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
★******★~••~★******★

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 15, 2014:Be Like a Cloud

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 15, 2014:Be Like a Cloud
★***************★*~•★•~*★***************★
★ Be Like a Cloud
-------------------------★
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
-------------------------------
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
-------------------------------★
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.

-------------------------------
★★ Soul Sustenance ★★
-------------------------------
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.

---------------------------------
★★ Message for the day ★★
---------------------------------
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
★**********★★**********★

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 14, 2014: Letting Go of Sorrow

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 14, 2014: Letting Go of Sorrow
★***************★★~•★•~★★***************★
★ Letting Go of Sorrow
------------------------------★
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
-----------------★
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
--------------------------------------
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.

--------------------------------
★★ Soul Sustenance ★★
--------------------------------
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….)

--------------------------------
★★ 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, 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
★********★~••~★********★

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 12, 2014: Belief Power

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 12, 2014: Belief Power
★***************★~•★•~★***************★
**** Wood Spiral Staircase, Pele’s Castle, Romania ****

★ Belief Power
-------------------
If you are ready to alter some of the current outcomes in your life then you will need to start with your beliefs. There are many categories. First there are 'fatal beliefs' - "I can't, I'm not able, I never will." These are the beliefs we have about ourselves, that set the boundaries and limitations of ourselves. Then there are 'blocker beliefs' -"My kid is stupid...my boss is an idiot...did you see that crazy person?" These are beliefs about others and, for however long they last, they block the flow of energy in a relationship. They are bricks in the walls we build between each other. Then there are 'survival beliefs' - "Get what you can while you can....there is not enough to go around...you have to look after number one." These beliefs would have us live in fear and anxiety, otherwise known as insecurity. We can choose our beliefs. But first we may have to unchoose the ones that have crept in over the years, now living comfortably 'below stairs' and seem to be part of our inner furniture. If you want different outcomes in your life, change your beliefs first. Clean up down stairs!!relax7

★ Loving Relationships
---------------------------
Who doesn't appreciate loving relationships? The soul is nourished when there is mutual affection and regard between family and friends. Love of course is built on trust but before I establish secure relationships with others, there are two major entities I have to face everyday: 'Myself' and 'God.' Am I honest with my inner conscience and my God? When the intellect is clean of falsehood, I not only win the heart of God but of every soul in my contact.

★ Overcoming Possessiveness And Complexes In Close Relationships
---------------------------------------------------------------
We are all aware and we all experience also that close knit family relationships are a constant source of happiness and love. But these relationships, many a times, also possess the capacity of bringing along with this love and joy, many different negative shades of possessiveness and domination, and complexes and dependencies. These are widespread ailments existing in our family relationships today, but which can be cured. Meditation is a very positive healing process which can cure the causes of these ailments, which exist inside the human souls. Once the causes are cured through meditation, relationships become extremely healthy, which provide the self from others and from the self to others, only and only positivity energy, in the form of positive and empowering thoughts, feelings, words and actions.

A common sign of these diseases is lack of respect for people close to us. As a result of an un-respectful consciousness, we sometimes behave with our nearest and dearest ones, like maybe our spouse or children or siblings (brothers or sisters) or parents, in such an offensive manner which we normally never and would not ever even think of showing towards people with whom we are not very close. It's not just a question of mannerisms, but of inner respect for the other. So often in families, a particular fixed order in relationships, positions of higher and lower, positions of senior and junior, become established, leading to feelings of superiority and inferiority, the effects of which start penetrating in the relationships e.g. the mother-in-law is very dominating and takes it for granted that she will be listened to by the son and daughter-in-law. Or an older brother or sister orders around a younger sibling, not giving him/her enough space in which to speak his or her own mind and express himself/herself, leading to an inferiority complex in the younger sibling. Or a wife is extremely possessive of the husband, not giving him enough personal freedom. Once established, these behaviors become permanent sanskarasand tend to be carried with us through life, so that even when we have left the original family relationships and circumstances in which these behaviors existed, we bring the same personality traits into our new relationships and circumstances.
(To be continued tomorrow ...)

--------------------------------
★★ Soul Sustenance ★★
--------------------------------
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.

--------------------------------
★★ Message for the day ★★
--------------------------------
The one who understands God's love is himself loving too.
Projection: The one who understands that God has love for all children, never hates anyone, however negative the other person's charactersitics might be. There is the understanding that it is not the person who is negative, but it is only a negative quality working within that person at that time. A loving person's love discourages the other person to use the negativity and encourages to use the positive qualities instead.

Solution: When I am connected with God, I am able to experience His love. Once I understand and experience His love, I am able to remain loving too - even with the most difficult people. I am then able to have good wishes for all, understanding that my love will make them positive too. I am never caught up with anyone's negativity, but am always happy as I only interact with positivity.

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

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 11, 2014: Relationships

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 11, 2014: Relationships
★***************★•~•★•~•★***************★
★ Relationships
-----------------
Good feelings for others are like ointments that heal wounds and re-establish friendship and relationships. Good feelings are generated in the mind, are transmitted through your attitude and are reflected through your eyes and smile. Smiling opens the heart and a glance can make miracles happen.

★ Deaf Ear
----------------
"Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me" is
inspiring in print but most people would agree that it's very
challenging to live by. Turning a deaf ear to idle gossip, criticism or
insults requires a major shift in thinking. When I surround my mind
with thoughts of self-transformation and more importantly God's
powerful words, I put myself in a secure state of introversion. Only
then am I able to build my self-esteem and the resistance to deflect
unworthy vibrations from the outside world.

★ The Source Of Pure Love
---------------------------------
The highest love is the Supreme Being's (Supreme Soul's) love. This is the love of the perfect spiritual being (soul), the perfect parent towards the imperfect child where the parent does not see the child's weaknesses. Just as the flower turns each morning to absorb the light and warmth of the sun we too need to turn each day to absorb the light of truth and warmth of pure love from the Supreme Being, from the Source. This is not the God of a religious belief system, but the personal god that we all share, the one parent and friend that we all share. This is not a God as a concept, nor is God a belief. If we hold God just as a concept or belief in our minds, which is perhaps what we learned as children, we will never know him, never experience the greatest and deepest love. We cannot receive love from a belief just as we cannot have a real relationship with a concept. Instead, it is necessary to establish a personal relationship with God through a silent conversation of thoughts and feelings (to begin with). Hence the need to practice quietening a busy mind, the need to free our feelings from emotional disturbance. The Supreme Being is available to everyone but few of us know how or where to direct our attention. The connecting and absorbing of the love of God is a personal process called meditation, that never costs anything and can finally become a natural part of living each day.

---------------------------------
★★ Soul Sustenance ★★
---------------------------------
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.

---------------------------------
★★:Message for the day ★★
---------------------------------
The right solution is found by the mind which is free from worry.

Projection: No matter how hard one worries about a problem, there can be no solution found. When the mind is free from worry, it is able to be calm. Then there will be no struggle but very naturally the right decision is made, which would be for the benefit of the self and that of others too. On the contrary, a mind that is worried would make decisions that are harmful, even after a lot of thinking and rethinking.

Solution: When I keep the mind free from worry in the most difficult situation, I am able to experience inner calm, inspite of the outer disturbance, because there is no disturbance in my natural thinking process. There is a lot of peace within, which enables me to be free from negative feelings for everyone. I also naturally have good wishes for myself and others, so whatever I do would be for everyone's benefit.

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

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 10, 2014: The Power of Stillness

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 10, 2014: The Power of Stillness
★***************★~•★•~★***************★
*** Tatra Mountains, Poland ***

★ The Power of Stillness
---------------------------
When we quieten the chatter in our mind, we can find a clear, pure stillness. This stillness contains the power to create harmony in all relationships and the sweetness to sustain them.

★ Life is a Game
-----------------
Life is a game of forgetting and remembering. You are losing the game
when you forget who you are and what you are doing here and when you
remember the false things of the past and what they did to you. You are
winning the game when you:
(1) remember your true identity of peace
(2) remember the One who is always peaceful and has unconditional love
for you
(3) forget the troubles of the past and move forward with the lessons
learned.

Now observe what you remember during the day and what you forget during the day. Forget the past. It is gone. Don't worry about the future. You do not know it. Learn to live in the present and discover how full it
is of peaceful moments.

★ Carrying Forward Of Special Talents
---------------------------------------
Everything that an individual does i.e. a soul does using the medium of the physical body is registered in the soul as a sanskara. Sanskaras, therefore, are the foundation of our present personalities and all our special talents and inclinations. There have been many famous personalities including artists, musicians, engineers, sportsmen, etc. who, before attaining phenomenal success in their respective fields, displayed amazing talents related to their respective field at a very young age. When and where could they have mastered these talents so well? It's obvious that amazing masteries at a very young age are not inherited from our parents. These talents have been developed and brought into practice in previous births, as a result of which sanskarasof the talents are created inside the soul. These sanskaras are then carried into the next births, and are brought into actions in the new births.
A more common day-to-day example is the following: A child is born into a family of doctors where, from the beginning, all efforts are made to mould and prepare him to become a doctor, according to family tradition. However, from an early age, the child shows strong tendencies to become an actor, starts to take part extensively in theatre activities at school and the talent starts manifesting itself. This example demonstrates that the characteristics a soul carries from previous experiences of previous births will take it in a specific direction despite attempts made by the family on the contrary. So in short, genius is experience. Some think that it's a gift or talent, but it is the fruit of long experience of many lives. Some are older souls than others i.e. they have been present on the world stage since a longer period of time and have covered a journey of more number of births and so know more. This kind of unlimited, broad vision of life provides us answers to many questions.

-------------------------------
★★ Soul Sustenance ★★
-------------------------------
Letting Go Of The Strings (Meditation)

I sit down comfortably and I begin to relax my body taking advantage of the relaxed rhythm of my breathing… I feel my calmed breathing…
I listen to the sounds of the space and objects that surround me… In this moment I decide to separate (detach) my attention from them… The world follows its rhythm, its movement, but I do not need to involve myself in it…

I let go of the strings that pull my mind, the strings that pull my intellect… I let go of the strings of my responsibilities… I let go of the strings of my relationships… I let go of the strings of the different roles that I play throughout the day… This moment is only for me, to be in my own company… I concentrate all my attention, all my energy, gently, without forcing, on a point at the centre of my forehead… The energy concentrates itself. I have let go of the strings that tie me down… From that place I can experience true freedom…
I free myself of any limited awareness of myself… I free myself of any label of myself… I go beyond my limited roles, beyond this physical world…

I am a spiritual being; I am a point of light, a spark of spiritual energy; aware, calm and loving… I feel the true freedom of experiencing my authentic identity and genuine… I don't have to prove anything; simply be what I am in a natural way… A peaceful and living being… From this state of being I prepare myself to enter into action. I listen again to the sounds of my surroundings, aware that I choose at each moment what it is that is going to influence me and how I am going to respond…

-------------------------------
★★ Message for the day ★★
-------------------------------
To sow the seeds of pure feelings constantly is to experience positive fruit.

Projection: When one's feelings are constantly positive and pure, there is no expectation of the fruit to emerge immediately. Even if others are not able to respond to the positivity or if situations are not according to my expectations, there is still the feeling of giving. So there is this positivity expressed through the vibrations spread around and in every word and action.

Solution: The more I am able to have pure feelings for those around me, the more is the positivity that emerges from within. Because of having discovered the positivity within, I am able to give unconditionally. So I experience the immediate fruit of what I have given and also accumulate for the future, and continue to enjoy multifold fruit of what I give.

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

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 09, 2014: Impact

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 09, 2014: Impact
★***************★*~•*★*•~*★***************★

*** Clean India campaign: PM Modi wields broom, says it is inspired by patriotism not politics ***

★ Impact
------------
Make every thought, word and deed such that the impact gives someone courage and zeal and enthusiasm.

★ Mutual Cooperation
----------------------------
When there is a task to be done we usually want to do it all alone. We
look for someone who can help us, but we are not really able to create
an environment of mutual cooperation. So we find ourselves doing the
task all by ourselves and hence find ourselves alone. So we find that
even a task which is not so difficult takes a lot of energy and
thoughts. We might also end up having negative thoughts when we don't
experience the help that we should from others. When we are able to
recognize and use each and everyone's specialties for the success of a
task, we are able to inspire cooperation in others. This will enable
them too to learn the beauty of cooperation. Then there is
automatically an environment of learning, where each and everyone make
efforts to learn from what the other person has. There is then no
negativity due to unfulfilled expectations, but there is absorption of
positivity, making us richer.

★ 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.

------------------------------
★★ Soul Sustenance ★★
------------------------------
The Power of Silence
To enter into the experience of silence is not to be blank of thoughts or with a feeling of inner emptiness. True silence is the silence of the mind in which the generation of wasteful and negative thoughts has stopped and a feeling of quietness, serenity (peacefulness) and harmony is generated. When the mind is calm and becomes peaceful in this way, you develop the capacity to observe and separate yourself from the things that surround you and you see them from another perspective (angle). Silence connects you to the power that can take you beyond the influence of any negative experience and strengthens you to enjoy a positive and full life.

--------------------------------
★★ Message for the day ★★
--------------------------------
Victory is guaranteed to the ones who are constantly loving.

Projection: The ones who are loving are able to involve others in everything they do with their love. So whatever the task maybe, they find it to be very easy and are able to accomplish the biggest task with ease. Also each task done by them is with love and so everything is done with lightness and so victory is guaranteed.

Solution: When I am loving and do everything with love, I constantly experience lightness, based on the blessings from others. I am carefree as there is no heaviness of the task to be performed. Love transforms labour into entertainment. My internal lightness enables me to do the biggest task with great ease, involving everyone with love.

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

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 08, 2014: Sweet Comments

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 08, 2014: Sweet Comments
★***************★••*~••~*••★***************★
★ Sweet Comments
-------------------------
Is your sweetness superficial?
Commenting on things superficially, that is, saying something is good without understanding if it really is - is false sweetness.
Words based on the truth and those spoken from the heart hold real sweetness. Keep it real. Be genuine. Be sweet.

★ Taking Responsibility
----------------------------
Very often I find myself leaving things to chance or to people. I tend
to take care of big things and become careless in little things. When I
leave things for others to take care and if they don't do it, I become
disappointed - even if I have not delegated the task to be done. When I
recognize the fact that I am fully responsible for the task at hand,
both the big things and the little ones to be done, I'll never be
careless. I'll make it a point to take care of every little aspect to
the end. This is what will bring accuracy in my tasks and also enables
me to delegate the work well.

★ The Eternal World Cycle
--------------------------------
This world is a vast amphitheatre of action in which souls, in their respective bodies, play their various parts. Planet Earth exists in an extremely tiny portion of the physical universe and is governed by well-defined physical, chemical and biological laws.

In India, the world, which we inhabit, is called karma kshetra (the field of action), because it is here that we sow the seeds of actions and reap their fruits. It is here that the soul takes on flesh and bones and expresses the role that it has hidden within itself, causing variations in the material environment. The state of the material world at any given moment is a direct reflection of the state of consciousness of the human beings, which inhabit it. If there is peace and harmony within the soul this is reflected in nature. If there is conflict and confusion, nature responds accordingly.

It is a world of three dimensions of space and one of time. Its principal characteristics are sound, movement, colour and form. On this immense stage of deserts, forests, mountains and seas; illuminated by the sun, moon and stars; the world drama is enacted. In the drama, the actor-souls move from pleasure to pain, purity to impurity, happiness to sorrow, new to old, positive to negative. A point is finally reached when the process is renewed i.e. all souls and the elements of matter are purified by the Supreme Soul and they move back to their points of origin, only to start again. This is called the eternal world cycle.

--------------------------------
★★ Soul Sustenance ★★
--------------------------------
Unloading Your Pressure Baggage (cont.)
Sometimes the pressure we are carrying is related to the situation we are in, sometimes we even carry a pressure of one situation in another situation i.e. it is unrelated pressure. All this continues throughout the day, day after day. What all this pressure does is increase the quantity of thoughts that we carry in our mind, which in turn reduces our efficiency and discriminating and judging power. The words and actions coming out from such a state of mind are improper and lacking in power, conviction and clarity. To ensure that we do not carry pressure baggage on our emotional back, as per our pressure equation (shared in the first message of this series), we need to change the incorrect beliefs that we carry, which are the root cause of our pressure and at the same time increase our ability to bear the different life forces. We carry thoughts that are determined by our belief of what success is and what failure is, what winning is and what losing is. Although we perceive such beliefs to be true, they are not true; they are like a facade that influence our perception of reality and generate in us feelings of pressure. The truth, on the other hand, is deeper than beliefs.

While meditation will serve as an important tool to increase our inner power to tolerate or resist life forces; spiritual knowledge, understanding and wisdom will serve as an immensely important tool which will help us in correcting our beliefs. So in times of pressure, stopping yourself for a minute and assessing your thoughts, then going backwards, and checkingthe beliefs which are the root cause of the thoughts at that particular moment and then changing them requires strength and clarity, which we will obtain through the medium of spiritual wisdom. Once the beliefs are corrected, the thought patterns will change. Thoughts like - * Maybe I won't arrive on time, * If I don't finish this assignment successfully, I will lose my next promotion, * If I lose my money in this financial investment, my family will stop appreciating me etc. which we create all the time - will be replaced by more positive thoughts of security, fearlessness, patience, peace, faith, determination, certainty etc.

--------------------------------
★★ Message for the day ★★
--------------------------------
To be a judge of the self means to be free from judging others.

Projection: The one who becomes the judge of the self and not that of others, is free from criticising others unnecessarily. Such a person also does not plead his own case by giving excuses and proving himself right. So he is able to bring about a positive change in himself and others are able to take inspiration from the change that he brings in his own life.

Solution: When I am free from giving excuses and reasons for things going wrong, specially to myself, I am able to experience progress in my life. For everything that happens, instead of blaming others I am able to take some new learning and use it for my own self-progress. I am able to remain light because I have no expectations from others, but am able to bring about a change in them through my actions.

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

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 07, 2014: Edit your Memory Tape

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 07, 2014: Edit your Memory Tape
★***************★****★***************★
★ Edit your Memory Tape
--------------------------------
Before going to bed, have a quick replay of the day's activities on the video of your mind. If you're carrying negative feelings towards yourself, someone or something, then take a moment to edit. Editing doesn't mean deleting what happened, but changing your FOCUS on what happened. It is accepting the errors and spotlighting the positive. Select what you want to carry in your memory track, otherwise your memory will advertently focus more on the negative. The longer the negative tape runs in your memory track, the deeper it becomes embedded.

★ What lies Within
----------------------
It is often said that until you know yourself you cannot know others,
and without knowing others it is difficult to have a stable
relationship with them. This is often the cause of unhappiness and
disappointment. We are never able to reach the stage of stability. We
focus our energies on external things and the outward show of others,
therefore we are left with weakness in even our emotions. If we can
come to the awareness and understanding of the peace and happiness that
lies within us then, we do not become so dependent upon other people to
make us happy - because the one who makes you laugh today can be the
one who causes tears tomorrow.

★ Taking Responsibility, Overcoming Guilt (cont.)
----------------------------------------------
There is a difference between when we have established our own code of values or beliefs in life, and when we feel obliged (forced) to obey an imposed code of beliefs. It is important for us to accept on an inner level the code by which we think we should be guided and act. When we act out of obligation (compulsion), by following a code of beliefs or behaviors that we feel have been imposed but aren't accepted as our own, we should ask ourselves why we act out of obligation (compulsion), basing ourselves on a code we have not accepted. Are we perhaps afraid that, if we don't do it, we will feel guilty?

When we violate the codes of belonging to a group, family, social class or community, generally we feel guilty. If this guilt leads us to question ourselves about what is right for our conscience, we progress in our personal growth and improve our clarity. It is necessary to respect ourselves, being clear about what the beliefs are on which we base our life, think, feel and evaluate. This will help us to avoid the gap between what we should and what we want to do. Until the should and the want are joined, we leave an open space for guilt.
When we act according to how we feel we should, we will feel guilt for not doing what we want. While we act according to what we want, we will feel guilt for not doing what we should. When guilt warns us that there is something to check and correct within us and we are willing to see it, have a dialogue with the self and clarify, we are on the right path. Sometimes guilt acts as an excuse for us to apologize without really taking on the responsibility for what happened; we pass on the responsibility to the established norms, norms that in this case we haven't accepted as our own. In any case, the solution to guilt is to take on self-responsibility.

--------------------------------
★★ Soul Sustenance ★★
--------------------------------
Unloading Your Pressure Baggage (cont.)

Can we experience freedom only when there is an absence of outside pressure? We feel pressured from many sides. At work, we feel the pressure to do tasks as per fixed guidelines of set systems and within boundaries of time, of keeping up our performance as per others’ expectations and as good as our compatriots. In relationships, we feel the pressure of experiencing success in them, of satisfying others and gaining respect from them. In studies, we feel the pressure of having to excel in them, not only because that is instrumental in building our future but because of the desire to be seen in a positive light by others. We feel the pressure of having to earn more and more wealth to satisfy the necessities, comforts and luxuries of the family and to maintain a certain image in society. In the face of problems, we feel pressure when we are not able to solve them quickly or in the way that we want. Failure or its fear, in any sphere of life, generates pressure in us. Sometimes we experience pressure because the mind is not functioning as per our desires or directions or we are not able to transform our negative personality to a positive one as much as we want. When we believe that something harmful can happen if we don't reach our set objectives on time or in a certain manner, we feel pressured. Physical illnesses or their fear can also create pressure for some of us.

And so life turns into an endless amount of pressure crests, like speed breakers that appear one after the other, unsettling us and not giving us time to relax. When we feel pressured, it seems that the life forces rule our life and we do not feel free. In the long-term, this repetitive habit of creating feelings of pressure and carrying such baggage ends up leaving us exhausted on an emotional and spiritual level.
(To be continued tomorrow…)

--------------------------------
★★ Message for the day ★★
--------------------------------
Let there be a positive record of always talking with regard.

Projection: When I have regard for others, there are good wishes expressed through my words. Such words are totally free from the slightest bit of negativity and bring a very positive result. When words are positive, they are few but essenceful. So they have a lot of impact on others.

Solution: When I have regard for others, I will be able to keep myself free from negative and waste words. So I'll naturally find every word of mine being used in a positive and powerful way. So I find only accumulation and no waste through my words. My energy is saved and others too would have only good wishes for me.

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

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 06, 2014: Something to Give

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 06, 2014: Something to Give
★***************★~••~••~★***************★
★ Something to Give
-------------------------
Today, make sure whoever you come into contact with doesn't go away empty handed. They should feel that they've gained something from the interaction.

Find something to share that will benefit them and make them feel better. It doesn't have to be a physical object, it could be an encouraging word, a solution or even a positive thought or a good wish.

★ Look Within
--------------
Usually, when in negative situations, we tend to search for happiness
outside. We either try to find a temporary source of happiness, a
diversion (which is more evasion) or we try to move away from that
situation. But this only postpones the dissatisfaction for some time.
Instead of trying to find happiness outside (which is anyway
temporary), we need to look within. We need to find what really
nourishes the spirit and gives us life. When we find our inner source
of happiness, it remains stable and unchanging even in the most chaotic
conditions.

★ Taking Responsibility, Overcoming Guilt (cont.)
------------------------------------------
If there are people or situations that lead you to fall over the same stone i.e. they lead you to make the same mistake, which was committed earlier, again, perhaps you will have to avoid them for a few days or a time, until you have strengthened yourself and have the inner security that they will not influence you. This is not running away; it is wise knowing your weaknesses and knowing that to get into similar situations with the same people is only to repeat the same errors and to worsen your wellbeing and that of the other. Trust in yourself. You can overcome these mistakes and stop making them. It is a question of loving yourself and living. Out of love, you stop hurting yourself and hurting the other.

Crying over past mistakes, you don't mend anything. Open yourself to forgiveness. Raise the level of your thoughts so that they don't keep you in a state of sadness and loss of hope. Don't allow your inner judge to sentence (punish) you each time that you act, since that way you won't feel free. Your judge that you carry within makes your life bitter; however, it is you that gives this judge the capacity to exist. If the inner judge is in harmony with our conscience, it is good, because it wants to protect us. On creating guilt it warns us that we have broken a rule of our code of beliefs, values or behaviors. It alerts us to the fact that we are acting against something important of ourselves. At those moments it helps us to observe and question what is real, true, important and even sacred in our life and for us.
(To be continued tomorrow ...)

--------------------------------
★★ Soul Sustenance ★★
--------------------------------
Unloading Your Pressure Baggage

On a spiritual level, pressure can be defined as an external force acting on us divided by our ability to bear the force or resist it. Thus, force and resistance capacity are two variants in the equation of pressure. Everyone has different resistance capacities. Two people with different resistance capacities will experience different amounts of pressure on being subjected to the same magnitude of force. A feeling of pressure absorbs our freedom and gives us an experience of being ruled by an external entity. There are a lot of people who hold the belief that they can experience freedom only in the absence of an external force, which is almost impossible, since there is almost some force or the other exerted on the soul by ups and downs that takes place in the role that it plays through the physical body; which includes the physical body itself; profession; family; wealth, all types of relationships, etc. Even our own personality, thoughts, feelings, emotions etc. exert pressure on us at times.

Apart from the resistance capacity, the other variant in the equation of pressure is not only force but our perception of what the magnitude of the force is. This depends primarily on the beliefs that we carry. Two people will perceive the same situation in their role (as explained above) as forces of different magnitudes. While we hold the belief that life events, people and their expectations from us, are the forces that are the causes of our pressure, we will be able to do little to change the habit of being pressurized. It is we who pressurize ourself and allow the outside to pressurize us. We can either go through our life journey while experiencing feelings of being emotionally imprisoned, confused, rushed and hurried, or we can do the same with the power of faith and determination, at the same time remaining patient and maintaining our inner emotional stability. In some cases, some of us put pressure on ourselves, because we carry the belief that a bit of pressure is good in order to achieve what we want; it provides us with positive energy and motivates us. So this is an example of perceiving a force in our life, a force which does not exist. Such kind of pressure can deceive us and give us a feeling of being beneficial in the short term but it can have harmful effects on us in the long term. Some others might not experience this pressure because they do not carry this belief at all and don't invite this force.
(To be continued tomorrow…)

--------------------------------
★★ Message for the day ★★
--------------------------------
The power of stability enables to cross over all obstacles.

Projection: The one who is stable is not influenced by one's own old habits and tendencies to react, but is able to think and act properly under all circumstances. The power of stability brings forth the best decisions in the most difficult times, brings solutions and helps in lessening the impact of the obstacle itself.

Solution: When I am stable on the seat of a master, I am able to be free from the influence of my own old habits, those that are of weakness. Instead I am able to transform old habits into new ones, making them into those of power. Learning to be stable in the most difficult situations, enables me to cross over all obstacles very easily.

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

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 05, 2014: Greed

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 05, 2014: Greed
★***************★★**★★***************★

★ Greed
------------
Diamond alone can cut another diamond and a thorn alone will have to be used to remove another thorn. The tendency to be greedy can be cured by another facet of greed. Instead of showing attachment towards worldly objects, one's attention should be directed towards divinity. We can be greedy to acquire spiritual knowledge. Let me possess a deep desire to develop forgiveness, politeness, straightforwardness and peacefulness.

★ Perfection
-----------------
There is a saying "No man is perfect", and so man slides below that
standard of worthiness into imperfection with seemingly popular
consent. So look around and see the results; no or incorrect
aspirations; falling standards externally as well as internally.
Because of imperfection, because we have accepted that man MUST possess all the vices, because we think them to be the basic ingredient of
human nature, we are now tottering in the brink of personal and global
collapse.

In scientific terms, perfection is accuracy and precision. Everything is
in its appropriate proportion and position. In human behavior,
perfection is the balance acquired between the various states of
consciousness. It is the balance that comes when the thoughts and
actions are totally harmonized in truth. Perfection is understanding
that every action, every thought, every breath would be geared towards
a specific purpose and direction - that of total positive self
realization. To realize one's self with clear vision and accurate
knowledge is to be perfect.

★ Taking Responsibility, Overcoming Guilt

When you free yourself of guilt, you live in peace within. You take on responsibility and stop sentencing (punishing) yourself internally with feelings of guilt. Taking on responsibility is constructive; it allows all your potential to remain awake and flow. You feel free and unburdened. When you get it wrong, you can find different methods to relieve yourself of the burden that it might imply. For example, being sorry for or feeling sad for something that you have done means that you are aware that you have acted against your own wellbeing or that of another. Realizing it is good; it is the base for any positive change.The important thing is not to sentence (punish) yourself. Learn the lesson. Say sorry, if it is the right thing. Put it right.

Remember that yesterday has already passed. The past cannot be changed. You can't swallow the words that you said, since you already said them. You can't repeat the scene from yesterday in a different way because it already happened and stayed recorded on the film of this world drama. Therefore, don't repeat the words or the scene in your mind over and over again; doing that, you keep alive something that is dead, since yesterday already stayed behind. Learn from the error and commit yourself to you and to your life, promising to yourself that you will not fall over the same stone again. You will think about it before speaking or acting.
(To be continued tomorrow ...)

------------------------------
★★ Soul Sustenance ★★
------------------------------
The Influence Of Your Thoughts, Intentions And Attitude On Your Destiny (cont.)

We can define three basic types of actions:

1. Actions which are impure, negative and unclear.
2. Actions which are pure, positive and clear.
3. Actions which are neutral.

Impure actions are those that are influenced by negative intentions, anger, ego, bitterness, fear, rage, revenge, lust, attachment, dishonesty, greed, laziness, jealousy etc. Positive actions are influenced by good intentions and attitudes. They are actions ruled by kindness, forgiveness, love, joy, peace, humility, generosity, sweetness, empathy, trust, unity etc. Neutral actions are not dictated by a negative or positive consciousness and do not cause a negative or positive result. Everything remains as it was. If you do something with the intention of bringing benefit to someone but it does not give the result you desired, you will not receive a negative return, because your intention was good. However, if you carried out an action with the intention of hurting someone, with emotions of revenge, and that action did not hurt the other in the way that you wanted, you will still receive the return of the energy that you have radiated or thrown into the Universe.

We have to 'pay', or, in other words, we have to reap what we have sown or have thrown into the Universe, through our actions, attitudes and intentions. This is called paying off karma. That is, we have to settle the accounts in order to clean the soul of the marks left on it by its negative actions or intentions. We also reap the fruits of the good seeds that we have planted.

---------------------------------
★★ Message for the day ★★
---------------------------------

The biggest treasure of all is the treasure of experience.

Projection: The one who has the treasure of experience is able to bring benefit to others. He is clear in thinking and accurate in judgement. So he is naturally able to give directions or corrections based on his own experiences and is also successful in it. Also there is equality in what he talks and does.

Solution: To be an embodiment of experience means to learn from everything that happens. So when I am able to become an embodiment of experience, I am able to feel mastery over every situation that comes my way. The power of my experience enables me to move lightly through all situations.

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

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 04, 2014: Tolerance

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 04, 2014: Tolerance
★****************★~★~★***************★
*** Artist- Jia Lu ***

★ Tolerance
---------------
Someone who has tolerance won't even say "I have to tolerate," because that implies they are feeling sorrow. Instead, they will say, "It's not a problem. There is something for me to learn in this." Whatever the situation, tolerance enables me to learn. Perhaps I need patience, or humility, or understanding. Tolerance allows me peace, and my love to stay constant. That way I stay connected with the Source of all that is good, so that I can help both myself and others.

★ Positive Impact
------------------------
When we have a problem in a particular relationship, we are not able to
think positive about that person. It is this negative attitude that
creates an atmosphere of negativity. So although we may not say
anything in particular, there might be some negativity experienced by
others too. So the relationship and thereby the situation is further
worsened. The only way to better the relationship and thereby the
situation is to create a positive environment through our attitude. As
is our attitude, so are our thoughts and feelings. It is this silent
change within which creates a positive impact on people through subtle
vibrations. And we find that we create a more beautiful world for
ourselves and others, where our presence itself has a positive impact
on people.

★ The Consciousness Switchover (cont.)
-----------------------------------------
Given below are few simple methods which help us in the process of rising above action or role consciousness and make the task of switching of consciousness to a spiritual one, easy.

1. Every hour, stop for a few seconds and note down in a small diary, which you carry with yourself through the day, to what extent, in the hour that has just gone by; you have maintained the light and detached awareness of yourself as a soul, a being of peaceful and blissful light, situated at the centre of the forehead, playing its part through the physical body costume and the physical role costume and seeing others the same way. If you haven't had any awareness, that's fine: the light reminder will help you remain attentive for the next one hour period. This will over a period of time become an easy, natural and enjoyable exercise, which is very relaxing.

2. Every 2-3 hours, stop whatever you are doing for a 3-4 minutes and turn your attention within, creating an awareness and feeling of the soul, but a very deep one. Remind yourself of your spiritual relationship or your relationship on a soul level with the Father of the soul, the Supreme Being or God. Experience the relationship. At centres of the Brahma Kumaris and even at their homes and workplaces, the members of the Brahma Kumaris around the world, follow this exercise. Where it's feasible, music is played at these times to make the break effective and soothing. This exercise is called 'traffic control', because the peace experienced in this exercise helps you become aware of the traffic of your thoughts and slow it down, reducing the risk of accidents that are caused due to internal mental clashes as well as clashes with the variety sanskaras or personality traits of people whom you come in contact with.

3. Every time you eat or drink something i.e. you nourish the body, along with that sustain the soul with spiritual thoughts, above the mundane or ordinary. These spiritual thoughts could be based on something positive that you have read in the morning at the start of the day.

---------------------------------
★★ Soul Sustenance ★★
---------------------------------
The Influence of Your Thoughts, Intentions and Attitude On Your Destiny

We constantly carry out actions on this world stage. Each and every action is always motivated by an intention, and has an attitude and behavior connected with it. According to the intention and the attitude with which you carry out a particular action, the action will return to you in a beneficial, negative or neutral way - the law says so. Nobody is above the natural laws of cause and effect. These laws function each time that you think, feel or act. For example, if you have a negative thought and you water it with your attention and develop it for an hour, or if you get up in the morning with negative thoughts and these thoughts remain in your consciousness for some time, this negativity will return to you. As a result, perhaps you feel depressed or angry, with a headache, a weakened immune system, little energy and you have a bad day.

Your thoughts affect yourself, other people and matter. Thoughts also affect the environment. Children and animals pick up the vibrations of others; sometimes they go spontaneously to a stranger or at times keep a distance from someone who is known to them. Some pet owners do not trust a specific person if their pet, say a dog doesn't like the person or keeps a distance from him, because pets have higher perception powers. Being in harmony with someone's vibration means that you pick up the quality of their thoughts. A person with a good vibration thinks positively and carefully. On the other hand, a person with bad vibrations, perhaps, has a lot of anger, hatred, ego and laziness in their thoughts and attitude.
(To be continued tomorrow…)

----------------------------------
★★ Message for the day ★★
----------------------------------
To be a giver means to give according to need.

Projection: The one who is a giver would be sensitive to the needs of others and will be able to give what the other person needs at the right time, instead of giving what he wants to give. Also such a person is able to give without expecting anything in return.

Solution: When there is even a little thought to share with others whatever I have, I would naturally be able to perceive my own inner treasures and experience being full. Sharing with others, whatever I can, enables me to get their good wishes also. I thus find myself experiencing the richness of life.
In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris
★******★★~•~★★******★

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 03, 2014: The Right Time

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 03, 2014: The Right Time
★****************★~•~★*****************★
★ The Right Time
---------------------
You cannot make yourself arrive faster than your
mode of transport. You cannot control what gets in the way...

Often, all you can do is have faith and believe
that everything happens in the right way at the right time...

★ Positive Present
-----------------------
We find we are becoming more and more negative with each passing day,
as the inputs of negativity from all sides in on its rise. Our normal
conversations and interactions are based on this negativity. So
without our conscious knowledge, we tend to become negative. It is
important for us to change the theme of conversation that we have with
others, and start talking about what life gives us. It gives us so
much that goes unnoticed. So we need to consciously change this so
that it creates an environment of hope and enthusiasm for the future,
also giving us a more positive view of the present reality.

★ The Consciousness Switchover
-----------------------------------------
While we have explained in many of our past messages what body consciousness or attachment to physicality is and how it leads to a creation of lot many different types and shades of vices or weaknesses which tend to creep into our sanskaras, thoughts, feelings, attitudes, words, actions, etc. as a result of which we lose access to our pure, positive inherent nature; another process of subtle attachment to physicality that we get drawn into regularly, which leads to the same result, but on a more subtle level, is karma or action consciousness where there is no over consciousness of the physical body but one gets so engrossed in the role one is playing that one becomes role conscious and experiences bondage and burden and mental freedom is lost. As a result our inner comfort and contentment levels drop, others tend to become discontent with us and we become discontent with them, our relationships suffer, the efficiency in our actions drop, even our physical body is affected and we don't know the reason for the same.

Most of us will experience body consciousness once in a while but we experiencekarma consciousness every day, something which we don't perceive as negative but it gives a negative result because it is a subtle form of body consciousness, which can accumulate inside us over a period of time and cross the boundaries of subtlety and take a gross form. What is a simple solution for the same? A consciousness switchover from role or karma consciousness to soul consciousness at different points in the day and then returning to playing the part of karma with a revised consciousness. The role remains the same and is to be played, the soul cannot exist without it, but the consciousness is changed.

In tomorrow's message, we will mention a few very simple methods which help us in doing that.

---------------------------------
★★ Soul Sustenance ★★
---------------------------------
Refreshment for the Mind

Silence is a great therapy for healing the self. If we remain very quiet and concentrate, we save a lot of outward energy, with the result that we act and speak less. When that energy is saved, then we are able to turn inwards and even heal our physical body. On a daily basis, the mind needs to go into a quiet space for refreshment and reflection; in much the same way as the body needs regular breaks for rest and nourishment. Refreshment occurs when the mind is able to recharge itself, that is, to re-energize and to have the strength to remain positive, light and creative. Reflection (looking inwards) is the time we give ourselves to refine our internal understanding of external situations so that our interaction with others is of the highest quality. Through reflection, we can change the way we think, feel and interact. We change the way we are voluntarily and without pain.

Spiritual knowledge without silence is like a bird trying to fly with only one wing.

Silence empowers an individual's capacities and enables the recognition and release of their unique potential. In today's world, silence is as necessary for the mind as oxygen is for the body. We need that spiritual breath that sustains our life in a way that is meaningful and fulfilling.

---------------------------------
★★ Message for the day ★★
---------------------------------
To be a creator means to use all treasures for a positive contribution.

Projection: Even in the most negative situations, the one who has the thought of creation, works towards bettering the situation. Every thought, word and action is towards creation and not towards worsening the situation. Such a person is not concerned about who spoilt the situation or how it got spoilt. To the extent possible, he works towards bettering the situation.

Solution: When I am working towards creation, I am able to make the best use of my resources and treasures. I then experience constant progress. I also experience contentment of having made a contribution, however little it may be. I have no questions, but only answers under all circumstances.

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

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 02, 2014: Cherished Soul

Daily Positive Thoughts: October 02, 2014: Cherished Soul
★***************★~•~★***************★
★ Cherished Soul
--------------------
Greet life with enthusiasm and confidence by constantly maintaining the awareness of how cherished you are.

★ Joy in Giving
--------------------
We usually expect from others and rarely think of giving. We are also
not able to give unconditionally. We normally think of what we are
going to get out of giving. So we lose the joy of giving. We usually
don't get what we expect and when we don't, we usually experience
negative feelings. There is true joy in giving. When we find someone in
negativity and if we are able to recognize what they need, we can give.
When we give we are able to have the satisfaction of giving. This
enables us to get in touch with our innate qualities and we are able to
use these qualities for the benefit of everyone.

★ Anger Management
---------------------------
Keep a daily chart for one week for the questions below, the answers to which will help you manage emotions of anger, irritation, frustration, etc. more effectively. Review your progress at the end of each day and then at the end of one week. Having made your observations, make improvements for the next week. Keeping this chart for a month, will help you manage and overcome your anger much better.

1. During which event today did you get angry or irritated...even a little?
2. What was the type of your thoughts at that time?
3. Which negative thought/thoughts contributed to your stress the most?
4. What positive thoughts helped you to regain your calmness and composure?
5. How long did it take to regain your calmness?
6. Why did it take so long to regain your peace?
7. What would you do differently and more appropriately if the same scene happened tomorrow?

--------------------------------
★★ Soul Sustenance ★★
--------------------------------
Experiencing Peace

In meditation l begin to think about my true identity. l let thoughts about the soul and its qualities fill my mind. Initially it doesn't matter how fast the thoughts are arising as long as they are moving in the right direction. lf my thoughts wander away, gently, l bring them back again to peaceful thoughts of the self. As l become involved in the experience of such thoughts, they will gradually start to slow down and soon l will be able to savour (taste) them. Just as when l am given something special to eat, l eat it slowly, appreciating each mouthful (its flavour and texture), so I begin to appreciate the experience contained in each positive thought. The simple phrase, ‘I am a peaceful soul', comes to life as l begin to experience it.
--------------------------------
★★ Message for the day ★★
--------------------------------
To transform the self means to receive blessings.

Projection: The one who brings about transformation in the self learning from all situations, attains victory constantly. He will naturally be able to take the learning from all situations and move on inspite of negative situations. He is also successful in his relationship with others, as he knows to mould himself.

Solution: When I am able to bring about transformation in myself according to time, without just expecting others to change, I am able to get the love and good wishes of all. Because of the ability to mould myself, my thoughts too would be easy and light.

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