Contemplation: April 14, 2020:In the library of your mind

Contemplation: April 14, 2020:In the library of your mind

Library at St. Florian Monastery in the town of Sankt Florian, Austria

In the library of your mind

Have you ever wondered why libraries have special atmospheres? They are places where many congregate but where silence is the code. Quietness in an atmosphere means there is the presence of quiet minds, and quiet minds are not only relaxed, they can concentrate easily and create more freely.

Imagine you are in the library of your mind, browsing the accumulated wisdom on the shelves of your life - listen to the silence, be aware of the stillness. Now you can really listen. Now you can really hear. Now you can really think. Now you can create. And behold, you are an artist. Did you not know that silence and creativity are lovers?

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.

Do you find yourself apologizing, a little too often? 

Over-apologizing can reflect a lack of self-confidence and, as a result, lower your impact and influence.

Cut down on unnecessary apologies. Express yourself assertively and politely, without devaluing yourself.

Apologizing is important. Know when it's appropriate to apologize, and make your apology sincere by not repeating similar mistakes in the future.

Message for the day

The one who is responsible is the one who is always light.

Expression: To be responsible means to do everything with the best of one's ability. It comes with the recognition and the understanding of the importance of the task. No action is wasted, but everything meaningfully connects to the fulfillment of the task. So there are not even ordinary actions, but only those that are meaningful. 

Experience: When I take up every task that I need to do with full responsibility, I am able to give my best. Then I will be able to be light having done my task well and in time. There is never the pressure of work, but there is plenty of time for the self and for others. I also find my inner resources being used to the fullest extent. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

https://astudypoint.blogspot.com/

Contemplation: April 13, 2020: Can't Concentrate

Contemplation: April 13, 2020: Can't Concentrate

Can't Concentrate

How often do you hear yourself say, “I can't concentrate!"  Actually, concentration isn't a gift and it isn't about intelligence.  

Concentration is driven by interest, and interest is driven by attitude.  If your attitude swells with interest, concentration is astonishingly easy.

Increase your concentration by reducing multi-tasking and any of the many distractions at your fingertips.

Applying The Law Of Balance To Anger (Part 2)

Yesterday we had explained how the law of balance can be applied to anger on a smaller level. The same law can also be applied on a larger level. Each time a group of people transmit the negative energy of anger physically to another group of people - at that time, either:

a) one party is disturbing the balance temporarily, which will be restored sometime in the future, by the second party indulging in similar behavior, or

b) balance is being restored at the present moment (because negative energy had been transmitted from the opposite party to the first party sometime in the past). This balancing must take place, because it's an unbreakable law. This is the law of balance.

This law that does not need to be enforced by us, the police or even by God. It is a natural law like other laws of nature. It gets enforced itself and cannot be broken by anyone. Understanding that this law is embedded in the human state of affairs at all times makes us careful and detached so that we don’t hurt ourselves with violent, toxic thoughts, when someone acts negatively.  We create these kinds of thoughts because we believe this is revenge that is justified. Also, knowing that anger that is radiated comes back doesn't mean we don’t have any laws within society – they are required, but it helps us not to take the law into our own hands. We cannot force justice to take place before its fixed time. We cannot force the balancing of energies of anger. If we trying doing it, it is being egoistic and we only upset the balance of our energies as a result. Even to criticize those who try to take the law into their own hands is to take the law into our hands.

Generosity

Generosity can be defined in many ways but respect, kindness, benefit and accessibility are its key characteristics. Generosity is like a fruit tree in season. All its fruit is available to anyone for the picking. When I am full, complete, when I have conquered selfish needs then I can be naturally generous. My being is open to others to share the best without any obligation.

Message for the day

The one who is open to learning always finds an opportunity to learn and change. 

Expression: Life has plenty of opportunities for the one who wants to learn. Each situation and person that comes one's way is an instrument for a new learning. Constant learning brings about a deep internal change and progress in one's life. 

Experience: When I am able to learn from all that happens, I am able to be content for both what I have learnt and the change that I have been able to bring about. This contentment also keeps me enthusiastic and my mind open for further learning. I naturally become an embodiment of what I have learnt. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

https://astudypoint.blogspot.com/

Contemplation: April 12, 2020: Patience

Contemplation: April 12, 2020: Patience

Patience

Patience is a reflection of the peaceful mind. My peaceful mind is able to cope with all situations without becoming disturbed and agitated. It calmly accepts the resolution of circumstances and, with this patience acquires the power to deal with all situations.

Applying The Law Of Balance To Anger (Part 1)

We are all very much aware of the law of gravity. It keeps us grounded on the earth. Gravity ensures everything returns to a state of balance. This is the law of balance on a physical level.

The law of balance can also be applied on a mental and emotional level, to the emotion of anger e.g.  Too many angry thoughts of revenge and animosity (hatred) inside our consciousness can emerge in two ways:

a) either externally as toxic, violent behavior, which will attract toxic, violent responses from others, or

b) if these thoughts are kept bottled inside, they will eventually, after a period of time, emerge as some disease or the other in the physical body. This is because our consciousness then tries to find a way to get rid of the mental impurity, which enters our physical body and restores balance to the mental and physical system, which has been upset due to the creation of the toxic thoughts, in the first place.

The above e.g. is an application of this law on a micro level. We can apply this law of balance on a macro level, on the world at large, where we watch groups of people, even countries exchanging negative energy. We shall explain that in tomorrow’s message.

(To be continued tomorrow…)

Being Perfect

Perfectionism at its best leads to excellence and great results. But too much perfectionism is not so perfect! It often leads to stress and lower productivity.

So know when good enough, really is good enough and when to use perfectionism in a good way.

Have high standards without setting extremely high standards. Strive to do your best without expecting to do everything perfectly.

Message for the day

A deep understanding and an attitude of pure feelings results in positive thinking.

Expression: When we talk about positive thinking, it is usually just 'think positive' and 'be positive'. But just saying this, either to others or to myself, doesn't help to change my thoughts permanently, in fact usually, not even temporarily. 

Experience: Real positive thinking is much deeper than just to think positive. For this I need to understand and see things as they are, without colouring them with my own attitudes. Then I can deal with things in the most appropriate way, having understood everything accurately. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

https://astudypoint.blogspot.com/

Contemplation: April 11, 2020: Hard To Forgive

Contemplation: April 11, 2020: Hard To Forgive

Hard To Forgive

Why is it hard to forgive others? Usually because we believe that they are 90% to blame for the problem, that I am not as bad as they are. So I start to carry the load of other people's actions. If my ego is too hurt, I will have the sense of correction, of justice: 'I know I am right', 'That is not fair'. But if I start to forgive from the heart, sincerely, I remain humble and this forgiveness will bring me closer to others. Then I do not carry regrets or anger, I just let go and remain light.

The Relationship Between Virtues And Vices

When we are internally strong, our nature characteristics and skills are reflected, from inside us to the outside, to everyone we interact in, in the form of virtues. If we are internally weak, those same traits emerge and radiate as vices. Vices are just qualities or virtues that have lost their focus and strength. For e.g. if we take the quality of love - when a strong soul radiates love, it is unlimited and without any conditions. Such a soul respects and has good wishes for everything and everyone and under all circumstances, irrespective of whether love and respect is coming from the other side or not. When a weak soul radiates love, he/she tends to restrict the love to limits e.g. the love would vary from person to person and from situation to situation. In a sense, if spiritual might (strength) and spiritual light (understanding or knowledge) are taken away from the virtues, they get transformed into the six vices, which make us spiritually unhealthy or weak:

Ego - developing an image of the self that is false, temporary or imaginary.
Greed - finding short term fulfillment by acquiring material goods, a role in society or money or through the physical senses – eyes, tongue, ears, etc.
Attachment - finding security by developing a feeling of possessiveness over loved ones and material objects.
Lust - using excessive satisfaction through the senses as a means of fulfillment.
Anger - the feeling of hatred and revenge when any of the other vices are threatened or being taken away from us.
Laziness - becoming inactive on a spiritual, physical or mental level.

Calm and Cool

When listening to other people's stories, it's so easy to be drawn into their emotions, especially if they're someone close.

We join them in their emotional state and feel the same emotions, because we care - but is this helpful?

Instead, if we were to stay calm and cool when others' bring their emotions to us, we might just be more receptive to help and support them.

Message for the day

You will be truly successful when you are loving and detached with the ones you come into contact with.

Checking: With all the people that you come into contact with throughout the day, check if you are able to have a balance between being loving and detached. Detachment doesn't mean to stay away from people, but to be with them and yet be detached. 

Practice: Make the practice of seeing only specialities, your own and that of others. This will enable you to maintain your self-respect and you will be able to find yourself both loving and detached. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

https://astudypoint.blogspot.com/

Contemplation: April 10, 2020: Past Experiences

Contemplation: April 10, 2020: Past Experiences

Past Experiences

We are unique individuals who have been shaped by the experiences we've had.  Our talents, successes and strengths have shaped us along with the insights that have come from the failures and mistakes.  Recognizing and valuing the past allows us to make better choices today. Remember “The Hare and the Tortoise" story?

Radiating Positive And Powerful Energy

You will notice many people in your life who are very much in need of love but they attract the opposite energy. This is because the negative energy of lack of love for the self and low self esteem which they continuously radiate causes them to attract that same negative energy from others. In the same way, there are many people who are very much in need of success but they attract failure repeatedly. Failure is directly related to the quality of energy we radiate i.e. how positive and powerful our expectations of success are. Once we set the goals that we wish to reach, we need to be careful that we move towards our aim without creating the negative energy of fear inside our consciousness.Failure appears when we make an effort to achieve those goals and we damage the result or attract failure without us desiring so, simply because of our fears of failure.  Even then, if at that step we feel that we have failed, we need to have a positive and constructive attitude.

We need to emerge the power to face and power of acceptance inside us. That way our creative energies will flow and we will carry on going forward without the failure (whether real or only perceived by us to be real but actually not real) becoming an obstacle in our path from doing so. Although at that time it may seem as though we have missed an opportunity or that some openings have closed for us, have faith and be fearless. If we are fearless and radiate positive and powerful energy, other possibilities will open up. We have this deep rooted belief that our fear will keep us safe, and we treat it like a comfort zone, a red signal that tells us that we should stop.Creating a time every day to do something that you fear, helps you to re-condition yourself internally to begin to see the fear as a green signal and to develop inner courage, so that you can move towards your goal of success.Each day, do what you fear and the fear will soon be removed.

Noise Removal

Noise can be a challenge when trying to meditate; external sounds, as well as all the noise in your head.

Make meditation easy by listening to soothing music to block out the noise.

Allow thoughts and external sounds to flow into the music. And let your attention become deeply absorbed in the music.

Message for the day

Become a destroyer of obstacles and not an obstacle. 

Checking: Check what kind of feelings you are having when you are faced with an obstacle. Do you have the courage to overcome it or do you yourself become an obstacle stopping others' and your own progress with your negative thoughts. 

Practice: Make this practice firm whatever the situation you are in, "I am victorious and success is my birthright" when you remember that obstacles come to teach you for the future and make you progress, you will be free from negative thoughts. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

https://astudypoint.blogspot.com/

Contemplation: April 09, 2020: Peak and Trough Times

Contemplation: April 09, 2020: Peak and Trough Times

Peak and Trough Times

There are times in the day when you have plenty of energy (peak times) and other times when your energy is at low (trough times). Your focus and attention span ebb and flow.  Do you know your peak and trough times?  Even though each day is different, you'll most likely find you have a consistent rhythm of daily peaks and troughs.  Why not, integrate a variety of tasks according to your energy and focus levels?  So, if you're trying to be productive at the wrong times, it's time to rethink your working habits.  Tackle the 'difficult' and the creative tasks during your peak times.  Use your trough time to do 'easy' and routine tasks.

Increasing The Power Of Discrimination To Improve Actions

Many people feel internally and complain that their intellect is not as clear as they would like. One of the aims of meditation and spiritual knowledge is to make the intellect strong, clear and clean, as a result of which there is an increase in the power of discrimination. An increase in this power helps us maintain a sense of what is right and wrong while performing actions and implement that awareness.

Meditation brings about self-realizations whereby you realize what is happening inside you. Sometimes, while observing someone, we use the phrase: He/she doesn't know what he/she is doing, referring to someone who is acting in an incorrect way. If we are to act in an appropriate way, we need to be aware and be awake to the consequences (results) of our actions. The voice of the conscience brings with it that state of awareness, awakening, realizing and discrimination. This is because, in meditation you feel quiet and you focus your thoughts inwards. In that state, the sound of the voice of the conscience is perceived and heard. It is a voice that is not affected by material worries or a preoccupation about one's image and public appearance. During meditation, you are completely focused on the present moment of spiritual empowerment and not distracted by: karmas which are necessary but unnecessary to be thought of that time, noise, unrelated ideas of the past and the future, mental chatter, etc., basically everything that separates you from your true spiritual self. In this way you can listen to yourself within and as a result ensure to the maximum extent that your karmas are appropriate and accurate.

When things seem complex and complicated, you always have the choice to simplify things.

Clear away any associated memories and unnecessary attitudes that may be colouring your perception.

Make your perception simple and:
- see clearly through the complications of situations and people
- refocus on what really matters
- find the best possible solution and make it easy

Message for the day

When you are full with the treasure of good things that you have imbibed you begin to donate to others too.

Checking: Check if you are expecting either from others or from situations or you are yourself a donor. Where there is any kind of emptiness within there is expectation and you will not be able to give others. 

Practice: Practice looking at your own specialities and see what you can contribute to others from this treasure. When you make the practice of sharing the good things you have, you'll stop expecting from others. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

https://astudypoint.blogspot.com/

Contemplation: April 08, 2020: Simplicity and Royalty

Contemplation: April 08, 2020: Simplicity and Royalty

Mother Teresa with Princess Diane in Kolkata

Simplicity and Royalty

There's great beauty in simplicity. It's not plainness; however it is plain in the sense that words and actions are enacted with great royalty, full awareness and with so much significance. Simplicity takes us away from artificialities, it simply accepts and in that acceptance shows us grace and humility in every circumstance.

8 Steps On The Road To Success (Part 3)

The road to success is filled with major changes which we as travelers on it need to be able to adapt to and face, without the changes affecting us negatively. There are people who are very weak at adapting to change because of lack of spiritual strength and the tendency to look at and perceive the changes negatively. It is said at the Brahma Kumaris that the one who moulds becomes real gold or valuable or in other words spiritually pure or powerful. So, the ability to mould or the ability to change as per the different milestones one sees on the road to success is a spiritual power which we need to fill ourselves with. Also, as with traffic signals, also required is the ability to stop on the road to success on passing certain signposts which convey to us that crossing them at that moment of time at the speed at which we are, will cause an accident in the form of an ill physical body or a broken relationship or a stressful mind or a harmed professional or personal role which is being used to reach the destination of success in any sphere of life, and bring the journey to the destination of success to a standstill.

Another spiritual ability is the ability to inculcate new creative and constructive sanskaras as per the demands of what side-scenes (which may sometimes be surprising for many) are seen on the road to success. The type of sanskaras which may be required to be inculcated at that moment of time could be simple like remaining egoless, keeping love maintained with someone with whom things get rough, avoiding the negatives of someone and also not spreading them, not getting frustrated or tired and remaining patient, not creating thoughts of failure, accepting each one’s role with ease, emerging the power to discriminate between wrong and right or remaining economical in using resources like money, time and energy etc. Also, just like any other journey, sometimes it is also important not to get stuck in these side scenes but to ignore or let go of them and carry on with determination on the road to success with our complete focus on the destination of success which our whole journey is dedicated to.

Be smart and understand how your state of mind affects the food you eat.

If you're angry or anxious while cooking then that's the energy you're putting into the food. Instead, nourish and enrich your meals with positive energy!

Plan your meals, shop, prepare, cook and eat with a positive attitude. And most of all enjoy the process. Your mind and body will thank you for it.

Message for the day

Become the ones who make efforts continuously and experience constant self-progress.

Checking: Check if there is any doubt within you whether you'll succeed or not. If there is any such doubt it means that your effort is not continuous. Where there is constant effort you experience constant progress. 

Practice: Each day remind yourself of at least one thing that you have achieved for the day. When you make a habit in this way, you will be able to notice and experience the fruit of the effort that you put in. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

https://astudypoint.blogspot.com/