Daily Positive Thoughts: May 16, 2013
Rest Comes With Waking
Rest does not come with sleeping, it comes with waking. When we are enlightened we realise that real rest is possible only when we become free of illusion and we no longer struggle against life. Illusion is the idea that people should be, and do, what we want them to. The truth is, all is as it should be, despite appearances or our perceptions of others to the contrary.
The one who teaches others never makes time his teacher. When the
situation demands or forces us to change, we can usually bring about a
change. But rarely do we find ourselves changing before time and
being ready for the situations that are to come. So, we face a lot of
difficulty during the time we are facing a problem. We need to have
the simple aim to keep learning from everything that happens. With
this aim we will be able to learn and be ready even before time forces
us to change. Then we will be able to give the right direction to
others, too, at the right time.
situation demands or forces us to change, we can usually bring about a
change. But rarely do we find ourselves changing before time and
being ready for the situations that are to come. So, we face a lot of
difficulty during the time we are facing a problem. We need to have
the simple aim to keep learning from everything that happens. With
this aim we will be able to learn and be ready even before time forces
us to change. Then we will be able to give the right direction to
others, too, at the right time.
Practical Positive Response Training To The Mind (cont.)
Yesterday we had explained the process of restoring positivity in the mind when faced with a negative situation, where the most common response is a negative one but the mind can be trained to respond in a different way, in a positive way. Today we explain this process with an example.
e.g. You have just had a major argument with your spouse and have lost your temper. At that time, not only your mind but your physical body also feels uncomfortable - it is in a state of complete stress. You feel your blood pressure has suddenly shot up, your heart is beating fast, you feel uncomfortable in the stomach, your hands are shaking, your face and eyes are red. On top of that, you also feel sad. You have behaved like this many times before and you know the results of responding in this way. The relationship has been scarred and you have worsened a situation. This could have been avoided. There is sorrow, guilt, low self esteem and hopelessness over your loss of control. Also, there is a fear regarding your future, not necessarily a long term one, because things will get sorted out sooner or later, but a short term uncertainty does exist, especially regarding what your spouse's response will be in the next few hours or days. In this state of mental and physical helplessness or desperation, anger may come again either projected towards yourself or towards your partner, which will be followed by the same effects, worsening your state further. In this moment of lack of spiritual wisdom, you remind yourself of the simple wisdom that you are in fact a soul. Even while you are still caught up in the turmoil of the negative situation, using your intellect, you consciously emerge inside yourself, your true awareness of being a sparkling point of peaceful light situated just above the eyes, at the center of the forehead. You not only become aware but you also use the intellect to visualize your true, peaceful, spiritual and star-like form clearly. In that moment, you are able to tap into the reservoir of peace that is present deep inside your being. You calm your mind by holding on to this awareness for a few minutes. You feel - you know - that you are peace. As this experience grows, it has a soothing effect on your whole physical system. Gradually, stability and peace are restored to your body as well as your mind.
Soul Sustenance
The Power To Tolerate (cont.)
For most human beings today, if someone insults them, they'll immediately become angry or upset in return, so nothing gets resolved. Those with a good character may be able to smile for a while, responding with patience, but repeated assaults will tire them down until the point come where they will react.
If, however, through my meditation, I am receiving unlimited power from the Supreme, my heart will remain open and I won't count how many times the other person has insulted me. This may sound like an impossible thing to do. Meditation, however, makes the impossible possible. Experienced meditators, who have developed a very deep, personal relationship with the Supreme, and keep the Supreme as their constant companion, display just such a power. It's immensely worthwhile for all of us to move towards that goal.
True tolerance is made possible by openness and acceptance. It doesn't mean clenching my teeth and carrying on, come what may. Repression or suppression of my feelings can cause me all sorts of internal damage, and end in an explosion and damage others too.
(To be continued tomorrow …..)
Message for the day
The habit of thinking positive finishes negative.
Expression: Just as it has become a habit of thinking negative, a positive habit when created will naturally bring about a change. A little practice and attention to form a habit of thinking positive will reveal its result of creating an influence of positivity. The situations will not change on their own, but the habit that has been formed will bring about a change in the response and will change the situation too.
Experience: Usually it becomes very difficult or sometimes impossible for me to think positive in difficult situations. At that time, although I want to, the response that emerges from within is based on the habit that is formed previously. So when I make the habit of constantly and consciously thinking positive, I then become free from the struggle of having to change my mind to positive in difficult situations.
The Power To Tolerate (cont.)
For most human beings today, if someone insults them, they'll immediately become angry or upset in return, so nothing gets resolved. Those with a good character may be able to smile for a while, responding with patience, but repeated assaults will tire them down until the point come where they will react.
If, however, through my meditation, I am receiving unlimited power from the Supreme, my heart will remain open and I won't count how many times the other person has insulted me. This may sound like an impossible thing to do. Meditation, however, makes the impossible possible. Experienced meditators, who have developed a very deep, personal relationship with the Supreme, and keep the Supreme as their constant companion, display just such a power. It's immensely worthwhile for all of us to move towards that goal.
True tolerance is made possible by openness and acceptance. It doesn't mean clenching my teeth and carrying on, come what may. Repression or suppression of my feelings can cause me all sorts of internal damage, and end in an explosion and damage others too.
(To be continued tomorrow …..)
Message for the day
The habit of thinking positive finishes negative.
Expression: Just as it has become a habit of thinking negative, a positive habit when created will naturally bring about a change. A little practice and attention to form a habit of thinking positive will reveal its result of creating an influence of positivity. The situations will not change on their own, but the habit that has been formed will bring about a change in the response and will change the situation too.
Experience: Usually it becomes very difficult or sometimes impossible for me to think positive in difficult situations. At that time, although I want to, the response that emerges from within is based on the habit that is formed previously. So when I make the habit of constantly and consciously thinking positive, I then become free from the struggle of having to change my mind to positive in difficult situations.
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