Contemplation: Determination

Contemplation: Determination

Determination

It is because you are determined, not flawless, that you attain perfection.

Honour the small achievements of those around you.

Usually the big achievements are given all the attention and it's the small achievements which often go unnoticed.

Today, credit or praise someone in private,
acknowledge them in a meeting or
put a congratulations note on the fridge door.

The Supreme Source(Supreme Soul) 

has the power to remind us of what
we were because His original state of being is permanent; He never
forgets Himself, is never polluted and remains forever true to Himself
in the state of spiritual or soul consciousness. As a result, He is
the copy of what we were, of what we are to become. Very simply, the
qualities of peace, love, purity, happiness and truth
are there in Him, visible and available to those who wish to tune in
and receive.

What we remember, we become, and so it is important to remember the
right things. Number one on the list is thoughts of the original self
and the Supreme Source.

Imagine two points of energy (light): one here on the earth, in time
and matter, and the other beyond the earth, in another world of
silence and peace. When these two points connect through the power of
thought and feeling there is a union, which allows for a flow of
energy and the experience of our true being. 'I, the soul, the
point, am here and the Supreme Soul, also a point of energy (light),
is up there'. However, love and remembrance bring such closeness that
there is no feeling of distance or separation.

To achieve remembrance that empowers (strengthens), we need to plug in
every day to the Supreme Source in silence, in a way that is beyond
ritual or sound. It is a personal connection, which requires no
audience and no rules, only an honest heart. When a person has a
positive intention (purpose), the plug of love fits into the socket
and the self receives whatever it needs, whatever is useful for it to
create and sustain a life of quality.

Soul Sustenance 

Practical Positive Response Training To The Mind (Part 2)

If I believe that I am just the physical body and that my thoughts are simply results of chemical and electrical processes in the brain, and not something I can consciously control, I let go of the key of taking charge of what is going on inside my mind. In meditation, my intellect recognizes and realizes that my thoughts are my own creation, of me the soul and not the body and that I, the soul, using the intellect, which is also a part of the soul, can make choices about them.

When I realize that my natural state is to be the master of my mind and not to be dictated by it or dictated by the brain, I start taking charge of what is going on inside. When I practice being a master of my mind repeatedly by practicing meditation regularly, the new habit of creating only positive thoughts settles inside me and my habit of responding negatively with a negative state of mind to negative situations, begins to change over a period of time. I start responding positively even to negative situations. So, meditation is a major transformation process of the habit of thinking negatively, which then has positive results on my personality and behavior.

Tomorrow we shall further clarify the process which has been explained in today’s and yesterday’s message, with an example.



Message for the day 

When we change our world changes.

Projection: We usually wait for the world to change, sometimes the world at large and sometimes our own little world. Since it is not in our hands we don't find it changing according to what we want and we give up trying. We rarely think of changing ourselves which is possible.

Solution: When we change, our thoughts and attitude change too. We are then able to look at the people and our world around us with a different vision. Thus we find that our world changes, not so much in the situation as much as in our own perception.

Contemplation: Unshakable

Contemplation: Unshakable

Unshakeable

If we face our problems and respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness, or self pity, these adverse situations that look like they could bury us have within them the very real potential to make us unshakeable.

To be free from the burden of responsibility is to fulfill the
responsibility well.

When I am responsible for something or people expect me to be
answerable for something, I tend to feel heavy because of these
responsibilities. With e such a feeling of having a burden, I'm not
able to fulfill my responsibilities to the best of my ability.
Whatever responsibilities are given to me are according to my
capabilities. When I remind myself of this I'll be able to be light
and give my best to fulfill all my responsibilities.

Soul Sustenance 

Practical Positive Response Training To The Mind (Part 1)

Meditation is a process in which I train the mind to consciously create those right type of thoughts that I wish to have, inside my mind, regularly in my daily routine. On the field of action, I am faced with various different types of negative and uncomfortable situations, which have the first and most immediate effect on my thoughts, before showing on my face in my expressions or in my words or actions. I do realize inside, that the thoughts (and as a result my physical response) created at these times are not the right ones. I want to inculcate a habit, whereby my thought patterns are only which I like or are the right, positive and powerful ones no matter what happens.

So where do I start? Meditation is the start. Meditation is the time, when I consciously create positive thoughts. What benefit do I achieve from that? In these few moments, I am changing the deep and very old habit (not limited only to this birth) of creating the wrong type of thoughts, whenever I am faced with a situation which I do not like. How do I do this? I do this through the intellect. The intellect takes hold of the reins of the mind and chooses the direction in which it will travel. Why is it able to do this? Because, during meditation, I bring myself back to the knowledge or belief that I am a soul and my intellect accepts and absorbs this awareness. This belief then becomes the key to taking charge of what is going on in my mind.

(To be continued tomorrow …) 



Message for the day 

The one who sacrifices name and fame is the one who gets recognition.

Projection: When we make a positive contribution we usually want to get recognition for it. We might not always say it in words but there is always an expectation that others should recognise our contribution.

Solution: We need to make sure that we enjoy whatever we do. Since the task itself becomes enjoyable for us, we don't anymore expect recognition. The more we become free from expectations we get the love from others and recognition too.

Contemplation: Ego

Contemplation: Ego

Ego

Ego limits the flow of love by placing conditions on the love you give and receive. Ego does not allow you to experience true love or share it.

To have learnt means to bring about a practical change.

From all that happens, I usually understand a lot of things and take
important lessons. But sometimes I find myself making the same
mistakes again and again. So I am not able to bring about real change.
Once I realise and learn from a mistake that has happened, I need to
spend some time in understanding it even further. I need to ensure I
don't ever repeat the same mistake. This will enable me to bring about
real change.

 Vision, Goals, Strategies And Action Plans 

A vision is what you can see but not yet reach. The most powerful dimension of vision is not the long term dimension but actually the way you choose to see yourself in your work, circumstances, relationships, etc. Important changes start occurring by simply choosing to see things and people differently. That will have a huge influence on the decisions you make and the results. This is the power of vision.

Goals are aimed at achieving the vision. They should be achievable in a short span of time and represent what you can see and reach. Goals should be specific, measurable, actionable, relevant and time bound (SMART).

Clarification of goals then sets the agenda for the strategies (how) that are necessary to achieve those goals, to drive those goals forward. The strategies then need to be broken down into very specific action plans.

Soul Sustenance

Healing Of Wounds Inside The Soul Through Meditation

Our connection with the Supreme Soul, through meditation, is the best way of healing the inner wounds and negative traces, inside the soul, which have been left by the negative karmas of the past. Given below is a meditation commentary that will help you to absorb the positive healing energy of the Supreme in order to do the same:

I become aware of myself as a tiny sparkling star of light, situated just above the eyebrows – a soul... In soul consciousness, I experience the beauty of the many qualities like peace, love and bliss; of the spiritual being that I am... Now I turn my mind to the soul world… Over there, I visualize, in front of me –a sparkling Sun of golden light - God, the Father and Mother of me, the soul... He radiates immense spiritual energy... I turn my mind and intellect to his light... I feel the warmth of His presence and the light of His love for me gently healing the wounds of the past that are buried deep inside me, the soul... wounds left by ego, fear, sorrow, jealousy, hatred, anger…

While I sit and absorb this healing energy from the Source, I also transmit that light and positive energy out into the world... This light touches everyone I know and have ever known... It is a light which also heals my negative vision of them... I now recognize everyone around me as bother souls, playing their own unique roles... With this new soul-conscious vision, I experience unconditional love for each soul and all negative memories and past hurts associated with each of my relationships is consciously released... The past is forgotten, resulting in a deep feeling of freedom inside me...

The beauty of the Law of Karma is realizing that when our consciousness is filled with happiness, peace and love for others today; and we transmit that positivity to others through our words and actions, the energy received back from each of our relationships, as a result of doing that; ensures that our own future will be bright.

Message for the day 

The ones with pure thoughts experience safety in all situations.

Projection: When there are negative situations, we usually get negative thoughts very easily. Such negative thoughts take us further into negativity. We get caught in this circle of negativity and we then can't make our thoughts positive.

Solution: We need to take care that we don't blame anyone when we are going through any negative situation. We need to maintain whatever positivity we can in the situation, and we will find our mind changing towards positive too. It is this positivity that acts as a means of safety for us.

Contemplation: Introversion

Contemplation: Introversion

Introversion

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

Trust comes when there is mutual respect.

It is normally experienced that it is difficult to trust people around me. I do want to but the negative experiences do not let me do so. I add up to this negative experience with each incident that happens, which further breaks my trust for people. The only way to trust and gain people's trust is by
having respect for them. Respect makes me look at the specialities in
everyone and I am able to relate to these specialities. The more I
look at the positive aspect in others, the more I am able to encourage
others to use these specialities and relate to my own specialities
too. This is the only way that trust comes.

Meditation To Experience Being An Impartial Observer

Experience the following thoughts one after the other:

I sit in a relaxed position, letting all tensions dissolve...
I relax my shoulders and neck and breathe deeply several times...
Now I focus all my attention inside and observe what is happening in mind...
I observe, and look carefully...
I see myself in different situations; I can identify the things that affect me most, the dependencies on things and people, the various circumstances in which I see myself involved...
I observe how these external factors influence me and change my state of mind. I lack trust in some people, but with others I can express myself freely. There are many influences in my life...
There are the influences of these external factors...
I separate myself from them and observe my inner qualities; I begin to feel that peace, strength and love are part of my original self...
They are so strong that they cannot be influenced by the changing external factors...
I create positive thoughts about myself...
I am a being independent of external influences, and in my inner self there are many qualities

Soul Sustenance 

Stress Management

Often when faced with stress at work or at home, we can feel quite drained (mentally tired). Indeed, we may have noticed how certain individuals or particular situations are draining. We feel as if all our energy has been drawn out of us and it leaves us tired and exhausted. Although this sort of energy cannot be measured in the scientific sense, we can use the power of imagery to stop us feeling drained.

E.g. we can visualize that we are surrounded by a sphere of golden light, so any negative feelings or energies cannot affect us. In a detached way, we can view what is happening and can act suitably, but we are not touched by the stress. This method of using your power of visualization to create protective shields around us can be used in stressful situations e.g. before or during an important exam or an important meeting, interview or any other specific situation.

Message for the day 

The one who serves with the balance of the head and the heart is the one who is successful.

Projection: We usually give directions to people when they go wrong. We also use a lot of logic when we give such directions, but it doesn't always have the desired effect. We then begin to consider the other person to be wrong.

Solution: What we need to do is to have a balance of both the head and the heart while giving our suggestions to others. That means we need to have a lot of love while giving our suggestions to them. Then whatever we say will have its effect on them.

Contemplation: Think Eternity

Contemplation: Think Eternity
Think Eternity Life experiences are like sentences – we are always looking for the full stop, the conclusion. It’s OK to end a train of thought, but not thought itself. Thoughts are like the magic carpet, on which the soul rides across eternity - in reality, there are no endings, no conclusions. Rest for the spirit (which is what we are) is when we allow only the current of the purest thoughts to flow through our mind - thoughts which carry good wishes and blessings for ourselves and others. This is not so much going with the flow, as being in the flow, and refreshed by the flow. For when we have powerful, positive thoughts for and about others, who experiences them first?

Silence is a quiet and peaceful mind
with only a few necessary positive thoughts.
And when we are silent, there's a certain magic that happens:
the penny drops; realizations come easily; decisions can be made
smoothly....

In fact, silence speaks volumes if we just take a moment to listen!

Soul Sustenance

The Energy of Thought and Feeling

Like so many other energies like sound energy, light energy, electrical energy, etc. which are primarily invisible forms of energy and come under the realm of matter or the 5 elements, the energy of thought and feeling is also a form of invisible energy. The only difference is that it is an energy which transcends the limits of matter or the 5 elements and is metaphysical or non-physical and extremely subtle in nature. It is a living or conscient energy which originates from the conscient soul, as compared to the other energies which are non-living or non-conscient in nature. But at the same time, it is important not to forget that it is closely connected with the physical body and can only express itself through a physical body. The other energies cannot express themselves since they are non-living. Also, we perceive this energy only when we are inside the physical body.

It is an energy which has kept going and going for as long as we have lived, life after life, in many wrong directions a lot of times. It is this energy which we need to learn to channelize, control, manage, discipline etc. because by doing that we experience our original virtues of peace, love, joy and power, which is our only and only desire, for which we use various different methods, but many times is not fulfilled, because we forget this basic and most important method. This is something which we have not been able to do since a long time, and something which a lot of people have desired to achieve since thousands of years. The technique of meditation is one technique which helps us in doing that. The channelization of this energy will also improve the state of our physical body as it has a positive effect on the various body systems, the quality of all roles that we play and the success we achieve while playing them and very importantly our relationships– not only with others but with our self and the Supreme Being or God also.

Message for the day

The one who is truly fortunate is constantly enthusiastic.

Projection: When we find things going wrong with us, we immediately find ourselves losing all enthusiasm. We then do nothing to change our situation but just begin to curse our fate. With such an attitude we can do nothing to change our fortune.

Solution: When things go wrong, we have to recognise the fact that it is the present that is in our hands. We don't need to think of what happened in the past and curse our fate. Instead we need to fill ourselves with enthusiasm to make the best use of the present to make our future the best.

Contemplation: A Game

Contemplation: A Game

Photo Matt Hutton:  Surfing with Dolphins, Kalbarri, Australia

A Game

By seeing life as a game, your lightness of spirit will make problems seem easier.

To forgive the self is to have the ability to forgive others too.

I sometimes find it very difficult to forgive the mistakes committed
by others. I do try to understand but am not able to understand the
other person's behaviour and so find it difficult to forgive them.
When I have love for myself and am able to learn from all that
happens, I am able to forgive myself. When I know to do this, I can
understand the other person too from his perspective and can easily
forgive him.

Soul Sustenance

Serving Though The Subtle Body Of Light

Apart from our physical form (body), each one of us also has a form of light -a subtle light body. It is referred to as the aura, and can be 'seen' by some sensitive souls. All of us might not be able to ‘see’ it, but we can become‘aware’ of the aura of others’ through the vibrations they emit. The purity of our subtle, light form is dependent on the purity of our thoughts or mental vibrations. Given below are some thoughts for a meditation to help experience your subtle form and serve through it. Think and visualize each thought alongside:

I become detached from my physical surroundings... I consciously create only the purest thoughts... Now I visualize my true form… I am a subtle being of pure spiritual light, a sparkling star situated at the center of the forehead... Gradually, I become aware of my subtle body of pure, white light surrounding rny physical form... In my body of light, I, the soul, the sparkling energy, consciously stand up and step away from my physical form, which remains seated... I, the soul, inside my subtle body, observe my physical body in a detached way… Now I slowly fly outside the room I am in… I visualize myself, in the subtle form, suspended in the sky… White rays of spiritual light radiate from me, the soul, and my body of light into the world... like that of an angel… In this pure awareness of myself in my form of light, I realize that the greatest gifts I can share with those around me are the light of love, peace and truth.

Sitting anywhere, this meditation exercise can be done to visualize oneself in a hospital, on the site of a natural calamity, accident, next to a friend or relative in pain etc., basically anywhere where vibrations of positivity, peace and happiness are required – the location of visualizing yourself can be hundreds of miles from where you may physically be. As you practice the art of being aware of your subtle body, you will begin to sense how you can have a positive effect on others simply radiating good wishes, pure thoughts and pure feelings.

Message for the day

To take a vow means to guarantee transformation

Projection: When we decide to bring about a change in some aspect we sometimes work hard in the beginning with commitment and sincerity and slowly find our enthusiasm lessening. So we give up before we could really bring about any change.

Solution: Just as the one who takes a vow never breaks it, we too need to take the vow to transform. Whatever obstacles come our way, our special attention has to be not to break the vow. Then we will not stop when obstacles come our way.

Contemplation: Resist Not

Contemplation:  Resist Not

Resist Not

Have you ever noticed that resistance leads to persistence. And behind all resistance is self-created fear. The only way to relax and stay relaxed is acceptance. You don't have to agree, or follow, or condone, but acceptance means you begin any interaction with a serenity which invites others to engage with you. And out of engagement comes the satisfaction of creative expression and an enriching relationship. That's relaxation in action! 

The way to bring transformation in others is to have mercy for them.

Inspite of wanting to bring about a positive change in people and
working towards it, I rarely find that kind of change that I expect.
People continue to display their old patterns of behaviour and finally
I end up only feeling disappointed or frustrated. Real change can come
in people only when I am able to have a vision of mercy for them. With
mercy I am able to perceive and bring out the best in people without
actually being caught up with expectations. Once I am able to see the
positive qualities I am able to encourage them to use these qualities.

Soul Sustenance

Checking Myself On The Stage Of Action

Once we become aware of the possible types of thoughts that the mind creates at different times in the span of a particular day, then we are in a position to keep a check on our thoughts and understand where our energy is being wasted. Once we realize that there are patterns of waste and negative thinking at some times during the day, which are usually triggered by certain situations or people, we can apply a brake on the pattern of habitual negative thinking, thereby transforming this energy wastage into something more positive.

It does happen, that when we are informed about the benefits of meditation for the first time, perhaps in a course or a presentation either in the office, in a center of a spiritual organization or elsewhere; we realize the need for the same but we also feel that, in order to get the house of our minds in order, we need to leave our busy city lifestyles behind and head for the hills. There, we think, we will find the time and the physical and spiritual environment to practice meditation and get our mental state in order, but this is absolutely untrue. While going on an occasional spiritual retreat is certainly useful and recommended for the development of the spiritual self, the real workshop is life itself. Even if I am able to maintain a positive and powerful state of mind in a retreat, it is in our daily actions and relationships with others where the challenge lies, it is on the stage of action or ‘karma kshetra’ that we have to check whether we can remain soul-conscious i.e. in the awareness of our spiritual identity. It is here where we have to see whether we can apply the brakes on patterns of negative thinking, establish and maintain patterns of positive thinking and test whether we have reached the stage where, no person or situation, however negative, can disturb our state of mind.

Message for the day

Perfection comes to the one who is open to learning.

Projection: When we realize having made a mistake, we usually have negative thoughts about ourselves. This is because we expect the best out of ourselves, i.e., we expect ourselves to be perfect in everything we do. But this expectation prevents us from taking naturally the learning from the situation.

Solution: We need to realize that perfection does not come by thinking about it but by being busy in whatever we are doing. With every action of ours comes learning and this automatically brings perfection

Contemplation: Humility

Contemplation: Humility

Humility

Humility puts a hand out to nothing extra, but simply takes what's there. Whether that be food or clothing or understanding. Sometimes there is a lot available and sometimes only a little. It doesn't matter. Even when you understand nothing, there is no worry, for in humility there is the trust that if a person feels themselves to be a child of God, everything will come anyway at the right time

Time Management

We all know the value of delegating (sharing one’s work load with
others). It is a way of empowering others, of giving others the
opportunity to learn, grow and take responsibility. But why don't we
do it more? Why do some people hardly ever delegate at all? For some
it is the thought they do not trust others, or a particular person, to
do a particular task. But underlying that is often the feeling that "I
am the only one who knows how to do this". Underneath that thought is
another thought, "If I don't do this I may well lose my position as
the one who does this task, and therefore lose some of my power". And
the deepest reason why we don't delegate is that we identify with the
task. It is as if we are the task, and to lose the task, or for
someone else to do the task, is to experience losing a part of
ourselves and therefore experience sorrow and sadness.

Soul Sustenance

Resisting False Attractions In Actions

All that glitters (shines) is not gold. Life presents you with many illusionary scenes, scenes in which what may be visible may not be the truth. These scenes cause desires to be born inside you to achieve something unnecessary for your prosperity or other types of fulfillments. These can be illusions that make you believe that you will gain something from a situation or person, without the same being true. Thus, you waste time going down a path that not only leads you to disappointment; but you also waste the resource of your thoughts and energy and as a result you tire yourself out emotionally and mentally.

If the intellect is polluted, you make incorrect judgments and are easily deceived by situations or people. Thus, you will make incorrect choices, dishonest or illogical decisions. You will justify dishonesty and improper actions and you will be incapable of differentiating between the real and the imaginary.A person with a pure, clear, clean and powerful intellect will act with honesty and sincerity. When your intellect is polluted, you may act against your own conscience or against your better judgment; you also may be insensitive. A person with a doubtful intellect will always justify a dishonest act. Meditation is the process of purifying and cleaning the intellect, because in meditation we connect with the purest intellect, the intellect of the Supreme Soul or God. Meditation is also a process of inner awakening and strengthening of your conscience. Being awake means to realize, and being strong means to act according to what you have realized.

Message for the day

To recognize the uniqueness of one's own role is to be free from negativity.

Projection: When we find things going wrong with us, we sometimes wish for a change in our role. We begin to compare ourselves with others or wish for something better in our life, which makes us lose all our enthusiasm. We, then, make no effort to better our role.

Solution: We need to recognize the importance of our own role. Like an actor who doesn't make effort to change his role but brings perfection to his own role, we, too, need to concentrate on our own role. The recognition of the importance of our own role and the desire to bring excellence to it makes us free from negativity.