Brahma Kumaris

Friday, August 11, 2017

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

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Soul Sustenance 11-08-2017
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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.

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Message for the day 11-08-2017
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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

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Soul Sustenance 10-08-2017
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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 …)

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Message for the day 10-08-2017
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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

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Soul Sustenance 09-08-2017
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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 …)

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Message for the day 09-08-2017
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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

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Soul Sustenance 08-08-2017
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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.

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Message for the day 08-08-2017
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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

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Soul Sustenance 07-08-2017
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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 …)

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Message for the day 07-08-2017
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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

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Soul Sustenance 06-08-2017
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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.

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Message for the day 06-08-2017
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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

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Soul Sustenance 05-08-2017
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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.

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Message for the day 05-08-2017
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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