Brahma Kumaris: August 2017

Thursday, August 31, 2017

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 31-08-2017

--------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 31-08-2017
--------------------------------------

Breaking The Cycle Of Negative Energy Exchanges (Part 2)

The foremost method to break the cycle of negative energy exchanges with another person is one of self-transformation.

The most basic level of self transformation is that I don’t react verbally to the other person with words. But, I mention the negative energy received from the other, in the physical forms of negative expressions, vision, words and actions, to others and create an atmosphere of negativity. This also gives birth to negative perceptions of the person in others’ minds. In such cases, damage occurs on a physical level and damage control has to be done later, which sometimes is too late to do, since relationships have already been harmed. This is because those who we pass on negative information to pass on the information received from us, to others and sometimes even to the person who seemingly harmed us in the first place.

The second and little deeper level of self transformation is where I not only don’t react but I don’t talk against the person to anyone, even to people who are close to me. But I continue to think negatively about the other person. In such cases, damage is reduced but still happens, unknowingly and invisibly, behind the curtains of physical eyes and ears, as my thoughts and emotions are not completely under my control. They are led to a direction, which is incorrect as per the basics of spiritual wisdom – sometimes willingly and sometimes I do not want them to be led there but they go in that direction unwillingly due to a lack of inner strength. These negative thoughts and emotions do reach the other person on a subtle level, harming relations with that person.

The third and deepest level of self transformation is where I develop the power to change the quality of my thoughts and feelings as well. I am emotionally empowered enough to remove the flaw (weakness) in my own character that was at the root of my reactions, so that what used to pinch or hurt me so much will not do so anymore. Also, relationships get protected by doing that, which is something each one of us desires. This is the power of accommodation and self-transformation in action, at its best and possesses the potential to stop negative energy exchanges with the other.

(To be continued tomorrow …)

-----------------------------------------
Message for the day 31-08-2017
-----------------------------------------

An elevated consciousness brings speciality to the task being done.

Expression:As is the consciousness, so is the feeling behind the task, and therefore its quality. Just to perform action and finish the tasks at hand does not bring speciality and accuracy as much as it should. When the consciousness is special, that means before a task is performed there is a thought given both to the task and to the self, there is speciality revealed in the task.

Experience: When I am able to start each task with a special consciousness, like "I am victorious", or "I am powerful" or "this task is for the benefit of all", I am able to experience the speciality of doing the task. I am also able to increase my state of self-respect, whatever the task or however simple it maybe.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 30-08-2017

--------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 30-08-2017
--------------------------------------

Breaking The Cycle Of Negative Energy Exchanges (Part 1)

A common term that we use in relationships is: the following person manages to always ruffle my feathers. There are always those one or two people in our lives, just being in the company of whom, makes us uncomfortable and they will almost all the time do something or we will perceive their doing something, in such a way, so as to irritate us. Instead of simply accommodating the other person’s nature, we find our self pinched by their nature and actions based on that nature repeatedly, although that may not be the intention of the other person at all at times. The effects of these negative feelings, in the form of reactions, created by us in return, would be limited if they were restricted to us and were to cause discomfort only to us. But what these feelings do is that they start a cycle of negative actions and reactions inside us, whereby such harmful feelings keep reaching the other person. On receiving this energy, the other person in turn starts perceiving us negatively and reacts or thinks about us in a similar way and an emotional cold war begins between us and the other person. Negative thoughts, feelings, attitudes, words and actions are exchanged with each other from time to time and negative karmic accounts or bondages are created with the other person. These negative karmic accounts keep getting stronger and stronger. In such a scenario, even if we or the other person, from time to time, act or react in a positive way on a physical or non-physical level, that does little to break the negative bond and make the relationship positive. This is because a little bit of positive is accompanied by a lot of negative, and what it can do is only dilute the negative a little bit but not remove its effects completely.

So, how do we break this vicious cycle of negative energy exchange? We shall discuss some methods for that in the next few days’ messages.

-----------------------------------------
Message for the day 30-08-2017
-----------------------------------------

To be free from worry means to have the power to change negative into positive.

Expression:The ones who are free from worry change that which is bad into something good, because the state of mind is calm. The one with a calm state of mind is able to think creatively and see very clearly even beyond the situation. So there is the ability to transform the seemingly negative situation into something very positive. So there is clear decision-making and quick action. There is also no time wasted.

Experience: When I am free from worry, I constantly remain satisfied for having seen the positive and finding the solutions immediately instead of looking at the problem and worrying over it. This internal silence gives the feeling of power, which naturally enables transformation in a second and only the goodness is absorbed.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 29-08-2017

--------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 29-08-2017
--------------------------------------

Happiness: Incorrect Beliefs And The Truth (Part 2)

Yesterday we identified how owing to one wrong belief, we had equated happiness to our accomplishments. Today let us check two more incorrect beliefs and understand the truth.

Belief 2: I can buy happiness.
Suppose I believe that buying my dream car gives me happiness, I may purchase and own the most expensive car. I have essentially bought physical comfort. While on a long drive in it, I could get one phone call conveying an unpleasant news which finishes my happiness. If my car gave happiness, happiness would stay despite the call. Even after the call, my car continues to give physical comfort and my physical body is comfortable. Since happiness is an emotional comfort, it disappeared when I (who is looking for happiness) went into pain after the call. Why do we feel happy upon buying a car? Because when we create a thought - I bought my dream car it generates a feeling of happiness. So we used an object (car) as a stimulus to create a response (positive thought).
Truth: Let us not purchase objects seeking happiness in them. Everything physical is designed to give physical comfort. Happiness is an emotional comfort.

Belief 3: Family and friends give me happiness.
Oscillating between acceptance and expectations, our relationships are getting strained. We focus on what to get from relationships rather than give. Our expectations from each other is getting long. We are accepting people only when they, speak, behave as per our needs. If I equate my happiness to others obeying me, it cannot last. No sooner than someone obeys the first time, I hand out my next expectation. So happiness leaves me at this point, only to return if the person obeys again. Else I get upset. People have their definitions of rights and wrongs, so setting expectations will always hamper relationships and ruin happiness.
Truth: No one can make us happy or sad. Happiness is our emotion, our internal creation regardless of quality of our relationships.

-----------------------------------------
Message for the day 29-08-2017
-----------------------------------------

True help is to help people discover their own specialities.

Expression:When others' negativities or weaknesses are perceived, it is essential to look at their positivity or specialities too. This will naturally bring love and positivity in the relationship and there will be an encouragement of that positivity. So even if that person has no recognition or has not been using his speciality, an encouragement of it by others will naturally enable him to begin to use it.

Experience: Making others aware of their specialities and subtly encouraging them to use these specialities is a great help that I can do for others. When I am able to give this unique help and cooperation, I not only find benefit for others, but I am also able to get the good wishes of others. Even others naturally become positive with my positive attitude.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Monday, August 28, 2017

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 28-08-2017

--------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 28-08-2017
--------------------------------------

Happiness: Incorrect Beliefs And The Truth (Part 1)

A significant number of people are suffering from depression in the world today. This is a hint for us to pause and ask if we are doing enough for our mental wellness, which is directly connected to emotional wellness. If we experience stress, anger, fear, hurt, jealousy, our emotional health suffers. Basically, we are caught in these negative emotions in pursuit of happiness. Most of us begin chasing dreams since childhood and do not pause thereafter for decades, because of the biggest incorrect belief that our happiness is what we acquire — that happiness is a byproduct of our belongings. So, we seek happiness in accomplishments, possessions and relationships. Let us scrutinize these three popular but misleading beliefs.

Belief 1: Accomplishments make me happy.
Suppose I am an employee who knows that it takes two years to be promoted as a manager, I sincerely work for it. But my own conditioned thought often reminds me - I will be happy when promoted as a manager. So I do not permit myself to be happy today, I will not permit for two more years. Some day if I sense that my promotion may not happen due to my inefficiency, issue with team members or a management decision, I create stress, anger and anxiety - as I believe these are not only affecting my career but snatching my happiness. I may resort to unfair means to get the promotion. So I create and transmit negativity, going into pain for two long years. If in this state I become a manager, can I be happy? Also such happiness does not last as I will focus on the next promotion, then the next...
Truth: Happiness is not in our accomplishments. It is not to be postponed until our goal is reached. Happiness is in our way of thinking along the way, while working towards the goal.

Tomorrow we shall evaluate two other belief systems.

-----------------------------------------
Message for the day 28-08-2017
-----------------------------------------

The one who has self-respect is the one who is free from aggression.

Expression:When the situation seems out of control, there is naturally a feeling of helplessness. This helplessness further creates tension, which gets expressed in the form of aggression. Such a kind of aggression cannot be suppressed or controlled. To be in the state of one's own self-respect is to be confident and the one who is confident will be assertive but can never be aggressive.

Experience: I am able to keep my mind cool, when I am in my state of self-respect. So I never react to situations negatively but I am able to understand the situation and respond in the right way. I take decisions in a calm and composed state of mind, so I find myself relaxed and easy even in the most difficult situations.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Sunday, August 27, 2017

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 27-08-2017

--------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 27-08-2017
--------------------------------------

Carrying Forward Of Special Talents

Everything that an individual does i.e. a soul does using the medium of the physical body is registered in the soul as a sanskara. Sanskaras, therefore, are the foundation of our present personalities and all our special talents and inclinations. There have been many famous personalities including artists, musicians, engineers, sportsmen, etc. who, before attaining phenomenal success in their respective fields, displayed amazing talents related to their respective field at a very young age. When and where could they have mastered these talents so well? It's obvious that amazing masteries at a very young age are not inherited from our parents. These talents have been developed and brought into practice in previous births, as a result of which sanskaras of the talents are created inside the soul. These sanskaras are then carried into the next births, and are brought into actions in the new births.

A more common day-to-day example is the following: A child is born into a family of doctors where, from the beginning, all efforts are made to mould and prepare him to become a doctor, according to family tradition. However, from an early age, the child shows strong tendencies to become an actor, starts to take part extensively in theatre activities at school and the talent starts manifesting itself. This example demonstrates that the characteristics a soul carries from previous experiences of previous births will take it in a specific direction despite attempts made by the family on the contrary. So in short, genius is experience. Some think that it's a gift or talent, but it is the fruit of long experience of many lives. Some are older souls than others i.e. they have been present on the world stage since a longer period of time and have covered a journey of more number of births and so know more. This kind of unlimited, broad vision of life provides us answers to many questions.

-----------------------------------------
Message for the day 27-08-2017
-----------------------------------------

The one who has the power to face is free from tensions.

Expression:To be good with those who are good is quite natural, but to be good with those who are bad is known as having the power to face. This naturally comes when there is the power to transform even that which in negative into something positive. When there is the power to face, there is no retaliation, no conflict. There is love given to all around.

Experience: When I am able to transform and look at each and everything in a positive way, I will not have any difficulty with any situation. I will naturally be able to face all situations in a light and easy way. When I am able to be free from tension in this way, I am also able to give my best and thus become an inspiration for those around me.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Saturday, August 26, 2017

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 26-08-2017

--------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 26-08-2017
--------------------------------------

Being Emotional – Right Or Not (Part 3)?

Looking at the world around us, it is an infinite set of people, situations, objects and different types of problems that we face every now and then. Although many people would argue, that being emotional and crying sometimes in happiness and love and sometimes in sorrow and discontentment is natural. Also, letting out your tears for your loved ones in different negative as well as positive situations has existed forever. But, this is not true. The inner being or soul has come down the steps of births and rebirths and become weaker over a period of time. The soul is powerful when it begins to play its part in the world and is not so attached to everything around it. As a result it is lesser emotional but more happier. Strange as it may sound, as it became weaker, it became more emotional and less happier.

The key to freeing yourself is first the acceptance that to be over emotional is not exactly being free, which we have explained in the last two days’ messages. The next step is to achieve freedom by changing your consciousness. Create positive affirmations and keep them in your mind the entire day and bring them into your actions. A simple e.g. I am a being of light, a spiritual energy full of power. I look through the windows of my eyes at everything around me. I radiate spiritual power and joy to every scene, every person, every object. I am no longer dependent on receiving their energy and becoming fulfilled. I am a soul full of all attainments. Another e.g. I am a soul, full of immense love. I love everyone and everything with a big heart, but I am not attached. So I am never hurt in love. I am a pillar of strength in providing positivity to every negative situation of life. So I do not feel hurt in sorrow and rejection also.

-----------------------------------------
Message for the day 26-08-2017
-----------------------------------------

To be free from waste words is to ensure easy success.

Expression:The one who wastes time and energy in gossip or slander has no time for success. All attention is focussed on picking out the mistakes and the negativity of others and so there is no attention on learning new things or picking out the positive. So there is negativity visible in one's own attitude, words and actions.

Experience: When I am able to free myself from waste and negative words, I am able to use the resource of my words in a positive and useful way. My words will be for the benefit of all. I would also notice that my words would be filled with the power of positivity and faith, faith in the self and faith in others.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Friday, August 25, 2017

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 25-08-2017

--------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 25-08-2017
--------------------------------------

Being Emotional – Right Or Not (Part 2)?

Continuing from yesterday’s message, emotional power comes from giving and emotional weakness, comes when our primary purpose is to take. When we absorb a lot from life’s scenes, circumstances and also from people’s minds, words and their actions, sometimes we feel it is an empowering experience. But remember, if you absorb the good, you will also absorb the bad because that is what your mindset is. It is like the vacuum cleaner. You clean your carpet with it. It absorbs the dust and if your ring was lying on the carpet, it would suck in that too. Also, giving is receiving. Every positive emotion we give, it is increasing inside us at the same time, as it flows from within us to everyone and everything around us.

Based on this principle, when we look to take from a positive scene, we will feel emotionally joyful and when we are taking from a negative scene, we feel emotionally sorrowful. The more we look to make our emotional world dependent on the external situations or stimulus, the more our responses are under their influence. Being over emotional, whether in joy or in sorrow, is a sign of dependency. That does not mean we become cold and boring and do not enjoy life’s beautiful moments, which it has to offer. Also, we love everyone and are full of sympathy where required. But we are a little detached while viewing life. A spectator in a sports event sits on an emotional roller coaster watching his favourite team or player perform, sometimes over happy and sometimes unhappy. A spectator with a spiritual consciousness does not get overawed by his team’s or player’s performance. He enjoys the victorious moments and views the moments of failure, both without getting moved emotionally. This is not boring, but more empowering.

(To be continued tomorrow …)

-----------------------------------------
Message for the day 25-08-2017
-----------------------------------------

Bringing newness in dealing with life's situations brings happiness.

Expression:When there is the desire to find new ways of responding to life's challenges, unhappiness ends which in turn helps to fulfill one's highest potential. All it needs is the determination to adopt a fresh awareness. Thus burdensome thoughts that drain out positive energy are set aside. The quality of life itself becomes better.

Experience: I experience a lot of happiness when there is newness brought in responding to situations. The potential and the energy of the mind is channelised in a positive way so there is an experience of fulfillment and satisfaction. The mind is not caught up with negative or waste but is busy trying for the best solutions in all situations.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thursday, August 24, 2017

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 24-08-2017

--------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 24-08-2017
--------------------------------------

Being Emotional – Right Or Not (Part 1)?

Living a life full of twists and turns and different scenes, it is very easy to become emotionally attached to scenes happening around you and sometimes become disheartened or sorrowful and sometimes even emotionally joyful. Both are normal emotions. Yes we thought so! What is wrong with experiencing pain when I watch an accident on the road and what is wrong with becoming emotional and crying, when I watch a moving emotion filled movie. How can you take away these two experiences from life? The world told us they are correct. When we grew up, we often cried, sometimes in sorrow and many a times in joy. Did you go to your best friend’s birthday and become excessively emotional and when your younger brother or sister went down with fever, you sometimes cried seeing his or her pain. Our parents taught us this is what life is all about – mixed shades of emotional joy and emotional sorrow make up the painting of life. In fact, we grew up seeing them doing that in their worldly duties and we thought it was correct. Now! Wait a moment! Do I like sitting on this emotional roller-coaster so regularly and so much? How can I free myself?

We all look at life’s scenes with an attitude of receiving or taking something from life. We rarely think of giving to life’s scenes. Take the example of the sun in nature. The quality of the sun is giving, it never seeks to receive or take. And it is a powerful force of nature. Let’s emerge this virtue in ourselves. That will make me emotionally powerful inside and I will be lighter, happier and more contented in life’s different situations. So from today look to give to life’s different scenes and filling them with the primary qualities of life – peace, love and joy. On the other hand, if we are trying to fill ourselves with these qualities by taking them from people and situations, we will become emotionally weak.

(To be continued tomorrow …)

-----------------------------------------
Message for the day 24-08-2017
-----------------------------------------

To be healthy internally is to make the best use of all treasures.

Expression:A healthy intellect acts like a mother, always showing the right path. When internally one is strong, there is the natural ability to treat the mind with love and guide it towards the right direction. Such a healthy state of mind naturally enables the recognition and the proper utilisation of everything available.

Experience: Once I have learnt the art of guiding my mind in the right direction with love, I then never experience the difficulty of having to bring back the mind to the right thinking. Because the mind is totally under control in a very easy and natural way and I don't have to control it or force it to think or not to think in a particular way.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 23-08-2017

--------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 23-08-2017
--------------------------------------

A Gauge To Check How Spiritually Powerful Am I

The territory of spiritual understanding is both infinite and unlimited. Simply put, spirituality can be defined as the rediscovery of the deepest values, virtues, positive sanskars or characteristics of the human soul. The innate attributes or characteristics of the soul (peace, love, truth, purity and happiness) give the soul its power. The power of the soul cannot be quantified either on a physical or a non-physical level. The power can only be experienced and revealed to the self and others through the quality of the above characteristics and the different forms they are given by the soul itself.

For a practitioner of meditation, whether a beginner or an experienced once, patience and a gentle persistence guarantee two aspects of self-progress (in varying degrees in different souls):
1. rediscovery and revelation or expression of one's spiritual attributes and secondly, but very importantly
2. the ability to give them an appropriate form internally or externally, depending on the requirement of the situation.

A particular soul might be good at both aspects, another one very good at the first aspect and not so good at the second one. When we choose to be peaceful, we reconnect with our inner peace and create the spiritual form of peace within our self. This form created is different for different souls, depending on how powerful the soul is. So what is the quality of that form, what is the quality of our peace? Is it a superficial quality that is easily disturbed with unexpected changes in our external circumstances, or is it a deep peace which is stable even in the face of fierce criticism from others? Only we know the quality of our spiritual forms.

-----------------------------------------
Message for the day 23-08-2017
-----------------------------------------

To remain happy is to truly live life.

Expression:Life has meaning when there is the happiness of living. Everything that happens brings something new. The more the mind is tuned to see and appreciate this truth, there is the happiness that lasts - whatever the situations may be. The one who is constantly happy is able to creatively use all the resources in the right way and also makes others happy.

Experience: When I am able to maintain my internal state of happiness under all circumstances, I am able to enjoy the beauty of life. I am only able to see the positive in each and everything and also only the specialities and goodness in everyone. I am never let down by situations, people or their reactions, but enjoy everything.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 22-08-2017

--------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 22-08-2017
--------------------------------------

Motivation – The Life Driving Force (Part 4)

When surrounded by challenges, sometimes we all need a little extra nurturing, and that gentleness can come from loved ones, or just from ourselves. Also, enjoying watching television, enjoying the hot chocolate and the coffee, enjoying the cold drink and the ice cream, enjoying the brisk walk and the gym, enjoying the picnic and the party, enjoying the holiday - these are all things that help us replenish our energy and remain motivated to some extent when we've had a rough day. But remember that to remain constantly motivated you need to also take a look at the non-physical dimension of thoughts and feelings. Physical treatments, therapies and relaxation strategies will help you but they cannot change the way you think. Your thinking is the cause. And behind your thoughts, your beliefs are a deeper cause. We need to pay much more attention to our thoughts and feelings, learn to manage them, learn to fill them with peace and calm, and then our personality will change for the better, as we restore our mental and then physical well-being and learn to remain motivated and fearless amidst challenges. Remember no one else creates our thoughts and feelings, and they don't just happen, though it feels that way sometimes. When you learn to identify and assess the quality of your thoughts and feelings, you can begin to choose the ones you know are positive and that in turn keeps you motivated.

Also, remember there's virtually always something positive that can be found in the challenges we face. Bear in mind that the period of challenge is short and you will soon overcome the challenge. On a lighter note, spend a little time each day thinking of all the things you are looking forward to doing once you are free from these exams that life has to offer - though don’t daydream for hours about this! Also, when you long for life without difficulties and challenges and you want to keep yourself motivated when faced with them, remind yourself that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure. Challenges are not here to stay and while they are there, they bring about self empowerment.

-----------------------------------------
Message for the day 22-08-2017
-----------------------------------------

To forgive is to give correction.

Expression:When there is forgiveness, the harm of the mistake is forgotten. The mistake itself is remembered only to the extent that the correction is to be given. So there are no negative feelings expressed even while giving correction. And the words that are used are few but prove to be very effective.

Experience: When I learn the art of forgiving I am able to be free from the burden of negative and waste thinking. So there is never any difficulty in giving correction when necessary. The mind is free from the attitudes of the past and it creates harmony in relationships even if the opinions or personalities don't match.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Monday, August 21, 2017

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 21-08-2017

--------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 21-08-2017
--------------------------------------

Motivation – The Life Driving Force (Part 3)

Have you ever noticed some people only work a few hours a day and are hardly ever confronted by deadlines or other pressures, but they are more stressed and less motivated than those working long hours to tight deadlines. Have you ever watched two people doing the same or similar work, to the same deadlines? One tears their hair out with a lot of anxiety. The other is completely relaxed while doing it. Some people love challenges. They love it when they are occupied and bottled up with challenges at hand and passionate about overcoming them. They work hard on themselves to overcome challenges and are not overwhelmed by them. What really reinforces them to do that is the motivation that they have to overcome the challenge and become successful. Challenges motivate them. At the same time, there are times when there are too many challenges to overcome and deadlines to meet and the same people who have overcome challenges earlier are not able to cope up with them and keep themselves motivated. That is the time when they realize that what they are going through is stress and challenges have affected their motivation levels adversely.

Why the difference between two people, why the difference from challenge to challenge or situation to situation? Perception. So it's not what you do, or when you have to do it by, that causes your stress and brings down your motivation; it's how you perceive the whats and whens of daily life that generates your stress and affects your motivation levels. It's how each one perceives what they do and the possible outcome. And your perception is based on your beliefs and beliefs don't come built into your genes. All beliefs are learned. We learn them, send them into our subconscious and they then pop up and out through our thoughts, emotions and words. The problem is we not only hold beliefs, we identify with them. But beliefs are not the truth.

(To be continued tomorrow ….)

-----------------------------------------
Message for the day 21-08-2017
-----------------------------------------

Sample Good wishes and pure feelings bring easy success while working at a task.

Expression:If there are good feelings for both the task and the one who is carrying out the task, then the result attained by those feelings is automatically special. The feeling of giving love and cooperation, no matter what anyone is like gives good wishes and pure feelings. There is a deep impact of such good feelings which transforms others too.

Experience: When I am able to maintain my own good feelings for others, I am able to enjoy the fruit of my own pure thoughts. I am not disturbed by temporary clashes that I have because of the different nature of the person I am working with, but enjoy working together. So there is also good feelings from the other person too and so there is easy success experienced.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Sunday, August 20, 2017

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 20-08-2017

--------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 20-08-2017
--------------------------------------

Motivation – The Life Driving Force (Part 2)

Life throws different types of challenges at us. A difficult relationship with one particular person, we have all experienced, can at times have the potential to completely overpower our thoughts for days and even for years. Most of us will have endured the trauma of exams at some stage in our lives, usually at school, college or university. The looming prospect of having to answer questions on your most hated subjects often meant that even the most laid-back of personalities will have experienced feelings of anxiety, worry and exam stress. A sudden physical illness can at times have the destructive ability to not only bring about physical discomfort but make us dejected, discouraged and sorrowful for days until it subsides. A deadline at work or a sudden crash of the business market are types of challenging situations on the professional front. A difficult personality trait which constantly hinders our progress and harms our relationships is an example of a challenge on the personal front.

So challenges can be unpleasant, even scary, but they are important as in the process of overcoming the challenge, you work harder on yourself and they make you more determined and powerful. If you are not spiritually equipped to rise to these challenges, these tests of your internal strength, when they come about, it is unlikely you will be motivated enough to cross them. When faced with challenges, people can find that they are able to go the extra mile and pull from the backs of their minds answers to questions they did not realize they had ever learnt or ever knew. So, challenges can be helpful – but only if you turn the challenges into internal positive energy, you remain motivated while crossing them and by doing that you transform the challenges into blessings or gifts in disguise which will help you advance ahead and become more experienced and wise.

(To be continued tomorrow ….)

-----------------------------------------
Message for the day 20-08-2017
-----------------------------------------

Mercy means to give support to the ones who are helpless.

Expression:A negative situation or a person who is in need and is helpless usually stimulates feelings of unhappiness or sorrow. At such a time it becomes very difficult to maintain a positive state of mind. But real mercy is that which gives support through the positive state of one's mind. The more there is the feeling of happiness, others too can be brought to that state of happiness and joy.

Experience: When I am able to remain happy even in negative situations, I am able to maintain my internal state of calm. And this is the best frame of mind where I am able to see things objectively and in a detached way and I am able to make the right decisions. So I find myself becoming a source of support.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Saturday, August 19, 2017

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 19-08-2017

--------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 19-08-2017
--------------------------------------

Motivation – The Life Driving Force (Part 1)

Motivation is the driving force behind our thoughts, feelings, words and actions which transfers us from one reality to another, from where I am to where I wish to be. It is an inner positive energy, a combination of enthusiasm and clear perception that enables us to accomplish a task or overcome a challenge. It is the desire to be continually interested and committed to a task or to attain a goal or cross a difficult situation.

Our thoughts really do color our perceptions, and affect our motivation levels in many ways. What thoughts are in your mind today? Which thoughts are weighing you down? Have you ever turned over the exam papers of life - challenging situations, overpowering situations, disturbing situations, de-motivating situations; looked at the questions that life throws at you and wondered if you are sitting the right test? Or glanced through these papers of life and only see questions or aspects you aren’t equipped at handling? Or worse still, know that you once knew the answers to these questions but frustratingly, those nuggets of spiritual wisdom, required to overcome these situations are now out of reach no matter how far into the back of your mind you grope, causing emotions of worry, frustration, fear, anger, discouragement, depression, panic and hopelessness to erupt inside you?

(To be continued tomorrow ….)

-----------------------------------------
Message for the day 19-08-2017
-----------------------------------------

To end waste means to be free from defeat.

Expression:The one with faith in the intellect always remains at a distance from waste, whether it is waste thoughts, wste words or waste actions. To move away from waste means to be victorious. The one who is free from waste is busy with the positive and useful. Such a person is constantly searching for solutions and trying to make the best out of the situation.

Experience: It is because of waste that I sometimes experience defeat and sometimes victory. If I am able to finish waste, I am able to finish defeat. Because whatever the situation may be, however challenging it may be, if I am able to finish waste I am able to recognise the benefit that is merged within it and so I am able to experience being constantly victorious.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Friday, August 18, 2017

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 18-08-2017

--------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 18-08-2017
--------------------------------------

In The Company Of The Purest One (Part 3)

Every year, different religions of the world celebrate the birthdays and other special days of the founders of their religions. In India, many festivals are celebrated to give respect to deities or devi devtas who have lived here in the past. Everyone we love and respect are with physical bodies and God is the only one without a physical body. He plays the most important role in the whole world drama – of world purification, at the end of the world cycle. This is when it’s time for us to go back to our home or the soul world from where we have come.

There are lots of different views about the duration of the world drama but it is God who knows accurately, when souls come down from the soul world in the physical world. Also, He knows how much time it takes them for becoming pure to impure and when they return home, after becoming completely pure again. And this knowledge is revealed by God. To learn about this, we invite you to experience God through the meditation taught at the Brahma Kumaris. Then that experience will take your relationship with God to a completely different level and bring you closer to Him. For that, we would want you to take out some time, for our free introductory course, which is held at all our centers in India and worldwide. After that, you will be in a position to understand the complete godly knowledge, as revealed by Him. The complete course of knowledge and meditation followed by its regular listening and practice which brings divine qualities inside us and helps others also come close to God through us, is called Rajyoga.

-----------------------------------------
Message for the day 18-08-2017
-----------------------------------------

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

Thursday, August 17, 2017

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 17-08-2017

--------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 17-08-2017
--------------------------------------

In The Company Of The Purest One (Part 2)

Whenever anyone in the world remembers God, they look upwards, which means that there is a Higher spiritual energy which looks upon us and is taking care of us all the time. Also God has taken care of us in many of our births, when we experienced pain of any particular kind. We forgot our spiritual identity and who we are and also who God is but God never forgot us and all the time was filling us with His love and sustenance so that we could be happy. God has helped us in different ways. God is a parent, a Supreme one, who has His own ways of loving us and getting us out of trouble, which we sometimes, during our births and rebirths, have not understood completely.

There is no human being who can take the place of God in this world drama. Although there will be some human souls who are higher and purer than the rest and have performed higher actions. That is why some human souls are respected more than the rest and also worshipped in temples and other places of worship and also remembered a lot by millions of people. Deities or devi devtas are human souls with divine qualities and also founders of different religions are extremely pure souls who have been loved for what roles they played. They are remembered many years after they have left their roles and physical bodies. Even famous gurus have left an important mark on the world with their lives of purity which they have led and the direction that they gave to many people and showed how to lead pure and peaceful lives. But, God is the still the Highest One, who is not only full of many qualities, which many pure souls were, but is an Ocean of those qualities and is the purest one. That’s what differentiates Him from many pure souls who are well known and remembered all over the world.

(To be continued tomorrow …)

-----------------------------------------
Message for the day 17-08-2017
-----------------------------------------

True victory lies in inspiring courage in others too.

Expression:The one who is victorious enables others to be victorious too. Such a person will never make the other person seem any less. He will never allow the other person to feel defeated because the one who is victorious is a bestower. He has the ability to give courage to others and fill with hope to achieve something better.

Experience: When I have the feeling of being victorious, I would naturally want others too to experience the same. I would look for ways to give courage and support to the ones who are losing. This will never let me lose hope in myself or in others and will also win the trust and good wishes of others. So there is a constant experience of being victorious.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 16-08-2017

--------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 16-08-2017
--------------------------------------

In The Company Of The Purest One (Part 1)

A beautiful experience with God is one of playing different relationships with God at the same time and experiencing the joy of the same. There is no doubt that no human being can take the place of God in this world drama and there is no one as high as Him. All human souls are full of peace, joy, love, bliss, purity, power and wisdom for some time, but not permanently. As the souls come down the ladder of different births, they come in different relationships with each other. Also, as the souls play their roles through physical bodies, they become attached with their physical bodies, which makes them impure. Because of that, they lose these qualities and that affects their relationships. This happens until God comes down Himself and purifies the souls so that they can return back to the soul world, from where they have come as pure souls.

So, all human souls need the help of God to go back to the world where God also stays - the soul world. God does not come in the cycle of birth and rebirth and stays in the soul world until the world cycle reaches its end point i.e. the end of Kaliyuga or the Iron Age, which is the present moment. All human souls will be liberated by the Supreme Soul or God now and will be taken back by Him to the soul world, as He purifies them at this point of time. So, this is the time when the Supreme Parent of Humanity is with us and we are all His 7 billion children, who need His power to become pure again. We were pure before coming into this physical world. So, God is One and we are all souls, who will be purified by God, who is the everlasting and eternal Ocean of Purity.

(To be continued tomorrow …)

-----------------------------------------
Message for the day 16-08-2017
-----------------------------------------

To bring newness into actions means to contribute for the betterment of the self and others.

Expression:There is a constant desire to do something better that makes a contribution to oneself and to others too. So the one who thinks of newness can bring about such a contribution. There will not be something different that can be done. But the same thing can be done in such a way that there is benefit visible.

Experience: When I am able to bring newness in the way I do things, I am able to experience constant progress. There will also be the satisfaction of bringing about newness and creativity even in ordinary actions. Along with this will also be the satisfaction of making a contribution in every action of mine.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 15-08-2017

--------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 15-08-2017
--------------------------------------

Being In Yoga (Part 2)

Yesterday we learnt how I the being am in yoga with my mind, body, people and nature. Yoga is not about few minutes or hours. It is in our every action.

Let us now explore the fundamental steps to follow, so we can lead a yogic lifestyle:

- The first thought upon waking up can be of gratitude to God, and to everyone and everything that makes our life beautiful, so the day begins with pure vibrations.
- Meditation can be done in the morning, connecting to the Supreme Power to energize ourselves and change our sanskars.
- While breathing, experience that all toxic energy and negativity is exhaled and positivity is inhaled, like Expectations exhaled, Acceptance inhaled; Hurt exhaled, Love inhaled.
- When doing physical exercises, we must not think about any issues, else negative energy patterns and blockages get created in the body. We can create thoughts as - I am a peaceful soul. My every action is peaceful. I accept everyone. The world is beautiful. My body is my temple, healthy and clean.
- Day can begin with reading or listening for 20 minutes, to positive information like spiritual knowledge, which forms the basis of our thoughts. Taking one thought we can create an affirmation for the day. Newspapers can be read later in the day.
- We can take care that every thought, word and action throughout the day is divine.
- As is the food, so is the mind. Creating thoughts of peace and love while cooking food makes it high energy, saatvik food. Tamsic food is low energy food carrying vibrations of hatred, pain and fear.
- Before going to sleep, any issues playing on the mind need to be resolved. We can spend 10 minutes reading a positive soothing message.

Besides physical and social health, we must pay attention to spiritual and emotional health. Yoga has the power to create happiness, health, harmony and heaven on earth.

-----------------------------------------
Message for the day 15-08-2017
-----------------------------------------

True royalty lies in humility.

Expression:The one who is humble never reacts but responds in the right way to situations or challenges. Thus there is royalty visible in all words, actions and behaviour. So there is newness visible in the way of responding to situations.

Experience: When I am humble I am able to be beyond the influence of praise and defamation. This is because I am stable in the state of my self-respect. Also because of this I am able to bring about newness and I am able to be creative in responding to situations too.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Monday, August 14, 2017

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 14-08-2017

--------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 14-08-2017
--------------------------------------

Being In Yoga (Part 1)

Today everyone is embracing one yogic practice or another. Yoga has a remarkable influence on our wellness.

Struggling to fulfill responsibilities, we have created stress, anger, anxiety, fear, jealousy and expectations. These are emotional illnesses we fail to recognize, believing they are normal. Time to realize that happiness, compassion, acceptance are normal. Taking care of my inner world (the being that creates every thought, decision and karma) and then doing everything in the outer world creates true happiness. Let us explore how yoga helps us create it. Our every thought has 4 impacts – it creates my feeling, it affects every cell of my body, it reaches the person about whom I am thinking and it radiates into the environment. So my thoughts are connected to my emotions, health, relationships and environment. Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word yuj which means connection. I the being, is in yoga with all that I am connected to. So I the being am in yoga with my mind, body, people and nature. Suppose I create a thought of anger, it influences my feelings and I create unhappiness. It influences my body and causes illness. It reaches people and creates conflict. It radiates into the environment and affects the universal consciousness. So my yoga with these 4 dimensions is disturbed. The disturbance was because I missed yoga with the 5th element - the Supreme Power. In Rajayoga meditation, I connect to the Supreme Power and re-emerge my 7 original qualities – Purity, Peace, Love, Happiness, Knowledge, Power, and Bliss.

When I am in yoga:
- I shift my mind from suffering to happiness so I remain calm and let go of my past. Peace and contentment become my natural state.
- My positive feelings radiate good energy to every cell of my body. So yoga between me and my body shifts it from illness to health.
- I become compassionate. So yoga between me and others shifts my relationships from conflict to harmony.
- I radiate pure vibrations into the environment. So yoga between me and the environment creates a peaceful world.

Tomorrow we will explore what is a Yogic Lifestyle.

-----------------------------------------
Message for the day 14-08-2017
-----------------------------------------

Accuracy brings perfection and speciality in all that is done.

Expression:To be accurate means to take up full responsibility for every task and do it to the best of one's ability. That means all resources that one has are used in the best possible way for the best result of the task. This naturally brings perfection in everything that is done.

Experience: When I am accurate in everything I do I am able to be free from carelessness and negligence. I find myself bringing speciality and uniqueness in what I do. For having done things with accuracy, I also find myself becoming trust-worthy and I am also able to be satisfied with myself.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Sunday, August 13, 2017

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 13-08-2017

--------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 13-08-2017
--------------------------------------

Positive Thought Based Living (Part 3)

Yesterday we learnt how I the being am in yoga with my mind, body, people and nature. Yoga is not about few minutes or hours. It is in our every action.

Let us now explore the fundamental steps to follow, so we can lead a yogic lifestyle:

- The first thought upon waking up can be of gratitude to God, and to everyone and everything that makes our life beautiful, so the day begins with pure vibrations.
- Meditation can be done in the morning, connecting to the Supreme Power to energize ourselves and change our sanskars.
- While breathing, experience that all toxic energy and negativity is exhaled and positivity is inhaled, like Expectations exhaled, Acceptance inhaled; Hurt exhaled, Love inhaled.
- When doing physical exercises, we must not think about any issues, else negative energy patterns and blockages get created in the body. We can create thoughts as - I am a peaceful soul. My every action is peaceful. I accept everyone. The world is beautiful. My body is my temple, healthy and clean.
- Day can begin with reading or listening for 20 minutes, to positive information like spiritual knowledge, which forms the basis of our thoughts. Taking one thought we can create an affirmation for the day. Newspapers can be read later in the day.
- We can take care that every thought, word and action throughout the day is divine.
- As is the food, so is the mind. Creating thoughts of peace and love while cooking food makes it high energy, saatvik food. Tamsic food is low energy food carrying vibrations of hatred, pain and fear.
- Before going to sleep, any issues playing on the mind need to be resolved. We can spend 10 minutes reading a positive soothing message.

Besides physical and social health, we must pay attention to spiritual and emotional health. Yoga has the power to create happiness, health, harmony and heaven on earth.

-----------------------------------------
Message for the day 13-08-2017
-----------------------------------------

True honesty to the self brings the power to bring about change.

Expression:To be honest is not just to be truthful. It is more to be honest with the self. The one who is honest with the self constantly has the aim of bringing about a change for the better. Each situation is used as a chance for the betterment of the self. So there is always the aim not to repeat the mistakes that are committed once.

Experience: When I am honest with myself I am able to feel the constant progress and experience the happiness of moving forward under all circumstances. I have the power to understand the situation, not just from my point of view, but more in a detached way. So I am able to understand and accept whatever the situation holds for me and learn from it humbly.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Saturday, August 12, 2017

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 12-08-2017

--------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 12-08-2017
--------------------------------------

Being In Yoga (Part 1)

Today everyone is embracing one yogic practice or another. Yoga has a remarkable influence on our wellness.

Struggling to fulfill responsibilities, we have created stress, anger, anxiety, fear, jealousy and expectations. These are emotional illnesses we fail to recognize, believing they are normal. Time to realize that happiness, compassion, acceptance are normal. Taking care of my inner world (the being that creates every thought, decision and karma) and then doing everything in the outer world creates true happiness. Let us explore how yoga helps us create it. Our every thought has 4 impacts – it creates my feeling, it affects every cell of my body, it reaches the person about whom I am thinking and it radiates into the environment. So my thoughts are connected to my emotions, health, relationships and environment. Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word yuj which means connection. I the being, is in yoga with all that I am connected to. So I the being am in yoga with my mind, body, people and nature. Suppose I create a thought of anger, it influences my feelings and I create unhappiness. It influences my body and causes illness. It reaches people and creates conflict. It radiates into the environment and affects the universal consciousness. So my yoga with these 4 dimensions is disturbed. The disturbance was because I missed yoga with the 5th element - the Supreme Power. In Rajayoga meditation, I connect to the Supreme Power and re-emerge my 7 original qualities – Purity, Peace, Love, Happiness, Knowledge, Power, and Bliss.

When I am in yoga:
- I shift my mind from suffering to happiness so I remain calm and let go of my past. Peace and contentment become my natural state.
- My positive feelings radiate good energy to every cell of my body. So yoga between me and my body shifts it from illness to health.
- I become compassionate. So yoga between me and others shifts my relationships from conflict to harmony.
- I radiate pure vibrations into the environment. So yoga between me and the environment creates a peaceful world.

Tomorrow we will explore what is a Yogic Lifestyle.

-----------------------------------------
Message for the day 12-08-2017
-----------------------------------------

The one who has the courage to face is the one who can bring about a change.

Expression:When there is a challenge which brings out a negative response, there is an immediate desire to move away from the situation so that the negativity finishes. But the real challenge is not the situation itself, but the expression of a weakness within. The one who has the courage to face this weakness and work on it is able to bring about a change accordingly.

Experience: When I am able to face the challenge of working on my own weaknesses, instead of moving away from the situation I am able to experience progress at every step. Then there will be no feeling of helplessness but I will be able to have full control on the situation. So there is the ability to learn from each situation and move forward constantly.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Friday, August 11, 2017

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 11-08-2017

--------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 11-08-2017
--------------------------------------

Positive Thought Based Living (Part 3)

A very easy technique of radiating good wishes at the level of the mind is looking at others as a spiritual being of light i.e. looking at the spiritual form of others. We all know from our previous messages that the soul is a spiritual energy which constantly radiates energy to the world. When I look at the star like form of others which is the form of the soul at the centre of the forehead, which is the same as my spiritual form, I radiate my original qualities of peace, love, purity and joy to others. It’s like empowering others with my vision. This again is to be done in complete humility and remembering that the other person is my soul brother and we are children of one Father - God and we share a common bond with Him. Also since we are children of the one Father, we have the same original sanskaras or qualities mentioned above. Every day you meet so many people. Look at them as soul brothers at the centre of the forehead – the sparkling star of spiritual energy, full of pure qualities. This way they will return what you share with them through your vision. God looks at all of us with this type of vision. God has the knowledge of your physical body or role but always looks at your star like spiritual form or the soul, which is your eternal form. The physical costume which we call the human body and the role we play is temporary and keeps changing.

Lastly, never think negative for any person. The busier we become, the more negative we get at times for others because we do not have time for introspection or looking inwards. Very often, we have got into the habit of having a negative mindset especially when we talk to our loved ones or close ones about others. We commonly say such and such person is not so nice and we mention some negative personality characteristic or weakness of the other person or a certain negative way in which he or she has behaved. So common this is. You come home from office and talk to your family members about all the negative things that took place in your office and all the negative behaviors of everyone there. And all that you talk or discuss far away from the other person on a physical level but it all travels to others on a non-physical level, which creates barriers in relationships. So think positive and think good, spread the energy of positivity to others all the time and enjoy what we call positive thought based living.

-----------------------------------------
Message for the day 11-08-2017
-----------------------------------------

To have the awareness of being God's instrument is to bring about a positive change.

Expression:When there is the awareness of being an instrument of God, there would be the desire to do the best and be the best. So each and every thing I do would be for the improvement for the self. Due to this there would be divinity and speciality seen in every thing that is done. This would also bring the awareness of all the resources and they would also be used in a worthwile way.

Experience: When I am aware of my own role and what I contribute through my specialities, I recognise the fact that I am a beautiful instrument of God. This awareness naturally helps me be in my state of self-respect under all circumstances. I find myself giving my best and making myself more and more beautiful within. So I find that I am able to bring about a positive change with great ease.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thursday, August 10, 2017

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 10-08-2017

--------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 10-08-2017
--------------------------------------

Positive Thought Based Living (Part 2)

Blessings from every person you meet will make your life more beautiful and free of difficult situations. Living a life of giving joy to others through the simplest possible ways like a smile or a warm greeting or a gesture of appreciation is a beautiful way of gathering blessings from everyone. It is said very commonly – give blessings and take blessings. That means the more you keep good wishes for others the more full of good wishes you will be which you will receive back from others. A good practice whenever you meet someone is to ensure that you have shared something with the other person e.g. If a person comes to you and he is lacking love, just look at him and create a pure and positive thought in your mind that may this person experience his original quality of love and may he share the same with others. Do this with a humble consciousness. This is like giving a blessing to the other. This will inspire the other person to change and imbibe the quality of love which he is lacking. You may think this won’t work, but the power of a positive thought created by you is immense, which can transform the other person completely. After all our thought energy does touch the other person’s consciousness on a subtle level. It’s like whispering into the other’s ears a message of pure love which he is lacking, listening to which is an inspiration for him to change himself. In the same way, if someone has a habit of becoming angry very easily and you pass her on a particular day on the street, look at her and send her a good wish that may you experience lots of peace which is your original sanskara. These are blessings which work magically. Powerful thoughts have immense power, much more than words.

The pure love that you carry in this incognito way for others is like a healing balm for others which can make people more beautiful and bring them closer to you. Try giving a good wish to every person you meet in the day for one week. This way you will see how all your relationships with people become more beautiful and how everyone around you start becoming better individuals. It’s a beautiful practice.

(To be continued tomorrow …)

-----------------------------------------
Message for the day 10-08-2017
-----------------------------------------

The method to bring about a permanent change is to bring about newness in thinking.

Expression:To bring about a permanent change for the better means getting the mind trained to new ways of looking at the same situation. Only with this new understanding will there be a new response. Trying to bring about change in a superficial way will not bring about a long-lasting change.

Experience: When I train my mind to think creatively I'm able to keep my mind busy. In this way I'm able to free it from thinking negative and waste. Also I find myself enjoying every scene that comes in front of me and I also find myself constantly progressing.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Wednesday, August 09, 2017

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 09-08-2017

--------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 09-08-2017
--------------------------------------

Positive Thought Based Living (Part 1)

Living in a world of high speed and actions in our everyday lives, we need to spend a few minutes everyday looking at how much time did we spend in the day in giving and spreading the fragrance of our specialties and loving each one whom we meet, with a big heart. Always see and check whether each action of yours is dedicated to the benefit of others and not only for benefiting the self. We all know and realize that the day to day routine includes work tasks of different types but life is also about giving and receiving from others all that’s beautiful in life like peace, love and happiness. It’s fine to be over involved with work but even in that work there are some people who are more in touch with their inner goodness. Some will make it a point to share good things with others in the form of good words while talking to them and good gestures while interacting with them. Some people will make it a point to share with others, something good over email or on the phone before starting their daily routine at office or even the regular work at home if they are not working.

So life isn’t all about working hard for a living but living a value based life and spreading the fragrance of values to others. Values are not to be kept within you but shared with others and distributed with a big heart. There are some people who will put up a good thought everyday. They will do it in their homes or on their computers screens or at some place in their office where everyone can read it, take inspiration from it, bring it into practice and also inspire others with it. This is called positive thought based living and not just plain living which most of us indulge in. Live life to the fullest and enjoy it but not at the cost of giving up values. Let every person whom you come in contact with, feel you are different not only in terms of personality and skills but also in terms of your basic nature and the virtues or qualities you possess. Then the world will become a beautiful place to live in and we will be like one big family closely knit together in a bond of pure love and happiness.

(To be continued tomorrow …)

-----------------------------------------
Message for the day 09-08-2017
-----------------------------------------

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

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

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

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Tuesday, August 08, 2017

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 08-08-2017

--------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 08-08-2017
--------------------------------------

Father & Child: The Emotional Connect (Part 2)

In the previous message, we explored how I as a father bond with my child in pre-natal stage and infancy. Today we will look at subsequent years.

During childhood years, my child's behaviour may not be the way I think is right. I need patience, understanding that it is all age-appropriate. I should love yet discipline. Be firm but never angry or punish, as they radiate vibrations of rejection, depleting my child emotionally. My role is to first accept, then empower.

Children do not learn what they see, they absorb what is around them as vibrations. So values cannot be taught but when lived by parents every time, they become a part of the child's personality. Honesty in simple acts like admitting to mistakes, paying taxes, paying fine if I broke traffic rules, and so on are essential. Respecting family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, domestic help, driver, cook or hospitality industry personnel is critical. My morals should flow in every situation with everyone, not just when my child is around.

Children share a deep connection with mothers. They naturally take a liking for anyone who treats the mother well. So how I take care of my wife creates a big influence on my relationship with my child. Of course, I must always respect my wife, not only for the sake of my child. In pre-teen or teen years my child deals with adolescence, peer pressure, media, expectations and competition. So I must continue giving acceptance, approval and appreciation so my child can share everything, trusting me to respond with stability rather than react out of impulsiveness. Only my calmness can open up a discussion where I can advice or guide.

Children are today exposed to an unsafe environment. To protect them, I should not simply care but connect, so that trust, respect and love grow. Our inner power, patience, compassion, love and joy reflect in them. If we lack them, they too will. By being aligned to the original nature of peace, love and joy, every father will raise an angel.

-----------------------------------------
Message for the day 08-08-2017
-----------------------------------------

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

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

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

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Monday, August 07, 2017

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 07-08-2017

--------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 07-08-2017
--------------------------------------

Father & Child: The Emotional Connect (Part 1)

At times, it is great for fathers and children to reflect on the bond they share. It is also nice to say thank you to father, appreciate and acknowledge their role - of shouldering responsibilities of family, career, finances, social & spiritual life.

Success for a father has no unanimous definition. It appears to be about how much physical, social and financial comfort a father can provide, but today emotional bond between them is the key. Whether toddler or teenager, a child wants quality time and energy of the father, apart from having all needs fulfilled. So the responsibility is on the father to establish and sustain a loving relationship. Let us explore how as a father, I should bond with my child.

The first phase is my pre-natal bond which begins when my child is in the mother's womb. As a father, every thought I create for my child travels as vibrations, providing emotional nourishment. So I should radiate loving, comforting, welcoming thoughts. Conflict, anger, anxiety and other negative emotions should be avoided. I should not create thoughts of gender preference as my child catches it and feels unwanted if it is of the opposite gender.

Substance addictions for me and my wife is an absolute No. If I indulge in smoking or alcohol, I radiate vibrations of addiction to the child. Addiction not only depletes my emotional strength, it influences my child's mind and body. I must refrain from this stage and stay away from it, for life.

The next phase is infancy or babyhood and is the finest time for me to seal a strong emotional connect. Participating in baby-care tasks is important, but more important is how I feel while playing with, talking to, carrying or calming my child - do I create thoughts of love and comfort? Or do I create irritation and hurry up to get back to other work? Doing the latter sends vibrations of rejection to my child.

(To be continued tomorrow …)

-----------------------------------------
Message for the day 07-08-2017
-----------------------------------------

The power of determination brings all thoughts into practice.

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

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

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Sunday, August 06, 2017

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 06-08-2017

--------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 06-08-2017
--------------------------------------

Understanding What Is Time

We created the concept of time to measure our experience of the space between events. Time passes only because we experience change. What is change? Change is only a series of events. So time is our experience of the speed of events. This explains why time seems to be moving faster today, because both the speed and the number of events are increasing. And it seems even faster if we participate in those events. If the speed and number of events was less, we would experience time to be moving slowly, as it used to be a little earlier in the history of mankind.

Today, sitting in our living rooms and offices, electronic, print and other media allows us to observe hundreds of events from all over the world, every day. To observe them actively is to participate in them. If you want to slow time down, learn to be a detached observer of the thousands of events around you – participate or observe actively only when necessary. If you want to stop time, meditate and be in your original, timeless, eternal consciousness. Meditation is after all an art of shutting down your senses and slowing down. Today, we fear time, as a result we hear ourselves saying many a times, Hurry up, time is running out! or I hope to have more time tomorrow! or I need to save time! Ultimately time, is our life: it cannot be saved or lost, but must be lived now. This is where your will-power is important - we can choose exactly how we spend our time at any moment.

-----------------------------------------
Message for the day 06-08-2017
-----------------------------------------

Love creates the right environment for others' positive growth.

Expression:Where there is love, a natural environment for others' growth is created. Love gives the ability to perceive the positivity in others and gives the encouragement to others to bring about that positivity and use it for the benefit of the self and others.

Experience: When I have love for others, along with perceiving their specialities, I am also able to recognise and use my specialities and inner powers more and more. Knowing and using these specialities is naturally for the benefit of those around me. This gives me an inner experience of power which makes me a constant giver and a support for those around me.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Saturday, August 05, 2017

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 05-08-2017

--------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 05-08-2017
--------------------------------------

Wearing The Crown Of Servant Leadership Gracefully (Part 3)

Very often in a group or team, while moving towards a common goal or objective or purpose, the leader of the group or gathering is required to give his opinion to make the objective of the team possible. Servant leaders 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. They maintain a 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). Also servant leaders are detached when accepting or receiving or listening to ideas from team members. The more the attachment to one’s own ideas, the more will be the tendency to resist or reject the others’ ideas, which they do not do.

Also, when a leader starts misusing his leadership for his own good and greed, and becomes egoistic, his team members start staying away. Servant leaders, through their humility, become an inspiration for others. Experiencing power and autonomy is healthy, but when a false sense of ownership sets up in leadership and the leader starts taking his role for granted, it is the time when a leader will experience great downfall in his role as a leader.

Altogether, a good leader is one who uses his mind or law to handle himself and his heart or love to handle others which ultimately brings justice to his role. Such a leader who maintains this balance of love and law wears the crown of servant leadership gracefully through various stages of life, enjoying the respect and earning the good wishes of all whom he comes into contact with.

-----------------------------------------
Message for the day 05-08-2017
-----------------------------------------

The one who is calm and cool is the one who makes the right decisions.

Expression:The natural nature of the human mind is to come under pressure and tension during negative situations. When there is a challenging situation, there is naturally the tendency to find it difficult to maintain an inner state of calm. But the one who has the ability to go within and find the inner calm is able to be clear in thinking and is able to make the right decisions.

Experience: When I am able to experience the inner state of calm, I am able to be clear in my thinking. With this clarity I find the right decisions and solutions emerging very naturally within my mind. I will never have the difficulty of having to make decisions, but all decisions are made with ease and they are right too.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Pages