Daily Positive Thoughts: August 12, 2017: Transform Obstacles

Daily Positive Thoughts: August 12, 2017: Transform Obstacles

Transform Obstacles

Is life an obstacle course? Sometimes it may feel like it. If you join the military you will be sent around an obstacle course of increasing degrees of difficulty. Why? To increase your strength and stamina and expand your creative capacity under strain. So it is on the course called 'life' - you can choose to perceive people, situations or events as obstacles, or you can choose to use these things to strengthen and expand your capacity to be creative and to find ways round, under, over. The choice lies in your perception. Obstacles are never ever 'out there', they are always in our own minds.

God’s Help At Every Step (Part 1)

We all live our lives looking for perfection in every sphere and always look for ways to achieve that with ease. Also, perfection cannot come unless we have the right path to achieve that. Have you ever given a thought to what God’s mind would think about various actions that we perform in life? What that means is if I have to meet a few of my family members or friends today for a purpose or deciding what should we do for a particular issue and we didn’t know what to do - in this case, could we look upto God for a solution? And how would we take that help from God? Have you ever wondered? How many of us are so close to God that we can take His help in this manner for little actions of life? Have we won God’s heart so that we can just remember Him for a minute in a difficult situation and He would provide us His guidance or the path of what to do? Let’s give it a thought in this message.

First of all, I need to check my mind as to how clean and pure it is? Because the more my mind is transparent and a mirror image of God’s purity and cleanliness, the more help I will receive from God. Some people wonder are there some people in this world who receive more help from God? Or is it only our own actions of the past and present which help us in a difficult situation? It is actually both – the help from God as well as our actions. The important thing is that help from God can be a magic factor in difficult situations, which can be our savior. And if we want to receive it, perform good actions and make yourselves virtuous and full of truth, sweetness, purity and humility, the qualities God likes.

(To be continued tomorrow …)

Using Specialities

When we come into interaction with others we are concerned with their
negative aspects. We are aware of where they are going wrong and we
try to correct them too. But usually the other person doesn't realize
his mistake. The more we try to emphasize on negativity, the more
difficult it becomes to make him realize. On one hand we find that he
is not benefited, and on the other, we are filling ourselves with
negativity too. The best business in life is that of seeing
specialties and contributing our own specialties for others' growth.
When we are aware of others specialties, we are able to encourage them
to use them for growth. Also we are free from negativity. Further,
using our own specialties enriches others and us too. These
specialties are easily available for us at the time of need, for
having used them properly.

Message for the day

Greatness lies in revealing one's own speciality. 
Expression: Greatness means recognizing one's own speciality and being a donor with it. It also means being royal and great in what is given to the mind - that means giving the mind only the positive. When there is greatness in this way there is speciality and uniqueness seen in every act of mine. 

Experience: When I am able to perceive my inner greatness, I am able to be content because there are no expectations, but there's only a feeling of being a giver. I find myself to be light and easy and enjoying each moment of my life, slowly moving towards perfection. I am also able to attain the blessings and good wishes from others. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Daily Positive Thoughts: August 11, 2017: Less Is More

Less Is More

Fear less, hope more;

Eat less, chew more;

Whine less, breathe more;

Hate less, love more

and all good things are yours.

Understanding The Process Of Birth And Death

The leaving of one body and the taking of another is nearly always confusing and soon the details of the old life are erased by the new. Just in one day we forget so much. After having slept for a while, after some injury or shock, or even after a change in place, company or circumstances, many things are forgotten. 

Death of the body is a great shock to the soul, especially if there was great attachment to that body, and the new set of circumstances in the new body is bewildering (confusing). Because the body and brain are not developed, the soul cannot express its memory, so it laughs and cries when it cannot recognize anyone, or when it wishes to express itself. By the time the body is developed, the soul has forgotten its past birth and has become accustomed to the new conditions and the new parents. The prominent sanskaras developed in past lives soon begin to manifest (show) themselves with new details (in the new birth).

True Love

When there is true love, there is an expression of inner growth - not
just for oneself but benefit for others too. When there is true love,
there is the ability to express one's own qualities without being
negatively influenced by others' negative character traits. To love is
to know that what is being given is true. When I have true love for
those around me, I am able to win the hearts of others. Since the
expression of my love is consistent, others are able to return that
love and give me good wishes.  I find myself as a source of support
for others and they are able to use me as a support for their growth.

Message for the day

The method to finish a weakness is to be detached from it. 

Expression: When there is some weakness working within that has to be overcome, it is very essential for one to get detached from it, that means not to identify with the weakness. If there is an identification with the weakness, it is further strengthened and there is the inability to get rid of it. Since it is there in the consciousness, it is visible in the words and actions too. 

Experience: When I am free from the identification with the weakness, I am able to bring about a change very quickly. I find it very easy to stabilize myself in the awareness of my strength and allow that strength to be revealed in all my words and actions. There is no heaviness of the weakness nor is there the feeling of having to give up something, but transformation takes place very easily. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Daily Positive Thoughts: August 10, 2017: Everything I See Is Precious

Sea of Stars, Vaadhoo Island, Maldives - This marine bioluminescence is generated by phytoplankton known as dinoflagellates.

Everything I See Is Precious

Let me learn to keep myself in a positive frame of mind and look for the beauty or benefit in everything that happens.

The Four Pillars Of A Spiritual Lifestyle - Achieving A Balance 

A balanced and fulfilling spiritual life is like a table.   It stands on four legs and if one leg is shorter than the others then both balance and equilibrium will be difficult.  The four legs or pillars of a spiritual life are given below in the form of four subjects. If any of the subjects is not a part of our lives or is a part of our life, but not to as great an extent as the others, then the overall balance of our spiritual life will be affected adversely (negatively).

1. Daily spiritual study (knowledge or gyan)
Daily spiritual study provides the right quality of nourishment for our mind and intellect, the two important energies of the soul.

2. Daily meditation (spiritual yoga)
Daily meditation provides the means to explore, discover and reconnect with oneself and with God.

3. The inculcation and development of virtues (dharna)
Giving some time each day to the conscious development of our character (virtue) helps to eliminate any negative sanskars or personality characteristics (vices) and improves our ability to build positive and harmonious relationships. The quality of our relationships is a mirror reflection of our dharna.

4. The service of others (seva)
A life purpose based on some kind of service is the foundation of personal growth through the practice of giving.  Finding appropriate ways to use our increasing spiritual power and understanding (through the three subjects mentioned above) for the benefit of others is the most satisfying way to use our energy today. It also ensures happiness for the present as well as for the future through accumulation of positive energy in the form of blessings of those who are served.

Sharing & Caring

When we think of sharing, we sometimes wonder if it is really
beneficial. Normally the belief is that when we share anything or
resource, we find ourselves a little poorer with that resource. So we
do not want to consistently share which is believed will bring benefit
only to the other person.  When we share inner resources like
happiness, peace, love etc. we are enriched. Every time we give, we
not only get back from others but also experience that quality
ourselves. When we share our physical resources too, it is our own
experience which is important than the outcome. That means, I enjoy
giving itself rather than expect appreciation (which may or may not
come!)

Message for the day

The one with zeal and enthusiasm is constantly tireless. 
Expression: Zeal and enthusiasm brings the willingness to move forward under all circumstances. Never are there are any excuses given, whatever the difficult situations or challenges that one might be faced with. Instead whatever has to be done is done without any tiredness. Also the best is made out of all situations. 

Experience: When I am able to be enthusiastic under all circumstances, I am able to be tireless. This tirelessness gives me the courage to move on and experience constant success. I become aware of my own resources and make the best use of them. So I also experience internal progress, constantly. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Daily Positive Thoughts: August 09, 2017: The Gift of the Present

Daily Positive Thoughts: August 09, 2017: The Gift of the Present

The Gift of the Present

When the past is mixed into the present, it prevents you from experiencing the happiness the present offers.  So the question is how do you forget the past?  Focus your attention on that which is good in the present.  Do not compare the present to the past.

Carrying Feelings Experienced In Meditation Into My Interactions

If I keep close contact with my internal self, to check what my feelings are like and I maintain the meditative awareness at many moments during the day, even if it is for very short periods of time, I will find that the good feelings I have experienced through conscious choice, in meditation, I carry them with me into my interactions with others. Then, in any exchange, although the other person's thoughts, words or actions may not be as I would like them to be, I'll be better equipped to maintain a good feeling towards that individual, and towards myself.

For example, I meditate in the morning and then leave home and find myself in a situation in the office where two of my colleagues are arguing over an issue. When I try and intervene, one of them gets aggressive with me as well, but the feelings of peace I experienced in my meditation a couple of hours ago are still with me, using which I do not reacting angrily or fearfully. In fact, if my peace is powerful enough, it will make the other one also peaceful.

So the key is to emerge and collect positive feelings through meditation at regular intervals during the day. And then become a donor of positive feelings to negative situations as discussed above is an invaluable achievement. It is good for my own wellbeing, and for contributing to the creation of a peaceful atmosphere wherever I am, whenever required.

Trustee

When we think of resources that God has given us, we tend to think
that everything should be accepted blindly. Such acceptance sometimes
leads us to become passive, or even make us to get caught up in the
negativity of the situation. To consider ourselves as a trustee of God
is to appreciate what is happening, knowing that God is responsible.
It also means that we need to be a valuable instrument and do our bit
well. When we make full effort handing over the responsibility to God,
we are able to do our best using all the available resources. Yet, we
don't experience the burden of the situation.

Message for the day

True courage brings benefit to the self as well as to others. 

Expression: When there is fear, there is some kind of danger, either for the self or for others. The one who fears, or the one who doesn't have the courage to accept and face situations, is not able to bring out the best form within himself. Such a person is constantly thinking of excuses and is trying to blame others for the mistakes that happen.

Experience: With courage, if I am able to take up responsibility for every situation that I am faced with, I am able to be free from worry or tension. I will then be in a position to learn and so I find progress at every step in my life. I find others giving me a lot of good wishes for my sincerity. I also become an inspiration for all others too to bring about a positive change. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Daily Positive Thoughts: August 08, 2017: Manage Emotions

 

Artist: Dorina Costras - Saint Etienne - France

Manage Emotions

 

When the energy of our consciousness is out of our control - the mind is agitated. We are being emotional. The solution is to detach from the inner storms, stand back and observe the hurricane pass. Detached observation withdraws the energy which your emotions require to sustain themselves. When you watch your own anger, it dies. If you don't detach from it, and observe it ...it will be your master.

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

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


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

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

Positive Aspect

When someone relates something to me about another person's
negativity, I tend to listen to it with great interest. I then find
that the other person is greatly encouraged to speak about it. But
such waste talk is not really useful for anyone and I find that there
is no solution for the problem at hand. When someone is talking about
the negativity in another person I need to question myself if
listening to this is of any use to me, or if I can do anything about
the situation. If I cannot do anything I need to remind myself that
there is no use listening to such waste talk. Instead I need to make
an attempt to look at the positive aspect in the other person so that
the other person can see that too.

Message for the day

True knowledge brings humility. 

Expression: True knowledge inspires and encourages one to bring about a practical change in one's life. The one with knowledge naturally imbibes it, which is also revealed in his practical life. This is because he is humbly willing to learn from all situations. As much as there is knowledge, so much there is divinity and elevatedness revealed in all words and actions. Also such a person keeps learning from all life's situations.

Experience: To have the ability to learn from all that life brings is to have love for knowledge. Since I have love for knowledge, I am able to experience self-respect. This self-respect gives me the humility to accept situations and people as they are and keep learning. So whatever the situation or whoever the person I come across, I only find myself enriching myself and moving forward. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Daily Positive Thoughts: August 07, 2017: Thank God, It's Monday

Daily Positive Thoughts: August 07, 2017: Thank God, It's Monday

Google Workplace

Thank God, It's Monday

Forget TGIF (Thank God, It's Friday). Think TGIM (Thank God, It's Monday) ! Increase your motivation, commitment, passion and the feeling of fun in the workplace. In other words, love what you do. Then you'll happily go to work, Monday after Monday!

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

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

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

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

(To be continued tomorrow …)

Love and blessings

The world is trapped in the mire of barriers (politics, language,
caste, gender) and this has distanced us from each other, and from
what we require for wholesome existence: love, respect, understanding,
and freedom.  We are scared to love for fear of being taken for
granted but God's love is very liberating, since God's vision
surpasses all physical and imposed barriers: every soul is seen for
what it is and what it is capable of; no one is condemned for their
past; no expectations are kept nor requests for anything in return but
yet God does know the value of His love.  God has the faith that love
and blessings will transform negativity in His children eventually.
True love and good wishes for another soul is the seed that shall bear
fruit in time.  God says, you cannot love Me completely if you dislike
any of My children because God cannot reside in a heart filled with
hateful feelings.

Message for the day

Introspection enables one to be free from the influence of negativity. 

Expression: Introspection means the desire to be good. Introspection brings the ability to look within and see the true self in the mirror of the heart, thus enabling one to activate the inner spirituality. Then all effort made will be towards activating this inherent goodness. And slowly one finds that the behaviour associated with negative traits are no more expressed, as they begin to lose their hold. 

Experience: When I am able to introspect and look within, I can find the goodness that is there within me. Because of this, I naturally am free from expectations from others that they should recognize my goodness or consider me good. Instead I find myself content with what I am and continue to bring out the best from within me. I also continue to learn from all situations and experience progress. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris