Contemplation: October 13, 2019: Do you Mind

Contemplation: October 13, 2019: Do you Mind

Do you Mind

It's all right to have an open mind, if you know what to let in.

Mercy

It is so important to experience God's mercy and forge a strong relationship with God as our Mother. Knowing that a heart that has been hurt becomes hard, we understand God is the only One who can heal our hearts. Each one should ask him or herself : "What can I do to make my heart softer?" There is such a need of mercy. We have to make our hearts softer and stronger, because a strong heart doesn't experience pain and we know that if we experience sorrow, we cannot serve God. 

A Spiritual Perspective Of Near Death Experiences (Part 5)

Our Basic Experience

Spirituality teaches us how to practice the art of Soul Consciousness and Supreme Soul Consciousness in our day to day lives. We have through our daily practice perceived and experienced the soul to be a conscient being of light, a tiny pin point of sparkling star like energy full of peace, bliss, love, purity and power residing in the centre of the brain, an entity completely independent of the physical body, containing a conscient mind, an intellect and a definite personality. On the other hand the Supreme Soul or God is perceived and experienced to be the same in form as the soul i.e. a golden white pin point of spiritual light and might, but an ocean of the above mentioned virtues; containing a conscient mind, intellect and personality of his own.

The world in which we play our part and the one on which we are now living is known as the physical world. This is because all living beings here have a physical form. Here the laws of science come into play and time, history and geography are important parameters of life. It is a world of action, experience and expression.  

Beyond the physical world of action lies an infinite, timeless dimension of complete silence. This is the original home of all souls, the non-physical soul world, a soft golden red light world where we once stayed, as a soul in a state of total peace and bliss. In meditation we turn our mind and intellect away from the material world and travel to the incorporeal or soul world, the supreme region of highest consciousness with the eye of the mind or the 'third eye' and connect them with the Supreme Soul, a resident of the soul world and the fountain of eternal peace. Through this mental exercise or connection we harness his vast resources of spiritual energy and experience super-sensual bliss. This experience is similar to an Out of Body Experience and Near Death Experience. The experience will be explained in tomorrow's message.

(To be continued tomorrow ...)

Soul Sustenance 

Practical Positive Response Training To The Mind (Part 1)

Meditation is a process in which I train the mind to consciously create those right type of thoughts that I wish to have, inside my mind, regularly in my daily routine. On the field of action, I am faced with various different types of negative and uncomfortable situations, which have the first and most immediate effect on my thoughts, before showing on my face in my expressions or in my words or actions. I do realize inside, that the thoughts (and as a result my physical response) created at these times are not the right ones. I want to inculcate a habit, whereby my thought patterns are only which I like or are the right, positive and powerful ones no matter what happens.

So where do I start? Meditation is the start. Meditation is the time, when I consciously create positive thoughts. What benefit do I achieve from that? In these few moments, I am changing the deep and very old habit (not limited only to this birth) of creating the wrong type of thoughts, whenever I am faced with a situation which I do not like. How do I do this? I do this through the intellect. The intellect takes hold of the reins of the mind and chooses the direction in which it will travel. Why is it able to do this? Because, during meditation, I bring myself back to the knowledge or belief that I am a soul and my intellect accepts and absorbs this awareness. This belief then becomes the key to taking charge of what is going on in my mind.

(To be continued tomorrow …) 

Message for the day 

Awareness of my own resources enables me to experience quick progress.

Expression: I usually look for excuses for my lack of progress. I either compare with others or curse my own lack of resources and stop putting in effort. So although I can do a lot I don't experience as much progress as I should.

Experience: To make as much progress as I want to is in my hands. For this I need to recognise the resources I have and put them to the best use. When I am busy with that I am able to move forward quickly.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

https://astudypoint.blogspot.com/

Contemplation: October 12, 2019: Learn a Lesson

Contemplation: October 12, 2019: Learn a Lesson

Learn a Lesson

Instead of being afraid of situations, consider them to be your teacher and learn a lesson from them.

To get a real award, avoid waste and negative. 

If there is a long time practice of avoiding negative and waste, I will be able to appreciate fully the gifts of life. This is the reward I get. Also, since I am not sowing wrong seeds, whatever fruits I reap are positive too. Even when life brings different situations, I still am able to receive positive fruits. Today I will check my own thoughts at least 10 times today. I will check the quality of my thoughts. If I catch myself having negative or waste thoughts, I will create one single positive thought like "I am the master of my life" or "I choose my destiny with my actions" or simply "I am happy today".

A Spiritual Perspective Of Near Death Experiences (Part 4)

The Existence Of The Supreme Soul

Near Death Experiencers identify the being of light which they encounter or meet in various different ways depending upon their religious and cultural background and existing beliefs of this life. They normally say that they did not hear any physical voice or sounds coming from it, nor did they respond to the light through sounds, but there was a direct, uninterrupted transfer of thoughts and emotions in such a clear way that there is no possibility whatsoever of misinterpreting what the light has to communicate to them. This uninterrupted exchange does not even take place in the native language of the NDEr, yet, he understands perfectly. He cannot even translate the thoughts and exchanges which took place while he was near death into the human language, once he returns from the experience.

The Being of Light, as if an all knowledgeable entity, makes a presentation of sorts in front of the dying, in which a complete review of everything they have ever done in this life is projected. Interestingly, some of the common thoughts that the light (being) directs to the person are:
* Are you ready to die? * What have you done with your life that is sufficient enough? * Is it worth it? and * What have you done with your life to put across to me?

A very important point to note though is that all NDErs insist that these questions, though emotionally very strong, are not at all asked as if to accuse or threaten or criticize the dying. On the other hand, no matter what their answer may be, they feel an extraordinary acceptance coming from the light, which they have never experienced in any human relationship. The light, rather than being a 'checker' (or having a strict personality) shows an all loveful personality, which is highly overwhelming. The light sometimes tells the person that they must return to life. Sometimes, they are given a choice of staying or returning. In either case, the NDErs as taken over as they are by this experience are not willing to return. Some people who do not believe in the existence of God actually come back from this saying very strongly that although prior to this they had no religious or spiritual beliefs, now they believe that there's a God, and there's a life after death.

The above experiences strongly suggest the existence of a Supreme Being or Supreme Soul or God and points to the form of this Supreme Energy as being a spiritual point of light with qualities like unlimited peace, love, bliss and power.

(To be continued tomorrow ...)

Soul Sustenance 

Carrying Forward Of Special Talents

Everything that an individual does i.e. a soul does using the medium of the physical body is registered in the soul as a sanskara. Sanskaras, therefore, are the foundation of our present personalities and all our special talents and inclinations. There have been many famous personalities including artists, musicians, engineers, sportsmen, etc. who, before attaining phenomenal success in their respective fields, displayed amazing talents related to their respective field at a very young age. When and where could they have mastered these talents so well? It's obvious that amazing masteries at a very young age are not inherited from our parents. These talents have been developed and brought into practice in previous births, as a result of which sanskaras of the talents are created inside the soul. These sanskaras are then carried into the next births, and are brought into actions in the new births.

A more common day-to-day example is the following: A child is born into a family of doctors where, from the beginning, all efforts are made to mould and prepare him to become a doctor, according to family tradition. However, from an early age, the child shows strong tendencies to become an actor, starts to take part extensively in theatre activities at school and the talent starts manifesting itself. This example demonstrates that the characteristics a soul carries from previous experiences of previous births will take it in a specific direction despite attempts made by the family on the contrary. So in short, genius is experience. Some think that it's a gift or talent, but it is the fruit of long experience of many lives. Some are older souls than others i.e. they have been present on the world stage since a longer period of time and have covered a journey of more number of births and so know more. This kind of unlimited, broad vision of life provides us answers to many questions. 

Message for the day 

True honesty brings clarity about the self.

Expression: Honesty doesn't mean just speaking the truth. Honesty means being clear with oneself. Then it naturally brings clarity about one's own capabilities. This clear understanding enables one to do the best according to the capacity. It gives the recognition of a higher step that can be climbed and brings the humility to learn from the different lessons of life.

Experience: When I am honest I am able to know my own limitations and accept them with love. This acceptance keeps me busy with what I can do and also silently makes me ready for the next step. When time comes, I am able to do it, because I have already prepared myself for it. I don't stop when situations demand more from me because there is total clarity within.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

https://astudypoint.blogspot.com/

Contemplation: October 11, 2019: Soul Potential

Contemplation: October 11, 2019: Soul Potential

Soul Potential

To step into the soul's potential, let go of the past.  If you keep thinking about how you were in the past then this will hold you back.  By keeping the soul's potential in front of you, then you can reach it.

As we travel towards our destination, it's so easy to get distracted.

Sometimes we become so busy thinking about little things, that we lose focus and stop moving forward. So, when distracting situations arise, remind yourself that they're only sideshows and that they're not important. Instead, keep your destination in focus and you'll get there.

A Spiritual Perspective Of Near Death Experiences (Part 3)

The Meeting With A Being Of Light

The most incredible common feature in the majority of NDE and OBE experiences, as stated by the ones who go through the experience, is a meeting with a very bright light. This light is normally a highly radiant golden-white light, a powerful spiritual being of light. Usually, the experience involves being drawn into darkness through a tunnel, at an extremely high speed, until reaching this light. This feature, without doubt, has the deepest impact upon the Near Death Experiencer (NDEr).

In the medical research studies conducted, very different kinds of tunnels are described by NDErs. The commonest one is a void, a blackness: a floating, a moving, a going towards the light. The structure of the tunnel, if anything, is minimal. One person had a tunnel in the form of a great big pipe. Other people go through swirling, whirling tunnels, but they themselves do not turn; the tunnel simply turns around them, while they themselves float through it.

This light that all NDErs encounter appears dim at its first appearance, but it rapidly gets brighter until it finally reaches a supernatural brilliance. They normally express in their experiences that it was a being, a very very personal being of light, with a very beautiful and sweet personality of its own. The warmth and love which radiate from this being to the dying person are just unimaginable and very difficult to describe. They feel extremely secure and loved in its presence and experience an uncontrollable magnetic attraction to this light.

It is important to note that this experience of meeting with a bright light is at the consciousness level, which functions outside the physical body in an Out of Body Experience. The physical body in these experiences is unconscious or in a coma or seemingly dead (as perceived by the medical team). The experience is shared by the Near Death Experiencer after regaining consciousness.

(To be continued tomorrow ...)

Soul Sustenance 

Stress Management

Often when faced with stress at work or at home, we can feel quite drained (mentally tired). Indeed, we may have noticed how certain individuals or particular situations are draining. We feel as if all our energy has been drawn out of us and it leaves us tired and exhausted. Although this sort of energy cannot be measured in the scientific sense, we can use the power of imagery to stop us feeling drained.

E.g. we can visualize that we are surrounded by a sphere of golden light, so any negative feelings or energies cannot affect us. In a detached way, we can view what is happening and can act suitably, but we are not touched by the stress. This method of using your power of visualization to create protective shields around us can be used in stressful situations e.g. before or during an important exam or an important meeting, interview or any other specific situation. 

Message for the day 

Lightness comes when words are accurate.

Expression: Accurate words means there is nothing extra spoken. Whatever has to be said, is said to the point. Such words being short, are sweet to hear too and are those that never hurt others. They bring about the result needed accurately.

Experience: When my words are to the point, there is a lot of lightness experienced within me and my physical energy is saved too. Others too experience benefit through my words and so I naturally get blessings from them, which helps me move forward with lightness.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

https://astudypoint.blogspot.com/

Contemplation: October 10, 2019: Don't Get Mad

Contemplation: October 10, 2019: Don't Get Mad

Don't Get Mad

Why do we get mad?  Could it be because we're not getting what we want?  Or maybe it's because someone is not doing or being as we want them to do or be.  If that's the case, then we're trying to achieve the impossible, that is control someone.  Why not let go and let be.

The biggest service is to give hope to the hopeless. 

The one who gives hope is the one who does the greatest service. When someone is negative and weak, instead of pointing out and making him weaker, it is important to give him some hope so that he can overcome that situation or weakness. Today I will check my words. I will see if I am being positive and encouraging or not. I will also make sure I speak words that give hope to at least one person. This will help me inculcate a habit of speaking positive encouraging words.

A Spiritual Perspective Of Near Death Experiences (Part 2)

The Existence Of The Soul

During a Near Death Experience (NDE), the dying often have an Out of Body Experience (OBE), in which there is a sensation of rising up and floating above their own body while the body is surrounded by a medical team, and watching it down below, while feeling comfortable. While people are dying, they may be in intense pain, but as soon as they have this experience i.e. they experience leaving the body, the pain goes away and they experience peace, joy, bliss and a feeling of complete wellbeing.

Doctors who have been conducting research on NDE over the past few decades have in their studies noted that in the Out of Body Experience (OBE) state, many who have 'physically' died can, on revival, tell the doctors, nurses, operation room team and relatives exactly what they were saying or doing during the revival process from apparent death or from unconsciousness - both conditions in which a person is not physically active enough to see or hear what is going on around them. Many actually hear the doctors announcing them dead.

Many of the patients who have been revived are able to describe in great technical detail exactly what went on in the operating room while they were supposedly unconscious or dead.
e.g. A 44-year old patient, while in a deep coma, later told the doctor that a particular nurse had placed his dentures on the side. The patient accurately described the revival room, those in the room, as well as describing the attitude in the room that everyone was close to giving up on revival efforts.

All this suggests the existence of the consciousness (soul) as a non-physical energy independent of the physical body - in the Out of Body Experience, the consciousness is active and can hear and see, while the physical body is inactive or unconscious or in a coma or apparently dead (as perceived by the medical team).

(To be continued tomorrow ...)

Soul Sustenance 

Realizing Our Natural Nature Of Peace

If we look at nature, we will notice that everything in nature – plants, flowers, etc. do everything they do peacefully – they grow, flourish, decompose and die in peace. We get an obvious impression from them that peace is their natural nature. Even the five elements – earth, wind, water, fire and sky are mostly peaceful by nature. It’s only when we try and exercise control over them and interfere with their balance that they lose their peace. Most of us, irrespective of our age, even in these stressful and hurry filled times, act peacefully and express our peaceful nature in relationships by means of peaceful thoughts, words and actions, unless something is wrong in the relationship. We instinctively like peaceful relationships. If something is wrong in a relationship and it lacks peace even to a small extent, we do not feel good or comfortable about it. All this proves to us that we, like nature, are essentially peaceful by nature. That is our basic personality.

Most of us have, at some time in our lives and even more frequently in the case of many of us, experienced and expressed our peaceful nature. It's so natural, we are not even consciously aware of it. What we are more aware of is when we are distanced from the natural i.e. we are unnatural - worried, scared, irritated etc. But these unnatural phases always pass and we finally return to our peaceful self. There are some people who are permanently grumpy and tight with someone or the other, because of something or the other. On some days we also feel as if we are continuously living on the edge and continuously succumbing to frustration and anger. But even then, away from everyone’s eyes; everyone, the compulsive angerholic (one who cannot live without anger) and you also, will, at some stage, look inwards, relax and have an inner personal spiritual retreat in which they will find relief by experiencing their true nature of peace. 

Message for the day 

Success is achieved through accurate efforts.

Expression: The one who puts in accurate efforts for the success of every task, naturally tries to do the best. Because of his own contribution, others too help him and contribute whatever they can to achieve what he sets out to do. So there is success in everything.

Experience: When I do the right thing, I will be able to experience constant self-progress. I will then never have the slightest feeling of failing, but will always experience success as a right, even if the result is not what I have expected. I experience positive feelings because of having put in the right effort.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

https://astudypoint.blogspot.com/

Contemplation: October 09, 2019: Abundance

Contemplation: October 09, 2019: Abundance

Artist: Alexander Averin

Abundance

When surrounded by challenges, sometimes we all need a little extra nurturing, and that gentleness can come from loved ones; or just to experience a life of abundance focus on what you have, rather than on what you feel is missing in your life.  Count the good things, the riches in your life and give thanks for them.  This begins to create a feeling of abundance.

Positive Material

Just as you would nourish the body with a healthy breakfast, in the same way, start your day on the right foot by feeding the mind with positive material.

Prior to starting your work day, either on your morning commute, or as soon as you walk into the office - take a few moments to read or listen to uplifting, encouraging, and mind-stretching information, words, music or podcast.

A Spiritual Perspective Of Near Death Experiences (Part 1)

Introduction

A very interesting phenomenon that closely points not only to the existence of the soul and Supreme Soul but also to their form and qualities is the phenomenon of Near Death Experience (NDE) and Out Of Body Experience (OBE).

What Is A Near Death Experience (NDE)?

A near-death experience (NDE) is the experience reported by a person who nearly died or who was medically dead and then revived or in a situation where death is likely or expected. Some of the common circumstances in which an NDE can occur are:

* serious illness such as cardiac arrest or brain hemorrhage;
* complications before an operation;
* injury, such as from a car accident, shock, electrocution, asphyxia (condition which results from interruption of respiration due to suffocation or drowning);
* suicide attempt;
* coma;
* serious depression, etc.

The most important feature of an NDE is that the person's consciousness is not in his or her physical body. It might function independently of brain activity, which suggests the existence of the soul. The physical body is usually stationary, while the consciousness of the person experiences an extraordinary freedom of movement, completely independent of the physical body.

(To be continued tomorrow ...)

Soul Sustenance 

Motivation – The Life Driving Force (Part 4)

When surrounded by challenges, sometimes we all need a little extra nurturing, and that gentleness can come from loved ones, or just  from ourselves. Also, enjoying watching television, enjoying the hot chocolate and the coffee, enjoying the cold drink and the ice cream, enjoying the brisk walk and the gym, enjoying the picnic and the party, enjoying the holiday - these are all things that help us replenish our energy and remain motivated to some extent when we've had a rough day. But remember that to remain constantly motivated you need to also take a look at the non-physical dimension of thoughts and feelings. Physical treatments, therapies and relaxation strategies will help you but they cannot change the way you think. Your thinking is the cause. And behind your thoughts, your beliefs are a deeper cause. We need to pay much more attention to our thoughts and feelings, learn to manage them, learn to fill them with peace and calm, and then our personality will change for the better, as we restore our mental and then physical well-being and learn to remain motivated and fearless amidst challenges. Remember no one else creates our thoughts and feelings, and they don't just happen, though it feels that way sometimes. When you learn to identify and assess the quality of your thoughts and feelings, you can begin to choose the ones you know are positive and that in turn keeps you motivated.

Also, remember there's virtually always something positive that can be found in the challenges we face. Bear in mind that the period of challenge is short and you will soon overcome the challenge. On a lighter note, spend a little time each day thinking of all the things you are looking forward to doing once you are free from these exams that life has to offer - though don’t daydream for hours about this! Also, when you long for life without difficulties and challenges and you want to keep yourself motivated when faced with them, remind yourself that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure. Challenges are not here to stay and while they are there, they bring about self empowerment. 

Message for the day 

To be seated on the seat of self-respect is to be truly great.

Expression: The one who is constantly in the stage of self-respect is constantly stable. And because of this stability he always has the right authority. This brings about right decisions too and he moves forward with ease facing all situations.

Experience: When I am aware of my own specialities and work with them I inspire others too to recognise my positive qualities. I also never have ego but am able to remain humble. This humility enables me to win the respect of others too.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

https://astudypoint.blogspot.com/

Contemplation: October 08, 2019: Dance In Happiness

Contemplation: October 08, 2019: 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.

To be free from weaknesses is to make difficult things easy. 

The real difficulty of a task lies in my own weaknesses. No task is as such difficult or easy. But when it is challenged by any weakness of mine, it seems difficult. Instead of having fear or negativity in any task, it is better to work on my weakness. Once I am free from my weakness, tasks seem easy too. Today I will check if any weakness is interfering with my tasks. If I find a task difficult, there is surely some weakness interfering. I will then work on any such weakness, once I recognise it.

The Power To Co-operate (cont.)

The more I practice meditation, and develop and live with the consciousness that I am a non-physical soul, a being of light, the quicker the ego associated with all the physical factors (explained yesterday) melts away. Coloring myself with the Supreme or God's company, I see others as the children of the Supreme Soul. I know myself as part of the family of human souls who have the same original qualities as me. In soul-consciousness, there is no way I can feel superior to others, though I'll value their specialties. We are brothers - equal yet different.

In this consciousness, a natural humility or egolessness develops, a genuine respect for each other. There is a strength and happiness in the awareness of being a child of God, but I'll see others also as the same. There is neither the ego of feeling superior, nor the inverted ego of an inferiority complex. I am not negating myself, I am recognizing the value of the self, but I'm also appreciating the value and qualities of all others around me. In that spirit of mutual respect, it becomes easy to work together.

The future of the world and the transformation of the planet actually depend on this transformation in each one of us, from ego and self-glorification to humility, respect and co-operation. Meditation, by lifting me beyond the factors that divide us, makes me deeply aware that we are one family, sharing one home, this beautiful planet, for which we have a common responsibility. In the awareness of where we are, and to whom we belong, there also comes the recognition of what we as a family must do together - create a world which is filled with the virtues of the Supreme Soul, by first imbibing those virtues inside us.

Soul Sustenance 

Motivation – The Life Driving Force (Part 3)

"Challenges are like spice – in the right proportion they enhance the flavor of a dish. Too little of them produces a bland, dull meal; too many of them may choke you at times.”

Have you ever noticed some people only work a few hours a day and are hardly ever confronted by deadlines or other pressures, but they are more stressed and less motivated than those working long hours to tight deadlines. Have you ever watched two people doing the same or similar work, to the same deadlines? One tears their hair out with a lot of anxiety. The other is completely relaxed while doing it. Some people are trailblazers, they love challenges. They love it when they are occupied and bottled up with challenges at hand and passionate about overcoming them. They work hard on themselves to overcome challenges and are not overwhelmed by them. What really reinforces them to do that is the motivation that they have to overcome the challenge and become successful. Challenges motivate them. At the same time, there are times when there are too many challenges to overcome and deadlines to meet and the same people who have overcome challenges earlier are not able to cope up with them and keep themselves motivated. That is the time when they realize that what they are going through is stress and challenges have affected their motivation levels adversely. Why the difference between two people, why the difference from challenge to challenge or situation to situation? Perception. So it's not what you do, or when you have to do it by, that causes your stress and brings down your motivation; it's how you perceive the whats and whens of daily life that generates your stress and affects your motivation levels. It's how each one perceives what they do and the possible outcome. And your perception is based on your beliefs and beliefs don't come built into your genes. All beliefs are learned. We learn them, send them into our subconscious and they then pop up and out through our thoughts, emotions and words. The problem is we not only hold beliefs, we identify with them. But beliefs are not the truth.

(To be continued tomorrow ….)

Message for the day 

To give regard to others' ideas is to be a learner.

Expression: The one who is open to the ideas of others is the one who is able to learn from everything. He is humble and has respect for all. He has the authority over what he does, he is the master and is yet open to learning.

Experience: Even when my best plan and ideas are rejected or criticised, I am able to remain cool and light because of my regard for others and their ideas. Because of this I am able to constantly learn and experience progress.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

https://astudypoint.blogspot.com/

Contemplation: October 07, 2019: In Silence and Stillness

Contemplation: October 07, 2019: In Silence and Stillness

In Silence and Stillness

In the silence of my being, in the stillness of peace, I ponder the greatness of my existence, and the truly endless love and power I have within me.

Inner Peace and Harmony

My own perfection moves away from me when I look at the weaknesses of others. If I indulge in looking at the weaknesses of others it is very likely that my inner peace and harmony will be lost.

Others move forward on their journey when I see their strengths. It's time to see strength and nothing but strength in others, so they move forward on their journey and my inner peace and harmony remains intact.

The Power To Co-operate

In India, there is a saying that when everyone gave a finger of co-operation, the mountain of sorrow was lifted. If we look with open eyes at the world of today, and at current social, financial and environmental trends, it's clear that there is widespread suffering and sorrow, that it is likely to get worse, and that to remove this sorrow will be a task like lifting a mountain. Meditation ignites a conviction inside us that the task will be done. Although we have such different backgrounds, cultures, personalities, and so on; meditation shapes our personalities in such a way that it becomes easy for us to share our resources, work together, and give our own finger of co-operation in the task.

The way meditation achieves this is interesting. Look at the other side - at what prevents co-operation: it is ego, where I am in a state of self-glorification, hungry for personal praise or fame, and not concerned about the wellbeing of the team. In ego, I think I am the only one who knows, the one who is right. Ego kills co-operation. Ego is closely connected to body-consciousness.  An enormous 'I and my' factor comes in when I think of myself as this body, and lose sight of the soul. My race, my color, my gender, my physical appearance, my education, my family, my job, my position, my possessions - all these become part of the build-up of ego. Working with others with co-operation, who may at any moment challenge my ego with their own different agendas and needs, then becomes stressful.

(To be continued tomorrow ....)

Soul Sustenance 

Motivation – The Life Driving Force (Part 2)

Life throws different types of challenges at us. A difficult relationship with one particular person, we have all experienced, can at times have the potential to completely overpower our thoughts for days and even for years. Most of us will have endured the trauma of exams at some stage in our lives, usually at school, college or university. The looming prospect of having to answer questions on your most hated subjects often meant that even the most laid-back of personalities will have experienced feelings of anxiety, worry and exam stress. A sudden physical illness can at times have the destructive ability to not only bring about physical discomfort but make us dejected, discouraged and sorrowful for days until it subsides. A deadline at work or a sudden crash of the business market are types of challenging situations on the professional front. A difficult personality trait which constantly hinders our progress and harms our relationships is an example of a challenge on the personal front.

So challenges can be unpleasant, even scary, but they are important as in the process of overcoming the challenge, you work harder on yourself and they make you more determined and powerful. If you are not spiritually equipped to rise to these challenges, these tests of your internal strength, when they come about, it is unlikely you will be motivated enough to cross them. When faced with challenges, people can find that they are able to go the extra mile and pull from the backs of their minds answers to questions they did not realize they had ever learnt or ever knew. So, challenges can be helpful – but only if you turn the challenges into internal positive energy, you remain motivated while crossing them and by doing that you transform the challenges into blessings or gifts in disguise which will help you advance ahead and become more experienced and wise.

(To be continued tomorrow ….) 

Message for the day 

To know the fruit of efforts will surely come is to remain happy and healthy.

Expression: To know that the fruit of my effort will eventually come one day, is to understand the importance of making effort. Once there is this understanding, it becomes easy to continue making effort, which is like nourishment that keeps one happy. So effort is never stopped till what has to be achieved is achieved.

Experience: Knowing that my effort will surely be fruitful makes me enjoy everything I do. It makes me remain happy, keeps me enthusiastic and free from tiredness, even when things are not going right for me. My mental happiness and well being thus keeps me healthy. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

https://astudypoint.blogspot.com/