Contemplation: Good Parent

Contemplation: Good Parent

 

Good Parent

A good parent teaches the child with love and patience until the child learns. Be a good parent and teach your mind to have positive thoughts and to let go of worries. Then when your mind needs peace, it will find it.

Newness

It is easy to create new things, change places or do something
different. To sustain that sense of newness that creates enthusiasm is
more difficult. The secret of newness in life is not to do new things
constantly, but to see everything you do with new eyes, new insights
and a new perspective.

The Journey Of Time (cont.)

In yesterday's message, we had explained how the Law of Entropy works on a physical level. When the Law of Entropy is applied to spiritual energy, our virtues, to the quality our thoughts, words and actions, we can perhaps begin to see why, as individuals, we feel tired and old in virtues, irrespective of whether we are young or old physically. We can also understand why we succumb to negative thoughts, words and actions more easily than being influenced by the positive.

In fact, the entropy of our virtues i.e. the spiritual entropy has followed the same pattern as the entropy of the physical world or the physical entropy (explained yesterday) i.e. the spiritual energy or the energy of the virtues of the world has been reducing (as the world has become older and older) because it has not been renewed or re-energized from a source outside the system.

When we accept this movement from new to old, we understand the journey of time in a completely different way. As we look backwards into the journey of time, we find that although there have been very important scientific discoveries and global communication has improved immensely, which have all contributed to the give everyone an illusion of progress, everyone accepts that we are not enjoying healthier, more loving and peaceful relationships with ourselves, each other or the planet Earth. The reason for this is understood easily by applying the second law of time i.e. everything new becomes old.

At the present moment, the source from outside the world system (on a spiritual level) which is required to re-energize it and restore it to its original new stage is the Supreme Soul or God or the Spiritual Sun, who is an ocean of spiritual energy and divine values or virtues. In meditation we, as living beings, who are part of the world system, can absorb this energy or divinity from him and contribute to this process.

Soul Sustenance

Overcoming the Loss/Separation of a Loved one (cont.)

How quickly could a person get over the loss of a loved one and begin to feel fine? We have the capacity to do it the same day or the next day. But our beliefs and conditioning, our attachments and lack of will and inner capacity, prevent us from getting better rapidly and feeling fine. Independent of the kind of mourning that you have to go through, it is a matter of preventing your memories from invading your spirit, your mind and your heart. Circumscribe them, limit them and put them in their place: in the past. Yesterday has already passed.

On the level of action, now, in the present, use your time, your talents and your thoughts for creative tasks. Help your friends and other close ones. It will help you to come out of your aloneness and to relate. Share, dialogue and involve yourself in serving. With respect to your accumulated experiences, meditate to gain mastery in managing your memories. Clean out the cupboards of your inner self, so that the stored memories do not cause upsets, interference or suffering in the present moment. Meditate to accept and let go. Give thanks to the past. Learn from it. But now let go and free yourself. Live this moment in wholeness. It depends on you to create the right thought for it to be like that.

Message for the day

Where the mind is free from worry, the biggest task becomes light.

Projection: We sometimes find ourselves in such situations, which make our mind heavy. We are not able to work well in such a situation, as the smallest thing need to be done seems very big and difficult.

Solution: We need to learn the art of looking at the brighter side of things, because even the most negative thing has something positive in it. When we develop this art we will be able to be light and give our best to the task at hand. Then even the most difficult task will seem very easy.

Contemplation: A Loving World

Contemplation: A Loving World

 

“The Mirror of Venus” Artist Edward Burne-Jones

A Loving World

A loving person lives in a loving world. A hostile person lives in a hostile world. Everyone you meet is your mirror.

Your World

Your internal dialogue establishes your way of seeing the world. When
you make demands on and reproach yourself, you create a world of stress
and pain. To be peaceful, create a loving dialogue with yourself,
enabling your inner values to awaken and be expressed regardless of
your external world.

The Journey Of Time (cont.)

We also see in nature that everything new becomes old. Nothing ever starts old and becomes new. All material possessions including the human body, all political movements, religious movements, different philosophies etc. move from a state of newness to a state of oldness or decay. This is on a micro level.

When we apply this principle and process on a macro level to the world as a whole, we can then easily understand why we live in an 'old world' - a world with scientific progress but overused, misused, tired and where many sectors are simply worn out. This process is sometimes known as entropy.

The Law of Entropy states that a closed system moves from order to disorder or chaos, when the energy inside it reduces because it is not renewed or re-energized from a source outside that system. On a physical level, the sun sustains and re-energizes the systems of nature on the physical Earth every day. But in the recent past our exploitation of the world has started to become faster than the world's ability to renew or re-energize. We now use the trapped energy in our physical world much faster than the sun can replace it.

Tomorrow, we shall explain how the Law of Entropy can be applied to spiritual energy and our virtues.

Soul Sustenance

Overcoming the Loss/Separation of a Loved one (cont.)

In mourning, regret or remorse may emerge. Let's look at some feelings that are born in relation to these questions:

* Did I do everything I should have?
* Could I have avoided it?
* Did I tell them everything I had to tell them?
* Did I give them everything that they needed?
* Was I there when they needed me?

These questions converge into a feeling where sometimes one feels responsible for the death of the other. It is a mourning difficult to overcome. What is required is an inner control that does not allow these questions and their answers to go on for a long time. If we don't achieve this capacity we fall into a regret for what might have been and was not, and the present escapes before our very eyes.

Mourning in relation to the separation from someone with whom you have shared moments of beauty and wholeness, of love, requires an effort of peaceful acceptance. Not to remain trapped in feelings of guilt, bitterness or hate, given that these feelings take us in a past that is no longer alive except in our consciousness, because we don't allow it to die. The images and memories of experiences of the past emerge again and again onto the screen of the mind, causing different kinds of feelings that range from sadness to frustration.

Tomorrow we shall explain some simple ways to get over the loss of a loved one. 

Message for the day

Words are effective when they are short and sweet.

Projection: Many times we find that although we say the right thing to others, it has no effect on them. We, then, begin to blame them and feel that they are not listening to us. But the words spoken with such an attitude do not have any effect on others.

Solution: When we speak to others especially in a delicate situation, we need to make sure that our words are filled with love. When we talk with love, our words will be filled with sweetness and we naturally speak only to the extent necessary. Then whatever we say will have its effect on others.

Contemplation: An Angel

Contemplation: An Angel

An Angel

By feeding your mind a diet of elevated thoughts, you grow to become more and more like an angel.

Remain independent

The root of suffering is attachment. You have created a space in your
mind that holds a person or object as a part of you. When that person
or object is criticized, neglected or not there with you, you feel pain
in your mind and you experience a sense of loss. If you want to remain
happy at all times, you must learn to love and appreciate while
remaining independent.

The Journey Of Time

There are two laws governing the journey of time in this world.

* Firstly, the movement of time is cyclic i.e. without a beginning or an end. It is not linear i.e. a straight line with a beginning and an end, and

* Secondly, everything new undergoes degradation and becomes old at some point of time.

These two laws help us to understand the journey of time and why the world is in its present state.

We use time to attempt to measure change. One day is measured by the time taken by the earth to rotate around its axis. One day is our basic unit of measurement of time. One year is measured by the time taken by the earth to revolve around the sun. So the movement of time in our physical world is always cyclical. The cycle of the day, from dawn to daylight to dusk to night, is a movement that repeats with absolute constancy. A larger cycle is that of the seasons - from spring to summer to autumn to winter - which also repeat in the same way.

When we become a detached observer and look at the 'big picture' of human history, we see an even larger cycle, the eternal world cycle of time - a cycle that moves from the day of humanity (where everything is positive on a physical as well as spiritual level) to the night of humanity and then back to the day of humanity to repeat again. But to believe and understand that picture completely, we first need to understand the second law of time and also connect it with the first law.

Tomorrow we shall explain the second law of time.

Soul Sustenance

Overcoming The Loss/Separation Of A Loved One

Living trapped in the memory of a loved one who left us, or in the memory of a situation that no longer exists, or in the memory of someone who is alive but who we no longer see (since we have physically separated), does not allow us to enjoy the present moment with freedom.

What is required during the mourning period is the capacity to make peace with the memories recorded in our consciousness. It is to reach a point where these memories do not upset us or cause us pain. It is to acknowledge that the memory of what was and no longer is, no longer generates desires, dissatisfaction, frustration or sadness.

You don't get over the mourning of a loved one or a lost child, because you allow the memory to continue alive, in a way that it invades the consciousness and imprisons the soul. The memory suffocates the present; there exists a desire to relive a past that no longer has the possibility of existing.

Tomorrow, we shall look at some at the questions that arise in the mind in a mourning period.

Message for the day

When the mind is healthy the body is healthy too.

Projection: When we have some difficulty with our body, we usually find our mind becoming dull, too. When the mind becomes dull we no longer can fight the sickness. It, thus, takes a long time to get well and the time during the sickness seems long and painful.

Solution: We need to make sure we keep our mind happy under all circumstances. Where the mind is healthy no illness will attack us. Even when we fall sick we will be able to be stable which will help us to fight back and overcome the illness very soon.

Daily Positive Thoughts: August 31, 2017: Never Battle

This will be the last e-mail of Daily Positive Thoughts.

Daily Positive Thoughts: August 31, 2017:  Never Battle

 

Never Battle

Never fight. Nothing is worth fighting for. Wisdom never fights, it waits patiently, speaks positively, releases easily, sees benefit in everything and envisions a future of abundance...knowing that all needs will be met at the right moment, in the right way. If you think life is a struggle you will always be struggling, If you think life is a breeze, your attitudes and actions will convey lightness and easiness. And that's what attracts everything you need, and much more. Make today a breeze not a battle.

relax7

Reliving The Memories Of The Past (Part 3)

Can someone without spiritual power accept the negative happenings of the past easily? Of course, there are some who easily move on and look at the present and future with a positive vision after an uncomfortable event has passed in their life. But that is only temporary and only a few are gifted with the natural ability to do that. But let us talk about the majority who do tend to become sorrowful sometimes when past events which have hurt them or reduced their happiness are mentioned.  Sometimes our family members remind them to us or are remembered by us or their memories are triggered in our minds on seeing certain negative present events in our lives. In such cases, without us consciously deciding, our thoughts and feelings tend to drift into a negative mindset.

Attachment is the seed of all negative emotions. If you see any weaknesses inside the soul – all have their origins in one single negative emotion of attachment. Obviously, some people are attached to past memories more because their mind is not able to let go of what it has faced or what negative experience it went through, however long ago. The ability to let go or forget easily is brought about by the practice of soul consciousness. Also we need the practice of Supreme Soul consciousness or the remembrance of the Supreme Soul. When we souls were completely pure, we were in a state of such strong detachment that even when we left the body and took another body, we used to not experience sorrow. This is an external detachment from the physical body. Not remembering a negative past at all and a positive past excessively requires internal detachment. So, we need to become pure now by visualizing oneself as a sparkling being of light, just above the eyebrows, which is the form of the soul. Also, we can keep an hourly chart for noting the amount of time I have remained in that experience in every hour while performing actions. We need to also practice Supreme Soul consciousness every 2 hours for at least 3 minutes i.e. at least 5-6 times a day. This means seeing oneself as a sparkling soul or energy in the Supreme Soul’s presence in the soul world and absorbing His pure energy within oneself. This is the method of becoming internally detached from what has already happened in my life – either pleasant or not so pleasant.

Inner treasures

If we recognize inner treasures we will be able to use them well.

Time, energy and thoughts are one's greatest  treasures.  The ones who
recognize these treasures are able to look after them carefully and
use them for the benefit of all.  None of these inner resources are
ever wasted. When these treasures are used properly and are put to
full use, they bring in the best external treasures too. When I am in
touch with myself and give attention to myself, I am able to recognize
these inner treasures.  These treasures keep me rich at all times,
even when external circumstances are not so favourable. Further use of
these treasures makes me only richer and richer.

Message for the day

The method to finish waste thoughts is to deal with the mind with love. 

Expression: When there are waste thoughts in the mind which one tries to stop, it becomes difficult to do that. There is discomfort and difficulty experienced. On the other hand, when the mind is taught to take the right direction with love, there is a quick and dramatic change.

Experience: When I learn the art of speaking to my mind with love, I am able to free myself from waste thoughts without any feelings of suppression. Concentration too becomes easy and all thoughts are directed towards the right direction. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Daily Positive Thoughts: August 30, 2017: A Language of Trust

 

 

A Language of Trust

To create the future we desire we need a spiritual language; we must speak from the heart and in the language of the soul - a language of trust, faith and higher values, of inner growth, love and listening.

Reliving The Memories Of The Past (Part 2)

While some people realize that remaining in the present is the ideal way of living, but sometimes in their daily life, they find it difficult in not allowing the past in influencing their present life situations. And also their way of looking at them. Also, some people say its fine not to think about the failures of the past but it is unrealistic to not think about past successes, because they are positive events. Some people are so tied up with past success stories of their lives and are so attached to them that it slowly takes the form of a type of ego. This then starts reflecting negatively in their present behaviour and relationships.

Suppose, I have been very good at my studies and I was one of the best in school and college, in excelling in my education. So, do I forget that or remember it because doing that gives me joy? When a joy out of a positive past event becomes excessive and unnecessary, the joy turns into a negative emotion of ego. It crosses the limits of pure pride or self-esteem. Speaking about past successes to each one we meet can easily be seen by others as unnecessary. Also, some people don’t prefer listening to success events of others beyond a certain point. This is because it’s very clear in these cases that the other person does not have an intention of informing only. Ask any person about how they felt after having listened to others’ success stories repeatedly and they will give you a frank opinion that it was slightly egoistic behaviour. People will always like those who mention their successes but at the same time they are humble and remain incognito in not mentioning them repeatedly. That is for speaking about past events of a positive nature. The same applies to thinking about them.  

(To be continued tomorrow …)

To enjoy a carefree life, renounce the consciousness of I and mine. 

The more we surrender our ego, the lighter and easier our life
becomes.  The consciousness of I and mine either makes us arrogant or
weak.  It creates a lot of conflicts in relationships and finishes the
beauty of life.  When we consider everything we have as God's property
then our responsibilities become His responsibilities.  He fills us
with extra specialities and powers to carry out His task no matter
however daunting it may seem.  When we surrender our will to Him
everything happens for the best.

Message for the day

Self-respect brings constant learning and an experience of success. 

Expression: Where there is self-respect, there is naturally a positive and elevated state of mind. There is openness and enthusiasm to bring about progress in one's life. Everything that is done is towards this end. So, the one with self-respect naturally reveals one's speciality in all thoughts, words and actions. 

Experience: When I am able to maintain my own state of self-respect, I am able to enjoy the beauty that life brings. I'm able to understand, accept and make use of all situations in the right way. So, whatever the situation may be, for me there is a constant experience of progress. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Daily Positive Thoughts: August 29, 2017: Inside Out

 

Exotic Flowers: Tricyrtis Hirta (aka toad lily)

Inside Out

There is essentially only one way in which you can bring about self-transformation - that's if you want to - but you will not think you need to if you are still taking your happiness from outside yourself, and still managing to tolerate the periods of unhappiness which result. As soon as your happiness is dependent on anything outside, you make yourself a slave to a condition, substance or perhaps a person. A slave is not free. And happiness is impossible if you are not free. Perhaps this goes some way to explaining why our happiness fluctuates. Real happiness does not go up and down. Real freedom means that your happiness comes from inside out. That will require detachment and renunciation, not least from the illusions and conditioning of society which would have you believe happiness can be acquired from outside in. Can you see it? Inside out, not outside in!    

relax7

Reliving The Memories Of The Past (Part 1)

Have you ever spent a complete day thinking about events that have taken place a day or a month or a year ago? Do you know that the thinking capabilities of the mind are overused when we create thoughts of an already passed past? We forget that a positive future can be rebuilt by simply focusing on the present circumstances and doing the best in making it the best. A very common habit that each one of us holds inside us is of reopening events that have already folded in the reel of life and mixing them with the current state of affairs. We then create a negative future because our perceptions of current situations get influenced negatively by doing that.

Remaining focused on the present is sometimes seen as over-positive thinking by some and also seen as remaining disconnected from the past. The past is very much the truth of your life. So, a balance has to be made between being forward looking i.e. taking care that the past problems do not re-occur in the future. At the same time we take care that we do not worry about that. There is a fine difference between concern and worry. While remaining concerned does involve thinking about the past, on the other hand, worry means the same but there is a difference. In the case of worry, thinking exceeds the necessary thought level, crosses it and touches the unnecessary. Sometimes it even exceeds that and becomes negative. On the other hand, remaining concerned means your thoughts remain limited to positive and necessary. At the same time you take the right action to prevent the past mistakes from happening again. Also, one who is concerned and not worried while remembering the past, will use the past as a stepping stone to enter a future which is free from the influence of negative happenings of the past.

(To be continued tomorrow …)

Responsibility

Responsibility is being willing to be accountable for what you do and
also what you do not do yourself. It means accepting credit when
things go well and also correction if things go wrong. It is the
ability to respond ably. I practice Responsibility when I take my
agreements seriously; focus on what is required by me and not on
someone else's part, when I am ready and willing to clear up
misunderstandings. I give my best to all that I do and keep my
promises. I welcome praise and correction for my actions.\

Message for the day

The power of determination brings all thoughts into practice. 

Expression: There are a lot of thoughts that come into the mind that should come into practice immediately. These thoughts come according to the demands of time or according to the kind of people that one comes into contact with. But the only way to bring all these thoughts into practice is to use the power of determination. Where there is determination there is the commitment to use all the resources for the realizations of that thought. 

Experience: When I am able to use the power of determination, I am able to realize my inner potential and use it in the right way. So I am able to experience constant progress, because all my thoughts are for my own self progress and all these thoughts naturally come into practice. I never give up anything with temporary setbacks but am able to do everything for the constant progress of the self. 

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris