Contemplation: November 21, 2018: Step out of your comfort zone

Contemplation: November 21, 2018: Step out of your comfort zone

Step out of your comfort zone

Being comfortable is great, right? 

But how many opportunities are you letting slip by because you don't want to feel uncomfortable? A little step outside your comfort zone is all it takes to grow and improve, to reach a higher and better level. Get past your fears and feelings of awkwardness and take that little step.

Put into Practice

When we hear something new and worthwhile from someone, we naturally
get the feeling to bring that into our practical life. But it is then
soon forgotten and doesn't become part of our life. It remains theory
in our mind, and after sometime we are not inspired by it anymore. We
either don't have courage or discouraged with our past experiences.
We can bring something we know into practice, only when we are able to
experience it at some point. For this we need to make a plan to
actually find a space for what we know to come into practice. When we
start even mechanically, that particular point brings experience in our
lives. Then we are naturally further experiment with it.

Marrying Spiritual Practices With Actions

Spiritual practices and life are interconnected; so are my thoughts and actions. It is not possible to separate them. The immediate influence of any spiritual practice like meditation is on the quality of my thoughts. The quality of my thoughts is then reflected in my day-to-day actions. As the quality of my actions improves, it starts influencing my thoughts positively and the quality of my spiritual practice also starts improving. When I really understand this, it becomes clear that the right way to live is to marry both these sides within my life - meditation and practical life, marry the process of improving the quality of my thoughts with my actions, because both are interconnected with each other.

Actions performed by being too action conscious, in a wrong, non-spiritual consciousness, have led to a monotonous and meaningless existence, an existence without permanent peace, love and joy, causing feelings of discontentment and an emptiness in many hearts. On the other hand, religious or meditation practices, which were done with the aim of bringing peace and happiness in our personal life as well as in relationships, but were performed in seclusion (by detaching or becoming aloof from society), did not achieve the desired objectives and was unable to influence life positively. This caused spirituality to become disconnected from reality.

I want my consciousness to become such that I can experience the richness of a life of actions, interactions and relationships of the world, but adorned (decorated) with the jewels of the energy and spiritual power that only meditation can provide.

Soul Sustenance

The Five Primary Qualities (cont.)

The soul has five primary qualities; we could say they are the primary colours of humanity with which we paint the picture of our lives. We had discussed peace and purity yesterday. The others are:

They are:

Love
This is the original quality of the soul. Peace is serenity, the personal inner state of non-violence. In this state of peace, I harmonize with everything and everyone around me. The word shanti means peace, and it is this thought (or word) we use as the key step in meditation.

Knowledge
To know and to be what I am eternally and truly, and to exist in this consciousness, is what we mean by knowledge. It is not knowing about the soul, peace, love, etc., but rather knowing is to be the soul, to be peace, to be love. This quality of true knowing is expressed through 'I am', the original awareness of the self that exists beyond the false self of ego.

(To be continued tomorrow ….)

Message for the day

To be healthy internally is to make the best use of all treasures.

Projection: A healthy intellect acts like a mother, always showing the right path. When internally one is strong, there is the natural ability to treat the mind with love and guide it towards the right direction. Such a healthy state of mind naturally enables the recognition and the proper utilisation of everything available.

Solution: Once I have learnt the art of guiding my mind in the right direction with love, I then never experience the difficulty of having to bring back the mind to the right thinking. Because the mind is totally under control in a very easy and natural way and I don't have to control it or force it to think or not to think in a particular way.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

https://astudypoint.blogspot.com/

Contemplation: November 20, 2018: Lost and Found

Contemplation: November 20, 2018: Lost and Found 

Lost and Found

Being lost in thought, thinking about things to do, what's been done, what could have been done... is not only tiring but also a brilliant way to waste energy. It diminishes your peacefulness and clouds your clarity. Every time you become lost in thought it means exactly that - you are lost! To find yourself, allow your mind to become quiet, to become utterly tranquil. In the quiet depths of every being, there is a stillness that contains a deep inner peace and wisdom that can guide you in your life.

Simplicity

Simplicity is usually considered as being plain and with no decoration.
So when we think of simplicity we are not so attracted towards it. We
tend to make a lot of effort to colour ourselves with a lot of other
things from the outside which then become part of our personality. But
in this process we tend to lose touch with our innate purity and
innocence. So we are not able to express this beauty. Simplicity
means complete purity. It is to be egoless and also to be free from
every kind of negativity. So when we come back to our original purity
and simplicity we are able to express our innate beauty and strength.
Since we are natural, whatever we are doing, wherever we are, we will
be able to express this natural nature.

Factors That Bring Us Closer To Success

Given below are 'some' factors that bring us closer to success:

* High self-esteem.
* Constancy.
* Courage and determination.
* Integrity and honesty.
* Self-acceptance and acceptance of others.
* Believing in what you do, regardless of external factors.
* Responsibility.
* Dedication, determination and tranquility.
* Being positive in the face of adversities (negative circumstances).
* Being consistent with your values.
* Precision in decisions and choices.
* Focus.
* Performing all karmas with love and happiness.
* Giving the maximum of yourself in everything you do.
* Creativity.
* Thoughts and actions in tune with each other.
* Appreciation and blessings (good wishes) from others.
* Gratitude toward oneself and others.

Soul Sustenance

The Five Primary Qualities

The soul has five primary qualities; we could say they are the primary colours of humanity with which we paint the picture of our lives.

They are:

Peace
This is the original quality of the soul. Peace is serenity, the personal inner state of non-violence. In this state of peace, I harmonize with everything and everyone around me. The word shanti means peace, and it is this thought (or word) we use as the key step in meditation.

Purity
A state of honesty and cleanliness where I am the same inside and outside, not deceiving either myself, or others. Consequently, there is no room for artificiality. Purity is the state of original truth where no violence is committed against others, nor can violence be committed against me. When the self is in its original purity, others cannot damage or destroy it, even if they try, because there is a natural aura of protection that acts as an invisible barrier. When I achieve this level of purity, it means I respect all things.

(To be continued tomorrow ….)

Message for the day

To remain happy is to truly live life.

Projection: Life has meaning when there is the happiness of living. Everything that happens brings something new. The more the mind is tuned to see and appreciate this truth, there is the happiness that lasts - whatever the situations may be. The one who is constantly happy is able to creatively use all the resources in the right way and also makes others happy.

Solution: When I am able to maintain my internal state of happiness under all circumstances, I am able to enjoy the beauty of life. I am only able to see the positive in each and everything and also only the specialities and goodness in everyone. I am never let down by situations, people or their reactions, but enjoy everything.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

https://astudypoint.blogspot.com/

Contemplation: November 19, 2018: Send Peace

Contemplation: November 19, 2018: Send Peace

Jagannath Temple, Puri, Odisha, India

Send Peace

The call of time is to send thoughts of peace and power to the world. Your thoughts travel, moving at a great speed and with considerable impact. Let the thought of peace sit in your mind, knowing that the vibes from your thoughts can radiate out and touch any person, any place.

Being Peaceful

Whenever we become peace less, we generally tend to blame others for it.
We think it is the other person or the situation that has made us lose
our cool. So although we don't like to be in this state of mind, we
don't make real honest effort to change it. And most of the time we
don't even know how to do it, as we are not even aware of where the
real problem lies. We then make those around us more peace less instead
of giving them peace, which they actually require. We need to first
know the cause of the peace less situation. For this we need to check
ourselves with honesty. We need to understand clearly that there is
some conflict within ourselves that is creating this situation. Then
even if someone tries to create confusion, we will be able to remain
calm and peaceful. Since we are in our calm state of mind, we will be
able to give an experience of peace to others too.

Definitions Of Success

Given below are 'some' definitions of success:

* Feeling yourself to be full of inner contentment and happiness, with an optimistic mental state, without fear, happy and in a good mood. Being fine, in balance and at peace with oneself.
* Finding meaning in what you do.
* Discovering what will bring you closer to your dream.
* Success is about more than just possessing; it is facing all situations, even the negative ones, transforming them into the positive and feeling yourself realized, personally and emotionally.
* Having courage to take forward what you want, in spite of what you find against it.
* Achieving in each moment the desired objectives at all levels of the inner being. Fulfilling set objectives and adopting a positive attitude.
* Being able to be beyond noise i.e. experience silence wherever and whenever you wish to - silence being the key to all spiritual treasures.
* Remaining humble in the wake of all achievements and glory that may come your way.
* Not being afraid of failure.
* Satisfaction at work.
* In harmony with one's inner conscience (while performing all actions).

Tomorrow we shall discuss some factors that bring us closer to success.

Soul Sustenance

The Hurting of the Ego (cont.)

Continuing from yesterday’s message, we commonly use the terms - * my ego got hurt or * I think your ego got hurt. You 'hurt my ego' is nothing but 'you hurt or harmed the image that I carry of myself (as discussed yesterday) with me each second everyday.' Because I carry it with me all the time, I have become attached to it. e.g. If, on a particular day, you reach home late from office and your wife, who is angry with you, accuses of not being a family man and one who doesn't give enough time to her and the children. Your reasons for reaching home late may be genuine or not, your wife may be right or wrong on that particular day. In either case, you carry an image of yourself, all the time, as being a very loving, caring father and husband, who has been responsible for the all-round growth and development of the family in all respects since the family was created. Your wife's words basically pinch that invisible image, as a result of which you feel insulted and hurt and you react angrily, not necessarily in front of your wife, but it could be in front of someone else or even just internally. This phenomenon happens many times, in various different situations with different people throughout the day and every day.

The image that we all carry of our selves is made of various traits or characteristics, obviously the characteristics of each one's self-created image are different. These characteristics of the image may or may not actually exist inside the real self, but whenever someone challenges any of those characteristics or tries to suggest to us that one of those characteristics is not ours or does not exist inside us, we react.

Message for the day

To forgive is to give correction.

Projection: When there is forgiveness, the harm of the mistake is forgotten. The mistake itself is remembered only to the extent that the correction is to be given. So there are no negative feelings expressed even while giving correction. And the words that are used are few but prove to be very effective.

Solution: When I learn the art of forgiving I am able to be free from the burden of negative and waste thinking. So there is never any difficulty in giving correction when necessary. The mind is free from the attitudes of the past and it creates harmony in relationships even if the opinions or personalities don't match.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

https://astudypoint.blogspot.com/

Contemplation: November 18, 2018: Spotting the Qualities

Contemplation: November 18, 2018:  Spotting the Qualities

Spotting the Qualities

A compassionate person develops an eye for spotting the qualities that make each person special. Even when others are at their lowest ebb, it is possible to help them restore their self-belief by keeping a firm, clear vision of their goodness and specialties. Taking a gently encouraging approach, I must never give up on anyone.

One Step of Courage

 Many times when involved in something difficult, we begin to look for
help from people even before we have started. Prayer is also one method
which we rely on and wish for things to work our way. But not always do
we find the help coming that is required. So we tend to get
disheartened and maybe even give up trying altogether. The simple way
to receive help is to first have courage. When I first take a step of
courage using the force of all my resources, I automatically find
others taking help from that too. For having moved one step ahead, I
get the help from the resources available, from the people around, God
himself & me. I thus recognize and make use of all the help that is
coming my way. So I never need to beg for help, but find help coming my
way automatically.

Understanding And Overcoming Fears (cont.)

Listed below are some of our common fears:
* Dying
* Getting ill
* The unknown
* Loneliness
* Other people
* Authority
* Being rejected
* Being hurt
* Failure
* Change
* The future
* Being
* Being free
* Thinking and being in a different way
* Losing control
* Dreaming and making our dreams real

From these fears many other fears and blockages emerge.

Soul Sustenance

The Hurting Of The Ego

Almost every day or every second day we come across a situation when someone says something to us which is not very pleasurable or we chose to perceive it to be so. In either case, we feel insulted and get upset as a result. In some cases we react and display our feelings. In some, we don't. In either case, the result is a depreciation (decrease) in our happiness index. Why does this happen? It's because you have created, attached to and identified with an image of yourself in your mind that does not match with how the other sees or perceives you, as a result of which you believe you have been insulted and you get upset.

As long as people's perception of you matches the image that you have created inside your mind of yourself, you are content with them, but as soon as the opposite happens, even if it is to a very small extent, you become disturbed, because you are attached to that image. The more the attachment, the greater the hurt, the disturbance or reaction. You could examine this phenomenon very closely, taking place inside yourself every day. This kind of attachment mentioned above is called ego. That's why the phenomenon explained above is called in common language 'the hurting of the ego'.

In tomorrow’s message, we shall explain this phenomenon further with an example.

Message for the day

Good wishes and pure feelings bring easy success while working at a task.

Projection: If there are good feelings for both the task and the one who is carrying out the task, then the result attained by those feelings is automatically special. The feeling of giving love and cooperation, no matter what anyone is like gives good wishes and pure feelings. There is a deep impact of such good feelings which transforms others too.

Solution: When I am able to maintain my own good feelings for others, I am able to enjoy the fruit of my own pure thoughts. I am not disturbed by temporary clashes that I have because of the different nature of the person I am working with, but enjoy working together. So there are also good feelings from the other person too and so there is easy success experienced.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

https://astudypoint.blogspot.com/

Contemplation: November 17, 2018: Making Assumptions

Contemplation: November 17, 2018: Making Assumptions

Making Assumptions

Assumptions are a part and parcel of life. We make so many assumptions about people, places and things.

Assumptions are when we believe something to be true without actually knowing it to be so. We use assumptions as facts in our decision making process.

When our assumptions are wrong, we may hurt others, make things complicated or have a misunderstanding.

So, don't do it. Don't assume! Be curious and ask for more information. Take the time to find out the facts.

Control

When things go wrong, the first thought is to control the situations or
the people involved. But since neither the situations nor the people
are in our hands, there is no success in controlling them. This only
further increases the negativity. Instead of trying to control
something that I have no control upon, I need to start with myself. The
more I am able to keep a control on myself with constant attention,
checking and changing, the more I will be able to have everything in
control.

Understanding And Overcoming Fears

We are all afraid of something. We all have fears at some point or other during our lives, and one fear brings about other fears. For example, the fear of death brings about the fear of illness or the fear of accidents. The fear of rejection comes from the fear of being perceived as different. The fear of success or standing out comes of the fear of relating to people. From the fear of failure comes the fear of making mistakes; the fear of taking on risks; the fear of taking decisions, the fear of not being recognized at work. The fear of others includes the fear of the anger and aggressiveness in others, fear that they might reject you, fear that they might judge you.

Eliminating fears and liberating the mind requires a broad knowledge of how our mind and spirit work. Our spiritual conscience has to awaken for us to realize what the origin of our fears is and how to overcome them from the root. Fears are like a tree; we can cut off a branch, but then other branches or fears will grow. We have to go to the root and, even, the seed, to overcome the fears.

Tomorrow we shall list out some of the common fears.

Soul Sustenance

The Mental Microscope

When the lens of the intellect becomes refined (clean), it is able to examine many things in detail and work like a microscope. In the same way that a microscope is able to detect bacteria and the types of germ that cause particular types of disease, so too the intellect is able to use its microscopic capacity to detect those germs that cause emotional and spiritual illness inside the soul. For example, it is able to examine and understand that the illness of anger comes from the germ of expectation; that the illness of possessiveness comes from the germ of insecurity; the illness of aggression, or forcefulness, comes from the germ of fear and that the illness of stress stems from the germs of worry, doubt and greed. If the germs are seen and understood, then the illness can be cured through the application of appropriate knowledge and meditation.

Meditation, in the form of focused silence, acts like a spiritual laser dissolving the acquired germs and emerging the original healing energies of the self, such as peace and self-respect.

Without this focused silence, it is difficult to remove the germs, even if they are seen and understood. The original innate energy of the soul (mentioned above) is needed for any permanent cure.

Message for the day

Mercy means to give support to the ones who are helpless.

Projection: A negative situation or a person who is in need and is helpless usually stimulates feelings of unhappiness or sorrow. At such a time it becomes very difficult to maintain a positive state of mind. But real mercy is that which gives support through the positive state of one's mind. The more there is the feeling of happiness, others too can be brought to that state of happiness and joy.

Solution: When I am able to remain happy even in negative situations, I am able to maintain my internal state of calm. And this is the best frame of mind where I am able to see things objectively and in a detached way and I am able to make the right decisions. So I find myself becoming a source of support.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

https://astudypoint.blogspot.com/

Contemplation: November 16, 2018: The Cause of all Conflicts

Contemplation: November 16, 2018: The Cause of all Conflicts

The Cause of all Conflicts

Desires cause peace to disappear. You think that acquiring things will make you feel secure, but the reality is that the more you have the more fear there usually is of losing it, and the further you are from peace. Desires are the cause of all conflicts. When you want something and cannot get it you become frustrated. Learning to be free from desires is learning how to stay peaceful.

Freedom

The meaning of Freedom is having no burden - no burden of body or mind.
Freedom is having such a clear vision of reality and such a powerful
image of the self that the superficial bondages cannot contain you.
Freedom is the knowledge that comes from knowing what your role is and
playing it accurately. Freedom is freedom from fear and anxiety. Living
from a position of freedom gives us the opportunity to make choices
beyond the ordinary because then we are living beyond all bondages -
even the bondage of actions.

Overcoming The Subtle Desire For Revenge

Ask yourself very honestly how many times in your life did you feel joy, even a slight trace of it, when something negative happened with someone who had harmed you or hurt you or insulted you in any way in the past - either in the immediate or distant (far-away) past. When this kind of joy, which is an impure form of joy, is seen inside you, even if it is at your extremely subtle thought level (if not in your words or actions), you need to remember that this is nothing but a feeling of subtle revenge, even if physically you haven't got back at any point of time at the person who has harmed you, when he did so. It may not sound very nice, but this kind of joy is enjoying the pain of others and is obviously an extremely low grade form of joy. Sometimes, as a way of justifying our joyful revenge, we call it justice.

The driving energy or fuel behind this kind of revenge is hatred or anger. It is a feeling of: "I really enjoyed it when what they had done to me came to them - I was so happy to see them suffer for what they had done, this is their punishment ... tit for tat." It is a type of joy that only increases our accounts of negative karmas with the other person, which as a result, increases our sorrow, instead of decreasing it, although it may give us an impression for a while that it is decreasing our sorrow. This kind of joy will only cause the radiation of a negative form of energy to the other person, which will not only give pain to the other person, but will also cause the radiation of the negative energy of hatred from the other person to us that will never bring us long term joy. Imagine someone meeting with an accident on the road and in a lot of pain and instead of helping that person immediately we smile at that person happy with what has happened to him or her. What energy will such a person send us in return? This example is on a physical level, but the same principle applies on a subtle level. So the next time something like this happens in our life, we need to remind ourselves only if we don't have the slightest trace of joy inside us that we can safely say that we are free from any desire for revenge, even though it may be very subtle.

Soul Sustenance

Is the Supreme Soul (God) Really Omnipresent (present everywhere) – cont.?

If the Supreme Soul (God) were omnipresent there would be no need for knowledge and no need to search for peace. The One who is the ocean of peace and the ocean of knowledge would be everywhere. Perhaps the strongest point against the idea of literal omnipresence is the point of relationship. In the heart of every soul – there is a distinct memory - I am the child, God is my Father. If God is omnipresent, does that mean that the Father is present inside the child?

God is also the supreme teacher, guide, liberator, friend and purifier of human souls. That is why everyone turns their thoughts to Him in their hours of sorrow. The idea that God is omnipresent is indeed the ultimate excuse and greatest escape from responsibility of the mistakes that human souls have made and continue to make. After all, if God were omnipresent (present in everyone) He would be responsible for good as well as evil karmas that humans commit. An omnipresent God implies that we have nothing to complete in ourselves for we are already God. Am I really God? One could not seriously admit to such a claim. It is only through deep and concentrated meditation that one can enter the spiritual dimension where His presence is truly felt.

Message for the day

To end waste means to be free from defeat.

Projection: The one with faith in the intellect always remains at a distance from waste, whether it is waste thoughts, wste words or waste actions. To move away from waste means to be victorious. The one who is free from waste is busy with the positive and useful. Such a person is constantly searching for solutions and trying to make the best out of the situation.

Solution: It is because of waste that I sometimes experience defeat and sometimes victory. If I am able to finish waste, I am able to finish defeat. Because whatever the situation may be, however challenging it may be, if I am able to finish waste I am able to recognise the benefit that is merged within it and so I am able to experience being constantly victorious.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

https://astudypoint.blogspot.com/

Contemplation: November 15, 2018: Live Lightly

Contemplation: November 15, 2018: Live Lightly

Live Lightly

When you live with an awareness of your inner being, then your qualities of peace, love and happiness shine like light.

When you're light, others experience warmth and radiance that enlightens their own path.

Make sure you understand what causes you to become heavy. Then find quick and easy methods to lighten yourself. And then try to maintain this lightness.

Strength

The soul needs strength to deal effectively with day to day situations,
as demanding as they are, and yet be able to pack up useless thoughts;
to be able to take time out for itself, to store the power of peace
from the Ocean of Peace. If the soul does not recharge itself it will
lose the courage and enthusiasm. We need the strength to continue the
fight for right, even though the forces of wrong grow strong.

Experiencing The Stage Of Being A Detached Observer

Experience the stage of being a detached observer by gradually creating the following thoughts:

I am aware of the present moment and of time... The whole world is out there... I let go for a moment of what is happening around me... It is as if the world continues to turn, but I have stopped for a few minutes and turned into an observer... Mentally, I take a step back... I look around me as if I were in the inside of a room... the room of my mind... In this place, I can be with myself... at peace... calm... free... Here I do not have pressures, or worries, or fears... Nothing and nobody can influence me... I can think... see things as they really are...

I am sitting like an observer, seeing through two windows... These windows are my eyes... I am not my eyes... I am aware of who is looking through these eyes, a tiny sparkling star like energy, the soul... I am different from everything I am seeing... I perceive that separation between the observer and the observed... I observe the things that surround me without judging, without analyzing... I simply observe, remaining at peace with myself...

I see this world as a stage of a great unlimited theatre play... each human being is an actor, a soul playing their own role via their physical body... I simply observe from my inner room... things come and go... nothing is permanent... I do not need to worry about anything or anybody... I let things be... flow... I am at peace... calmed... I share this vibration of peace with all that surrounds me.

Soul Sustenance

Is the Supreme Soul (God) Really Omnipresent (present everywhere)?

Is it really true that the Supreme Soul (God) is present everywhere, in each atom in the entire universe? The sun is in one place yet its influence can be felt throughout the solar system to different degrees in different places, providing a source of heat and light, needs absolutely essential for our physical life. The closer one is to the sun, the greater the effect. In the same way God, the one who is the ocean of perfect characteristics, the source of all spiritual needs, does not have to be omnipresent (present everywhere) in order to be with us wherever we are. He can be in one location and we can still experience his closeness.

If God were literally omnipresent and thus in every atom, where is this love, peace, joy and wisdom? Are they present in every atom in this human world? If God is present inside me, how could ignorance have come to me in the first place? Can ignorance come to God? If God is omnipresent to where or to whom do I turn my thoughts? Just as a radio transmitter emanates waves throughout the world and a receiver, if tuned in, will pick them up, so too if the mind is tuned totally to the material world and physical activities, then I am unable to experience God practically in my daily life. Even though He always radiates His qualities, I can only pick up those transmissions if I am soul-conscious and if I turn my thoughts in His direction to His location. If God were omnipresent, there would be no meaning to the tradition throughout all cultures to have special places set aside (e.g. temples and churches) for worship. In those special places, is God more omnipresent than in other non-sacred places? If God were omnipresent, are the ones who are so-called "God-realised beings" more "God" than the ones who have not realised?

(To be continued tomorrow ….)

Message for the day

Determination fills a thought with power.

Projection: Any thought which is added with determination automatically brings confidence. This confidence naturally fills the thought with power. When there is the thought, 'I can do it', there is surely the power to do it. Then there are no distractions, nor is there any comparison with others. All resources are put to the maximum use and the task is accomplished.

Solution: When I am able to fill my positive thoughts with the power of determination, I am able to bring all my special thoughts and plans into action immediately. I am able to feel the satisfaction of bringing equality into my thoughts, words and actions. There is no feeling of helplessness, but there is only confidence and courage in doing what I am supposed to do.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

https://astudypoint.blogspot.com/