Contemplation: The Hardest Shell

Contemplation: The Hardest Shell

Overwater Bungalows of Bora Bora

The Hardest Shell
Under the hardest shell, is a person who wants to be loved and appreciated.

Self-respect

You get respect from others when you have respect for yourself. 

Every human being has innate worth which is pure and virtuous. Faith in the self brings out the potential within and this brings respect for the self. Self-respect makes you self-reliant and makes others respect you. In order to get respect from others, increase your own self-respect. For this find something unique in yourself and each morning remind yourself of this speciality. Also make sure you work at least once with this speciality throughout the day.

Meditation For Personality Transformation (cont.)

Decide on a habit that you want to change e.g. impatience. We will focus this meditation on changing impatience. You can apply it to other habits also:

I relax and prepare to look inwards...
I am aware of the unwanted habit of becoming impatient...
As I sit in meditation, I relax my body.
I become the observer of my own thoughts and feelings...
Realizing my true identity as soul - a subtle point of light situated at the center of my forehead, just above my eyebrows, I remember my real nature is one of calmness, peace and power...
I focus on the power of peace, inviting it in and welcoming it into my thoughts and feelings from deep within.... enjoying the calm contentment which it brings...
On the screen of my mind, I begin to visualize patience...
I see myself in a situation where I normally become impatient...
I now see myself as being completely full with the virtue of patience...
I shape my feelings around the idea and image of patience.... unhurried and relaxed... calm and watchful...
If necessary, I can wait... forever.... with patience
I am free of the desire for certain outcomes...
I see how I respond with patience...
I see the effect of my patience in others within the situation...
I now know how I will speak with patience, walk with patience and act patiently in the real life situations...
I maintain this peace, which generates serenity and patience in me...

Soul Sustenance

Spirituality In Practice (Self Introspection)

On the screen of your mind, make an appraisal (note) of what has happened throughout the past week…

Think about the awareness that you have had of yourself… think about the actions you have taken…Have they been based on a positive consciousness of yourself? Can you see the intentions behind your actions? Are they pure and positive?

Now, slowly and gently, I focus on my inner self… I observe myself… Does my life carry meaning and a purpose… Is there learning and growth at each step?

Do I possess inner strength… Am I able to use powers like the power to tolerate, power to co-operate, power to face in my everyday actions and experience success at every step… If so, do I feel strong and secure…

Do I remain in self-respect and as a result respect others… Do I love myself and have good wishes for each one that I interact with…

Do I feel calm and at peace… free to experience my inner qualities… Are my qualities visible through my actions…

And now, for a few moments, I am going to create feelings of peace and serenity for others… I am going to share thoughts and feelings of peace with others… this is practical spirituality… 


Message for the day 

With the balance of love and discipline, energy can be saved while speaking.

Projection: Throughout the day we find ourselves having to give explanations or corrections to so many people. When we do this we find that we have to spend a lot of words. In the process we tend to lose a lot of our energy and find ourselves tired.

Solution: In order to save our energy and to use fewer words we need to have the balance of love and discipline. Discipline will enable us to give the right directions while love will make our directions effective. So we find that just a few words would be enough to get our message across.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Contemplation: Serenity

Contemplation: Serenity

Anderson Falls, Indiana

Serenity

Your serenity is based on taking responsibility without taking blame, and letting go without giving up

Self-Progress

The one who is committed towards his own self-progress, is free from
criticizing others even when he sees them make mistakes. There are no
negative words used, but words are filled with good wishes and actions
become inspirational too. So such a person helps the other person to
move forward.

I enjoy the process of my inner growth, because I am committed to learning from every situation. My own growth provides a space for the growth of others too. I am free from negative feelings because I am able to give without expecting. I find others are able to bring out their best too.

Meditation For Personality Transformation

At the heart of every human being or soul there is a spiritual energy, pure, of peace, love, truth and happiness without dependence. Being aware and experiencing this energy provides you with the inner strength necessary for change. Meditation is the method of access in order to allow that energy to come to the surface of your consciousness and in your mind in order to color your thoughts and feelings. In a way very similar to that of a volcano whose melted lava, hot, flows from the centre of the Earth to the surface, we, on meditating, can create volcanoes of power (which emerge in our conscious minds) required for personality transformation.

You can do an exercise, a meditation whereby you choose a habit or sanskar that you don't want, and you will replace it with a characteristic that you would like to incorporate, like a thread, into the cloth of your personality. For example, replace impatience with patience.

Tomorrow we shall explain a meditation with this theme: changing a habit or sanskar.

Soul Sustenance

The Alphabet of Change

Awareness - First, become aware of what you need to change in yourself. What is preventing you from attaining contentment? What habits are blocking the way to realizing your full potential?

Belief - Many people think that a change in their personalities is extremely difficult. But in fact it is a reality that lies within your power. It might be useful to ask yourself questions such as * What has held me back from change in the past? and * What are the stages by which I can bring change about?

Commitment - Motivation is the key to commitment. We need to want to change, rather than feel it is a duty to ourselves. Try writing down a list of commitments in the form of statements beginning with ‘I will’. They should come directly out of, and be connected with, your overall vision.

Discipline - We cannot change unless we are able to maintain a steady course over time. Think of each sign as a major landmark passed. Even if we find ourselves slipping into old habits, that achievement of even a little bit of change cannot be taken away.

Message for the day

To serve with the heart, with love is to guarantee success.

Projection: When we have to be of help to others, we sometimes find ourselves doing it with force. We don't seem to be really interested in doing it but situations or people seem to be forcing us to do it. We, then, don't enjoy what we do and also don't find the benefit of it either to others or to ourselves.

Solution: We need to consciously make an effort to see what people are benefiting when we are helping them. With this conscious effort we are able to help others with love without feeling the heaviness of what we have to do. Thus, we find our actions to be much more fruitful.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Contemplation: Honesty & Clarity

Contemplation: Honesty & Clarity

Clearest water in the world, Cayo Coco beach

 Honesty & Clarity

Honesty does not mean simply speaking your mind. Honesty means to be very clear about everything going on inside you. Where there is honesty, feelings become pure and clean. Honesty is where there are no other thoughts or feelings inside, other than those that God himself would have. Such clarity is reflected in your words; they will be filled with the power of truth, and spoken with ease and without hesitation. The genuine honesty cultivated within you is what will reach out and touch others.

Taming the mind

In ancient times, the mind was understood to be extremely difficult to control. It was said to be like the wind: you could never catch it, or hold it - it went where it wished and no human being could become its master. In other instances, it was said that the mind was like an elephant: extremely powerful but equally gentle and patient, able to do a lot of work for its master. However, when an elephant turns wild, its gentleness and patience completely disappear and it destroys and damages everything in its path. When the mind is under stress, it resembles a wild elephant; it has no control and cannot be controlled.

Taming the mind is regarded as a great art requiring time, attention, practice and, above all, a sincerity of heart where individuals truly want to change their way of thinking. To relax, to be positive, to be peaceful and kind all require a change in our thought patterns and this can only happen when we look deeply within. However hard they try, other people cannot change us; we must have personal realization and the desire to make changes through our own effort. Permanent and positive change cannot be imposed from outside; it is something that we choose.

Thoughts As Energy

Just as the physical atmosphere is the result of climatic conditions and air quality, there is a subtle (non-physical) atmosphere which cannot be seen, heard or measured but can be experienced and influenced by the mind and analyzed by the intellect. It is variously described as the prevailing mood, the vibration and so on. What is the cause of this non-physical atmosphere, these vibrations?

Thought has been proven to be a powerful yet non-physical energy, which can influence other souls and matter. Thoughts, emotions, desires and moods generate a field around the soul, just like an electric field, can be called positive, negative or neutral, depending on the quality of its effect on other souls and on matter. When a large number of souls are all experiencing positive thoughts, feelings and emotions, then the atmosphere becomes charged with positivity. When they are experiencing negative emotions, the opposite happens.

Soul Sustenance

Comparing Atom And Atma (cont.)

The human body is also a complex pattern of physical energies. Atomic particles build together to form the organic structures and inorganic minerals which perform the body's chemical interactions, thus forming the basis of the hormonal and nervous control of the body. What we see as old or young, ugly or beautiful, male or female, is also the effect of these differing levels of physical energies between neighboring atoms. However marvelous a machine the body may be, it is the presence of the soul which makes it function.

One of the basic differences between souls and atoms is that while souls can exercise choice of their movements, where and when to go somewhere, atoms cannot obviously exercise such choice. In a way you could say that a soul is a point-source of spiritual energy that has awareness of its own existence. Atoms do not. 


Message for the day


Problems can be solved when there is the faith that every problem has a solution.

Projection: When faced with a problem, there's a lot of thinking that goes into it. We sometimes end up only worrying about the problem thinking that we are trying to find a solution. But worrying never brings any solution. We only end up getting disheartened and give up trying. What then remains is just the problem and a lot of waste thoughts.

Solution: Instead of worrying about the problem and wasting time, it's important to work for the solution to the best of our ability with the faith that the solution will be found. Even if we are not able to find a solution at that time, it is important to have the faith that it will be found. Only then will we be able to relieve ourselves from worrying.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Contemplation: Kindness

Contemplation: Kindness

 

Kindness
Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.

Feedback

The gap between what you say and what you do, between what you promise and what you deliver is like a drain in the road. The drain is where water escapes, just as your power will seep away if there is a difference between your words and your actions. Ask yourself every day, were your thoughts, words and actions aligned? Ask someone else what they saw in you too. Feedback is the food of all positive change.

Analyzing Success And Failure (cont.)

For many, society has conditioned us to look for success through the path of our career, achievements, profits, praise, financial wealth etc. That way, we have learned a narrow view of success. Running in search of this kind of success and pursuing it, we come to exhaust ourselves, get burnt out and depressed. In order to achieve these successes we have stopped caring for the inner being (the soul) and relationships. That has meant and means stress, pain, anxiety, family break ups, personal and relational disintegrations, the destruction of the environment and planetary and climatic imbalances. As a consequence, we feel empty. Although we achieve the applause, the income and other successes, the soul is malnourished and has the sensation that it is lacking something. Reaching fame, financial wealth, the power of a visible position, and reaching it with a broken soul, broken up family and a sick body, causes depression which explains why, in our recent history, famous people have ended up committing suicide.

If we want to redirect our personal and collective lives toward true wellbeing and wholeness, we have to re-evaluate and redefine our beliefs and factors that lead to success and failure. Before asking yourself what success and failure mean for you, it is important to be clear what context you want success in. Depending on the context, the dimension and the meaning of success and failure will be different. For example, in the work context, a failure will be different to that in the family context. In the personal context or in life in general, the way of perceiving success or failure varies.

Soul Sustenance

Comparing Atom And Atma

The knowledge of the laws of the physical universe is based on the atomic theory. The atom is seen to be a point-source of energy, and different energy levels and vibrations between neighboring atoms give the appearance of form, color and heat. It has been established that the entire material world we see around us as a variety of forms and colors, light and heat, is formed of these point sources of physical energy or atoms. The most beautiful scene in nature is merely a pattern of energy waves and vibrations. The sense organs select the vibrations and relay a message to the mind where all images are formed. The eyes see some of these patterns as light forms and colors, the nose pick up odors. In the same way sounds, tastes and sensations are detected and all of these are transmitted to the mind.

Atomic theory appeared originally in Greece and in India. The English word atom came from the Greek word atomos meaning indivisible. This word is similar to the Hindi word atma which means self or soul and refers to the conscious energy of the human as being an indivisible and un-destroyable point of non-physical light.

(To be continued tomorrow …)

Message for the day

To be a master means to experience inner power in a practical way.

Projection: Each one has a lot of powers within, which we can use in our daily life while dealing with practical situations. Knowledge of these powers is of course there within each one. And along with it there is an intention to use them too. But during the time when it is necessary to use them, it becomes difficult to make them practical. So the powers within are just wasted away.

Solution: We need to learn the art of using the right power at the right time. With the recognition of the powers within us we also need to develop the consciousness of being a master. As a master we just need to order whatever power we need at that time and these powers will surely come to serve us. We will then surely be victorious in all situations.

Contemplation: Contentment

Contemplation: Contentment

Heavenly residence in Maldives

Contentment
Contentment is a great virtue, though it may not attract one's attention at first. Those who are truly content are usually quiet about it. It is a pleasure to be in their company, because they are full, peaceful, and generous.

Respect is to recognize and appreciate the unique role of each and everyone.

Each one is unique with his own specialities. When you recognize the role of each one, you can understand that he is playing his part accurately. Then you can acknowledge even the smallest contribution and you'll be free from expectations. When you find yourself having negative thoughts towards any one, make the practice of looking at one speciality in that person and relate to it. Also tell yourself that without the role of this particular person the drama would not be complete.

Analyzing Success And Failure

You feel positive and joyful when you realize that you are successful. However, when failure comes to you, you feel defeated. The definition of success and failure varies from one person to another and according to the stage of life that you are in. It is important to have success and failure well defined for yourself, because, based on your definition, you feel greater or lesser inner wellbeing, happiness and wholeness. There are also different levels of success and of failure. For example, for some the greatest success is to be happy and radiant, whatever happens inside or outside. If one manages to keep happy in the face of failure, for them it is a success. Because to be happy means that I am connected with my essential worth or inner self, my being is awake and alive. Failure does not reduce my vitality, my contentment levels. The greater or fewer external achievements do not reduce the quality of the inner being or of being happy. The important thing is that you believe your own definition of success and failure. Some ideas can be shared that can act as guidelines, but, in the end, each person has to create their own guidelines, definitions and factors leading to success and failure. Basing ourselves on these guidelines and beliefs, we evaluate our successes and failures.  You can reflect on what true success and failure mean for you and, according to those meanings, centre your attention on the values and efforts that lead you to achieve your objectives.

(To be continued tomorrow ...)

Soul Sustenance

The Spiritual Concept Of Becoming A Trustee (cont.)

In the physical world, one common example of a trustee is when a multi-millionaire does not have any heirs, he or she will leave his or wealth in the hands of a trustee or a group of trustees, to ensure the right use of his/her wealth as per his/her last wish. Another common example is of trustees associated with temples and welfare organizations. All the wealth and ornaments that devotees offer in temples out of faith, love and devotion for God or all the wealth and property that people give in charity to welfare organizations is taken care of by a group of trustees. In all these cases and more, while taking care of the wealth, honest trustees always keep the consciousness that this is not their wealth or property and will always use it in the right way, as they have been directed. This is called ‘keeping the trust’ of the owner/owners of the wealth, hence the word trustee.

In this way, now as a trustee, throughout the day I keep a consciousness that the treasures of my mind, my thoughts, words, actions, virtues, powers, time, my physical wealth, physical body etc. are the Supreme Being’s property and I have been appointed as a trustee to take care of them. In this way, I will use these treasures in a positive way, for a positive purpose (as mentioned earlier for a purpose of bringing myself and other close to a state of truth) only; in a way the Supreme Being wants me to and has instructed me to do so. This establishes a relationship of detachment with the treasures I possess and also brings about my spiritual self-growth.

Message for the day


True respect comes not from what one does but how well it is done.

Projection: Respect is usually associated with what one does, i.e., it is usually associated with position, status etc which is associated with the job. When there is such an attitude, there is a tendency to look at the people around in a superficial way, missing out on recognising their true worth.

Solution: We need to recognise the fact that true respect comes from doing well whatever is being done. We need to recognise each one's virtues and qualities revealed through the behaviour. This enables us to have true respect for others. We then no longer look at what one is doing as important, but will be able to appreciate each and every one's contribution.

Contemplation: Dance In Happiness

Contemplation:  Dance In Happiness

Dance in Happiness
The easy way to remain happy is to remain constantly light. Pure thoughts are light and waste thoughts are heavy. Therefore, keep your intellect busy with pure thoughts and you will become light and continue to dance in happiness.

Look at Specialties

When you look at the specialties in each one you can easily cooperate with others and receive their cooperation. Each and every individual has something special. If you make the habit of seeing these specialties, you will find that others are able to relate to you with these specialties and you can easily get their cooperation. You will also be able to cooperate with them easily. Think of one person you are not able to cooperate with. Now think of one specialty of that person. Make sure you relate to this specialty whenever you come into contact with this person. As you continue this practice you will find your negativity vanishing away and cooperation becomes easy.

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. I feel them... I enjoy being myself in my original peaceful state...

Soul Sustenance

The Spiritual Concept Of Becoming A Trustee (cont.)

While it’s important to realize that the treasures mentioned in yesterday’s message are my treasures and they possess immense potential since they help me grow spiritually by their right use, it is also important to maintain a relationship of detachment with them, because we live with these treasures all the time and it is very easy to get caught up with them and become attached to them. Where there is attachment, there develops ego and the treasures start getting misused. An important concept in this regard is that of trusteeship. The Supreme Being while sharing the knowledge of these treasures and the method of using them, also shares, that for our benefit, once we realize what these treasures are, we should surrender these treasures to Him. This is an invisible or non-physical surrender, not a physical or visible one.

Once these treasures are surrendered to Him, unlike worldly surrenders, the treasures don’t remain with Him, because being an Unlimited Donor and being Incorporeal (bodiless), the Supreme doesn’t keep them with Himself and returns them back to us. Anyways, the surrender is deep but is on a mental level and not on a physical one. But, while returning the treasures back, the Supreme Being presents a condition in front of us. He says that since these treasures now no longer belong to us, we need to remove any sense of ownership over them and become a trustee while taking care of and using these treasures only for the purpose instructed by Him, the purpose of bringing the self and others closer to a state of truth (as explained in yesterday’s message). The word trustee comes from the word trust. In this case the Supreme Being says that He wishes and hopes that we keep His trust and don’t breach it at any cost, at any point of time, in taking care of and using ‘His’ treasures, because don’t forget, although the treasures are with us, there are no longer ours.

(To be continued tomorrow…)

Message for the day

Self-respect increases when one learns to converse positively to the self.

Projection: The usual way to talk to the self is to talk to the most superficial aspects of the personality, those which are related to fears (including those of the future), complaints and mindless repetition of things in the past. Such talk to the self only lowers the self-respect to a great extent.

Solution: Not only when our mind is going towards waste and negative, but at all times, it is important that we talk to the mind with love, as we would talk to a child. Like a mother would lovingly explain to the child, we need to teach our mind with love. This creates true happiness within and our self-respect increases.

Contemplation: Resent Not

Contemplation: Resent Not

Resent Not

There are no justified resentments. To resent someone is to fall under the illusion that they are the cause of our suffering. No one can die from a snake bite. It's the poison that kills them. You may receive the poison of another’s words, or even just in a glance, but you don’t have to absorb it or allow it free passage through the veins of your consciousness. The consequence of not absorbing the poison of others is you never experience enmity towards others. And people notice when you have absolutely no enmity. It draws them close, it empowers them, it builds trust, it enables harmony to break out! It is only because the lion has no thought of killing the lamb that the lamb feels able to come so close.

relax7

An Observer

When difficult situations come your way, instead of becoming disturbed or confused, observe all the situations just as you would observe a game or watch a play.
Then instead of feeling stuck you'll be able to enjoy the different turns that the situation takes.

Universal Concepts About The Supreme Being or God (cont.)

Continuing from yesterday's message:

The Zoroastrians worship God as fire (Indian Zoroastrians are called Parsis).

The ancient Egyptians worshiped the sun as God.

A Buddhist sect in Japan focuses the mind on a small oval shape. They call it Karni, the Peace-giver.

The Jews have the Menorah (a candlestick or holder for many candles together) which when lit is a memory of the form of God as light. 

It seems therefore that human beings, without realizing, have all been worshipping and trying to discover the same God. There is only one God and His form is light. If union between the soul and the Supreme Soul is to take place, it can only be possible if there is knowledge and experience of that form.

On the basis of our (soul and the Supreme Soul) similarities of form and place of residence, I learn from God of my own original sanskars of peace, purity, love, knowledge, power and bliss. As I tune my thoughts to Him, His influence fills these original qualities in me. He is the perfect and infinite fountain, indeed the ocean, of these qualities. His superiority lies in the depth, clarity and continuity of His divine sanskars. Whilst human souls fluctuate between peace and peacelessness; love and hatred; knowledge and ignorance; sorrow and joy, God is ever constant and above and beyond these fluctuations.

Soul Sustenance

The Spiritual Concept Of Becoming A Trustee

Spirituality introduces to us a very beautiful concept of trusteeship. At first, I realize that as a spiritual being or soul, I possess the treasures of my mind, my thoughts, words, actions, virtues, powers, time, physical wealth, etc. Even my physical body is a treasure. While I may have many a times misused these treasures earlier, now I learn how to use them correctly for my spiritual upliftment or the long term benefit of me, the soul. As per the Supreme Being’s instructions, I use these treasures for a positive purpose of bringing not only myself but others also, closer to a state of truth, a state in which the soul experiences its original virtues of peace, love, joy, purity, power, wisdom, etc. By doing that I, in return, experience spiritual self-growth.

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

(To be continued tomorrow…) 


Message for the day

Faith enables one to bring solutions to problems.

Projection: When problems come, we tend to overreact to it or exaggerate it to such an extent that it becomes a trap for us. Instead of working on the problem we fall prey to it making all our thoughts negative. Once we are caught up in negativity we will neither look for, nor find solutions.

Solution: Each thought of ours is important when working on a problem. Instead of making our thoughts negative, we need to remind ourselves that what we are going through is a test which we must pass with honour. When we have this thought, all our energy will be focussed on working to bring a solution.