Brahma Kumaris: December 2016

Saturday, December 31, 2016

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 31-12-2016

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Soul Sustenance 31-12-2016
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Yoga - A Lifestyle (Part 2)

All of us are living beings with a mind and an intellect, which we use to connect to various objects, people and events throughout the day. This is called our mental energy. This mental energy travels extremely fast and can reach another person in much less than a second. Very often we focus our mental energy on the physical body for mental peace and physical fitness through the medium of yog asanas or yogic postures to attain the desired purpose. That for us is a way of letting go of our stresses and negative energies stored in the body. It makes our mind and body healthy. We also focus our mental energies on our breath through the medium of pranayama whereby flawless and smooth breathing is experienced. This benefits our physical body immensely and also gives us mental energy.

If you are new at the Brahma Kumaris, and if you are practicing yog asanas and pranayama for their physical and emotional health benefits, from before, you don’t need to stop them. This is because both these are extremely important mediums for this purpose and widely acclaimed and proven successful techniques which have saved many people from the most serious of illnesses. They have also reduced the intensity of many illnesses. There are lakhs of people all over the world who share their experiences confirming this. But the Brahma Kumaris add another dimension to this physical side of yoga – a spiritual yoga i.e. connecting the mind and intellect to the supreme source of spiritual energy or God. This is also called yoga or connection with a non-physical pure entity - God. So those who have been practicing yog asanas and pranayama, if they desire, can continue to do the same but add the spiritual yoga in their lifestyles. Those who have not been practicing yog asanas and pranayama concentrate only on the spiritual yoga. Spiritual yoga not only purifies the soul but also has immense benefits for the physical systems of the body and helps in purifying them. This is because a pure mind means a mind full of the seven qualities of peace, joy, love, bliss, purity, power and knowledge. That in turn influences the main systems of the body and makes them free of illnesses. The mechanism of how the mind affects the different body systems will be explained in tomorrow’s message, in further detail.

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Message for the day 31-12-2016
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To remain in peace is to give support to those around.

Expression:If there is inner peace even when there is negativity all around, there is the ability to give support to those around. The biggest service that one can do is to give this support to those in need during challenging times. The one who remains in peace even in chaotic conditions becomes an example also.

Experience: When I am able to maintain my own inner state of calm under all circumstances, I am able to learn from everything that happens. I am able to bring benefit for those around me because of the vibrations of positivity that I am able to spread. I become a source of inspiration and support for all those in need.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Friday, December 30, 2016

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 30-12-2016

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Soul Sustenance 30-12-2016
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Yoga - A Lifestyle (Part 1)

All of us are constantly living a life of yoga, which in spiritual terms is called a link or connection between two entities i.e. the one which remembers and the other one which is remembered. Examples of what we have yoga with could be a person or God (called rajyoga) or your actions (called karma yoga) or spiritual knowledge (called gyan yoga) or bhakti (called bhakti yoga). Other examples of yoga are with your breath (called pranayama) or your physical body (called hath yoga) or even a physical object like a candle flame. So, yoga is life and should not be limited to sitting in a particular posture for a few minutes at a particular time of the day. Basically, remembering anything or anyone is yoga. The word yoga should not be limited to exercise which is a narrow definition of yoga. Focusing on one’s own body is extremely important, but only one aspect of a yogi lifestyle. A complete or comprehensive yogi lifestyle is focusing on pure and constructive sources right through the day including God. This is because yoga means union or link, a union which will benefit the soul and body positively.

We all live our lives in search of peace, love and happiness and also inner powers which we as spiritual beings are lacking in. So yoga i.e. our mental energy correctly channeled and connected with something positive provides us with that. People also call performing actions as yoga which is called karma yoga. But only performing selfless actions with complete dedication nowadays with the stresses and strains of everyday living can be depleting on a mental energy level. This will happen unless the karma yoga as it is called is accompanied by a mental union or link with the Supreme while performing the actions. This helps us in remaining unaffected by the stress caused due to being over-busy in those actions. That in the true sense is karma yoga i.e. selfless karmas performed in the remembrance of God. This link between me, the spiritual child and God, the spiritual parent, nourishes me continuously. It gives me the strength to perform actions with complete accuracy and get the desired success filled result.

(To be continued tomorrow …)

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Message for the day 30-12-2016
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To finish excuses is to take up full responsibility.

Expression:To take up responsibility means to be ready to bear the consequences of the action done. The one who is responsible will never give excuses, but will be able to take the responsibility of correcting the situation. Under all circumstances, such a person will be able to give his best without situations hindering his output.

Experience: When I am responsible, it is not important for me why a mistake happened, but it is more important for me to find a method so that I am able to rectify what has gone wrong. So when I am responsible I am neither worried nor concerned too much for whatever has happened. On the other hand I am able work with lightness to improve the situation.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thursday, December 29, 2016

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 29-12-2016

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Soul Sustenance 29-12-2016
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Taking Charge Of Your Responses In Close Relationships

In relationships with your loved ones, when looking at the other, sometimes positive emotions are generated and sometimes negative. On the one hand, joy, love and happiness is generated on being with them; but then attachment, dependency and expectations are generated. In such situations, you are more focused on others and are always looking at the other person's behavior, you stop seeing yourself and being aware of your reactions and taking the responsibility for the responses that you create. You get frustrated when the other person does not meet your expectations. As you depend on them, if they don't act as you would like, if they don't reach home or call you at the time you would like; all this frustrates you. You radiate this energy to the other: they are not doing what they should be doing and so you feel frustrated and discontented.

All the while that you hold the other one responsible for your frustration, you are not in charge of your own reactions, because you have given power to the other to dominate your emotional world. It is there that you lose your freedom. You lose your freedom because you give to the other, in the name of love, power over your own moods. You allow the other's energy to enter your inner world and cause inside you frustration, bad moods, irritation, sorrow and a mental and emotional dependence where you are constantly thinking about where they are, what they have to do, what they have to say, where they have to go, and all this consumes a lot of your mental energy. Wanting to control the other and the frustration that it brings with it uses up a lot of emotional energy.

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Message for the day 29-12-2016
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To tighten the loose screw of carelessness is to be powerful.

Expression:The one who is careless is not able to use the powers and the skills that he has. All the positive qualities within are wasted, because the one who is careless is not able to use them in the best possible way. But the one who is able to tighten the loose screw of carelessness is able to recognize and use the potentials that are within. So there is power visible in such a person.

Experience: When I am able to be free from carelessness, I am able to move forward with lightness and happiness. There is no difficulty of any situations experienced and I do everything to the best of my ability without giving any excuses. I am able to experience being powerful under all circumstances, as I am the master of the situation.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 28-12-2016

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Soul Sustenance 28-12-2016
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A Perfect Personality For Success (Part 3)

A very important and other aspect of our daily lives is erasing or removing the negative personality characteristics that exist inside us. We also need to ensure that they do not come to the surface and do not cause a hindrance or obstacle in our everyday dealings. In this particular sphere of self change, there are some people who are more sensitive to their weaknesses. They are always keen to transform or remove them completely while some are less sensitive and are unable to realize or check their weaknesses and change them. Spiritual power is a later step in self transformation, but the first and foremost power is the power to realize that a particular weakness exists inside me. If I don’t realize I will not work to bring that power inside me. Also, once the realization is there, we need to think about possible thought patterns and efforts at the level of words and actions, which will take us to a perfect personality. We need to remove the flaws or weaknesses that give us unhappiness and make others also discontent.

Lastly, the most important tool to be used in self-transformation is taking power from a higher spiritual source and then using that power to change our thoughts. Also the power helps in changing the seed of the thoughts – our personality. Once the personality is changed, our thoughts start taking shape accordingly. Once the thoughts change, our feelings, attitudes, vision, words and actions move towards a positive direction. Self-effort is not so difficult but it can seem difficult if spiritual power is lacking. So, meditation is the foundation of all self change, whether it involves imbibing new qualities and powers or whether it is becoming a better person, by removing weaknesses. Meditation is a connection at the level of the mind and thoughts with the Supreme Soul or God, who is an ocean of spiritual power or strength.

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Message for the day 28-12-2016
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Change comes with what is done than what is thought of.

Expression:Thinking about others' actions can give a headache. Instead it is good to think about what is to be done. If someone is doing something wrong, instead of risking one's peace by raising complaints in the mind, it is good to do something to change the situation. When this is done, it creates good feelings for others. These good feelings become like ointments that heal wounds and re-establish friendship and relationships.

Experience: When I am able to think about what is to be done in all circumstances, I can find myself progressing. There will naturally be the understanding that there can be nothing that can be done to change the other person, so I am able to be happy and content under all circumstances. Yet I am able to have the enthusiasm to make effort to change the situation.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 27-12-2016

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Soul Sustenance 27-12-2016
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A Perfect Personality For Success (Part 2)

A very important spiritual strength that sometimes we need and are lacking is the power to mould as per the other person’s personality and behavior. To mould yourself means adjusting your nature according to the need of the situation or as required in dealing with a particular type of person. Suppose someone is angry because of a certain behavior of mine. I may be right also in such a situation and may feel it is wrong for the other person to find fault in me. In such a case, to mould oneself means to argue less, to bow down, to be humble, to sacrifice the I am right consciousness. On the other hand, also give respect, to be positive, to keep the other person ahead are signs of an adjusting person. Also, a third strength or power is the power to discriminate between good and bad, right and wrong and to select the right in the form of thoughts, words and actions and bring them into practical. Suppose I know that in a certain situation, especially in dealing with people, I have two choices. In such a case, a good practice is to use the spiritual wisdom that I possess in my intellect and discriminate correctly and take a right decision.

Other powers include power to tolerate a situation or a person. Sometimes, in many cases we are not able to able to cope up with a person’s different attitude than us and we react or respond negatively. In such a case, it is the lack of this power. Also, the power to face is a significant power, a lack of which can cause us to become fearful of difficult situations. Sometimes, two people can experience and perceive the same situation differently because they are lacking in the same power to different extents. We all are lacking in some power or the other and it is only through practice and consistent self-effort that we can become very very strong and full of all important powers.

(To be continued tomorrow …)

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Message for the day 27-12-2016
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God's love brings out the best from within.

Expression:God, who is an image of perfection, becomes a source of inspiration and power for the one who is connected to Him. with the connection with God, and with an experience of His love, it becomes easy to be in touch with the innate qualities of peace and purity. In all circumstances, the presence of God becomes a great motivator to express the inner beauty.

Experience: When I am deeply connected with God, I am able to be connected with the innate beauty. God's love becomes a source of energy to connect me back to my innate beauty. Thus I find that I am able to maintain this inner beauty under all circumstances. I am not negatively influenced by the situations or people.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Monday, December 26, 2016

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 26-12-2016

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Soul Sustenance 26-12-2016
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A Perfect Personality For Success (Part 1)

Living a life full of different types of situations and meeting different types of people can bring with it certain challenges and the need to change your personality. Also, we need to increase our strengths and skills at the level of the personality so that we can adapt ourselves. Apart from inculcating different types of new personality characteristics, which are not there with us, we need to work on certain negative personality features in us also and remove them completely. These negative aspects influence us negatively and cause instability in our relationships. So different missing powers and virtues, which we require at times but we are unable to emerge them in our thoughts, words and actions at the right times are required to be first realized. Then using techniques of mind empowerment like meditation and spiritual knowledge tools, those powers and virtues can be made a part of our nature.

The first and foremost power in any difficult situation is the power to change or transform one’s thinking as per the needs of the situation, into a positive one. Then, creating a positive thought or a series of positive thoughts and preventing the situation or negative scene seem difficult to overcome in the mind. This is spiritual power in action or bringing it into practice. Also, the power of good wishes should be used to bring peace and harmony with those people with whom our relationships are not positive. Good wishes are virtues in action and make us loveful and humble. So, the more qualities and powers we fill inside ourselves, the more complete and spiritually skilled we become and the more successful we are.

(To be continued tomorrow …)

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Message for the day 26-12-2016
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Concentration on positive thoughts brings power and growth.

Expression:Whatever thoughts are concentrated upon, those thoughts become powerful. It is like the growth of a seed. When a thought, a positive thought, is planted in the mind and it is concentrated upon, it becomes like sunlight adding energy. The more the concentration on them these thoughts begin to grow.

Experience: When I am able to create a positive thought, each morning and water it with attention throughout the day, I am able to find myself becoming more and more powerful. Negative circumstances or people with negativity do not influence me but I become a powerful source for finishing that negativity. I am able to maintain this positive thought under all circumstances.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Sunday, December 25, 2016

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 25-12-2016

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Soul Sustenance 25-12-2016
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The Role Of My Intentions In Shaping My Future

The word karma has been given many negative meanings. In common language, most people almost always relate it to suffering, but the simplest meaning of karma is action. Newton's Third Law of Physics (every action has an equal and opposite reaction) is a physical law of motion. The Law of Karma is the metaphysical (non-physical) equivalent of the Newton's Third Law - it refers to action and its result (fruit) or, simply, cause and effect. The quality of my actions, thoughts more specifically determines my personal level of happiness. Our natures today are the result of everything we have thought; they are formed by our thoughts. It's not so much the act that determines the return or fruit but the quality of the motive or intention behind it e.g. in the simple task of buying a new car, the intention can be different in the case of three different people:

• I need to buy a good car; it’s an urgent need of my family. (concern)
• What if I am not able to buy that car model which my wife so badly wants? (worry)
• With me at the wheel of the brand new car, which I will be buying soon, I will be the talk of the town, my office colleagues will really be jealous of me! (ego)

Although the action is the same in each case, each of these attitudes will lead to a different result. This role of intentions become clear when analyzing the difference in guilt between an army officer who kills another while protecting his country and another person who plans for months to commit a murder out of personal enmity and hatred. The karma of taking the life of someone is the same in both cases, but the return or fruit of the karma depends on the intention.

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Message for the day 25-12-2016
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To be free from attachment of one's own qualities is to have the ability to work on the self.

Expression:The main form of attachment of the self is the attachment to both one's own specialities and weaknesses. When there is the ability to free oneself from this kind of attachment there is the ability to work on both. There is the awareness of them, but not bound by them. There is the ability to use specialities with love and according to the need. There is also special attention given to finish weaknesses.

Experience: When I am free from attachment, I am aware of them, but there is neither arrogance of the specialities nor any inferior feelings for the presence of the negativity within me. I am able to experience detachment from them and able to use my specialities with ease. I am not disturbed with the presence of the weaknesses but am able to win over them with ease.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Saturday, December 24, 2016

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 24-12-2016

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Soul Sustenance 24-12-2016
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Going Back To My Original Nature

Our present personalities are basically the combined habits of this lifetime (birth), built on the combined habits of previous lifetimes (births), all of which have left their mark (sometimes deep and sometimes not so deep) on our consciousness. It may well be that habits such as becoming angry, upset, anxious, stressed, sorrowful or scared, have been with us for so long that, they feel a natural part of our inner world, so natural that when someone says our true nature is not anger but peace, not fear but love, not aggression but acceptance, not anxiety but calm, it does not feel right. And even if it did feel right for a moment, we have become so attached to our old habitual moods, emotions and behaviors that we do not really want to change. It may even be the case that we have become so weak that we need help to change. It seems much easier to stay the way we are.

As we begin to meditate and develop our spiritual practice, our views on the above subject will fluctuate. When that does happen, imagine you are having a conversation with yourself and teaching yourself. Give yourself permission to be peaceful by nature, full of love and joy by nature, naturally content by nature, wherever you are and in whatever you do. After a while, you won't need to give yourself permission and you will find these states of being are there within you quite naturally at every moment. They are our original and eternal nature. Everything else is acquired or learned. In so many ways introduction to spirituality, like many other approaches to inner awakening, is as much about unlearning (the acquired beliefs) as it is about learning (new beliefs).

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Message for the day 24-12-2016
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True honesty brings clarity about the self.

Expression:Honesty doesn't mean just speaking the truth. Honesty means being clear with oneself. Then it naturally brings clarity about one's own capabilities. This clear understanding enables one to do the best according to the capacity. It gives the recognition of a higher step that can be climbed and brings the humility to learn from the different lessons of life.

Experience: When I am honest I am able to know my own limitations and accept them with love. This acceptance keeps me busy with what I can do and also silently makes me ready for the next step. When time comes, I am able to do it, because I have already prepared myself for it. I don't stop when situations demand more from me because there is total clarity within.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Friday, December 23, 2016

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 23-12-2016

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Soul Sustenance 23-12-2016
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Resolving Conflicts in Relationships (Part 2)

During a conflict, it is good to realize that the energy that you put into the conflict will possibly be the quality of energy that you will receive in return. This is the law of reciprocity (cause and effect). On a subtle level, we radiate according to our attitude, and on a physical level, we radiate according to our behavior. What we transmit on a subtle or/and physical level will return to us in a similar way; unless the other is wiser and decides not to give us back the same negative energy, but rather to treat us in exchange with a positive attitude and pro-active behavior. That way, that person won't bring about a dependence inside us, but rather they will help us to free ourselves of our own negativity.

Often, conflict between two people happens because we do not get the result in a relationship that we want; we are stuck to getting a specific result and we allow our happiness to depend on getting it. On not getting it, we use a wrong method; we generate a conflict, we feel ourselves to be victims, we blame the other, we project our pain onto them; all of this under the belief that others - the other - is who makes us happy or unhappy. This is a false belief. When your happiness depends on your expectations being fulfilled, it is difficult to be happy in a constant way. Often expectations are disguised desires, and where there are desires there is fear - the fear of not getting what you want. When you don't get it you get unhappy and, in so doing, you keep happiness away from you. It is good to set yourself goals of peaceful relationships, but if they are not fulfilled or if these goals take time to achieve, don't lose your sense of wellbeing. Your happiness is a much more valuable treasure than the external achievement of your expectations and of those that others have of you.

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Message for the day 23-12-2016
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To use the gift that one has is to be powerful.

Expression:Each one has surely been bestowed with a special gift, a gift that is unique to each one. The one who recognizes this fact is able to use it for the purpose of bringing benefit to one and all. Under all circumstances there is the ability to bring out the best from within the self. So there is the influence of that on all around and everyone is benefitted.

Experience: When I recognize my own uniqueness, I am able to remain free from comparison and competition. I am able to be in the state of self-respect of knowing who I am. This then keeps me content and peaceful. Along with this, I have a lot of enthusiasm to use this special gift of mine. So there is a constant experience of contentment along with progress.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 22-12-2016

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Soul Sustenance 22-12-2016
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Resolving Conflicts In Relationships (Part 1)

In relationships, sometimes we feel that the other person is not only a problem but also a source of conflicts. We have to be aware that there always have to be two people involved for there to be an unhappy or conflictive exchange. When we are in any conflict, it is difficult to see and understand the true causes and the real energy of the process of the conflict. The emotions that arise inside us during a conflict distract us and even blind us.

In the first place, it is important to recognize that your response in any situation of conflict is your contribution to the conflict. The process of responding to any person or situation is something that takes place in you. Nothing can make you feel anything without your permission. If you have been in conflict with someone for a time, for sure, you create fear or anger towards them, expressing thus behaviors of resistance when you communicate or relate to them. The other person is not responsible for your emotions or for your behavior.

Your experience of conflict and your contribution to the conflict begin in your consciousness and you keep them in your consciousness. It begins with your perception of the other (how you see others). If you perceive them negatively you will think negatively; you will feel negative and create a negative attitude; you will behave negatively, and so you will transmit a negative energy. You don't have to do it like that. Perception is a choice.

When there is conflict there is mental and emotional pain, even physical. Who creates that pain? You! Who creates at least half of the conflict? You! Where do you dissolve it? In your consciousness - in you. Freeing yourself of the conflict is a matter of a decision. At any moment you can decide not to be in conflict. One party has to dissolve their contribution to the conflict, even if it is temporarily, for the process of resolution to be able to begin.

(To be continued tomorrow…)

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Message for the day 22-12-2016
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To understand the power of positivity is to finish negativity.

Expression:All it takes to finish darkness, is a little light. What is real is light and what needs to go away is darkness. In the same way, negativity is nothing but a lack of positivity. The one who is able to use positivity in situations, is able to finish negativity very naturally. There is a very powerful influence of this inner positivity, where no negativity of the self or the others remain.

Experience: When I am able to enable myself to use the power of positivity, I experience myself to be free from the influence of negativity. I am powerful in all situations, and deal with them with great ease. Others or situations don't have an influence on me. Instead I am able to influence others with my own commitment to positivity.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 21-12-2016

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Soul Sustenance 21-12-2016
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8 Keys To Success For Facing Exams (Part 3)

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

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

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Message for the day 21-12-2016
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As is the seed so is the fruit.

Expression:Several times we find things happening unexpectedly. Yet, there should be the understanding that nothing is unexpected or a matter of chance but everything depends on the seeds previously planted. When there is this understanding there is no passiveness but there is an ability to take responsibility and better the situation.

Experience: Every thing I do has a deep significance and an importance for what I have to attain. When I understand this fact, I am able to make the most out of what I have. I am never discouraged by the negative results that I get today, nor do I take myself to a great height for the positive things that I get. I remain stable and make the best use of what I have.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 20-12-2016

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Soul Sustenance 20-12-2016
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8 Keys To Success For Facing Exams (Part 2)

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

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

(To be continued tomorrow …)

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Message for the day 20-12-2016
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To make big things small is to remain in peace.

Expression:Many times life brings situations, which are difficult and seem impossible to work on. But there should be the ability to transform something as big as a mountain into something as small as a grain of sand. To do this means to look for solutions instead of looking at problems. It also means to make effort to find the right answers for the problems.

Experience: When I have the ability to look at things lightly, I will be able to make even big things as small. This gives me the courage to deal with situations with ease. Then I am able to remain in peace. Such a state of mind is naturally able to bring out the best solutions under all circumstances.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Monday, December 19, 2016

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 19-12-2016

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Soul Sustenance 19-12-2016
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8 Keys To Success For Facing Exams (Part 1)

We all live our lives with different types of challenges always in front of us. One of the most important challenge which all of us at some time or the other face is giving a school or college exam, which will determine our future. And such an exam is as important as anything else. We often hear some of our close ones tell us that yes – we have an important exam in the coming days. These are mostly school or college exams and the ones giving them are important to us and we want them to do well in the same.

So, what should I, as a parent or a friend or a relative, give advice to people close to me so that they succeed in exams? A first step in giving exams that are extremely important is being determined and strong mentally and having a positive vision as well as attitude to them. Very often, some very intelligent children or grown-ups don’t do well in their exams. This is because of a lack of concentration which is affected by fear and nervousness. Very very well prepared students with their courses and syllabus, at the last moment, are not able to answer the questions presented to them because their minds are flooded with lots of thoughts. Most of such thoughts are negative ones of failure and the fear of the same. On the other hand, students who are lesser prepared but more strong mentally sometimes do well because their mental stability and the drive to excel positively is a lot more. In this message, we shall explain eight ways of increasing mental strength and focus, which will help students in their exams. They will also help you, even if you are not studying for any exam.

(To be continued tomorrow …)

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Message for the day 19-12-2016
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To understand is to be easy and light.

Expression:Life brings obstacles and difficulties. They do not come to stop or hinder progress. They can strengthen and help in bringing progress with more experience. To understand this is to keep advancing. Understanding this aspect means to know that it is not always necessary to find a solution, it is enough to keep moving forward, leaving the obstacle behind.

Experience: True understanding is to understand what the solution of the problem is and bring it into my own life accordingly. When I am able to understand this instead of focussing too much on the problem, I am able to remain happy. This brings a lot of inner lightness and ease and thereby I am able to use all my strength in bringing about solutions.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Sunday, December 18, 2016

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 18-12-2016

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Soul Sustenance 18-12-2016
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Moving From Action Consciousness To Spiritual Consciousness

As the name suggests, to be a rajayogi means to be a practitioner of meditation, who with the practice of meditation is able become a ruler of the self. But on the other hand, rajayoga is not restricted to learning to discipline the physical sense organs only but more importantly, of redirecting the energy of my thoughts, feelings, emotions, intellect and sanskaras in a positive and constructive way. When these energies become positive, my karmas start becoming elevated. And how do I make these energies positive? By performing actions while having a mental connection with the Supreme Being or by having a meditative consciousness while walking, interacting, cooking, driving or working - in fact, while doing anything. After all, meditation is specifically related to the use of the mind and intellect and does not require the use of the physical sense organs and so can be done alongside each karma in the day – only the form of meditation changes depending on the karma being performed. Just as we can remember other things and people while being involved in various activities throughout the day, we can keep our minds on our true spiritual self, the Supreme Being, churn different aspects of spiritual knowledge, remain focused on a single aspect of spiritual knowledge, etc. while performing karmas – these are all some of the different forms of meditation – there are more that can be practiced. Thus, rajayoga can also be called karmayoga. Karmayoga meaning the one who maintains the balance of meditation and karmas while being involved or busy in karmas.

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Message for the day 18-12-2016
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To move towards perfection is to have commitment for goodness.

Expression:The one who has a desire to move towards perfection is constantly busy trying to add goodness and positivity to everything he does. The aim is not just to keep out negativity but it becomes more important to add positivity. So such a person finds constant progress in his life and slowly moves towards perfection.

Experience: When I find little excuses to bring about positivity, I am able to enjoy each and every moment. I never find anything ordinary or waste but everything is meaningful and beautiful. I am able to enjoy the richness of each and everything and discover the hidden treasures in each and every moment. I find myself slowly moving towards perfection.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Saturday, December 17, 2016

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 17-12-2016

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Soul Sustenance 17-12-2016
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The Relationship Between The Soul And The Body

Human being means the consciousness, the soul or being (living energy), experiencing life through the physical body, the human(non-living). The body is perishable and temporary, whereas the soul is eternal and without physical dimension.
• The soul is the driver; the body is the car.
• The soul is the actor; the body is its costume.
• The soul is a diamond; the body is the jewelry box.
• The soul is the musician; the body is the instrument.
• The soul is the guest; the body is the hotel.
• The soul is the deity; the body is the temple.

I can use a knife to chop vegetables. I can use the same knife to kill someone. The knife neither decides (outwards) nor experiences (inwards), but can be washed easily under water. Now look at the fingers which held the knife. They neither decide nor experience the actions. They too can be washed under water. It's easy to realize that the knife is an instrument, but it is more difficult to realize that the fingers as well as the arms are instruments too. The legs are instruments for walking, the eyes for seeing, the ears for hearing, the mouth for speaking, the tongue for tasting, the heart for pumping food and oxygen (via blood) around the body, and so on. Even the brain is an instrument used like a computer to express all thought, word and action programs through the body and to experience the results. If every physical part of the body is an instrument, who or what is it that is using this instrument? Very simply it is I, the self, the soul. The soul uses the word I for itself and the word my when referring to the body; my hands, my eyes, my brain, etc. I am different from my body.

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Message for the day 17-12-2016
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To let go of worry of the problem is to find the right solution.

Expression:When the mind is caught up with any problem there is a great difficulty in finding solutions. Instead when the mind is free from worry, it finds the answers that lie within. So whatever the kind of situations or problems, the one who is free from worry is the one who is able to respond to the situation in the right way. Nor does such a person take time in making decisions during challenging times.

Experience: When I only continue to worry about my problems it is like cursing the darkness. It will not bring light. All I need to do is light a little lamp and I will find the light coming in slowly spreading all around. I find that it is very easy to find the solutions that are already within me.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Friday, December 16, 2016

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 16-12-2016

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Soul Sustenance 16-12-2016
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Overcoming The Subtle Desire For Revenge

Ask yourself very honestly how many times in your life did you feel joy, even a slight trace of it, when something negative happened with someone who had harmed you or hurt you or insulted you in any way in the past – either in the immediate or distant (far-away) past. When this kind of joy, which is an impure form of joy, is seen inside you, even if it is at your extremely subtle thought level (if not in your words or actions), you need to remember that this is nothing but a feeling of subtle revenge, even if physically you haven’t got back at any point of time at the person who has harmed you, when he did so. It may not sound very nice, but this kind of joy is enjoying the pain of others and is obviously an extremely low grade form of joy. Sometimes, as a way of justifying our joyful revenge, we call it justice.

The driving energy or fuel behind this kind of revenge is hatred or anger. It is a feeling of: I really enjoyed it when what they had done to me came to them - I was so happy to see them suffer for what they had done, this is their punishment … tit for tat. It is a type of joy that only increases our accounts of negative karmas with the other person, which as a result, increases our sorrow, instead of decreasing it, although it may give us an impression for a while that it is decreasing our sorrow. This kind of joy will only cause the radiation of a negative form of energy to the other person, which will not only give pain to the other person, but will also cause the radiation of the negative energy of hatred from the other person to us that will never bring us long term joy. Imagine someone meeting with an accident on the road and in a lot of pain and instead of helping that person immediately we smile at that person happy with what has happened to him or her. What energy will such a person send us in return? This example is on a physical level, but the same principle applies on a subtle level. So the next time something like this happens in our life, we need to remind ourselves only if we don’t have the slightest trace of joy inside us that we can safely say that we are free from any desire for revenge, even though it may be very subtle.

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Message for the day 16-12-2016
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To be accepting means to give a chance to the other person to change.

Expression:When someone makes a mistake there is usually a feeling of guilt and a lot of negative feelings. At such a time if there is understanding and love, it helps the other person bring about a change. There will be always an environment of positivity provided by the one who understands and accepts. So anyone in this environment can bring about a change with great ease.

Experience: Only when I am able to accept can I bring about a change in the other person. When I accept I am able to see what the other person is lacking and provide him with it. So I am actually giving the other person a chance to change. Also when I accept others and understand them, others too are able to accept me and love me as I am. I find my relationships becoming more and more beautiful.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 15-12-2016

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Soul Sustenance 15-12-2016
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The Mind In Control (Part 3)

A very good practice in your everyday life is to connect your mind with a peaceful source of spiritual energy. God is such a source and not someone with a physical form. His form is a being of spiritual light which is invisible to the physical eyes but can be experienced through the mind. So, connecting with this being of light which is full of spiritual qualities like peace and power at regular intervals in the day will help your mind become silent. This is because the moment you connect with this Supreme Energy, His spiritual energy starts entering the mind. As a result, your thoughts which are related to your physical body and physical role in life and relationships start becoming less and we become calm and peaceful. This is called silence of the mind and not only silence of a physical nature, in which you don’t do anything physically and don’t talk. Remember true silence is few thoughts and only positive and necessary ones with no unnecessary and negative thoughts.

Also, this technique of remembering God, who is a point of spiritual energy and light, makes you more and more powerful also. The ability to create only those thoughts which are necessary in any difficult circumstance of life is sometimes difficult for some people. The moment we are faced with difficult situations, different types of thoughts which are related to the situation but are negative and unnecessary in nature come into our mind. How do I prevent that and what is spiritual power? Spiritual power means creating only those thoughts which are positive and necessary in any situation. This brings silence of the mind. So peace and power along with joy and love also, absorbed from the Supreme, keep us not only light but also full of contentment, which is our original nature.

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Message for the day 15-12-2016
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The one who has courage to bring about a change is free from excuses.

Expression:For the one who recognizes the need for bringing about a change, every situation is an excuse for doing something new. If there is no commitment to change in every situation, excuses are given and others are blamed. So there is nothing new that is done and nothing new achieved.

Experience: Life becomes very interesting for me when I am willing to take up the challenges that it brings. I am not afraid of new situations and challenges but am able to make the best out of the situation, I am free from fear and have the courage to bring about a change easily and naturally.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 14-12-2016

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Soul Sustenance 14-12-2016
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The Mind In Control (Part 2)

We all live our lives with lots of aims and objectives and sometimes these life purposes can dominate the mind and its creation of thoughts. So always give the mind some positive thoughts to think of and experience those thoughts to nullify the influence of life’s different situations. These are those situations which require the use of your mind a lot. So, choose some positive thoughts depending on life’s different situations and strengthen the mind using them. E.g. if you work on a computer the whole day, say to yourself that – I am a pure and peaceful soul, which is performing the action of working on the computer using my eyes and hands. This consciousness will make you detached from your work and not let the work influence your mind. You will perform your task but not come under any type of pressure or stress of the work. Another e.g. is you are driving a car and you have to give the energy of your mind in doing the same. In this case talk to yourself – I am a powerful spiritual being or energy which is controlling the steering wheel and other parts of the car, using the hands, feet and eyes. This type of remembrance in the mind will make you empowered mentally and spiritually and you will drive the car in a very positive consciousness without being affected by the different challenges of driving safely.

These are different examples of a higher consciousness which keep us disconnected from negative situations and their pressures. As a result our thoughts of an unnecessary nature reduce. As a result our mind remains silent and focused on the task we are performing instead of thinking about many other things when they are not necessary.

(To be continued tomorrow …)

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Message for the day 14-12-2016
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To have respect for the self constantly is to experience progress.

Expression:The one who has respect for the self is not dependent on external inputs for having a good state of mind. To have respect for the self means to have the right state of mind and the right way of working with the self specially when things are not going well. It means to constantly express the positivity that is within.

Experience: When I am able to give respect for the self under all circumstances I am able to experience constant progress. Especially when I am not able to achieve the desired results or when I am not able to be successful, at that time I need to be good to myself. Then I will be able to be the best and do the best with what I have. So I will be able to experience constant progress.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 13-12-2016

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Soul Sustenance 13-12-2016
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The Mind In Control (Part 1)

A very important and challenging part of our lives is managing our thoughts and feelings as per how we want them to be. Very often, our mind is full of scattered thoughts which we have to reduce and focus on a task. This is because when we are working on a particular task of work we need to have a few thoughts only which are related to that particular task. Sometimes these few thoughts are accompanied by thoughts of the past actions or of future actions to be done or of other people and their words and actions. Then we take greater amount of time to perform the task at hand. Also, it is seen that efficiency at the workplace or in offices is greatly reduced because of this. It is said that if a person works for 8-10 hours in a day in his or her office, the actual time being given to the work is less than 100%. Because of this, there is a great need of techniques like meditation and mind relaxation, which will help in reducing the speed of thoughts and hence as a result the number of thoughts.

Presently, we are all in touch with technology a lot. The more this is happening and the more different media touch our minds constantly, the more our mind becomes filled with thoughts. These thoughts are difficult to stop at times for many of us. So, a connection at regular intervals during the day, with a peaceful source of spiritual energy is required. It is said that there are two sources that we are disconnected from at the present moment of time. The first source is inside us and is our own spiritual self and the second source is outside us and is the Supreme Soul or God. The spiritual self is originally very peaceful and by remembering it, we experience peace and the Supreme Soul is an ocean of peace.

(To be continued tomorrow …)

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Message for the day 13-12-2016
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To contribute specialities is to have the power to cooperate.

Expression:Each individual is unique with his own unique set of capabilities. The one who is aware of his specialities and contributes them to any task is the one who is able to cooperate under all circumstances and with all people. There are no conditions attached to contribute these resources.

Experience: When I contribute to every task with my own specialities I have double satisfaction. I have the satisfaction of having contributed something and I am also free from expectations from others. I also find that because I am able to give unconditionally, others too are able to cooperate with me.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Monday, December 12, 2016

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 12-12-2016

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Soul Sustenance 12-12-2016
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Meditation In Action (Part 2)

The churning over of points of knowledge throughout our active hours strengthens and maintains the meditative state of mind.

There are five basic points to churn over. We had discussed two yesterday. The remaining three are given below. Create your own thought commentaries around each point.

What Is My True Religion?
No matter how much surrounding turmoil there may be, I can remember that my true religion is peace and purity. I am not a Hindu, a Buddhist or Christian, I am a peaceful soul. Just as people do not want to convert from their religions, I resist any attempt to pull me away from my true religion of peace and purity.

Where And What Is My Home?
Just as people love their homeland, I can have the same natural love for my original home, the soul world. At the same time I can be aware of my original form of light and power. In this way I can cross any situation that comes in front of me. I am also aware that I have soon to return home and so I must settle all my karmic accounts.

How Is This World a Drama?
With the consciousness of the eternal world cycle, I can see my role and the roles of others in a perfect and unlimited drama. Even though others and I are playing parts, we are separate from the roles. Now that I know the Director (Supreme Soul) and story of the whole drama from a spiritual perspective, there is no point in getting upset over tiny little scenes. I know that in the beginning of the drama when I had come on this world stage from the soul world, I was full of peace, love, purity and happiness and so now I can re-emerge the sanskaras that I had in the beginning.

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Message for the day 12-12-2016
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Determination fills a thought with power.

Expression:Any thought which is added with determination automatically brings confidence. This confidence naturally fills the thought with power. When there is the thought, 'I can do it', there is surely the power to do it. Then there are no distractions, nor is there any comparision with others. All resources are put to the maximum use and the task is accomplished.

Experience: When I am able to fill my positive thoughts with the power of determination, I am able to bring all my special thoughts and plans into action immediately. I am able to feel the satisfaction of bringing equality into my thoughts, words and actions. There is no feeling of helplessness, but there is only confidence and courage in doing what I am supposed to do.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Sunday, December 11, 2016

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 11-12-2016

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Soul Sustenance 11-12-2016
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Meditation In Action (Part 1)

Meditation is not something we do but rather something we have. It is not that we spend 23 hours in an extrovert state and only one hour in introspective self-effort. In this sense, extroversion means to have the attention drawn by all the goings-on outside the soul. True introversion, also, does not mean to sit in a corner and not speak to anyone; it means to pay attention that all thoughts, words and actions are flowing in the right direction. In this respect, the churning over of points of knowledge throughout our active hours strengthens and maintains the meditative state of mind.

There are five basic points to churn over. Create your own thought commentaries around each point.

Who Am I?
I am a soul. The body is my chariot. All human beings are souls too, my brothers and sisters. I see them with spiritual love. Whilst walking and talking I see others as souls. Maintaining this vision I cross all the barriers of worldly differences.

Whose Child Am I?
Just as I naturally have the awareness of being the child of my physical father, receiving sustenance and a form of inheritance, so too I can have the natural consciousness of being a child of the Supreme Father. I can reflect on the sustenance and inheritance in the form of knowledge, virtues and powers I receive from Him.

(To be continued tomorrow ….)

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Message for the day 11-12-2016
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To be ready before time is to be able to give the best in situations.

Expression:Each situation has something new to teach and there is something to learn from it. For the one who learns from every situation, there is progress. Such a person is able to be ready before time. So when the challenging situation does come up, he is well equipped with whatever is necessary and he is able to give his best.

Experience: When I am able to understand the fact that all life's situations are just training for me, I am able to learn from everything that happens. I am able to build up and use my inner powers more and more and I find myself moving towards perfection with each passing moment.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Saturday, December 10, 2016

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 10-12-2016

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Soul Sustenance 10-12-2016
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Living Life On The Surface

In an ideal situation, the thoughts that run in my mind, should be exactly those that I would like and I want. We do exert this control, that we possess, over our thoughts, but it is not complete and it is only sometimes. The more we become completely engrossed in our daily routine, the more our thoughts tend to become reactions to what goes on outside us. That’s when they go out of control and our lives move in an unfocused way. As a result things don't work out as we might have desired. Then we develop a habit of blaming other people and circumstances, or we justify our pain by telling ourselves we are not very worthy or powerful enough. Often, these two inner strategies go together. The trouble is, both are cover ups, preventing us from going for a long-term solution.

In this way, we tend to live our lives on a very superficial level, without taking the time to find the solution to what is going on wrong inside. Deeper difficulties remain hidden inside. I move from one scene of life to another - eating, watching television, studying in college, getting married, changing jobs, buying a new car or house, etc. without ever stopping. All these are part of living, but if I make them my whole and sole, my foundation, it’s as if I skate across the surface of life without being in touch with the core. As time progresses, an inner shallowness develops. Then the feeling keeps growing inside that there must be more to life than this. I then, find that my relationships are not working out as I would have hoped and they are lacking in depth.

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Message for the day 10-12-2016
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To have faith is to have the ability to bring solutions.

Thought to Ponder:Faith enables me to see the positive aspect both in myself and in fate. Whatever happens, it is surely for my benefit and I only need to work at adopting that benefit into my life. Faith makes me free from worry. And a mind that doesn't worry is a mind that is powerful. I can then surely bring solutions even in the biggest problem.

Point to Practice: Today I will pick up a problem that has been bothering me from a long time. First I will tell myself that I am sure there is a solution for this problem. I will also believe that I have the ability to bring about the solution. After talking to myself in this way, I will try and find at least one thing that I can do to change the situation. It need not be a full solution but at least a step towards a change for the better.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Friday, December 09, 2016

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 09-12-2016

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Soul Sustenance 09-12-2016
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Finding The Destiny Maker (Part 3)

Today, there are a large number of people experiencing loneliness and are not getting what they want, from people close to them. Also their roles in their personal and professional lives are troubling them a lot by repeatedly bringing failure. If success is there, it is extremely short-lived. Also, because the five elements are coming down in their levels of quality, more and more people who have been healthy for most of their life, are suddenly becoming unhealthy. Along with that, a general mental depression is showing in many people’s lives. This is even with people who have been very successful and content for most part of their lives. And, don’t forget - a very important mental energy giver to people - relationships are becoming fragile and are easily cracking or failing under different types of pressures. People who can say that their lives are full of positivity in every way and that too permanently, are very few or close to none.

Because of this, people are realizing a need for change in their lives and are looking for an improvement in the quality of their lives. This is because they feel their lives are lacking something. But the fact is that that emptiness can only be filled permanently by a spiritual source which is none other than God. This spiritual source will fill our lives with invisible attainments, those attainments which cannot be destroyed or taken away from us, no matter what happens in our lives. So, let all of us together hold the hand of God, the destiny maker, while He is there with us and fill ourselves with thousands of attainments for the present. At the same time, also purify ourselves through God and make our lives full of happiness.

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Message for the day 09-12-2016
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Honesty brings success in relationships.

Expression:Honesty means being the same inside out. Honesty with oneself helps one to bring about constant improvement in the self. Honesty with others enables one to relate positively under all circumstances. There is no rudeness but there is an openness that brings about love towards the other person.

Experience: When I am honest, I am able to experience progress in my own life and others are benefitted too with my own self-progress. I am able to maintain harmony in my relationship with others because I am open with them and I find myself successful in my relationships.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thursday, December 08, 2016

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 08-12-2016

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Soul Sustenance 08-12-2016
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Finding The Destiny Maker (Part 2)

God is a destiny maker, using whose knowledge we can bring happiness in our lives and face a life which may have its ups and downs. This is only possible when we are completely pure beings. That is our original state when we come down on Earth to play our respective roles. God performs His role in the world drama of freeing His children from the chains of sorrow and insecurity due to the world’s problems. Also he frees us from the effect of problems in our personal lives by filling us with strength.

Purity in our every thought, word and action is the primary knowledge that God gives us to follow in our lives. And the foremost important technique to bring this purity and cleanliness in our life is meditation, which gives us the power to do that. Also, the more we use meditation to empower our thoughts, the more determined we become. We don’t let negative thoughts or unnecessary thoughts affect us, when we have a difficult situation to face. There are people in this world who have adopted spirituality in their daily lives because spiritual tools like meditation, which is the remembrance of God as a spiritual being, are helpful to them. This technique helps us become stable and remain powerful in today’s world of sudden changes and disturbances. Also, the more pure and powerful we become, the more our beautiful future or a very good destiny is shaped.

(To be continued tomorrow …)

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Message for the day 08-12-2016
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To be committed towards one's own progress is to help others to move forward.

Expression:The one who is committed towards his own self-progress, is free from criticizing others when he sees them make mistakes. Having realised what is wrong, such a person makes corrections immediately. He is able to realise his own mistake in a second and take the chance for self-improvement. This naturallly gives the ability to help others also to bring about a change for the better.

Experience: Since I am committed to my own self-progress, I am able to become stronger and stronger with each passing situation. I find that I become a source of inspiration for those around, as I continue to learn from all that happens. I don't put people down for their mistakes, but am able to give them the help to be better.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Wednesday, December 07, 2016

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 07-12-2016

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Soul Sustenance 07-12-2016
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Finding The Destiny Maker (Part 1)

All of us are players in the world drama with different roles. We can shape our roles into positive ones with spiritual wisdom. True spiritual knowledge is given to us by the Supreme. He is an Ocean of Knowledge. So, we are indebted to God because of this, because so many good things in our life would not be possible if the Supreme would not shower on us his love, his presence, his knowledge and his company.

You might ask that are our roles given to us by God? Roles are played by us but the roles are not given by God to us. As mentioned above, God only shares with us the way of shaping our roles because our physical body and relationships with others no longer permanently give us happiness. Also the roles that we play in our families as well as in our professional lives no longer permanently provide us happiness. On the other hand, there is sorrow in every sphere of life and if happiness exists also, it is not secured or safe. It is the time in the world drama when we can no longer say for sure, that tomorrow will bring no disturbing situations. So, we have to thank God because He can help us be happy in every sphere of life. Love for the Supreme should flow from our heart and we should make God a part of our lives and connect with Him at the present moment and make our positive destiny.

(To be continued tomorrow …)

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Message for the day 07-12-2016
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The one who is the master is the one who creates positive thoughts under all circumstances.

Expression:The one who is the master of himself is always able to create the right kind of thoughts according to the circumstance. Never is there the dependency on situations or people for the right kind of responses. Since there is mastery over thoughts, there is also mastery over all words spoken and everything done.

Experience: When I am able to be a master of myself, I am able to constantly create positive thoughts. I am in touch with the inner resources and I am able to make use of these resources in a timely way. I never get confused or pressurized with outside situations, but am able to be in control in all situations.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Tuesday, December 06, 2016

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 06-12-2016

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Soul Sustenance 06-12-2016
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What Is The Soul World?

The Soul World, which is the sixth element, is filled with golden-red, divine light (experienced during meditation). Over there, the conscient (living entities), the souls, do not have bodies of matter. There exists neither thought, word nor action; just complete stillness, silence and peace. Just as this world occupies a tiny part of this physical universe, so too the souls occupy just a tiny portion of this infinite world. This is the highest region, the original home of souls and the Supreme Soul, God. This is the region which human beings, irrespective of culture or religion, have tried to reach in thoughts, prayers, etc. It is called by various names in various religions. Before I came to this earth, I was there with all other souls, brothers. The experience of complete and utter peace, purity and silence is there in my sweet home. There the soul is untouched by matter. Souls reside there as star-like points of light. They remain dormant, with their roles in the physical world latent (hidden) within them. The roles emerge when they the souls appear on earth, the world stage.

The souls descend onto this earth in a certain chronological order, according to the quality of sanskaras. At the apex of this configuration of souls in the soul world is the Supreme Soul, whom the other souls call God, Allah, Jehovah, etc. Beneath him the souls are positioned number wise according to their degree of similarity to the Supreme. Depending on the quality and the part the soul has to play, it emerges in the human world, taking the body of a developing baby in a mother's womb. It then continues through the cycle of birth and rebirth according to the role that it has. The deep rest the soul has had in the home has such an effect on it that even though it forgets the details about that world, there is always a desire to search for that peace and silence when it becomes lost and confused in the world of matter. In that supreme region only, souls remain in their completely original, natural state, which can be experienced through Rajyoga meditation.

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Message for the day 06-12-2016
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To be free from desires is to have the experience of attainment.

Expression:The more there are desires, the more it becomes difficult to appreciate what is there and what is attained. Life becomes a constant struggle for attaining something else. One desire is fulfilled and before it can be appreciated all energies are focused on the fulfillment of ten other desires.

Experience: When I continue to run after desires, I am not able to have the experience of having attained anything. Running for desires is like running after the shadow, I can never get it. But when I turn my back on it, it runs after me. If I am free from desires, I am rich because I am content with whatever little I have and I am happy putting in effort to be better with that little.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Monday, December 05, 2016

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 05-12-2016

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Soul Sustenance 05-12-2016
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The Search For Success Through Desire Fulfillment

The false intention and assumption behind greed, in the form of a thought and feeling, is the more I have, the more I am. It is a combination of trying to add to the value of the self through material possessions, position, role, talent or achievements and then becoming attached to these as a form of identity, finally leading to personal collapse. To try to add to the sense of self in this way has the effect of diverting oneself from the real self, which is why, in many cases, a person who has everything material is left with the feeling of being empty, disorientated and even fearful.

We cannot accumulate, or rely on the external, to create a sense of personal value.

People often try to fill the void of personal inadequacy or emptiness through greed, but this method goes against natural, universal laws. All that I am, all that I can be, all that will make me truly happy must begin from inside the self. We have to start from the inside out, not the other way round, otherwise we create desires that have no end, like the ten-headed Ravana - every time Ram cut off one of his heads, another grew in its place. Ravana did not die until Ram aimed for his heart. Desires are created from wanting one thing or another, believing that we will find achievement when those desires are fulfilled. This pattern of behavior keeps deceiving us and the proof of this is seen in the state of discontentment and emptiness a lot of people find themselves in today.

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Message for the day 05-12-2016
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To switch on the power of awareness is to be free from being mood off.

Expression:To be mood off means to find excuses and reasons to feel negative - to have negative thoughts for the self or for the others. But if there is a strong powerful awareness in the mind, a positive thought about the self, there will not be a chance for a negative thought to enter the mind. So there will never be any reason to be mood off.

Experience: When I am able to maintain a single powerful thought, I am able to remain happy and content. I am not dependent on the external situations for the internal state of mind. Nor do I make external situations as an excuse to further weaken my own thoughts. So there is constantly a feeling of positivity under all circumstances.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

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