Contemplation: True to the Best

Contemplation:  True to the Best

True to the Best

Real honesty means being true to the best that is within you. This is more honest than simply speaking your mind.

A Strong Mind

Affluent societies have put huge effort into improving physical
facilities, but our minds have suffered neglect. Increased levels of
negative states such as anxiety, addiction, irritability and depression
have accompanied burgeoning desires. As well as undermining the health
of individuals, these negative attitudes and emotions harm society and
the environment by causing a loss of fundamental values in our actions.
When we feel sad and empty inside, we become part of the problem. We
comfort ourselves by blaming others and circumstances. Instead we have
to learn how to make our mind strong. That means fill it with
positivity.

The Spiritual Concept Of Becoming A Trustee

Spirituality introduces to us a very beautiful concept of trusteeship. At first, I realize that as a spiritual being or soul, I possess the treasures of my mind, my thoughts, words, actions, virtues, powers, time, physical wealth, etc. Even my physical body is a treasure.

While I may have many a times misused these treasures earlier, now I learn how to use them correctly for my spiritual upliftment or the long term benefit of me, the soul. As per the Supreme Being's instructions, I use these treasures for a positive purpose of bringing not only myself but others also, closer to a state of truth, a state in which the soul experiences its original virtues of peace, love, joy, purity, power, wisdom, etc. By doing that I, in return, experience spiritual self-growth.

Each time I deviate from this purpose, I come down spiritually, or I do not grow spiritually. This is a different type of existence as compared to before when I did not even realize that these were treasures in the first place. A treasure can be defined as something of immense value. So, these physical and spiritual energies or resources (mentioned above) which I own or possess, become treasures because by the right use of them towards myself and others, I can increase my value. Here we refer primarily to the spiritual self's value. Once that is increased, the physical self's value also increases as a result.

(To be continued tomorrow...)

Soul Sustenance

The Five Spiritual And Five Physical Elements (Part 4) 

As we have explained earlier in this series, the Supreme Soul always remains an Ocean of the five spiritual virtues or elements peace, purity, wisdom, love and joy right through eternity. The soul is made up of three faculties - the mind, intellect and personality. 

Meditation is a direct connection in which a human soul, using the two faculties - the mind and the intellect, connects with the most powerful Supreme Source or Soul and draws spiritual power from it. This absorbed spiritual power then transforms the third faculty - the personality, filling it with the five virtues mentioned above. 

The more the spiritual power absorbed the greater and faster is the filling up of virtues. These virtues then become a balm which heals the many different types of wounds of ego, anger, hatred, hurt, jealousy, possessiveness, greed, criticisms, desires, etc. which have left their mark on the soul in this and many past births of the soul. They gradually restore in the soul the confidence to emerge from the shadows of negativity and to live in the light of its original nature. It is amazing, and heart-warming, when one rediscovers these qualities beneath all the other impressions formed during this and previous lives that have probably been peaceless and sorrowful at times. The journey of meditation bypasses all the negative tendencies and allows the soul to touch these original qualities, experience their truth, and express them in its life. 

The other three factors which help us in understanding as well as experiencing peace, purity, wisdom, love and lasting happiness or joy are: 

1. The understanding and inculcation of the complete spiritual knowledge of the soul, Supreme Soul and the eternal world time cycle. 

2. Attention on the self and checking and changing the self during the entire day and also keeping a daily chart of the main weaknesses or negative personality trait in the self, which is filled every night before going to sleep. 

3. Sharing the five spiritual virtues along with spiritual knowledge with others through thoughts, words and actions. Treasures shared with others will bring about a direct increase in the treasures in the self. Also, blessings received from others, by serving them help in the same purpose. 

Message for the day

Greatness is visible in simplicity. 

Expression: The simplicity within us brings benefit to many. Simplicity doesn't mean we have to give up all we have, but it only means that we give up the attraction and attachment to whatever we are using. With simplicity our lifestyle takes on an easiness that in itself can be a healing source to those around. 

Experience: We need to make the practice of being detached even while using everything. We need not give up anything, but while using everything, we need to remember that what we have is for the use of everyone and not to get dependent on it. When we are detached in this way we will be able to bring benefit to all around us. 

Contemplation: Big Heart

Contemplation:  Big Heart

Big Heart
Be quick to forgive any form of insult, and slow to forget the importance of a big heart.

Change Attitude

The most natural way to bring about change is to change one's
attitude, starting at the seat of consciousness or the thoughts. It is
better to become an actor instead of a reactor to change. Think your
way into a new way of acting. Change the thoughts and automatically the
behavior will follow. Purify the thoughts and automatically your
actions will become pure. It becomes impossible for anyone to become
angry if the thoughts are peaceful. With purity of thought, a clear
vision of reality can be seen. It is impossible to accurately view
reality through the warped lenses of ego, greed and negative
tendencies.

False Attachments

Are you aware that whenever you lose your true self-awareness (soul-consciousness), you will identify with and get attached to something that is not you? It could be another person, your work, or some material possession. Let's say you are attached to your job and one day, due to rising costs, your company decides to downsize and starts laying off thousands of its employees - all of a sudden you are asked to leave. The attachment to and identification with your position in the company, which has become a habit (sanskara), causes the creation of fearful and angry thoughts (e.g., "I'm going to lose my job" (fear related to the future) or "How dare they downsize the company and damage my position" (anger towards the company and its leadership)).

The destructive energy of these thoughts becomes emotion (energy in motion) which then invades your entire mind so you cannot have clear and calm thoughts (the prime requirement of that moment). It hijacks your intellect so you cannot make correct, wise decisions and choices (also the prime requirement of that moment) for the future. Any connection you had with your inner peace is broken. All this happens because you forgot who you really are and had begun to think you are what you do. When seen from the point of view of this example it sounds ridiculous that we should identify with what we do or what we have, but this is currently how the world and its people work. So, never forget who you truly are!

Soul Sustenance

The Five Spiritual And Five Physical Elements (Part 3) 

As explained in yesterday's message, in the hierarchy of the three entities around which the whole World Drama revolves – the Supreme Soul is right at the top, the human souls are in the middle and nature is at the bottom. So, the process of restoring the balance of the spiritual and physical elements has to be initiated from the top i.e. by the Supreme Soul. The human souls which are in the middle of the hierarchy benefit from this process directly. 

The human souls, by transforming themselves i.e. by filling themselves up with the five spiritual elements peace, purity, wisdom, love and joy from the Supreme Soul and restoring their balance in their personalities, then bring benefit to nature which is at the bottom of the hierarchy. This is because their doing this causes the positive energy of the five virtues to spread in nature, which results in the balance restoration of the five physical elements earth, air, water, fire and sky and the five spiritual elements or virtues in the personalities of animals, birds, insects (the same principle as explained yesterday).

This entire process, explained above, takes place in the Confluence Age which is a small Age between the Iron Age and the Golden Age, which is again the present time. So, the Confluence Age is an Age in which positive transformation takes place. Thus, at the present moment of time, the two Ages - Iron Age and Confluence Age co-exist. 

The Supreme Soul does not bring direct benefit to nature, He does that via human souls, who are intelligent enough to catch his directions and connect with Him and as a result transform themselves. So, the human souls when seen with respect to the Supreme Soul, who is the Creator; are the Creation, who benefit from Him. But the same human souls, when seen with respect to nature can be called the Master Creator and nature can be called as the Creation. Here the phrase Master Creator means children of the Supreme Soul, the Creator, but at the same time those children who possess the power to perform the task of balance restoration for the self as well as the Creation, similar to the Creator, under his guidance and by absorbing power from Him. 

We shall explain the actual process of imbibing the five spiritual elements from the Supreme Soul in tomorrow's message, which is the last of this series. 

Message for the day

Introversion helps us to free our mind from wasteful and negative thinking. 

Expression: Instead of being taken by surprise and despairing, introversion helps us to remain steady and creative even during difficult situations. Introversion keeps us free from the grip of negative programming and conditioning that is already in the mind and helps us remain focused and capable. 

Experience: Even in the most negative situation, we need to practice being detached and rise above the situation and have the aim of moving forward. This gives us the understanding that there is a secret, tailor-made lesson for our own personal development, in every instance of difficulty in our life. 

Positive Thoughts in the form of Questions and Answers:

 

Sandeep Maheshwari's Highly Energetic Kolkata Session (in Hindi)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-tYkr4vRLA

Contemplation: Resolve Conflict

Contemplation: Resolve Conflict

The Great Blue Hole

Resolve Conflict

There has probably never been a time where there has been so much fear and conflict across the world, not just across oceans and borders but across the breakfast table. In fact many now prefer conflict to peace, as they become addicted to the actions of anger and aggression, and the adrenaline rush which results. They don't really want conflict to end, in fact, they will say that some conflict is good to get things done and stimulate change. They are not aware that they are killing themselves. All conflict is simply a symptom of attachment to a position. And as we know, this generates fear, and fear, if allowed to stay, eventually kills it's host. All solutions are based on detachment or letting go. But that will be difficult until we can see that all possession is an illusion, that we have nothing to lose and that there are no victories in winning.

relax7

Inner World

When I observe the inner world of my thoughts and feelings, I can
develop new ways of responding to situations and events which help me
to keep a positive frame of mind. For example, I may constantly become
fearful and upset about ill-health which only makes it worse, but a
period of illness could offer me a space to get off life's roller
coaster for a while, to rest and look at how I have been living. I may
see ways of improving my attitudes and actions. That realization itself
brings fresh hope and happiness. As long as I keep looking inside I do
have a choice. Why choose worry, which will harm me, when I can opt for
positive approach which will uplift me.

The Subtle Forms Of Fear

One result of being afraid is doubt. When a person is lost in a sea of doubts, they cannot believe in the solutions and answers that come to mind, they are not even willing to try them and experiment with them to see if they work.

Doubts can go to the extreme of creating such uncertainty and insecurity that the person suffers mental paralysis or emotional seizure. Then, they can enter a state of panic and become paralyzed to the point of not finding the initiative to be positive. The mind is filled with questions related to How? What? Why?

These questions are not asked in order to find answers but to prolong the doubts, or to remain on the defensive, or in a state of lack of commitment, where the person really does not want to listen or know.

Asking with the objective of being informed is different from doubt. When someone wants to be informed, they ask constructive questions with an openness to learn and willingness to experiment. When there is fear, expressed in the form of doubts, jealousy, secretiveness or a competitive attitude, there is no willingness to learn. At the heart of all this is the fear of loss, whether it be of a person, position, possession or one's own image. Fears cause dependence, expectations, and conflict with oneself or with others.

Soul Sustenance

The Five Spiritual And Five Physical Elements (Part 2) 

There are three entities around which the whole World Drama revolves – the Supreme Soul, the human souls and nature. Nature includes everything non-living like mountains, rivers, seas etc. and living things like plants, trees etc. It also includes living beings like animals, birds, insects etc. which are souls with a lesser evolved intellect than human ones. The human body also comes under the category of nature. 

These three entities are in the form of a hierarchy, the Supreme Soul is the most powerful at the top of the hierarchy, in the middle are the human souls and at the bottom of the hierarchy is nature. The Supreme Soul always remains an Ocean of the five virtues peace, purity, wisdom, love and joy and is the only entity in which the balance of these virtues is always maintained right through eternity. 

In human souls, as explained yesterday, in the beginning of the world cycle, in the Golden Age, these virtues are in balance. As human souls come down in the birth-rebirth cycle and start becoming influenced by body-consciousness or the five vices - anger, ego, greed, attachment and lust, all spiritual building blocks or virtues - peace, purity, wisdom, love and joy start getting depleted. In each soul, some virtues get depleted more, some less.

In each and every soul the depletion is different depending on its actions e.g. in some soul the depletion of peace is immense compared to the other because of picking up sanskaras of anger on its journey and bringing them into actions or in some soul the depletion of joy is immense because of picking up a lot of attachment on the way etc. 

This depletion of the five spiritual elements or virtues upsets the balance between them. This depletion and imbalance causes negative spiritual energy waves or vibrations of sorrow, anger, impurity, hatred, fear etc. from human souls to spread in nature and starts having a negative influence on the five physical elements earth, air, water, fire and sky and even the five spiritual elements peace, purity, wisdom, love and joy in the souls of animals, birds, insects, etc. upsetting the balance of both. 

This is because nature (as defined in the above paragraph) is lowest in the hierarchy, lesser powerful and easily influenced by the energy that human souls transmit or radiate. This double imbalance of spiritual and physical elements results in peacelessness, sorrow, illness, poverty, natural calamities, accidents, ecological imbalances etc. When all of these reach their maximum extent, that Age is called the Iron Age. This is an interesting principle which needs to be understood clearly. 

How do we restore the balance of the spiritual and physical elements? We shall explain that in tomorrow's message. 

Message for the day

Introversion helps us to manage our thoughts better. 

Expression: With introversion we can very easily manage our thoughts since our mind will be free from waste and negative. Also when we are introverted, we find that there is no need to think as much as we do, but the thoughts required emerge effortlessly. Thus we are able to use our thoughts powerfully. 

Experience: When we find ourselves having a lot of thoughts due to some situation, we only need to sit in silence and practice going within ourselves instead of thinking too much about the situation. We need to make an attempt to experience the peace deep within ourselves and we will find ourselves getting calmer. 

Contemplation: Clean and Tidy

Contemplation: Clean and Tidy

Clean and Tidy

The most important places to keep clean and tidy are my mind and heart. If I allow thoughts to flourish that I wouldn't want to see the light of day, I can never have any real self-respect. By starting each day in quiet reflection and pouring positive, loving thoughts into my mind, I gradually clean out cynicism and unkindness.

Determined Thought

We are good at singing praises of God, about others and about
ourselves. But when we make mistakes or feel incapable of performing
some action, we sing of our weaknesses and failings. This does not help
in removing them. To constantly remind ourselves that we are shy, lazy,
impatient etc is one sure way of staying like that. You must have faith
in yourself that you can do better. Even if everyone gives up on you,
your positive thoughts will help you do better. If everyone thinks you
CAN change, you will not do so unless you yourself have that determined
thought. Within each individual there are strengths and weaknesses, the
balance within each one is different. Know our strengths and
weaknesses, but knowing your trumpet does not mean blowing your own
trumpet.

Radiating Love To The Universe

I sit in a comfortable position... I relax my body...I breathe deeply and let go of tensions...

I centre myself in the present moment... I concentrate my mind... I enter into the space of inner silence... The thoughts diminish and my mind relaxes fully... Now experience the following thoughts:

I am a non-physical being of light, full of love, centered on the forehead... I am a river flowing with love... my source is the Supreme Ocean Of Love, God; whose child I am... I experience myself sitting under his canopy of the light of love...

I love each part of my physical body which is my vehicle. I relax it... I love each thought that I create, it is my creation... I generate gentle thoughts, tender, relaxing... I feel the energy of love that radiates from within me towards the universe... I, the soul give off love towards what surrounds me...

I give off love towards other souls... I look at everyone with the consciousness that each one, whatever their temporary nature may be, their innate nature is love... I give my spiritual assistance, my good wishes to them, so that they return back to their original, basic nature, which is love... I give off love towards each molecule of the five elements of nature - earth, wind, water, fire and sky and the planet as a whole. I am love... I channel this love towards everything I think, feel, do and transmit...

By performing the above meditation and sharing my unlimited treasure of love, I assist the Supreme Father, through my thoughts, in his task of creating a world full of love, where all souls and the nature co-exist in a loveful and peaceful manner...

Soul Sustenance

The Five Spiritual And Five Physical Elements (Part 1) 

There are various ancient teachings in the East including India which describe the five physical elements - earth, air, water, fire and sky as the five pillars of Creation or the building blocks of Creation. These teachings suggest that every particle of the physical Creation is made of these building blocks.

The human body is also made of these five primary elements. These elements need to remain in balance for the Universe to stay in order and the human body to stay in order or good health. Bad health generally means one or more of these elements is out of place. There are various techniques mentioned in these teachings which are used to create this balance, including ancient Indian mantras. The popular ancient Indian Vedic Vaastu science, used by many to build homes even today, also works on creating a balance between these five physical elements. 

According to spiritual principles given by the Supreme Being or the Supreme Soul, in the same way, on a spiritual level, the soul also comprises of five original constituent qualities or building blocks or elements– peace, purity, wisdom (or truth), love and joy. When the soul first comes down from the soul world and starts playing its part on the physical world, there is a complete balance of these five qualities in its personality. 

This is the reason that at the beginning of the world cycle, in the period that we commonly call the Golden Age or Paradise or Satyuga, there is complete happiness, love and peace within the self and even in relationships. The balance of the spiritual elements in the souls, causes the five physical elements earth, air, water, fire and sky also to remain in complete balance; hence in the Golden Age, there is complete physical prosperity and richness; there is no trace of illnesses and natural calamities like earthquakes, floods, etc.

Due to the double balance, nature is not only in order but very very beautiful. Even the physical bodies are not only healthy but very beautiful. Even the animals and birds are completely full of all virtues and live in absolute love and harmony with each other. So the balance of the five virtues in souls reflects itself not only on a subtle level i.e. in the personalities and interactions but also on a physical level i.e. in the physical bodies, flora (plants) and fauna (animals), nature in general, etc. 

In tomorrow's message, we shall explain the reason for this. 

Message for the day

Introversion helps us get in touch with our pure, perfect self. 

Expression: Introversion means to spend time in silence, enabling us to get in touch with our pure, perfect self. It helps us to go within and recognize our own inner truth. It is not just to stay within but to recognize one's own inner worth and deal with the world with it. 

Experience: Even during the worst situations, it is necessary to become introverted, look within ourselves and see our own inner worth. We will then naturally be able to maintain our self-respect. This enables us to be stable and happy, whatever the situation might be. 

Contemplation: Real Gentleness

Contemplation: Real Gentleness

  

Kawachi Fuji Gardens, Japan

Real Gentleness

Real gentleness in a person is a great power. The power that sees, understands, but never interferes. Like the branch of the tree, just touching the earth but never taking root in it. Never to take root in someone else’s mind but to help, that’s gentleness.

The Inner Awakening Wave

Our beliefs either put us to sleep or cause us to remain awake. Even if are awake on a physical level, when we are asleep internally, without even realizing most of the time; we don't see others, situations and the world as a whole in their true light. We see, perceive and interpret reality incorrectly, which causes us pain. We perceive any sort of pain on the mental or emotional level to be normal and think that others and circumstances are responsible for the pain.

All this, because of the incorrect beliefs that we carry inside us, the most important one being that we are physical bodies and not spiritual energies or souls. Only when the subtle pain becomes intolerable, do we look for a remedy for the same, or think we have to do something about it. Most of us go through life asleep and hence in pain. An inner awakening is one in which we realize the incorrect beliefs and are not scared to challenge them. Once we do that, our pain starts receding. We then very naturally look to wake up others, so that they are relieved from their pain.

The present time in the history of humanity is such that while the sleep of some souls is getting more and more sound and pain increases in the world, on the other hand, an inner awakening wave is taking many souls in its tide as more and more souls are waking up from their deep slumber and waking up others.

This is the time when late night and early morning exist side by side. It is the same time, but late night for most and early morning, a time of getting up, for a few. This is happening due to a consciousness shift or shifting of beliefs inside many through spiritual knowledge. Such souls, whose number keeps increasing every day, are experiencing more and more happiness in their lives. Both these groups of souls have similar circumstances and people in their life but the shifting or correction of beliefs inside the second group is causing souls in the group to remain stable amidst these circumstances, free from spiritual pain, depending on how much the shift is.

Soul Sustenance

Experiencing Positive Thoughts 

Positive thoughts emerge from your values and may be experienced as: 

Confidence 
Contentment 
Cooperation 
Enthusiasm 
Generosity 
Happiness 
Harmony 
Honesty 
Hope 
Love 
Mercy 
Peace 
Respect 
Solidarity 
Tolerance 
Trust

Let's look at some examples of positive thoughts (with respect to the above values): 

Happiness: Happiness raises the spirit of whoever possesses it, and brings out a smile in others. 

Love: Be as enthusiastic with the success of others as you are with your own. 

Honesty: If I am honest in all my actions, I will never be afraid. 

Respect: The only way of receiving respect is to give it first. 

Mercy: Do not lose hope in those that have lost hope.

Message for the day

The one who is simple is the one who is free from pain. 

Expression: When we are simple we are able to be free from pain or hurt even in adverse situations. We are able to take benefit from the wealth of experiences accumulated over the past without feeling the pain. With simplicity we know that we need to remember the past only to the extent that we have to learn from it.

Experience: When something goes wrong and we find ourselves thinking about it again and again, we need to remind ourselves that all the past experiences are only for us to learn from. The past is finished and we don't have to undergo the sorrow again thinking about the past repeatedly.

Clearing the Mind

The method to clear the mind of negativity is to fill it with
positivity. Whenever we come across waste or negativity in the self
because of the situations that we are faced with, we first put in
effort to remove it. We do work very hard to do that but most of the
times we are not able to do so. We then put in more effort or after a
period of time give up trying altogether. The only way to remove
negativity is to fill the mind with positivity. Just as fresh water
added continuously to dirty water cleanses the water, so also positive
thoughts clear the mind of waste and negative thoughts. For this I need
to give my mind positive food every day.

Contemplation: Respect

Contemplation:  Respect

Respect

When I learn to respect myself, other people will respect me. How can I develop respect for myself? By keeping my mind positive and encouraging myself to grow and change for the better. Demanding respect because of my position or background is simply arrogance. On the other hand, listening with humility and valuing other people's advice naturally earns me respect. I get back exactly what I give out.

Self Elevation

To make the self elevated there are three practical steps to take;
first, listen and make sure that you have understood clearly. Then
practice what you have heard. Secondly, give time for your spiritual
effort. Thirdly, stay in good company. By staying in good company my
own company will become such that it supports others. By staying in my
company, others should dance. By seeing that others are able to do
something, we also start to feel that we can do it. When I start doing
it, others will receive inspiration from me to practice that.

The Search For Success Through Desire Fulfillment

The false intention and assumption behind greed, in the form of a thought and feeling, is 'the more I have, the more I am'. It is a combination of trying to add to the value of the self through material possessions, position, role, talent or achievements and then becoming attached to these as a form of identity, finally leading to personal collapse. To try to add to the sense of self in this way has the effect of diverting oneself from the real self, which is why, in many cases, a person who has everything material is left with the feeling of being empty, disorientated and even fearful.

We cannot accumulate, or rely on the external, to create a sense of personal value.

People often try to fill the void of personal inadequacy or emptiness through greed, but this method goes against natural, universal laws. All that I am, all that I can be, all that will make me truly happy must begin from inside the self. We have to start from the inside out, not the other way round, otherwise we create desires that have no end, like the ten-headed Ravana - every time Ram cut off one of his heads, another grew in its place. Ravana did not die until Ram aimed for his heart. Desires are created from wanting one thing or another, believing that we will find achievement when those desires are fulfilled. This pattern of behavior keeps deceiving us and the proof of this is seen in the state of discontentment and emptiness a lot of people find themselves in today.

Soul Sustenance

The Art of Stepping in And Stepping out in Relationships (2) 

In the same way as the gardener (explained yesterday), we have the duty, or rather the honor, of planting positive seeds of good intentions, love, respect and tolerance, at the same time allowing others and the forces of the universe to be given the space to work and respond according to their time and inclination. 

Very often we plant those seeds but want an immediate result: I have shown so much patience, but she doesn't change; or how much longer do I have to tolerate? I feel suppressed. We become attached to what we do, so there is no space for things to happen at their own appropriate time.

Sometimes we have the wrong type of mercy, or we want to take control, thinking we know better, so we step into people's lives too much. This interference and lack of free space provokes hatred, resentment and conflict with others. 

At other times, we get fed up with others; our tolerance and empathy is completely reduced and we say, I've had enough, or I have got to do my own thing and so we step out, but in a selfish way, that is, we isolate ourselves from others, or situations.

We justify, or disguise, this isolation and rejection and dislike towards others with such phrases as, I need my own space or let them stand on their own feet. In actual fact, we aren’t bothered anymore; we have stepped too far out of the picture because we have not cultivated the patience which allows the good and positive to germinate and grow in its own time. 

It is an art to know when to step back and when to step forward, but a very necessary one if well-being is to be achieved. 

Message for the day

To understand is to be easy and light. 

Expression: Life brings obstacles and difficulties. They do not come to stop or hinder progress. They can strengthen and help in bringing progress with more experience. To understand this is to keep advancing. Understanding this aspect means to know that it is not always necessary to find a solution, it is enough to keep moving forward, leaving the obstacle behind. 

Experience: True understanding is to understand what the solution of the problem is and bring it into my own life accordingly. When I am able to understand this instead of focusing too much on the problem, I am able to remain happy. This brings a lot of inner lightness and ease and thereby I am able to use all my strength in bringing about solutions.