Thought of the day 29.9.2016

Truly and Permanently Happy

The secret to life's purpose is to be happy. In order to be truly and permanently happy, we have to fulfil our best intentions and act on them right away ... even if that means we start by just giving good thoughts to them.

Soul Sustenance

Tuning The Mind, Intellect And Personality (Sanskars) 

The soul, is made up of three faculties - the mind, intellect and personality (sanskars).In order to tune these to the highest degree of subtlety, precision and efficiency; we need to connect with the Supreme Soul, who is also a soul, just like us, but has a perfect mind and intellect along with perfectsanskars: 

Mind - The Supreme Being or God is an embodiment of positivity – negative and waste do not find a place in his mind. 

Intellect - He is also the purest living energy in the entire universe – he is the innocent Lord; a being of conscious light, who has never taken a body and thus never experienced the five vices – lust, anger, greed, ego and attachment. 

Sanskars - God is the ocean of the basic virtues of the soul and of humanity – peace, love, bliss, joy, power and purity. 

By this connection, gradually over a period of time, our mind, intellect and sanskars begin to become like his – mind becomes full of positivity; intellect begins to become pure and is able to take correct decisions so that right karmas are performed and sanskars become full of the virtues mentioned above. 

Message of the day

To donate virtues is the greatest donation. 

Expression:To donate virtues means to express virtues through one's own words and actions. There is some or the other value revealed through all words and actions. The ones who constantly have the aim of donating virtues naturally bring benefit to all they come into contact with. No one would go away empty handed from such people. 

Experience: When I constantly have the aim of using my virtues I have the satisfaction of giving continuously under all circumstances. I also find my own treasures of virtues increasing and I find myself richer and better than what I was. Thus I experience constant progress in my life. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 28.9.2016

Trust In Others

Trust in others wins co-operation from them. To have faith in others also means reinforcing other people's faith in themselves. This naturally increases their self-confidence and creates enthusiasm. Then they become better able to respond to positive feelings and access their full potential. If I notice someone I work with is not co-operating with me I need to check my own faith in that person. When I am able to appreciate them for their own unique qualities, my faith in that person will grow.

Soul Sustenance

Following God’s Footsteps (Part 3) 

God’s positive characteristics are countless and one can never stop remembering them. All that He is and possesses inside Him, He shares with the world. That is why He is so loved and respected all over the world. In the same manner as He serves the world, we are His children and need to learn to follow in His footsteps and become similar to Him, if not the same. So, everyday check yourself whether you are an obedient child of God.Obedience means – Follow Father, that means always follow God and set an example for others to follow you. 

God is the most perfect being that exists and becoming similar to Him means becoming full of peace, joy, love, bliss, purity, power and knowledge. We cannot become an ocean of these virtues like Him, but we can follow Him and become similar to His qualities. That should be our goal. So, in every thought, word and action, let these virtues show and flow to others. Give yourself in others’ service. God is a constant server. His service is giving these seven qualities to us human beings and to the world in general. The more we also keep an aim of doing the same, the more full of those qualities we will become. The more peace, love and happiness we give to others, the more peaceful, loveful and happy we will become because this is a principle of human emotions. Giving is filling inside oneself. Also, become soul conscious, pure and humble like Him. If God’s personality is to be made one’s own or my personality is to be shaped liked how God’s personality is, then remember God a lot. Also, all that you take from Him, share with others. That will bring them closer to this Highest One that exists – the Supreme Father, the Supreme Soul, the Supreme Being – my Father and your Father, our eternal Father - God. 

Message of the day

Easy nature makes tasks easy. 

Expression:The ones with an easy nature constantly think of solutions instead of problems. So such individuals are free from the burden of problems and are constantly contributing to make things easy for themselves and others too. The right environment to bring out the best result is naturally created by them. 

Experience: When I have an easy nature, I am able to put a full stop in a second with great ease. I am not caught with the waste questions and exclamations. So I am able to enjoy everything that comes my way and move forward constantly with lightness. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 27.9.2016

Diamond Consciousness

When you look at the world through your physical eyes, you will see all the facets of our diversity: culture, race, personality, religion and so on. Seeing only through your physical eyes, it is easy to become stubborn and to try to prove yourself right. However where there is stubbornness there is no love. And trying to prove the self-right is equally offensive. A diamond will sparkle even in the dust; you do not ever need to prove that you are right. In the face of the dangers that come from seeing only with the physical eyes, always think: now is the time to go beyond all divisions, beyond all that limits us and our sense of self. Whatever the race, the religion, the class - our consciousness now has to go beyond all of that.

Soul Sustenance

Following God’s Footsteps (Part 2) 

A very important characteristic of God is that He is an ocean of seven important qualities – peace, joy, love, bliss, purity, power and knowledge. There is no one as full spiritually, as Him. And the most important thing about God is that He is constant. That means He never loses these qualities by performing negative actions, as do. Even we have many qualities, but when we perform actions, which are sometimes negative, we lose these qualities. Also, when we lose our qualities, we take them from God to become full again. 

Another aspect of God’s nature is that He is completely soul conscious, pure and humble at all times. These three characteristics are what make Him the Supreme Soul of the Universe. In fact, He is not restricted to this Universe, but is a resident of the soul world, which is a non-physical world beyond the sun, moon and stars or the world of five elements. He comes down in the world, when there is sorrow and peacelessness prevalent in the world and changes the world into one which is free from sorrow. He brings a world in which there is complete peace and love amongst human beings. So, He is a Supreme parent. In the same way as a physical parent takes care of his or her children and cannot see them suffer or experience sorrow, God always wants to see the world in happiness and united at all times. This is His nature and He is the only one who can perform this role because He is an ocean of qualities with which He brings benefit to the world. 

(To be continued tomorrow …) 

Message of the day

There is victory for the person who opposes the weaknesses instead of the person. 

Expression:Instead of trying to win over a person who displays any negative qualities, one needs to oppose the negativity itself. The one who knows the art of doing this will never do anything to encourage the weakness in the other person but will provide all help to finish it fully. 

Experience: Since I am able to look at the weakness only and am trying to finish it, I will be free from negative feelings of dislike and hatred. There would be a genuine feeling of love, which in turn provides the right environment for the other person's growth. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 26.9.2016

Non-violence

True non-violence means never hurting others even through words. Most of us make a great effort not to hurt people physically, but sometimes we hurt others through our words, often accidently.

Today I will really think about the consequence of my words before I speak and consider how they might hurt others, I will also notice how when I do express negativity it makes those around me feel negative, which in turn affects me for the worst too.

Soul Sustenance

Following God’s Footsteps (Part 1) 

We all look upto Him. He is the one whom everyone remembers and is the one common Supreme Power that connects all of us together through a common relationship with Him.God is the Father of Humanity and the one whom we all love and respect the most because He is there with us eternally. He never stops taking care of us and helping us in our time of trouble or sorrow. There is never been a single moment in our life, when God is not available to us, when we have wanted His care and support. His love is a constant companion of ours. Even as a child, we were taught by our parents and other elders to always respect God and take His help right from the morning to the night in every little action we performed. Although as elders, sometimes we forget Him when we are busy in our daily routine and sometimes we give greater importance to our worldly loved ones. 

God is the spiritual father and the loving parent of each soul or human being in the world. In fact, every specie of the world and even nature’s seed is God. He is called the creator because He transforms every human being and the entire planet from impure or old to pure or new. This is His task which He performs for the world. And because He is the creator in this way, everyone remembers Him so much because of all that He has done for us. This is the task which makes Him so worship-worthy and the most respected One in the entire Universe. 

(To be continued tomorrow …) 

Message of the day

Faith is the key to the best use of one's fortune. 

Expression:For the one who has faith, in the self and in things, there is only positivity. Under all circumstances, there are only opportunities and treasures seen. Each moment is an inner urge to discover these hidden treasures and make the best use of them. So the one who has faith draws out the best from each and every situation. 

Experience: When I am able to move forward with faith, I am encouraged to give my best under all circumstances and am able to enjoy the best fruit of the effort that I put in. Faith gives me the courage to go on even during difficult times and so I have the satisfaction of bringing about constant change and progress in my life. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 25.9.2016

True Peace

True peace can be experienced only when we stop giving and taking sorrow. In order not to give sorrow we need a clear heart that has no ill feelings and for not taking sorrow we need a big heart that can tolerate and help other souls to get over their weaknesses.

Soul Sustenance

The Power Of Concentrated Thought (Part 3) 

Yesterday we had discussed external influences. Some of the internal influences or voices include the influence or voice of: 

- selfish or impure desires of name, fame, revenge, greed, remaining in control of a situation or a person or dominating a situation or a person;
- the ego;
- the past;
- our inner conscience;
- pure desires;
- the Supreme Being or God;
- our worries of the present or of the future;
- temporary negative sanskars or personality traits;
- original or inherent positive sanskars or personality traits;
- attachments to people, situations, material objects, etc.;
- jealousy or dislike for a particular person, etc. 

We are exposed to some or all these influences, whether external or internal, all the time. If we are not strong, our mind weakens under so many influences, which as a result, becomes unclear, confused and unfocused. Because of all of this, on the one hand, we need to have good judgment power to remain connected to what is essential, important and true, and on the other hand, you have to strengthen your thought, that is, think less; think more slowly; more concentrated and clearly with focus, a sense of purpose and positivity.That thought is like an arrow; it has positive force and clarity and it always bears powerful fruit. This kind of thought is called concentrated thought. The practice of introversion or meditation for a minute or few minutes at regular intervals during the day helps us remain above all influences and constantly feeds our mind with the power of silence, which helps us remain in this experience of concentrated thought easily.

Message of the day 25.9.2016

To recognise one's own uniqueness is to respect oneself. 

Expression:To have respect for oneself based on other people's opinion or situational achievements is to have respect temporarily. True respect for the self is based on the recognition of the fact that every individual is unique with its own set of unique capabilities. This understanding enables one to see one's own uniqueness without being influenced or without comparing with others. 

Experience: When I know to recognise and appreciate my own uniqueness and respect myself on this basis, I am able to be free from ego or a feeling of inferiority. I am also able to recognise naturally the uniqueness of the other person and respect him for it. Thus I am able to win the love and respect of others too. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 24.9.2016

Bring Light

There is some darkness in most human minds today, so there is a darkness component in most scenes and situations. Why else is there so much unhappiness and sorrow in the world? So how much value can be given to someone who is able to bring light and lightness to a place or a moment, where others have brought their dark? Like a crown of sparkling jewels, their presence and their words are priceless. It may only be a gentle smile of comfort, an attitude of genuine interest, some words which diffuse an awkward moment. Those who stay light in spirit while others weave their dark are both illuminated and illuminators. Watch out for such a moment today where you may illuminate. Make that moment momentous!

Soul Sustenance

The Power Of Concentrated Thought (Part 2) 

One important component that doesn’t let us remain in the healthy and positive experience of concentrated thought is the many different types of influences we are exposed to in our life. There are two different types of influences – external andinternal. These influences can also be called voices. Voices from outside as well as inside speak to us. 

External influences or voices are of people whom we come in contact with at home, at the workplace, at school or college, at the club, in the media etc. or elsewhere. These people are those whom we either see as equals or look upto. They could be our friends, our parents, our spouse, our teacher, our guru, our doctor, our neighbor, our colleagues, our boss, actors or sportsmen whom we admire, even the daily newsreaders or writers, etc. We have been exposed to these influences right from the time we were born. The influences from all these people are not necessarily on a physical level, they can also be on a subtle level of mental vibrations from others. We interact with all or some of these people and spend time with them and whenever we do that they advise us or give us their opinion on a physical level and we also listen to their voices on a subtle, emotional energy level e.g. we spend a lot many hours in the office. We may not interact with our boss all the time but his personality is constantly influencing everyone in the office on a subtle level, including us. The office environment is shaped largely by the head of the office. In the same way, we may be taking care that we listen only to the positive voices of the media and we do not listen to the negative ones, but the all pervading negative atmosphere that exists everywhere due to everyone being exposed to the news of violence, sorrow and impurity from the media, definitely influences us on a subtle level, even though we might not realize it. As children, we have been listening to the subtle voices of our parents, even when we were taking shape in our mother’s womb. 

In tomorrow’s message, we shall explain what our different types of internal influences or voices. 

Message of the day

Simplicity is the promise of happiness. 

Expression:The one who is simple is able to see through the complications of situations and people. He has the ability to only pick out what is useful and worthy from the expanse of all that is available. A simple person's words and actions are the ones that give happiness to those around. 

Experience: When I am simple in my vision and attitude, I am able to remain happy, as I am free from the complications of all that is happening. My mind is not caught up with unnecessary things, and I am able to remain easy in the most difficult situations. This attitude of mine also helps in creating an environment of happiness where others too experience this happiness. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 23.9.2016

No Limits

You are as large as your dreams.

Soul Sustenance

The Power Of Concentrated Thought (Part 1) 

The thoughts that we create are of different nature, different intensity and their quantity also varies from time to time during a particular day as well as night and also depending on what action we are performing at that particular moment of time or not performing any action at all.They possess immense potential or power, both positive and negative. They can either liberate (or empower) us or limit (weaken) us. This depends on what we think and how much we think. 

The mind tends to jump from one place to another. Many of our thoughts filled with doubts, dejection, fears, insecurity, irritation, worry, comparisons which give rise to emotions like jealousy or inferiority / superiority complexes, desires, un-enthusiasm, etc. are useless thoughts and weaken us. They defocus us and cloud our inner clarity. Sometimes we keep repeating certain type of thoughts inside our mind, we keep going round in circles. Most of the time, these repetitive thoughts are negative or waste in nature related to the emotions mentioned above. Sometimes the repetitive thoughts can be necessary or positive also. Even necessary and positive thoughts, when repeated again and again, turn into the superfluous (excess) or waste. So it’s important to think in a higher, concentrated way – think less and think powerful; such thoughts have a lot of clarity, focus and spiritual force that help us to put them into practice more successfully. A single thought or a series of thoughts can block the capacity to feel content and awakened spiritually and make us sorrowful. On the other hand, a single thought or a series of positive thoughts can be the key to open the door that allows us to access, enjoy and experience the richness of our inner self. But it has to be a pure, strong, clear and concentrated thought or thoughts. 

(To be continued tomorrow …) 

Message of the day

Fortune is in one's own hands. 

Expression:To have fortune in one's own hands doesn't mean to have it in the lines of one's hands. It means to have the ability to make the best use of all the resources available. When they are put to the best use, they naturally increase. Through right actions one can draw the line of fortune as long as desired. 

Experience: When I understand the significance of my actions and create an elevated fortune for myself through right actions, I am able to experience constant progress in my life. I also naturally become an inspiration for others too, so that they can discover their inner resources to create an elevated fortune for themselves. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 22.9.2016

The Peacemaker

 

The first lesson on the path of becoming a peacemaker is to stop being at war with myself. It is only when the turbulence of my mind ceases that I can begin to make peace with the world.

Soul Sustenance

Creative Visualization 

The incorporeal (non-physical) soul, situated in the centre of the forehead consists of three energies. Although each energy can be given a different name, it is actually the same energy, the soul, functioning on three different levels at the same time. These are the mind, which is the thinking faculty (energy) of the soul; the intellect, which is the decision-making and visualizing faculty (energy) of the soul and the personality characteristics, commonly called sanskaras. 

In the practice of meditation, on one hand, the mind is used to create pure, positive and powerful thoughts or affirmations based on the basic qualities of the soul like peace, contentment, happiness, love, joy, power, etc. Along with that, the intellect is used to create visual images of the same thoughts, which is called creative visualization. This process brings about a positive change in our sanskaras. This is the basic principle used in the Rajyoga meditation taught by the Brahma Kumaris. Creative visualization may be used in various ways to experience true relaxation of the mind. 

Message of the day

The one who is the master of the self is able to master situations and control people. 

Expression:If there is an attempt to control situations and people without trying to control the self it becomes impossible. It only takes things more out of control and leads to extreme emotions like anger. To be a master means to be a master of one's own feelings and emotions under all circumstances. It means to have the reins in one's own hands. 

Experience: When I am able to be a master of my own thoughts, feelings and emotions I am able to deal effectively with situations and people. I never go out of control or lose my cool however difficult the situation or person may be. This enables me to be aware of my own inner resources and use it to be the best of my ability. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 21.9.2016

Balance

When we work only with our heart, success is fleeting. But if we work only with the head, relying on logical thinking, we get the task done but somehow the beauty is missing. To be successful throughout life, I need to balance love with logical thinking. I am then better able to see all the options available to me, which will lead to greater success.

Soul Sustenance

Accept Change, Don’t Resist It (Part 3) 

With reference to yesterday’s message, the third power shared by the Brahma Kumaris to the businessman was the power to let go of all the memories of past negative events.He was advised to take out time to indulge in pure service - share all that he had learnt at the Brahma Kumaris with one person everyday. He made a principle of his life called Each One Teach One Each Day. This became his hobby. All the past negative incidents that were reducing his ability to perceive positively a negative situation and accepting it were pushed back and forgotten. He became a new person, from one with a negative past to one with a fresh mind eager to fill new positive experiences in itself. This would help him in crossing an uncertain present and constructing a positive future. 

Also, another power to achieve success in the change of perception and then accept was the power to think correctly based on beliefs based on spiritual truths. E.g. the belief - I will be unable to emerge victorious over this negative event in my life was replaced by – Every negative situation is a blessing to achieve significant transformation in the self. This is not possible without the existence of the negative event. These spiritual truths were a part of the complete spiritual knowledge of the Brahma Kumaris which is in the form of a week-long, an hour per day, introductory study course. This course was undertaken by the businessman. 

The last power was the power of an everyday morning input of holistic and pure knowledge after the week-long introductory course was undertaken. This was taken at the centre of the Brahma Kumaris, which as discussed earlier, went a long way in creating a positive environment inside his mind. It was an environment full of positive perceptions. As a result, negative circumstances became easy to face. 

Message of the day

The one who serves others is the richest. 

Expression:To be in a position to serve others means to be aware of the resources and treasures within. When all the powers that are within are used for the benefit of the self and others they tend to multiply and increase. So the one who continues to serve others continues to become richer. 

Experience: When I serve, not only do I become richer with what I use, but for having served unselfishly I also become richer with the blessings and good wishes that emerge from the hearts of others. I am able to experience the real richness and beauty of life as there is a lot of love, happiness and joy in my life. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 21.9.2016

Silence

Silence gives rest to the mind and this means giving rest to the body. Sometimes rest is the only medicine needed.

Soul Sustenance

Accept Change, Don’t Resist It (Part 2) 

Taking the message further from yesterday’s example of a businessman who resisted change, accepting a difficult situation wasn’t easy in his case. This is a case of a person who benefitted from the teachings of the Brahma Kumaris. He was given a five point spiritual power formula to implement. The five powers helped him reshape his perception into a positive one. As a result he accepted a difficult situation. 

The first power was the power to transform one’s thoughts as per one’s own desires using the power of meditation. Rajyoga meditation, as taught by the Brahma Kumaris, is a connection between two minds – your own mind and the Supreme source of spiritual power – God. He is invisible to the physical eyes but visible to the eye of spiritual wisdom or what we call third eye.This connection causes spiritual energy in its purest form to be absorbed from God. It flows into one’s sanskaras and changes thesanskara of thinking negatively. 

The second power was the power to discriminate between negative and positive information that one is exposed to throughout the day. Very often a negative piece of information received from the daily newspaper can make the perception of a negative situation full of confusion and a lack of clarity. This can cause us to become emotionally weakened. So, the businessman was given a simple advice – read the newspaper in the afternoon or evening and not the first thing in the morning. At that time, the mind is not so fresh and the absorption capability of the sub-conscious mind is lower than what it is during the morning. 

(To be continued tomorrow …) 

Message of the day

The easiest way to bring positivity in life is to become worthy of God's love. 

Expression:A simple checking whether to perform an action or not is to see if it would be approved by God. When every action is thus checked, there would be positivity and benefit expressed through everything. There would not be any negative, waste or even ordinary actions performed, but only those that are sealed with the power of positivity. 

Experience: When I am able to bring about such positivity in my life, I'll not only win the love of God, but also the love, praise and good wishes of all those around me. I also become trust worthy and an image of support for those who are seeking to bring positivity in their lives. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 19.9.2016

Energy

If you speak badly of others, the negative energy that you put out into the Universe will return to you. The same is true of positive energy.

Soul Sustenance

Accept Change, Don’t Resist It (Part 1) 

Change resistance or the inability to adapt to change is the most common reason for the life stresses that all of us are faced with. There used to be a time when change was not so sudden as it is now. The modern lifestyles have made change so sudden that we have reached a point where change resistance has almost become like a syndrome or illness. There was once a businessman, who was very successful in everything he did. He earned success in his profession, relationships, earning wealth and everything else. It was all great going until one day his company began to go into a loss. At the same time, his relations with his family began to get disturbed, because of this. As a result, his self esteem began to fall. Life was not the same again for him. 

This can happen to any of us, a sudden change of fortunes. Suddenly one single negative event, only a single change, can change our lives. What should have the businessman have done, to remain positive? He became, from extremely successful to unsuccessful. A change of perception you would say. And here we also throw light on the golden principle of acceptance. Acceptance follows the change of perception and also cannot take place without the perception change. It is an opposite emotion than the one which we commonly experience – that of resistance, when faced with a difficult situation. 

(To be continued tomorrow …) 

Message of the day

To check regularly means to bring about a change. 

Expression:When there is any negative action performed, there is an immediate feeling of guilt and a desire not to perform it again. But the checking also needs to be at a level where it never repeats again. Maintaining a chart of one's own weakness means checking regularly. Such checking brings about a permanent change.

Experience: When I am able to maintain a chart where I could monitor my own progress, I am able to remain committed to my transformation. Adverse situations or people will never deter me, but I am able to bring about the desired change. I am able to continue the process of transformation even when what I seek to change is not harmful in the present phase of my life. Thus regular checking will prevent carelessness from creeping in.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 18.9.2016

Success in Life

The best way to succeed in life is to act on the advice you give to others.

Soul Sustenance

The Consciousness Switchover (Part 2) 

Given below are few simple methods which help us in the process of rising above action or role consciousness and make the task of switching of consciousness to a spiritual one, easy. 

1. Every hour, stop for a few seconds and note down in a small diary, which you carry with yourself through the day, to what extent, in the hour that has just gone by; you have maintained the light and detached awareness of yourself as a soul, a being of peaceful and blissful light, situated at the centre of the forehead, playing its part through the physical body costume and the physical role costume and seeing others the same way. If you haven’t had any awareness, that’s fine: the light reminder will help you remain attentive for the next one hour period. This will over a period of time become an easy, natural and enjoyable exercise, which is very relaxing. 

2. Every 2-3 hours, stop whatever you are doing for a 3-4 minutes and turn your attention within, creating an awareness and feeling of the soul, but a very deep one. Remind yourself of your spiritual relationship or your relationship on a soul level with the Father of the soul, the Supreme Being or God. Experience the relationship. At centres of the Brahma Kumaris and even at their homes and workplaces, the members of the Brahma Kumaris around the world, follow this exercise. Where it’s feasible, music is played at these times to make the break effective and soothing. This exercise is called traffic control, because the peace experienced in this exercise helps you become aware of the traffic of your thoughts and slow it down, reducing the risk of accidents that are caused due to internal mental clashes as well as clashes with the variety sanskaras or personality traits of people whom you come in contact with. 

3. Every time you eat or drink something i.e. you nourish the body, along with that sustain the soul with spiritual thoughts, above the mundane or ordinary. These spiritual thoughts could be based on something positive that you have read in the morning at the start of the day.

Message of the day

It is on the basis of actions that praise is received. 

Expression:The one who only talks but is not able to put his talk into practice does not become worthy of praise. On the other hand, the one who is able to bring his good thoughts and words into action becomes worthy of praise. Such a person's actions become inspirational for others and encourage them to follow him. 

Experience: When I am able to act according to my thoughts and words, I am able to take inspiration to do more. For every positive action that I do, I experience support and good wishes from others which encourage me constantly. My account of positivity is always full and it takes me further to a cycle of positivity making it a habit. So I find that I don't have to work hard for performing positive actions. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 17.9.2016

Happiness

Happiness is not a destination, it's a journey. Happiness is not tomorrow, it is now. Happiness is not a dependency, it is a decision. Happiness is what you are, not what you have.

Soul Sustenance

The Consciousness Switchover (Part 1) 

While we have explained in many of our past messages what body consciousness or attachment to physicality is and how it leads to a creation of lot many different types and shades of vices or weaknesses which tend to creep into our sanskaras, thoughts, feelings, attitudes, words, actions, etc. as a result of which we lose access to our pure, positive inherent nature; another process of subtle attachment to physicality that we get drawn into regularly, which leads to the same result, but on a more subtle level, iskarma or action consciousness where there is no over consciousness of the physical body but one gets so engrossed in the role one is playing that one becomes role conscious and experiences bondage and burden and mental freedom is lost. As a result our inner comfort and contentment levels drop, others tend to become discontent with us and we become discontent with them, our relationships suffer, the efficiency in our actions drop, even our physical body is affected and we don’t know the reason for the same. 

Most of us will experience body consciousness once in a while but we experience karma consciousness every day, something which we don’t perceive as negative but it gives a negative result because it is a subtle form of body consciousness, which can accumulate inside us over a period of time and cross the boundaries of subtlety and take a gross form. What is a simple solution for the same? A consciousness switchover from role or karma consciousness to soul consciousness at different points in the day and then returning to playing the part ofkarma with a revised consciousness. The role remains the same and is to be played, the soul cannot exist without it, but the consciousness is changed. 

In tomorrow’s message, we will mention a few very simple methods which help us in doing that.

Message of the day

To have a balance between being a master and a child is to ensure success. 

Expression:To be in the consciousness of being a master means to have confidence in whatever has to be done and in the ideas that have to be put forth. Along with this if there is the consciousness of being a child there is learning and improvement, because criticism is taken in the right spirit. 

Experience: When I am able to be open to criticism as a child, I am able to learn from it. I am able to gain further mastery without being troubled by ego. My learning would never be blocked by what other people think or feel. Instead I am able to experience constant progress and sure success. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 16.9.2016

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 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.

Soul Sustenance

Accessing Spiritual Power 

In the inner depths of the soul there is pure, spiritual power of peace, love, wisdom and un-conditional joy. This power provides us with the inner strength needed to change. But how do we access this power? Meditation is the method – it allows this power to come to the surface of our consciousness and into our minds and influence our thoughts, feelings and personality. In the same way as lava flows from the inner depths of the Earth to the surface through a volcano, we can also create volcanoes of spiritual power when we meditate. Note, though, that we want to use our power in a positive way: we are not seeking the kind of power that is physical in nature and may cause damage, we are seeking spiritual power. 

When we get access to our own personal source of the power of peace, love and happiness, we essentially become free of any dependency on external sources for feelings of the same. When we generate our own feelings of love and self-respect, we stop being dependent on others and our addiction to their acceptance and approval reduces and finally disappears. When we generate our own feelings of contentment and joy within ourselves, we become free from the need for substances, places or physical experiences in order to be happy. 

Using this inner power in the right way allows us to uproot or remove completely the old negative habits within our personality. Any unwanted habit can be changed and the scars of all the negative habits, which have developed within the soul over a long period of time, during the journey of birth and rebirth, can be healed in a short time span. 

Message of the day

To see only problems is to become the one who only takes service. 

Expression:When there is the practice of seeing only problems in all situations there is the inability to find solutions and act effectively. All the resources that could be used for the benefit of the self and others remain hidden. Such a person becomes dependent on others for finding solutions and a source of pity. 

Experience: When I am caught up with problems and not able to see anything else, I am unable to experience progress. I find myself moving backward losing a lot of things I have. I would not be able to retain my self-confidence and would become dependent on others. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 15.9.2016

Generosity

Become the image of generosity. Have a generous heart and a generous mind. The language of one with a generous heart is 'You first'. Generosity means the generosity of enabling all souls to progress.

Soul Sustenance

The Journey Of Purpose (Part 3) 

In any success driven journey, in any sphere of life, we need to remember that every difficult obstacle on the journey is there for a reason. Also, remembering that everything happens for a reason, for a hidden benefit, will make you emotionally powerful. And as is the case every time the hidden benefit reveals itself a little later and may not be visible at that time. In such a testing time phase, we require patience and the hidden eye to see where my role or any other aspect of life will show me success on another path. This path could be different from the one I was on. Life is full of different opportunities and is never short of them. Its upto us to remain determined and this power of our determination is the key to our future success. And it will also help us in crossing a temporary setback which may try to take us far away from our destination instead of bring it closer to us. So always remember and keep the simple words in your mind – wait and watch and become an embodiment of that. Time reveals its hidden positive scenes even when a negative scene is in front of us and it may seem temporarily, that all is lost. Also, it depends on us how light we remain in that waiting time period and not lose our happiness at any cost. Also, the wait can be shortened by our mental lightness. 

There are some people, who possess the qualities of truthfulness and humility, who are like valuable jewels, who can never be hidden. They will always find a way to reveal themselves and bring their desired success and positive opportunities back to them, no matter what. They will never lack enthusiasm and joy when faced with temporary setbacks. Those who are powerful and determined, they will come back strongly to make a mark on the landscape of life. And they will contribute to it with colours of their specialties and successes in a very big and magical way. 

Message of the day

To have power means to enjoy the variety of life. 

Expression:When there is the inner strength there is enthusiasm to give the best and also to learn and improve with every obstacle. To work with inner power is to be like a skilled player whose focus is on enjoying the match too rather than just on winning. 

Experience: When I have learned the art of focusing on my strengths, I am able to enjoy the variety scenes that life brings for me. I would enjoy dealing with all these different scenes in a natural and easy way, and also be naturally victorious. And so I have the benefit of double enjoyment. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 14.9.2016

Time Out

Is there some time for yourself today - just for you, to sit quietly and refresh and renew. Not escaping into the TV, or thrashing around a squash court. Just time to sit quietly, focus your thoughts, check your priorities, make sure there is nothing negative pushing you down in your own mind. Take some time and be ...with yourself. If you don't, you may miss meeting the most important person in your life.

Soul Sustenance

The Journey Of Purpose (Part 2) 

Life brings with it many different types of surprises that we do not expect. Also, a journey of purpose that we all are undertaking in our respective lives, will bring with it different types of people, with different personalities and natures. On such a journey, there will be times, when the going can get tough, especially when you have in front of you a difficult person. Such a person may not have views similar to what you may have and it may be difficult to adjust to that. Also, such a person may sometimes take decisions or perform actions which you may not expect and this can take you by surprise. In such a case we need to check whether we are prepared enough to face such a person. Also we need to bring about changes in the self that will help us withstand or face such a person. 

Very often, a single person can be so demanding that it can at times take long to adjust with that person inspite of constant efforts. Also, we may try and change the person to become like what we want but we may not achieve success in the same. A very common response to such a person is – they need to change whereas the right response is I need to change. I adjust my life journey and the path I am taking accordingly, so that the person does not become an obstacle in me achieving my purpose. Moulding yourself at every step and using your inner specialties and virtues is the hidden self-effort required from me. This is the foundation of achieving success inspite of difficult circumstances and difficult people standing in my way. 

(To be continued tomorrow …) 

Message of the day

To fill the ones who are hopeless with hope is the greatest service.

Expression:To have faith by seeing the positive qualities even in the most negative person is to fill them with hope. Also to fill hope means to encourage others to move forward in the most negative situation. When this is done they are able to use their potentials for a positive purpose and slowly bring about a change for the better.

Experience: When I am able to see positivity under all circumstances, I am able to have the courage and enthusiasm to make the best out of every situation. This also naturally makes me an inspiration for those around me too and makes me an image of support for those who want to make effort.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 13.9.2016

Acceptance

Accepting others unconditionally allows them to remove their masks and feel at ease with who they are. The security of being accepted gives them the freedom to be themselves and then lets them easily know and accept themselves too.

Soul Sustenance

The Journey Of Purpose (Part 1) 

Living a life with a purpose can at times make the journey extremely eventful, with different scenes which may be seen on the way. These scenes make the whole journey, not only challenging, but full of varying types of experiences. These experiences can at times not only provide learning, but also help in increasing various qualities and powers inside us. Every second on a journey of purpose should be given immense value, as it will help you take you to your destination in the shortest possible time. Every different test that comes your way is not a test, but a learning experience that will make you more and more powerful. This is because in overcoming that test you will use your mind in different ways and come to a positive solution. 

Some of us have a lot of enthusiasm inside us and are always busy in thinking about how our life purpose will be reached. We even enjoy the journey as it takes us to different places and we also meet different people. It also makes our life full of different types of positive relationships, all of whom help us in achieving our life purpose. Different people will hold our hand at various times in our life and we will learn a lot from them. That would not be possible if life was a predictable and routine filled journey. 

(To be continued tomorrow …) 

Message of the day

The power of transformation brings all attainments.

Expression:When there is the ability to transform negative into positive, and waste into useful in a second there is the ability to be useful for the self and others. There would not be just complaints against the situation, but the best would be made out of all situations and move on to the aim set out.

Experience: When I am able to use the power of transformation to finish negative and waste, I am able to experience being free from obstacles. So I am able to experience contentment under all circumstances for having made the best use of everything available.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 12.9.2016

Forgiving

See beyond immediate circumstances. Clear the decks of old grievances become free from outdated thinking. Learn from past experiences and move on by tapping inner sources of self-worth and humility. Valuing honesty and commitment, softly let go and enable others to change. There are new horizons, new growth, a new lease of life.

Soul Sustenance

Unloading Your Pressure Baggage (Part 3) 

Sometimes the pressure we are carrying is related to the situation we are in, sometimes we even carry a pressure of one situation in another situation i.e. it is unrelated pressure. All this continues throughout the day, day after day. What all this pressure does is increase the quantity of thoughts that we carry in our mind, which in turn reduces our efficiency and discriminating and judging power. The words and actions coming out from such a state of mind are improper and lacking in power, conviction and clarity.To ensure that we do not carry pressure baggage on our emotional back, as per our pressure equation (shared in the first message of this series), we need to change the incorrect beliefs that we carry, which are the root cause of our pressure and at the same time increase our ability to bear the different life forces. We carry thoughts that are determined by our belief of what success is and what failure is, what winning is and what losing is. Although we perceive such beliefs to be true, they are not true; they are like a facade that influence our perception of reality and generate in us feelings of pressure. The truth, on the other hand, is deeper than beliefs. 

While meditation will serve as an important tool to increase our inner power to tolerate or resist life forces; spiritual knowledge, understanding and wisdom will serve as an immensely important tool which will help us in correcting our beliefs. So in times of pressure, stopping yourself for a minute and assessing your thoughts, then going backwards, and checking the beliefs which are the root cause of the thoughts at that particular moment and then changing them requires strength and clarity, which we will obtain through the medium of spiritual wisdom. Once the beliefs are corrected, the thought patterns will change. Thoughts like: Maybe I won't arrive on time or If I don't finish this assignment successfully, I will lose my next promotion or If I lose my money in this financial investment, my family will stop appreciating me etc. which we create all the time - will be replaced by more positive thoughts of security, fearlessness, patience, peace, faith, determination, certainty etc.

Message of the day

To be free from guilt means to ensure quick and easy progress. 

Expression:To see specialities and ignore negativity is to take a step ahead by imbibing those specialities. This creates a habit of seeing, taking in and expressing only positive qualities. So whatever the person may be, whatever his qualities may be, there is only a connection of positivity with him. 

Experience: When I am able to relate to everyone in this way with only specialities, I become special. I also find others responding positively to me and using only their speicialities while in contact with me. There are also a lot of good wishes that I receive from others because of my positive attitude. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 11.8.2016

Moving Mountains

The faith that can move mountains needs three ingredients to work: belief in yourself, belief in others, and the 

ability to draw on your inner strength.