Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 31-07-2012

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Soul Sustenance 31-07-2012
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Listening To The Voice Of The Intellect

The subtle or non-physical sense organ of the non-physical soul which we use to judge something as right or wrong, good or bad and then make a choice or decision is the intellect. When we are body-conscious, we are attached to many things such as people, our role, objects, money, even our own ideas and beliefs, etc. Due to these attachments, we are constantly creating emotions of fear and anger in the energy of our consciousness. It is these two emotions which then overpower or influence our intellect and stop us from judging clearly and correctly between right and wrong. This constant inner emotional noise of worry and irritation (the seeds of fear and anger) do not allow us to hear the deepest part of our intellect, which is our intuition.

When we are soul-conscious, we are free from attachment and therefore fear and anger. Our consciousness is calm, focused and keenly aware of the quiet, but extremely wise voice of our intuition (inner wisdom). Decision-making is easier and choices are made out of wisdom rather than fear. Meditation is the method which helps us rise above our mental attachments and allow us to connect with the wisdom in our heart, our intuition, our inner voice, which suggests what the right response or action in any situation, is. A practical example of this is when, after being persuaded by your family members you decide not to smoke any more. You let go of the attachment to 'my’ belief that there is nothing wrong with smoking, which then allows you to listen to the heart of the other (their feelings) and your own heart or intellect, which suggests to you the right action for your well-being in the long run.

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Message for the day 31-07-2012
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To take up responsibility is to inspire cooperation from others.

Expression: When there is the initiative to take up responsibility, there is accuracy in words and actions too. There is the use of one's own specialities in the task that is to be done and so others too keep getting inspiration to use their specialities. So the task is filled with honest effort that is the contribution of each and everyone.

Experience: Since I take up responsibility for everything that comes up in my life, I find that others too take responsibility to contribute their share to the task. So I find others cooperating with me and the most difficult task becomes easy. The power of cooperation works wonders in the most difficult task.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Monday, July 30, 2012

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 30-07-2012

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Soul Sustenance 30-07-2012
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What Are Some Of The Benefits Of Positive Thinking On Our Relationships?

• Your relationships are more harmonious.

• You possess greater ability to accept others with comprehension and without expectations.

• Your positive thoughts influence others and you share your happiness.

• You attract other people with your peace and harmony.

• You make others approach your true self and they feel comfortable with you.

• You break through barriers and build solid bridges of communication and understanding.

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Message for the day 30-07-2012
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The difficulty of the situation lies in one's own state of mind.

Expression: To make something big as small or to make something small as big depends on one's state of mind. When one's state of mind is good, to deal with situations becomes easy. So even difficult situations are crossed over with great ease. Then there will be no dependency on the external situations to change the internal state of mind. That is, there will never be a reaction to external situations but there will be always stability.

Experience: When my state of mind is good and powerful, I am confident of myself and am able to easily win over all obstacles. Otherwise, the situation takes hold of the internal state of my mind and I find myself bound by the situation. At such a time, I find the smallest situation to a very big obstacle. But with faith in myself I am very easily able to use my inner power to overcome situations.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 29-07-2012

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Soul Sustenance 29-07-2012
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Transforming (Changing) My Thought Patterns

Why is it that we can't change the pattern of our thoughts so easily? Imagine a bird being so comfortable in its nest that, though perhaps sometimes it stands on the branch of the tree to inflate its chest and adjust its feathers, it never wants to fly and does not even realize it could fly. It never knows the blissful freedom of flight, never feels the wind through its wings. It thinks the other birds that are flying around are unwise or foolish. In much the same way, we never really leave our nests of old thought patterns. Our habitual thoughts become our comfort zone and each repetitive thought pattern is like a twig in the nest, which makes the nest stronger and our stay in the nest seemingly comfortable and permanent. We never experience our true spiritual freedom or flight or feel the breeze of our inner beautiful nature. Even the thought, "I am a soul" has to be realized eventually, so that we can actually experience its deepest truth.

In the world of spirituality, thoughts are like the map, but they are not the territory nor the reality of the experience. Thinking "I am a peaceful soul" or “I am a loveful soul” or “I am powerful soul” is not being soul-conscious, it is only theory or knowledge, but it is definitely an essential start. Maps are important and necessary, until we know the way home to experience. Reaching this final destination of experience makes it easier for us and empowers us to transform or change our old thought patterns.

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Message for the day 29-07-2012
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Courage brings success.

Expression: Even after repeated trials and failures, when one does not lose courage, there is the ability to go on trying till success is achieved. Courage comes with the understanding that there is surely a way out. So a lot more effort is put in to find the right way. Success, which had been eluding for a long time will be finally attained.

Experience: When I have courage, I have hope. I will not give up the task mid way, but will put in continued effort. Because of this there is no difficulty experienced even whilst putting in extra effort but I do everything with enthusiasm and happiness. So nothing seems difficult and I easily move towards success.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 28-07-2012

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Soul Sustenance 28-07-2012
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Various Synonyms (Meanings) Of Peace

Peace has a number of synonyms, which all have slightly different shades of meaning:

Serenity

The feeling of contentment and being completely full with no need for further additions to the self; a feeing of satisfaction, of wholeness of the self.

Calmness

There are no disturbances or waves in the mind, like a pool of water that is clear and still with not even a ripple to disturb it.

Tranquility

Tranquility is the state of harmony in nature and in ourselves that keeps everything in balance naturally.

Quietness

In this state, there are no sounds of uncontrolled thoughts jumping around like a monkey in the mind; our thoughts become essenceful, returning to the point, with no expansion; it is an economy of thinking that creates quietness.

Stillness

There is no movement of thoughts. I remain absorbed in one thought and, in the stillness of silence, I am at rest, with a feeling of complete detachment from everything.

Peace has the meaning of harmony, balance, order and freedom: when we are free from waste and negativity, then we exist fully serene, fully at peace with everything.

Peace is my original energy and treasure and with the practice of meditation I step inside and experience it.

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Message for the day 28-07-2012
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True effort lies in maintaining inner self-respect.

Expression: When there is no self-respect it becomes difficult to recognise and use one's own potentials. So whatever little effort is put is only to show off to others and to seek their approval. So this further increases such dependency on others. Slowly all effort put in is only to prove to others and hardly any effort is put in for the self. So such effort doesn't contribute to real progress.

Experience: When there is an awareness of my inner potentials and capabilities, and I am in my state of self-respect, I am able to use them for my own progress. As there is the satisfaction of my progress, there is no dependency on the others for approval or encouragement. I can make effort with my inner freedom. There is lightness and enjoyment in whatever I set out to do, and I find quick and easy change.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Friday, July 27, 2012

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 27-07-2012

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Soul Sustenance 27-07-2012
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Different Shades Of Attachment To Opinions And Ideas (cont.)

The attachment or detachment to one’s ideas not only comes into play while giving an idea or opinion, but even when accepting or receiving or listening to an idea from another person from the group. The more the attachment to one’s own ideas, the more will be the tendency to resist or reject the other’s idea. A particular person, with the objective or resisting or rejecting the idea:

* might try to do the same through different means like putting up a seemingly valid or even an invalid objection to the idea in front of the whole group which may seem very reasonable to the group and may be taken or accepted by the group or the person objecting may try to ensure that happens or
* he/she may quietly disassociate from the group if the group begins showing interest in the idea (sometimes the influence of the position of the person is such that this kind of disassociation very easily manages to reduce the energy of interest of the group in the new idea) or also
* might present a new idea to the group, which manages to divert the attention of the group, etc.

Sometimes the person rejecting the idea is aware of the fact that he/she is rejecting the idea because of the inner attachment to his ideas, but will not admit it in front of others and sometimes he/she might not even be slightly aware of the fact; the attachment is too subtle to realize. Others might realize their attachment, but they might not themselves. And if someone to point out their inner attachment, they might even react, because where there is attachment, there is fear that the other’s idea will be accepted and yours will not. Attachment to one’s ideas fills the energy of ‘I am right’ in any situation. Overcoming all sorts of attachment to ones ideas is one of the foremost steps that we can take to bring about harmony in all types of relationships.

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Message for the day 27-07-2012
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Honesty to the self brings progress at a quick speed.

Expression: To be honest with one self is to be truly honest. When there is honesty with the self, there is the ability to see things clearly. So one is able to take responsibility for the mistakes committed and have the enthusiasm to learn from them. So there is constant change and progress visible in such a person. At all times there is the ability to bring about change.

Experience: When I am honest with myself, I am able to find the joy of learning from my mistakes. Mistakes don't make me heavy because I know I have something to learn from them. There is constantly enthusiasm to bring about a change and move forward. So I find that I am constantly progressing and also becoming an inspiration for many to bring about change. My honesty, therefore, makes me a true leader.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 26-07-2012

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Soul Sustenance 26-07-2012
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Different Shades Of Attachment To Opinions And Ideas

Very often in a group or team, whether social or official, while moving towards a common goal or objective or purpose, different people in the group or gathering give their opinion to make the objective of the team possible. While giving their opinion, one very commonly sees two different categories of people. The first category contains type of people who are attached to their ideas (to different extents) while presenting them to the group and the other contains type of people who are extremely active, positive and authoritative in giving their ideas, when they are required to do so, but are able to keep a relationship of detachment with their ideas.

If someone is attached to his/her idea and it is not accepted, he/she might react emotionally (internally) or even physically (externally). He/she:
* might even start creating disharmony in the group by talking against or creating ill-feelings for the person who objected to his idea or
* might stop co-operating with the remaining members of the group or
* sometimes may just disassociate or distance himself/herself from the group, which is a quiet way of non co-operation and can cause ripples of negative thoughts and feelings in the others.

These and others are some of the common reactions of someone whose idea/ideas are not accepted.

So the right balance of authority (while giving the idea) and humility (while accepting the result of the idea, the result could be rejection or even acceptance of the idea) has to be maintained. Humility comes very naturally to someone who is detached to his/her idea.

(To be continued tomorrow…)

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Message for the day 26-07-2012
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The true joy of living lies in the ability to enjoy the present moment.

Expression: The one who is able to remain in the present is able to learn from the past and bring out the best from the self. Also there is a clear vision of the future, so all the energies are directed towards that vision. The mind is neither totally caught up with the past nor with the future. Since there is attention on the present moment, there is the ability to use it to the fullest extent.

Experience: When I am in the present I am able to remain in the awareness of the gifts of the present. Having learnt from the past I am able to enrich myself from the different experiences that I have had. As I am also clear about where I have to go, I enjoy the journey and also move on towards constant success.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 25-07-2012

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Soul Sustenance 25-07-2012
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Understanding And Overcoming Fears (cont.)

Listed below are some of our common fears:

• Dying
• Getting ill
• The unknown
• Loneliness
• Other people
• Authority
• Being rejected
• Being hurt
• Failure
• Change
• The future
• Being
• Being free
• Thinking and being in a different way
• Losing control
• Dreaming and making our dreams real


From these fears many other fears and blockages emerge.

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Message for the day 25-07-2012
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The power of realisation brings permanent transformation

Expression: To have the power of realisation means to have the power to understand what is right and to have the commitment to the right thing. So, if a mistake is committed, when there is the realisation, there is easy and permanent transformation. So the same mistake is never committed again.

Experience: When I have the power of realisation, I will never experience difficulty in bringing about a change, because I have actually understood the importance of bringing about change.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 24-07-2012

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Soul Sustenance 24-07-2012
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Understanding And Overcoming Fears

We are all afraid of something. We all have fears at some point or other during our lives, and one fear brings about other fears. For example, the fear of death brings about the fear of illness or the fear of accidents. The fear of rejection comes from the fear of being perceived as different. The fear of success or standing out comes of the fear of relating to people. From the fear of failure comes the fear of making mistakes; the fear of taking on risks; the fear of taking decisions, the fear of not being recognized at work. The fear of others includes the fear of the anger and aggressiveness in others, fear that they might reject you, fear that they might judge you.

Eliminating fears and liberating the mind requires a broad knowledge of how our mind and spirit work. Our spiritual conscience has to awaken for us to realize what the origin of our fears is and how to overcome them from the root. Fears are like a tree; we can cut off a branch, but then other branches or fears will grow. We have to go to the root and, even, the seed, to overcome the fears.

Tomorrow we shall list out some of the common fears.

(To be continued tomorrow …)

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Message for the day 24-07-2012
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To understand and accept people's ideas is to increase the power of unity.

Expression: When one suggests something and the other accepts, it gives power to the gathering. So instead of expecting others to accept suggestions, it is better to understand and provide with what the other person needs. The more something is given with generosity there is happiness for the one who is receiving and for the one who is giving. And there is power because of being together in the task.

Experience: If I take something with force I find that others give it to me only temporarily. Instead if I give with happiness, I find that others are able to share with me with happiness. So what I give, I find, remains with me permanently. So there is an experience of fullness and the happiness of having attained even while giving. And with this I am able to experience the power of unity, and the joy of doing things together.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Monday, July 23, 2012

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 23-07-2012

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Soul Sustenance 23-07-2012
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The Law of Surrender

According to what or whom your mind thinks consistently of, you will take on the form of the object or the person to which you have surrendered. We can see this in children, when they transfer their minds to actors they see on television, and then begin to behave like them.

What is the highest form to which we can surrender our self? There may be several answers to this question in our mind. Choose the truth from among them. So what is the truth?

Spirituality gives us answers to questions like: Who am I? Who is the Supreme Being? What is my relationship with him? Where do I come from? Where am I going? What is the purpose of my existence? What is the importance of the present time? How can the Supreme Being empower me at the present time?

The answers to these questions show us the way to surrendering our mind to the Supreme Being, which is the highest entity to which we can surrender. When we do that, gradually we get colored by his knowledge, virtues and powers.

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Message for the day 23-07-2012
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The power to merge brings success in relationships.

Expression: The speciality of the ocean is to merge. The most beautiful pearl is made of the dirt that is thrown into the ocean. So also the power to merge actually allows one to look at the positivity in spite of the obvious negativity that is expressed by the other person. So the relationship with the other person is only with their positivity.

Experience: When I am able to merge the negativity of others, and look at the positive aspect in them instead, I can automatically experience being light and positive within. Also I find others relating to me with their positivity. I am able to be successful in my relationship with others, however difficult the personality traits of the other person may be.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 22-07-2012

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Soul Sustenance 22-07-2012
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Tapping Guidance From The Supreme Intellect

There are many occasions in my day-to-day life when I am not sure as to what my next course of action should be in that particular situation. The intellect is the faculty inside the soul which normally takes all decisions for the soul. But sometimes the intellect is clouded by my own or others’ sanskaras, beliefs, opinions, inclinations, assumptions, thoughts, actions, past experiences. In such a situation, I require the guidance of an entity who is above the whole situation and is seeing it as a spectator or observer and is not a player in the situation, someone who is the knower of the three aspects of time (the past, present and the future), someone who can see the situation from all dimensions, someone who is beyond all influences and is impartial, someone who is extremely pure and clear, someone who knows me more than I know myself, someone who knows my benefit and harm more than I know it myself, someone who is concerned for my well being the most. No human entity can qualify all these requirements. Thus to proceed in such a situation, it’s good to take the guidance from the intellect of someone who fulfills all these criteria. That someone is no one except the Supreme Being or God, who is the entity possessing the most powerful intellect, and intellect with the most perfect judgment power. Sometimes my mind and intellect is absolutely clean and clear and I am 100% sure about my right course of action for the future, but even in those times its good to verify the course of action from a higher authority.

So, in those times, it is very important to connect for a few minutes with the Supreme, who is an Energy of Unlimited Truth. Then, the question to ask myself at that time is not what do I want, or what do others want, but most importantly: What does the Supreme want, what is his wish, what is his perception of the situation? The deeper my connection with Him in meditation, the clearer the answer will come. When it becomes a regular practice, it will be as simple as taking guidance from my physical parent or spouse or friend. I'll know without wasting time and energy, the right course of action. Sometimes it may happen that the answer may not come to me immediately, but by connecting my intellect with the Supreme’s intellect my intellect will become clear, which will help me take the right decision. Also, in some cases the Supreme may not respond immediately but may guide me through some other medium, whether living or non-living after some time or even after a day or two.

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Message for the day 22-07-2012
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Greatness lies in being humble.

Expression: A seed grows only when it is mingled with the mud. In the same way, the one who is great is naturally humble. He understands the truth that only when there is humility will there be success. Humility gives the power to bow down without reducing one's own self-respect.

Experience: When I am humble I am able to be experience my own inner greatness, which naturally keeps me set on the seat of my self-respect. So when the situation demands, I have no problem bowing down. So I am able to allow the situations to work on me, so I am able to strengthen myself from within under all circumstances.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 21-07-2012

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Soul Sustenance 21-07-2012
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Overcoming Mood Swings

At each moment of the day, we have the capability to feel something. Our feelings vary throughout the course of the day. Sometimes they are joyful and sometimes they are painful. What we forget to do is to choose our feelings consciously. Instead, many of us have become lazy and allowed our feelings to be dictated and shaped by people and circumstances. In other words, we have become influenced. Our swinging, changing moods are the result of the inner karma of becoming attached to things, people, ideas and circumstances. If we are attached to a person and suddenly he/she leaves us we will feel gloomy and our mood of sadness will drain our energy just when we need to remain optimistic and enthusiastic about the future. Any form of loss will bring about a mood of sadness. If this sadness lasts for a long period of time, it will gradually turn into depression.

When we think we are consider the world around us to be our source of happiness and joy, our moods will fluctuate, even with the changing weather. But when we are spiritually empowered or strong our happiness and joy come from inside. We are stable in the face of praise or insult, loss or gain. We are no longer moody and stability becomes our basic nature. We are in control of our life, our feelings. And while we cannot control the waves of the ocean of life around us, we can control and choose how we will respond to outer events and people. When we do that, we will be able to choose what we feel, regardless of what may happen in our life. Life stops being a rollercoaster and becomes more of a cruise, less a storm and more a gentle breeze.

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Message for the day 21-07-2012
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To work with joy is to be free from tiredness.

Expression: When there is the happiness and joy of doing something, one can go on putting in effort even in the most difficult circumstances. For having done everything with happiness, there will be the inner quality revealed in each and every task. The happiness within will spread around to others too.

Experience: As I never leave my inner joy, and am constantly in touch with my inner qualities, I am able to enjoy everything that life brings. Nothing will then be experienced as work, but I feel everything to be entertainment. I will be able to enjoy the richness of life even when there is something actually difficult.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Friday, July 20, 2012

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 20-07-2012

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Soul Sustenance 20-07-2012
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The Distinction (Difference) Between Human Souls And The Supreme Soul (God) – cont.

Human Souls: They have physical bodies.
Supreme Soul: God's form is incorporeal (point of spiritual energy).

Human Souls: They cannot liberate humanity.
Supreme Soul: God is the uplifter of all.

Human Souls: They become impure through body-consciousness.
Supreme Soul: God is the purifier.

Human Souls: They are caught up by the present, have distorted (misunderstood) knowledge of the past (since they come in the process of birth and rebirth) and no accurate knowledge of the future.
Supreme Soul: God is the knower of the three aspects of time (past, present and future).

Human Souls: They are takers.
Supreme Soul: God is the giver, He takes nothing.

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Message for the day 20-07-2012
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To fail means there is the need to work a little harder.

Expression: To fail doesn't means to be a failure but it only means that it will take a little longer before success can be reached. It gives an indication that more effort has to be put in. So when things are done in a different way, it becomes possible to move towards success. Failure in a particular task is a process of strengthening that leads to success.

Experience: During the time of failure, when I understand the significance behind the incident, I am able to be free from negative feelings of fear or disheartenment. Then I am able to learn the right lesson from it and move ahead. So in the worst failures I am able to experience constant progress and thus I find that I am moving on towards success.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 19-07-2012

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Soul Sustenance 19-07-2012
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The Distinction (Difference) Between Human Souls And The Supreme Soul (God)

Human Souls: They take human bodies and experience birth, life and death.
Supreme Soul: Never comes into the cycle of birth and death.

Human Souls: They are subject to change and the dualities of pleasure and pain, growth and decay, happiness and sorrow.
Supreme Soul: Changeless. The One beyond the above dualities.

Human Souls: They remember and then forget their original pure nature.
Supreme Soul: God is always the ocean of knowledge; he does not come in the cycle of remembering and forgetting.

Human Souls: They are seekers of peace and happiness.
Supreme Soul: God is the One whom everyone seeks (longs for). He is the bestower (giver) of peace and happiness to everyone.

(To be continued tomorrow ….)

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Message for the day 19-07-2012
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Cleanliness means no waste within.

Expression: To be totally clean means there is not a trace of negativity or waste within. Even in the most complicated situations there is clarity within. The mind is clear and clean so there is clarity in words and actions also. Every decision is taken with a clear mind and so whatever is done is naturally accurate.

Experience: When there is cleanliness in the heart, I am able to win the love of those around me and also of God. I find that I become a mirror for the others and they are able to see their own perfection through me. I also find that I am able to save a lot of time as I am able to see things for what they are and because there is clarity in my thoughts.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 18-07-2012

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Soul Sustenance 18-07-2012
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Experiencing Perfection And Success In Role Playing

Spirituality gives me the detached realization of being pure consciousness. This realization not only detaches me from my physical body, but also detaches me from the different roles I play through my physical body (male or female) and the different acts or scenes in each role, in one particular day or one particular lifetime. The roles may be many, the acts and the scenes may be many, but I am the actor playing the different roles and participating in the different acts. There is great strength in experiencing myself as an actor as compared to the previous existence in which I used to lose myself and forget my spiritual identity completely while playing the different roles, identifying more with the roles and thinking myself to be the role instead of being a spiritual actor. An actor, even while in the midst of the most dramatic scenes, even whilst getting excited or emotional or angry, knows he is not the part itself, the part is just temporary. He knows he is something more than that, and that when the play is over, the role will not exist anymore. So, even though I ‘play’ my role, I don’t cut off myself from the role and don’t leave my responsibilities, I need to adopt the ‘observer’ or ‘spectator’ or ‘detached’ consciousness instead of the ‘player’ consciousness. A player tends to get over-involved. So, the balance has to be maintained – I ‘play’ as well as remain detached. Only then the roles will be played to complete perfection and I will experience success in each role.

If I'm able to protect and maintain my inner spiritual identity in each role, it’s also much easier for me to switch roles. I switch roles so many times even in one particular day. If I lose myself in a particular role, my mind and intellect tends to become limited and restricted to that role and I'm not able to see beyond the immediate needs of the role and I find it difficult to adapt to another role. As a father, for example, I may also be called upon to play the different roles of husband or a Managing Director or a friend or a brother or a son or a son-in-law etc. Also many a times, for e.g. in the absence of the mother, I may have to play the role of the mother or in the absence of the Plant Manager in my company on a particular day, I may have to play his role, etc., both being roles that I do not normally play. I'll have a better chance of being able to fulfill all these roles if I don’t get too caught up in any of the roles while playing them and remain in my spiritual consciousness while playing them. A spiritual consciousness will keep me detached.

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Message for the day 18-07-2012
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True love means the ability to forgive and forget.

Expression: When there is love there is the ability to look at only specialities. Even if the other person makes a mistake, there is only the conscious awareness of his specialities. So it becomes easy to forgive the mistake committed by him. When there is real forgiveness the mistake is totally forgotten and the future interactions with that person are free from the negative attitude.

Experience: When I am able to forgive the mistakes made by others, I am able to forget them easily also. So my mind is free from the burden of waste of all the past mistakes. So I am able to be light even when I am faced with the negativity of the other person. I am never caught up with attitudes about people so I am successful in my relationship with others.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 17-07-2012

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Soul Sustenance 17-07-2012
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The Five Primary Qualities (cont.)

The soul has five primary qualities; we could say they are the primary colours of humanity with which we paint the picture of our lives. We have discussed four of the qualities in the last couple of days. The last one is:

Happiness
Happiness is the natural expression of joy in being alive and interacting with others. Happiness is only possible when I relate to myself and express respectfully what I am and allow others to share in what I am and what I have. I relate to people and nature and experience the fulfillment of human life through relationships.

In the meditation taught by the Brahma Kumaris, we absorb the rays of these five primary qualities from the Supreme Soul by concentrating on his point of divine light form in the incorporeal world (“paramdham” or “shantidham”). The absorption and the harmony of these basic qualities (peace, purity, love, knowledge and happiness) lead to the development of many more virtues inside us.

As we become aware of these five primary qualities, we gradually realize that each one of them has many characteristics.

e.g. we understand that love does not mean just a special feeling for one or two people. Spiritual love is far greater; it means respect, tolerance, forgiveness, compassion and flexibility; there is a universal feeling of belonging, an openness of heart, a generosity of spirit that is all-embracing.

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Message for the day 17-07-2012
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To be a leader means to invoke challenges.

Expression: Each challenge actually brings forth some hidden strength, some latent power. The one who is able to understand this, is able to face and in fact invoke challenges. Such a person with constant and unshaken faith moves on towards victory. Such a person becomes an inspiration for many and thus is a true leader.

Experience: When I know the art of facing and learning from challenges, I am able to remain fearless in spite of the several challenges. Much more than that, I am able to actually have the courage to invoke challenges understanding the fact that challenges makes me stronger. So I am able to face challenges with great ease and enthusiasm.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Monday, July 16, 2012

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 16-07-2012

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Soul Sustenance 16-07-2012
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The Five Primary Qualities (cont.)

The soul has five primary qualities; we could say they are the primary colours of humanity with which we paint the picture of our lives. We had discussed peace and purity yesterday. The others are:

Love
Perhaps the most difficult original quality to achieve because it has become so mixed up with attachment, possessiveness and dependence, deeply ingrained habits that have become accepted as normal. As a result, the human being finds it difficult to realize the true form of pure love, which is unconditional. The quality of love means "I care", “I share” and, in particular, “I liberate”. True spiritual love never creates that need, or dependence, where others cannot find, or be, themselves.

Knowledge
To know and to be what I am eternally and truly, and to exist in this consciousness, is what we mean by knowledge. It is not knowing about the soul, peace, love, etc., but rather knowing is to be the soul, to be peace, to be love. This quality of true knowing is expressed through 'I am', the original awareness of the self that exists beyond the false self of ego.

(To be continued tomorrow ….)

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Message for the day 16-07-2012
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Truth never needs to be proved.

Expression: When the truth of what is said is challenged, there is naturally a protest. Words spoken after that are usually defensive and argumentative. This leads only to waste talk and arguments because no one is willing to listen at that time. But truth is that which is revealed on it own and never needs to be proved.

Experience: When I recognise the fact that I am right and am aware of this, I never feel the need to prove it. I never argue my point but have the self-respect of what I am. So even if I am challenged I remain unaffected. I understand that a real diamond shines on even when it is lying with stones or covered with dust.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 15-07-2012

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Soul Sustenance 15-07-2012
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The Five Primary Qualities

The soul has five primary qualities; we could say they are the primary colours of humanity with which we paint the picture of our lives.

They are:

Peace
This is the original quality of the soul. Peace is serenity, the personal inner state of non-violence. In this state of peace, I harmonize with everything and everyone around me. The word 'shanti' means peace, and it is this thought (or word) we use as the key step in meditation.

Purity
A state of honesty and cleanliness where I am the same inside and outside, not deceiving either myself, or others. Consequently, there is no room for artificiality. Purity is the state of original truth where no violence is committed against others, nor can violence be committed against me. When the self is in its original purity, others cannot damage or destroy it, even if they try, because there is a natural aura of protection that acts as an invisible barrier. When I achieve this level of purity, it means I respect all things.

(To be continued tomorrow ….)

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Message for the day 15-07-2012
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To have a big heart means never to be disheartened.

Expression: To have a big heart means to have good wishes constantly for others and to enable others to move forward through this. Even if someone with negative characteristics comes in front, there are no feelings of negativity as there is the power to accept and recognise their specialities.

Experience: I am able to be beyond confusion and doubt when I have a big heart. I am never caught up with the problems but am very easily able to find a way out. I am never disheartened even when I encounter the negative aspect of someone. Instead I am able to very effectively and smoothly come out of the situation.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 14-07-2012

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Soul Sustenance 14-07-2012
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The Hurting Of The Ego

Almost everyday or every second day we come across a situation when someone says something to us which is not very pleasurable or we chose to perceive it to be so. In either case, we feel insulted and get upset as a result. In some cases we react and display our feelings. In some, we don't. In either case, the result is a depreciation (decrease) in our happiness index. Why does this happen? It's because you have created, attached to and identified with an image of yourself in your mind that does not match with how the other sees or perceives you, as a result of which you believe you have been insulted and you get upset. As long as people's perception of you matches the image that you have created inside your mind of your self, you are content with them, but as soon as the opposite happens, even if its to a very small extent, you become disturbed, because you are attached to that image. The more the attachment, the greater the hurt, the disturbance or reaction. You could examine this phenomenon very closely, taking place inside yourself everyday.

This kind of attachment mentioned above is called ego. That's why the phenomenon explained above is called in common language 'the hurting of the ego'. We commonly use the terms 'my ego got hurt' or 'I think your ego got hurt'. 'You hurt my ego' is nothing but 'you hurt or harmed the image that I carry of myself with me each second everyday.' Because I carry it with me all the time, I have become attached to it. e.g. If, on a particular day, you reach home late from office and your wife, who is angry with you, accuses of not being a family man and one who doesn't give enough time to her and the children. Your reasons for reaching home late may be genuine or not, your wife may be right or wrong on that particular day. In either case, you carry an image of yourself, all the time, as being a very loving, caring father and husband, who has been responsible for the all-round growth and development of the family in all respects since the family was created. Your wife's words basically pinch that invisible image, as a result of which you feel insulted and hurt and you react angrily, not necessarily in front of your wife, but it could be in front of someone else or even just internally. The image that we all carry of our selves is made of various traits or characteristics, obviously the characteristics of each one's self-created image are different. These characteristics of the image may or may not actually exist inside the real self, but whenever someone challenges any of those characteristics or tries to suggest to us that one of those characteristics is not ours or does not exist inside us, we react.

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Message for the day 14-07-2012
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To be powerful is to fly easily over the biggest obstacle.

Expression: When there is an awareness of the inner strength, difficult circumstances seem very easy to cross over. Nothing seems difficult or as a big obstacle, but the inner strength gives the power to very easily and quickly cross over all difficult and challenging situations.

Experience: When I have the power to fly, i.e., to go above the situations, I do not feel the bondage of the situation. So when I am up above everything down below (even the biggest mountain) seems very tiny and insignificant. So there is quick and steady progress experienced even when there are difficult situations in my life.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Friday, July 13, 2012

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 13-07-2012

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Soul Sustenance 13-07-2012
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The Mental Microscope

When the lens of the intellect becomes refined (clean), it is able to examine many things in detail and work like a microscope. In the same way that a microscope is able to detect bacteria and the types of germ that cause particular types of disease, so too the intellect is able to use its microscopic capacity to detect those germs that cause emotional and spiritual illness inside the soul. For example, it is able to examine and understand that the illness of anger comes from the germ of expectation; that the illness of possessiveness comes from the germ of insecurity; the illness of aggression, or forcefulness, comes from the germ of fear and that the illness of stress stems from the germs of worry, doubt and greed. If the germs are seen and understood, then the illness can be cured through the application of appropriate knowledge and meditation.

Meditation, in the form of focused silence, acts like a spiritual laser dissolving the acquired germs and emerging the original healing energies of the self, such as peace and self-respect.

Without this focused silence, it is difficult to remove the germs, even if they are seen and understood. The original innate energy of the soul (mentioned above) is needed for any permanent cure.

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Message for the day 13-07-2012
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To have faith that things will work out for the best means to ensure that they will.

Expression: To have faith that things will work out for the best means never to give up. Even if situations don't support and people don't give encouragement faith gives the ability to go on. Because of this there is recognition of eventhe not so visible resources and they are used for successfully completing the task.

Experience: When I have faith I am never discouraged by temporary failure, but am able to have the courage to move on towards success. I have constantly the satisfaction of giving my best. Because of my commitment and sincere effort, I find that situations and people too cooperate with me, bringing me success in whatever I undertake.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 12-07-2012

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Soul Sustenance 12-07-2012
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Is The Supreme Soul (God) Really Omnipresent (present everywhere) – cont.?

If the Supreme Soul (God) were omnipresent there would be no need for knowledge and no need to search for peace. The One who is the ocean of peace and the ocean of knowledge would be everywhere. Perhaps the strongest point against the idea of literal omnipresence is the point of relationship. In the heart of every soul – there is a distinct memory - I am the child, God is my Father. If God is omnipresent, does that mean that the Father is present inside the child?

God is also the supreme teacher, guide, liberator, friend and purifier of human souls. That is why everyone turns their thoughts to Him in their hours of sorrow. The idea that God is omnipresent is indeed the ultimate excuse and greatest escape from responsibility of the mistakes that human souls have made and continue to make. After all, if God were omnipresent (present in everyone) He would be responsible for good as well as evil karmas that humans commit. An omnipresent God implies that we have nothing to complete in ourselves for we are already God. Am I really God? One could not seriously admit to such a claim. It is only through deep and concentrated meditation that one can enter the spiritual dimension where His presence is truly felt.

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Message for the day 12-07-2012
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The power of good wishes enables disheartened ones to experience happiness.

Expression: The usual reaction to the negativity in another person is to behave negatively too, i.e., to express negative qualities. This continues although this does not bring about the desired change in the other person. On the other hand, when there is the ability to see the positive qualities in the other person and have good wishes based on that it becomes a source of power to bring about a change to positivity.

Experience: When I have the ability to give positive feelings and good wishes to the other person even when they are negative, they are able to get the power to change the negative to positive. I find that the change that I seek for in others is much more quicker and easier than if there is the emphasis just on negativity.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 11-07-2012

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Soul Sustenance 11-07-2012
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Is The Supreme Soul (God) Really Omnipresent (present everywhere)?

Is it really true that the Supreme Soul (God) is present everywhere, in each atom in the entire universe? The sun is in one place yet its influence can be felt throughout the solar system to different degrees in different places, providing a source of heat and light, needs absolutely essential for our physical life. The closer one is to the sun, the greater the effect. In the same way God, the one who is the ocean of perfect characteristics, the source of all spiritual needs, does not have to be omnipresent (present everywhere) in order to be with us wherever we are. He can be in one location and we can still experience his closeness.

If God were literally omnipresent and thus in every atom, where is this love, peace, joy and wisdom? Are they present in every atom in this human world? If God is present inside me, how could ignorance have come to me in the first place? Can ignorance come to God? If God is omnipresent to where or to whom do I turn my thoughts? Just as a radio transmitter emanates waves throughout the world and a receiver, if tuned in, will pick them up, so too if the mind is tuned totally to the material world and physical activities, then I am unable to experience God practically in my daily life. Even though He always radiates His qualities, I can only pick up those transmissions if I am soul-conscious and if I turn my thoughts in His direction to His location. If God were omnipresent, there would be no meaning to the tradition throughout all cultures to have special places set aside (e.g. temples and churches) for worship. In those special places, is God more omnipresent than in other non-sacred places? If God were omnipresent, are the ones who are so-called "God-realised beings" more "God" than the ones who have not realised?

(To be continued tomorrow ….)

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Message for the day 11-07-2012
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Love and cooperation bring success in all tasks.

Expression: Love is reflected in the love that there is for the person and also for the task. When there is love for the person, there is the ability to give cooperation without any expectations or demands. And when there is love for the task there is the commitment for completing the task, whatever the obstacles that come up in the process of doing things.

Experience: When I am able to have love, I am able to receive hundred percent help and commitment from others too and so I am able to have the satisfaction of moving forward constantly. There is nothing difficult for me and I do everything with great ease. Not only is the task easy but also there is a spread of happiness and joy experienced by all who are involved in the task.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 10-07-2012

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Soul Sustenance 10-07-2012
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Negative Control And Domination In Relationships

In a lot many of the different types of relationships we find ourselves in, may they be our personal relationships or at the workplace, we sometimes feel ourselves to be in a position where we feel we are being dominated and controlled negatively by the opposite person. A very common example of the above negative energy, in personal and non-personal relationships, is when someone gets angry with you and manages to make you react and get upset, they mange to dominate you. Over a period of time they start realizing that they possess an invisible and powerful remote control, using which, whenever they want to control you, what they should do is to get angry with you and that way they will achieve the desired control. Their anger becomes a remote control. When you react you are allowing this control or allowing the other's remote control to work. It is you that chooses to allow yourself to be influenced and dominated. It is important for us to realize that we can choose and take the decision to allow ourselves to be controlled and dominated, or we can choose to express what we feel without being affected by the reaction of the other and still maintaining our love, respect and good wishes for the other.

Let us not allow ourselves to be dominated and influenced by entities external to us which includes objects and people or we will lose energy. Each moment we allow another person's remote control to work successfully or we allow an object to control and dominate our emotional state, we weaken internally. We become like a puppet in the other person's hands. A puppet is never powerful because it does not act on its own but is controlled by someone else. We need to prevent that, if we want to conserve our energy and remain spiritually strong. Meditation and spiritual knowledge both increase our spiritual strength and also increase our self esteem or self respect over a period of time. Both these increases help us remain in self control and not only disallow the other's remote control to work but also become assertive (not aggressive) and take a stand when required.

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Message for the day 10-07-2012
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To be a master means to use the right power at the right time.

Expression: To be a master means to be aware of the internal qualities that one has. Also it is the ability to use these qualities as and when required. That means to be able to give an order and put into use in a second whatever internal power or virtue that is required at that time. If there is an awareness of the positive quality, and not the ability to put it into use wit hin a second, it would not be called total mastery.

Experience: When I am a master I am able to have an experience of having control over whatever is happening around me. Even if something comes up suddenly, I still am able to feel the control over the situation and make the best out of it. I neither feel helpless nor blame others for what is happening.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Monday, July 09, 2012

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 09-07-2012

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Soul Sustenance 09-07-2012
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False Attachments

Are you aware that whenever you lose your true self-awareness (soul-consciousness), you will identify with and get attached to something that is not you? It could be another person, your work, or some material possession. Let's say you are attached to your job and one day, due to rising costs, your company decides to downsize and starts laying off thousands of its employees - all of a sudden you are asked to leave. The attachment to and identification with your position in the company, which has become a habit (“sanskara”), causes the creation of fearful and angry thoughts (e.g., "I'm going to lose my job" (fear related to the future) or "How dare they downsize the company and damage my position (anger towards the company and its leadership)). The destructive energy of these thoughts becomes emotion (energy in motion) which then invades your entire mind so you cannot have clear and calm thoughts (the prime requirement of that moment). It hijacks your intellect so you cannot make correct, wise decisions and choices (also the prime requirement of that moment) for the future. Any connection you had with your inner peace is broken. All this happens because you forgot who you really are and had begun to think you are what you do. When seen from the point of view of this example it sounds ridiculous that we should identify with what we do or what we have, but this is currently how the world and its people work. So, never forget who you truly are!

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Message for the day 09-07-2012
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Real contentment spreads happiness to others too.

Expression: When one feels contentment but the others are not able to perceive that contenetment, it means that it is not true contentment. Real contentment is visible in such a way that others too are able to feel the happiness that is created. When there is real contentment, all thoughts, words and actions are filled with quality.

Experience: When I am content, others automatically recognise the contentment within me. They are able to take benefit from my state. Even in the most hopeless state, I find that I become a source of support for those around me. I am able to give hope to the hopeless and help them get back to a state of happiness.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Sunday, July 08, 2012

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 08-07-2012

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Soul Sustenance 08-07-2012
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Realizing The Law Of Karma

Many times one meets someone with the feeling of either attraction or repulsion and the thought "Where have I seen this person before?" What happens is that the soul recognizes the other soul, even though their bodies are different from the last time they met (in a previous birth). Someone may be a source of comfort or inspiration, while another for no apparent cause, causes a feeling of resentment, "Why does he treat me like this, I have never done anything to him?"

There are some, who even at a young age achieve extraordinary excellence in some branch of knowledge, art or music, while others in spite of their best efforts achieve nothing. Identical twins may be born to the same parents and have the same environment, food and education, but all their lives, their nature and "fortunes" will be completely different. All these examples can only be explained by the law of cause and effect (law of karma) over a series of births.

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Message for the day 08-07-2012
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The one who is humble is always successful.

Expression: The one who is humble is free from desires and is in a state of appreciation and contentment of what he has. So he does not want to prove to himself that he is successful. He only enjoys the process of learning and progressing. He is never deterred by criticism and takes it in the right spirit.

Experience: Humility enables me to appreciate the effort put in by those around me. I would naturally be able to see the specialities in others and respect them for it. There would be no feeling of envy. So I would naturally be able to have the quality of contributing for the progress of others too.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Saturday, July 07, 2012

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 07-07-2012

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Soul Sustenance 07-07-2012
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Simplifying The Union With The Spiritual Parent

The easiest definition of the word ‘yoga’ is union. When you unite with someone or something, you keep thinking about that someone or something and keep visualizing the same. It is as if you experience a union with the object or the person in your mind. In this way, there is a subtle (non-physical) communication with them which, when you meet, will turn into a form of words (physical communication).

We communicate with others mostly through physical means, but we cannot do the same with our spiritual Father and Mother - God, as He does not take a physical form. Our communication or union has to be subtle (non-physical), through the vibrations that we radiate as souls or life energies. There is deeply rooted belief in many – a belief that goes back to many centuries, that this union takes many births of effort to become a master at, but that’s not true, it just takes a little practice and patience. The reason why it may seem difficult, at first, is that our mind tends to be filled with thoughts, feelings and images related to other people, friends, family members with whom we have interacted or will be interacting, our workplace, the past, the future, unnecessary anxieties and many more issues. We need to learn to drop these 'thought conversations' with others and ‘creation of subtle images’ of other people and situations so that we can redirect our mind and vibrations to the Supreme. This also means learning how to make our mind and intellect quiet enough, and as a result, receptive enough, to receive, listen and feel His vibrations and His thoughts, and to experience His subtle presence. Ultimately it is an exchange of the energy of pure love between the soul and its Parent.

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Message for the day 07-07-2012
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To spread the rays of happiness is to be optimistic.

Expression: The one who is optimistic is able to spread the rays of happiness all around. Never does he stop or move back with life's challenges. On the other hand, he has the courage and determination to move on making the best out of the situation. Others too are encouraged seeing his faith.

Experience: When I am optimistic I am able to understand that there is something good that is hidden in everything that happens. I am able to enjoy seeing only this positive aspect, filling me with positivity. So my happiness spreads around and touches the lives of those around me.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Friday, July 06, 2012

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 06-07-2012

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Soul Sustenance 06-07-2012
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Understanding Anger And Its Many Forms

It is easy to understand how anger is one of the greatest fires in the human mind. Anger may take the form of yelling, shouting and verbal abuse, such as threatening, accusing, demanding, giving ultimatums: 'Do it or else!' But anger is also seen in the irritation when we do not speak: it is that silent smouldering (burning) where we emit fumes and fires of stored resentments (anger) and hatred, which effectively cuts real communication with others and ultimately ruins relationships. We get angry because we expect a certain type of behaviour from someone and when the behavior is not according to our expectations we become violent, convincing ourselves that others deserve to be punished. However, this result is an unresolved violence, which keeps emerging according to time and circumstance. Angry people feel too self-justified to even think about forgiveness, or letting go, in order make a person or situation peaceful - they are too attached to the fact that they are right and the other is wrong.

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Message for the day 06-07-2012
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Easy nature makes tasks easy.

Expression: The ones with an easy nature constantly think of solutions instead of problems. So such individuals are free from the burden of problems and are constantly contributing to make things easy for themselves and others too. The right environment to bring out the best result is naturally created by them.

Experience: When I have an easy nature, I am able to put a full stop in a second with great ease. I am not caught with the waste questions and exclamations. So I am able to enjoy everything that comes my way and move forward constantly with lightness.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thursday, July 05, 2012

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 05-07-2012

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Soul Sustenance 05-07-2012
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Going Beyond False Identifications

The more I identify with the physical factors of my life, the more I become a prisoner to my destiny or the various up and downs of my life. E.g. if my self-respect is attached to my beautiful new car, how will I feel about myself when the car becomes old and its beauty and shine reduce? Or if I my car is stolen or gets immensely damaged in a road accident? Then, I shall find myself in an identity crisis. The same will be true if my business or job is everything to me. If one day, I am in a good financial state and I enjoy a very respectable and dominant position, and the next day I find myself in a dispute in my profession and I suddenly lose all of that, and nobody wants to know me, I will feel as if I have lost my soul and have almost died. The problem is sometimes so great that people do, literally, lose their desire to live. It happens, too, in relationships, when your partner leaves you either due to a separation, a divorce or even death - a partner in whom you have invested all your love and emotions. Or if my identity is tied to my back balance or property, and suddenly I am broke.

All of these are actually false identifications, and the crazy part of living this way is that I can never be satisfied, even if I succeed in maintaining my false identity. These kind of false identifications do not keep me placed stably on my seat of self-respect and either bring about an inferiority complex or a superiority complex - both of which are false, so both bring insecurity. Even while I am externally successful, having my identity based on that success means I am a slave to them. I've handed over my self-esteem to them. I become addicted to it.

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Message for the day 05-07-2012
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There is victory for the person who opposes the weaknesses instead of the person.

Expression: Instead of trying to win over a person who displays any negative qualities, one needs to oppose the negativity itself. The one who knows the art of doing this will never do anything to encourage the weakness in the other person but will provide all help to finish it fully.

Experience: Since I am able to look at the weakness only and am trying to finish it, I will be free from negative feelings of dislike and hatred. There would be a genuine feeling of love, which in turn provides the right environment for the other person's growth.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Wednesday, July 04, 2012

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 04-07-2012

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Soul Sustenance 04-07-2012
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Understanding And Overcoming Repetitive Thoughts

Repetitive thoughts are mental dependences that arise due to a badly channeled imagination, false beliefs or mental weakness. For example, this happens when the pattern of negative repetitive thoughts makes us experience continuous feelings of guilt. Or we think, almost obsessively and continuously, that someone wants to hurt us or are after us. Or we create continuous thoughts of jealousy, hatred and violence with regards to another individual. They are negative and self-destructive habits. We fall into repetitive thoughts, which make us live in constant unhappiness.

We spend a lot of time during the day with these types of unnecessary thoughts. They are leaks of energy that weaken us. We have created the habit of thinking like that and, therefore, it is in our hands to learn to change it. We can free ourselves of these dependencies and the result is to be freer, mentally, of negative and repetitive thoughts, which are like a constant hammering. It is a question of learning to control what we think, thinking positively and in a focused manner, meditating and exercising the mind. We exercise to keep the body healthy and strong; in order to have a healthy and strong mind we have to learn exercises like meditation and relaxation that help us to free ourselves from repetitive thoughts which are nothing but bad positions or postures of the mind.

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Message for the day 04-07-2012
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Faith is the key to the best use of one's fortune.

Expression: For the one who has faith, in the self and in things, there is only positivity. Under all circumstances, there are only opportunities and treasures seen. Each moment is an inner urge to discover these hidden treasures and make the best use of them. So the one who has faith draws out the best from each and every situation.

Experience: When I am able to move forward with faith, I am encouraged to give my best under all circumstances and am able to enjoy the best fruit of the effort that I put in. Faith gives me the courage to go on even during difficult times and so I have the satisfaction of bringing about constant change and progress in my life.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Tuesday, July 03, 2012

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 03-07-2012

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Soul Sustenance 03-07-2012
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The Journey Of Time (cont.)

In yesterday’s message, we had explained how the Law of Entropy works on a physical level. When the Law of Entropy is applied to spiritual energy, our virtues, to the quality our thoughts, words and actions, we can perhaps begin to see why, as individuals, we feel tired and old in virtues, irrespective of whether we are young or old physically. We can also understand why we succumb to negative thoughts, words and actions more easily than being influenced by the positive. In fact, the entropy of our virtues i.e. the spiritual entropy has followed the same pattern as the entropy of the physical world or the physical entropy (explained yesterday) i.e. the spiritual energy or the energy of the virtues of the world has been reducing (as the world has become older and older) because it has not been renewed or re-energized from a source outside the system. When we accept this movement from new to old, we understand the journey of time in a completely different way. As we look backwards into the journey of time, we find that although there have been very important scientific discoveries and global communication has improved immensely, which have all contributed to the give everyone an illusion of progress, everyone accepts that we are not enjoying healthier, more loving and peaceful relationships with ourselves, each other or the planet Earth. The reason for this is understood easily by applying the second law of time i.e. everything new becomes old. At the present moment, the source from outside the world system (on a spiritual level) which is required to re-energize it and restore it to its original new stage is the Supreme Soul or God or the Spiritual Sun, who is an ocean of spiritual energy and divine values or virtues. In meditation we, as living beings, who are part of the world system, can absorb this energy or divinity from him and contribute to this process.

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Message for the day 03-07-2012
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To recognise one's own uniqueness is to respect oneself.

Expression: To have respect for oneself based on other people's opinion or situational achievements is to have respect temporarily. True respect for the self is based on the recognition of the fact that every individual is unique with its own set of unique capabilities. This understanding enables one to see one's own uniqueness without being influenced or without comparing with others.

Experience: When I know to recognise and appreciate my own uniqueness and respect myself on this basis, I am able to be free from ego or a feeling of inferiority. I am also able to recognise naturally the uniqueness of the other person and respect him for it. Thus I am able to win the love and respect of others too.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Monday, July 02, 2012

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 02-07-2012

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Soul Sustenance 02-07-2012
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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.

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Message for the day 02-07-2012
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The one who is the master of the self is able to master situations and control people.

Expression: If there is an attempt to control situations and people without trying to control the self it becomes impossible. It only takes things more out of control and leads to extreme emotions like anger. To be a master means to be a master of one's own feelings and emotions under all circumstances. It means to have the reins in one's own hands.

Experience: When I am able to be a master of my own thoughts, feelings and emotions I am able to deal effectively with situations and people. I never go out of control or lose my cool however difficult the situation or person may be. This enables me to be aware of my own inner resources and use it to be the best of my ability.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Sunday, July 01, 2012

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 01-07-2012

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Soul Sustenance 01-07-2012
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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.

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Message for the day 01-07-2012
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The one who serves others is the richest.

Expression: To be in a position to serve others means to be aware of the resources and treasures within. When all the powers that are within are used for the benefit of the self and others they tend to multiply and increase. So the one who continues to serve others continues to become richer.

Experience: When I serve, not only do I become richer with what I use, but for having served unselfishly I also become richer with the blessings and good wishes that emerge from the hearts of others. I am able to experience the real richness and beauty of life as there is a lot of love, happiness and joy in my life.


In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris