Contemplation: Grain of Sand

Contemplation: Grain of Sand

 

Arabian Desert

Grain of Sand

It is not the mountains ahead that wear you out. It's the grain of sand in your shoe.

Fear of Failure

When involved in something new, there is usually more fear for our
failure than there is faith in success. So although we put in
sufficient efforts towards achieving the target, we are not able to
experience success. This fear neither makes us give our best to the
task, nor does it ensure our success in anyway. We need to maintain the
faith in our mind first about our own success. Because if we think in
our mind that we have failed, we have failed even before we have
actually attempted the task. What we need is a constant experience of
success in the mind, which makes us increase the speed and intensity of
our efforts.

The True Self And The False Self

Meditation is an attempt to find the true self. It is this self which holds the identity of what I am, an identity which, when realized, gives fulfillment and direction to our life. This is what we call the consciousness of * I am, which emerges in meditation when there is concentration on the present and we focus on the now of * I am, rather than the past, or the future (* I was, or * I will be).

To remind us of this state, we use the word Om, which means 'I am a soul', the spiritual identity that acts as a key to human consciousness. As we find and realize the true self through meditation, we become aware of the false self and how deeply embedded it is in our lives, both in our way of thinking and being.

When we understand this illusory (false) self then we can begin the process of dissolving its negative effects on the original or true self.

In tomorrow's message, we shall examine the various forms of the illusory or false self and its negative effects on us.

Soul Sustenance

Saying Yes Or Saying No?

In life many times we are presented with situations that ask something of us or offer us opportunities. They make us question what we are doing and suggest to us that perhaps we should change direction. To remain in flow with life is to remain bring about changes in the self that situations want from us, as long as it is in agreement with our conscience. But for that, we should be clear about what we say yes to, and what we say no to. When you put your heart into something and your mind is centered, the energy flows powerfully towards there. It is a question of listening to your heart, and daring to say yes or to say no. We have to say it keeping our conscience and action in line, in order to maintain honesty and integrity.

Personally, we all live through difficult and uncomfortable situations, but in your heart you need to know that you will definitely be there. The trust in yourself, and the confidence that everything will work out fine, knowing that there is some hidden lesson that you have to learn, helps you to say yes. It is what the situation asks of you, although you prefer to be in some other 'more comfortable' situation - a less risky or seemingly negative one. It is important to hear the voice of time, of the moment, of the situation and trust that it would strengthen you, with which it would bring you closer to greater personal development and to your destiny as a person, and also brings about global benefit since you are a part of society, a part of humanity. 


Message for the day

To be obedient to God means to have a right to His inheritance.

Projection: We sometimes find ourselves feeling low and unenthusiastic. We tend to blame the situations and the people around which makes us feel even more dull. At such times we expect and seek God's help and power but experience no help from him.

Solution: We need to realise that we don't have to ask God for power or blessings but have a right to them. Before we perform any task we need to ask ourselves if God will like what we are doing. If we do everything according to God's wishes that means we are obedient. Such obedience will get us the inheritance of peace and happiness from God.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

https://astudypoint.blogspot.com/

Contemplation: Feelings

Contemplation: Feelings

Rainbow over Lavender Fields

Feelings

If your days seem filled with unwanted negative feelings, there is only one cure. When they come, choose them. Don't ask why, don't wonder how, don't fight them and never put yourself down for having them. But most of all never blame someone else for how you feel. If you do, it means your choice is to be a victim. When the feelings come, even big disturbing emotional feelings say, "I choose this feeling" and know it comes because of something you have thought or done in the past, perhaps a certain belief that you have learned or an attachment that is threatened. Choice does not mean you want the feelings, but it does mean you are taking responsibility for them. And that is the beginning of self mastery. It is the first step to the healing and resolving of your emotions. But only the first step. Try this today and then ask yourself what the next step might be. If you are really interested to know, you will come to know!

True victory

Victory is usually associated with being victorious over situations or
people. We generally wait for situations to change and for everything
to get all right. We also tend to expect people to behave according to
our desire and requirement. We tend to perceive victory in having the
last word. Yet we find that we are not able to experience being
victorious. True victory lies in first winning over our own internal
weaknesses. We can win over situations or people only when we win over
our own negativity. Situations and people become instrumental in
enabling us to discover our own weaknesses. When we work to remove
these weaknesses, instead of blaming others for what is happening, we
can experience true victory.

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

Is It Possible To Manipulate The Law Of Karma?

Human laws can be adjusted, manipulated and even ignored by some, but no one can do the same with the Law of Karma. On the physical level, there is no time interval between an action and its reaction. If I throw an object in the air, it falls back immediately with the same force. With the Law of Karma, however, there can be a delay between the action and its result or fruit. The seeds of certain actions (negative or positive) bring immediate fruit. Others can take years or even many births to bear fruit. If I eat too much ice-cream, I will see the result or karmic effect of the negative karma of greed within a space of ten-fifteen minutes in the form of a headache or after two days in the form of a cold and flu. This is an e.g. in which we realize the working of the Law of Karma, we realize clearly the cause and its effect, but on a subtle level, when we see the effects of actions, we do not realize that the cause may have actually been in a previous life. There is a total connection between the cause and the effect.

When we analyze a natural calamity such as a major earthquake that uproots buildings and trees, overturns vehicles and kills thousands of people. The physical cause may be tectonic activity associated with faults inside the earth’s surface but at the same time, we realize that such a calamity could have its roots in a process initiated by human beings a few hours, days or months ago – an e.g. being testing of nuclear weapons. On a personal level, I can say that there is nothing which happens to me for which I am not responsible. Whether I remember what I did to make it happen or not, whether I realize it or choose to ignore it, I am ultimately responsible.

Message for the day

The method to overcome weaknesses is to remind ourselves of our positive qualities.

Projection: When we make a mistake we usually realize the need to remove that weakness but our identification with that particular weakness is so much that we are not able to overcome it.

Solution: Instead of reminding ourselves again and again about our weaknesses we need to remind ourselves of our positive qualities. The more we do that we will slowly be able to emerge these qualities and work with them and slowly we'll be able to overcome our weaknesses.



In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

https://astudypoint.blogspot.com/

Contemplation: Beliefs and Attitudes

Contemplation: Beliefs and Attitudes

Kalalau Beach, Hawaii

Beliefs and Attitudes

Frequent repetition of the same type of thoughts creates your beliefs and attitudes.

Adjustment

Normally when we have to adjust with a person or a situation, we tend
to experience a lot of negative thoughts. We find it difficult to
adjust and we experience defeat each time we have to make an
adjustment. We tend to feel that we are making this adjustment for the
benefit of the other person. We do manage to adjust but not with
lightness. To adjust means to understand that nothing can be done to
change the situation so it is more sensible to accept it. So, we are
actually adjusting not because it is going to benefit others, but
because we are to be benefited. This is like crossing over a physical
obstacle that comes our way, which we cannot remove. To move forward
with lightness in all situations, we need to have the practice of
looking at the positive aspect in everything and everyone.

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).

Soul Sustenance

The Senses in Balance

Our five senses are windows, which open out to the world through which energy flows in two directions. The senses receive impressions and information from the world, and at the same time transmit our personalities to others. Our eyes receive a constant stream of visual messages, but we may also use the eyes to show how we feel. Through our ears we hear the sounds of life; while by "lending an ear" to others we give comfort to them. Touch allows us to experience texture; but can also transmit love and assurance. Our senses are not merely instruments, but deep-rooted aspects of the self or the soul.

In India, the senses of the body (eyes, ears, nose, tongue and hands) are beautifully depicted in the form of a chariot. The self or the soul is the charioteer (controller of the chariot); the five senses are the five horses. The self keeps the senses harmoniously (peacefully) working together, controlling their tendency to go out of control.

Message for the day

The one who has faith is always carefree.

Projection: When things go wrong we tend to worry a lot. Many waste questions come up in our mind troubling us throughout the difficult time. We are not able to be free from these kind of waste thoughts and tend to feel heavy.

Solution: The way to be light at all times is to develop the faith that things will work out fine. Even during the difficult situation we need to maintain the faith that there will be something good that will emerge from the situation. This will enable us to be light even during the most difficult situation.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

https://astudypoint.blogspot.com/

Contemplation:Smile

Contemplation:Smile

Smile

In life you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say "hello".

Food for the Soul

Each and every day we take special care to give food to the body. We are
aware of the time when we don't give it enough food. But we are not as
much aware of the spiritual food that we need to give to ourselves. So
when there is any attack from the outside, the mind is too weak to
withstand it. To read or hear something good everyday goes a long way
in making the mind healthy and happy. Also to think and churn on it
makes it easy for us to remember what we have heard and it keeps us so
healthy that when difficult situations do come our way we am able to
face them with our own inner strength.

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....)

Soul Sustenance

Adopting A Wiser Perception

Depending on my choice of perception, I may see life as a battleground, where I face a constant battle from morning to night. The constant to and fro between family and work may tire me emotionally and mentally. If I let it and see it that way, life can also itself become the cause or source of my tensions. It may even seem as if the path of life is scattered with rocks blocking my way. Instead of stepping around or over them, I perceive them as being obstacles. The thoughts may come easily to my mind - 'If it was not for so-and-so or such-and-such, I would be able to...'. I may mention the same to my loved ones. Instead of bringing me any benefit, these complaints take me away from the power that I, the soul, have within of changing anything. I simply pass on my capacity to change, to persons or objects over whom or which I obviously have no control.

If I am fortunate to have a wiser perception which spirituality can give me, life can become a great place to learn and grow. Behind seemingly difficult situations are my major lessons. Disguised in routine tasks are the sign boards that point me back towards truth. Relationships that bring with them repeated scenes of negativity with the same person and for the same reasons show me the weaknesses I have to work on. Indeed, until I work on the eradication of my weaknesses, I keep repeating them. Challenges do come, but they help to bring out the best in me. If I have the subtle eyes to see and the courage to go forward... life is a constant experience of reminders and benefits to progress along the road to my highest consciousness.

Message for the day

The one who is wise is free from wasteful talk about others.

Projection: When someone relates something to us about another person's negativity, we tend to listen to it with great interest. We, then, find that the other person is greatly encouraged to speak about it. But such waste talk is not really useful for anyone and we find that there is no solution for the problem at hand.

Solution: When someone is talking about the negativity in another person we need to question ourselves if listening to this is of any use to us or if we can do anything about the situation. If we cannot do anything we need to remind ourselves that there is no use listening to such waste talk. Instead we need to make an attempt to look at the positive aspect in the other person so that the other person can see that, too.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

https://astudypoint.blogspot.com/

Contemplation: Inspiration

 Contemplation: Inspiration

Inspiration

How can we serve others around us? By making our lives inspirational and interacting with tact and wisdom. We should be so cheerful, and our lives such examples, that they say 'Here is an angel.'

Responsibility

Whenever there is any kind of bondage in our lives, either through
situations or people, we tend to feel uncomfortable and try to break
free from them. Yet we find that it is not easy to do so. We rarely
ever can think of looking within if there is any bondage in our own
minds. We need to understand the fact that the bondage is in fact not
outside but within our own minds. We also need to realize the fact
that nothing is forced on us but whatever happens to us is our own
choice. When we take up responsibility in this way we will not
complain but will make the best out of every situation and thus
experience true freedom.

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....)

Soul Sustenance

Self Respect

Self-respect depends on knowing who I am, knowing my eternal (ageless), spiritual self. When I have found that sense of spiritual identity, I feel I have a right to be here, to exist. Without the spiritual dimension, it is very difficult to really respect myself deeply. In this case, I base my respect on identifying with the superficial (artificial) aspects of my being: looks, gender, success, my life partner, my intelligence. With such artificial identification, I will never have a stable sense of self-respect, because people's opinions change. Today they love me, tomorrow they reject me. What is the result of depending on their opinions? I will end up fluctuating all the time - feeling positive when they say good things, and feeling down when they say negative things. To stay stable in my self-respect, I need to have a deeper understanding of my spiritual identity (the foundation of this being that I am a soul) and tap into those riches that are within me forever, waiting to blossom, like the flower from the seed.

As I become spiritually aware, those riches and resources start flowing out of me. The more stable I am in my self-respect and spirituality, the more I radiate what I truly am. I feel a deep sense of contentment and I am happy to be me, however I am. I accept myself as I am. 


Message for the day

The one who understands the importance of time makes full use of it.

Projection: There is usually a tendency to postpone things to the last moment. When the situation demands that we finish the job and at the same time if unforeseen things come up, we tend to feel pressurised. We, then, are not able to do the job well and begin to wish that we had more time.

Solution: We need to understand the importance of time and do the job needed to be done immediately.We need to understand the fact that if we lose this moment, there is no chance of getting it back again. If we use the time at hand frutifully, we'll always be able to remain light and be available to things that come up suddenly.
In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

https://astudypoint.blogspot.com/

Contemplation: Carefree

Contemplation: Carefree

 

Breathtaking Scenes of Mount Fuji,  Japan

Carefree

When the soul is tired it is restless and there is a lot of worry; we think I have to do this and that. All I really have to do is to remain peaceful and there will be the feeling that everything will be OK. We will feel that we are able to remain carefree and restful.

Attention

We sometimes tend to take on a lot of tension for the responsibilities
that we have to take up. We find it very difficult to relieve
ourselves from this tension, especially when we feel there is demand
from the situations or expectations from people beyond my capabilities.
During demanding situations specially and in general too, the way to
relieve ourselves from tension is to have constant attention. It is
important to have attention during difficult times, but it is also
necessary to keep attention on the self even during normal conditions.
Attention brings checking and changing and relieves us of tension.

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....)

Soul Sustenance

Simple Exercise For Experiencing Inner Peace And Compassion (Kindness)

Sit comfortably and relax. Now focus your attention on your breathing… let it find its own calm rhythm… gently breathe in peacefulness and breathe out any negative feelings.

Allow your mind to slow down… do not judge your thoughts as good or bad, accept them and let them go.

Now focus on your inner peace…that place that is deep within yourself… that is peaceful… where your inner compassion (kindness) and forgiveness lies… here you are patient, tolerant, generous, understanding… all these qualities are here which make up your inner compassion. Experience the feeling of compassion… and see it focused as a point… a point of light…situated at the center of your forehead.

Now raise your awareness beyond yourself… to a place of unlimited peace… see it first as a small point of light. As you move towards it, it becomes brighter… it is like an ocean of peace… a space of calm, of love, of compassion… you feel connected to that ocean of deep peace and love… it surrounds you like a shawl, it fills you up, absorbing every part of you with a comfortable warmth.

Rest in that feeling of being loved… it is like energy… a vibration… a light filling you… until you overflow…

Now, slowly you move away from the ocean – as a point of light. You still have the memory of being loved… and can reconnect at any time you want.

Gradually become aware of your body.

Message for the day

Faith enables the creation of elevated fortune.

Projection: Usually there is a tendency to leave things to destiny. When something goes wrong, we blame fate for it. Then we feel the situation to be totally out of our control, which prevents us from taking responsibility for our own life. And we will not be able to work in any way for bringing about a change and improving the situation.

Solution: Instead of blaming fate for whatever is happening, we need to take up responsibility for creating our own fortune for the future. When we have faith in ourselves, we will take up responsibility for our own life. We will, then, be able to work at making our each thought beneficial, contributing to our success, making a better future for ourselves.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

https://astudypoint.blogspot.com/

Contemplation:No Task Too Difficult

Contemplation:No Task Too Difficult

Liz Arch and Ashika Gogna- Venice, California

No Task Too Difficult

If you do everything with the feeling of happiness, there will be no task too difficult to perform.

Stability

When we are faced with difficult situations, we usually tend to have a
feeling that we have no resources or are not able to make the best use
of the resources within for best results. Thus we are not able to
experience real progress. On the other hand we only tend to experience
a lot of negative feelings. When we learn the art of being stable in
the most negative situations, we will know how to use the treasures
that are hidden within ourselves. Our mind is no longer disturbed with
waste or negative thoughts and we find it easy to face and learn from
each and every situation.

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

Creative Visualization

The incorporeal (non-physical) soul, situated in the centre of the forehead consists of three energies. Although each energy can be given a different name, it is actually the same energy, the soul, functioning on three different levels at the same time. These are the mind, which is the thinking faculty (energy) of the soul; the intellect, which is the decision-making and visualizing faculty (energy) of the soul and the personality characteristics, commonly called sanskaras.

In the practice of meditation, on one hand, the mind is used to create pure, positive and powerful thoughts or affirmations based on the basic qualities of the soul like peace, contentment, happiness, love, joy, power, etc. Along with that, the intellect is used to create visual images of the same thoughts, which is called creative visualization. This process brings about a positive change in our sanskaras. This is the basic principle used in the Rajyoga meditation taught by the Brahma Kumaris. Creative visualization may be used in various ways to experience true relaxation of the mind.

Message for the day

With benevolent feelings and good wishes we can free people from worrying.

Projection: When we come across someone who is faced with a difficult situation because of which he is worrying, we too usually tend to think about it. Instead of helping the other person to be free from worrying, we too begin to worry. This doesn't help either of us in anyway but only adds to the negativity of the situation.

Solution: We need to develop such benevolent feelings for the one who is going through the situation that the power of our positive feelings will spread to them too. It will act like the light of the lamp, which helps to dispel the darkness around. Only when there is positivity in the mind will they be able to think of some solution.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

https://astudypoint.blogspot.com/