Contemplation: True Happiness

Contemplation: True Happiness

True Happiness

There is no nourishment like happiness - it's an elixir. There is no sickness like sorrow - it's a poison. The experience of true happiness cures the sickness of sorrow. A cheerful face goes a long way towards making everything better!

If you don't live life on purpose you live life by accident. Why do
some days feel like a motorway pile up? It's because you haven't
sorted out your purpose yet. The highest purpose is always giving, or
serving others, without wanting anything in return. This is why
relaxation is always impossible if we are always 'on the take'. There
is an overall purpose for your life, and each of the many scenes which
fill your day are opportunities to serve your purpose. Take time to
think deeply, listen to your intuition, and with patience, the reason
why you are here, and what you uniquely have to give, will occur to
you. Then you can live your life 'on purpose'.
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Meditate on the image of a tree and think about its meaning.

Visualize  the growth of the tree of life from a seed to sapling to a mature
tree. Now label the various parts of the tree (roots, trunk, branches,
etc.) with what you think are the specific spiritual qualities which
emerge from within the soul at different stages/phases of its journey
through the time of the drama of life on earth.

In the above exercise, you could identify the roots of the tree with
your childhood when qualities like carefreeness, innocence, obedience,
etc. emerge from within the soul;
the trunk could represent your youth when qualities like courage,
determination, cheerfulness, etc. emerge;
the branches could symbolize your middle-life when qualities like
adaptability, tolerance, co-operation, etc. emerge;
and the leaves could be a symbol for old age, during which qualities
like contentment, humility (egolessness), forgiveness, etc. emerge
from within the soul.

Soul Sustenance 

Thought Management

If we are stuck or trapped in our own thoughts we will not have control over them. When we observe them, we separate ourselves from them and we provide a space, and this is how we can control them and channel them in the direction we wish. In order to have control over something we must look at it from a certain distance, like an impartial observer. This practice helps us to realise the influences, both positive and negative, that there are in our life.

Observing our thoughts (which we do in the process of meditation) is the first step in understanding and, in the last analysis, taking full responsibility for them.

Message for the day 

Where there is enthusiasm, there is the ability to create one's own fortune.

Projection: When things go wrong, or we don't seem to get what we are working for we tend to get disheartened and begin to blame our fate. When we get this feeling we can no longer give our best to improve the situation resulting in a lack of progress in our life.

Solution: We need to remind ourselves that our fate is in our hands. The main thing is not to become passive just blaming our fate but to work with enthusiasm. The more we work with positivity; we will find ourselves making a very high fortune for ourselves.

Contemplation: Positive Attitude

Contemplation: Positive Attitude

 

Positive Attitude Your attitude creates an atmosphere that reflects what you are thinking and feeling. It reaches out and touches others around you. Create a positive attitude, filled with good thoughts and feelings, and even just your presence will work wonders in many situations.

All desires end when there is the one desire to experience progress.

It is believed normally that in order to progress one needs to have
desires. But desires are not always fulfilled and unhappiness is
experienced because of it. Then I am not able to appreciate whatever
comes my way. I need to replace all my desires with one desire, i.e.,
the desire to experience progress. With this thought, I will be able
to make the best use of what I get in the right way. When I move
forward in this way making the best use of everything I will be able
to experience constant progress.

Detached Observation

Detachment is the basis of our ability to be positive and affectionate with others while we interact with them. This is what is known as commitment and the relationship of detachment and it begins with what is known as a spiritual skill: the skill of being a detached observer.

On needs to be a detached observer in two dimensions: one within and one outside:
The inner art of detached observation is the ability of separating ourselves from our own thoughts, emotions, attitudes and behavior. On the external level, the art of detached observation is the art of being witness to the scenes that take place around us. While we detach ourselves and observe how the game of life develops, without being active participants, we are able to see the "big picture" with greater clarity. That makes it easier to see clearly what role we have to play and where our contribution lies. We are creators, and our thoughts, emotions and attitudes are our own work.

In reality, detached observation is the first step towards personal strengthening. If we don't manage to detach ourselves from our thoughts and emotions, they will turn into our owners and will consume our energy.

Soul Sustenance 


Meditation - A Process Of Cleansing, Dialogue And Joining (cont.)

Meditation can be defined as a process of cleansing, a process of dialogue and a process of joining. Yesterday we had explained it as a process of joining. Today we throw more light on the same:

Joining (cont.)

The Supreme Power is the eternal reference point for all creation, whose task is to recharge and cleanse everything. Being eternally pure and untouched by any trait of selfishness or violence, the Supreme Being is totally benevolent (kind), and through the eternal energies of love and truth is capable of recharging and filling the human soul with all the powers. Of course, each person chooses their own level of cleanliness, recharging or fullness. That personal choice will determine the resulting powers of love, peace, happiness and truth to be found in the individual.

The Supreme Being is like an eternal point of pure Light that resides in the world of eternal silence, beyond time and matter. Through concentrated thought we can reach this source of love and purity. When our mind is synchronized it takes just a second to establish communication. When we reach this place of eternal silence, the world of silent light, we focus our loving attention on the Supreme Being. If our focus is deeply concentrated we can feel the self is filled with the purest peace and love, something we have never felt before in our lives. This is yoga: rejoining the self with the Supreme Being and, in this union, we once again recall all the things of value that had been hidden. So yoga means remembering: remembering the original self, the original and eternal relationship with the Supreme Being and remembering, through experience, the true meaning of love, peace and happiness (as a result of the connection with the Supreme).

Message for the day 

Commitment makes even the most difficult task seem easy.

Projection: Sometimes we find ourselves having to do something in which we are not so interested, because it is part of our job. When we are forced to do something we don't like we find it very difficult to do the task. As soon as we get a thought as to why we should be doing it, it becomes very difficult.

Solution: We need to bring sincerity in whatever we are doing. With sincerity comes commitment and with that comes confidence in our thoughts, words and actions. With this confidence we will be able to do the most difficult task with ease.

Contemplation: See what is special

Contemplation: See what is special

The Wizards Hat of Bandon, Oregon

See what is special

If I listen to and accept defamation of anyone, I lose some of my own value, especially if I then start to interact with others on the basis of what I have heard. It is better to be selective in what we choose to listen to. Let me focus only on what is special about everyone.

Love can never be exclusive. The sun does not choose to shine on some
flowers in the garden and not others. Love is inclusive and has many
faces - caring, listening, sharing from the heart, just accepting
someone for what they are right now, are all acts of love, as long as
you seek nothing in return. It all starts with acceptance of yourself
- you're just fine as you are right now, warts and all. It's not that
you will stay that way for ever - but you might, if you don't accept.
The secret key to the greatest door called love is acceptance. First
your self, then others (especially the ones you currently resist) and
eventually ...all.

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The power of silence makes the impossible achievable.

When I am faced with a difficult situation, my mind is flooded with
thoughts. I also begin to talk about it a lot, describing the problem
to all I meet. Then the problem looks so big that I feel I could do
nothing to change it. I need learn the art of silence (mental and
verbal). Internal silence brings the right solutions because my mind
is calm. And when I don't describe the problem too much to people I
will know there is a solution and I will be able to find it too.

Soul Sustenance

Meditation - A Process Of Cleansing, Dialogue And Joining (cont.)

Meditation can be defined as a process of cleansing, a process of dialogue and a process of joining.

Today we take up:  Joining

We can take the third meaning of meditation from the Sanskrit word yoga. By understanding this word, we learn how to get divine cooperation, or put in another way, a certain external spiritual power that can liberate us and help us to dialogue positively with the self (explained yesterday). The word yoga means "bringing together" or "joining again". Joining again with what or with whom? Firstly, with our original and eternal self: the soul, and secondly, with the eternal Supreme Source of all positive power and energy; this Source helps us to recharge ourselves with energy and to know ourselves.

At this time in the history of humanity, humans have lost the mastery and control over themselves. They do not have continual peace or a sense of purpose, happiness or fullness. The human soul needs to be recharged. Although the soul has great potential in its inner self, it needs a source of external energy for the latent (hidden) powers and virtues to emerge, just as occurs with seeds in nature. The seeds of plants and trees have their own source of inner energy. However, this energy cannot be released without the actions of an external energy source, in this case the energy of the sun. Through the power of sunlight, the seeds in the earth will sprout and flourish. The human body has its own energy, but needs external sources of energy on a daily basis: air, sunlight, water and food. Without these external sources, the human body would die. The external source of power that helps the latent virtues emerge in the human being is not physical, since the human soul is not physical either. This source of power has traditionally been called God or the Supreme Being: in fact it has been given many names.

(To be continued tomorrow….)


Message for the day 

Freedom from one's own weaknesses brings stability.

Projection: Usually when we talk about freedom it is from people or from situations. We expect people or things to change for us so that we will be free. But we don't find that happening because the problem lies more within us than outside.

Solution: Every time we find ourselves caught up and expecting things to get better for us we need to check ourselves. There would surely be some weakness of ours that is making us feel helpless in that particular situation. We need to make effort to remove that weakness. Then our perception towards the situation will change and we'll feel free.

Contemplation:Silence

Contemplation:Silence

Silence There is a part of you that is perfect and pure. It is untouched by the less than perfect characteristics you've acquired by living in a less than perfect world.  It is filled with divine qualities, so is in a constant state of resourcefulness and well-being. It's total absence of conflict and negativity of any sort makes this part of you a Still-Point...a deep, enriching experience of Silence.  Make time to practice reaching this inner place of Silence. It will bring you untold benefit.

To be successful I need to have the balance between the head and the
heart.

In my interactions with others, I sometimes only use my head, i.e., my
logic. I am very logical and understand the facts very clearly. But
if I keep myself limited only to the facts, I tend to forget to use my
heart. I then am not available to the other person and fail to
understand him. In order to be successful in my interactions with
others I need to have the right balance between my head and my heart.
I need to see beyond what the facts say and try to listen and
understand the other person too. When I do this I will not hurt
people with my attitude but will be able to maintain harmonious
relationships.

The one who fulfills promises with determination is the one who
overcome all problems.

When I see some weakness working within me I usually make a promise to
myself with a lot of enthusiasm. But if I face even a little
opposition or difficulty in fulfilling this promise, I tend to lose
hope and usually give up trying altogether. In order to bring about a
change in me and fulfill my promise, I need to use the virtue of
determination. Every time I find myself becoming careless in it, I
need to remind myself strongly of the importance of the promise that I
had made. Then I will be able to win over all the obstacles that come
my way in bringing my thoughts and words to actions.

Soul Sustenance 

Meditation - A Process Of Cleansing, Dialogue And Joining (cont.)

Meditation can be defined as a process of cleansing, a process of dialogue and a process of joining. Today we take up:

Dialogue

In Greek, the word meditation is translated as dialogismos, from which comes the English word dialogue. Meditation is a dialogue with oneself, with the true self; a very necessary process for developing self-knowledge and accumulating inner strength.

The basis of spiritual dialogue with oneself is introspection. Introspection is the ability to examine and change oneself, as one wants to or should do. Without a consistent re-evaluation of our attitudes and thought models, negative habits easily dominate our consciousness. A healthy dialogue with our inner selves means that we interact positively with others, without being trapped or lost in ourselves. Introspection involves being an observer: observing and not reacting to situations or people with negative emotions such as anger, hate, fear, resentment and jealousy. Being detached observers helps us conserve our inner energy and keeps us spiritually, mentally and emotionally healthy.

(To be continued tomorrow….)

Message for the day 

The method to finish all labouring is to do everything with love.

Projection: Throughout the day we find ourselves doing several things which we don't like. As soon as the thought of such a task comes in our mind we tend to feel heavy which makes even the simplest thing seem very difficult.

Solution: Before we are going to start some task which we don't like we need to train ourselves to think of something positive in it. When we train ourselves to love the task we will be able to do it with lightness.

Contemplation:Tolerance

Contemplation:Tolerance

Tolerance

You have the power to tolerate anyone and any situation. But tolerance is not just suffering in silence. It means going beyond any personal discomfort you may feel, and giving a gift to whomever you would tolerate. Give your time, attention, understanding, compassion, care - all are gifts, which paradoxically, you also receive in the process of giving. And, as you do, you will experience your own self esteem and inner strength grow. In this way you can turn tolerance into strength.

The one who is free from desire is the one who is able to maintain
positivity.

When I put forth my ideas to others I expect them to listen to me. My
idea changes to desire and when it is not accepted I then tend to
become irritated. And along with it also comes jealousy or dislike
for the others and I find myself caught up in negativity. I need to
make sure that I share my ideas with others but at the same time I
need to keep myself free from any selfish motive. When I put forth my
idea in a detached way, I too will be open to learning and I will be
able to accept any criticism or rejectance that comes my way. Thus I
will be free from negativity.

Soul Sustenance 

Meditation - A Process Of Cleansing, Dialogue And Joining

Meditation can be defined as a process of cleansing, a process of dialogue and a process of joining. Today we take up:

Cleansing

Meditation is a useful method to help human beings redirect their life positively and healthily, and to achieve inner stability. The word meditation comes from the Latin word mederi, which means cure. Curing the inner self is not a matter of taking medicines, but it involves re-establishing the balance through knowing oneself, having the correct attitudes and making the correct use of mental and emotional energy.

In meditation, we learn to observe our inner self and recover the resources that can cleanse (heal) and harmonize us: peace, love, truth, wisdom, purity and happiness. Through concentrated thought we learn to let these positive and pure energies manifest (show) themselves in our conscience and in our day-to-day actions.

(To be continued tomorrow….)

Message for the day 

When there is positivity within, nothing negative can disturb us.

Projection: When we have negative thoughts, we usually blame the people around us, or the situations. We give justification for our thoughts and behaviour and so make no attempt to change them. And we constantly find ourselves disturbed by all that happens.

Solution: In the most negative situation we must have the practice of finding something positive. This will enable us to maintain our positive thoughts and keep us open to learning from every situation that comes our way.

Contemplation: Motivate Yourself

Contemplation: Motivate Yourself

Blue City of Chefchaouen, Morocco

Motivate Yourself

It's a tough life. Some days its hard to get out of bed and get going. Why? How come our levels of enthusiasm seem to fall so easily? Why can't we get ourselves motivated? Simple really. We try to reverse the energy flow in a universe where all energy is radiating outwards. We try to break one of the spiritual laws. We are taught that winning and achieving is about getting and keeping, when the truth is that it is about giving. Winners are go givers not go-getters, and their definition of winning is not getting one over on the other guy, but overcoming their inertia and giving something of themselves to someone or something other than themselves. This reverses the flow of energy from outside in, to inside out, and as we all know, the deepest satisfaction in life comes from giving. While it is hard to fathom living a life of giving, when everyone else is on the take, there is an ancient law which ensures that if we did, we would never go without. I think you know what that law is. It allows you to be motivated in a completely different way. No need for any magical formulas or rigid belief systems ...try it today!! What you give is what you...
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Thought Energy

Our thoughts are always there, whatever age we are. Their content may
change but our ability to think does not. First of all, I am a
thinking, experiencing being or soul. Thoughts are not something
physical which l can experience with the physical sense organs. I
cannot see, taste or touch a thought. Thoughts are not made up of
matter or even brain cells. I am a non-physical or spiritual being
(soul), which creates thoughts. My form, a point of energy, situated
in the centre of the forehead is the only form that cannot be
destroyed. It is something so small that it cannot be divided. My
identity is a soul, and all the other identities - teacher, student,
man, woman, father, mother, friend, relation and so on – are simply
different roles which I, the soul, play.

Soul Sustenance 

Mental Clarity Or Focus

To strengthen yourself you need to have mental clarity or focus. That is possible if there is not so much of excessive thought, so as to generate clouds of unhappiness, suffering, grief, indecision, doubts and negativity - thoughts that your mind produces, thoughts that are weak, useless or wasteful. All of these thoughts cloud your own clarity. Mental focus means to think less, think concretely, concentrate, think in an elevated way, and your thought will have an energy of clarity and inner strength that will help you to put it into practice with greater success. You should strengthen yourself to achieve a state of self-control. For this, you need to study yourself, know yourself and understand yourself. You need inner silence, for there not to be so much mental chatter (noise) from thinking, thinking, thinking and thinking.

On top of that, other people influence you and so you generate even more thoughts. There are so many influences and inner voices that speak to you. With all of that there cannot be clarity. There is the voice of your fears, of your ego, that of desires and greed, there are influences of the past, thoughts emerging from your values, influences of your neighbors, your children, your husband or wife, your mother or father, the influence of your office colleague's opinion, or your best friend, your doctor, your guru, etc. You can listen to many inner and outer voices and, if you are not strong, your mind weakens under so many influences, which has negative effects on your clarity of mind. Because of all of this you have to strengthen your mind, which means, think less; think slower, concentrated and clear thought; with sense and meaning; of quality, based on a healthy and positive motivation. These thoughts are then like arrows, which have positive strength and clarity.

Message for the day 

To be free from negative and waste is to be light and spread the light around.

Projection: When we find ourselves having waste and negative thoughts we don't usually work to change them. It is because we don't realise the effect of such thoughts, which are harmful to both others and ourselves, too.

Solution: We need to remind ourselves that the positivity in our mind is beneficial to both ourselves and others too. When we consciously remember the benefit of having positive thoughts we will not feel heavy because of the change that we have to bring about.

Contemplation: Giving

Contemplation: Giving

Golden Falls

Giving

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.

The one who takes inspiration from others keeps moving forward.

When I look at the specialities of others, I sometimes tend to get
discouraged. At such times my own weakness(es) look very prominent and
my specialities remain hidden. Such comparision might not actually
lead to jealousy but subtly continues to have its influence on me in a
negative way. At all times I must make sure I am constantly moving
forward. Looking at others's specialities I need to take inspiration
from them. I need to see what aspect I can imbibe in myself too. When
I do this I will be able to experience constant progress being free
from negativity.

A Spiritual Perspective Of True Love

Emotional love can flower into true love when the fire of emotions cools down and is substituted by a wiser and more mature relationship. True love needs a fresh and renewing atmosphere, without fears. When you feel spiritually full, you feel flowing over with pleasure, happiness, wellbeing, and that state helps you to accept the one whom you love as they are, because from your fullness you give and share and you don't need or expect anything from the other. While you need something that you want the other to satisfy, you will have expectations and the fear that those needs might not be satisfied, and you will get frustrated more easily. When you feel like a being of peace, a being of love, a tranquil being, a being that is spiritually full and satisfied, your relationship with others is a relationship of sharing on a level on which fear is not generated. You are not asking for or taking anything from the other. An elevated sharing of love, of happiness, of knowledge, of wisdom takes place, in which you do not generate a dependency on the other.

Attachments and dependencies, fears and insecurity, block our experience of love, of peace, serenity, freedom, happiness. When you have a feeling of love that takes you to a state of joy, to wholeness, but then you attach yourself to the object of your love, be it a person, or a property, automatically the feeling changes into fear: you fear to lose the object of your love and, instead of feeling wholeness and enjoyment, you feel fear. Over time that attachment turns into a dependency and you start to become inwardly empty: that is, your energy level goes down. Love in its purest form is a like a spring that pours forth for the benefit of others. Learn the art of loving, being free and allowing to be. Pure, true, love is an unconditional love that flows freely. Do not cling (hold on to). Love does not cling.

Soul Sustenance

Balance Between Masculine and Feminine Qualities

These are some examples of masculine and feminine qualities:

Masculine
Logical, Verbal, Brave, Enthusiastic, Enterprising, Flexible, Creative, Responsible, Self-confident, Jovial, Detached

Feminine
Intuitive, Silent, Affectionate, Serene (Peaceful), Patient, Tolerant, Inspiring, Optimistic, Resistant, Mature, Sweet

Opening up to the spiritual consciousness (or the consciousness of the soul) makes the masculine and feminine qualities emerge from our inner selves. As we become more conscious and attentive, we come across a balance between masculine and feminine qualities, achieving greater harmony in our lives and in our relationships. When we are only aware of the physical form, a part of our being may remain hidden. For example, if a man only identifies with his masculine form (I am a man), his feminine qualities do not develop. In the same way, many women have not developed their masculine qualities due to the thought: "I am (only) a woman". E.g. in a family where the father is often absent and cannot provide his support for long periods of time, the role of the mother takes on another broader dimension. She can make the masculine qualities emerge, combining authority and bravery with her more feminine aspects.

Addiction to relationships, in other words, the dependency on other people, is to a large extent due to an imbalance of masculine and feminine qualities in our inner selves. The main reason why this happens is that we do not develop the qualities that we are missing internally and we seek the company of others who have these qualities. We try to compensate for our weaknesses and fill our defects by taking what we are missing, from other people, thus becoming dependent on them.

Message for the day 

A single positive thought can end all negativity.

Projection: When we find that our thoughts are negative in a situation, we tend to have more negative thoughts and we get caught in this cycle of negativity with no chance for transforming our thoughts.

Solution: In order to change our thoughts we need to consciously take a powerful positive thought and repeat it to ourselves so that we can feel and experience it. This will enable us to free our mind from negativity. Our positive thought acts like a single switch, which dispels darkness.