Daily Positive Thoughts: October 31, 2014: Thought Diet

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 31, 2014: Thought Diet
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★ Thought Diet
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Why not make your mind healthier and go on a thought diet!

Cut down on all those unhealthy negative and wasteful thoughts that offer no nutritional value. Start feeding your mind with positive healthy thoughts.

Here's our suggestion for a balanced diet for the mind:
For vitamins, have creative ideas.
For proteins, think powerful thoughts about yourself.
For carbohydrates, have good feelings for others.

★ Silence
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Am I comfortable with silence? Or does the mind get fidgety when I am
physically silent and bring up questions and uncertainties related to
my life and relationships? Silence to some is boring and unproductive
but that depends on my thoughts. I have two magical tools in hand: the
mind and intellect. When I teach both to work in synchrony, I create
for myself unforgettable experiences of empowerment, love, wisdom,
compassion, forgiveness, far-sightedness... In silence, I can detach
from my body, task and relationships and see which next step would be
beneficial for myself and others. The more I discipline the mind with
love, it will become my closest friend.

★ The Interplay Between Souls, Matter And The Supreme Soul
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The forces which interact to produce the phenomena of world history and geography: souls, matter and the Supreme Soul (God), are threaded by the law of karma. When there is mental communion (connection) with the Supreme, the soul's relationship with matter changes. This means that the internal love-link that the soul has with the Supreme is reflected in the performance of the soul in the material world and in the degree to which the soul has mastery over matter; firstly over the sense organs of the body and through that, over the colors, shapes and sounds of the material world.

We have continually sought to understand which way to act, but have lost our sense of direction for various reasons:

* We forgot that we were soul-actors.
* We became lost on the world stage.
* We became over-identified with our costumes the physical body.
* We lost sight of the story of the drama.
* We forgot that we were residents of the soul world.
* Due to body-consciousness the soul severed (broke) its subtle connection with the Supreme Soul.

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★★ Soul Sustenance ★★
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Creating Positive Habits

To overcome a negative habit, we have to ensure that the intellect is strong and stable enough to lead the mind with knowledge and comprehension. In this way, transformation is more deep and lasting, creates satisfaction and fullness, and greatly improves our self-esteem. Our mind, which is under the influence of an old program, must be left in no doubt that "I", the original personality, no longer wants to go down that old road. We must have the strong determination to create a new thought pattern; this will also be recorded on our memory bank. This new register will help us to avoid taking up the old habits the next time something similar happens. For a period of time the two thought patterns, the old and the new, will exist alongside each other. To achieve a long-lasting transformation, we should not suppress our mind and immediately eliminate all the habits or tendencies to which the mind has become accustomed to. If we do this, the mind will begin to cry and make a fuss, and finally, the moment we lower our guard and stop paying attention, the old habits will emerge again and drag our mind towards automatic thoughts and actions so that, almost without us realising, we are once again immersed in our old way of thinking and doing.

We have an alternative: creating thoughts of a greater quality that emerge from a new conscience. In this way, thanks to these positive thoughts, full of love, harmony and creativity, the mind will start to cleanse itself, replacing the old habits and negative tendencies in a totally natural way. The positive thought that preceded the positive action is still conscious, but the more we repeat the positive action the less conscious we are of the thought that created it. The time comes when we don't know why we are doing whatever we are doing: it has become a positive habit.

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★★ Message for the day ★★
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The one who is responsible is the one who is always light.

Projection: 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.

Solution: 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
★******★~••~★******★

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 28, 2014: Courage

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 28, 2014: Courage
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★ Courage
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One of the highest forms of courage is the ability to face my own negativity without feeling guilty or bad about myself, and then take responsibility for changing it. To begin this process, I first make contact with my deepest spiritual core. Reflecting on the things I care about mostly gives me a glimpse of my innate goodness. Building on this, God will, if I let Him, gently reveal in me a caring and compassionate nature that can even be described as divine. The courage to let go of unwanted thoughts and feelings will develop when I accept that my higher, divine self is not separate from me, but lies at the very heart of who I am.

★ Acceptance
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Accepting life as it is a multi-faceted concept. While it's good to
accept circumstances and people as they are, it would be unwise to act
out of blind faith or dejection: Either we say things will happen if
God or destiny wills it, or that things are never going to improve so
why bother... Both perceptions spread a negative vibration. Acceptance
means I don't confront a situation or person simply because things
aren't to my liking, as this drains me of energy I could use to
reform the problem. With a clear mind, heart open to the unexpected,
and willingness to make a difference, I link myself to God and take His
energy to be successful in my goals.

★ The Three Root Causes Of Anger
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Any time we sense irritation, frustration or anger emerging inside our consciousness, if we take a close look at it, we will notice we are fighting a war in our consciousness with one of these three: either with another person, most obviously or with the past or with our self.

We are at war with the past because our anger is always towards something that has already happened and looking at it we react emotionally which means we are trying to change it, which is impossible. Any scene that has taken place a year ago, a month ago or even a second ago cannot be changed. We may be completely convinced and we may believe we can. That's because we hold this belief subconsciously. Somewhere and sometime in the past, we have picked up and absorbed the belief that the world and its circumstances should shape up exactly as we want.

When our internal desire of a certain type of circumstances is not fulfilled, or in other words something against this belief happens, our instant reaction is one of the various forms of anger and we tend to try and change the incident that has happened in a far-off past or a past that has just gone by. We keep replaying a revised incident, with words and actions that we would have liked and that suit our convenience and we also keep nullifying the actual incident or remain in a un-acceptance mode towards it. This is like fighting a war with the incident. We tend to do this inside our minds, repeatedly, even realizing somewhere deep within, that it is impossible.
(To be continued tomorrow...)

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★★ Soul Sustenance ★★
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Topics For Meditation Thought Commentaries

As you start your meditation practice, you need to have in mind some simple topics for your thought commentaries on which you base your meditation. Repeat them gently. Doing that will give you enough time to experience the feelings hidden inside them. Realization of thought commentaries will help your thoughts to develop and your thoughts will slowly expand as you now guide yourself in your meditation. Take up a few simple topics or phrases as the foundation for your meditation. Initially, listening to a guided meditation commentary on an audio cassette or CD, which is available at any Brahma Kumaris center will be extremely helpful. As you get an idea about what thought commentaries are all about, you can gradually start creating your own powerful, positive, thought commentaries. These will ultimately have more meaning for you because they have been created by you and you will easily be able to relate to them. You can continue to take the help of recorded commentaries, though, from time to time. Given below are a few topics for your thought commentaries, which you would find helpful and which you can explore.

• I am a subtle (non-physical) point of consciousness, which resides within this body (situated at the center of the forehead), I am the energy which brings this body to life every day. I am the energy which uses this body to see, to speak, to touch and to hear. I am the energy which experiences everything via the body. But I am not this body

• I am a soul, a being of light, situated at the center of the forehead, radiating pure light into my body, out towards others close to me and the world. As I turn within and remember who I am, I experience my own capacity to have pure love for all others. It is a generous (kind) love that neither wants nor needs anything in return.
(To be continued tomorrow…)

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★★ Message for the day ★★
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God's love brings out the perfection from within.

Projection: The power of God's love brings about change internally. Through His love everything old and unwanted finishes. There is the natural tendency to bring about such perfection that the one who loves Him and gets His love becomes like a mirror - a mirror in which perfection of others too is visible.

Solution: There is such inner strength that I get because of God's love that even if somebody does something to hurt me, I don't allow myself to get hurt. Even if people are saying negative things, they don't influence or touch me in a negative way. I am so full with God's love that it naturally flows out to those around me.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris
★******★**★******★

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 27, 2014: Sweetness

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 27, 2014: Sweetness
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★ Sweetness
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Sweetness is a virtue that searches with patience for the good in every person and situation.

★ Strong Foundation
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When my expectations for a task or another person are unfulfilled, I
sometimes attribute it to my weaknesses or unworthiness. I may accept
the disappointment and even forget the incident but sub-consciously
allow it to hamper my self-respect. Ambitions or relationships are not
appendages of my identity. They are vital in shaping my personality and
taking me ahead, however I need to be prudent in not permitting them to
distort how I see myself. Only my God knows me precisely for what I am
and what I will be. With this faith and confidence, let me see every
experience as a brick thrown towards me to build a strong foundation
for my future.

★ Being Impressed By Others
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To keep our self esteem intact, we need to make sure that we do not have an impressionable intellect. Being impressed by people, in itself, is not bad, but we can fall into the tendency of staying trapped in the superfluous (excessive and unnecessary) and in appearances. What impresses us influences us and even moulds our awareness at that moment. We lose the ability to create our thoughts and feelings and these are influenced by the impression that we have allowed the other person to leave on us. Sometimes the impression is such that we completely give ourselves to it. We give up our power to the other, and we allow them to dominate our emotional world. The results of allowing oneself to be impressed are varied and on different levels.

For example, when we are impressed by the other's position; it is fine to respect the authority and the position of the other, but when we allow their position to impress us, our ability to relate to the person in a smooth way is blocked. This can make it difficult for us to be the authority in our own life. Another example is when we are impressed by the achievements of the other and put them on a pedestal. We compare ourselves with him or her and have weak thoughts of ourselves, such as that we are not as good or effective as them, or we might feel jealousy or guilt. All of this acts as an obstacle on the path towards our own achievement. It is good to recognise and appreciate the achievements and skills of others, but when we allow them to impress us, in some way, we submit ourselves to their influence and we weaken our self-esteem and our respect towards ourselves. Without realizing, we use the other to fill a gap that we feel in ourselves. This will not always work. It will not strengthen us; rather it will create a dependency and dependencies weaken us.

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★★ Soul Sustenance ★★
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The Negative Shade Of Respect In Relationships (cont.)

In yesterday's message, we had looked at the incorrect and negative side of respect (the energy of fear) in relationships. Today we look at this kind of relationship from that person's perspective from whom respect is demanded. When the boss or the parent or the spouse (please refer to yesterday's message) tries to induce respect inside you for him or her, in return you fear him or her, most of the time thinking it is respect. But, at that point, you need to remember it is impossible to give respect to another if we, at the back of our own minds, fear them. If you are scared of someone or something, it means there is an absence of self -respect, there is a lack of a true realization of your own value, your specialties, your skills and the virtues and powers that you possess. And if you do not respect yourself, you cannot truly respect another. It is only when you are firmly established in your own self-respect that you have no fear of others and are then capable of giving genuine respect to others. Sometimes we are not comfortable with being seen as fearful, because our image will take a beating, so we try to avoid admitting we fear someone by saying we respect them, but internally we are in awe of that person and being in awe is not respecting him or her.

Many a times, two prominent people e.g. two actors or politicians or sportsmen are not on good terms. They accuse and bring down each other publicly and are known enemies in the press. While they do that, they also carry a subtle fear of each other, a fear that the other will outperform them; the other will be more popular, the other will be more powerful etc. This normally happens because of a lack of self-respect. They both will probably hide that and will pretend that they are confident and established in their self-respect. But if their self-respect were genuine, they would not be scared of each other, and they would have the courage and the patience to talk and work with each other and listen to and offer the hand of friendship to each other, whom they perceive to be an enemy. But when they don't have the strength of their own self-respect and when they are unaware of their lack of self-respect, subtle fear for the other creeps in, which they don't realize and if they realize, they do not admit the same. And that's why the restoration of self-respect is only possible when the ego is recognized and no longer nourished. Because, fear always comes from the ego and ego is nothing but an excessive attachment to one's false image.

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★★ Message for the day ★★
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To receive respect from others comes more with responsibility than as a right.

Projection: The one who gets respect is the one who becomes worthy of it rather than the one who just expects it. True respect comes from how well a task is done rather than what is done. The more one's speciality is expressed, the more one becomes worthy of respect.

Solution: When I go on giving my best in whatever is expected of me, I will start receiving respect from those around me. I will then never expect from others but will naturally be able to give respect to all. This further makes me earn their love and regard.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris
★******★~••~★******★

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 26, 2014: How to Get Along with All

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 26, 2014: How to Get Along with All
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★ How to Get Along with All
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To get along with everyone, learn to adapt.

Whilst maintaining your truth, develop flexibility and you'll find it easy to be friends with everyone

★ True Freedom
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Occasionally we forget how fortunate we are to have the freedom of
choice: liberty to express our desires, choose our friends, clothes,
religion, music, food, careers, partners..., while a significant part
of our world is oblivious to the same. But are the rest of us really
living a life of independence? Or does my mind suffocate at times with
unproductive thinking? Can I select golden thoughts of positivity,
inspiration, determination, love etc as I wish? True freedom and
self-respect cannot be bestowed externally by God, fate or any human
being. It begins with me liberating myself from unworthy thinking, thus
empowering my words, actions and character for an admirable life and
future.

★ Becoming Aware Of What Is Ego
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All of us are familiar, to different extents, with the emotion of ego. All of us don't even define it in the same way. We are also aware to different extents, about the negative repercussions (effects) of the emotion of ego on us and on others. Depending on how aware we are about the effects, we work to eradicate the emotion from our daily lives, so that it neither disturbs us nor others. Some of us even consider it a positive emotion and feel it contributes positively to our personal and professional progress. To be aware completely of the negative effects of ego and to realize clearly whether it is a positive emotion or not in the first place, it is important to first become aware of what it is exactly. So, how can we define ego?

Ego is attachment, inside my consciousness, to an incorrect image of my self which I then mistake for myself. When the attachment takes place, you lose your sense of identity in the image of the object of attachment which you create on the screen of your mind. That object can be something physical like your body, your physical personality, a relationship, a material possession, your status, money, a particular skill, respect from others, etc. or something non-physical like a belief; an opinion; a mindset, a memory, a particular virtue, specialty, power or a sanskar (positive or negative), etc. Therefore ego is the self attaching to and identifying with an image that is not the self. This process takes place entirely within our consciousness many times in the day, on the screen of the mind. E.g. When we say this is my salary package (something physical) or my opinion (something non-physical), we are (without being aware about it) creating an image of the salary package or the opinion inside our consciousness and becoming attached to it, so that we lose our self identity in the salary package or the opinion, believing that I am the salary package or the opinion. So at that time, the salary package or the opinion becomes an incorrect image of the self to which I am attached. This is ego. If while thinking, feeling or speaking about my salary package or my opinion, we do not become attached to or do not lose our self identity in either of the two, then that is not ego.

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★★ Soul Sustenance ★★
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The Negative Shade Of Respect in Relationships

Many a times in offices, we find the dominating boss who wants everyone in the office to fear him or her. The boss may not necessarily be a person with a negative personality, but this desire exists inside the boss because he or she holds a negative belief that people fearing him is the same as respecting him and respect is something that any boss would naturally yearn for. This can happen in homes also, with a dominating father or a dominating mother doing the same with the other members of the family.

The main reason why this happens is because the boss or the father or the mother is normally lacking in self-respect, although he or she is unaware of it. Due to this, he or she, without realizing again, is looking for it from others and in fact over a period of time, as the need builds up or increases, he or she will start demanding the same from others, which takes a form of the negative energy of fear in the relationship. The boss or the father or the mother starts feeling that the sign that he or she is successful in achieving in getting the respect he or she wants, would be the other fearing him or her. Simply getting someone's attention or the other being in awe of him or her or the other being under his or her negative influence which are all subtle forms of fear is then mistaken for being respected, and if he or she does not receive respect in this incorrect manner, he or she will even try and bring about the creation of respect in the other and try and pull it from the other using various methods which are violent in a subtle way, harming the relationship in a big way.

In tomorrow's message, we shall look at this type of relationship from the other's i.e. the employee's perspective or the perspective of the other people in the family in the case of the father or mother.

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★★ Message for the day ★★
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Greatness lies in revealing one's own speciality.

Projection: Greatness means recognising one's own speciality and being a donor with it. It also means being royal and great in what is given to the mind - that means giving the mind only the positive. When there is greatness in this way there is speciality and uniqueness seen in every act of mine.

Solution: When I am able to perceive my inner greatness, I am able to be content because there are no expectations, but there's only a feeling of being a giver. I find myself to be light and easy and enjoying each moment of my life, slowly moving towards perfection. I am also able to attain the blessings and good wishes from others.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris
★******★~••~★******★

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 25, 2014: True Benevolence

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 25, 2014: True Benevolence
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*** Mother Teresa (c. 1910–1997) ***
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★ True Benevolence
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There is no greater teacher than one's own practical example. To be really benevolent therefore means that I must first change, then I have the power, the knowledge and the experience of thinking and doing for the ultimate benefit of all.

★ God’s Wonder
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The vast, abundant nature has an amazing ability to refresh our minds
and hearts, doesn't it? Quite often it reminds us to marvel at God
and His creation. But aren't we human beings God's greatest
creation? If the inanimate, idyllic nature is powerful enough to touch
our souls and make us lighter and more content, what can I not do? When
others look at me, are they reminded of God's beauty and qualities?
Let my personality be balanced and serene so that my presence comforts
souls and elevates their consciousness.

★ Effects Of Anger On The Human Body
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In numerous studies, anger has been found to have a completely negative effect on our physical well-being. In one such study, reported at a recent conference on forgiveness and peace in the US, it was demonstrated that letting go of negative feelings that we have for someone due to his/her negative actions relieved and reduced chronic back pain.

It seems we have been conditioned to treat any tension-triggering event, be it a small accident or a conflict with a partner or colleague, as a big problem or crisis. At these moments our bodies generate and release the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol. Our heart accelerates, our breath quickens and our mind races. It's all harmless if the tension or fright is brief and once in a while, like a near miss while driving, but the emotional disturbances of anger and hatred are like accidents that don't end, and hormones turn into toxins. The depressive effect of cortisol upon the immune system has been linked to serious diseases and disorders. According to a recent medical research, "Cortisol wears down the brain, leading to cell degeneration and memory loss. It also raises blood pressure and blood sugar, hardening the arteries, leading to heart disease."

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★★ Soul Sustenance ★★
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Understanding the Process of Birth And Death

The leaving of one body and the taking of another is nearly always confusing and soon the details of the old life are erased by the new. Just in one day we forget so much. After having slept for a while, after some injury or shock, or even after a change in place, company or circumstances, many things are forgotten.

Death of the body is a great shock to the soul, especially if there was great attachment to that body, and the new set of circumstances in the new body is bewildering (confusing). Because the body and brain are not developed, the soul cannot express its memory, so it laughs and cries when it cannot recognize anyone, or when it wishes to express itself. By the time the body is developed, the soul has forgotten its past birth and has become accustomed to the new conditions and the new parents. The prominent sanskaras developed in past lives soon begin to manifest (show) themselves with new details (in the new birth).

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★★ Message for the day ★★
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The method to finish a weakness is to be detached from it.

Projection: When there is some weakness working within that has to be overcome, it is very essential for one to get detached from it, that means not to identify with the weakness. If there is an identification with the weakness, it is further strengthened and there is the inability to get rid of it. Since it is there in the consciousness, it is visible in the words and actions too.

Solution: When I am free from the identification with the weakness, I am able to bring about a change very quickly. I find it very easy to stabilise myself in the awareness of my strength and allow that strength to be revealed in all my words and actions. There is no heaviness of the weakness nor is there the feeling of having to give up something, but transformation takes place very easily.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris
★******★~••~★******★

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 24, 2014:Attention, No Tension

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 24, 2014:Attention, No Tension
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★ Attention, No Tension
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To be tension free, pay attention. Pay attention to the little things in front of you, as well as thinking and planning ahead. If you neglect or postpone all the small things today, they'll create tension for you tomorrow. So, today pick two small tasks from your to-do list and see them through to completion. Pay attention to the details and do the tasks well.

★ Values
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Every human life has meaning because of the value that he is able to
add to everything that he does and every relationship of his. Values
are the natural power of good within each one of us. Values form the
basis of our relationships and growth. We enrich our own lives and the
lives of those around us when values come into play. Focusing on these
positive qualities/values helps us to transform old attitudes, to gain
fresh perspectives and find unexpected answers. They free our path from
obstacles and make clear life's opportunities.

★ The Power To Transform Emotions (cont.)
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Thoughts may be temporary. Feelings (either positive or negative), accompanying repeated thought-patterns, stay a bit longer inside us. But when a soul suffers a major setback, loss or failure in life that it is not able to deal with, it becomes emotionallydamaged and the results of that can be extreme.

Suppose I lose a loved one all of a sudden. If the feelings that come to me because of this loss can be taken care of at that time, through any means like the remembrance of God, meditation, developing a positive hobby to divert my mind, spending more time in the positive company of other family members, etc.; I will deal with the feelings and move on. If however, I am unable to deal with my feelings through any of the means mentioned, the experience of loss I feel is going to cause a lot of deep damage on the emotional level. Then it will not just be a feeling of loss, but it will actually have wounded the soul emotionally. Until that wound has healed, I'll carry it with me long after the loss has suffered. The emotions linked to it will come to the surface repeatedly, though I may have no idea where my sorrow is coming from. Due to the emotional wound, I'll be unable to stay happy, no matter how positive my circumstances may be today.

Meditation does not require me to go into the subconscious roots of my pain. Instead, through thought, meditation enables me to take conscious control of my feelings and emotions, so as to displace the negative, which brings sorrow; with positive, which brings happiness. It helps me experience pure, powerful emotions and loveful feelings to such an extent that the wounds left by past experiences are healed. Raja Yoga means 'royal union' - it means having a loveful relationship with God. The experience of God's love is a soothing balm for my emotions, and a remedy for the emotional pain the soul feels.

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★★ Soul Sustenance ★★
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Experiencing Freedom in Relationships

How much are you influenced by what others think of you and how they see you? The degree to which you act on the basis of what you think others want and expect of you, allows them to have power over your inner and outer world.

Important aspects are how you think others see you, how you want them to see you and how you see yourself. The person who is not conditioned by how others see them, and doesn't even think about how they would like to be seen, but who rather is comfortable with themselves, has a presence that generates comfort. Others feel fine around that person.

Let us learn to free ourselves from the conditionings that generate the thinking of how we want others to see us. Let us feel the freedom to let ourselves be how we want to be.

Try it and you will see that the results are amazing. That way, as you go along, you will take off the masks that you wear due to the fears of what others will say and think.

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★★ Message for the day ★★
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The one with zeal and enthusiasm is constantly tireless.

Projection: Zeal and enthusiasm brings the willingness to move forward under all circumstances. Never are there are any excuses given, whatever the difficult situations or challenges that one might be faced with. Instead whatever has to be done is done without any tiredness. Also the best is made out of all situations.

Solution: When I am able to be enthusiastic under all circumstances, I am able to be tireless. This tirelessness gives me the courage to move on and experience constant success. I become aware of my own resources and make the best use of them. So I also experience internal progress, constantly.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris
★******★★★******★

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 23, 2014:Be a Lighthouse

★★ Happy Diwali ★★
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Daily Positive Thoughts: October 23, 2014:Be a Lighthouse
★***************★*~•★•~*★**************★
★ Be a Lighthouse
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A lighthouse stays in one place and spreads its light in all directions.

We too can be like a lighthouse. Light emanates from the core of our being.

We each can radiate and spread our inner light across the world.

★ Time
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We are well aware of the physical resources that we have and make use
of them too. But we become a little careless about the resource of
time. We normally believe that to use time well means to plan the day
well and work according to the plan, and we somehow manage to do that
to a great extent. Yet there is a large amount of time going waste too.
To use the resource of time well is to be aware of where we are
investing it. When we are investing time in creating only positive
thoughts, sweet or beneficial words and useful actions, we are able to
find a lot of time being saved. And we are sure to get the best out of
this investment too. We find ourselves getting good returns out of
everything that we do.

★ The Power To Transform Emotions
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As with feelings, when emotions are aroused, there are physical changes inside the body in the form of chemical and electrical activity. In fact, strong emotions don't just affect the body; they also have an impact on the soul. When the soul suffers emotional trauma, from which there is lasting impact, the emotional trauma brings about an immense strain on the brain and body. Brain chemical production is likely to be affected, and there may also be feelings of depression and tiredness. But the real trauma at the root of these physical effects is at a deeper level within the soul itself, and the resulting emotional sensitivity will also arise from the soul.

e.g. I suffer a series of losses or setbacks in my business that causes a lack of confidence and self-respect inside me. A sanskara of low self-esteem is created inside. As a result I become emotionally unstable and sensitive. I'll show a tendency to react emotionally with extreme sorrow (may be in the form of depression) or extreme anger (sometimes in the form of an outburst) whenever there is a similar setback that touches this sensitivity. A person who has not suffered similarly in the past and does not have a sanskara of low self esteem, and as a result does not have this tendency, will not react in a similar fashion under similar circumstances.
(To be continued tomorrow ...)

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★★ Soul Sustenance ★★
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The Benefits of Togetherness over Isolation

Nowadays, there are more and more people who are choosing to live alone. Perhaps the reason for that are experiences in the past of pain, peacelessness, rejection, disappointment or failure when living together, in a relationship or even more than one relationship. As a result, the preference for living alone sets inside them. Perhaps, it is their alternative search for peace, happiness and success that leads them to make this decision. Also, the belief that if you live alone, you are free and you can do what you want, when you want and without having to explain yourself to anyone. But are we, as human beings, basically by nature, meant to live together or to live alone? Each human being has the need to belong and provide that feeling to others. You can belong to a family, a group of friends, a bunch of close school or college students, some office colleagues, a club, a community, a religious group etc. The mere presence of others; the participation, communication and collaboration with others; the assistance provided to others and received from them and the sharing of positive energy with others in a group; inspires and challenges us and others immensely. The same can happen, if we are staying alone, but to a limited extent. Greater inner spiritual empowerment takes place inside those who live and work together, not those who distance themselves from others. In a group, we broaden our limits and make our heart bigger when we do things for others that we wouldn't do for ourselves.

Each human being is a source of love for others. It is a basic human nature to love and be loved, which is not possible unless there is some kind of unity or mutual belonging. Distancing or isolating oneself implies an absence of love, neither given or shared, neither received.

--------------------------------
★★ Message for the day ★★
---------------------------------
True courage brings benefit to the self as well as to others.

Projection: When there is fear, there is some kind of danger, either for the self or for others. The one who fears, or the one who doesn't have the courage to accept and face situations, is not able to bring out the best form within himself. Such a person is constantly thinking of excuses and is trying to blame others for the mistakes that happen.

Solution: With courage, if I am able to take up responsibility for every situation that I am faced with, I am able to be free from worry or tension. I will then be in a position to learn and so I find progress at every step in my life. I find others giving me a lot of good wishes for my sincerity. I also become an inspiration for all others too to bring about a positive change.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris
★******★★**★★******★

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 22, 2014: Peacemaker

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 22, 2014: Peacemaker
★**************★★••~••★★***************★
★ Peacemaker
----------------------
The first lesson on the path of becoming a peacemaker is to stop being at war with myself. It is only when the turbulence of my mind ceases that I can begin to make peace with the world.

★ Recognition
-------------------
We normally have a lot of desires and expectations from life itself. We
want something or the other and when we don't get them we tend to have
negative feelings. Sometimes these feelings turn to feelings of
inferiority too. So even good things are hidden from our vision. When
we recognize our own talents and gifts that life has bestowed on us, we
are able to recognize what we deserve rather than what we desire. We
are able to use our resources to attain what we desire. We then do not
feel what we lack but are more connected with what we have and how we
have to use what we have.

★ The Limitless Mind
-----------------------------
If we compare the two entities - mindand matter - the most obvious difference between the two that comes to the forefront is that one is non-physical and the other is physical. Another very important difference between the two is that whereas on one hand, matter has limits, in the sense, that's its fixed in time and space. The mind, on the other hand, is beyond limits, in terms of physical parameters. It's not fixed in time and space.
When we take a close look at what is going on in our mind, its power becomes visible to us. Since it is not fixed in space, it can link me to a friend in, as far as, Washington or Singapore in less than a second. My mind can even move in many different directions at once. Since the mind is not fixed in time, I can think about yesterday, or about fifteen years ago; about tonight, or the next three years. That's the reason we can say that the mind is limitless, hence powerful.

Thoughts also have different levels of power. Sometimes they fly past the mind leaving hardly any impact on us. At other times, they are accompanied by such feelings so as to influence our entire perception, even our complete inner mental state. Thinking about a visit to Kashmir I made last year, for e.g., I could find myself carried back mentally into the beautiful experience and its attached emotions. Filled with happiness, I will even radiate this happiness to others nearby, through my thoughts, facial expressions, words and actions. On the other hand, thoughts about the death of my close relative a few years ago will have an opposite impact on me in the present moment.

-----------------------------
★★ Soul Sustenance ★★
-----------------------------
Self Empowerment

Your strengths, talents, capabilities and resources are very important as the foundation of your self progress. Having a clear knowledge of them will help to keep you moving forward, and enable you to take up new opportunities when they arise. Our internal strengths create the foundation on which we make our decisions in life, how we relate to others and how we understand ourselves. For most people their strengths are understood but never made very conscious. They lie below the surface and are not openly talked about. Bringing them into our conscious understanding improves our process of self-empowerment. Also assess your areas of weakness or those aspects of life that are holding you back in some way and/or are causing you some sorrow or discomfort.

Exercise: Make a list of your strengths and weaknesses (5 each)

Now create questions (5-6) which will help in your self progress. Looking at your strengths and weakness, judge how effectively you are using these strengths to improve your personal and professional life, and what negative effects are your weaknesses (shortcomings) having on the same. These are some examples of questions that you can ask yourself at the end of each week:

How are my present strengths being used to improve my worth (value) at the workplace (office)? Is any weakness of mine proving to be an obstacle (barrier) in maintaining a healthy relationship with my spouse (partner)? Am I using my strengths in helping others or doing
social service? Does any weakness exist inside me, which if removed, would make my relationships harmonious (peaceful) in the family and office?

--------------------------------
★★ Message for the day★★
--------------------------------
True knowledge brings humility.

Projection: True knowledge inspires and encourages one to bring about a practical change in one's life. The one with knowledge naturally imbibes it, which is also revealed in his practical life. This is because he is humbly willing to learn from all situations. As much as there is knowledge, so much there is divinity and elevatedness revealed in all words and actions. Also such a person keeps learning from all life's situations

Solution: To have the ability to learn from all that life brings is to have love for knowledge. Since I have love for knowledge, I am able to experience self-respect. This self-respect gives me the humility to accept situations and people as they are and keep learning. So whatever the situation or whoever the person I come across, I only find myself enriching myself and moving forward.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris
★******★*~•★•~*★******★

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 20, 2014: Introversion

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 20, 2014: Introversion
★***************★*~•★•~*★***************★
★ Introversion
---------------
The ability to enjoy one's own company is one of the greatest gifts life has to offer. Learning to turn my thoughts away from all my responsibilities at the day's end and take my mind into a state of peace and benevolence enables me to carry greater and greater loads without feeling the burden. When my inner landscape is full of beautiful thoughts, everything I do is a pleasure. Gently, I calm down chaotic situations and offer solace to troubled minds.

★ Add Quality and Beauty
-----------------------------
When a situation is good we are able to use our own specialties, but
when the situation is not so good, we tend to come back to ordinary or
waste. So we are constantly waiting for opportunities to reveal our own
specialty and at other times being colored by the negativity or
ordinariness of the situation. When we are aware of our own specialties
in a conscious way, we are able to add quality and beauty to everything
that we speak or do. Nothing of ours is then waste or even ordinary but
everything we do becomes special. We are able to make everything more
meaningful and powerful. We are not caught up with the ordinariness or
the negativity of the situation, but are able to enjoy the moment by
coloring it with our own special quality.

★ Making The Journey With The Right Realization
---------------------------------------------
It's so easy to become caught up in my physical role - my name, physical personality and looks; the social setup or family I've been born into, my friend circle, the school I went to, the person I married, the organization in which I work, the various material objects I own or possess. I forget my true identity, the spiritual being, and that it is me, the spirit or soul, who is experiencing life through this physical body and surrounding circumstances. The physical, human side is essential, but it's the spirit, the being, the energy, which makes the journey. The physical body is the vehicle through which the journey is made. The people who exist in my life are also energies making their journeys through their respective vehicles. Looking at myself and others, when I realize who is making the journey and I remember this and maintain this spiritual consciousness throughout the day, I'm able to access spiritual treasures of peace, of power, of love and joy and see the same in others. It is because of not remaining in this remembrance; I remember and identify with the vehicle and experience my false identity. That is why we find ourselves empty of these treasures today. As a result there is a tremendous increase in interest in meditation throughout the world. Unlike in the past when this interest was seen primarily in the East, today relaxation and meditation is a blooming industry in the Western countries.

The more I become trapped by a materialistic consciousness, and the more I lose contact with my inner self, the less freedom I experience. The search of happiness through the physical senses brings temporary, short-lived gains. My life lacks depth when the only things I know, realize and feel are related to the loads of information I receive from the physical sense organs, and I become disconnected from the spiritual dimension.

-------------------------------
★★ Soul Sustenance ★★
-------------------------------
Overcoming the Fear of Communication

When the fear of communicating effectively exists inside you e.g. when appearing for a work interview, it may be due to personal insecurity. You have to work on it in order to have more security, confidence and authoritativeness. Being secure and full of authority in the moment of communicating and expressing yourself requires practice and effort. Most importantly, to feel secure in such situations, when the person whom you are faced with is in a position of power, you have to value yourself. Self-value brings self-security and a feeling of fearlessness. When someone is normally asked to talk about what his/her personality is like or what is his/her basic character traits are, they normally speak about their weaknesses. Very rarely does one speak of his/her strengths or positive personality traits.
Realizing your strengths requires introspection. Meditation, based on the complete spiritual knowledge about the self, is one of the simplest methods to do this. Once you realize your own strengths, you are able to value yourself immensely. If you value yourself, it does not matter so much to you whether another values you or not. However, if you aren't able to value yourself, then doubts exist: * Let's see if this person values or respects me; * perhaps this job is not for me; * perhaps my communication skills are not very good. Then you need recognition and appreciation. Since you cannot give it to yourself (because you have not realized your strengths), you depend on others giving it to you.

You need to know that you are unique and that you are worth a great deal. If the other person does not value you it is their loss; they are losing something precious. If you are established in that self esteem of ‘Who am I’, a very elevated consciousness and that awareness – * here comes a treasure whom you will be interviewing; your words and your body language will be sharp, secure and stable. Within you, you value yourself; and if you value yourself, it will be easier for people to value you. On the other hand, if you do not like and respect yourself, you will cause the same energy, which you radiate, to come back to you from others.

---------------------------------
★★ Message for the day ★★
---------------------------------
Success comes through maintaining self-respect.
Projection: Where there is self-respect, there is naturally a stable state of mind, even in the most challenging and difficult times. This in turn brings right judgement at all times, which allows discrimination between right and wrong. Right judgement leads to right actions. So there is constant success for such a person.

Solution: Self-respect is the state of mind where I am able to appreciate my own uniqueness and give regard to myself. When I am able to be in my stage of self-respect, I am able to be stable in all situations. This seat of internal stability keeps me light and easy under all circumstances. I am also able to experience constant success even in the most difficult and challenging times.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris
★******★~••~★******★

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 19, 2014: Exercise and Diet

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 19, 2014: Exercise and Diet
★*************★~••★••~★*************★
★ Exercise and Diet
--------------------------
Unhealthy lifestyles are rooted in the mind and seeded in the soul. The spiritual exercise of the mind involves taking the mind out of the physical body and to the subtle, angelic body of light and then to our state of being a soul - a sentient point of light and power. As for diet control, pure thoughts are the healthy diet for the mind. Creative thoughts are like vitamins and positive thoughts provide proteins that build will power, while thoughts of serving others are like carbohydrates, which provide energy for the mind.

★ Fly Above
-------------
When difficult situations come our way, we tend to create a lot of
waste questions in our mind. These waste questions only fill our mind
with negativity draining us out of our energy. At that time, it seems
natural to have such thoughts and we are caught up only with such
thoughts, leaving no space for constructive thoughts. When difficult
situations come our way, we need not be caught up with why it happened
but we need to make effort to fly. We need to find a way to empower
ourselves that we become stronger than the situation, so that we are
able to fly above it. Then the situation would appear tiny and we would
be able to overcome it in a second.

★ Understanding The Inner Mechanism Of Anger
------------------------------------------------
If we think, speak and act in an angry way, we leave an impression or memory of anger within our own consciousness which results in sanskara of anger to be born. Within the sanskara is the recorded emotion and experience of our expression towards the object of our anger. The object is a particular person or situation. If we encounter the object of our anger the next day, it will trigger the emergence the recorded anger from within the sanskara. We then deepen the sanskara as we express more anger, even if we only 'think' anger. The emergence of this emotional energy from within our consciousness then stops us from interacting in a positive way. It clouds our mind and confuses our intellect, weakening and distorting our thoughts, decisions and behaviour. This often explains why we find it harder to connect and communicate with certain people in our life. Essentially we are carrying a negative image of the other person within our sanskara from a previous interaction with them. And when we see them again it emerges the energy within the sanskara, which then influences our ability to respond to them.

------------------------------
★★ Soul Sustenance ★★
------------------------------
Quality Transformation (Change)

Quality change is the capacity to transform negative situations, or circumstances, into something beneficial for one's self and others. Quality transformers are people who can turn walls of resistance into bridges of understanding and keep crossing them, who can change any obstacle into a stepping stone of success and can reverse the troubling, paralyzing dragon of doubt and insecurity into radiant self-confidence, dissolving the thought‘impossible’ from the mind.

Such people work with the undercurrents of life that determine the external reality, of human interaction. These undercurrents are their attitudes, thoughts and feelings. If these undercurrents are filled with resentment, anger and selfishness, then, despite being polite and cooperative externally with people, relationships will be subject to damage and deterioration. On the other hand, when the undercurrent is filled with trust and sincerity, then the quality of life and relationships is enhanced. The fundamental source of quality is the existence of a positive undercurrent. It is not a matter of our words, actions or role (which is the external reality), but rather the foundation, the undercurrent i.e. the thoughts and the activity of the mind.

Meditation enables the mind to tune in to that undercurrent of thoughts, feelings, and attitudes, which is the invisible creator of our human reality. The nourishing power of silence, attained through meditation and spiritual knowledge, gives us the means to bring about quality transformation (change) in this undercurrent. Such change enhances our self-confidence and the capacity to creatively and positively relate to life as it is and face situations easily.

--------------------------------
★★ Message for the day ★★
--------------------------------
The best way to progress is to gain good wishes and blessings from others.

Projection: For the one who earns the blessings of others at every step, there is easy success. There is positivity and speciality revealed in every action and benefit for the self and others. Even the most difficult circumstances, don't deter such a person, but he has the power and the courage to move on. So there is constant progress, whatever the situations may be.

Solution: When I am able to take good wishes from those around me, I am able to experience being obstacle-free. I am able to move forward with ease under all circumstances. Even in the most difficult situations, I am able to take the benefit from those around me, for others are willing to provide support at the right time, because my actions have earned good wishes from others.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris
★******★*~•★•~*★******★

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 18, 2014: Embrace Change

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 18, 2014: Embrace Change
★***************★••~••~••★***************★
***Aurora Borealis over city of Hammerfest, Northern Norway***

★ Embrace Change
--------------------------
When you are aware and accept that everything around you is constantly changing, and that you have no control over 99.99% of it, you are able to embrace change like a close friend! Change is a like a river, constantly flowing and moving things around. The river of life is constantly bringing you ideas, people, situations - each one is an opportunity to be enriched or to enrich others, and to learn. Change is the play of the universe as it entertains us in the biggest light and sound show of all time. Why not sit back and enjoy the show?

relax7

Empowerment

Regardless of the existing splendor of the artificial modern world, we
are genuinely impressed by anything that is natural, such as beauty of
nature and its living creatures, wonders of the human body, amazing
creative abilities of the human intellect etc. We tend to unknowingly
connect or harmonize with people or things that mirror our qualities of
peace, balance, stability or the values we aspire for. However, a piece
of artistic beauty, place of entertainment or worship etc gives
memorable but short-lived experiences. As my Supreme Parent and
Companion, God alone can empower me with the will to actually live by
these cherished values. When I give more time to contemplate on His
greatness and purity, I develop the courage to unveil and share my own
goodness with all.

★ 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.

--------------------------------
★★ Soul Sustenance ★★
--------------------------------
Meditation To Discover Your Inner Beauty

Given below is a meditation to reflect on and experience the original qualities and virtues of the soul. When you are in contact with these treasures, you begin to shine.

Create a space within you. Sit down and go within. Look at your being in a different way. Look at what beautiful things you have within, and learn to recognize them.

I allow my body to relax ... I breathe gently and deeply... My physical senses relax ... I can feel more and more how my body is calming down... I direct my attention to within, as if I was looking through a window... I discover a silent space... tranquil... calm... Here I feel safe from any outside influence... I can feel the silence ... My mind is quietening... it becomes silent and peaceful... The expansion of my thoughts fades... I concentrate on my true being... The lake of my mind is serene... clean... transparent... Everything is clear ... I can feel my own presence... I feel the pure energy of my being... I am shining like a beautiful star of divine light at the centre of my forehead... My original qualities like bliss, love and purity begin to shine at the heart of my soul, like a fountain of water that comes from a spring... I begin to recognize these treasures that rise up within me...

I concentrate on them and make them emerge, feeling that I am those qualities... I am a spiritual being... I am a being of light... I shine and sparkle with unlimited peace, happiness and love... I feel the peace... I am at peace... I am a being of peace... I feel the love... I am a being full of love... of good feelings, of acceptance towards everybody... My heart is strong... I feel that I am a being without limitations... with great strength... I glimpse what I really am... a being of authentic light... strong... radiating this light towards all people... towards the whole world... I stay in silence ... and I smile.

--------------------------------
★★ Message for the day ★★
--------------------------------
To be elevated is to perform every task with understanding.

Projection: To understand means to know what to do. So the one who understands and performs the task with this understanding surely performs only elevated tasks. No task is negative, or waste. Nor are actions ordinary, but each and every action is special because there is clear understanding. Others too get inspiration from such actions.

Solution: When there is clear understanding of what I have to do, I am able to do what is right. So in this process, I find that there is a lot of time and energy saved and I am able to move forward very easily. I find that I am able to use my speciality in the right way bringing benefit to myself and others.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris
★******★****★******★

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 17, 2014: Vibrations of Happiness and Peace

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 17, 2014: Vibrations of Happiness and Peace
★**************★*~•*•~★***************★
*** Artist- Josephine Wall ***

★ Vibrations of Happiness and Peace
-------------------------------------------
While listening to news of this world filled with sorrow, with your stable intellect, give vibrations of happiness and peace to the peaceless and unhappy souls.

★ The Spiritual Self
-----------------------
Can I detach from the various personalities I play during the day
(daughter, parent, boss, employee, student) and talk to myself
one-on-one? Is it good enough to fulfill my daily responsibilities or do
I value my spiritual self too? Sometimes I may avoid thinking about the
inner self because it's a little scary to face my weaknesses and come
to terms with not-so-good past actions. However, it's a fact that
whatever is real and true lives on despite the amount of alloy mixed in
or accumulated layers of dust. Would the world be just as beautiful if
we had left all the impure gold or raw diamonds buried away? I must
learn to value myself, an eternal spirit of divinity, and do all I can
to make it glow...

★ Serving Through Silence
-------------------------------
In meditation you connect to the experience of silence in which both the mind and the heart are calmed. The mental chatter or noise stops. A gentle flow of slow, clear, transparent and peaceful thought is produced. The organs of the senses and the body are calmed and your emotions become peaceful. In this state you can listen to the voice of your conscience, the voice that guides you. That way you awaken the divine intuition. On listening to that voice, you are strengthened. In this way you start to align your life with your purpose, with what you really want. You begin to have more determination to carry out the things that you really want to do, without fear preventing it.
With meditation you learn to love the silence. A tender, beautiful and sweet silence. That way you value each word more, given that to not lose that experience of the sweet silence, you try to talk less, to speak with sweetness and gentleness. When you generate the love and pleasure in going to the silence, it helps you express the best of yourself. To help others, sometimes it is better not to speak, not to use words; to use the vibration of your thoughts and good feelings that emerge from that state of silence.That way you will enter the hearts that are trapped in darkness. Those hearts are in darkness, they have lost hope, and they are hurt, wounded, discouraged. From your silence you transmit to them the light with which they can find a way out. To receive it, they have to be willing. But if their time has not yet come, at least they will know that there are people willing to help from a silence that does not judge, does not complain. A silence that accepts, appreciates and loves, generating an atmosphere in which one can be oneself and feel free to change at their own speed, without feeling forced, but rather from understanding and love.

-------------------------------
★★ Soul Sustenance ★★
-------------------------------
The Spiritual Director And The Actor

Spirituality adds great depth and value to Shakespeare's famous words - 'All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players.' Through spirituality, I realize and experience myself as a soul, separate from the body, playing a part on the stage of the world through my physical body costume. The difference between the actor and the role is clearly understood. An added dimension then, to this consciousness is that God or the Supreme Being is the Spiritual Director of the play we are enacting.

The Director - God looks at the entire drama and every actor's part from a broader perspective. His vision is not just limited to the present but stretches from the past (past not limited to this birth) to the future (future not limited to this birth) of each one's part. I learn from the Director how to play my own part with accuracy, now as well as his training helps me for the future. Like any good actor, I need to have a lot of respect, appreciation, loyalty and love for the Director and immense faith in him. The Director is like a mentor or guide for an actor, to whom he surrenders completely. He knows that by doing that, his act will be of the highest quality. If he doesn't do that and he performs his act his own way, his act will suffer and he will experience pain. As a result he will not be as successful as one who is willing to listen and learn from the Director. If I keep a little distance between me and my role, so I don't lose sight of the Spiritual Director's instructions and the way the play is moving, my part will be much easier to perform, better appreciated by all, and I will be extremely successful. Positive appreciation for a performance for an actor's performance by the spectators is of great value to any actor, sometimes even more important than commercial success. So surrendering to the soul's Director and having a strong relationship of mutual trust with him is particularly helpful at this time, when there is a lot of confusion on the stage of the Earth with billions of actors crowded here and our acts not exactly of the highest quality. So I, the spiritual actor need someone at this time who can tell me about mistakes committed by my in my past acts and improve my act of the present which will result in a positive present as well as future. Spirituality introduces me to that someone.

---------------------------------
★★ Message for the day ★★
---------------------------------
Forgiveness means to forget the mistakes of others.

Projection: The one who is able to forgive is able to forget the mistakes in his future interactions even after noticing the mistakes of others. He is able to be loving and so he is able to give corrections with love. Only when there is love in one's interactions, will the corrections given will be effective. Also such a person will not be caught up with anyone's mistakes and will be free from attitudes.

Solution: Even if there is a temporary feeling of negativity, if I am able to forget the mistakes of others and forgive them, I am able to be free from negative feelings. I am able to be light and free from the burdens of the past interactions with them. So I find myself successfully able to deal with others, whoever they may be.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris
★*******★~••~★******★

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 16, 2014: Stop, Listen and Decide

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 16, 2014: Stop, Listen and Decide
★*****************★★~••~★★***************★
★ Stop, Listen and Decide
------------------------------
When making decisions it's important to listen to your heart, your conscience, your intuition. It's also useful to look to others for inspiration.
Keep an open mind when listening to the advice of others but follow your heart. Others may have an interesting perspective, but it's your life. At the end of the day, you and only you are responsible for all your decisions.

★ Soul Power
----------------
Many of us don't like to be 'superstitious' but in some way or
the other we all tend to believe in the influence of objects, omens,
places or destiny... An intellectual mind usually discards such notions
saying nothing external can really influence the human spirit. However,
spirituality shows us a balanced approach: although nature and physical
objects/places are inanimate, the thoughts and feelings experienced by
human souls permeate the environment and remain. Since the relationship
between soul and body is intimate and powerful, anything the body
experiences (be it intake of food or contact with physical world) will
affect the soul. If the environment I live in is physically and
spiritually pure, it is easier for me to increase my soul power.

★ A Parallel Between Physical And Spiritual Energy
------------------------------------------------
Energy is neither created nor destroyed, but transformed into other energy forms. Energy follows a direction in its constant movement. In a spontaneous way, it tends to go from a concentrated state into a state of expansion. For example, after a while a full glass of hot water goes cold. This is a law of physics according to which all things tend to go from a high-energy state to a low-energy state. Applying these principles to the area of our conscience, our thoughts and feelings, we can discover similarities to these laws. When our thoughts (which are metaphysical (non physical) energy are focused on the outermost layers of our conscience, towards the external world (objects, possessions, people and so on), our creative capacity decreases, weakening us on entering into this expansion and not having sufficient power (concentrated energy) to take on negative situations and circumstances that we are faced with.

On the other hand, if we focus on our intrinsic, original and genuine qualities (peace, love, power) we accumulate more energy and our inner strength can grow. This means that we are capable of creating, of having more willpower and, therefore, strengthening our self-esteem. Positive thoughts are a high-frequency vibration that transports a great deal of concentrated energy, capable of influencing the atmosphere and the consciences of other people in a subtle way, transforming any negative vibrations. Negative thoughts are a low-frequency vibration that causes the energy to become dissipated. They weaken and block communication. They destroy harmony (peace).

-------------------------------
★★ Soul Sustenance ★★
-------------------------------
Reaping The Benefits Of Meditation
Rajayoga meditation gives the intellect the power to select those positive sanskaras which lead to the higher emotions, calm and clear thoughts, and the pure desire to enjoy life in such a way that no sorrow is experienced for the self and no sorrow is given to others.

The practitioner of meditation calms the mind and experiences sanskaraswhich in most people surface only occasionally as they are deeper than the superficial (shallow) memories of worldly experiences. These are the pure and powerful sanskaras relating to the original nature of the soul - peace, purity, power and contentment. Consciousness (the soul) has the same property as light; a powerful force with distinct qualities yet having no gravitational mass. In fact, the only pull or burden on the soul is the result of its own impure thoughts and negative actions.

When the above mentioned original sanskaras are experienced then love and happiness are also experienced automatically. After some regular practice, the practitioner has the intellectual power to consciously emerge these sanskarasinto daily life at any time. In a situation which would lead most people to experience negative moods or emotions such as fear, depression, anxiety, boredom, fatigue, hatred or aggression, the practitioner becomes detached and emerges the inner powers of contentment and tranquility (peacefulness). This of course is beneficial not only for the self but also to others.

---------------------------------
★★ Message for the day ★★
---------------------------------
To have the balance of being a master and a child is to experience constant success.

Projection: To have the right balance means to know when to be a master and when to be a child. When one gives an idea or makes a contribution, it is as a master - with total authority. But while the idea is heard by others and is being criticised I become a child. There is no attachment to the idea, but the mind is open to receive new thoughts in order to enrich what is already there.

Solution: When I am able to maintain a balance between being master and a child, I am able to experience constant happiness I am able to put forth my creative ideas with confidence. Yet I am not upset when someone criticises my ideas. On the contrary, I am constantly learning and moving forward. So I constantly experience success.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris
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Daily Positive Thoughts: October 15, 2014:Be Like a Cloud

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 15, 2014:Be Like a Cloud
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★ Be Like a Cloud
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Before you can give to others, you need to give your mind some space to rest and re-energize. Let mind relax and become light and easy. Like a cloud, just float in the sky.

When you feel relaxed, let your mind open up to the sun and re-energize. Then fill yourself up with positivity. Like a cloud, gather water from the ocean. When you become full, share your positive energy with the world. Like a rain cloud, shower droplets of rain onto the earth.

★ Think before you think
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Imagine owning the finest instrument in the world and not knowing how
to maintain or operate it at its optimum? This is the irony we face
with nature's most valuable gift: the mind. It is a fertile piece of
land, which does not discriminate between good and bad seeds, or
thoughts. Whatever I the soul sow (or think), the field of my mind will
automatically nurture and reap fruit accordingly. Just as choosing a
career is not taken lightly, when I value my thoughts and 'think'
before I think I can save myself a lot of energy and time.

★ The Journey Of Purpose
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All of us, at some point of time, in fact almost right through our life, keep different types of long term or short term goals - personal goals, professional, financial, social, relationship goals; goals related to physical well being and health, spiritual goals etc. Sometimes we are not even aware ourselves, but we are passing through the journey of life with some purpose or the other at all times, the purpose may be a higher purpose or something connected to our day-to-day living.

Whatever actions we perform then, our aimed at fulfilling this purpose. Also these actions are full of lots of expectations, the expectations of achieving some results. These results which we desire or expect arrive at times and sometimes they don't. If they don't, which is a very common aspect of any such journey of purpose; they generate emotions of worry inside us. Even if the results are achieved, the nature of journey, prior to those results is stressful as compared to a journey which is purpose filled but expectation free, which some might argue is not possible. Worry and stress not only harm the spiritual and emotional self but even our physical body and relationships, making the journey difficult and tiring. It is not incorrect to be action oriented and having some clear objectives in progressing towards our purpose, but we need to be capable of aiming ourselves at our dreams without becoming date conscious and the expectation of them being fulfilled now, or on a specific date, in a particular way or form. If not, we live in a tomorrow consciousness and tend to get upset or discouraged easily and we don't enjoy today. It is not incorrect to be happy when we achieve something, but if our happiness is dependent on our achievements, we will always delay it. Happiness is not later, it is always now. It is commonly said - * Happiness is a journey, not a destination. Here we say - * Happiness is not only in reaching your purpose, your destination, but also in the journey of purpose. Also, it's important to note that a carefree and detached intellect will always attract positive circumstances which serve as bridges in reaching one's purpose, much more, as compared to a worried intellect.

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★★ Soul Sustenance ★★
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The Origin of Addictions: How to Overcome Them (cont.)
In order to change an addiction, we need to work out what need lies behind this addiction. What is the spiritual desire that we are trying to satisfy?

If we smoke for relaxation (by smoking we breathe deeply and this relaxes us), perhaps what we really need is peace of mind. Any doctor will tell you that mental peace cannot be found in a cigarette. On the contrary, instead of calming your stress, it makes you more irritable and nervous, especially when going through withdrawal symptoms. We can learn to find relaxation and peace through meditation and will not have the need to smoke.

The same applies to all the other qualities that we need to experience in our lives so that we feel satisfied and happy: it is in our inner self where we can turn to discover what we need. Although our mind often asks for visible and material things, its needs are deeper and nothing superficial can satisfy it. Meditation leads us to what is genuine and eternal.

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★★ Message for the day ★★
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Simplicity enables one to become an example.

Projection: Simplicity is free from the complications of waste questions, doubts and expectations. The one who is simple is naturally accurate and inspiring in his actions. He is able to understand the demands of the environment and mould himself accordingly, so he himself has no demands. And he is able to move forward to his satisfaction.

Solution: When I am simple in my thoughts, I am also able to be simple in my responses to the outer environment i.e., to both situations and people. So internally I am able to remain content. This contentment further brings newness and creativity in the way I respond to situations, and I naturally experience further progress.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris
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Daily Positive Thoughts: October 14, 2014: Letting Go of Sorrow

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 14, 2014: Letting Go of Sorrow
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★ Letting Go of Sorrow
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If I allow bitterness and resentment to fester inside, it will make my relationships guarded and unsatisfying. The more I close down to others, the more I become a stranger to myself. By letting go of sorrow and negativity, I can keep my nature open and loving. Remaining open to life, with its constant adventures and opportunities to grow, is the only way to reach my full potential.

★ Traffic Control
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There are times when my mind faces inertia: it can either be that the
fast speed of thoughts is tough to control, or there is a lack of
enthusiasm to think new and differently. An efficient driver has good
control over both the accelerator and brake. Similarly, my day runs
smoothly when I can operate the mind and intellect to maneuver the flow
of thoughts and generate productive thoughts as I wish. The best way to
enhance my mind is to take few minutes out at regular intervals to
clean out unnecessary and waste thoughts, and focus my attention on the
Supreme Ocean of Power and Divinity.

★ A Beautiful Meditation Experience
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Every moment of every day is an opportunity to strengthen your ability to be soul conscious. The practical application of meditation means that you can move into this "soul awareness" wherever you are - while cooking, during a journey, in the middle of a conversation, while working in the office etc. These are the basic steps to practice moving into a state of stillness and focusing your awareness.

Sit in a comfortable but alert position wherever you are right now... Imagine your whole body is surrounded by an envelope of subtle light... See the light draw itself up to a point of focus above and behind your physical eyes...
Be aware that you are that point of focus...

Just as you might stand absolutely still as you look through the windows of your home to see the street or garden outside... look through your eyes now as if they were windows... Be aware that you are not your eyes... you are the still point of awareness, a tiny sparkling star, the soul, looking through your eyes seeing the world 'out there'... Remain still inside...

As you watch people and life moving around you, remain completely still... just watching without thinking about what you see... Then, in one split second 'narrow' your awareness to one small detail in the scene that you see...
Hold that detail for a moment...
Be free of any judgment or assessment of the detail...
Just watch...just be aware...
Then 'expand' your awareness to the entire scene once again... Remind yourself of who you are...the soul looking out through the windows of the eyes...completely still....focused...fully aware.

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★★ Soul Sustenance ★★
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The Origin of Addictions: How to Overcome Them
Today, the number of addictions and addicts is growing fast. It seems that today human beings can become addicts of almost anything: credit cards, eating, drinking, sweets, lust, smoking, relationships, television, the internet and computer games, football, earning money, spending money, power, work, arguing, war.

In some ways, this shows the presence of an inner void (emptiness) that people try to fill with external things. While a person becomes an addict to any of the above aspects, their willpower is gradually weakened. And if one does not realize what is happening or does not put a stop to it, it is possible to fall into a spiraling series of automatic and compulsive actions that gradually limits our freedom to decide what we want to do with our lives, causing a loss of self-esteem and a state of depression, anxiety and dependency.

The origin of many addictions is due to a desperate need to solve a problem or a spiritual need (which may be a lack of respect, love, peace, attention, consideration) of a materialist form.

Here are a few examples:

* In a cigarette: one looks for peace, calm and relaxation.
* In alcohol: one looks for confidence, determination and security.
* In sugar and chocolate: one looks for love, sweetness and tenderness.
* In coffee and tea: one looks for energy and inner strength.
(To be continued tomorrow….)

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★★ Message for the day ★★
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True knowledge brings humility.
Projection: True knowledge inspires and encourages one to bring about a practical change in one's life. The one with knowledge naturally imbibes it, which is also revealed in his practical life, because he is humbly willing to learn from all situations. As much as there is knowledge, so much there is divinity revealed in all words and actions.

Solution: When I am able to humbly learn from all situations. I am able to enrich my own knowledge. This knowledge further enables me to become more and more practical. So during all difficult situations, I am able to remain light and internally stable. There will be no fluctuation  within, whatever the challenges may be.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris
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