole day in different types of situations, one who is a habitual worrier, responds - But it’s important t0 worry, it’s good to worry. If we don’t think of different possible negative outcomes, how will we prepare for them? It’s important to realize that the belief, that by worrying, we prepare for the worst in the future is a false one.This belief causes us not to realize the truth that all worry is simply an incorrect and fruitless creation. It is a wrong use of the positive, constructive and imaginative capacity of our mind and intellect which, instead of empowering the mind and intellect, weakens it. Preparing for the future is important and necessary, but very often while doing that, we enter the territory of worry, which leaves us, defeated or weakened. There is an extremely fine line between proactive preparation (necessary preparation in advance) on the one hand and worry on the other. The preparation can be done without creating an excessive number of possible negative outcomes in the mind. 

(To be continued tomorrow …) 

Message of the day

The way to be rid of waste thoughts is to maintain a powerful thought. 

Expression:When the intellect is accomplished with powerful thoughts, waste thoughts cannot enter. Only when the intellect remains empty that there is place for waste thoughts to enter. To be busy with elevated thoughts is to keep the mind free from waste. All it needs is to turn on the switch of one powerful thought, then wastage finishes. This is just like a switch which brings light and finishes darkness. Then there is no wastage in words and actions too. 

Experience: When I make the pracitce of keeping a single elevated thought in my intellect, I am able to be free from the bondage of wastage. I find that a lot of time and energy of mine is saved. Even when there is an external situation of conflict, chaos and confusion, there is no internal chaos and there is only power in my thoughts. So I make decisions easily and quickly and I enjoy all the situations that come my way. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 25.11.2016

Everything's Fine

To a truly contented and enlightened soul everything in the world, which means the way the world is right now, is just fine. To the unenlightened and discontented soul this will sound like a massive avoidance. But think about it. Does the masterful actor go to the theatre for their evening performance, and on entering the stage start shifting the backdrop, altering the scenery and moving the props around? Of course not, they are totally concentrated on the role they need to create and play to the best of their ability. And so it is with the world. The backdrop to our life is the way things are at this moment in time. The props are exactly where they are meant to be at this moment in time. Many people spend their whole lives trying to change the backdrop and move the props around, little realizing the futility of the exercise. Yes they may succeed in altering an angle here, a minute part of the picture there. But all at the cost of the focus and the energy needed to put on their best performance. Little did they realize that if they had fully focused on their performance and achieved their own highest standards of excellence, not only would those around them be immensely enriched, but the backdrop and the props of their life would have changed automatically, as the invitations roll in to perform their life elsewhere.  Excellence is a much more powerful influence in the world than discontent. So everything is fine out there. No one said it's perfect. But it is exactly the way it should be ...at this moment. So here is the paradox of effective change - if you want to influence change for the better, then the most effective way to begin is with contentment with the way things are. The way things are, are the way things are meant to be!

Soul Sustenance

Experiencing And Maintaining A State Of Contentment 

To reach, experience and maintain a state of contentment or fulfillment you have to first realize what true freedom is and then learn how to use it so that it strengthens you and also helps you to achieve the full potential of your individual self. Freedom is the key to contentment. You also need to check what brings you close to the state of fulfillment and what takes you away from it. Fears of different kinds are one of the main obstacles in experiencing contentment. Any weakness, inability to apply any virtue or spiritual powerrequired in any situation, lack of focus, inner instability, etc. will cause a leakage of the energy of positivity that is required to feel content. Free yourself of any personality trait that hinders your progress and does not allow your inner being to manifest itself and express itself with all its potential. To live in contentment, you should be in charge of your inner mental and emotional world. If not, you will only be able to experience temporary periods of fulfillment. 

To achieve fulfillment you not only have to have inner control, but you also need to check whether there is any door open to allow any weakness to enter the room of your personality. Because if you strengthen yourself on the one hand and on the other you are weakened, you will never reach the desired state of inner power. E.g. you keep a bucket of water under a tap of water. If it has even a single crack, however much water you pour into the bucket, it will never get filled completely. In the same way, this can happen to you. Because of this, you need to check, which cracks are present in your personality through which there are leaks of energy, because of which your efforts to become content do not give you the results you hope for.

Message of the day

As is the consciousness, so are the thoughts, words and actions. 

Expression:To have the right consciousness means to identify oneself with one's own specialities and powers and not to work with weaknesses. When there is such an elevated consciousness, then there is power in all thoughts, words and actions. Effort need not be put for specially making them powerful and effective. Even if they are tried to be made powerful without changing the consciousness the effort put goes in vain. 

Experience: As I have a powerful consciousness and I am set firmly on this seat, no outside situation or person can disturb me or my internal state of mind. I am free from negative and waste and also from being ordinary. I am free from labouring and of having to fight with my thoughts in order to maintain the right thoughts. And I find that there is only speciality within. Others too are able to take benefit from this speciality. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 24.11.2016

Exercise and Diet

Unhealthy lifestyles are rooted in the mind and seeded in the soul. The spiritual exercise of the mind involves taking the mind out of the physical body and to the subtle, angelic body of light and then to our state of being a soul - a sentient point of light and power. As for diet control, pure thoughts are the healthy diet for the mind. Creative thoughts are like vitamins and positive thoughts provide proteins that build will power, while thoughts of serving others are like carbohydrates, which provide energy for the mind.

Soul Sustenance

Rising Above Limits And Mental Barriers (Part 3) 

When a mental limit has been set in our minds, the first thing one needs to do is look inwards and check it. The next step is to change it with the help of mental strength and spiritual power, without which the limit continues to dominate our personalities. This process is called – check and change. So, the weak personality characteristic in the form of a mental barrier which is influencing our thought patterns is first checked. It is then erased (removed) or transformed (changed) into a powerful nature characteristic which then is able to dominate the limit set and bring it down. Also, we need to stand back from the weak thought patterns, observe them and steer or change their direction from a negative frame of mind to a positive one. This is another method of working on winning or lifting the barrier. A person who is constantly thinking about failure needs to check that personality characteristic. Also, he needs to check the number of thoughts that he creates in one particular day which are focused on the possibility of failure in his life. He then needs to change them to affirmations or positive thoughts of success. These thoughts should be accompanied by visualizing the success repeatedly in a complete day with no room for the weak thoughts and images of possible failure to enter his mind. 

There are 3 types of people – the first type are neither able to check and as a result they are not able to change. The second type are sensitive enough to check but they do not have the power to transform or change the direction of the thought patterns. This is either due to lack of the power of determination or they are determined but lack the mental strength to do that. The third type can check and change both and overcome the limit and mental barrier with their mental strength. There are various methods of increasing mental strength. Some of them are – creating positive and powerful thoughts related to the virtues of peace, love, joy, bliss, purity, power and truth. Also, thinking deeply or churning spiritual knowledge listened to or read in the morning.Another method is meditation. Meditation is a connection between the soul and the Supreme Being or God. 

Message of the day

The one who is powerful finds one or the other means to finish waste. 

Expression:Life brings lots of situations which naturally bring about waste thoughts. But the one who is powerful searches for ways and means to finish this waste. Such a person is like a skilled player who is waiting for an opportunity to give his best. So each situation is used as a means to use of all the resources in the right way. Even if there is one method that doesn't work, there is always a search for a new method to bring about the right solution.

Experience: When I am able to remain powerful even in the most difficult situation, I am able to recognise the powers that are within me and use them for overcoming that situation. I am never afraid of difficult situations, nor do I wish for life to be smooth without difficulties. Instead, I use each problem as a challenge to bring out the best from within me. So with each challenging situation, I find myself becoming more and more powerful. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 23.11.2016

Radiate Happiness

Have you ever noticed that happiness is not a dependency, it is a decision? You don't actually need anything to be happy. It's not something that comes from outside, it comes from inside, and when you radiate a happy energy you'll be amazed what it attracts into your life. Don't worry, be happy...sound familiar? Decide now, be happy, and watch magic begin to enter your life.

Soul Sustenance

Rising Above Limits And Mental Barriers (Part 2) 

A significant reduction in our success rate in coming out of difficult situations is brought about by confusion or a lack of positive conviction. This lack of positivity is caused by different types of positionings of the mind which are harmful to our power of determination or faith. You know the story about the elephant whose one leg used to be tied using a small rope since the time he was young and he used to experience a lack of freedom in moving around wherever he wished. At that age, the small rope was enough to tie the elephant. As the elephant grew bigger, he possessed the physical strength to break the rope and wander around freely but instead of making use of his strength to break the rope, he did not do so. He remained confined to the same small region where he used to be tied because his mind was conditioned that he cannot break the rope, which is an example of a mental limitation. In a similar manner, the inner region of our mind is the place where we as children got used to being tied with the different types of ropes of a lack of optimism or positivity. E.g. I cannot do well or I am not good enough or I am not as successful as others or I am low on self-confidence or I am an under-achiever. These ropes in many people are so strong that a time comes when situations of success have arrived in their life in different forms as they have grown up and they have achieved reasonably in different spheres of life. At that time they can easily break these different ropes, but they still remain low on optimism. This lack of optimism restricts their freedom to succeed and ability to achieve bigger and upto the potential they possess and as expected by their friends and people whom they are close to. 

The reason why our hidden potential remains untapped in most cases is a weak consciousness. This weakness is caused by emotional limitations in the form of weak thoughts and feelings over the years. These thoughts and feelings have been expressed sometimes without us realizing how each thought and feeling is having a powerful negative effect on the situations around us. Also they keep coming back to us negatively in the long term. Limits are self-created and not imposed by society or circumstances on us as some of us might think and seem to experience from our life journey. We often say I feel I am weak because the following person has dominated me all my life. The dominating person is not the cause of our low self esteem. It’s what shape we have given to all his words and actions in our minds since we have been with him, is the cause of us seeing ourselves in a poor light and feeling under-confident. 

(To be continued tomorrow …) 

Message of the day

To look at and appreciate specialities is to become special. 

Expression:Life constantly offers opportunities to look at specialities. The one who has the habit of looking at these specialities is able to imbibe these specialities within himself. He is able to become more special with looking at only specialities constantly. So also, the one who looks at others' weaknesses subconsciously imbibes those weaknesses within himself. And these weaknesses are expressed in one's actions too. 

Experience: When I form a habit of looking only at specialities, I am able to become richer. My personality changes positively as I have imbibed the habit of looking only at the positive aspects of the others. Also for having looked at others' specialities I find that others also begin to look at my specialities. Thus I am able to win the love and regard of all, and I become truly special. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 22.11.2016

Start Early

The best time to awaken both body and spirit is in the early morning. We are fresh, in solitude, and the vibrations of the world are at their calmest. It is not surprising that you will find all experienced meditators and yogis up with the dawn, inviting the sun of spirit to shine into the heart of their soul. The first half hour of conscious awareness will be the foundation of your day. Make an early start. Meditate, set the switch of your consciousness and calibrate your energy for the day. You'll be surprised the difference it makes.

Soul Sustenance

Rising Above Limits And Mental Barriers (Part 1) 

Rising above mental limitations, which are obstacles in our life journey and slow our progress towards our life goals, is an important spiritual skill that we need to be trained in. A limitation or a barrier is a self created thought which reduces our power of determination and power to succeed in any life sphere.Suppose I have a broken relationship with a loved one, like a parent or a sibling (brother or sister) or a life partner. This causes a belief to set inside my mind that I have been unsuccessful in handling a relationship well. The belief can result in a negative perception that all relationships are sorrow giving. When that perception then starts flowing in our actions and people whom we are close to do not receive the positive energy from us which they should, it starts affecting relationships negatively. 

Also, sometimes we do not know why a particular person is distancing himself from us when our words and actions towards the person are what they are expecting? In these cases, our mind has been imprisoned by an incorrect belief like the one shared above and that has affected our perception of the other person negatively. The energy of that perception constantly travels to the other person and hits him or her which causes the other person to respond to us in a manner which is different from what we would like them to. So, the mental limit is in the background in these cases. It is a self-limiting thought or series of thoughts which we constantly create either consciously or sub-consciously. Suppose, I have fared badly in a school exam in one year. As a result, I have formed a series of mental barriers in our mind like – I am not so sharp or competitive or I am a nervous exam giver or I am not so intelligent or I cannot succeed. Such barriers are strong mental forces which are like hammers hitting on our mind and personality. This causes a negative impact on future events of the same nature, in this case the giving of another school exam. 

(To be continued tomorrow …) 

Message of the day

To make use of situations in a positive way is to experience constant progress.

Expression:Each and every situation comes with a hidden blessing - a hidden opportunity. It of course brings challenges, challenges that could bring out the best potential from within. But the one who is caught up with only weaknesses never gets a chance to use these challenging situations as opportunities. On the other hand, the one who uses his potential is able to be from his weaknesses also.

Experience: When I am able to use all situations as opportunities to recognise and use my inner potential, I am able to be free from the influence of my weaknesses. This freedom gives me the ability to enjoy this moment without filling the mind with unnecessary doubts and questions. It gives the ability to bring about progress in my life, whatever the circumstance may be.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 21.11.2016

Take a High Jump

Instead of breaking the rock of problems with the hammer of waste thoughts, take a high jump and become one who crosses over the rock of problems.

Soul Sustenance

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Success In Your Stride (Part 3) 

When told for the first time, we all think that isn’t it a little natural to be a little egoistic when coming into contact with people who are connected to us in our roles of success. Also sometimes some of us, in the wave of success, think it’s fine to order around people, either our family members or other people who come in contact with us. This could be at the workplace or in the spiritual service of humanity or for that matter any sphere of action. But do we remember, the moment we try and control people, we will stop influencing them and our ability to bring about changes in them reduces. And a successful person without the ability to influence people’s opinions and bring the same in the favour of a common cause is like a ship without a rudder, which is used to steer a ship or change its direction. He cannot steer or change people as per the demands of the role of success and make it even more successful. Also, many people leave their basic goodness after having achieved something. Often, we see many people, after having become successful, talking rudely to others, taking for granted the others’ good behavior and also seeing them as inferior. Success seems to bring for them, on the surface, the negative personality characteristics which were not a part of their natures before becoming successful. So, for them, success is temporary because a sweet natured individual, after having tasted success, can truly be called successful. 

Also, success for some, takes them away from the Supreme. On the other hand, for some a relationship with the Supreme is strengthened because he has blessed them directly or indirectly with the gift of success – that belief is strong. There are many examples of successful people who became better people after becoming successful. How do we remain egoless after success? Love for God is the deepest and purest love in which surrendering the ego becomes very easy. It is said commonly at the Brahma Kumaris – the return of the love and success that God showers on us is to turn or transform ourselves.So keeping praising the Sweet Lord in success and remain seated on the throne of pure pride or self-esteem. And in return of that, he will fill your life with more and more success, admiration, praise, respect, love and good wishes from each one. 

Message of the day

The one who is virtuous is loved by all. 

Expression:The one who doesn't let go of his commitment to his values is the one who is loved by all. Such a person is not concerned whether the other person is committed to his own values or not. He continues to recognise and express his values in all words and actions. Hence the expression of his values is not dependent on others or situations and he continues to win the love of all. 

Experience: When I am committed to my own values, I enjoy using them in whatever I do. I am free from expectations - from situations and from people. I am able to accept people as they are and also appreciate them for their own value system. So I never expect people to change according to my expectations and I continue to win the love of all. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 20.11.2016

Just Having Fun

Work without happiness is like a burden that you have to endure, but when you are internally happy it becomes a game, and you're just having fun.

Soul Sustenance

Success In Your Stride (Part 2) 

Success stories across the world are measured for their worth not just by what was achieved in a particular life sphere. They are also seen by how the people excelling in their field took success in their stride. Also, how much did they dedicate the success to the Higher Power with the wisest intellect and the one responsible for bringing them the success directly or indirectly. We commonly say Thank God in our thought prayers to him. This has been done since hundreds of years. But do we ever be an embodiment of that i.e. do we really, in our interactions with others and in our sacred space of our mind be completely sweet and humble in livingour success. Our success should be filled with the fragrance of God’s love and a dignified and humble feeling of servantship dedicated to the Supreme. Only then, will we be called completelysuccessful. 

There was once a daughter of a farmer in a far off land, who was married to the richest prince of that particular time. She started ruling the kingdom with the newly crowned king with much pride and confidence. There was no one in the kingdom who did not look up to her. She controlled the treasure of the kingdom, which included ruling many far off lands. From a simple village girl, she had the whole kingdom giving her the respect and praise, reserved for the highest of the highest. All was good, until slowly over a period of time, she starting becoming arrogant and her relationship with the successful king and the people of the kingdom starting suffering. She forgot that this sudden change in her fortune was a gift of her noble actions that she had performed in her past births. Also to maintain the rich fortune that she had earned, she had to continue her noble actions i.e. she had to remain egoless and sweet because that is the first sign of nobility. Also, she forgot that a humble leader, before ruling people had to rule their hearts, which is the sign of a true leader. When that happened, people of the kingdom starting remaining away from the queen and she starting being seen with disrespect and she lost all that she had earned. So success can come crashing down in a few moments or days if not maintained by remaining noble and humble. 

(To be continued tomorrow …) 

Message of the day

To change means to experience progress. 

Expression:Whenever there is a desire to bring about a change, there is also a simultaneous intense feeling to find a change instantly - and fully. Yet this does not always happen. However, true change is that in which there is at least a little change. When there is constant effort put in to be better and to do better, then naturally the best results are visible, even if there is not perfection seen overnight. 

Experience: When I bring about a change constantly, in whatever little way I can, I am able to experience constant progress. I do not have great expectations, but will be satisfied with the little changes that I make and will have the confidence to go on putting in effort. Even with the little results that I attain I will be able to take encouragement constantly. I am thus able to move on towards perfection. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 19.11.2016

Principle of Pure Love

If we obey the principle of pure love, our life will always go in the right direction. Altruistic and unconditional love is pure and comes from our inner truth. When we are obedient to that inner truth, our life becomes a joyful dance.

Soul Sustenance

Success In Your Stride (Part 1) 

Reaching milestones or arriving at significant turning points in life bring with them praise and respect from different people whom we are connected with. Life does not remain the same as a fresh flavor of a pure pride based on what we have achieved is added to life. If spiritually defined, a pride based on soul-consciousness can be defined as being in the positive consciousness of the qualities, powers and skills of the soul. These are non-physical capabilities and are given a physical face by karmas, which involve words, actions and relationships. This pride is called self-esteem. On the other hand, a pride based on the physical body consciousness, which is called ego, can be defined as attaching yourself to your role. Also, the non-physical aspect is forgotten completely, forgetting that the qualities and the talents which are responsible for success are not exactly mine. They are a gift of my past actions, which were inspired by the remembrance of the Supreme. 

We might argue that the skills are mine and are the only reason behind the success story of my life. But we do forget that all good actions performed by us over many previous births are the reason why we are gifted with specialties today (as a result of those actions). These actions were directly or indirectly related to the remembrance of God and performing pure actions or punya karmas in the name of God. Both were an absolutely common part of our lives just about 100-150 years ago. Do you know that all of us, even the most advanced personalities amongst us presently, remembered God everyday for quite some time till a few hundred years ago in different physical costumes or bodies? We did that not only in the form of prayers but also thanking him many times each day for everything he gave us. It’s only after the advancement of science and technology that we starting remaining away from the Supreme. Also, instead of taking success in our stride as a God-given gift, we start taking it as only my destiny, with no role of God to play in the same. That’s when self-esteem starting changing to ego. 

(To be continued tomorrow …) 

Message of the day

To be fully responsible is to inspire responsibility in others. 

Expression:When there is true responsibility, there will be freedom given to others too to be responsible. Ones ideas are not forced on to others but there is full freedom for others to make their own choice. Support and guidance of course are given and people are able to become independent and responsible. 

Experience: When I have learnt to take up the responsibility of my own life, I am able to become self-sufficient and independent and also constantly be available for those around me to become independent and responsible too. There are enough resources in me for those around to take benefit from. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 18.11.2016

Exploring Silence

Human beings often think about things that don’t concern them and about other people. When you think a lot you will use the word 'why'. To become silent means to emerge wisdom from within. To move into dead silence means to go beyond the consciousness of the physical body. This is a very wonderful experience for the soul; it empowers and refreshes the soul.

Soul Sustenance

Listening To The Voice Of The Intellect 

The subtle or non-physical sense organ of the non-physical soul which we use to judge something as right or wrong, good or bad and then make a choice or decision is the intellect. When we are body-conscious, we are attached to many things such as people, our role, objects, money, even our own ideas and beliefs, etc. Due to these attachments, we are constantly creating emotions of fear and anger in the energy of our consciousness. It is these two emotions which then overpower or influence our intellect and stop us from judging clearly and correctly between right and wrong. This constant inner emotional noise of worry and irritation (the seeds of fear and anger) do not allow us to hear the deepest part of our intellect, which is our intuition. 

When we are soul-conscious, we are free from attachment and therefore fear and anger. Our consciousness is calm, focused and keenly aware of the quiet, but extremely wise voice of our intuition (inner wisdom). Decision-making is easier and choices are made out of wisdom rather than fear. Meditation is the method which helps us rise above our mental attachments and allow us to connect with the wisdom in our heart, our intuition, our inner voice, which suggests what the right response or action in any situation, is. A practical example of this is when, after being persuaded by your family members you decide not to smoke any more. You let go of the attachment to my belief that there is nothing wrong with smoking, which then allows you to listen to the heart of the other (their feelings) and your own heart or intellect, which suggests to you the right action for your well-being in the long run. 

Message of the day

Words that do not give courage are waste. 

Expression:When someone is facing a problem, if the words are not those that give courage to the one facing the problem, then such words are wasted. There would be no use of speaking such words. In fact, to speak such words is to discourage the other person further. So when attention is paid to speak only those words that are for the benefit of all there is a positive and a powerful impact on others. 

Experience: Even when I keep attention on a simple thing like speaking only positive words, or words that bring benefit to others, I find myself having only powerful thoughts and words. I am neither discouraged by others' behaviour nor will I ever discourage others. I continue to have faith in others and allow this faith to colour my words and actions. So I find that there is benefit in whatever I speak. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 17.11.2016

Introversion

The ability to enjoy one's own company is one of the greatest gifts life has to offer. Learning to turn my thoughts away from all my responsibilities at the day's end and take my mind into a state of peace and benevolence enables me to carry greater and greater loads without feeling the burden. When my inner landscape is full of beautiful thoughts, everything I do is a pleasure. Gently, I calm down chaotic situations and offer solace to troubled minds.

Soul Sustenance

Regaining The Lost Paradise (Part 3) 

We all know about the day night cycle and the cycle of four seasons. Day is always followed by night and then day after that and the four seasons always repeat every year. In the same way, the day of happiness of the world has existed in the past and was followed by the night of sorrow. In fact the world has also passed through four stages – the morning, afternoon, evening and night. And as the world passed through these stages, sorrow kept increasing and happiness kept reducing. In fact, the first two stages of the world history, which is the unrecorded history, the knowledge of which is known only to God, have been of complete happiness. These two stages are called heaven or paradise or often referred to as the day of humanity. The last two stages saw negative karmas or actions being performed and the fall of human virtues happened, not all of a sudden but gradually. These two stages are often referred to as hell or the night of humanity. 

As souls went through the process of birth and rebirth, they forgot their original spiritual identity and instead started considering the physical body as their identity. This wrong identification caused souls to come under the influence of different types of weaknesses or negative personality characteristics. I am a soul was forgotten and I am this body which I occupy became our incorrect belief. This is how we started falling down over the steps of the sorrow and sin and came to the end of the night of humanity, which is the present moment. Today, inspite of immense scientific advancement, there is enough sorrow of the mind, body, relationships and role in the world. Lot of people feel that we cannot go further down anymore. It’s at this moment when God is performing His role of changing the world and bringing the day of humanity back because the cycle of time repeats itself. Day was followed by night and night will be followed by day.This is also the objective of the Brahma Kumaris – to change the world, make it a beautiful and joyful place to live in and regain the lost paradise. 

Message of the day

To have a positive outlook is to remain in peace. 

Expression:The more one hears and talks about positive things, the more one is able to be free from negative influences. The environment today doesn't give much of a chance for hearing to positivity because of the continuous flow of news about conflict and violence. But changing the theme of conversation and talking about what life gives is to change the responses to the world in a more positive way. 

Experience: When I have a positive outlook, it creates in me hope and enthusiasm for the future. I also have a more positive view of the present reality. I remain in peace, whatever the challenges or negative situations I may have to face. I am able to be in touch with the inner peace and maintain this state of mind under all circumstances. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the 16.11.2016

Rest Easy

Rest does not come with sleeping, it comes with waking. This is both an insight and an action of enlightenment. When we are enlightened we realize that real rest is possible only when we become free of illusion and we no longer struggle against life. Illusion is the idea that people should be, and do, what we want them to. The truth is, all is as it should be, despite appearances, or our perceptions of others to the contrary. This means you can be easy on yourself, easy with others and easy with the world around you. Easiness is a virtue, an attractive one at that. It is much more influential than force. So quit forcing, end the struggling and...relax!

Soul Sustenance

Regaining The Lost Paradise (Part 2) 

Let’s go back into the history of the world. We are not talking about only recorded history. Let’s talk about those moments of the world which are not in our history books. Who is the one who knows those moments the best and with complete accuracy? Not any of us, but only the One who has seen those moments without playing a part in them. God has seen those moments. He has seen us play a role in those scenes which took place in the world. Those moments are called by different names – Paradise, Heaven, Swarg, Garden of Eden, Garden of Allah, Bahist in different religions and countries of the world. This world existed before our recorded history. It was a world where the seven basic virtues of humans – peace, joy, love, bliss, purity, power and truth existed in abundance. Also, because human souls were full of these qualities, they never experienced sorrow because no negative actions were performed. This is the world, where richness and health were also present in complete positivity with no trace of poverty and illness. 

This is the world that was created by God and that is why God is also called the Heavenly God Father and the world that He created is called heaven. In this world, there was complete unity and love amongst humans and no wars were fought and no natural disasters ever took place. This is because nature was complete pure. Also, the physical bodies made of the five elements of nature were not only very beautiful and pure but also completely free from any type of disease or illness. Even animals lived in complete harmony and peace amongst each other. Also, everyone in this world was holy. This is our unrecorded history which is never spoken about so much. It is only mentioned in our scriptures or shastras. 

(To be continued tomorrow …) 

Message of the day

Cooperation creates space for learning and growth. 

Expression:The one who cooperates and inspires cooperation is able to create a conducive environment for the progress of all. To inspire cooperation means to be able to relate to the positivity in those around. Relating to the positive aspect naturally inspires others to use their specialities for the success of the task. Their good wishes for the task too emerge very naturally. 

Experience: Since I am able to relate to others' positivity, I find myself enriched with it. I subconsciously imbibe what I perceive. I get a chance and a space to learn and progress. The journey towards success in itself is a joyful experience and there is harmony in working with others. Thus I find success too easy to achieve as there is the contribution of each one's speciality for the task. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 15.11.2016

Live Values

Values are those things, both tangible and intangible, which we care about the most. Most of us demonstrate by our actions that our values are mostly tangible or material. But if we were to reflect for a moment we might find that what we truly value is very intangible. Love, peace and happiness are our deepest values whether we are aware of it or not. So let's experiment. If peace is something you value, then how will you live peacefully today. You experience what you live. So if you want peace in your life...give it and you'll live it. Or do you prefer a bit of anger and stress? We are all artists and it's only when we paint our own life with the innate values of our spirit, which are also our eternal virtues, that we are truly creative. Paint a little peace, love and wisdom into your life today. If you do, and you make it a regular inner activity, the giving is automatic and the living is...easy!

Soul Sustenance

Regaining The Lost Paradise (Part 1) 

We live in a world full of different types of people belonging to different countries and religions. All of us aspire to create an existence for us, which is very beautiful and completely free from any sorrow and peacelessness.We all want to live united and share peace and happiness with each other. Also, all of us want to live like a big family, where there is no difference of opinions amongst people and everyone loves and respects each other a lot.Sometimes, many world leaders, in the world’s history have tried to create a world of peace and joy and even today many countries aspire for that. Even organizations like the United Nations aim for that. 

So, one thing is certain that the desire is there in everyone’s hearts. Most importantly God is the world’s Spiritual Father, who wants His every child to be happy and free from any sorrow or the pressure of difficult circumstances. But it is also true that there are certain factors like the existence of many people with very negative personalities in the world, natural disasters and also terrorism which stop this from happening. Also, wars are being fought in certain corners of the world along with the existence of other anti-social elements, which prevent this from happening. Along with that, the deteriorating natures of people in general, where anger, ego, greed, jealousy and hatred have become a part of the personality of a lot of people is also not letting this purpose to be achieved. So, what should be done so that what we want, we are able to fulfill. This dream cannot become a reality without spiritual power. And the only one who can provide spiritual power is the One who is completely full with it i.e. our Supreme Father or God. He is called the World Almighty or the most powerful one and here we are referring to spiritual power and not physical power. Physical power cannot achieve this purpose, as we have already seen happen in the world in the past. 

(To be continued tomorrow …) 

Message of the day

To be wise is to enjoy the beauty of life. 

Expression:Wisdom gives the understanding that life does not function haphazardly. It teaches that everything that happens in this theatre of life has deep meaning and significance. Wisdom also brings the understanding that what is reaped today is a result of what was sown yesterday. So whatever actions are done now are filled with positivity and beauty - for, there is always the desire to reap better fruits. 

Experience: When I have the true understanding I find myself satisfied and content with everything that is happening in my life. Yet there is the desire and the urge to go on being creative and using my resources for the benefit of all. I go on planting beautiful seeds of positivity and power. So I continue to enjoy the fruits of the seeds I plant. I never stop with obstacles but move forward with confidence. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the 14.11.2016

The Influence of Gossip

I cannot afford to overlook the influence that other people have on me. To what extent do I check that I am not being influenced by gossip? Negativity in the mind is like poison. Negative thoughts are the seeds of negative actions. Gossip and guessing bring sorrow, heaviness and distrust. Hear no evil. See no evil. Speak no evil. Think no evil.