Daily Positive Thoughts: July 24, 2017: Introspection

 

Introspection

Introspection is the attitude of going inside when it's necessary. It is especially applicable before a task or a busy day. The result of going inside is peace and calmness, which gives clarity to the intellect for making right decisions. Introspection does not mean avoiding the world, it means going inside and getting empowered to act along with others.

Meditating With Open Eyes

It is advised to practice meditation with eyes open.  When we sit to meditate, if we close our eyes, what we do is that we send a signal to our mind, intellect and our physical body that sleep is close and that signal, in turn, induces sleep. That is the last thing we want to induce inside ourselves, while meditating. Meditation is a way to wake up and stay awake, not only physically, but in terms of being conscious and alert about what is happening internally and externally. It is therefore good to practice with eyes open, so that during your meditation, you can become used to going beyond the physical inputs of what you see, hear, feel and smell and at the same time, remain exposed to these inputs. 

By practicing with open or semi-open eyes, it becomes easier to create the accurate state of consciousness while still being faintly aware of our surroundings.   This will be essential in day to day activities when we want to stay connected to our inner peace while others around us may not necessarily be very peaceful.   It will also help us to move deeply into our peaceful consciousness during conversations which at the same time, require alertness to go into the depth of ideas and concepts.    When we are established in our peaceful, spiritual state (as a result of meditating), it is as if we are keeping our third eye, the eye of our intellect, open, which gives us the ability to see, in actions and interactions, what is true and false, and to make the right decisions without being influenced by others or our own emotions. All the above abilities are required many times during the day. We obviously can’t keep closing our eyes to meditate each time any of these abilities are required.

Focused Concentration

Most of us are of sound mind, but many of us have trouble maintaining
a note of harmony and peace. Most of us know how to think, but few of
us are able to control our thoughts. We all have the capacity to be
creative, to image new ideas, but few of us are able to do it together
and co-create in harmony with each other. We could all do with some
mental training so that we may use the most powerful energy in the
universe, the mind, which is always at our instant disposal. We can
begin with mindfulness. It's a simple way to gently help our mind go
where it is best to go, do what is the best thing to do. It begins by
simply being fully aware of what you are doing. Mostly we are not
fully aware, as our minds wander into the past and then into possible
futures. We spend most of our time watching others and so rarely fully
focus on what we are actually doing ourselves. Next time you sit down
to a meal, watch yourself. Be aware of only what you are eating.
Every time your mind wants to wander, bring it gently and lovingly
back to the action and sensation of eating. Then do the same when
cleaning, when writing, when working. The more you do it stronger and
more focused and more rational will be your concentration, the more
natural will be your actions, the more peaceful you will feel, and the
more relaxed you will be, no matter what you.

 relax7

Message for the day

The ones who are constantly happy are truly fortunate. 

Expression: Whatever the kind of situations needed to be faced, whoever the people and the different kind of personalities they come into contact with, the ones who are fortunate constantly enjoy. They also continue to take benefit and bring benefit to others too. Their fortune lies in their ability to perceive the positive aspect in everything and take benefit accordingly. 

Experience: When I am able to be happy under all circumstances, I am able to make the best use of whatever I have with me. I then find myself full of all resources. I don't think of what I don't have but I am aware of and make the best use of what I have. So I find myself to be always lucky. I constantly move forward. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Daily Positive Thoughts: July 23, 2017: Speak Sweetly and Touch Hearts

 

Speak Sweetly and Touch Hearts

 

When speaking to others we usually speak from our head, or intellect. Words spoken from the head rarely touch the hearts of others. This means they don't create any impact and are soon forgotten. The solution lies in touching the hearts of others when I speak. To do that, I need to speak with my heart as well as my head and fill my words with love.

Enjoying My Stay Inside The Physical Body

An interesting comparison to understand clearly the relationship between the soul and the body is that the soul is the resident of a house or an apartment which is the physical body. It's the awareness of who is the resident living, which is separate from where he is living. I need to realize, that like a resident of a house cannot be the house; he does not and cannot identify with the place in which he resides; in much the same way, I am not my body, the place in which I reside, but I am a resident. A resident of a physical house may or may not stay in the house for 24 hours, depending on his/her role. But I, as a spiritual resident of this physical body spend all my time inside it, in fact a complete lifetime, then I move in to another house or apartment. Since I spend so much time inside it, I need to maintain the body, take care of its upkeep and the kind of physical and spiritual atmosphere that exists inside it. When I keep it clean, fresh and vibrant, only then can I live in it comfortably.

Do not forget, there's plenty of rubbish and dirt waiting to enter the apartment. My apartment's windows are my eyes and ears, through which rubbish can come in. This rubbish can be in the form of negative information, scenes, images and words. Rubbish dirties the resident, in this case my consciousness, taking me away from my true, positive, spiritual state. My nose, facing outwards, is like the front door of my apartment: it's the first part of me that faces the world. If harsh winds of difficult circumstances blow, and I don’t know how to protect myself, I will catch a cold or fall sick i.e. my front door will be harmed and I’ll become vulnerable. The living room of the apartment is my tongue which makes the first impression on anyone, whether it be positive or negative.  There will be constant attacks on our windows, doors, living room, etc. But if I am aware and alert, I will keep my house in order. If any rubbish does get in, I need to soon clean it out again, so that the atmosphere inside the house remains positive and I, the resident can enjoy my stay in it.

Criticism

When there is criticism that comes one's way, there is a tendency to
ignore or to defend oneself. Naturally we then lose the power to
listen. We then find that we are not able to correct our mistakes and
so they repeat. We thus find that we are not able to experience
progress. We need to carefully analyze to see if there is any truth in
any criticism that comes our way. If there is, correction can be made
accordingly. When we listen to others with honesty, we are able to
discover even the most negligible aspect in our behaviour which we can
change. So we find ourselves constantly improving and progressing and
moving on towards success. So having brought about a change, even the
criticism that comes our way stops.

Message for the day

Faith in one's progress brings contentment.

Thought to Ponder: Even when the situation is not according to what is expected, there is contentment for the one who has faith in his own progress. Such a person will not just sit back waiting for things to change nor will he just curse his fate. Instead he'll do his best and use all his resources in bettering the situation. 

Point to Practice: The understanding that all life's situations are a training for me, automatically keeps me content in all situations. There is naturally an experience of constant progress and a feeling of having gained something from all situations. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Daily Positive Thoughts: July 22, 2017: Ego Destroys Love

Ego Destroys Love

The difficulty with ego is that it is deeply concealed. Most of us don’t even know we have it. Ego destroys love. It destroys the ability to learn, so there is no more give and take. No more love. We go through many kinds of situations all day long so we should make sure we don’t stop exchanging love. Ego can be overcome by developing humility. If we don't know how to bow, love finishes.

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.

How fast can life become?

How much can we do in the corporeal amount  of time we have. There is only 24 hours in the day, but we're trying to fit 26 hours into it. If we could watch a movie of our average day we'd probably be amazed at all the things we try to do. And then there is the exact opposite. Some of us spend our lives watching others doing and achieving, and from these images we build such high expectations of our own life, and then sit around feeling utterly powerless in our attempts to meet these expectations. That 
powerlessness becomes hopelessness and hopelessness becomes 
depression. If we can just see this process and release these expectations. If we can at least be detached from any expectations, we will get back some of our inner power and self-motivation. It helps to stop watching others and their lifestyles, especially in the media, and then comparing yourself to them. It helps to eliminate all but one 'I wish' from your mind. There is only one valid and useful 'I wish' and it is simply "I wish to be me". For that is all you can ever be. It is all you can ever have. It is all that you are. And when you know it, you will be free of all expectation and desire, and able to enter the most relaxed state of being, at will.relax7

Message for the day

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

Thought to Ponder: 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. 

Point to Practice: 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. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumari

Daily Positive Thoughts: July 21, 2017: Every Word Is Precious 

 

 

Every Word Is Precious

Let me fill every word that I speak with love, wisdom and honesty and then be confident that the truth will reveal itself, just as a diamond will sparkle even in the dust.

8 Keys To Success For Facing Exams (Part 3)

While facing exams, always keep a check on your concentration and ability to focus while studying. Check yourself – Am I taking too long to finish studying or revising a chapter in my course? If yes, check the number of thoughts in your mind. They are not only more in number but many of them are unnecessary and unrelated to my studies – may be of the past or the future or of other people. Reduce these unnecessary thoughts by stopping your studies and remaining silent for 1 minute every hour during the day and giving that short period of time to meditation. You can learn meditation at any Brahma Kumaris center for that. Also, remind yourself that you are not only studying for yourself but are also fulfilling the aspirations and hopes of your loved ones. These include your parents and other family members and friends. This will make you responsible and focused and you will look at the exam period and the time before that with seriousness.

The seventh key to success for facing exams is love for your studies. Do remember that everything I learn in my school or college or while studying for any exam even after that, is not only for achieving success at that time. It is also for becoming more and wiser with knowledge and becoming a better person with good virtues. If you want to give happiness to a lot of people in your life, it will be through your nature full of good qualities and your knowledge. Both of these become better by studying with sincerity and doing well in exams. Lastly and the eighth key to success is reducing the exam pressure by reading at least one page of spiritual wisdom or knowledge every morning. This could be done before you begin your studies. This will keep you calm, relaxed and positive throughout the day. Remember the mind is like a blotting paper early in the morning and whatever knowledge of positivity you give it, it will absorb very easily and fast. That will keep you full of positive information in the day and also keep your mind and attitude to your studies positive and full of sure success.

Listen in Silence

What is an anagram of listen?  Silent.

Silence accentuates listening.  When you listen, refrain from speaking and also still the noise in your mind.

Listen.  Listen with an open mind and you'll hear the words. Listen with your heart and you'll understand what the words mean.  Listen and you'll enrich what you have to say.

Message for the day

To celebrate achievements is to get the motivation to do more. 

Thought to Ponder: Normally, we expect great achievements from ourselves or from what life offers. As soon as we sow a seed, we expect instant fruits. In fact, that is not possible. We need to first celebrate small little achievements, which will of course lead us to bigger things. But, first it is important to acknowledge those little steps and appreciate them. Then, I will be able to enjoy the journey of life. 

Point to Practice: Today I will move forward. Whatever is my aim, I will make effort to go one step closer to it. Today I will do something to take me closer. Not only that, I will also watch with detachment and see the beauty of my journey and the milestones I have already achieved. So, today I will take the inspiration to keep moving forward. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Daily Positive Thoughts: July 20, 2017: Transform Regrets

Bonsai Hibiscus

Transform Regrets

Transform regrets into realizations and therefore ensure that what could become waste is made into something worthwhile.

8 Keys To Success For Facing Exams (Part 2)

A very important way of remaining stable in the days before exams and the exam days is keeping a positive thought of success and repeating it in your mind a few times in the day. This could be done starting from the morning as soon as you get up and ending in the night just before you go to sleep. Positive affirmations reduce your fear and increase your confidence. This could be done for 10-12 times in a day. Secondly, always remember that God, who is the most powerful energy in the world, is my constant companion at every step. Also, if I remember God a lot and leave the responsibility of my exam performance to Him, I will not get stressed myself. Say to yourself while studying - God, you are my best friend and companion and I hold your hand to take me to my destination of success. In this way, I will remain extremely light. Experience God is sitting with me while studying and while giving the exam and you will not only remain light but you will perform in your exams with immense satisfaction and success.

Another method of remaining powerful and focused mentally during exams is keeping a dream in your mind and bringing it alive. Always think that I will stand first in my class or school or college. Even if you have many friends or student colleagues who are better in their studies, dream big. A positive dream will become reality when filled with the energy of hope and determination. Fourthly, always think and believe that the good wishes of all my close loved ones are with me. The ones who have the blessings and positive energy of many people behind them, are more successful. So ensure that all the people you come in contact with, including your family members and close friends are giving you their support and love at all times. Also, take the help of your teachers and ensure that they are always thinking positively about your performance and always persuading you to do well.

(To be continued tomorrow …)

Lightness

Lightness is like hitting a spring of water inside. A sudden break out
from the dryness of your normal reactions as you begin to express from
within, rather than just responding to what you see outside. It usually
happens when you come upon a quality that hasn't been destroyed or
jaded by time, something very old and inherent in you that has
survived. Most qualities and talents are developed through use, but are
also in some way diluted and changed. Lightness is touching what makes
you unique, because it has never changed.

Message for the day

To check accurately and change instantly is the method to win over weaknesses. 

Thought to Ponder: In any given situation, if I am having negative thoughts, it means I need to bring about a change in some way. So, I need to check accurately, what in me needs to be changed to see things in a positive way. Once, I do this checking, I also need to work on bringing about a change instantly. That is how I move progressively towards removing my weaknesses. 

Point to Practice: Today I will look within and see what the real cause of my weaknesses is. The source could be jealousy, inferior feelings, comparisons, dominance or any other weakness. So, today I am going to find out what aspect in me people are not comfortable with. And today I am going to work on changing that. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris