Thought of the day 31.8.17

Unity Blossoms

Unity is harmony within and amongst people. It is built with a shared vision for the good of all and a common goal. Unity is appreciating the value of each person and their unique contribution. When there is willingness to accommodate others, unity blossoms.

Soul Sustenance and Message of the day

--------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 31-08-2017
--------------------------------------

Breaking The Cycle Of Negative Energy Exchanges (Part 2)

The foremost method to break the cycle of negative energy exchanges with another person is one of self-transformation.

The most basic level of self transformation is that I don’t react verbally to the other person with words. But, I mention the negative energy received from the other, in the physical forms of negative expressions, vision, words and actions, to others and create an atmosphere of negativity. This also gives birth to negative perceptions of the person in others’ minds. In such cases, damage occurs on a physical level and damage control has to be done later, which sometimes is too late to do, since relationships have already been harmed. This is because those who we pass on negative information to pass on the information received from us, to others and sometimes even to the person who seemingly harmed us in the first place.

The second and little deeper level of self transformation is where I not only don’t react but I don’t talk against the person to anyone, even to people who are close to me. But I continue to think negatively about the other person. In such cases, damage is reduced but still happens, unknowingly and invisibly, behind the curtains of physical eyes and ears, as my thoughts and emotions are not completely under my control. They are led to a direction, which is incorrect as per the basics of spiritual wisdom – sometimes willingly and sometimes I do not want them to be led there but they go in that direction unwillingly due to a lack of inner strength. These negative thoughts and emotions do reach the other person on a subtle level, harming relations with that person.

The third and deepest level of self transformation is where I develop the power to change the quality of my thoughts and feelings as well. I am emotionally empowered enough to remove the flaw (weakness) in my own character that was at the root of my reactions, so that what used to pinch or hurt me so much will not do so anymore. Also, relationships get protected by doing that, which is something each one of us desires. This is the power of accommodation and self-transformation in action, at its best and possesses the potential to stop negative energy exchanges with the other.

(To be continued tomorrow …)

-----------------------------------------
Message for the day 31-08-2017
-----------------------------------------

An elevated consciousness brings speciality to the task being done.

Expression:As is the consciousness, so is the feeling behind the task, and therefore its quality. Just to perform action and finish the tasks at hand does not bring speciality and accuracy as much as it should. When the consciousness is special, that means before a task is performed there is a thought given both to the task and to the self, there is speciality revealed in the task.

Experience: When I am able to start each task with a special consciousness, like "I am victorious", or "I am powerful" or "this task is for the benefit of all", I am able to experience the speciality of doing the task. I am also able to increase my state of self-respect, whatever the task or however simple it maybe.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 30.8.17

Never Battle

Never fight. Nothing is worth fighting for. Wisdom never fights, it waits patiently, speaks positively, releases easily, sees benefit in everything and envisions a future of abundance...knowing that all needs will be met at the right moment, in the right way. If you think life is a struggle you will always be struggling, If you think life is a breeze, your attitudes and actions will convey lightness and easiness. And that's what attracts everything you need, and much more. Make today a breeze not a battle.

relax7

Soul Sustenance and Message of the day

Breaking The Cycle Of Negative Energy Exchanges (Part 1)

A common term that we use in relationships is: the following person manages to always ruffle my feathers.There are always those one or two people in our lives, just being in the company of whom, makes us uncomfortable and they will almost all the time do something or we will perceive their doing something, in such a way, so as to irritate us. Instead of simply accommodating the other person’s nature, we find our self pinched by their nature and actions based on that nature repeatedly, although that may not be the intention of the other person at all at times. The effects of these negative feelings, in the form of reactions, created by us in return, would be limited if they were restricted to us and were to cause discomfort only to us. But what these feelings do is that they start a cycle of negative actions and reactions inside us, whereby such harmful feelings keep reaching the other person.On receiving this energy, the other person in turn starts perceiving us negatively and reacts or thinks about us in a similar way and an emotional cold war begins between us and the other person. Negative thoughts, feelings, attitudes, words and actions are exchanged with each other from time to time and negative karmic accounts or bondages are created with the other person. These negative karmic accounts keep getting stronger and stronger. In such a scenario, even if we or the other person, from time to time, act or react in a positive way on a physical or non-physical level, that does little to break the negative bond and make the relationship positive. This is because a little bit of positive is accompanied by a lot of negative, and what it can do is only dilute the negative a little bit but not remove its effects completely.

So, how do we break this vicious cycle of negative energy exchange? We shall discuss some methods for that in the next few days’ messages.

-----------------------------------------
Message for the day 30-08-2017
-----------------------------------------

To be free from worry means to have the power to change negative into positive.

Expression:The ones who are free from worry change that which is bad into something good, because the state of mind is calm. The one with a calm state of mind is able to think creatively and see very clearly even beyond the situation. So there is the ability to transform the seemingly negative situation into something very positive. So there is clear decision-making and quick action. There is also no time wasted.

Experience: When I am free from worry, I constantly remain satisfied for having seen the positive and finding the solutions immediately instead of looking at the problem and worrying over it. This internal silence gives the feeling of power, which naturally enables transformation in a second and only the goodness is absorbed.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 29.8.17

Inside Out

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

Soul Sustenance and Message of the day

Happiness: Incorrect Beliefs And The Truth (Part 2) 

Yesterday we identified how owing to one wrong belief, we had equated happiness to our accomplishments. Today let us check two more incorrect beliefs and understand the truth. 

Belief 2: I can buy happiness.
Suppose I believe that buying my dream car gives me happiness, I may purchase and own the most expensive car. I have essentially bought physical comfort. While on a long drive in it, I could get one phone call conveying an unpleasant news which finishes my happiness. If my car gave happiness, happiness would stay despite the call. Even after the call, my car continues to give physical comfort and my physical body is comfortable. Since happiness is an emotional comfort, it disappeared when I (who is looking for happiness) went into pain after the call. Why do we feel happy upon buying a car? Because when we create a thought - I bought my dream car it generates a feeling of happiness. So we used an object (car) as a stimulus to create a response (positive thought).
Truth: Let us not purchase objects seeking happiness in them. Everything physical is designed to give physical comfort. Happiness is an emotional comfort. 

Belief 3: Family and friends give me happiness.
Oscillating between acceptance and expectations, our relationships are getting strained. We focus on what to get from relationships rather than give. Our expectations from each other is getting long. We are accepting people only when they, speak, behave as per our needs. If I equate my happiness to others obeying me, it cannot last. No sooner than someone obeys the first time, I hand out my next expectation. So happiness leaves me at this point, only to return if the person obeys again. Else I get upset. People have their definitions of rights and wrongs, so setting expectations will always hamper relationships and ruin happiness.
Truth: No one can make us happy or sad. Happiness is our emotion, our internal creation regardless of quality of our relationships. 

-----------------------------------------
Message for the day 29-08-2017
-----------------------------------------

True help is to help people discover their own specialities. 

Expression:When others' negativities or weaknesses are perceived, it is essential to look at their positivity or specialities too. This will naturally bring love and positivity in the relationship and there will be an encouragement of that positivity. So even if that person has no recognition or has not been using his speciality, an encouragement of it by others will naturally enable him to begin to use it. 

Experience: Making others aware of their specialities and subtly encouraging them to use these specialities is a great help that I can do for others. When I am able to give this unique help and cooperation, I not only find benefit for others, but I am also able to get the good wishes of others. Even others naturally become positive with my positive attitude. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 28.8.17

Real Love

The problem nowadays is that love is interpreted on a gross level. Just as many people are attracted to the size and glitter of a fake diamond, so are they swayed by false, superficial love. There is no value in either. A real diamond is often quite small, but it is flawless. That is where its value lies. Real love is like a tiny diamond: it is not flashy and it is without a single flaw. Real love is one hundred percent pure. There is nothing artificial mixed into it. It is clean. There are no ulterior motives in real love.

Soul Sustenance and Message of the day

--------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 28-08-2017
--------------------------------------

Happiness: Incorrect Beliefs And The Truth (Part 1) 

A significant number of people are suffering from depression in the world today. This is a hint for us to pause and ask if we are doing enough for our mental wellness, which is directly connected to emotional wellness. If we experience stress, anger, fear, hurt, jealousy, our emotional health suffers. Basically, we are caught in these negative emotions in pursuit of happiness. Most of us begin chasing dreams since childhood and do not pause thereafter for decades, because of the biggest incorrect belief that our happiness is what we acquire — that happiness is a byproduct of our belongings. So, we seek happiness in accomplishments, possessions and relationships. Let us scrutinize these three popular but misleading beliefs. 

Belief 1: Accomplishments make me happy.
Suppose I am an employee who knows that it takes two years to be promoted as a manager, I sincerely work for it. But my own conditioned thought often reminds me - I will be happy when promoted as a manager. So I do not permit myself to be happy today, I will not permit for two more years. Some day if I sense that my promotion may not happen due to my inefficiency, issue with team members or a management decision, I create stress, anger and anxiety - as I believe these are not only affecting my career but snatching my happiness. I may resort to unfair means to get the promotion. So I create and transmit negativity, going into pain for two long years. If in this state I become a manager, can I be happy? Also such happiness does not last as I will focus on the next promotion, then the next...
Truth: Happiness is not in our accomplishments. It is not to be postponed until our goal is reached. Happiness is in our way of thinking along the way, while working towards the goal. 

Tomorrow we shall evaluate two other belief systems. 

-----------------------------------------
Message for the day 28-08-2017
-----------------------------------------

The one who has self-respect is the one who is free from aggression. 

Expression:When the situation seems out of control, there is naturally a feeling of helplessness. This helplessness further creates tension, which gets expressed in the form of aggression. Such a kind of aggression cannot be suppressed or controlled. To be in the state of one's own self-respect is to be confident and the one who is confident will be assertive but can never be aggressive. 

Experience: I am able to keep my mind cool, when I am in my state of self-respect. So I never react to situations negatively but I am able to understand the situation and respond in the right way. I take decisions in a calm and composed state of mind, so I find myself relaxed and easy even in the most difficult situations. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 27.8.17

Sorrows Song

Have you ever noticed how we spend our life pursuing happiness and completely mistake it for sorrow? It's true, everything you do is motivated by the desire to attain a moment of happiness. Spend a few moments reflecting and you will see. And yet what we consume in order to be happy is very often sorrow! We often rate a good movie by the amount of violence and destruction. The scriptwriters know we will surrender our emotional state to the emotions of the characters, and then enjoy the rollercoaster journey between elation and depression, love and fear. And in the end they have convinced us to say "wonderful, loved every minute". And then listen to the music we buy - is it uplifting, does it empower us? Does it encourage our spirit to soar high, free and happy. Not a chance. We hear the music of melancholy, and the lyrics of suffering and pain dressed as love and fulfilment. But the illusion is now so powerful that many of you, as you read this, will be resisting the idea already, convinced that the music you love is uplifting and inspiring. How can violence, depression, sadness and pain uplift and inspire? How can you get happiness out of sorrow? Wakey Wakey!!

Soul Sustenance and Message of the day

--------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 27-08-2017
--------------------------------------

Carrying Forward Of Special Talents 

Everything that an individual does i.e. a soul does using the medium of the physical body is registered in the soul as a sanskara. Sanskaras, therefore, are the foundation of our present personalities and all our special talents and inclinations. There have been many famous personalities including artists, musicians, engineers, sportsmen, etc. who, before attaining phenomenal success in their respective fields, displayed amazing talents related to their respective field at a very young age. When and where could they have mastered these talents so well? It's obvious that amazing masteries at a very young age are not inherited from our parents. These talents have been developed and brought into practice in previous births, as a result of which sanskaras of the talents are created inside the soul. These sanskaras are then carried into the next births, and are brought into actions in the new births.

A more common day-to-day example is the following: A child is born into a family of doctors where, from the beginning, all efforts are made to mould and prepare him to become a doctor, according to family tradition. However, from an early age, the child shows strong tendencies to become an actor, starts to take part extensively in theatre activities at school and the talent starts manifesting itself. This example demonstrates that the characteristics a soul carries from previous experiences of previous births will take it in a specific direction despite attempts made by the family on the contrary. So in short, genius is experience. Some think that it's a gift or talent, but it is the fruit of long experience of many lives. Some are older souls than others i.e. they have been present on the world stage since a longer period of time and have covered a journey of more number of births and so know more. This kind of unlimited, broad vision of life provides us answers to many questions. 

-----------------------------------------
Message for the day 27-08-2017
-----------------------------------------

The one who has the power to face is free from tensions. 

Expression:To be good with those who are good is quite natural, but to be good with those who are bad is known as having the power to face. This naturally comes when there is the power to transform even that which in negative into something positive. When there is the power to face, there is no retaliation, no conflict. There is love given to all around. 

Experience: When I am able to transform and look at each and everything in a positive way, I will not have any difficulty with any situation. I will naturally be able to face all situations in a light and easy way. When I am able to be free from tension in this way, I am also able to give my best and thus become an inspiration for those around me. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 26.8.17

Conscious Choices

Everything in our lives is chosen either consciously or unconsciously. All your choices yesterday, last year, ten years ago, have resulted in where you are today, what you do today, what you have around you today. This is hard for many people to swallow. They prefer to see life as fateful, or luckful, and therefore avoid responsibility for their own destiny. There are many random, uncontrollable and unpredictable events, but our destiny is not defined by these events - it is defined by how we respond to them. And our responsibility - ability to respond - is always in our own hands. If we respond with desire we will likely be disappointed at some future stage when we do not get what we want. If we respond with expectation we will again, at some stage, be let down. If we respond with annoyance or frustration we only disempower ourselves. Desire, expectation and getting upset are never the best choices. Until you can see this, you will not choose how you live. Life, circumstances and events will likely choose for you!

Soul Sustenance and Message of the day

--------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 26-08-2017
--------------------------------------

Being Emotional – Right Or Not (Part 3)? 

Looking at the world around us, it is an infinite set of people, situations, objects and different types of problems that we face every now and then. Although many people would argue, that being emotional and crying sometimes in happiness and love and sometimes in sorrow and discontentment is natural. Also, letting out your tears for your loved ones in different negative as well as positive situations has existed forever. But, this is not true. The inner being or soul has come down the steps of births and rebirths and become weaker over a period of time. The soul is powerful when it begins to play its part in the world and is not so attached to everything around it. As a result it is lesser emotional but more happier. Strange as it may sound, as it became weaker, it became more emotional and less happier. 

The key to freeing yourself is first the acceptance that to be over emotional is not exactly being free, which we have explained in the last two days’ messages. The next step is to achieve freedom by changing your consciousness. Create positive affirmations and keep them in your mind the entire day and bring them into your actions. A simple e.g. I am a being of light, a spiritual energy full of power. I look through the windows of my eyes at everything around me. I radiate spiritual power and joy to every scene, every person, every object. I am no longer dependent on receiving their energy and becoming fulfilled. I am a soul full of all attainments. Another e.g. I am a soul, full of immense love. I love everyone and everything with a big heart, but I am not attached. So I am never hurt in love. I am a pillar of strength in providing positivity to every negative situation of life. So I do not feel hurt in sorrow and rejection also.

-----------------------------------------
Message for the day 26-08-2017
-----------------------------------------

To be free from waste words is to ensure easy success. 

Expression:The one who wastes time and energy in gossip or slander has no time for success. All attention is focussed on picking out the mistakes and the negativity of others and so there is no attention on learning new things or picking out the positive. So there is negativity visible in one's own attitude, words and actions. 

Experience: When I am able to free myself from waste and negative words, I am able to use the resource of my words in a positive and useful way. My words will be for the benefit of all. I would also notice that my words would be filled with the power of positivity and faith, faith in the self and faith in others. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 25.8.17

Understanding

A big-hearted soul does not sentence others on the basis of a single act, but appreciates others through understanding their entire journey.

Soul Sustenance and Message of the day

--------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 25-08-2017
--------------------------------------

Being Emotional – Right Or Not (Part 2)? 

Continuing from yesterday’s message, emotional power comes from giving and emotional weakness, comes when our primary purpose is to take. When we absorb a lot from life’s scenes, circumstances and also from people’s minds, words and their actions, sometimes we feel it is an empowering experience. But remember, if you absorb the good, you will also absorb the bad because that is what your mindset is. It is like the vacuum cleaner. You clean your carpet with it. It absorbs the dust and if your ring was lying on the carpet, it would suck in that too. Also, giving is receiving. Every positive emotion we give, it is increasing inside us at the same time, as it flows from within us to everyone and everything around us.

Based on this principle, when we look to take from a positive scene, we will feel emotionally joyful and when we are taking from a negative scene, we feel emotionally sorrowful. The more we look to make our emotional world dependent on the external situations or stimulus, the more our responses are under their influence. Being over emotional, whether in joy or in sorrow, is a sign of dependency. That does not mean we become cold and boring and do not enjoy life’s beautiful moments, which it has to offer. Also, we love everyone and are full of sympathy where required. But we are a little detached while viewing life. A spectator in a sports event sits on an emotional roller coaster watching his favourite team or player perform, sometimes over happy and sometimes unhappy. A spectator with a spiritual consciousness does not get overawed by his team’s or player’s performance. He enjoys the victorious moments and views the moments of failure, both without getting moved emotionally. This is not boring, but more empowering. 

(To be continued tomorrow …)

-----------------------------------------

Message for the day 25-08-2017
-----------------------------------------

Bringing newness in dealing with life's situations brings happiness. 

Expression:When there is the desire to find new ways of responding to life's challenges, unhappiness ends which in turn helps to fulfill one's highest potential. All it needs is the determination to adopt a fresh awareness. Thus burdensome thoughts that drain out positive energy are set aside. The quality of life itself becomes better. 

Experience: I experience a lot of happiness when there is newness brought in responding to situations. The potential and the energy of the mind is channelised in a positive way so there is an experience of fulfillment and satisfaction. The mind is not caught up with negative or waste but is busy trying for the best solutions in all situations. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 24.8.17

Banish Ego

Ego is not just having a big head. Ego is present every time you feel any kind of fear, or hear yourself saying "That's mine". The truth tells us that nothing is 'mine' or 'yours', we are all trustees, and fear is only present where there is the voice of attachment. Detach from everything, and you will banish ego, fear will be no more, and only then can true love return.

Soul Sustenance and Message of the day

--------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 24-08-2017
--------------------------------------

Being Emotional – Right Or Not (Part 1)? 

Living a life full of twists and turns and different scenes, it is very easy to become emotionally attached to scenes happening around you and sometimes become disheartened or sorrowful and sometimes even emotionally joyful. Both are normal emotions. Yes we thought so! What is wrong with experiencing pain when I watch an accident on the road and what is wrong with becoming emotional and crying, when I watch a moving emotion filled movie. How can you take away these two experiences from life? The world told us they are correct. When we grew up, we often cried, sometimes in sorrow and many a times in joy. Did you go to your best friend’s birthday and become excessively emotional and when your younger brother or sister went down with fever, you sometimes cried seeing his or her pain. Our parents taught us this is what life is all about – mixed shades of emotional joy and emotional sorrow make up the painting of life. In fact, we grew up seeing them doing that in their worldly duties and we thought it was correct. Now! Wait a moment! Do I like sitting on this emotional roller-coaster so regularly and so much? How can I free myself? 

We all look at life’s scenes with an attitude of receiving or taking something from life. We rarely think of giving to life’s scenes. Take the example of the sun in nature. The quality of the sun is giving, it never seeks to receive or take. And it is a powerful force of nature. Let’s emerge this virtue in ourselves. That will make me emotionally powerful inside and I will be lighter, happier and more contented in life’s different situations. So from today look to give to life’s different scenes and filling them with the primary qualities of life – peace, love and joy. On the other hand, if we are trying to fill ourselves with these qualities by taking them from people and situations, we will become emotionally weak. 

(To be continued tomorrow …) 

-----------------------------------------
Message for the day 24-08-2017
-----------------------------------------

To be healthy internally is to make the best use of all treasures. 

Expression:A healthy intellect acts like a mother, always showing the right path. When internally one is strong, there is the natural ability to treat the mind with love and guide it towards the right direction. Such a healthy state of mind naturally enables the recognition and the proper utilisation of everything available. 

Experience: Once I have learnt the art of guiding my mind in the right direction with love, I then never experience the difficulty of having to bring back the mind to the right thinking. Because the mind is totally under control in a very easy and natural way and I don't have to control it or force it to think or not to think in a particular way. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 23.8.17

Be Reluctantless!

We have a tendency to make significant choices in our lives and then forget that we actually made the choice. Work is such a choice. If we forget to choose the work we do then each day of our life can easily be an experience of continuous reluctance. Would you choose to live your life reluctantly? Every time you use the words ‘have to’ you are telling the universe you would rather not be where you are and you’d rather not do what you are doing at that moment. And if you keep thinking in this way in one area of your life, it becomes a habitual thought pattern which you soon find turning up in your attitude everywhere in your life. And if you keep thinking, feeling, saying and living with this pattern of reluctance you can be absolutely sure the universe will eventually grant your recurring wish. But you will like the result even less. Nothing positive, fulfilling or empowering was ever created with the energy of reluctance. Don’t be reluctant about anything in your life today. Re-affirm your presence and your choices every day.

Soul Sustenance and Message of the day

--------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 23-08-2017
--------------------------------------

A Gauge To Check How Spiritually Powerful Am I 

The territory of spiritual understanding is both infinite and unlimited. Simply put, spirituality can be defined as the rediscovery of the deepest values, virtues, positive sanskars or characteristics of the human soul. The innate attributes or characteristics of the soul (peace, love, truth, purity and happiness) give the soul its power. The power of the soul cannot be quantified either on a physical or a non-physical level. The power can only be experienced and revealed to the self and others through the quality of the above characteristics and the different forms they are given by the soul itself. 

For a practitioner of meditation, whether a beginner or an experienced once, patience and a gentle persistence guarantee two aspects of self-progress (in varying degrees in different souls): 
1. rediscovery and revelation or expression of one's spiritual attributes and secondly, but very importantly 
2. the ability to give them an appropriate form internally or externally, depending on the requirement of the situation. 

A particular soul might be good at both aspects, another one very good at the first aspect and not so good at the second one. When we choose to be peaceful, we reconnect with our inner peace and create the spiritual form of peace within our self. This form created is different for different souls, depending on how powerful the soul is. So what is the quality of that form, what is the quality of our peace? Is it a superficial quality that is easily disturbed with unexpected changes in our external circumstances, or is it a deep peace which is stable even in the face of fierce criticism from others? Only we know the quality of our spiritual forms. 

-----------------------------------------
Message for the day 23-08-2017
-----------------------------------------

To remain happy is to truly live life. 

Expression:Life has meaning when there is the happiness of living. Everything that happens brings something new. The more the mind is tuned to see and appreciate this truth, there is the happiness that lasts - whatever the situations may be. The one who is constantly happy is able to creatively use all the resources in the right way and also makes others happy. 

Experience: When I am able to maintain my internal state of happiness under all circumstances, I am able to enjoy the beauty of life. I am only able to see the positive in each and everything and also only the specialities and goodness in everyone. I am never let down by situations, people or their reactions, but enjoy everything. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 22.8.17

Think First

Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Whatever I do, when all is said and done, I do for or to myself. Perhaps I should think before I perform actions because after the seed of action is sown I have to reap the fruit. Moreover, I do not receive only one fruit for every seed sown, I often get a whole crop, good or bad according to the action or seed.

Soul Sustenance and Message of the day

--------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 22-08-2017
--------------------------------------

Motivation – The Life Driving Force (Part 4) 

When surrounded by challenges, sometimes we all need a little extra nurturing, and that gentleness can come from loved ones, or just from ourselves. Also, enjoying watching television, enjoying the hot chocolate and the coffee, enjoying the cold drink and the ice cream, enjoying the brisk walk and the gym, enjoying the picnic and the party, enjoying the holiday - these are all things that help us replenish our energy and remain motivated to some extent when we've had a rough day. But remember that to remain constantly motivated you need to also take a look at the non-physical dimension of thoughts and feelings. Physical treatments, therapies and relaxation strategies will help you but they cannot change the way you think. Your thinking is the cause. And behind your thoughts, your beliefs are a deeper cause. We need to pay much more attention to our thoughts and feelings, learn to manage them, learn to fill them with peace and calm, and then our personality will change for the better, as we restore our mental and then physical well-being and learn to remain motivated and fearless amidst challenges.Remember no one else creates our thoughts and feelings, and they don't just happen, though it feels that way sometimes. When you learn to identify and assess the quality of your thoughts and feelings, you can begin to choose the ones you know are positive and that in turn keeps you motivated. 

Also, remember there's virtually always something positive that can be found in the challenges we face. Bear in mind that the period of challenge is short and you will soon overcome the challenge. On a lighter note, spend a little time each day thinking of all the things you are looking forward to doing once you are free from these exams that life has to offer - though don’t daydream for hours about this! Also, when you long for life without difficulties and challenges and you want to keep yourself motivated when faced with them, remind yourself that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure. Challenges are not here to stay and while they are there, they bring about self empowerment. 

-----------------------------------------
Message for the day 22-08-2017
-----------------------------------------

To forgive is to give correction. 

Expression:When there is forgiveness, the harm of the mistake is forgotten. The mistake itself is remembered only to the extent that the correction is to be given. So there are no negative feelings expressed even while giving correction. And the words that are used are few but prove to be very effective. 

Experience: When I learn the art of forgiving I am able to be free from the burden of negative and waste thinking. So there is never any difficulty in giving correction when necessary. The mind is free from the attitudes of the past and it creates harmony in relationships even if the opinions or personalities don't match. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 21.8.17

Optimistic Outlook

Optimism opens a door in difficult or hopeless situations. No matter what the crisis, an optimist maintains the outlook that it is a sign, time for a different way of thinking, or of doing things. Sometimes the signal has to be very clear even harsh, otherwise we may continue in self-delusion and not wake up. Of course if we lack optimism, instead of taking this signal as a step towards renaissance, complaint, resentment or even desperation will emerge.

Soul Sustenance and Message of the day

--------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 21-08-2017
--------------------------------------

Motivation – The Life Driving Force (Part 3) 

Have you ever noticed some people only work a few hours a day and are hardly ever confronted by deadlines or other pressures, but they are more stressed and less motivated than those working long hours to tight deadlines. Have you ever watched two people doing the same or similar work, to the same deadlines? One tears their hair out with a lot of anxiety. The other is completely relaxed while doing it. Some people love challenges. They love it when they are occupied and bottled up with challenges at hand and passionate about overcoming them. They work hard on themselves to overcome challenges and are not overwhelmed by them. What really reinforces them to do that is the motivation that they have to overcome the challenge and become successful. Challenges motivate them. At the same time, there are times when there are too many challenges to overcome and deadlines to meet and the same people who have overcome challenges earlier are not able to cope up with them and keep themselves motivated. That is the time when they realize that what they are going through is stress and challenges have affected their motivation levels adversely. 

Why the difference between two people, why the difference from challenge to challenge or situation to situation? Perception. So it's not what you do, or when you have to do it by, that causes your stress and brings down your motivation; it's how you perceive the whats and whens of daily life that generates your stress and affects your motivation levels. It's how each one perceives what they do and the possible outcome. And your perception is based on your beliefs and beliefs don't come built into your genes. All beliefs are learned. We learn them, send them into our subconscious and they then pop up and out through our thoughts, emotions and words. The problem is we not only hold beliefs, we identify with them. But beliefs are not the truth. 

(To be continued tomorrow ….) 

-----------------------------------------
Message for the day 21-08-2017
-----------------------------------------

Sample Good wishes and pure feelings bring easy success while working at a task. 

Expression:If there are good feelings for both the task and the one who is carrying out the task, then the result attained by those feelings is automatically special. The feeling of giving love and cooperation, no matter what anyone is like gives good wishes and pure feelings. There is a deep impact of such good feelings which transforms others too. 

Experience: When I am able to maintain my own good feelings for others, I am able to enjoy the fruit of my own pure thoughts. I am not disturbed by temporary clashes that I have because of the different nature of the person I am working with, but enjoy working together. So there is also good feelings from the other person too and so there is easy success experienced. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 20.8.17

Creativity

Acts of virtue emerge from deep within, from an inner sanctuary of silence from which inspiration flows. 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 myself and of benefit to humanity.

Soul Sustenance and Message of the day

--------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 20-08-2017
--------------------------------------

Motivation – The Life Driving Force (Part 2)

Life throws different types of challenges at us. A difficult relationship with one particular person, we have all experienced, can at times have the potential to completely overpower our thoughts for days and even for years. Most of us will have endured the trauma of exams at some stage in our lives, usually at school, college or university. The looming prospect of having to answer questions on your most hated subjects often meant that even the most laid-back of personalities will have experienced feelings of anxiety, worry and exam stress. A sudden physical illness can at times have the destructive ability to not only bring about physical discomfort but make us dejected, discouraged and sorrowful for days until it subsides. A deadline at work or a sudden crash of the business market are types of challenging situations on the professional front. A difficult personality trait which constantly hinders our progress and harms our relationships is an example of a challenge on the personal front.

So challenges can be unpleasant, even scary, but they are important as in the process of overcoming the challenge, you work harder on yourself and they make you more determined and powerful. If you are not spiritually equipped to rise to these challenges, these tests of your internal strength, when they come about, it is unlikely you will be motivated enough to cross them. When faced with challenges, people can find that they are able to go the extra mile and pull from the backs of their minds answers to questions they did not realize they had ever learnt or ever knew. So, challenges can be helpful – but only if you turn the challenges into internal positive energy, you remain motivated while crossing them and by doing that you transform the challenges into blessings or gifts in disguise which will help you advance ahead and become more experienced and wise.

(To be continued tomorrow ….)

-----------------------------------------
Message for the day 20-08-2017
-----------------------------------------

Mercy means to give support to the ones who are helpless.

Expression:A negative situation or a person who is in need and is helpless usually stimulates feelings of unhappiness or sorrow. At such a time it becomes very difficult to maintain a positive state of mind. But real mercy is that which gives support through the positive state of one's mind. The more there is the feeling of happiness, others too can be brought to that state of happiness and joy.

Experience: When I am able to remain happy even in negative situations, I am able to maintain my internal state of calm. And this is the best frame of mind where I am able to see things objectively and in a detached way and I am able to make the right decisions. So I find myself becoming a source of support.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 19.8.17

Offer Up

Free yourself from forcing, expecting or wanting someone to receive what you think they should take - it could be your idea, opinion, or an opportunity you think they should accept - you can't make anyone take anything - your own experience  probably confirms this. Offer humbly. Offer gently. Offer as if you are a master, and then let go, and retire like a shy child. When you can dance the dance between being master and child, you'll be surprised how much more others will accept what you have to say, and how much more they appreciate your offerings.

Soul Sustenance and Message of the day

--------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 19-08-2017
--------------------------------------

Motivation – The Life Driving Force (Part 1) 

Motivation is the driving force behind our thoughts, feelings, words and actions which transfers us from one reality to another, from where I am to where I wish to be. It is an inner positive energy, a combination of enthusiasm and clear perception that enables us to accomplish a task or overcome a challenge. It is the desire to be continually interested and committed to a task or to attain a goal or cross a difficult situation. 

Our thoughts really do color our perceptions, and affect our motivation levels in many ways. What thoughts are in your mind today? Which thoughts are weighing you down? Have you ever turned over the exam papers of life - challenging situations, overpowering situations, disturbing situations, de-motivating situations; looked at the questions that life throws at you and wondered if you are sitting the right test? Or glanced through these papers of life and only see questions or aspects you aren’t equipped at handling? Or worse still, know that you once knew the answers to these questions but frustratingly, those nuggets of spiritual wisdom, required to overcome these situations are now out of reach no matter how far into the back of your mind you grope, causing emotions of worry, frustration, fear, anger, discouragement, depression, panic and hopelessness to erupt inside you? 

(To be continued tomorrow ….) 

-----------------------------------------
Message for the day 19-08-2017
-----------------------------------------

To end waste means to be free from defeat. 

Expression:The one with faith in the intellect always remains at a distance from waste, whether it is waste thoughts, wste words or waste actions. To move away from waste means to be victorious. The one who is free from waste is busy with the positive and useful. Such a person is constantly searching for solutions and trying to make the best out of the situation.

Experience: It is because of waste that I sometimes experience defeat and sometimes victory. If I am able to finish waste, I am able to finish defeat. Because whatever the situation may be, however challenging it may be, if I am able to finish waste I am able to recognise the benefit that is merged within it and so I am able to experience being constantly victorious. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 18.8.17

Relationships are like a tapestry

 

Relationships are like a tapestry... The fabric is strongest when the threads are spun with openness, love and trust. Let me be the first to display these strengths.

Soul Sustenance and Message of the day

--------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 18-08-2017
--------------------------------------

In The Company Of The Purest One (Part 3)

Every year, different religions of the world celebrate the birthdays and other special days of the founders of their religions. In India, many festivals are celebrated to give respect to deities or devi devtas who have lived here in the past. Everyone we love and respect are with physical bodies and God is the only one without a physical body. He plays the most important role in the whole world drama – of world purification, at the end of the world cycle.This is when it’s time for us to go back to our home or the soul world from where we have come.

There are lots of different views about the duration of the world drama but it is God who knows accurately, when souls come down from the soul world in the physical world. Also, He knows how much time it takes them for becoming pure to impure and when they return home, after becoming completely pure again. And this knowledge is revealed by God. To learn about this, we invite you to experience God through the meditation taught at the Brahma Kumaris. Then that experience will take your relationship with God to a completely different level and bring you closer to Him. For that, we would want you to take out some time, for our free introductory course, which is held at all our centers in India and worldwide. After that, you will be in a position to understand the complete godly knowledge, as revealed by Him. The complete course of knowledge and meditation followed by its regular listening and practice which brings divine qualities inside us and helps others also come close to God through us, is called Rajyoga.

-----------------------------------------
Message for the day 18-08-2017
-----------------------------------------

Determination fills a thought with power.

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

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


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 17.8.17

Trust Grows From Faith

 

It can be difficult to learn who to trust. When we have had bad experience with people who betrayed our trust in the past, it can be difficult to let anyone else in. It can take some time to learn to trust anyone again. Trust goes both ways. If I want to gain someone's trust, I have to show them that I trust them before he or she will open up to me. When I am truthful, this will be evident in everything I say and do. When others realize this, they will begin to trust me. From trust, love begins to grow.

Soul Sustenance and Message of the day

--------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 17-08-2017
--------------------------------------

In The Company Of The Purest One (Part 2) 

Whenever anyone in the world remembers God, they look upwards, which means that there is a Higher spiritual energy which looks upon us and is taking care of us all the time. Also God has taken care of us in many of our births, when we experienced pain of any particular kind. We forgot our spiritual identity and who we are and also who God is but God never forgot us and all the time was filling us with His love and sustenance so that we could be happy. God has helped us in different ways. God is a parent, a Supreme one, who has His own ways of loving us and getting us out of trouble, which we sometimes, during our births and rebirths, have not understood completely. 

There is no human being who can take the place of God in this world drama. Although there will be some human souls who are higher and purer than the rest and have performed higher actions. That is why some human souls are respected more than the rest and also worshipped in temples and other places of worship and also remembered a lot by millions of people. Deities or devi devtas are human souls with divine qualities and also founders of different religions are extremely pure souls who have been loved for what roles they played. They are remembered many years after they have left their roles and physical bodies. Even famous gurus have left an important mark on the world with their lives of purity which they have led and the direction that they gave to many people and showed how to lead pure and peaceful lives. But, God is the still the Highest One, who is not only full of many qualities, which many pure souls were, but is an Ocean of those qualities and is the purest one. That’s what differentiates Him from many pure souls who are well known and remembered all over the world. 

(To be continued tomorrow …) 

-----------------------------------------
Message for the day 17-08-2017
-----------------------------------------

True victory lies in inspiring courage in others too. 

Expression:The one who is victorious enables others to be victorious too. Such a person will never make the other person seem any less. He will never allow the other person to feel defeated because the one who is victorious is a bestower. He has the ability to give courage to others and fill with hope to achieve something better. 

Experience: When I have the feeling of being victorious, I would naturally want others too to experience the same. I would look for ways to give courage and support to the ones who are losing. This will never let me lose hope in myself or in others and will also win the trust and good wishes of others. So there is a constant experience of being victorious. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thought of the day 16.8.17

Wise Wealth

 

There are many words for which we have forgotten the meaning - love is one such word, and wealth is another. When we hear or use the word wealth today we immediately conjure images of huge cheques, large properties, five star holidays and the very best in everything. In fact it is this limited form of wealth, measured and defined essentially by money which blocks the realization and manifestation of true wealth.

Every human being is wealthy beyond imagination. But not in their bank accounts. Real wealth is completely intangible, invisible and deeply internal. Every human being is a unique individual spiritual entity. And as such, a source of the most precious energy in the universe. Love is the gold of the soul. We are each that gold at the core of our being. But few of us are aware of it, let alone consciously tapping it and expressing it. No one teaches us that love is what we are, that our purpose in life is to know it, and give it, and that when we do, all other energies, including the material stuff, will come back to us. We are taught instead that love is dead, love is daft, love is for softies, love is sex, loving is losing not winning, love is indulgence, love is about doing deals in our relationships. No wonder we are stressed out. We have a totally distorted view of wealth and an inherited belief system which clouds our view and access to the riches we contain within our heart. No wonder there is spiritual poverty amidst affluence, no wonder the destitute wander streets paved with the riches of their neighbours. No wonder the children in the villages of India have a smile that lights up your soul, while the kids in 'material land' are always miserable with their lot!

Are you wealthy, or are you Wealthy?

Soul Sustenance and Message of the day

--------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 16-08-2017
--------------------------------------

In The Company Of The Purest One (Part 1) 

A beautiful experience with God is one of playing different relationships with God at the same time and experiencing the joy of the same. There is no doubt that no human being can take the place of God in this world drama and there is no one as high as Him. All human souls are full of peace, joy, love, bliss, purity, power and wisdom for some time, but not permanently. As the souls come down the ladder of different births, they come in different relationships with each other. Also, as the souls play their roles through physical bodies, they become attached with their physical bodies, which makes them impure. Because of that, they lose these qualities and that affects their relationships. This happens until God comes down Himself and purifies the souls so that they can return back to the soul world, from where they have come as pure souls. 

So, all human souls need the help of God to go back to the world where God also stays - the soul world. God does not come in the cycle of birth and rebirth and stays in the soul world until the world cycle reaches its end point i.e. the end of Kaliyuga or the Iron Age, which is the present moment. All human souls will be liberated by the Supreme Soul or God now and will be taken back by Him to the soul world, as He purifies them at this point of time. So, this is the time when the Supreme Parent of Humanity is with us and we are all His 7 billion children, who need His power to become pure again. We were pure before coming into this physical world. So, God is One and we are all souls, who will be purified by God, who is the everlasting and eternal Ocean of Purity. 

(To be continued tomorrow …) 

-----------------------------------------
Message for the day 16-08-2017
-----------------------------------------

To bring newness into actions means to contribute for the betterment of the self and others. 

Expression:There is a constant desire to do something better that makes a contribution to oneself and to others too. So the one who thinks of newness can bring about such a contribution. There will not be something different that can be done. But the same thing can be done in such a way that there is benefit visible. 

Experience: When I am able to bring newness in the way I do things, I am able to experience constant progress. There will also be the satisfaction of bringing about newness and creativity even in ordinary actions. Along with this will also be the satisfaction of making a contribution in every action of mine. 


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris