Brahma Kumaris: January 2018

Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 31-01-2018

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Soul Sustenance 31-01-2018
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Going Beyond The Desire For Praise (Part 1)

A very common feeling in our everyday lives which some of us experience is a desire for praise for what we have done. It is commonly said that perform good actions for yourself, for your family and friends as well as for the world but do not desire praise in return for those actions. This is sometimes easy to remember but difficult to practice for many. Some people say is it not natural to expect recognition for what I do in society or in my office or at home. Some people also feel that their good actions must be seen by a large number of people. Otherwise they don’t feel inspired to perform them.

Let’s look at an example of an actor. When an actor performs well, he receives praise for his performance. When he does not, people talk against the performance. So he feels happy and sad depending on his performance, as perceived by people, although he has worked hard, with equal dedication, for both his performances. In the same manner, a sportsperson, who is famous and successful, loses his fame to a considerable extent, once he retires and other younger sportspersons take his place in the same sport, who sometimes succeed more than him. So, it’s not wrong to feel happy when you get praise. But it’s not good to base your happiness on praise, because then it becomes a dependency. Also, perform actions with a sense of detachment, because you may or may not get praise for those actions, but you should remain equally happy in both cases. In this message we look at few simple methods to become free from such desires.

(To be continued tomorrow …)

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Message for the day 31-01-2018
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True love brings success in relationships.

Expression:The one who is loving, likes to be with the others. Such a person will never try to be away even from people who are not loving towards him, but will be able to change the one who is not so loving with his own love. So the one who is loving is always successful in relationships.

Experience: Since I am a loving person, I am able to maintain this love for every person I come into contact with. Whether the other person is able to be loving or not, I find that I never lose my love because of being aware of my true nature.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 30-01-2018

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Soul Sustenance 30-01-2018
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Experiencing Spiritual Growth Through Group Interactions (Part 2)

As explained in yesterday's message, if you are living in isolation you don't become aware of the dimensions of your ego and, therefore, you cannot overcome it.

Also, the beauty of group interactions or being a part of a spiritual community or any other group, is that in groups, various powers like the power to:
- adapt and mould oneself with people of different personality traits and as different situations in the group demand;
- tolerate;
- face negative situations in interactions;
- forgive and forget;
- become a detached observer of situations and people's actions, not to get over involved, in order to maintain one's stability and calmness;
- co-operate;
- communicate;
- see and absorb only specialties of each one (inspite of obvious weaknesses being visible) and spreading the specialties (not weaknesses) to the others in the group, by way of praising and not criticizing them;
- listen, understand and empathize;
- discriminate and judge different situations and people;
- go into inner silence, whenever required, amidst the actions and interactions of group activity;
- show respect to each one and remain in self-respect;
- remain content or satisfied and make the others content; etc.

are absolutely necessary to experience success in the groups, either within the relationships with others or even with the self. There is a difference between experiencing success with the self while staying alone and within a group. By bringing the above powers into practice in a group, they increase further inside us. This does not happen in isolation, or if it does, then the extent is quite limited. So basically, being a part of a group, brings about greater spiritual growth and empowerment.

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Message for the day 30-01-2018
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The one who checks himself constantly is the one who experiences progress.

Expression:The one who keeps checking himself is also able to bring about a change in himself. Such a person takes each situation as a chance to learn something new and bring about some change for the better. So there is constant improvement in his life.

Experience: When something goes wrong, if I learn to check myself and bring about a change immediately, I will be able to experience constant progress. No situation will make me have negative feelings or make me stop, but I will be able to enjoy everything that comes my way.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Monday, January 29, 2018

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 29-01-2018

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Soul Sustenance 29-01-2018
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Experiencing Spiritual Growth Through Group Interactions (Part 1)

Anyone who is inclined towards growing spiritually will sooner or later feel the need to taking up a particular spiritual path, which provides him/her with an assigned code of leading a spiritual life and helps him/her to incorporate it in his/her life. This also means becoming a part of a spiritual group or gathering or community and participating in spiritual study, practice like meditation or prayer and perform service along with the group. But, on the other hand, there are also many spiritually motivated people who are not very interested in groups and communities and keep a distance from them. They are of the opinion that it is easier to work it out alone by collecting information from other alternate sources by books, the internet, the television, videos, etc. and progress spiritually. But the relationship between spiritual growth and being a part of or participating in a group is clear.

For the isolated and solitary person, growth is limited, since the personality is not activated to the same extent as when it interacts with others. In relationships and in living together, the various forms of hidden ego and the different shades of the personality, positive as well as negative, are stimulated, creating the possibility of being more aware and conscious about them, bringing about greater growth and spiritual development. After all, one of the main objectives of spiritual development is achieving victory over the ego and becoming soul conscious, getting rid of the negative shades of the personality and further enhancing the positive traits and skills, so that they can be used for benefiting the self and others.

Tomorrow we shall explain the various powers that are required to experience success in groups, which as a result, get enhanced in group activities and interactions.

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Message for the day 29-01-2018
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To stamp every thought with the stamp of determination is to be victorious.

Expression:When there is determination in thoughts, there is naturally the ability to give the best in spite of all the obstacles. Situations will not deter such a person from achieving what he set out to. And so there is naturally constant victory for the one who is always determined.

Experience: When there is determination in my thoughts, I am never afraid, whatever happens. In fact obstacles only serve to strengthen determination. I never give up what I have started. It is determination that enables me to add power to my thoughts and make them practical.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Sunday, January 28, 2018

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 28-01-2018

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Soul Sustenance 28-01-2018
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Crossing Negative Situations With Spiritual Power (Part 3)

Situations are to be overcome without them creating a deep influence on our consciousness. It is said that tolerate situations with pleasure and don’t feel their pressure. Pressure of situations has a negative effect on our mind and that can in turn influence our thinking to such an extent that it’s difficult to take away your mind and thoughts from the situation. Someone might say that since the last four days I have not stopped thinking of my argument with my office colleague. Another one might say today I am low since the morning because I heard a very bad news of the death of my close relative. Isn’t it almost like a natural instinct? If a situation is there I will feel different and that different is always negative.

So how do I train myself for a more right or more natural instinct of remaining positive? That will come over a period of time with experience and also practicing stability in every difficult situation we face. It’s like a ship without a rudder, which can lose direction and drown in a rough sea. In the same manner, the rudder of spiritual power will enable us to cross negative situations with ease. It’s also not about saying to yourself that I am powerful and then repeating the same mistakes of thinking negative. Unless power is filled in the soul through the technique of meditation, we will never change into positive thinking individuals even if we are very determined to become positive and remain away from the negative. Power in the mind will also create positive sanskaras of faith, patience, determination, tolerance and stability, which will help us in any difficult situation. As a result, we will cross every negative situation with ease and lightness.

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Message for the day 28-01-2018
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To be free from wants is to be free from waste.

Expression:The one who is free from wants is the one who is free from expectations. When there are no expectations, there is not too much thought about what is not there or what should be there. Since the mind is free from all these kind of waste thoughts, whatever is done is the best.

Experience: When I am free from wants or desires, I am able to always remain content. I can then appreciate and enjoy everything that comes my way, and do not expect anything both from situations and people. So the mind is free from waste thoughts and questions.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Saturday, January 27, 2018

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 27-01-2018

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Soul Sustenance 27-01-2018
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Crossing Negative Situations With Spiritual Power (Part 2)

Looking at different types of difficult problems in our life can make us loose our enthusiasm and also weaken us internally. Life can become a difficult and rough journey, which is when spirituality with all its different benefits can help us immensely. Spirituality is the technique of learning how to rule over yourself not only at the level of words and actions, but also on a more subtle level of thoughts, feelings and emotions. It teaches us the art and fills us with the power of applying a brake to our negative and unnecessary thoughts when a difficult situation is in front of us. It’s not about suppressing your mind and saying that from today I will not get angry or I will behave with love and humility with everyone and then going back to your negative self after some time. This is unnatural. But on the other hand, it’s about gently transforming your negative emotions into positive ones by the use of spiritual power filled in the self by connecting with the Supreme Spiritual Power Source of the world - God. This connection is called meditation in spirituality.

Also, it’s not about just relaxing your mind by reducing the number of thoughts, but it’s about creating the right positive thoughts which replace the negative thoughts which are in our mind, when we are in the middle of a difficult situation. So, spiritual strength is what will give us the ability to change our way of thinking and behaving and not just spiritual knowledge. Remember, it’s our personality which needs to change and that will automatically transform our thoughts and feelings, which are influenced by my personality.

(To be continued tomorrow …)

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Message for the day 27-01-2018
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Speciality lies in experiencing one's fortune.

Expression:When there is the awareness of one's fortune, there is speciality seen in every word and action, because of wanting to make the best of everything. There is also the pure desire of sharing with others, which also makes one special.

Experience: When I have the recognition of my own fortune, and am aware of what I have, I find myself content. I have no expectations but continue to make the best use of what I already have, for my benefit and that of others. So I find myself being special and making my own fortune.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Friday, January 26, 2018

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 26-01-2018

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Soul Sustenance 26-01-2018
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Crossing Negative Situations With Spiritual Power (Part 1)

A significant and important sphere of our life which constantly goes away in a direction that we do not want it to is the way we look after our mental well-being and how it influences our overall behavior and the way we perform our actions. E.g. if we are in a positive mood today, automatically all our actions will begin to get influenced by that and positive emotions that exist in our mind, start showing in our interactions. Also, if a negative and difficult situation comes into our life suddenly and our mind moves into a negative direction, then almost automatically our actions go into that direction.

How do we prevent this process from happening? What is the single best method to follow to prevent the mind from coming under the influence of difficult and demanding circumstances? Is there some method which we can use for our mind so that this complete process is stopped at the level of the mind in the first place? Say, you are not physically well today and you do not feel comfortable. So that is a type of negative situation. On another day, your boss at work has not been nice to you and you feel uncomfortable with the situation surrounding you. This is another type of negative situation. Such ups and downs are common in life and they will be there at every step, but do we let them dictate the way we behave or do we ensure that they do not interfere with our regular routine and our dealings with people? Of course, no one wants a burden on them but at the same time situations have to be dealt with positively also. But the main thing to take care of is, that while doing that, you do not lose your inner stability and your actions remain positive and full of peace, love and happiness.

(To be continued tomorrow …)

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Message for the day 26-01-2018
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Freedom means accepting the rules of freedom.

Expression:The one who wants freedom naturally accepts the rules that go untold. He is willing to take responsibility for all his decisions and choices. Such a person will never blame others but try to check his own mistakes.

Experience: When I take decisions with freedom and take responsibility for them, I am able to learn from anything that goes wrong. I'll feel light and free yet with a base from where I can work. Thus I find myself experiencing constant progress.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thursday, January 25, 2018

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 25-01-2018

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Soul Sustenance 25-01-2018
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Reversing The Flow Of Love In Relationships

If we ask someone who do they think has caused them the most sorrow in life, most will point out to someone they love or had loved a lot. Why is it so? It happens like that because we believe that the energy of love will come from the outside and will fill us inside. The energy of love from the other will fulfill our inner desire for the experience of love. Due to our own need, we attach ourselves and hold on to a particular person whom we love a lot, believing that they will fill us with the love that they possess inside them, which will make us stronger, fuller and more content. So we start depending on the other person for this need. When he/she is not able to fill us, which happens many times, we experience sorrow. Love is an energy, which exists inside us. It always goes from the inside out and reaches out to the other and brings benefit to the other. It does not come from the outside in.

If we try and reverse the flow of love i.e. we make the energy of love come from outside in, we start depending on the outside for love, which results in the vacuuming effect. When you vacuum to clean your living room, you absorb the good and the bad. If you have dropped something very small, but valuable and of utmost importance to you, on your carpet, the vacuum cleaner absorbs it or takes it away, together with the dust, which is negative and of no value to you and which you do not want inside your home. When you live with the vacuuming effect on an emotional level, you absorb the love, care, concern, virtues, powers, specialties, energy, etc. of the person you love but you also end up absorbing their weaknesses, their worries, their fears, etc. That way, a dependency is generated that is counter-productive and causes emotional pain. That does not mean we become cold and stop accepting love from others, but we are no longer dependent on it for our inner well-being and happiness. Also, on the other hand, we keep radiating or giving love. When we give love, we experience it ourselves first and that's what we want - an experience of love, isn't it?

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Message for the day 25-01-2018
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The beauty of things lie in the ability to appreciate them.

Expression:Nothing is positive or negative in itself, but the one who has the eye for positive things sees only positively even when there is negativity around. Such a person is like a swan, which separates and picks up only pearls from stones.

Experience: When I am looking only at the positive aspects, I am able to remain happy. If I am able to appreciate everything that comes my way, even if it is visibly negative, I find nothing to be a problem, but everything becomes enjoyable for me.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 24-01-2018

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Soul Sustenance 24-01-2018
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Ruling The Kingdom Of The Mind (Part 3)

Rulers have ruled over different territories all across the world since thousands of years. There was a time when rulers ruled the complete world, a time when there was no trace of sorrow or hatred or injustice or disharmony in their kingdom. We know these rulers as devis and devtas or deities today. What was the secret of their success? They possessed, apart from the skills to rule, all the powers to succeed. So what is the secret of success for the spiritual king, which is me, the soul? I increase my spiritual powers and make them a part of my personality. How? Creating thought affirmations which we explained in yesterday’s message. Thought affirmations of the seven primary virtues – peace, love, joy, purity, bliss, power and truth. We have explained four virtue types in yesterday’s message. We could give a thought to the remaining three also.

These virtue thoughts, when repeatedly brought into my conscious mind everyday, gradually influence my sub-conscious mind positively. This then fills me, the spiritual king’s personality, with those seven virtues. Virtues in turn increase spiritual power inside me. This in turn makes me strong, a king with the eight primary spiritual powers - the power to withdraw, the power to pack up, the power to tolerate, the power to accommodate, the power to face, the power to discriminate, the power to judge and the power to co-operate. Such a power-filled king is then obeyed by his ministers - the thoughts, feelings and emotions and his people - the attitudes, expressions, words and actions. All of them learn to respond to external situations, in tune with their king’s personality i.e. in tune with the seven primary virtues and the eight primary powers. As the king, so his ministers. As the ministers, so his people – resulting in a harmony, love and joy filled atmosphere in the complete kingdom. Such an order filled kingdom is a kingdom of high self esteem. Also, it is respected by other people it associates with everyday because the people who come in close connection with such a kingdom experience these virtues and powers from the kingdom and the king.

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Message for the day 24-01-2018
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To know the fruit of efforts will surely come is to remain happy and healthy.

Expression:To know that the fruit of my effort will eventually come one day is to understand the importance of making effort. Once there is this understanding, it becomes easy to continue making effort, which is like nourishment that keeps one happy. So effort is never stopped till what has to be achieved is achieved.

Experience: Knowing that my effort will surely be fruitful makes me enjoy everything I do. It makes me remain happy, keeps me enthusiastic and free from tiredness, even when things are not going right for me. My mental happiness and well being thus keeps me healthy.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 23-01-2018

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Soul Sustenance 23-01-2018
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Ruling The Kingdom Of The Mind (Part 2)

Am I a weak king (soul) or a powerful one? This is a question that each one of us needs to ask ourselves at the end of each day. Every night, call upon your ministers – the thoughts, feelings and emotions in your kingdom court and have a heart-to-heart conversation with them regarding the kingdom and its people. The people are your attitudes, expressions, words and actions. A court is also held to check the daily report of the behavior of the ministers. As the ministers of a kingdom, so its people (as mentioned above). To keep the kingdom in order, a positive king will train the ministers and its people to respond correctly to different negative situations which the kingdom is exposed to every day. This ability is the power of the king in action.

To train the ministers and people of my kingdom to respond correctly, a powerful king will, at the start of the day and at regular intervals in the day, give positive thoughts to the mind. These thoughts are of power such as – I am a star of success; I possess the all powerful driving force of motivation; I can destroy obstacles that try to obstruct my path. Also, thoughts of peace such as - I shall not react angrily, but maintain my calm; I shall not look at others’ actions but keep my focus on my stable stage; I shall keep a relationship of outer detachment to external situations as well as inner detachment to internal pressures. And, thoughts of love such as – I am an overflowing source of good wishes; I will be forgetful of others' mistakes; I shall absorb others' virtues and fill others with my virtues. Also, thoughts of joy such as I will remain light and give others the same experience; I shall spread the wings of enthusiasm and fly high; I shall gift a smile and a greeting to everyone. These types of thought affirmations will in turn positively influence the feelings and emotions, the ministers of my kingdom and my attitudes, expressions, words and actions, the people of my kingdom. How? We shall explain that in tomorrow’s message.

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Message for the day 23-01-2018
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To give regard to others' ideas is to be a learner.

Expression:The one who is open to the ideas of others is the one who is able to learn from everything. He is humble and has respect for all. He has the authority over what he does, he is the master and is yet open to learning.

Experience: Even when my best plan and ideas are rejected or criticised, I am able to remain cool and light because of my regard for others and their ideas. Because of this I am able to constantly learn and experience progress.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Monday, January 22, 2018

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 22-01-2018

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Soul Sustenance 22-01-2018
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Ruling The Kingdom Of The Mind (Part 1)

Have you ever looked inside the inner kingdom of your mind where your thoughts, feelings and emotions are your ministers? Is it a kingdom of law or lawlessness? Do you ever wonder to yourself – I wish there would be more order and less chaos in my kingdom! So what stops you from creating a kingdom of law and order? Is it external situations or is it your internal reactions to these situations? Just for one day, perform this little exercise, check that out of the tens of thousands of thoughts and feelings you create in a day, how many are your own creation and how many are responses to external events. If they are your own positive creation or if they are responses to events, but correct ones, then be proud that your ministers are obeying you. Do you realize that the time when these thoughts and feelings are your wrong reactions and not your original correct creations either, is the time when these ministers are wicked and disobeying you?

A kingdom where the ministers disobey the king (that is you, the soul) repeatedly, is a kingdom, the atmosphere of which is lacking in harmony, love and joy. The kingdom in our case is our mind. It is a kingdom which is not respected by its people, who work under the ministers of thoughts, feelings and emotions. The people are your attitudes, expressions, words and actions. They further misbehave under the influence of the thoughts, feelings and emotions. It is a kingdom where the king cannot face external situations with strength. Also, it is a kingdom which is lacking in stability.

(To be continued tomorrow …)

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Message for the day 22-01-2018
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To be seated on the seat of self-respect is to be truly great.

Expression:The one who is constantly in the stage of self-respect is constantly stable. And because of this stability he always has the right authority. This brings about right decisions too and he moves forward with ease facing all situations.

Experience: When I am aware of my own specialities and work with them I inspire others too to recognise my positive qualities. I also never have ego but am able to remain humble. This humility enables me to win the respect of others too.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Sunday, January 21, 2018

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 21-01-2018

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Soul Sustenance 21-01-2018
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Experiencing Compassion For People Who Are Different

Only by acknowledging how you fundamentally view the world differently from others can you develop the awareness to have compassion for those who are different from you. Different means everyone you come in contact with.

Being judgmental or critical about others behaviours comes naturally to most of us and we always feel we are right in what we feel about them. Very easily we label people right or wrong. But right or wrong according to who? According to our perspective. The same situation is perceived differently by different people and we are not able to understand them because we can only see things through our perspective. Our perspective is created based on our sanskars and past experiences. These sanskars become the lens through which we will see the situation. Different people will perceive it differently and we often find ourselves saying - we just don't understand them!!! Let us understand that there is no right or wrong, we are just different. Parents are right, children are wrong; Husband is right, wife is wrong; Boss is right, subordinate is wrong - these rights and wrongs make us withdraw our trust and respect in relationships. We are only different, each of us is carrying different sanskars and can see the situation only through the lens of our own sanskars and so each of us is always right from our perspective.

When we start seeing each one with this understanding we will shift from criticism to compassion, and our love and respect for them will remain constant. However unreasonable we might find them, let us remember they are feeling and behaving through their sanskars and so they are absolutely right.

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Message for the day 21-01-2018
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Success is achieved through accurate efforts.

Expression:The one who puts in accurate efforts for the success of every task, naturally tries to do the best. Because of his own contribution, others too help him and contribute whatever they can to achieve what he sets out to do. So there is success in everything.

Experience: When I do the right thing, I will be able to experience constant self-progress. I will then never have the slightest feeling of failing, but will always experience success as a right, even if the result is not what I have expected. I experience positive feelings because of having put in the right effort.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Saturday, January 20, 2018

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 20-01-2018

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Soul Sustenance 20-01-2018
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The Gender Of God

In a large number of religious traditions, all over the world, God is always referred to as a male entity. But, just as the soul does not have a gender and is neither masculine nor feminine, God’s i.e. the Supreme Soul’s gender is neither male nor female specifically. Therefore, as a soul, a spiritual child of God, I can come close to God without any inhibitions or difficulty, which I may experience in any relationship in the physical world, due to the gender of the body I am occupying.

We need to take a look at the Supreme Being or God closely. The Supreme Being is the Supreme Mother who provides spiritual sustenance and whose love is full of unconditional acceptance. No matter what has happened, how my nature or personality may be, I experience unconditional acceptance from God. It's a love that strengthens me, as well as it purifies me. At the same time, God is also the Supreme Father, a very powerful entity, who provides protection and fills the soul with the inheritance of divine qualities and powers. It's a question of just being an innocent child and claiming that inheritance. These are the first two relationships that have to be experienced with God. The Supreme is a balance of being feminine, having the qualities of caring, giving and full of good wishes and masculine at the same time, having the qualities of power, authority and fearlessness. He is She and She is He. These two relationships with God, whereby God plays both the roles of both parents are the basis of my spiritual development. Spirituality introduces to us the concept of taking a new spiritual birth to the Supreme Father and Mother. This birth is based on a change of consciousness. One needs to let go of the negative, impure and sorrowful past and develop a new consciousness, based on the present introduction to spirituality, which is positive, pure and blissful. The awareness of the self as a soul changes my way of looking at things immensely, but the consciousness of being a child of God, who is the Mother as well as the Father and seeing others with that vision brings respect and love for myself. Then all these qualities start showing in my actions and interactions as well.

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Message for the day 20-01-2018
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Lightness comes when words are accurate.

Expression:Accurate words means there is nothing extra spoken. Whatever has to be said is said to the point. Such words being short are sweet to hear too and are those that never hurt others. They bring about the result needed accurately.

Experience: When my words are to the point, there is a lot of lightness experienced within me and my physical energy is saved too. Others too experience benefit through my words and so I naturally get blessings from them, which helps me move forward with lightness.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Friday, January 19, 2018

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 19-01-2018

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Soul Sustenance 19-01-2018
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Ability To Face - A Reflection Of Our Confidence And Courage

The ability to face gives us the ability to focus on the solution and resolve it, but if nothing can be done we simply accept the situation with dignity. We do not get entangled, do not magnify, do not blame or do not complain about the situation. The ability is a reflection of our confidence and courage. It does not have even traces of anger or aggression, but uses assertion and discipline. Life at times presents unpleasant situations where the ability to tolerate or accept may not be sufficient. We need to step up and face them with courage.
The courage to stand up for what is right and beneficial comes naturally with spiritual empowerment. We do not fear people or situations; we hold on to our values like a compass and move forward confidently. Using the ability to face removes deep-rooted fears of our death or that of a family member. It also helps us face and cope with loss of our possessions, position or breakup in relationships, we understand what is eternal and what is temporary.

It is important to discriminate when to use the ability to face (confront) and when to use the ability to adjust –
(1) When there is difference of sanskars, opinions and perspectives we need to adjust, not confront. But today we are confronting people for such differences and depleting the strength of our relationships.
(2) When we know about our own weak or wrong sanskar, we need to confront our sanskar, not adjust. We need to constantly work on it and not give up until we finish or change it. If we give up, that sanskar grows stronger and weakens our will power. Let us pause and ask our self - Am I adjusting and living with my uncomfortable sanskars but am not adjusting with other people's weak sanskars.
(3) If there is abuse, exploitation or compromise of values and principles, we need to confront, not adjust. If we adjust and accept these for social pressures, it is a sign of our lack of ability to face. We need to rise above their influences and do what is right.

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Message for the day 19-01-2018
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To have attention to accumulate is to experience constant progress.

Expression:The one who has the attention to accumulate each and every moment makes sure that he uses well his treasures like thoughts, time etc. Then, there would never be anything waste or even ordinary. Instead each treasure would be used for the benefit of all.

Experience: Having attention to accumulate makes me realise the importance of whatever I have. This makes me pay attention on even little things and I find myself benefitting from each moment and with each thing that happens. Thus I experience constant progress.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thursday, January 18, 2018

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 18-01-2018

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Soul Sustenance 18-01-2018
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The Cyclic Functioning Of The Three Faculties Of The Soul

The soul consists of three faculties – the mind, intellect and sanskaras. They work together in a cyclic fashion. How they work together can be illustrated by looking at how habits or sanskaras are formed e.g. if you are used to scolding your children to get them to do their homework, here is what happens when you visit a friend’s place and watch, for the first time, how your friend is doing the same to his/her child, you might think (done by the mind): I should adopt the same method to discipline my children, they never listen to me. Your intellect discriminates and judges whether that thought is right or not. Seeing others using the same method, and also seeing that the children are not being affected in any negative way (at least in the short term, not realizing the long term harm) and also seeing them get the desired result, you make a decision to do the same, which leads to the action of scolding your children. This creates an impression or memory within the soul, somewhat like cutting a groove in a piece of wood. This groove in the soul becomes a characteristic of your personality and is known as a sanskara. Within the groove is recorded the memory of, firstly, the action of scolding the children and, secondly, the desired result from the action. Now, whenever your child disobeys you even a little bit, this sanskara is activated and the memory of the action and result associated with it emerge in the mind triggering a thought: Let me scold my child, that’s the best way to get him to do things. The intellect judges the thought, remembering the proof of the scolding, based on past experience, and then makes the decision that it is alright to using anger as a weapon to discipline the child. In this way, the sanskara keeps getting deeper and deeper. The cyclic process explained above, applies to all habits, whether physical or non-physical.

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Message for the day 18-01-2018
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Words filled with good wishes bring change in others.

Expression:When there are good wishes combined with the words that I speak, there is love. Whatever is spoken with love has its effect on others. Such words are free from all kind of negativity, so they naturally have a lot of power. Only such powerful words can bring about a change in others.

Experience: When I speak with love and good wishes, I find that I am light, knowing that I have no selfishness in whatever I have said. The others too are able to immediately correct themselves. This also enables me to gain good wishes for having taken them a step forward.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 17-01-2018

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Soul Sustenance 17-01-2018
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Newness At Every Step (Part 3)

Life which is above the ordinary makes it full of joy. Also, a spiritual perspective of joyful living is talking to yourself at all times and seeing positives in life’s situations, no matter how negative they may be. Along with that, loving each one and spreading the energy of good wishes in every relationship of yours makes life beautiful and full of positivity. Do this, once everyday, remember all those whom you are close to and say – You are all special souls and I have a pure bond full of love with you all. It is my positive good wish that you all remain extremely happy and full of all qualities and also you overcome different life situations easily and experience success at every step. This is giving blessings to everyone. This is positivity in karma and not only positivity kept restricted at the consciousness level, which is theoretical. Remember, people are one of the most important aspects of our life. So, interactions with them, which are positive and full of love, make life enjoyable and full of newness.

Even God should be admired and loved in a new light each day. In this way, a relationship with Him remains full of love and enthusiasm and not just a repetitive remembrance routine which is forgotten, once completed. In fact, God is our Father and Mother and even our Friend, Teacher and Guru. Remembering God through these different relationships and also remembering God’s different virtues or qualities is a way of loving God differently. E.g. you call God your Friend but do you experience that relationship with Him? Or you call God an Almighty source, but do you feel that might or power in your day-to-day life? So, everything you do should be full of variety and creativity, which will make life’s journey smooth and something to look forward to everyday.

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Message for the day 17-01-2018
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To consider problems to be a game is to move forward with lightness.

Expression:Even when the most difficult problem comes my way, I am able to give my best when I understand the significance of whatever is happening. Because I never experience being subservient to the problem, I am always a master.

Experience: When I understand that problems are just a game, I am able to play whatever part I have to, externally. But internally I will experience lightness knowing that this is the part I have to play. It would be easy to understand the significance of the part that I am playing and remain happy.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 16-01-2018

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Soul Sustenance 16-01-2018
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Newness At Every Step (Part 2)

A very important aspect of newness in our lives is a different perspective to life’s situations. A positive perspective makes life experiences more beautiful. A positive minded person with a positive perspective looks at life differently than a person with a somewhat negative mindset. Let’s say a person is facing a challenge at work and is not being able to come to a solution to overcome it. If he were to look at the current crisis in his life with a different perspective, he would arrive at a solution much faster and more easily than if he were to remain with the same perspective which he has been keeping for a long time. Solutions to problems can be arrived at magically at times with a different attitude and view point. But to make life full of new ideas and thoughts, one needs to fill the mind with fresh knowledge, not only from the world but also from spiritual sources which talk a lot about the self and also about God. Remember the more you know about yourself and about the Supreme Being, the wiser you will become and will look at life with a fresh perspective, which is the key to success.

Also, looking at people’s specialties, in fact different specialties in different situations, adds a positive flavor to life. The same people will look different and nicer when you do that. Don’t forget, everyone has different specialties that we generally know and are aware of. Say, you are not on good terms with a person and you receive negative energy from that person regularly. See that person’s different specialties for a few days and you will never get tired of the situations involving him or her. This is practical positive thinking and also new thinking.

(To be continued tomorrow …)

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Message for the day 16-01-2018
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To pay attention to every act is to be a hero.

Expression:A hero actor is one who has great attention for every act of his. He makes sure that none of his words or actions are ordinary or waste. He ensures perfection in everything he does. This naturally brings the best out of him.

Experience: Since I pay constant attention to everything I do, I find that I am able to give my best. I am then satisfied with whatever is happening since I know what I do is not as important as how well I do it.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Monday, January 15, 2018

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 15-01-2018

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Soul Sustenance 15-01-2018
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Newness At Every Step (Part 1)

Living a life of positivity and creativity makes life a beautiful journey which one loves completely and enjoys to the fullest extent. Different thoughts, words and actions full of newness and enthusiasm are the driving energy of your life. Life should not be a routine with the same type of thoughts, words and actions everyday. On the other hand, life should be a journey full of happiness and variety with different types of events and not the same scenes and situations everyday. Also making a lot of interactions with different types of people everyday gives life a new touch of positivity and relaxation which would not be possible if we met the same people everyday. So, make it a point to meet new people everyday and give life a new meaning and purpose by doing different types of creative activities. Even in your job, look for different types of activities which give life a new purpose. Don’t become accustomed to a similar routine everyday which can make the job or even the house work a boring exercise. Be creative and bring newness at every step.

Also, whenever you start your day, create a few positive thoughts or affirmations in your mind. Let them be full of success and a lot of determination which will keep you full of positive energy in the entire day, so that actions can be performed without getting tired. This is what joyful living is. Also, after every couple of hours in the day, stop your work for 3 minutes and check the thoughts in your mind. If they are going in the wrong direction, give them a new direction by meditating and creating a lot of powerful and positive thoughts or at times if you feel it more comfortable, experience silence in meditation by connecting with God, the Ocean of Peace. One is an expansion of thoughts and the other is packing up. Both are spiritual methods of empowering the mind. Both have their own benefits and help in mind control. Try either one depending on the situation. Also, throughout the day, talk to God and make Him a part of your life as you would make a close relative or friend, in the same manner.

(To be continued tomorrow …)

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Message for the day 15-01-2018
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Creativity comes when there is happiness.

Expression:Happiness touches the heart and enables the creativity to come from within. The one who is happy doesn't wait for the right opportunity to be creative, but uses each moment as a chance for using creativity - for bringing newness.

Experience: When I am happy I am able to enjoy and make the best use of each and every moment of my life. I will want to do something new, unique and different. So I also have the satisfaction of having done my best.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Sunday, January 14, 2018

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 14-01-2018

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Soul Sustenance 14-01-2018
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Rise Above Influences And Decide Accurately

Decision making power is closely connected to the power to discern. It reflects our self-belief, faith, conviction and courage to pursue what we feel is accurate, right and healthy. Today our criteria for decisions have become dependent on decision of the majority. We are deciding our lifestyle on society’s definitions of right or wrong. Even our beliefs about happiness, love, respect, anger and stress are decided based on social conditioning. Decision making power is about rising above the influence of - situations, emotions and opinions - so we can take independent decisions and stand by them, even if we are standing alone. We do not seek acceptance, appreciation or approval.

We carry forward only our sanskars and karmic accounts across our journey of many lifetimes. Everything else like our body, position and possessions are temporary. When we remain in this consciousness our decisions will naturally focus on what is beneficial for the soul. As a result we do not shy away from taking personal responsibility of the consequences of our decisions. At times, we face situations where a decision is not about right or wrong, it is only a matter of choice. For example, we may discern that 2 magazines lying on a table are good to read. The next step is to decide which one to read first. Even in this simple scenario few people cannot decide. They pick one, keep it back, pick the other, keep that back…. Over-thinking, lack of personal responsibility or dependency on other people weakens our decision making power. When we are stable, discernment and decision will be accurate. We take decisions which will strengthen the soul and enhance our emotional and physical health. The decision will not only be right for us, but will also be beneficial to all.

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Message for the day 14-01-2018
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Understanding brings happiness.

Expression:Happiness lies in understanding the secret of whatever is happening. When one is able ot remain happy in this way, he is able to spread this happiness to those around too, influencing the lives of all.

Experience: When I am able to remain happy under all circumstances, I am able to be free from the influence of others' negativity. Instead I will be able to become a major source of positive influence to those around me.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Saturday, January 13, 2018

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 13-01-2018

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Soul Sustenance 13-01-2018
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What Is Clean Communication?

With the self covered by the clouds of so many external influences and many of its own negative beliefs and past experiences, the self is normally unclear about its own self. The light of spiritual knowledge brings clarity to the self, about the self. This helps me to communicate with others much more clearly than when I am not sure or clear about what is going on inside me. There is a direct connection between the quality of subtle activities in the form of thoughts and feelings going on inside me and the quality of my interaction and communication with others.

Very importantly, relationships are also connected with attitude and vision. Sometimes, I may feel I have said and done the right things to someone, yet still someone is not behaving towards me as I would wish. At such times I need to check my attitude towards that person and the vision with which I am seeing them. I may find inside a slight feeling of disapproval towards that person, a feeling of discomfort, a resistance to something in their personality. Neither of us may be conscious of it, but my negative feeling casts a shadow on the other person. They are not receiving the acceptance or respect from me, that they should (on a subtle level), although externally I may be showing them a lot of respect. This subtle lack of acceptance and respect from my end influences their ability to hear me clearly (on a subtle level), and the way they behave towards me. The practice of meditation enables me to clean out my thoughts, feelings, attitudes and vision, ensuring that what I share with others on a physical and on a subtle level is positive. Then it is much easier for me to connect with others and for others to connect with me in a positive way. This is called Clean Communication.

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Message for the day 13-01-2018
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The one desire for perfection ends all other desires.

Expression:The desire for perfection brings the capacity to keep on learning from all situations. There is something new to learn and so there are no other desires. Since the mind is busy with bringing about perfection, there is no time for waste and negative. There is the ability to transform negative to positive.

Experience: Love for perfection makes me experience constant progress. I have no thought about what I have to get, but continue to attain from each moment and each situation. I am then naturally free from all other desires.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Friday, January 12, 2018

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 12-01-2018

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Soul Sustenance 12-01-2018
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Accept With Ease And Remain Free From Expectations

The art of acceptance gives us the ability to remain calm and flow with life. It helps us to live light and travel our journey remaining light as it frees us from a baggage of expectations, anxieties and anticipations. We learn to accommodate people and situations rather than resisting them or judge them as right or wrong. We also do not hold them responsible for our emotions. Acceptance also carries shades of appreciation, motivation, love and respect. As we experience and practice acceptance, we experience greater acceptance from others. Also, we accept and then act. Whatever the present moment contains, it teaches us to accept it as if we had chosen it.

Acceptance does not mean everything is perfect, it means our state of mind is perfect. Acceptance does not mean to let things be the way they are, it means keeping our mind stable and working on the situation. Acceptance of what has happened is the first step to start working towards the solution. We need to accept our own self along with our mistakes or difficult sanskars first, and only then focus on corrections. Else we go into guilt and regret which deplete soul power. Acceptance moves us towards transformation. It allows us to be free from the shackles of denial and move forward creating a new path. Accepting other people means we accept that they are different from us. It does not necessarily mean that we agree with them. It also does not mean we accept people’s negative sanskars and let them be their way. It only means our mind does not get disturbed, it remains detached from their sanskar. Art of accepting situations means we understand this is it, rather than question what is this and get into why, where, when, how. When we accept the situation, our mind is silent and stable. Our efficiency and decision making power increases. Our focus shifts from the problem towards the solution.

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Message for the day 12-01-2018
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Where there is faith there is victory.

Expression:When someone has faith there are no doubts or questions about the self, others or situations. Faith also enables a person to see and understand simple things in life with a new understanding. It shows direction and courage to go on.

Experience: When I have faith, I experience myself to be lucky and thus receive cooperation from many others. I would also be able to experience success at every step. There is then no worry for me and am troubled less by aspects that keep changing around me. My thoughts then would always be positive and I experience victory.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 11-01-2018

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Soul Sustenance 11-01-2018
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Guilt Is Self Inflicted Anger

Guilt is self inflicted anger which depletes our emotional energy and deprives us of the strength needed to transform.

Since childhood we were taught that if we have done something wrong, we should be guilty about it, and if we were not, people around us made us feel guilty. We started believing guilt was natural and necessary to transform. Guilt is anger which is inflicted on the self. When we get angry with others it is once in a while, and the other person feels our anger is unnecessary and thereby does not accept it. Even then anger is damaging emotionally and physically to both – the one who gets angry and the one on whom it is inflicted. What about when we get angry with ourselves, guilt. It is not once in a while, we have to live with the angry person 24X7, for days, sometimes years. When someone else gets angry with us, we defend ourselves, but when we get angry with ourselves we accept it because we feel it is justified. Doctors tell us that anger if not vented out, creates more damage. Guilt is internal anger, we cannot vent it out. We are the one creating the internal anger and we are the one on whom it is being inflicted and we are accepting it. If anger is damaging, guilt is toxic.

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Message for the day 11-01-2018
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Simplicity is the promise of happiness.

Expression:The one who is simple is able to see through the complications of situations and people. He has the ability to only pick out what is useful and worthy from the expanse of all that is available. A simple person's words and actions are the ones that give happiness to those around.

Experience: When I am simple in my vision and attitude, I am able to remain happy, as I am free from the complications of all that is happening. My mind is not caught up with unnecessary things, and I am able to remain easy in the most difficult situations. This attitude of mine also helps in creating an environment of happiness where others too experience this happiness.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 10-01-2018

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Soul Sustenance 10-01-2018
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Let’s Become Messengers Of Love And Joy (Part 3)

4. You are not only God’s child but also God’s friend. So every step you take, dedicate it to God and make it special and inspiring. Also, hold His hand and show others the way of holding His hand with you. Behind all the material success and modern lifestyles, there are many sorrowful hearts. Relationships are deceptive and misleading. Physical and mental illnesses are on the rise and good and important roles in any sphere of life can leave you in a second. There is One source of love and joy who does not leave you, no matter what happens in your life. That is God. By trusting Him and giving Him your life, you smile all the time. Otherwise life’s happiness is ready to leave you every now and then, because it is based on changeable factors like relationships, possessions, salaries, positions and even one’s own physical body. A person who keeps God as His companion is full of love and joy. Such people will fill the world with love and joy, the treasures they possess in abundance.

5. Lastly, we are all actors on the world stage. Always remember that at every moment, people around us are watching us. All of us our loving and happy souls originally. As we have come down the steps of various births, our actions on the world stage have been deteriorating. We have wronged people in many ways in many births. That is why today we receive negative energy from others, in the form of negative behaviors and words. To convert the negative energy into positive, we need to become hero actors on the world drama stage. Hero actors are careful that their every action is beautiful and praiseworthy, which touches everyone’s hearts. Such a hero actor whispers the message of love and joy in everyone’s ears through every action of theirs.

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Message for the day 10-01-2018
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Fortune is in one's own hands.

Expression:To have fortune in one's own hands doesn't mean to have it in the lines of one's hands. It means to have the ability to make the best use of all the resources available. When they are put to the best use, they naturally increase. Through right actions one can draw the line of fortune as long as desired.

Experience: When I understand the significance of my actions and create an elevated fortune for myself through right actions, I am able to experience constant progress in my life. I also naturally become an inspiration for others too, so that they can discover their inner resources to create an elevated fortune for themselves.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Tuesday, January 09, 2018

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 09-01-2018

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Soul Sustenance 09-01-2018
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Let’s Become Messengers Of Love And Joy (Part 2)

2. Life is a rich collection of attainments which make us feel loved and give us an experience of joy. There are so many things in life – the people we spend our time with, our education, our physical health, our career, our personality, our wealth etc. Now happiness does not mean that all these things will always be perfect. In fact, it is the opposite. They will never be perfect. So, everyday talk to yourself positively and don’t absorb their negativity. On the other hand, make your nature divine and full of immense love and joy. In a world of uncertainity and ups and downs, God wants us to be messengers of love and joy for everyone. There are people who are more sorrowful than us and even less loved. Hold their hand with your care and support. While meeting people, always remember – I am a very special soul and full of love and joy, which is God’s invisible property which I have inherited from Him. I will remain stable in different scenes of life and help those who are unstable or disturbed by their negative scenes.

3. Create No Anger Zones in your workplace and home. There are offices in the corporate world where such zones have been created. In such places, positive thoughts are shared by email or through mobile phone chat or social media and everyone starts their day with messages on positivity, which lays the foundation of a positive day. Also, everyone remembers that they are in a No Anger Zone and it is displayed in some way to remind everyone. In such a zone, angry outbursts and over loud talk, aggressive behavior, revengeful behavior and negative talk about others are not allowed. This can be done in your office or in your home with children and other family members. Such zones will then become Zones of Love and Joy instead.

(To be continued tomorrow …)

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Message for the day 09-01-2018
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The one who is the master of the self is able to master situations and control people.

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

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

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Monday, January 08, 2018

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 08-01-2018

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Soul Sustenance 08-01-2018
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Let’s Become Messengers Of Love And Joy (Part 1)

Life is a beautiful journey in which the best experience for all of us is one of love and joy. Love and joy accompany us right from the time we are born and we grow up with them in our hearts. We live our complete life sharing these two lovely emotions with everyone and receiving the same. Also, it is seen that every purpose that human beings possess is focused on these two emotions and their experience. Yes, they are important and the foundation of a beautiful life experience at any age, but at the same time it is important to note that love and joy is not increasing in the world with time, but decreasing. Today, people are drifting away from each other much sooner and more easily than before and also everyone’s hearts are not as filled with good wishes for each other, as before. In fact, expectations and desires are two main negative energies, which are reducing love and joy in the world, the most. Let’s become messengers of love and joy for the world by doing the following:

1. Every morning, create a pure feeling of love for everyone in the world, especially each and every person whom you meet and come across the whole day – your friends, relations, office colleagues and of course family. As you wake up in the morning, take a morning pledge – Each and everyone is my close one and I have a beautiful relationship with them, which I want to make more beautiful with my every nice word and action and every other gesture. I am responsible for making every relationship of my life to work well and without problems. Also, create the affirmation regularly in the day - I want to make every relationship of mine rich with qualities of contentment, understanding, acceptance, humility, sacrifice and an attitude of giving.

(To be continued tomorrow …)

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Message for the day 08-01-2018
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The one who serves others is the richest.

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

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

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Sunday, January 07, 2018

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 07-01-2018

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Soul Sustenance 07-01-2018
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Becoming Responsible For My Destiny (Part 2)

Factors like any particular person, a group of people, the government, nature, even God, etc. cannot be held responsible for what has happened to me in my life, up to this moment.It is my and my responsibility alone. Equally, what my future holds depends on me to a very large extent. Rather, whatever I choose to do at this moment is already creating my destiny for tomorrow. I shouldn't forget that the only real time I have for creating my future is the present, now.

Karma teaches me that at every step, I am the creator of my own little world, the creator of my future circumstances. I also am the creator of the environment immediately around me. On a bigger level I am a co-creator or partner, together with God, of a positive future of the world, of the world of tomorrow, of the world of peace, love and happiness. So my responsibility and my ability to influence the future is not restricted to my life alone.

That I can create the future of my choice - of love, peace and happiness, for myself and others, can appear as unreasonable optimism. It's just being realistic. What I create is what is going to happen. If I choose to transmit love and peace in my interactions with others today, I create relationships, in the present and for the future, based on those qualities.

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Message for the day 07-01-2018
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The easiest way to bring positivity in life is to become worthy of God's love.

Expression:A simple checking whether to perform an action or not is to see if it would be approved by God. When every action is thus checked, there would be positivity and benefit expressed through everything. There would not be any negative, waste or even ordinary actions performed, but only those that are sealed with the power of positivity.

Experience: When I am able to bring about such positivity in my life, I'll not only win the love of God, but also the love, praise and good wishes of all those around me. I also become trust worthy and an image of support for those who are seeking to bring positivity in their lives.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Saturday, January 06, 2018

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 06-01-2018

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Soul Sustenance 06-01-2018
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Becoming Responsible For My Destiny (Part 1)

These are examples of some of the inner questions that emerge in our minds from time to time:

- Why is she rich and successful and I am not?
- Why did he behave in that way with me; I've always behaved well with him.
- Why does that one have easy success in life and the other, however hard he tries, fails at every step?
- Why is he nice natured but is born blind and the other ill natured but has no health problems at all?
- Why does she suffer so much?
- She is so sweet, but yet everyone disrespects her.
- Why did that child die at such a young age? She was so innocent.
- Why did I get married to such a person?
- Why am I here?
- How is that student in my class so intelligent?

There are lot more questions like these that trouble us. In the case of sorrows, it is seen more than the sorrow, it is the question - why this sorrow exists in my life that troubles us. Why? What? How? When? Even so, they all have only one answer: karma.

I don't need to go into minute details of each situation. If I see that nothing can happen without having had a justified cause in my past or in that of others, life becomes much easier to face, with responsibility and the power of courage.

(To be continued tomorrow …)

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Message for the day 06-01-2018
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To check regularly means to bring about a change.

Expression:When there is any negative action performed, there is an immediate feeling of guilt and a desire not to perform it again. But the checking also needs to be at a level where it never repeats again. Maintaining a chart of one's own weakness means checking regularly. Such checking brings about a permanent change.

Experience: When I am able to maintain a chart where I could monitor my own progress, I am able to remain committed to my transformation. Adverse situations or people will never deter me, but I am able to bring about the desired change. I am able to continue the process of transformation even when what I seek to change is not harmful in the present phase of my life. Thus regular checking will prevent carelessness from creeping in.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Friday, January 05, 2018

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 05-01-2018

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Soul Sustenance 05-01-2018
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The Filtration Process In The Soul

The mind and its creation i.e. thoughts, in these times, in most people, are controlled by three main factors: i. their habits or sanskaras
ii. their past experiences, and
iii. information which they are exposed to and which they imbibe.

The intellect is like a filter which has the function of discriminating, of judging the thoughts and deciding which ones to put into practice and which ones not to, basically filtering them.
Presently the filter of the intellect has become weakened, confused and unsure; it has become blocked by many incorrect beliefs, due to which this filtration does not take place properly – as a result many wrong thoughts get converted into actions. A lot of times during the day, thoughts become actions so fast, that the filter of the intellect does not even come into play i.e. thoughts become actions bypassing the filter.

The beliefs that we have today are related to our cultural, physical, social, religious, political identity associated with our age, gender, occupation, wealth, role etc. of our body. Beliefs connected to materialism, to having rather than being, are living based on the perception of the sense organs, and not on the intuition and the wisdom of the spirit. There are beliefs that block you, or brake you, others break you, they bring about fears in you and a limited perception of reality and of yourself. However much you try to generate positive thoughts, if you do not change these beliefs, their influence on the intellect will be so strong that it is almost impossible to maintain a positive state of mind. Even if you experience it, it will be short-lived and temporary.

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Message for the day 05-01-2018
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It is on the basis of actions that praise is received.

Expression:The one who only talks but is not able to put his talk into practice does not become worthy of praise. On the other hand, the one who is able to bring his good thoughts and words into action becomes worthy of praise. Such a person's actions become inspirational for others and encourage them to follow him.

Experience: When I am able to act according to my thoughts and words, I am able to take inspiration to do more. For every positive action that I do, I experience support and good wishes from others which encourage me constantly. My account of positivity is always full and it takes me further to a cycle of positivity making it a habit. So I find that I don't have to work hard for performing positive actions.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Thursday, January 04, 2018

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 04-01-2018

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Soul Sustenance 04-01-2018
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Withdraw From Outer Chaos And Inner Emotions

The ability to withdraw can be correlated with the behaviour of a tortoise. When it senses any danger a tortoise withdraws within its tough shell. Introspection is about stepping inside and meeting myself a few times during the day. This inner quietness recharges our battery. By going deeper inside and concentrating on the self, we draw closer to God and receive a current of pure energy that dissolves negative sanskaras. Practicing regularly for a minute every hour helps us to conquer wrong habits. Once we get into the habit of connecting to the self and God, we can do it in the midst of any situation. Using this ability we continue to be with people and amidst challenges but withdraw internally from the energy of the situation. We step back from our emotions, detach and see if we are creating any turbulence. If so, we understand that our ego is causing pain and hence remind our self that peace is needed, thereby emerging thoughts of peace.

Withdrawing offers us the ability to examine a situation from all perspectives. It brings us clarity to create and choose the right response. So we do not react impulsively using old patterns of behaving. We also do not get sucked into the energies present around us. We connect to our inner self and experience stillness when we withdraw from outer chaos and our inner emotions. It is in this stillness that we will find creative solutions to our problems. The ability of being with people and withdrawing from their energy protects us. The energy of peace with which we respond to them empowers them also.

Go into your shell and ask yourself today – Do I have any habits that have a negative impact on my daily behaviours? How can I start to shift or dissolve this habit?

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Message for the day 04-01-2018
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To have a balance between being a master and a child is to ensure success.

Expression:To be in the consciousness of being a master means to have confidence in whatever has to be done and in the ideas that have to be put forth. Along with this if there is the consciousness of being a child, there is learning and improvement, because criticism is taken in the right spirit.

Experience: When I am able to be open to criticism as a child, I am able to learn from it. I am able to gain further mastery without being troubled by ego. My learning would never be blocked by what other people think or feel. Instead I am able to experience constant progress and sure success.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Wednesday, January 03, 2018

Soul Sustenance & Message for the day 03-01-2018

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Soul Sustenance 03-01-2018
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Blessings For The World (Part 3)

Creating positive thoughts for others is something which we can do at any time of the day. We can do this when we are performing actions like driving, cooking, walking or even when we are at work, when time can be taken out in the middle and short breaks can be taken. Don’t think this is a waste of time but it is our responsibility towards the world. Don’t forget that sorrows do visit everyone from time to time. Today we may be seeing others in sorrow or pain. Tomorrow we could experience the same. So never think what have we got to do with a crisis in some corner of the world but remind yourself they are my brothers and sisters who need help. I cannot go physically to every corner of the world but I can give 10-15 minutes everyday to others by meditating for them and providing them relief from suffering.

So, a good gesture for anyone is to pick one issue in the world which is important and requires resolution. Then, for a few days, send your energy of blessings full of peace, love, joy and power to that region of the world or to that group of people by meditating for them. This can be done either as an individual or in a group of friends or people close to you in your office. In such a negative atmosphere, it is only our blessings which can help people. Blessings will heal people’s sorrowful hearts and can be extremely powerful especially, when many of us together create thoughts of a similar type. We need such group efforts which will work miracles in solving people’s problems and providing relief, help and support. At the Brahma Kumaris, every third Sunday of the month is especially kept for the world, when all the members of the Brahma Kumaris, all around the world, will meditate, from 6.30 pm to 7.30 pm only for the world. This is called World Meditation Hour.

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Message for the day 03-01-2018
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To see only problems is to become the one who only takes service.

Expression:When there is the practice of seeing only problems in all situations there is the inability to find solutions and act effectively. All the resources that could be used for the benefit of the self and others remain hidden. Such a person becomes dependent on others for finding solutions and a source of pity.

Experience: When I am caught up with problems and not able to see anything else, I am unable to experience progress. I find myself moving backward losing a lot of things I have. I would not be able to retain my self-confidence and would become dependent on others.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

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