Contemplation: An Angel

Contemplation: An Angel

An Angel

By feeding your mind a diet of elevated thoughts, you grow to become more and more like an angel.

Remain independent

The root of suffering is attachment. You have created a space in your
mind that holds a person or object as a part of you. When that person
or object is criticized, neglected or not there with you, you feel pain
in your mind and you experience a sense of loss. If you want to remain
happy at all times, you must learn to love and appreciate while
remaining independent.

The Journey Of Time

There are two laws governing the journey of time in this world.

* Firstly, the movement of time is cyclic i.e. without a beginning or an end. It is not linear i.e. a straight line with a beginning and an end, and

* Secondly, everything new undergoes degradation and becomes old at some point of time.

These two laws help us to understand the journey of time and why the world is in its present state.

We use time to attempt to measure change. One day is measured by the time taken by the earth to rotate around its axis. One day is our basic unit of measurement of time. One year is measured by the time taken by the earth to revolve around the sun. So the movement of time in our physical world is always cyclical. The cycle of the day, from dawn to daylight to dusk to night, is a movement that repeats with absolute constancy. A larger cycle is that of the seasons - from spring to summer to autumn to winter - which also repeat in the same way.

When we become a detached observer and look at the 'big picture' of human history, we see an even larger cycle, the eternal world cycle of time - a cycle that moves from the day of humanity (where everything is positive on a physical as well as spiritual level) to the night of humanity and then back to the day of humanity to repeat again. But to believe and understand that picture completely, we first need to understand the second law of time and also connect it with the first law.

Tomorrow we shall explain the second law of time.

Soul Sustenance

Overcoming The Loss/Separation Of A Loved One

Living trapped in the memory of a loved one who left us, or in the memory of a situation that no longer exists, or in the memory of someone who is alive but who we no longer see (since we have physically separated), does not allow us to enjoy the present moment with freedom.

What is required during the mourning period is the capacity to make peace with the memories recorded in our consciousness. It is to reach a point where these memories do not upset us or cause us pain. It is to acknowledge that the memory of what was and no longer is, no longer generates desires, dissatisfaction, frustration or sadness.

You don't get over the mourning of a loved one or a lost child, because you allow the memory to continue alive, in a way that it invades the consciousness and imprisons the soul. The memory suffocates the present; there exists a desire to relive a past that no longer has the possibility of existing.

Tomorrow, we shall look at some at the questions that arise in the mind in a mourning period.

Message for the day

When the mind is healthy the body is healthy too.

Projection: When we have some difficulty with our body, we usually find our mind becoming dull, too. When the mind becomes dull we no longer can fight the sickness. It, thus, takes a long time to get well and the time during the sickness seems long and painful.

Solution: We need to make sure we keep our mind happy under all circumstances. Where the mind is healthy no illness will attack us. Even when we fall sick we will be able to be stable which will help us to fight back and overcome the illness very soon.

Daily Positive Thoughts: August 31, 2017: Never Battle

This will be the last e-mail of Daily Positive Thoughts.

Daily Positive Thoughts: August 31, 2017:  Never Battle

 

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

Reliving The Memories Of The Past (Part 3)

Can someone without spiritual power accept the negative happenings of the past easily? Of course, there are some who easily move on and look at the present and future with a positive vision after an uncomfortable event has passed in their life. But that is only temporary and only a few are gifted with the natural ability to do that. But let us talk about the majority who do tend to become sorrowful sometimes when past events which have hurt them or reduced their happiness are mentioned.  Sometimes our family members remind them to us or are remembered by us or their memories are triggered in our minds on seeing certain negative present events in our lives. In such cases, without us consciously deciding, our thoughts and feelings tend to drift into a negative mindset.

Attachment is the seed of all negative emotions. If you see any weaknesses inside the soul – all have their origins in one single negative emotion of attachment. Obviously, some people are attached to past memories more because their mind is not able to let go of what it has faced or what negative experience it went through, however long ago. The ability to let go or forget easily is brought about by the practice of soul consciousness. Also we need the practice of Supreme Soul consciousness or the remembrance of the Supreme Soul. When we souls were completely pure, we were in a state of such strong detachment that even when we left the body and took another body, we used to not experience sorrow. This is an external detachment from the physical body. Not remembering a negative past at all and a positive past excessively requires internal detachment. So, we need to become pure now by visualizing oneself as a sparkling being of light, just above the eyebrows, which is the form of the soul. Also, we can keep an hourly chart for noting the amount of time I have remained in that experience in every hour while performing actions. We need to also practice Supreme Soul consciousness every 2 hours for at least 3 minutes i.e. at least 5-6 times a day. This means seeing oneself as a sparkling soul or energy in the Supreme Soul’s presence in the soul world and absorbing His pure energy within oneself. This is the method of becoming internally detached from what has already happened in my life – either pleasant or not so pleasant.

Inner treasures

If we recognize inner treasures we will be able to use them well.

Time, energy and thoughts are one's greatest  treasures.  The ones who
recognize these treasures are able to look after them carefully and
use them for the benefit of all.  None of these inner resources are
ever wasted. When these treasures are used properly and are put to
full use, they bring in the best external treasures too. When I am in
touch with myself and give attention to myself, I am able to recognize
these inner treasures.  These treasures keep me rich at all times,
even when external circumstances are not so favourable. Further use of
these treasures makes me only richer and richer.

Message for the day

The method to finish waste thoughts is to deal with the mind with love. 

Expression: When there are waste thoughts in the mind which one tries to stop, it becomes difficult to do that. There is discomfort and difficulty experienced. On the other hand, when the mind is taught to take the right direction with love, there is a quick and dramatic change.

Experience: When I learn the art of speaking to my mind with love, I am able to free myself from waste thoughts without any feelings of suppression. Concentration too becomes easy and all thoughts are directed towards the right direction. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Daily Positive Thoughts: August 30, 2017: A Language of Trust

 

 

A Language of Trust

To create the future we desire we need a spiritual language; we must speak from the heart and in the language of the soul - a language of trust, faith and higher values, of inner growth, love and listening.

Reliving The Memories Of The Past (Part 2)

While some people realize that remaining in the present is the ideal way of living, but sometimes in their daily life, they find it difficult in not allowing the past in influencing their present life situations. And also their way of looking at them. Also, some people say its fine not to think about the failures of the past but it is unrealistic to not think about past successes, because they are positive events. Some people are so tied up with past success stories of their lives and are so attached to them that it slowly takes the form of a type of ego. This then starts reflecting negatively in their present behaviour and relationships.

Suppose, I have been very good at my studies and I was one of the best in school and college, in excelling in my education. So, do I forget that or remember it because doing that gives me joy? When a joy out of a positive past event becomes excessive and unnecessary, the joy turns into a negative emotion of ego. It crosses the limits of pure pride or self-esteem. Speaking about past successes to each one we meet can easily be seen by others as unnecessary. Also, some people don’t prefer listening to success events of others beyond a certain point. This is because it’s very clear in these cases that the other person does not have an intention of informing only. Ask any person about how they felt after having listened to others’ success stories repeatedly and they will give you a frank opinion that it was slightly egoistic behaviour. People will always like those who mention their successes but at the same time they are humble and remain incognito in not mentioning them repeatedly. That is for speaking about past events of a positive nature. The same applies to thinking about them.  

(To be continued tomorrow …)

To enjoy a carefree life, renounce the consciousness of I and mine. 

The more we surrender our ego, the lighter and easier our life
becomes.  The consciousness of I and mine either makes us arrogant or
weak.  It creates a lot of conflicts in relationships and finishes the
beauty of life.  When we consider everything we have as God's property
then our responsibilities become His responsibilities.  He fills us
with extra specialities and powers to carry out His task no matter
however daunting it may seem.  When we surrender our will to Him
everything happens for the best.

Message for the day

Self-respect brings constant learning and an experience of success. 

Expression: Where there is self-respect, there is naturally a positive and elevated state of mind. There is openness and enthusiasm to bring about progress in one's life. Everything that is done is towards this end. So, the one with self-respect naturally reveals one's speciality in all thoughts, words and actions. 

Experience: When I am able to maintain my own state of self-respect, I am able to enjoy the beauty that life brings. I'm able to understand, accept and make use of all situations in the right way. So, whatever the situation may be, for me there is a constant experience of progress. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Daily Positive Thoughts: August 29, 2017: Inside Out

 

Exotic Flowers: Tricyrtis Hirta (aka toad lily)

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!    

relax7

Reliving The Memories Of The Past (Part 1)

Have you ever spent a complete day thinking about events that have taken place a day or a month or a year ago? Do you know that the thinking capabilities of the mind are overused when we create thoughts of an already passed past? We forget that a positive future can be rebuilt by simply focusing on the present circumstances and doing the best in making it the best. A very common habit that each one of us holds inside us is of reopening events that have already folded in the reel of life and mixing them with the current state of affairs. We then create a negative future because our perceptions of current situations get influenced negatively by doing that.

Remaining focused on the present is sometimes seen as over-positive thinking by some and also seen as remaining disconnected from the past. The past is very much the truth of your life. So, a balance has to be made between being forward looking i.e. taking care that the past problems do not re-occur in the future. At the same time we take care that we do not worry about that. There is a fine difference between concern and worry. While remaining concerned does involve thinking about the past, on the other hand, worry means the same but there is a difference. In the case of worry, thinking exceeds the necessary thought level, crosses it and touches the unnecessary. Sometimes it even exceeds that and becomes negative. On the other hand, remaining concerned means your thoughts remain limited to positive and necessary. At the same time you take the right action to prevent the past mistakes from happening again. Also, one who is concerned and not worried while remembering the past, will use the past as a stepping stone to enter a future which is free from the influence of negative happenings of the past.

(To be continued tomorrow …)

Responsibility

Responsibility is being willing to be accountable for what you do and
also what you do not do yourself. It means accepting credit when
things go well and also correction if things go wrong. It is the
ability to respond ably. I practice Responsibility when I take my
agreements seriously; focus on what is required by me and not on
someone else's part, when I am ready and willing to clear up
misunderstandings. I give my best to all that I do and keep my
promises. I welcome praise and correction for my actions.\

Message for the day

The power of determination brings all thoughts into practice. 

Expression: There are a lot of thoughts that come into the mind that should come into practice immediately. These thoughts come according to the demands of time or according to the kind of people that one comes into contact with. But the only way to bring all these thoughts into practice is to use the power of determination. Where there is determination there is the commitment to use all the resources for the realizations of that thought. 

Experience: When I am able to use the power of determination, I am able to realize my inner potential and use it in the right way. So I am able to experience constant progress, because all my thoughts are for my own self progress and all these thoughts naturally come into practice. I never give up anything with temporary setbacks but am able to do everything for the constant progress of the self. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Daily Positive Thoughts: August 28, 2017: Real Love

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.

Limiting Influences On Your Decision Making Ability (Part 2)

With whom does the choice to make your decisions lie? Are you going to be dominated by your fears and others’ negatively powerful influences, which paralyze your judgment power and confuse you sometimes or are you going to exercise your choice? When someone dominates you, they control you and make you feel irritated, frustrated and weak; they satisfy their own ego like that by controlling you and bringing you under their influence. You need to decide if you are comfortable being a victim of the other by being the one who satisfies the egos of others. It is not a very healthy attitude, on their part, but it happens in many relationships and we fall prey to that, because of a lack of spiritual power. Get back your personal ruling and controlling power and do not be afraid to be free and responsible for your choices. From today on, promise yourself that you will not allow your husband or wife, or children, or your friend, or mother-in-law, or your office colleague, anybody for that matter, influence the power of choice, the power to decide, that you possess. In the end, that way they will be happier; perhaps not at first, because a power game is created. Your personal freedom will lead to a healthier relationship, in the long run. Its fine to take an opinion or a viewpoint or support from someone, but there is a fine line between that and being controlled by someone, which we, many a times cross, and become a victim. 

You are free when you take responsibility for what you are and how you feel. In meditation you can realize everything that has influenced you and know how to clear it, so that only the highest, the most positive influence you. This depends on each one of us. In our present society, there are many influencing factors, from the most negative, violent, corrupt and mediocre, to the purest, highest and most spiritual. It depends on each one what you want to consume and allow to be influenced by.

Beauty within

We should have courage to work on the self is to find the beauty
within. Situations come that challenge one's own strength.  At such
times the mind tends to become weak displaying weaknesses. Then there
is no courage to look within. The one who is able to be introspective
at that time is able to find a new learning. He is thus able to
express the beauty that is lying within. When we understand that at
each step of our life, situations come to bring out some quality from
within, we'll never be afraid of situations.  we'll have the courage
to challenge our own assumptions and move forward based  on the
learning that we get and the beauty that we have been able to
discover.

Message for the day

Love creates the right environment for others' positive growth. 

Expression: Where there is love, a natural environment for others' growth is created. Love gives the ability to perceive the positivity in others and gives the encouragement to others to bring about that positivity and use it for the benefit of the self and others. 

Experience: When I have love for others, along with perceiving their specialities, I am also able to recognise and use my specialities and inner powers more and more. Knowing and using these specialities is naturally for the benefit of those around me. This gives me an inner experience of power which makes me a constant giver and a support for those around me. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris