Contemplation: November 11, 2020: Unshakable

 Contemplation: November 11, 2020: Unshakable

Mount Pinatubo eruption in the PHILIPPINES, 1991

Unshakable

If we face our problems and respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness, or self-pity, these adverse situations that look like they could bury us, have within them the very real potential to make us unshakable.

The Spiritual Concept Of Becoming A Trustee (Part 2)

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

 

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

 

(To be continued tomorrow…)

 

 

To recognize my own uniqueness is to bring beauty to all I do. 

 

Each one is unique and special and so am I. when I recognize the beauty of who I am, and what I can contribute, I will be able to appreciate myself. This is not ego, but it is talking positively to the self, encouraging and motivating to discover further specialties. When I learn to appreciate myself, I will also have the humility to learn from everything that happens in life. Today I will appreciate myself. I believe I am like a jewel. No matter where I am, whether in a box or in a gold ornament, my worth remains the same. So, today I will recognize my own worth and make time to appreciate it in all I do.

 

Message for the day

True honesty to the self brings the power to bring about change. 

Expression: To be honest is not just to be truthful. It is more to be honest with the self. The one who is honest with the self constantly has the aim of bringing about a change for the better. Each situation is used as a chance for the betterment of the self. So there is always the aim not to repeat the mistakes that are committed once. 

Experience: When I am honest with myself I am able to feel the constant progress and experience the happiness of moving forward under all circumstances. I have the power to understand the situation, not just from my point of view, but more in a detached way. So I am able to understand and accept whatever the situation holds for me and learn from it humbly. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

https://astudypoint.blogspot.com/

Contemplation: November 10, 2020: Think BIG

 Contemplation: November 10, 2020: Think BIG

The Highlands of Iceland

 Think BIG

Rise above little things. Be a big thinker. You are what you think. So just think big, believe big, act big, dream big, work big, give big, forgive big, laugh big, image big, love big, live big. Carry that list and you'll start feeling big. Be a believer and you'll be an achiever.

The Spiritual Concept Of Becoming A Trustee (Part 1)

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

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

(To be continued tomorrow…)

 

 

Do everything with love and love everything you do!

 

From the mundane chores to the projects that really interest you.

Do everything with love, and you're able to accomplish the task with ease, simply because there's no anxiety or tension about what you have to do.

Love everything you do, and you transform work into entertainment. And when you're enjoying yourself, others will want to be involved in everything you do.

 

Message for the day

The one who has the courage to face is the one who can bring about a change. 

Expression: When there is a challenge which brings out a negative response, there is an immediate desire to move away from the situation so that the negativity finishes. But the real challenge is not the situation itself, but the expression of a weakness within. The one who has the courage to face this weakness and work on it is able to bring about a change accordingly. 

Experience: When I am able to face the challenge of working on my own weaknesses, instead of moving away from the situation I am able to experience progress at every step. Then there will be no feeling of helplessness but I will be able to have full control on the situation. So there is the ability to learn from each situation and move forward constantly.

 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

https://astudypoint.blogspot.com/

Contemplation: November 03, 2020: Discovering Spirituality

 Contemplation: November 03, 2020: Discovering Spirituality

Discovering Spirituality

Faith in spirituality enables us to trust ourselves. With trust we can let go of the past and have the courage to dare. To dare with courage gives us the confidence to know that we can achieve what we set out to achieve. If we begin with doubt then we have sown the seed of possible failure. Faith in spirituality always allows us to win. Every step of faith opens another chapter in our lives.

Rising Above Limits And Mental Barriers (Part 3)

When a mental limit has been set in our minds, the first thing one needs to do is look inwards and check it. The next step is to change it with the help of mental strength and spiritual power, without which the limit continues to dominate our personalities. This process is commonly called at the Brahma Kumaris as – check and change. So, the weak personality characteristic in the form of a mental barrier which is influencing our thought patterns is first checked and then erased (removed) or transformed (changed) into a powerful nature characteristic which then is able to dominate the limit set and bring it down. Also, standing back from the weak thought patterns, observing them and steering or changing their direction from a negative frame of mind to a positive one is another method of working on winning or lifting the barrier.  A person who is constantly thinking about failure needs to check that personality characteristic and the number of thoughts that he creates in one particular day which are focused on the possibility of failure in his life. He then needs to change them to affirmations or positive thoughts of success accompanied by visualizing the success repeatedly in a complete day with no room for the weak thoughts and images of possible failure to enter his mind.

There are 3 types of people – the first type are neither able to check and as a result they are not able to change. The second type are sensitive enough to check but they do not have the power to transform or change the direction of the thought patterns either due to lack of the power of determination or they are determined but lack the mental  strength to do that. The third type can check and change both and overcome the limit and mental barrier with their mental strength. We have talked about various methods of increasing mental strength in our previous messages. Some of them are – creating positive and powerful thoughts related to the virtues of peace, love, joy, bliss, purity, power and truth or thinking deeply or churning spiritual knowledge listened to or read in the morning or meditation which is a connection between the soul and the Supreme Being or God at the Brahma Kumaris.

 

Take Action

 

Are you avoiding or hesitating to take valuable opportunities because of fear of failure? 

The longer you avoid or hesitate, the more the fear increases. You can reduce the fear of taking action.

Remember: it's not important whether you succeed or not. What is important is to take action. 

Taking action helps you to overcome a little of your fear.

 

 

Message for the day

The biggest service is to give hope to the hopeless. 

Thought to Ponder: 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. 

 

Point to Practice: 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. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

https://astudypoint.blogspot.com/

Contemplation: November 07, 2020: Life Is Nurtured By Attitude

 Contemplation: November 07, 2020: Life Is Nurtured By Attitude

Life Is Nurtured By Attitude

When you extend pure love to everyone with selfless motivation that is an attitude of kindness. When you send good wishes and pure feelings to those who are in deep sorrow, that is an attitude of mercy. When you see the virtues rather than the weaknesses in people, that is an attitude of compassion. When you bless and uplift someone even as they defame you, that is an attitude of forgiveness. When you tolerate a situation and take responsibility as well as give cooperation even when not appreciated, that is an attitude of humility and self-respect. Every second, every moment and every breath of your life is nurtured by attitude.

Positive Thought Based Living (Part 2)

Blessings from every person you meet will make your life more beautiful and free of difficult situations. Living a life of giving joy to others through the simplest possible ways like a smile or a warm greeting or a gesture of appreciation is a beautiful way of gathering blessings from everyone. It is said very commonly – give blessings and take blessings. That means the more you keep good wishes for others the more full of good wishes you will be which you will receive back from others. A good practice whenever you meet someone is to ensure that you have shared something with the other person e.g. If a person comes to you and he is lacking love, just look at him and create a pure and positive thought in your mind that may this person experience his original quality of love and may he share the same with others. Do this with a humble consciousness. This is like giving a blessing to the other. This will inspire the other person to change and imbibe the quality of love which he is lacking. You may think this won’t work, but the power of a positive thought created by you is immense, which can transform the other person completely. After all our thought energy does touch the other person’s consciousness on a subtle level. It’s like whispering into the other’s ears a message of pure love which he is lacking, listening to which is an inspiration for him to change himself. In the same way, if someone has a habit of becoming angry very easily and you pass her on a particular day on the street, look at her and send her a good wish that may you experience lots of peace which is your original sanskara. These are blessings which work magically. Powerful thoughts have immense power, much more than words.

The pure love that you carry in this incognito way for others is like a healing balm for others which can make people more beautiful and bring them closer to you. Try giving a good wish to every person you meet in the day for one week and you will see how all your relationships with people become more beautiful and how everyone around you start becoming better individuals. It’s a beautiful practice.

(To be continued tomorrow …)

 

Auto-pilot Mode

 

 

Often we go through the motions of life on autopilot, not fully aware. 

That's when habit takes over, and we react to whatever's going on around us. 

Accidents occur as we say things we didn't intend, crashing into other people's feelings...

Switch off the 'auto-pilot mode' and take back control. 
Stay fully aware and choose how you think, feel and respond.

 

 

Message for the day

To get an opportunity to do something difficult is to gain a quality forever. 

Thought to Ponder: Most times, when we are faced with a difficult task, we tend to get confused and afraid. But, this does not allow us to use the resources at our disposal in the right way. On the other hand, when we look at it as an opportunity, we are able to not only complete the task, but also discover a new quality of ours. Recognition by others may or may not come, but that will not bother us.

 

Point to Practice: Today I will take up something that I have never done before. I will either do it by myself or will take the help of others. To take help from others itself is an art. So either way, I will be richer with one new quality by the time I finish the task.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

https://astudypoint.blogspot.com/

Contemplation: November 05, 2020: Ice Vice

 

Contemplation: November 05, 2020: Ice Vice

Ice Vice

We are all essentially made of virtue. Even the baddest person in the world will find time to do something good...at least once a year. If you conducted a straw poll on people’s preferences between peace and conflict,  the result would be predictable. The deepest meaning of human relationships isn't hate, it's love - we know that because we all seek it, and occasionally give it! But virtue is not so popular in these days of cynicism and disrespect. Vice is way out ahead in the world of human affairs. Lying, stealing, cheating, killing and insulting can be found at all levels of every society. Why? What made virtue lose its fashion, why did we collectively decide to surrender ourselves to vicious ways of living. Could it be down to one simple belief - survival of the fittest? Could it be the birth of desire and possession? Could it be that we started to think that we might not get what we wanted, or lose what we had? Could it be that we found others acting towards us in ways which were far from loving and caring? Probably yes to all of those as they are all interconnected. But we still have a choice and that choice will define the quality of our life - virtue or vice? Harmony or conflict?  Love or fear? If we did not have that choice we would not be unique, individual beings with opportunity to know and exercise our free will. But seriously, if virtue and vice were standing trial and you were in the jury, who would you vote for. Which one would you ice? So make your choice and live your choice, it is much more relaxing. You did vote for virtue didn't you?

Fulfilling Desires By Changing Your Belief System (Part 2)

We have been holding a lot of incorrect beliefs as to what can lead us to back to our eternal and original state (these states were discussed in yesterday’s message) and many of our actions are based on these beliefs. We have mentioned a few examples of incorrect beliefs below. There are many more, which you could reflect on.

Lust and attachment increases love in a relationship.

Anger is necessary for success in relationships and is important for getting work done and gaining respect. It provides a mental upsurge of energy.

Greed attracts physical prosperity and brings happiness.

Ego is power; a person with no ego is generally timid or submissive.

Worry prepares us for the worst, worrying for someone close is expressing our love for them.

Being emotional and crying for our loved ones in bad times, is expressing love for them. Being emotional and crying in good times is expressing and experiencing joy. 

Gossiping increases social bonding and gives one an experience of joy.

Jealousy inspires us to do better and achieve more.

The Supreme Teacher changes our belief system and not only makes us aware of these incorrect beliefs but reconditions us by incorporating correct beliefs inside us so that we start performing karmas or actions based on them and start progressing towards our eternal and original state.

 

Open the Closed Mind

 

Sometimes we're quick to make assumptions and fast to close our minds. 

 

Rather than rushing to close our minds, let's open the mind to learn more and understand better.

Being open minded doesn't mean that we shouldn't stand by the truth as we know it, or that we must accept every point of view. 

 

Being open minded means that we're willing to reconsider and revise our assumptions.

When we open the closed mind, we discover the delight of playing with possibilities!

 

Message for the day

To spend the day with God as a Companion is to add quality to all tasks. 

Thought to Ponder: For the one who keeps God as a Companion in every task, there is quality and meaning in everything. Even when we are faced with something difficult, we still are able to do it with ease. Each task becomes special too. 

Point to Practice: Today I will say "good morning" to God and make my day beautiful. I will start the day with this consciousness and throughout the day keep Him with me. This will keep my mind carefree and easy, whilst doing and facing everything. 

 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

https://astudypoint.blogspot.com/