The mind is the thinking energy of the soul (negative or positive). It is the mental energy, which makes the aura (subtle body) of a person. The soul, situated in the brain, radiates its mental energy to all the brain centers e.g.: hypothalamus (thinking centre), limbic system (centre of emotions and attitudes), frontal cortex (memory centre), respiratory centre, speech centre, visual centre etc., in maximum concentration as these centres are located near the soul. In fact the soul radiates the mental energy to each cell of the physical body. Many scientists world over are now of the opinion that mind is not only located in the brain but each cell of the body has a mind that means the mind/mental energy has the same shape as the physical body, which is nothing but the aura.
Now the aura of a person can be photographed by Kirlian photography. If a person most of the time thinks negative, the aura around him has various shades of white light e.g.: violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, red or can be black if there is no flow of mental energy. If a person thinks positive most of the time then aura around him is made up of silvery white light. Such a person is liked by all and radiates all the innate qualities of the soul e.g.: purity, peace, love, bliss, power around him. Other people coming in contact with him can feel the soothing effect of these qualities. Good meditators normally have clear white auras.
Kirlian photography has been proving useful in diagnosis of disease in a particular part of body and organ system before the disease becomes clinically visible in the form of signs and symptoms.
Friday, July 02, 2010
Anger Management
Given below is a set of questions, the answers to which will help you manage emotions of anger, irritation, frustration, etc. more effectively:
During which event today did you get angry…even a little?
What were your thoughts at the time?
Which thought contributed most to your stress?
What thoughts helped you to regain your calmness?
How long did it take to regain your calmness?
Why do you think it took so long?
What would you do differently and more appropriately (suitably) if the same scene happened tomorrow?
During which event today did you get angry…even a little?
What were your thoughts at the time?
Which thought contributed most to your stress?
What thoughts helped you to regain your calmness?
How long did it take to regain your calmness?
Why do you think it took so long?
What would you do differently and more appropriately (suitably) if the same scene happened tomorrow?
“The one who is truly fortunate is constantly enthusiastic.”
Projection
When we find things going wrong with us, we immediately find ourselves losing all enthusiasm. We then do nothing to change our situation but just begin to curse our fate. With such an attitude we can do nothing to change our fortune.
Solution:
When things go wrong, we have to recognize the fact that it is the present that is in our hands. We don’t need to think of what happened in the past and curse our fate. Instead we need to fill ourselves with enthusiasm to make the best use of the present to make our future the best.
When we find things going wrong with us, we immediately find ourselves losing all enthusiasm. We then do nothing to change our situation but just begin to curse our fate. With such an attitude we can do nothing to change our fortune.
Solution:
When things go wrong, we have to recognize the fact that it is the present that is in our hands. We don’t need to think of what happened in the past and curse our fate. Instead we need to fill ourselves with enthusiasm to make the best use of the present to make our future the best.
Thursday, July 01, 2010
"To understand that each one is unique is to have respect."
Projection:
We usually expect others to change according to our expectations. We actually want everyone to get moulded according to our own value system. But it doesn’t happen so because each one is different.
Solution:
We need to understand that each one is unique with their own specialities. When we look at others in this way we will no longer expect others to change according to our wish but will have full respect for them.
We usually expect others to change according to our expectations. We actually want everyone to get moulded according to our own value system. But it doesn’t happen so because each one is different.
Solution:
We need to understand that each one is unique with their own specialities. When we look at others in this way we will no longer expect others to change according to our wish but will have full respect for them.
Self Empowerment
We do realize inside ourselves that if we expect anything of anyone, one day we will be let down, so we create the emotion of disappointment, turn that into anger, and turn that back into fear (that it may happen again). And it’s all going on in our own minds. The only cure for this cycle of negative thinking is not to expect anything of anyone. But then you say, “how is this possible, you have to have expectations that someone will call you up when you expect him/her to do so, someone will do the job that you have given him/her correctly, that your child will come home safe and sound…don’t you?” Well do you? Expectations are not compulsory. And once we see that they lead to pain maybe we can learn to live without them. But if you cannot be expectation free instantly, a cure for that is as follows – have expectations, but don’t get attached to your expectations. Another way of saying this is don’t let your happiness be dependent on having your expectations met. No one said this was easy, but it is possible. There will always be someone who does not do the given task, or arrive at the right time, or even simply call you as you expected.
Exercise: Who are the two people in your life today from whom you have high expectations? Do you think it is healthy to have these expectations? What will you feel if your expectations are not met? What could you do to make sure that you do not go into disappointment but stay positive when someone does not fulfill their commitments, which are/were your expectations?
Exercise: Who are the two people in your life today from whom you have high expectations? Do you think it is healthy to have these expectations? What will you feel if your expectations are not met? What could you do to make sure that you do not go into disappointment but stay positive when someone does not fulfill their commitments, which are/were your expectations?
Understanding What Is Aura
The mind is the thinking energy of the soul (negative or positive). It is the mental energy, which makes the aura (subtle body) of a person. The soul, situated in the brain, radiates its mental energy to all the brain centers e.g.: hypothalamus (thinking centre), limbic system (centre of emotions and attitudes), frontal cortex (memory centre), respiratory centre, speech centre, visual centre etc., in maximum concentration as these centres are located near the soul. In fact the soul radiates the mental energy to each cell of the physical body. Many scientists world over are now of the opinion that mind is not only located in the brain but each cell of the body has a mind that means the mind/mental energy has the same shape as the physical body, which is nothing but the aura.
Now the aura of a person can be photographed by Kirlian photography. If a person most of the time thinks negative, the aura around him has various shades of white light e.g.: violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, red or can be black if there is no flow of mental energy. If a person thinks positive most of the time then aura around him is made up of silvery white light. Such a person is liked by all and radiates all the innate qualities of the soul e.g.: purity, peace, love, bliss, power around him. Other people coming in contact with him can feel the soothing effect of these qualities. Good meditators normally have clear white auras.
Kirlian photography has been proving useful in diagnosis of disease in a particular part of body and organ system before the disease becomes clinically visible in the form of signs and symptoms.
Now the aura of a person can be photographed by Kirlian photography. If a person most of the time thinks negative, the aura around him has various shades of white light e.g.: violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, red or can be black if there is no flow of mental energy. If a person thinks positive most of the time then aura around him is made up of silvery white light. Such a person is liked by all and radiates all the innate qualities of the soul e.g.: purity, peace, love, bliss, power around him. Other people coming in contact with him can feel the soothing effect of these qualities. Good meditators normally have clear white auras.
Kirlian photography has been proving useful in diagnosis of disease in a particular part of body and organ system before the disease becomes clinically visible in the form of signs and symptoms.
“The one who serves with the balance of the head and the heart is the one who is successful.”
Projection:
We usually give directions to people when they go wrong. We also use a lot of logic when we give such directions, but it doesn’t always have the desired effect. We then begin to consider the other person to be wrong.
Solution:
What we need to do is to have a balance of both the head and the heart while giving our suggestions to others. That means we need to have a lot of love while giving our suggestions to them. Then whatever we say will have its effect on them.
We usually give directions to people when they go wrong. We also use a lot of logic when we give such directions, but it doesn’t always have the desired effect. We then begin to consider the other person to be wrong.
Solution:
What we need to do is to have a balance of both the head and the heart while giving our suggestions to others. That means we need to have a lot of love while giving our suggestions to them. Then whatever we say will have its effect on them.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Practical Application Of Spiritual Intelligence At Home Or At The Workplace (Office)
Spiritual intelligence is something everyone has but few learn to develop. While our academic education was focused around rational intelligence, some of us may have recently come across and perhaps been trained in emotional intelligence. Rational intelligence manages facts and information, using logic and analysis to make decisions, whereas emotional intelligence is necessary to understand and control ones emotions and feelings, while being sensitive to the feelings of others.
Spiritual intelligence, on the other hand is necessary:
* to develop a clear and stable sense of identity as an individual in the context of shifting workplace relationships.
* to be able to understand the real meaning of events and circumstances, and be able to make work meaningful.
* to find and utilize the deepest inner resources from which comes the capacity to care and the power to tolerate and adapt at home or at the workplace.
Spiritual intelligence, on the other hand is necessary:
* to develop a clear and stable sense of identity as an individual in the context of shifting workplace relationships.
* to be able to understand the real meaning of events and circumstances, and be able to make work meaningful.
* to find and utilize the deepest inner resources from which comes the capacity to care and the power to tolerate and adapt at home or at the workplace.
Self Respect
Self-respect depends on knowing who I am, knowing my eternal (ageless), spiritual self. When I have found that sense of spiritual identity, I feel I have a right to be here, to exist. Without the spiritual dimension, it is very difficult to really respect myself deeply. In this case, I base my respect on identifying with the superficial (artificial) aspects of my being: looks, gender, success, my life partner, my intelligence. With such artificial identification, I will never have a stable sense of self-respect, because people’s opinions change. Today they love me, tomorrow they reject me. What is the result of depending on their opinions? I will end up fluctuating all the time – feeling positive when they say good things, and feeling down when they say negative things. To stay stable in my self-respect, I need to have a deeper understanding of my spiritual identity (the foundation of this being that I am a soul) and tap into those riches that are within me forever, waiting to blossom, like the flower from the seed.
As I become spiritually aware, those riches and resources start flowing out of me. The more stable I am in my self-respect and spirituality, the more I radiate what I truly am. I feel a deep sense of contentment and I am happy to be me, however I am. I accept myself as I am
As I become spiritually aware, those riches and resources start flowing out of me. The more stable I am in my self-respect and spirituality, the more I radiate what I truly am. I feel a deep sense of contentment and I am happy to be me, however I am. I accept myself as I am
Relaxation
The Signs of the Rushaholic
In a global climate of ever-increasing chaos and change, more and more people are adding some kind of relaxation to their daily routine which are full of rush and hurry.
Here is a brief list to check yourself if you have any of the symptoms of hurry addicts:
1. You are always racing the clock and continuously experience a shortage of time.
2. You are always making lists and are trying to do too many things at once.
3. You spend less than 15-20 minutes a day with your family.
4. You are never satisfied with your achievements and your sense of achievement is based on what others think about you.
5. You are always the one to bring the meeting to an end or to walk away first!
6. You eat while reading or watching television.
7. You never relax for more than 5-10 minutes a day and are always tired
In a global climate of ever-increasing chaos and change, more and more people are adding some kind of relaxation to their daily routine which are full of rush and hurry.
Here is a brief list to check yourself if you have any of the symptoms of hurry addicts:
1. You are always racing the clock and continuously experience a shortage of time.
2. You are always making lists and are trying to do too many things at once.
3. You spend less than 15-20 minutes a day with your family.
4. You are never satisfied with your achievements and your sense of achievement is based on what others think about you.
5. You are always the one to bring the meeting to an end or to walk away first!
6. You eat while reading or watching television.
7. You never relax for more than 5-10 minutes a day and are always tired
“The ones with pure thoughts experience safety in all situations.”
Projection
When there are negative situations, we usually get negative thoughts very easily. Such negative thoughts take us further into negativity. We get caught in this circle of negativity and we then can’t make our thoughts positive.
Solution:
We need to take care that we don’t blame anyone when we are going through any negative situation. We need to maintain whatever positivity we can in the situation, and we will find our mind changing towards positive too. It is this positivity that acts as a means of safety for us.
When there are negative situations, we usually get negative thoughts very easily. Such negative thoughts take us further into negativity. We get caught in this circle of negativity and we then can’t make our thoughts positive.
Solution:
We need to take care that we don’t blame anyone when we are going through any negative situation. We need to maintain whatever positivity we can in the situation, and we will find our mind changing towards positive too. It is this positivity that acts as a means of safety for us.
“Knowledge and faith bring the ability to be positive.”
Projection:
Whenever things don’t happen according to what we expect we begin to look at everything negatively. We are caught up with the negativity to such an extent that we are not able to find anything that might be positive in it.
Solution:
We need to understand and develop the faith that behind everything seemingly negative there is something positive. It is up to us whether we want to see positive in negative or negative in positive and be influenced accordingly.
Whenever things don’t happen according to what we expect we begin to look at everything negatively. We are caught up with the negativity to such an extent that we are not able to find anything that might be positive in it.
Solution:
We need to understand and develop the faith that behind everything seemingly negative there is something positive. It is up to us whether we want to see positive in negative or negative in positive and be influenced accordingly.
“Honesty brings progress.”
Projection:
Honesty is usually associated with telling the truth or being open with others. Even when we have such honesty, we sometimes don’t experience progress because we are always honest with ourselves.
Solution:
More than anything else we need to be honest with ourselves. That means we need to introspect and check within and change ourselves. Such internal checking without cheating ourselves, i.e., without giving excuses to ourselves helps us to experience progress.
Honesty is usually associated with telling the truth or being open with others. Even when we have such honesty, we sometimes don’t experience progress because we are always honest with ourselves.
Solution:
More than anything else we need to be honest with ourselves. That means we need to introspect and check within and change ourselves. Such internal checking without cheating ourselves, i.e., without giving excuses to ourselves helps us to experience progress.
“The one who is free from carelessness is the one who is constantly enthusiastic.”
Projection:
Sometimes we do find ourselves in situations where we have no enthusiasm to continue with what we had started with a lot of enthusiasm. We do continue with what we are doing but not with the interest that we had started with-to the extent that we sometimes even give it up.
Solution:
We need to check the real reason for our lack of enthusiasm, which could be our own carelessness. When we make sure that we pay special attention to what we are doing and don’t let carelessness set in, we will be constantly enthusiastic till we complete the task.
Sometimes we do find ourselves in situations where we have no enthusiasm to continue with what we had started with a lot of enthusiasm. We do continue with what we are doing but not with the interest that we had started with-to the extent that we sometimes even give it up.
Solution:
We need to check the real reason for our lack of enthusiasm, which could be our own carelessness. When we make sure that we pay special attention to what we are doing and don’t let carelessness set in, we will be constantly enthusiastic till we complete the task.
“True service is to be free and make others free from obstacles.”
Projection:
When we are involved in a task, we totally think about ourselves irrespective of what effect it has on others. Such an attitude sometimes takes on the form of selfishness to the extent that we become an obstacle for others.
Solution:
We need to check ourselves whenever we are involved in a task if what we are doing is effecting others positively or negatively. Whatever we do, only if there is benefit for us as well as for others, can we call it truly successful.
When we are involved in a task, we totally think about ourselves irrespective of what effect it has on others. Such an attitude sometimes takes on the form of selfishness to the extent that we become an obstacle for others.
Solution:
We need to check ourselves whenever we are involved in a task if what we are doing is effecting others positively or negatively. Whatever we do, only if there is benefit for us as well as for others, can we call it truly successful.
“To contribute selflessly is to move forward with the blessings of all.”
Projection:
Many times weI find ourselves in situations where there is a problem, where we seem to be part of the problem too. We try defending ourselves but people do not always understand. At such times there is no solution to be found, and we find ourselves talking again and again about the problem.
Solution:
We need to become part of the solution instead of just being part of the problem and talking about it. To be part of the solution means to make some contribution in order to better the situation. When we do whatever little we can, we continue to receive blessings from those around us.
Many times weI find ourselves in situations where there is a problem, where we seem to be part of the problem too. We try defending ourselves but people do not always understand. At such times there is no solution to be found, and we find ourselves talking again and again about the problem.
Solution:
We need to become part of the solution instead of just being part of the problem and talking about it. To be part of the solution means to make some contribution in order to better the situation. When we do whatever little we can, we continue to receive blessings from those around us.
“To be obedient to God means to have a right to His inheritance.”
Projection:
We sometimes find ourselves feeling low and unenthusiastic. We tend to blame the situations and the people around which makes us feel even more dull. At such times we expect and seek God’s help and power but experience no help from him.
Solution:
We need to realise that we don’t have to ask God for power or blessings but have a right to them. Before we perform any task we need to ask ourselves if God will like what we are doing. If we do everything according to God’s wishes that means we are obedient. Such obedience will get us the inheritance of peace and happiness from God.
We sometimes find ourselves feeling low and unenthusiastic. We tend to blame the situations and the people around which makes us feel even more dull. At such times we expect and seek God’s help and power but experience no help from him.
Solution:
We need to realise that we don’t have to ask God for power or blessings but have a right to them. Before we perform any task we need to ask ourselves if God will like what we are doing. If we do everything according to God’s wishes that means we are obedient. Such obedience will get us the inheritance of peace and happiness from God.
“Where the intellect is free from assumptions the right decisions are made.”
Projection:
As soon as we are faced with a situation we correlate it to some previous incident and assume based on our past experiences either with the situations or with the people involved. Such assumptions sometimes lead us to wrong decisions.
Solution:
The solution lies in detaching ourselves from our past experiences. Of course we have to learn from the experiences of our past, but we also need to be open to look at the situation in a new way. Such detachment will enable us to make the right decisions.
As soon as we are faced with a situation we correlate it to some previous incident and assume based on our past experiences either with the situations or with the people involved. Such assumptions sometimes lead us to wrong decisions.
Solution:
The solution lies in detaching ourselves from our past experiences. Of course we have to learn from the experiences of our past, but we also need to be open to look at the situation in a new way. Such detachment will enable us to make the right decisions.
“As is our thought, so we will become. “
Projection:
When we are faced with our weaknesses, we usually think of our own negativity and are caught up with it. We can no longer think positive and we continue to work with our own weaknesses. We will, then, find no improvement in ourselves.
Solution:
We need to create a very elevated thought for ourselves based on any of our strengths or specialities. When we do that we will be able to bring about a positive change in ourselves without being caught up with our own weaknesses.
When we are faced with our weaknesses, we usually think of our own negativity and are caught up with it. We can no longer think positive and we continue to work with our own weaknesses. We will, then, find no improvement in ourselves.
Solution:
We need to create a very elevated thought for ourselves based on any of our strengths or specialities. When we do that we will be able to bring about a positive change in ourselves without being caught up with our own weaknesses.
“Where the mind is free from worry, the biggest task becomes light.”
Projection:
We sometimes find ourselves in such situations, which make our mind heavy. We are not able to work well in such a situation, as the smallest thing need to be done seems very big and difficult.
Solution:
We need to learn the art of looking at the brighter side of things, because even the most negative thing has something positive in it. When we develop this art we will be able to be light and give our best to the task at hand. Then even the most difficult task will seem very easy.
We sometimes find ourselves in such situations, which make our mind heavy. We are not able to work well in such a situation, as the smallest thing need to be done seems very big and difficult.
Solution:
We need to learn the art of looking at the brighter side of things, because even the most negative thing has something positive in it. When we develop this art we will be able to be light and give our best to the task at hand. Then even the most difficult task will seem very easy.
“To be a master is to be free from one’s own weaknesses.”
Projection:
We are usually under the control of our own weaknesses in a negative situation. We first respond to the situation with our weakness and then try hard to change our thoughts. But we don’t find ourselves succeeding and the weakness gets the better of us.
Solution:
We need to develop the consciousness that we are a master and the weakness within us, our creation, and so it is totally in our control. When we develop this consciousness we will be able to win over our weaknesses easily.
We are usually under the control of our own weaknesses in a negative situation. We first respond to the situation with our weakness and then try hard to change our thoughts. But we don’t find ourselves succeeding and the weakness gets the better of us.
Solution:
We need to develop the consciousness that we are a master and the weakness within us, our creation, and so it is totally in our control. When we develop this consciousness we will be able to win over our weaknesses easily.
“The combination of lightness and seriousness gives the best results.”
Projection:
When we are working seriously on something, we usually find ourselves getting very serious and grim. We cannot be light at such circumstances. At the same time, lightness is sometimes seen as being careless. So we are encouraged to continue in that way and we can rarely be light while fulfilling our responsibilities.
Solution:
We need to remind ourselves that while working at some important task we need to make effort to maintain our own internal lightness even while doing our best for the success of the task. This lightness will enable us to bring perfection to our task, as we do not feel the burden.
When we are working seriously on something, we usually find ourselves getting very serious and grim. We cannot be light at such circumstances. At the same time, lightness is sometimes seen as being careless. So we are encouraged to continue in that way and we can rarely be light while fulfilling our responsibilities.
Solution:
We need to remind ourselves that while working at some important task we need to make effort to maintain our own internal lightness even while doing our best for the success of the task. This lightness will enable us to bring perfection to our task, as we do not feel the burden.
“Experience of true peace brings easy success.”
Projection:
Whenever things go wrong, we find ourselves worrying a lot about the situation or the things that are going on. Then our mind is no longer in peace but is busy worrying and breaking the situation into pieces. We find that we don’t find the accurate solution immediately but are thinking in circles.
Solution:
While working to find solutions, it is more important to work at our own inner peace before we make an attempt to try and find a solution. With the right state of mind, we automatically find that the right decisions are being made by us thus giving us the right results.
Whenever things go wrong, we find ourselves worrying a lot about the situation or the things that are going on. Then our mind is no longer in peace but is busy worrying and breaking the situation into pieces. We find that we don’t find the accurate solution immediately but are thinking in circles.
Solution:
While working to find solutions, it is more important to work at our own inner peace before we make an attempt to try and find a solution. With the right state of mind, we automatically find that the right decisions are being made by us thus giving us the right results.
“When the mind is healthy the body is healthy too.”
Projection:
When we have some difficulty with our body, we usually find our mind becoming dull, too. When the mind becomes dull we no longer can fight the sickness. It, thus, takes a long time to get well and the time during the sickness seems long and painful.
Solution:
We need to make sure we keep our mind happy under all circumstances. Where the mind is healthy no illness will attack us. Even when we fall sick we will be able to be stable which will help us to fight back and overcome the illness very soon.
When we have some difficulty with our body, we usually find our mind becoming dull, too. When the mind becomes dull we no longer can fight the sickness. It, thus, takes a long time to get well and the time during the sickness seems long and painful.
Solution:
We need to make sure we keep our mind happy under all circumstances. Where the mind is healthy no illness will attack us. Even when we fall sick we will be able to be stable which will help us to fight back and overcome the illness very soon.
“The one who has a strong aim never gives up.”
Projection:
When working towards our aim we find that we are faced with a lot of obstacles. As soon as a difficult situation comes up we sometimes find ourselves giving up. We then find that we have to restart all over again. Thus we find ourselves wasting a lot of our time and energy.
Solution:
Before we think of giving up something we started with a lot of enthusiasm we need to remind ourselves with what aim we had started on it. Once our aim is clear in front of us, we need to further strengthen and reinforce it. Then we find that we will not give up whatever we had started till we achieve it.
When working towards our aim we find that we are faced with a lot of obstacles. As soon as a difficult situation comes up we sometimes find ourselves giving up. We then find that we have to restart all over again. Thus we find ourselves wasting a lot of our time and energy.
Solution:
Before we think of giving up something we started with a lot of enthusiasm we need to remind ourselves with what aim we had started on it. Once our aim is clear in front of us, we need to further strengthen and reinforce it. Then we find that we will not give up whatever we had started till we achieve it.
“Where there is enthusiasm, there is the ability to create one’s own fortune.”
Projection:
When things go wrong, or we don’t seem to get what we are working for we tend to get disheartened and begin to blame our fate. When we get this feeling we can no longer give our best to improve the situation resulting in a lack of progress in our life.
Solution:
We need to remind ourselves that our fate is in our hands. The main thing is not to become passive just blaming our fate but to work with enthusiasm. The more we work with positivity; we will find ourselves making a very high fortune for ourselves.
When things go wrong, or we don’t seem to get what we are working for we tend to get disheartened and begin to blame our fate. When we get this feeling we can no longer give our best to improve the situation resulting in a lack of progress in our life.
Solution:
We need to remind ourselves that our fate is in our hands. The main thing is not to become passive just blaming our fate but to work with enthusiasm. The more we work with positivity; we will find ourselves making a very high fortune for ourselves.
“Commitment makes even the most difficult task seem easy.”
Projection:
Sometimes we find ourselves having to do something in which we are not so interested, because it is part of our job. When we are forced to do something we don’t like we find it very difficult to do the task. As soon as we get a thought as to why we should be doing it, it becomes very difficult.
Solution:
We need to bring sincerity in whatever we are doing. With sincerity comes commitment and with that comes confidence in our thoughts, words and actions. With this confidence we will be able to do the most difficult task with ease.
Sometimes we find ourselves having to do something in which we are not so interested, because it is part of our job. When we are forced to do something we don’t like we find it very difficult to do the task. As soon as we get a thought as to why we should be doing it, it becomes very difficult.
Solution:
We need to bring sincerity in whatever we are doing. With sincerity comes commitment and with that comes confidence in our thoughts, words and actions. With this confidence we will be able to do the most difficult task with ease.
“Freedom from one’s own weaknesses brings stability.”
Projection:
Usually when we talk about freedom it is from people or from situations. We expect people or things to change for us so that we will be free. But we don’t find that happening because the problem lies more within us than outside.
Solution:
Every time we find ourselves caught up and expecting things to get better for us we need to check ourselves. There would surely be some weakness of ours that is making us feel helpless in that particular situation. We need to make effort to remove that weakness. Then our perception towards the situation will change and we’ll feel free.
Usually when we talk about freedom it is from people or from situations. We expect people or things to change for us so that we will be free. But we don’t find that happening because the problem lies more within us than outside.
Solution:
Every time we find ourselves caught up and expecting things to get better for us we need to check ourselves. There would surely be some weakness of ours that is making us feel helpless in that particular situation. We need to make effort to remove that weakness. Then our perception towards the situation will change and we’ll feel free.
“When there is positivity within, nothing negative can disturb us.”
Projection:
When we have negative thoughts, we usually blame the people around us, or the situations. We give justification for our thoughts and behaviour and so make no attempt to change them. And we constantly find ourselves disturbed by all that happens.
Solution:
In the most negative situation we must have the practice of finding something positive. This will enable us to maintain our positive thoughts and keep us open to learning from every situation that comes our way.
When we have negative thoughts, we usually blame the people around us, or the situations. We give justification for our thoughts and behaviour and so make no attempt to change them. And we constantly find ourselves disturbed by all that happens.
Solution:
In the most negative situation we must have the practice of finding something positive. This will enable us to maintain our positive thoughts and keep us open to learning from every situation that comes our way.
“The method to finish all laboring is to do everything with love.”
Projection:
Throughout the day we find ourselves doing several things which we don’t like. As soon as the thought of such a task comes in our mind we tend to feel heavy which makes even the simplest thing seem very difficult.
Solution:
Before we are going to start some task which we don’t like we need to train ourselves to think of something positive in it. When we train ourselves to love the task we will be able to do it with lightness
Throughout the day we find ourselves doing several things which we don’t like. As soon as the thought of such a task comes in our mind we tend to feel heavy which makes even the simplest thing seem very difficult.
Solution:
Before we are going to start some task which we don’t like we need to train ourselves to think of something positive in it. When we train ourselves to love the task we will be able to do it with lightness
“To be free from negative and waste is to be light and spread the light around.”
Projection:
When we find ourselves having waste and negative thoughts we don’t usually work to change them. It is because we don’t realise the effect of such thoughts, which are harmful to both others and ourselves, too.
Solution:
We need to remind ourselves that the positivity in our mind is beneficial to both ourselves and others too. When we consciously remember the benefit of having positive thoughts we will not feel heavy because of the change that we have to bring about.
When we find ourselves having waste and negative thoughts we don’t usually work to change them. It is because we don’t realise the effect of such thoughts, which are harmful to both others and ourselves, too.
Solution:
We need to remind ourselves that the positivity in our mind is beneficial to both ourselves and others too. When we consciously remember the benefit of having positive thoughts we will not feel heavy because of the change that we have to bring about.
“A single positive thought can end all negativity.”
Projection:
When we find that our thoughts are negative in a situation, we tend to have more negative thoughts and we get caught in this cycle of negativity with no chance for transforming our thoughts.
Solution:
In order to change our thoughts we need to consciously take a powerful positive thought and repeat it to ourselves so that we can feel and experience it. This will enable us to free our mind from negativity. Our positive thought acts like a single switch, which dispels darkness.
When we find that our thoughts are negative in a situation, we tend to have more negative thoughts and we get caught in this cycle of negativity with no chance for transforming our thoughts.
Solution:
In order to change our thoughts we need to consciously take a powerful positive thought and repeat it to ourselves so that we can feel and experience it. This will enable us to free our mind from negativity. Our positive thought acts like a single switch, which dispels darkness.
“To be an inspiration to many is to be a hero actor.”
Projection:
When we see negativity in others, we usually think and speak about it. We then take no inspiration to think and act positive. The more the attention is drawn towards negativity, our actions will become negative too.
Solution:
Whatever the situation we are in, we need to make effort to change our own actions and turn them to positive. We will then be free from looking at the negativity in others. And our actions will become an inspiration to those around us, which will inspire them to become positive too
When we see negativity in others, we usually think and speak about it. We then take no inspiration to think and act positive. The more the attention is drawn towards negativity, our actions will become negative too.
Solution:
Whatever the situation we are in, we need to make effort to change our own actions and turn them to positive. We will then be free from looking at the negativity in others. And our actions will become an inspiration to those around us, which will inspire them to become positive too
“To be humble is to be a source of happiness to all around.”
Projection:
Sometimes we find that we don’t mean to be negative to others but people seem to be displeased with us. When there is any kind of sorrow experienced or if others are experiencing any negative feelings, it means we are not working with our inner humility.
Solution:
We need to develop regard for all around us. When we work with this regard there will be humility within us. This naturally enables others to experience happiness. To the extent that even in the most negative situations others will experience happiness.
Sometimes we find that we don’t mean to be negative to others but people seem to be displeased with us. When there is any kind of sorrow experienced or if others are experiencing any negative feelings, it means we are not working with our inner humility.
Solution:
We need to develop regard for all around us. When we work with this regard there will be humility within us. This naturally enables others to experience happiness. To the extent that even in the most negative situations others will experience happiness.
“The one who is royal plays with the jewels of knowledge.”
Projection:
Throughout the day several times we find ourselves performing such actions or speaking such words that hurt others. Such behavior actually reflects the fact that we are playing with stones instead of jewels.
Solution:
Real jewels are such words and actions that are filled with knowledge or truth. Knowledge gives us understanding which brings sweetness in our words and accuracy in our actions and this is real royalty.
Throughout the day several times we find ourselves performing such actions or speaking such words that hurt others. Such behavior actually reflects the fact that we are playing with stones instead of jewels.
Solution:
Real jewels are such words and actions that are filled with knowledge or truth. Knowledge gives us understanding which brings sweetness in our words and accuracy in our actions and this is real royalty.
“To have love for experimenting is to experience progress.”
Projection:
Usually we do things just as we have always done or as others do it. So we find ourselves obtaining the same results over and over again. We hardly ever think of doing things differently or trying our something new.
Solution:
We need to develop love for experimenting. In any situation we have to see if we can think of something different, if there is a better way of doing what we are supposed to do. Such experimenting will bring newness and progress in our life.
Usually we do things just as we have always done or as others do it. So we find ourselves obtaining the same results over and over again. We hardly ever think of doing things differently or trying our something new.
Solution:
We need to develop love for experimenting. In any situation we have to see if we can think of something different, if there is a better way of doing what we are supposed to do. Such experimenting will bring newness and progress in our life.
“The ones who can transform even negative to positive are the ones who remain cheerful.”
Projection:
It seems natural for us to have negative thoughts when we are faced with any negative situation or when we are interacting with someone who is using his negativity. We then try to change the place or avoid the person in order to maintain our positivity.
Solution:
We need to practice seeing positivity in everything that happens and everyone we come across. A long time of practice will help us see the positive aspect of the seemingly most negative situation. This practice will enable us to maintain our positivity in the most negative situation.
It seems natural for us to have negative thoughts when we are faced with any negative situation or when we are interacting with someone who is using his negativity. We then try to change the place or avoid the person in order to maintain our positivity.
Solution:
We need to practice seeing positivity in everything that happens and everyone we come across. A long time of practice will help us see the positive aspect of the seemingly most negative situation. This practice will enable us to maintain our positivity in the most negative situation.
“To think of solutions instead of the problems is to be in peace.”
Projection:
When faced with difficult situations, we see such situations as problems. Thus we find ourselves anxious or tensed and our mind is full of negative thoughts. We can no longer think positive or keep our mind in peace.
Solution:
In each difficult situation we need to see what solution we can find for the situation at hand instead of thinking unnecessarily of it as a problem. When we learn to think in this way our mind will be light and we will be able to maintain our own inner peace.
When faced with difficult situations, we see such situations as problems. Thus we find ourselves anxious or tensed and our mind is full of negative thoughts. We can no longer think positive or keep our mind in peace.
Solution:
In each difficult situation we need to see what solution we can find for the situation at hand instead of thinking unnecessarily of it as a problem. When we learn to think in this way our mind will be light and we will be able to maintain our own inner peace.
“When there is equality in what we understand, desire and do, there is success.”
Projection:
We usually recognise the need to bring about a change in ourselves from the signals we get from different situations. We also feel strongly that we have to change, but most times we find ourselves not taking into action and our change is limited only to understanding and having a desire.
Solution:
As soon as we understand that we have to change, we have to work at bringing about a change in ourselves immediately. We need to tell ourselves that there is no better time than now when we can bring about a change. We, then, find ourselves successful in all we do.
We usually recognise the need to bring about a change in ourselves from the signals we get from different situations. We also feel strongly that we have to change, but most times we find ourselves not taking into action and our change is limited only to understanding and having a desire.
Solution:
As soon as we understand that we have to change, we have to work at bringing about a change in ourselves immediately. We need to tell ourselves that there is no better time than now when we can bring about a change. We, then, find ourselves successful in all we do.
“Happiness increases when given to others.”
Projection:
We usually expect others to give happiness to us. We rarely ever think of giving happiness to others. We don’t usually get what we expect because the other person is also expecting the same from us.
Solution:
Whatever the kind of person we only have to make sure that we continue to give happiness to others without any expectations. For this we have to increase our own treasure of happiness by continuing to be happy under all circumstances.
We usually expect others to give happiness to us. We rarely ever think of giving happiness to others. We don’t usually get what we expect because the other person is also expecting the same from us.
Solution:
Whatever the kind of person we only have to make sure that we continue to give happiness to others without any expectations. For this we have to increase our own treasure of happiness by continuing to be happy under all circumstances.
“The one who is content is creative and thereby successful.”
Projection:
It is usually believed that to be content is to have nothing to look forward to. And the one who is content is the one who tries for nothing new. So it is usually believed that contentment brings hardly any great achievements.
Solution:
We need to ensure our own contentment in whatever we do. Because when we are not content we find that the mind is not able to work to the fullest extent. On the other hand contentment brings creativity. This creativity ensures our constant progress and thereby our success.
It is usually believed that to be content is to have nothing to look forward to. And the one who is content is the one who tries for nothing new. So it is usually believed that contentment brings hardly any great achievements.
Solution:
We need to ensure our own contentment in whatever we do. Because when we are not content we find that the mind is not able to work to the fullest extent. On the other hand contentment brings creativity. This creativity ensures our constant progress and thereby our success.
“To have love for experimenting is to experience progress.”
Projection:
Usually we do things just as we have always done or as others do it. So we find ourselves obtaining the same results over and over again. We hardly ever think of doing things differently or trying our something new.
Solution:
We need to develop love for experimenting. In any situation we have to see if we can think of something different, if there is a better way of doing what we are supposed to do. Such experimenting will bring newness and progress in our life.
Usually we do things just as we have always done or as others do it. So we find ourselves obtaining the same results over and over again. We hardly ever think of doing things differently or trying our something new.
Solution:
We need to develop love for experimenting. In any situation we have to see if we can think of something different, if there is a better way of doing what we are supposed to do. Such experimenting will bring newness and progress in our life.
“To have the right discrimination is to save time.”
Projection:
When we find someone doing something wrong, we immediately start giving corrections and directions. Yet we find that the other person is not in a position to listen to us. In the process of explaining to others we find our time getting wasted.
Solution:
When we give directions to others we have to first see if they will understand what we are trying to say. We need to understand the other person before we speak. Then our words will make their full impact on others.
When we find someone doing something wrong, we immediately start giving corrections and directions. Yet we find that the other person is not in a position to listen to us. In the process of explaining to others we find our time getting wasted.
Solution:
When we give directions to others we have to first see if they will understand what we are trying to say. We need to understand the other person before we speak. Then our words will make their full impact on others.
“Success means to have positive thoughts which bring right actions in our life.”
Projection:
When things go wrong we usually find ourselves flooded with negative thoughts. We, no longer can think right and so our actions go wrong, too. We try to correct our actions but we cannot succeed in it and so we give up.
Solution:
We need to change the way we think before we can think of c hanging our actions. Success comes in the ability to maintain positive thoughts even in the most negative situations. For this, we need the practice of maintaining positive thoughts under all circumstances.
When things go wrong we usually find ourselves flooded with negative thoughts. We, no longer can think right and so our actions go wrong, too. We try to correct our actions but we cannot succeed in it and so we give up.
Solution:
We need to change the way we think before we can think of c hanging our actions. Success comes in the ability to maintain positive thoughts even in the most negative situations. For this, we need the practice of maintaining positive thoughts under all circumstances.
“Even the most difficult task is made easy with the cooperation of all.”
Projection:
When given a responsibility we usually think of doing it alone. We usually feel it is much easier not to involve many. We do this in order to avoid the different kinds of personalities that we have to deal with.
Solution:
When involved in a big task, we need to see to it that we involve many. When we involve many and make sure we make use of their specialities even the most difficult task will be made easy. Secondly, the good wishes of all involved will be for the task which will add to its success
When given a responsibility we usually think of doing it alone. We usually feel it is much easier not to involve many. We do this in order to avoid the different kinds of personalities that we have to deal with.
Solution:
When involved in a big task, we need to see to it that we involve many. When we involve many and make sure we make use of their specialities even the most difficult task will be made easy. Secondly, the good wishes of all involved will be for the task which will add to its success
“To understand that each one is unique is to have respect.”
Projection:
We usually expect others to change according to our expectations. We actually want everyone to get moulded according to our own value system. But it doesn’t happen so because each one is different.
Solution:
We need to understand that each one is unique with their own specialities. When we look at others in this way we will no longer expect others to change according to our wish but will have full respect for them.
We usually expect others to change according to our expectations. We actually want everyone to get moulded according to our own value system. But it doesn’t happen so because each one is different.
Solution:
We need to understand that each one is unique with their own specialities. When we look at others in this way we will no longer expect others to change according to our wish but will have full respect for them.
“When we have the switch of awareness on, our mood will never go off.”
Projection:
When something goes wrong we find that our mood goes off immediately. We then lose all enthusiasm and all our thoughts become negative. To change negative thoughts to positive then becomes difficult.
Solution:
Like one single switch brings light into a dark room, our own switch of awareness will bring positivity in our mind. We can take a thought like ‘I am the master of my own life’ or ‘nothing can go wrong today’ right in the morning. When we have this awareness on, we will never have our mood off.
When something goes wrong we find that our mood goes off immediately. We then lose all enthusiasm and all our thoughts become negative. To change negative thoughts to positive then becomes difficult.
Solution:
Like one single switch brings light into a dark room, our own switch of awareness will bring positivity in our mind. We can take a thought like ‘I am the master of my own life’ or ‘nothing can go wrong today’ right in the morning. When we have this awareness on, we will never have our mood off.
“The one who is accurate in every thought, word and deed is the one who becomes praise-worthy.”
Projection
We do take care most of the times to see that our words and actions are not negative, but sometimes we are not as attentive with our thoughts. When there are waste thoughts we are not able to make even our words and actions right.
Solution:
Instead of making great efforts to change our actions and our words, we need to pay special attention to our thoughts. When our thoughts are right filled with good wishes for others as well as for the self, we find that they become accurate. And with this comes accuracy in our thoughts
We do take care most of the times to see that our words and actions are not negative, but sometimes we are not as attentive with our thoughts. When there are waste thoughts we are not able to make even our words and actions right.
Solution:
Instead of making great efforts to change our actions and our words, we need to pay special attention to our thoughts. When our thoughts are right filled with good wishes for others as well as for the self, we find that they become accurate. And with this comes accuracy in our thoughts
“True contentment brings contentment to others as much as to the self. “
Projection:
When we have to do something, we usually do it the way we like. We don’t bother about others and only see if we are happy about it. So we find that others are not content with us although we are happy with what we are doing.
Solution:
Our actions need to be such that they do not cause sorrow to anyone so we need to check our actions and change them. When we do something in the right way others will be content with us as much as we are.
When we have to do something, we usually do it the way we like. We don’t bother about others and only see if we are happy about it. So we find that others are not content with us although we are happy with what we are doing.
Solution:
Our actions need to be such that they do not cause sorrow to anyone so we need to check our actions and change them. When we do something in the right way others will be content with us as much as we are.
“The one who is accurate in every thought, word and deed is the one who becomes praise-worthy.”
Projection
We do take care most of the times to see that our words and actions are not negative, but sometimes we are not as attentive with our thoughts. When there are waste thoughts we are not able to make even our words and actions right.
Solution:
Instead of making great efforts to change our actions and our words, we need to pay special attention to our thoughts. When our thoughts are right filled with good wishes for others as well as for the self, we find that they become accurate. And with this comes accuracy in our thoughts
We do take care most of the times to see that our words and actions are not negative, but sometimes we are not as attentive with our thoughts. When there are waste thoughts we are not able to make even our words and actions right.
Solution:
Instead of making great efforts to change our actions and our words, we need to pay special attention to our thoughts. When our thoughts are right filled with good wishes for others as well as for the self, we find that they become accurate. And with this comes accuracy in our thoughts
“The ones with pure thoughts experience safety in all situations.”
Projection
When there are negative situations, we usually get negative thoughts very easily. Such negative thoughts take us further into negativity. We get caught in this circle of negativity and we then can’t make our thoughts positive.
Solution:
We need to take care that we don’t blame anyone when we are going through any negative situation. We need to maintain whatever positivity we can in the situation, and we will find our mind changing towards positive too. It is this positivity that acts as a means of safety for us.
When there are negative situations, we usually get negative thoughts very easily. Such negative thoughts take us further into negativity. We get caught in this circle of negativity and we then can’t make our thoughts positive.
Solution:
We need to take care that we don’t blame anyone when we are going through any negative situation. We need to maintain whatever positivity we can in the situation, and we will find our mind changing towards positive too. It is this positivity that acts as a means of safety for us.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Cycles Of Thinking
Even with the best intentions, we can find ourselves stuck in cycles of negative thinking; often, these are caused due to negative self-belief. These cyclic thoughts waste our time, but more often, they are depressing or even destructive, especially if the cycle is due to a deep-rooted lack of self-esteem or self-confidence. Cyclic negative thoughts, by definition, have become a habit.
However, cycles of thinking can be positive too. Some people almost regularly respond to negative situations or events with feelings of optimism and positivity; they see success and are confident. If this is not natural to us, we can train ourselves to respond in this way. To become optimistic we need to create in our mind images of past success and generate a quiet self-assurance. Thus a cycle of positive thinking gets started and will, in time, become a habit.
However, cycles of thinking can be positive too. Some people almost regularly respond to negative situations or events with feelings of optimism and positivity; they see success and are confident. If this is not natural to us, we can train ourselves to respond in this way. To become optimistic we need to create in our mind images of past success and generate a quiet self-assurance. Thus a cycle of positive thinking gets started and will, in time, become a habit.
Time Management
How often do we convince ourselves that by delaying doing something today, we will have more time tomorrow. This is how we make it ‘seem’ that time is running away from us. And when tomorrow comes the same thing happens – we find another reason, another excuse to postpone. Why do we do this? Because we don’t feel like doing it says one inner voice, because there are more important things to be done says another voice. And a third voice says someone else could do it, should do it, will do it. And yet another voice says ‘it’s not that important’! Are any of these voices speaking the truth, or is there something deeper going on. Procrastination (Delaying) is an obvious form of avoidance, but what is it that we are avoiding? Is it the task itself? Is it the possible outcome which might be less than we expect? Or is it something within ourselves. Procrastination (Delaying) is one way we avoid seeing ourselves, or aspects of ourselves, which we would rather not face, acknowledge, explore, resolve and change.
To Be Aware But Not Judgemental
On the path of Raja Yoga meditation there is a saying, “See, but don’t see! Hear, but don’t hear!” which means to remain aware of all realities, including the negative, but not to focus on them. We get caught up in the negative because we react and the reactions are expressed in the form of judgements, accusations, criticism, or labelling. As soon as we judge or criticise, we put everything into convenient boxes and, just as convenience foods are not always so healthy, such conveniences at the mental and attitudinal level are a great danger, because we mentally seal (close) the fate (destiny) of the person or situation: they are like this and so must be treated accordingly. Unfortunately, this is often done in an unconscious way, which is why Raja Yoga meditation is used to bring such attitudes and behaviours to the surface, conscious awareness. When our vision and attitude remain judgemental or critical, they do so because there is no input of positivity from the self to encourage or allow a positive change.
There cannot be a positive output when there is a negative input.
We often work in this way, wanting others to be better in some way, but, instead of helping them, or having faith in them and seeing their good qualities, we hinder (obstruct) them by concentrating on their past, their weaknesses and their mistakes. Our focus is completely negative, but still we expect them to change for the better!
When our awareness is more detached, rather than focusing on what is wrong, we look at how we can put something right by contributing a positive feeling, or attitude. This anonymous (not known to anyone) contribution is a generous act, which offers a solution, instead of the usual complaints by critical and judgemental people.
When our awareness is more detached, rather than focusing on what is wrong, we look at how we can put something right by contributing a positive feeling, or attitude. This anonymous (not known to anyone) contribution is a generous act, which offers a solution, instead of the usual complaints by critical and judgemental people.
Spiritual Vision
In a state of high self-regard, the awareness of oneself as a spiritual being or soul performing pure action, brings the awareness that other beings are also souls performing actions through their bodies. When there is this vision or “drishti”; this way of seeing another person as a spiritual being, when the attitude of soul-to-soul is maintained, then there is true communication and pure interaction and the desired state of peace, and purity occurs automatically. If you achieve a state in which you are naturally peaceful, pure and happy by being soul conscious, you can be sitting anywhere and, because the thought vibrations radiating from you, the soul, are of such high quality, other beings are necessarily receiving your positive energy.
Positive Thinking
To experience peace is to be in one powerful stage. The more the thoughts we have, the lesser the peace that is experienced in the mind. When we are able to maintain a powerful thought throughout the day whatever the situations come our way we can experience constant peace. Right in the morning let us take a thought that is positive and powerful. For example, ‘I am a powerful soul because I have the World Almighty Authority – the Supreme Soul as my companion’ or ‘I am the luckiest soul in the universe’ or as something as simple as ‘I am a loveful soul, the child of the Ocean of Love’. Take any positive thought connected with the basic qualities of the soul – peace, bliss, love, purity, knowledge, power, joy. Whatever the situations we come across, let us emerge this thought and we will be able to maintain peace.
The Origin of Addictions: How to Overcome Them
Today, the number of addictions and addicts is growing fast. It seems that today human beings can become addicts of almost anything: credit cards, eating, drinking, sweets, lust, smoking, relationships, television, the internet and computer games, football, earning money, spending money, power, work, arguing, war.
In some ways, this shows the presence of an inner void (emptiness) that people try to fill with external things. While a person becomes an addict to any of the above aspects, their willpower is gradually weakened. And if one does not realize what is happening or does not put a stop to it, it is possible to fall into a spiraling series of automatic and compulsive actions that gradually limits our freedom to decide what we want to do with our lives, causing a loss of self-esteem and a state of depression, anxiety and dependency. The origin of many addictions is due to a desperate need to solve a problem or a spiritual need (which may be a lack of respect, love, peace, attention, consideration) of a materialist form.
Here are a few examples:
In a cigarette: one looks for peace, calm and relaxation.
In alcohol: one looks for confidence, determination and security.
In sugar and chocolate: one looks for love, sweetness and tenderness.
In coffee and tea: one looks for energy and inner strength.
In order to change an addiction, we need to work out what need lies behind this addiction. What is the spiritual desire that we are trying to satisfy? If we smoke for relaxation (by smoking we breathe deeply and this relaxes us), perhaps what we really need is peace of mind. Any doctor will tell you that mental peace cannot be found in a cigarette. On the contrary, instead of calming your stress, it makes you more irritable and nervous, especially when going through withdrawal symptoms. We can learn to find relaxation and peace through meditation and will not have the need to smoke.
The same applies to all the other qualities that we need to experience in our lives so that we feel satisfied and happy: it is in our inner self where we can turn to discover what we need. Although our mind often asks for visible and material things, its needs are deeper and nothing superficial can satisfy it. Meditation leads us to what is genuine and eternal.
In some ways, this shows the presence of an inner void (emptiness) that people try to fill with external things. While a person becomes an addict to any of the above aspects, their willpower is gradually weakened. And if one does not realize what is happening or does not put a stop to it, it is possible to fall into a spiraling series of automatic and compulsive actions that gradually limits our freedom to decide what we want to do with our lives, causing a loss of self-esteem and a state of depression, anxiety and dependency. The origin of many addictions is due to a desperate need to solve a problem or a spiritual need (which may be a lack of respect, love, peace, attention, consideration) of a materialist form.
Here are a few examples:
In a cigarette: one looks for peace, calm and relaxation.
In alcohol: one looks for confidence, determination and security.
In sugar and chocolate: one looks for love, sweetness and tenderness.
In coffee and tea: one looks for energy and inner strength.
In order to change an addiction, we need to work out what need lies behind this addiction. What is the spiritual desire that we are trying to satisfy? If we smoke for relaxation (by smoking we breathe deeply and this relaxes us), perhaps what we really need is peace of mind. Any doctor will tell you that mental peace cannot be found in a cigarette. On the contrary, instead of calming your stress, it makes you more irritable and nervous, especially when going through withdrawal symptoms. We can learn to find relaxation and peace through meditation and will not have the need to smoke.
The same applies to all the other qualities that we need to experience in our lives so that we feel satisfied and happy: it is in our inner self where we can turn to discover what we need. Although our mind often asks for visible and material things, its needs are deeper and nothing superficial can satisfy it. Meditation leads us to what is genuine and eternal.
Meditation
Exploration and experimentation of a few methods of meditation is required before one decides which is the most suitable method for him/her. One can know through a combination of intuition and experience. One may experience a few moments of peace while gazing (looking steadily) into a candle flame but it is unlikely to help one change a pattern of negative thinking and acting. The rhythm of a mantra being chanted verbally, or even mentally, may remove anxious and angry thoughts for a while, but it won’t change the hidden beliefs and perceptions (way of looking at things), which are responsible for one’s stressful emotions. A good test of any method is to ask yourself five questions: does it increase my self awareness, does it help me understand myself better; does it strengthen me to change my deepest negative habits; does it help bring a lighter and more positive energy to my relationships; does it help me ‘see’ more clearly my values and my purpose in life.
Stress Management
It is likely that each day usually has a number of minor and perhaps major tense moments. We tend to accept those moments as a part of normal life and do little to understand and find a solution for them. Little moments finally grow into big moments and suddenly we are in major trouble. By responding honestly to the questions you see here you will gain insight into whatever the situation is and as a result begin to see possible ways to resolve.
Questions
What was your most stressful moment today?
What do you think was the cause of your stress?
Were there any emotions present? Describe those emotions.
Why do you think you responded in this way?
Questions
What was your most stressful moment today?
What do you think was the cause of your stress?
Were there any emotions present? Describe those emotions.
Why do you think you responded in this way?
Self Purification
Each soul has become impure due its own actions during its various births. We ourselves became impure and peaceless because of losing our self awareness, so it is useless to blame anyone else. It is too easy to blame “so-and-so.” Today, everyone blames someone else: “It’s the religions,” “It’s the government,” “It’s the social pressures,” “It’s the Devil (Ravana),” “It’s my wife,” “It’s my boss.” Few can see that their own unhappiness is because of their own weaknesses or actions under the influence of these weaknesses. The “Devil” is just a symbolic personification of these negative forces at work in every soul. The soul itself creates its accounts, good and bad, so the soul itself must balance them. No human soul can settle someone else’s account of sins. In this respect many souls are being misled by those who claim to be able to change or interfere with the workings of the laws of “karma”. The ones claiming this have their own accounts of “sins” to settle. While they still remain in a physical body they are within the boundaries of the same laws that apply to all. The law of “karma”, of reaping and sowing, action and reaction applies to everyone.
The account of impure actions can only be balanced by pure actions on the part of the “doer”; the soul. Truly pure actions can only be performed when one is in a state of soul-consciousness and in remembrance of the one who is beyond action; the Supreme Soul (God). In burning love for the Supreme, sins can be rapidly burned. The soul need only increase its love for the Supreme Soul and remember him correctly.
The account of impure actions can only be balanced by pure actions on the part of the “doer”; the soul. Truly pure actions can only be performed when one is in a state of soul-consciousness and in remembrance of the one who is beyond action; the Supreme Soul (God). In burning love for the Supreme, sins can be rapidly burned. The soul need only increase its love for the Supreme Soul and remember him correctly.
Meditation And Health
The soul has seven original positive qualities – peace, joy, love, bliss, knowledge, purity and power. In meditation, we create an awareness of ourselves as a soul, which leads to an experience of these qualities. The non-physical soul is closely connected with each cell of the physical body. These qualities of the soul flow as spiritual energy to each cell and nourish them. The mind acts as a sieve (mesh) between this spiritual energy and the body. When the mind creates negative thoughts, the sieve of the mind gets blocked thereby blocking the flow of this spiritual energy, which leads to disease. These negative thoughts attract toxins, viruses, bacteria, etc. towards cells of the diseased organ. The immune system also gets damaged which leads to disease. Positive thoughts have the reverse effect.
Self Esteem
Self esteem is the foundation of our self confidence and self motivation. Self esteem is how we feel about ourselves at any given moment. Almost everyone of us has been taught to build our self esteem on the wrong foundations. We build it on something external instead of something internal. We are taught to connect it to our position, material possessions and pay, and by how much regard we receive from others. This is why we very rarely meet people who have rock solid self esteem. Most of us learn how to hide our delicate self-esteem. Finally the disguise (cover up) tires us completely and we surrender to the tension. Each and every one of us will have to go back to school to learn this inner lesson and find our true inner strength. Life gives us many signals and offers many opportunities to do this, but most of us either avoid the message or shoot the messenger, preferring to live with the tension and keep up the deception (cover up).
Creative Visualization
The incorporeal (non-physical) soul, situated in the centre of the forehead manifests (reveals) itself as three energies. Although each energy can be given a different name, it is actually the same energy, the soul, functioning on three different levels at the same time. These are the mind, which is the thinking faculty (energy) of the soul; the intellect, which is the decision-making and visualizing faculty (energy) of the soul and the personality characteristics, commonly called ‘sanskaras’.
In the practice of meditation, on one hand, the mind is used to create pure, positive and powerful thoughts or affirmations based on the basic qualities of the soul like peace, contentment, happiness, love, joy, power, etc. Along with that, the intellect is used to create visual images of the same thoughts, which is called “creative visualization”. Creative visualization may be used in various ways to experience true relaxation of the mind.
In the practice of meditation, on one hand, the mind is used to create pure, positive and powerful thoughts or affirmations based on the basic qualities of the soul like peace, contentment, happiness, love, joy, power, etc. Along with that, the intellect is used to create visual images of the same thoughts, which is called “creative visualization”. Creative visualization may be used in various ways to experience true relaxation of the mind.
Balance Between Masculine and Feminine Qualities
These are some examples of masculine and feminine qualities:
Masculine
Logical, Verbal, Brave, Enthusiastic, Enterprising, Flexible, Creative, Responsible, Self-confident, Jovial, Detached
Feminine
Intuitive, Silent, Affectionate, Serene (Peaceful), Patient, Tolerant, Inspiring, Optimistic, Resistant, Mature, Sweet
Opening up to the spiritual consciousness (or the consciousness of the soul) makes the masculine and feminine qualities emerge from our inner selves. As we become more conscious and attentive, we come across a balance between masculine and feminine qualities, achieving greater harmony in our lives and in our relationships. When we are only aware of the physical form, a part of our being may remain hidden. For example, if a man only identifies with his masculine form (I am a man), his feminine qualities do not develop. In the same way, many women have not developed their masculine qualities due to the thought: “I am (only) a woman”. E.g. in a family where the father is often absent and cannot provide his support for long periods of time, the role of the mother takes on another broader dimension. She can make the masculine qualities emerge, combining authority and bravery with her more feminine aspects.
Addiction to relationships, in other words, the dependency on other people, is to a large extent due to an imbalance of masculine and feminine qualities in our inner selves. The main reason why this happens is that we do not develop the qualities that we are missing internally and we seek the company of others who have these qualities. We try to compensate for our weaknesses and fill our defects by taking what we are missing, from other people, thus becoming dependent on them.
Masculine
Logical, Verbal, Brave, Enthusiastic, Enterprising, Flexible, Creative, Responsible, Self-confident, Jovial, Detached
Feminine
Intuitive, Silent, Affectionate, Serene (Peaceful), Patient, Tolerant, Inspiring, Optimistic, Resistant, Mature, Sweet
Opening up to the spiritual consciousness (or the consciousness of the soul) makes the masculine and feminine qualities emerge from our inner selves. As we become more conscious and attentive, we come across a balance between masculine and feminine qualities, achieving greater harmony in our lives and in our relationships. When we are only aware of the physical form, a part of our being may remain hidden. For example, if a man only identifies with his masculine form (I am a man), his feminine qualities do not develop. In the same way, many women have not developed their masculine qualities due to the thought: “I am (only) a woman”. E.g. in a family where the father is often absent and cannot provide his support for long periods of time, the role of the mother takes on another broader dimension. She can make the masculine qualities emerge, combining authority and bravery with her more feminine aspects.
Addiction to relationships, in other words, the dependency on other people, is to a large extent due to an imbalance of masculine and feminine qualities in our inner selves. The main reason why this happens is that we do not develop the qualities that we are missing internally and we seek the company of others who have these qualities. We try to compensate for our weaknesses and fill our defects by taking what we are missing, from other people, thus becoming dependent on them.
Simple Exercise For Experiencing Inner Peace And Compassion (Kindness)
Sit comfortably and relax. Now focus your attention on your breathing… let it find its own calm rhythm… gently breathe in peacefulness and breathe out any negative feelings.
Allow your mind to slow down… do not judge your thoughts as good or bad, accept them and let them go.
Now focus on your inner peace…that place that is deep within yourself… that is peaceful… where your inner compassion (kindness) and forgiveness lies… here you are patient, tolerant, generous, understanding… all these qualities are here which make up your inner compassion. Experience the feeling of compassion… and see it focused as a point… a point of light…situated at the center of your forehead.
Now raise your awareness beyond yourself… to a place of unlimited peace… see it first as a small point of light. As you move towards it, it becomes brighter… it is like an ocean of peace… a space of calm, of love, of compassion… you feel connected to that ocean of deep peace and love… it surrounds you like a shawl, it fills you up, absorbing every part of you with a comfortable warmth.
Rest in that feeling of being loved… it is like energy… a vibration… a light filling you… until you overflow…
Now, slowly you move away from the ocean – as a point of light. You still have the memory of being loved… and can reconnect at any time you want.
Gradually become aware of your body.
Allow your mind to slow down… do not judge your thoughts as good or bad, accept them and let them go.
Now focus on your inner peace…that place that is deep within yourself… that is peaceful… where your inner compassion (kindness) and forgiveness lies… here you are patient, tolerant, generous, understanding… all these qualities are here which make up your inner compassion. Experience the feeling of compassion… and see it focused as a point… a point of light…situated at the center of your forehead.
Now raise your awareness beyond yourself… to a place of unlimited peace… see it first as a small point of light. As you move towards it, it becomes brighter… it is like an ocean of peace… a space of calm, of love, of compassion… you feel connected to that ocean of deep peace and love… it surrounds you like a shawl, it fills you up, absorbing every part of you with a comfortable warmth.
Rest in that feeling of being loved… it is like energy… a vibration… a light filling you… until you overflow…
Now, slowly you move away from the ocean – as a point of light. You still have the memory of being loved… and can reconnect at any time you want.
Gradually become aware of your body.
Is Physical Relaxation The Road To Peace?
It’s a common notion (idea) to think of peace as being closely related to the beauty of nature – the play of waves on a beach, the blowing of wind through a forest, the soaring and swooping of gulls; in short, anything away from the rush and hurry of the city. Alternatively we associate peace with some physical form of relaxation like headphones plugged into soothing music, a hot bath after a hard day, a brisk walk in the park, etc. In meditation we realize peace to be our very essence (nature); we realize very quickly, trying to extract peace from the world around us or even from some physical sensations in our own bodies gives us only a temporary experience of it.
Once we start meditating, we start to see physical relaxation as an escape from tension and not a solution for it; and the beautiful scenes of nature now no longer as sources radiating permanent peace. But in fact it is their mere absence of conflict, their harmony of colours, forms and sounds, which appeal to us. There is something in each of us, which cries out to be free from conflict. We discover that “small voice” or need is only our true nature demanding to be recognized. We realize that neither the body nor nature can give the peace that the soul was longing for, but it has to be tapped from within. Having found it, it remains constant, whether in the city or countryside, in comfort or discomfort. In the midst of noise and confusion, peace is really our own.
Once we start meditating, we start to see physical relaxation as an escape from tension and not a solution for it; and the beautiful scenes of nature now no longer as sources radiating permanent peace. But in fact it is their mere absence of conflict, their harmony of colours, forms and sounds, which appeal to us. There is something in each of us, which cries out to be free from conflict. We discover that “small voice” or need is only our true nature demanding to be recognized. We realize that neither the body nor nature can give the peace that the soul was longing for, but it has to be tapped from within. Having found it, it remains constant, whether in the city or countryside, in comfort or discomfort. In the midst of noise and confusion, peace is really our own.
Self Realization
Most of us are taught to believe we are our physical forms, and so we identify with our body or the labels we give to our bodies such as nationality, race, gender, profession etc. This wrong sense of self is what creates emotions of fear, anger and sadness in life. From a spiritual point of view these ‘unnatural’ emotions are always the result of ego (identifying oneself wrongly), which then blocks access to our true original nature, which is peaceful, loving and joyful. If we identify ourselves correctly (as souls), we are spiritually empowered (strengthened) and then we are not affected by the obstacles (barriers) that come our way – we are able to use our spiritual power to accept and move on. We are able to remain stable in the middle of negative situations. In effect we are using our inner strength, which is only released and used when we know who and what we are, and then using that strength in the right way, in the right place at the right time.
Visualization For Relaxation
Images from our past and hopes and fears for our future flash across the inner television screen of the mind throughout the day. When the images are free to float, they are our dreams or daydreams. But we all have the power to control these images. This is the basic principle of “creative visualization”.
We have all experienced moments of relaxation, maybe during our childhood or in the company of our friends or loved ones or in the closeness of nature, etc. which are stored in the form of memories in our sub-conscious minds. By bringing these memories in our conscious minds and by creating positive visual images of these moments in the eye of the mind, both of which are essential parts of the Rajyoga meditation technique, we can remove our stresses and strains and experience a peaceful state of mind in any type of surroundings and circumstances.
To experience relaxation by remembering positive scenes of the past, practice the following visualization:
Sit comfortably in a relaxed position…
Activate (open) the eye of the mind or the third eye…
Visualize yourself as a living spiritual energy, a star point of pure energy situated between the eyebrows… Now remember clearly a situation when you felt extremely relaxed…
Emerge the picture of the situation as clearly as you can on the screen of your mind…
Where you were, in whose company, maybe you were experiencing silence; amidst what actions and interactions were you busy…
Now visualize the colours of the situation that you were surrounded by…
Now recall the sounds of the situation, were there any conversations involved… Hear them in your mind… If there was silence, recollect how that sounded…
Now emerge in your awareness how or what you felt…in your eyes… your heart…
your whole body…
Bring into your mind the particular emotions or feelings of relaxation related to that scene…
Holding both the image of the scene in the eye of your mind and its feelings in your mind, place an object in the scene, it could be anything, a flower, an animal, a bird, a star, a musical instrument, etc….
Visualize it clearly there and let it be a symbol for this particular scene and these feelings…
Now you can flash the image of this symbol in front of your mind’s eye to emerge the scene and the feelings of relaxation related to it anywhere, any time, in one second…
We have all experienced moments of relaxation, maybe during our childhood or in the company of our friends or loved ones or in the closeness of nature, etc. which are stored in the form of memories in our sub-conscious minds. By bringing these memories in our conscious minds and by creating positive visual images of these moments in the eye of the mind, both of which are essential parts of the Rajyoga meditation technique, we can remove our stresses and strains and experience a peaceful state of mind in any type of surroundings and circumstances.
To experience relaxation by remembering positive scenes of the past, practice the following visualization:
Sit comfortably in a relaxed position…
Activate (open) the eye of the mind or the third eye…
Visualize yourself as a living spiritual energy, a star point of pure energy situated between the eyebrows… Now remember clearly a situation when you felt extremely relaxed…
Emerge the picture of the situation as clearly as you can on the screen of your mind…
Where you were, in whose company, maybe you were experiencing silence; amidst what actions and interactions were you busy…
Now visualize the colours of the situation that you were surrounded by…
Now recall the sounds of the situation, were there any conversations involved… Hear them in your mind… If there was silence, recollect how that sounded…
Now emerge in your awareness how or what you felt…in your eyes… your heart…
your whole body…
Bring into your mind the particular emotions or feelings of relaxation related to that scene…
Holding both the image of the scene in the eye of your mind and its feelings in your mind, place an object in the scene, it could be anything, a flower, an animal, a bird, a star, a musical instrument, etc….
Visualize it clearly there and let it be a symbol for this particular scene and these feelings…
Now you can flash the image of this symbol in front of your mind’s eye to emerge the scene and the feelings of relaxation related to it anywhere, any time, in one second…
Quality Transformation (Change)
The easiest way to understand quality change is to consider the example of roses. These beautiful flowers, although nourished by smelly manure, do not take any of its odour (smell) or colour. They are truly like kings of gardens, in their pink, gold, red and white robes, filling the air with such a fragrance that people who come to the garden do not even notice the manure. The roots of the roses are able to transform (change) the manure to such an extent that the best is taken without any negative side effects. This is an example of quality change.
The human world is like a garden. We are like a variety of flowers surrounded by lots of manure, that is, negativity in all its forms, such as ego, fear, anger, attachment, mistrust, etc. People who are ‘quality transformers’ can accept all these negative things and use them for their personal growth without the negativity penetrating (entering) them; they do not get spoilt, or even touched by it. With understanding and the natural, loving detachment that comes from silence, they realise that the negative person, or situation, in front of them is the Universe’s way of giving them an opportunity to create a tiny, silent miracle in their lives. Quality transformers become the spiritual roses in the Garden of Humanity: they display all their beauty and provide inspiration for all those who see them.
‘Quality transformers’ can be compared to the oyster. When a tiny foreign particle invades (enters) the oyster’s home, it secretes a liquid that combines with the particle to finally create a pearl. The pearl can live in the oyster’s home for the rest of the oyster’s natural life without causing any disturbance.
In the same way, rather than react negatively to people and events, we can include them and mould with them. Through acceptance, our consciousness jumps to another level of perception (understanding) and we realise that what we might have previously regarded as a problem can, if handled correctly, be a means to develop our strengths and remove our weaknesses. Whether a situation is a problem or a gift depends on our perception. The choice is ours.
The human world is like a garden. We are like a variety of flowers surrounded by lots of manure, that is, negativity in all its forms, such as ego, fear, anger, attachment, mistrust, etc. People who are ‘quality transformers’ can accept all these negative things and use them for their personal growth without the negativity penetrating (entering) them; they do not get spoilt, or even touched by it. With understanding and the natural, loving detachment that comes from silence, they realise that the negative person, or situation, in front of them is the Universe’s way of giving them an opportunity to create a tiny, silent miracle in their lives. Quality transformers become the spiritual roses in the Garden of Humanity: they display all their beauty and provide inspiration for all those who see them.
‘Quality transformers’ can be compared to the oyster. When a tiny foreign particle invades (enters) the oyster’s home, it secretes a liquid that combines with the particle to finally create a pearl. The pearl can live in the oyster’s home for the rest of the oyster’s natural life without causing any disturbance.
In the same way, rather than react negatively to people and events, we can include them and mould with them. Through acceptance, our consciousness jumps to another level of perception (understanding) and we realise that what we might have previously regarded as a problem can, if handled correctly, be a means to develop our strengths and remove our weaknesses. Whether a situation is a problem or a gift depends on our perception. The choice is ours.
Surfacing Positive Thoughts
As we become aware that thoughts are the seeds of our feelings, attitudes, beliefs, speech and actions, the importance of transforming (changing) waste thoughts into positive ones becomes self-evident
– changing our thoughts will change what we say, feel, think and do.
On your own, consider what are the gains or benefits of this transformation (change) on:
1. Your body or physical health
2. Your mind or mental health
3. Your relationships or social health
4. Your productiveness (efficiency) at work
5. Your spirit, faith or belief system
– changing our thoughts will change what we say, feel, think and do.
On your own, consider what are the gains or benefits of this transformation (change) on:
1. Your body or physical health
2. Your mind or mental health
3. Your relationships or social health
4. Your productiveness (efficiency) at work
5. Your spirit, faith or belief system
Anger Management
There are some false notions (ideas) about anger that we have acquired, which we use to justify and nourish our anger:
1. I have no choice but to get angry.
Fact:
You do not know how to understand, manage and choose your feelings, especially when something happens that you do not like.
Tip For Transformation (Change):
Meditation increases your self-awareness. It makes you realize the beliefs that you hold and that hold (control) you and enables you to see and make your choices much more clearly.
2. Anger gives me a surge (rush) of positive energy.
Fact:
Anger temporarily heightens your attention and alertness. But it results in mental and emotional exhaustion (tiredness) and over time will end in burnout. However it is the ‘hit’ (dose) of adrenaline that you have become addicted to which also makes you believe that a bit of anger is good.
Tip For Transformation (Change):
Every time you become angry visualize a white sail on a calm sea and a gentle, cool, breeze blowing against your face.
1. I have no choice but to get angry.
Fact:
You do not know how to understand, manage and choose your feelings, especially when something happens that you do not like.
Tip For Transformation (Change):
Meditation increases your self-awareness. It makes you realize the beliefs that you hold and that hold (control) you and enables you to see and make your choices much more clearly.
2. Anger gives me a surge (rush) of positive energy.
Fact:
Anger temporarily heightens your attention and alertness. But it results in mental and emotional exhaustion (tiredness) and over time will end in burnout. However it is the ‘hit’ (dose) of adrenaline that you have become addicted to which also makes you believe that a bit of anger is good.
Tip For Transformation (Change):
Every time you become angry visualize a white sail on a calm sea and a gentle, cool, breeze blowing against your face.
Experiencing Peace
In meditation l begin to think about my true identity. l let thoughts about the soul and its qualities fill my mind. Initially it doesn’t matter how fast the thoughts are arising as long as they are moving in the right direction. lf my thoughts wander away, gently, l bring them back again to peaceful thoughts of the self. As l become involved in the experience of such thoughts, they will gradually start to slow down and soon l will be able to ‘savour’ (taste) them. Just as when l am given something special to eat, l eat it slowly, appreciating each mouthful (its flavour and texture), so I begin to appreciate the experience contained in each positive thought. The simple phrase, ‘I am a peaceful soul’, comes to life as l begin to experience it.
Overcoming Phobias (Fears) Through Meditation
To overcome any phobia, read over silently and visualize the following positive thoughts:
I am a soul, an eternal, immortal and indestructible (which cannot be destroyed) point of life energy……..
Sitting on my throne in the centre of the forehead, I the ruler, perform actions through my body……..
I have incarnated (entered) in this physical body from ‘shantidham’, my incorporeal (non-physical) home, original home of light……..
I am an actor on the huge world drama stage……..
All the other souls are actors too, each acting a unique role through its own individual body-costume……..
This spiritual knowledge makes me detached and fearless……..
Unimportant scenes of the drama that would have previously brought about fear in me no longer affect me……..
Through Rajyoga meditation, the soul can experience all relationships with the Supreme Soul in its day-to-day life. I continue -
I experience receiving powerful vibrations of spiritual might from the Supreme Being……..
I fill my mind with thoughts of courage……..
When the Almighty is my Father, my Mother, my Companion, my Guide, no one can be my enemy……..
Nothing can harm me in any way……..
Fear is wasted energy, it has no power in my life……..
Now I am becoming a bold person and I am capable of facing all fearful situations with increased self-confidence ……..
At the end of the meditation practice, for a few minutes, the patient should create a picture of the fearful situation in his mind, while at the same time learning to relax. This will help him to decrease the anxiety (worry) when he faces the real life situation and he will be able to completely overcome (face) the specific fears.
I am a soul, an eternal, immortal and indestructible (which cannot be destroyed) point of life energy……..
Sitting on my throne in the centre of the forehead, I the ruler, perform actions through my body……..
I have incarnated (entered) in this physical body from ‘shantidham’, my incorporeal (non-physical) home, original home of light……..
I am an actor on the huge world drama stage……..
All the other souls are actors too, each acting a unique role through its own individual body-costume……..
This spiritual knowledge makes me detached and fearless……..
Unimportant scenes of the drama that would have previously brought about fear in me no longer affect me……..
Through Rajyoga meditation, the soul can experience all relationships with the Supreme Soul in its day-to-day life. I continue -
I experience receiving powerful vibrations of spiritual might from the Supreme Being……..
I fill my mind with thoughts of courage……..
When the Almighty is my Father, my Mother, my Companion, my Guide, no one can be my enemy……..
Nothing can harm me in any way……..
Fear is wasted energy, it has no power in my life……..
Now I am becoming a bold person and I am capable of facing all fearful situations with increased self-confidence ……..
At the end of the meditation practice, for a few minutes, the patient should create a picture of the fearful situation in his mind, while at the same time learning to relax. This will help him to decrease the anxiety (worry) when he faces the real life situation and he will be able to completely overcome (face) the specific fears.
Reflection (thinking deeply) is a necessary step in digesting knowledge.
Reflection is an exercise of the mind and intellect that goes into the depths of understanding an idea, or realization, or point of knowledge with the aim of practicing it in daily life.
Values in my life are a sign that knowledge has been digested; without this, knowledge simply remains a beautiful aspect, appreciated, interesting information in my intellect but without the ability to give me strength because it is still external; it has not been internalised.
All quality action (quality action is that action which is truly appropriate to person, circumstance and the need of the moment), all newness of perception (understanding), all new insights, or vision, require a space for silent reflection as a preliminary step.
Normally, we are lost in the business of action, its routine and ritual that make our life so mechanical and hence dull and boring, or demanding and hectic.
A mind and intellect that do not give time and attention to reflective silence (meditation) become lazy, though externally there is lots of activity for hours and hours. No new heights are reached because there is no depth of awareness in what we are doing, no reflection on purpose. As a result, we get trapped by routine.
To be dictated to by external situations, which make us run around without stopping internally, brings about unnecessary stress on the mind, which keeps us tied to the strings of the external, like a puppet pulled, pressed and pushed by circumstances.
To break free from this force, to relieve the mind of the weight of stress and waste and routine, I need to step inside and reflect (think) on who I am and where I am going and reassess my value system.
Otherwise, life becomes like a wheel that keeps spinning faster and faster until we become dizzy – we want to get off but it is going so fast we do not know how.
Reflection and taking time to understand spiritual knowledge bring us to the essence of everything
Values in my life are a sign that knowledge has been digested; without this, knowledge simply remains a beautiful aspect, appreciated, interesting information in my intellect but without the ability to give me strength because it is still external; it has not been internalised.
All quality action (quality action is that action which is truly appropriate to person, circumstance and the need of the moment), all newness of perception (understanding), all new insights, or vision, require a space for silent reflection as a preliminary step.
Normally, we are lost in the business of action, its routine and ritual that make our life so mechanical and hence dull and boring, or demanding and hectic.
A mind and intellect that do not give time and attention to reflective silence (meditation) become lazy, though externally there is lots of activity for hours and hours. No new heights are reached because there is no depth of awareness in what we are doing, no reflection on purpose. As a result, we get trapped by routine.
To be dictated to by external situations, which make us run around without stopping internally, brings about unnecessary stress on the mind, which keeps us tied to the strings of the external, like a puppet pulled, pressed and pushed by circumstances.
To break free from this force, to relieve the mind of the weight of stress and waste and routine, I need to step inside and reflect (think) on who I am and where I am going and reassess my value system.
Otherwise, life becomes like a wheel that keeps spinning faster and faster until we become dizzy – we want to get off but it is going so fast we do not know how.
Reflection and taking time to understand spiritual knowledge bring us to the essence of everything
Learning About Love
As human beings we have the capacity to unite at four levels – physical, mental, intellectual and the spiritual. When we sometimes pick up the thoughts of others and vice versa we experience a unity of thought or a ‘meeting of minds’. This can be love at a mental level. Sometimes we encounter another who ‘feels’ exactly the same as we do, at least they seem to, and so we have a ‘meeting of hearts’. And finally there is the highest form of love or union between two souls. This meeting is not possible unless both souls know and experience themselves as spiritual beings, as souls. Unfortunately, at this time, very few do. Most of us experience ourselves as bodies and consider physical attraction and physical attachment as a form of love. The deepest love is spiritual and it happens when two souls are able to walk in and through each others lives with total freedom. There are no barriers, no expectation, no desire for each other…at all…ever. There is complete transparency and each one is so strong within themselves that no matter what the other may say or do they can never be hurt. Once again this high spiritual destination is not easy to see, let alone reach, simply because our attention and energy has become almost constantly attached ‘down here’ in the physical. All this can be neatly summed up in one question. Do you want to be a rocket or a car? Do you want to continue to mess around down here or raise your conscious awareness up there where the true love is both seen and experienced?
What is “Will Power”?
The expression “will-power” is often used to refer to our ability to put into practice the ideas we know to be for our well-being and to resist actions (“karmas”) which are harmful. This is directly related to the soul’s intellectual strength. When we speak of weakness or strength in the soul we are referring to the intellect. In the case of a weak soul (one with lower “will-power”) it is almost as if the intellect plays no part in determining which thoughts arise in the mind, but they come as if pushed by the “sanskaras” (mainly in the form of habits) or are triggered by the atmosphere around or the moods of others. On the contrary, a powerful soul (one with higher “will-power”) enjoys the experience of its own choice regardless of external stimuli (influence).
Rajyoga meditation develops the intellect to such an extent that this degree of control is possible. A practitioner of Rajyoga meditation can be in the midst of a situation of intense disturbance, yet remain so unshakeably calm that the inner strength becomes a shelter and inspiration to others lacking in that strength. The weak soul is like a leaf at the mercy of the storm, the strong one, a rock in the face of a rough sea.
Rajyoga meditation develops the intellect to such an extent that this degree of control is possible. A practitioner of Rajyoga meditation can be in the midst of a situation of intense disturbance, yet remain so unshakeably calm that the inner strength becomes a shelter and inspiration to others lacking in that strength. The weak soul is like a leaf at the mercy of the storm, the strong one, a rock in the face of a rough sea.
Meditation
Meditation is perhaps the most important tool to develop our intellectual skills. It produces a wide range of effects on the mind, such as improved capacity to concentrate and increased clarity (clearness) of thinking, which, in turn, simplify decision-making. It also improves health and general well being, reducing anxiety (worry), stress, pain and depressive or obsessive thoughts. It is useful in clearing the mind at the end of the day, for relaxing and improving sleep.
It is not necessary to attempt to blank or suppress the mind (force the mind not to think negatively or not to think at all) in meditation. Instead of that the creation of positive thoughts is encouraged in such a way so as to tap (to use effectively) our natural power to think.
It is not necessary to attempt to blank or suppress the mind (force the mind not to think negatively or not to think at all) in meditation. Instead of that the creation of positive thoughts is encouraged in such a way so as to tap (to use effectively) our natural power to think.
Creative Visualization
The incorporeal (non-physical) soul, situated in the centre of the forehead consists of three energies. Although each energy can be given a different name, it is actually the same energy, the soul, functioning on three different levels at the same time. These are the mind, which is the thinking faculty (energy) of the soul; the intellect, which is the decision-making and visualizing faculty (energy) of the soul and the personality characteristics, commonly called ‘sanskaras’.
In the practice of meditation, on one hand, the mind is used to create pure, positive and powerful thoughts or affirmations based on the basic qualities of the soul like peace, contentment, happiness, love, joy, power, etc. Along with that, the intellect is used to create visual images of the same thoughts, which is called “creative visualization”. This process brings about a positive change in our ‘sanskaras’. This is the basic principle used in the Rajyoga meditation taught by the Brahma Kumaris. Creative visualization may be used in various ways to experience true relaxation of the mind.
In the practice of meditation, on one hand, the mind is used to create pure, positive and powerful thoughts or affirmations based on the basic qualities of the soul like peace, contentment, happiness, love, joy, power, etc. Along with that, the intellect is used to create visual images of the same thoughts, which is called “creative visualization”. This process brings about a positive change in our ‘sanskaras’. This is the basic principle used in the Rajyoga meditation taught by the Brahma Kumaris. Creative visualization may be used in various ways to experience true relaxation of the mind.
Self Esteem
Self-esteem and self-respect are closely connected. One is an integral part of the other. One is not possible without the other. In relationships, when other people are throwing all their negative energy at us, if we can maintain our own self-respect we will be able to remain stable, positive and unaffected. In fact, if our self -respect is strong, we will not feel the need to return the negative energy, which they are sending us, but will be able to return understanding and compassion (sympathy) instead. To regain, build and strengthen our self-respect, we need to practice giving respect to others – no matter what they are like, or what they do. What we rarely realise is that in the process of respecting another, we are first of all respecting ourself.
Exercise: What does showing respect look like? (imagine different ways in which you can convey respect to another person) – What do you think is the biggest inner barrier to developing the ability to give respect to others? Whom could you consciously choose to respect more today than you have up to now? (remember that to be respectful you will need to be non-judgmental)
Exercise: What does showing respect look like? (imagine different ways in which you can convey respect to another person) – What do you think is the biggest inner barrier to developing the ability to give respect to others? Whom could you consciously choose to respect more today than you have up to now? (remember that to be respectful you will need to be non-judgmental)
Meditation For Beginners
Let us practise the steps of Rajyoga meditation:
1. I hold in my mind the words Om Shanti, ‘I am a peaceful soul’: Let us reflect on this statement, or mantra. A mantra is something that frees the mind from wasteful and negative thoughts, stress and worry. A mantra is usually repeated over and over again in order to get the desired results. However, in meditation it is not a matter of repeating words over and over again without truly understanding them. Otherwise it becomes forced concentration. Concentration of the mind should be natural because, when it is so, the mind can remain in a state of peace and relaxation for a very long time. The result of this is a recharging of the battery of the self, a renewal of energy from inside.
How do we achieve this state of natural concentration on the thought, ‘I am a spiritual being’, ‘I am a peaceful being’?
2. I reflect on ‘OM’; the consciousness of ‘l am’.
What does ‘I am’ mean? In this thought, the attention is drawn only to the present moment. I have no need to go into ‘I was’, ‘I will be’, ‘I hope to be’ or ‘I should be’. To go deep into the self, I need to be completely in the present. This thought of ‘I am’ takes me into the consciousness of self-realisation.
3. I focus and concentrate on the thought until I stop thinking about it and experience it.
These are the primary steps of silence and must be mastered correctly.
1. I hold in my mind the words Om Shanti, ‘I am a peaceful soul’: Let us reflect on this statement, or mantra. A mantra is something that frees the mind from wasteful and negative thoughts, stress and worry. A mantra is usually repeated over and over again in order to get the desired results. However, in meditation it is not a matter of repeating words over and over again without truly understanding them. Otherwise it becomes forced concentration. Concentration of the mind should be natural because, when it is so, the mind can remain in a state of peace and relaxation for a very long time. The result of this is a recharging of the battery of the self, a renewal of energy from inside.
How do we achieve this state of natural concentration on the thought, ‘I am a spiritual being’, ‘I am a peaceful being’?
2. I reflect on ‘OM’; the consciousness of ‘l am’.
What does ‘I am’ mean? In this thought, the attention is drawn only to the present moment. I have no need to go into ‘I was’, ‘I will be’, ‘I hope to be’ or ‘I should be’. To go deep into the self, I need to be completely in the present. This thought of ‘I am’ takes me into the consciousness of self-realisation.
3. I focus and concentrate on the thought until I stop thinking about it and experience it.
These are the primary steps of silence and must be mastered correctly.
communication
A great deal of our communication is non-verbal and we rarely realize the effect that it has on others. Our tone of voice, our body language (particularly our eyes and face), our attitudes and our feelings, are constantly in communication with others, expressing anger, fear, love, trust, rejection – in fact, all our feelings and emotions. We cannot hide what we mean; we may do so for a while, but finally the truth emerges.
Communication is not just with others, but also with the self, with the Supreme Being and even nature. Being still, focused and open enables us to tune in to others so that we can respond in an appropriate and meaningful way, not simply in a mechanical way.
Here are some common reasons for blocks to communication:
* Too many thoughts, and an overload of words and actions, results in us being unable to think clearly. We lose the essence of what is trying to be conveyed (transmitted) by the other.
* Being lost in our own feelings or ideas. In such a state we do not listen attentively to others.
* Remembering the past in a negative way. This does not allow us to tune in properly to our present and future. When we do not communicate properly with the needs of the present time, we loose opportunities.
* Lack of sincerity. When our thoughts and feelings are honest and respectful, then the hearts of others will open to us. A positive highway of trust is built and communication flows positively.
* Creating negative perceptions (understandings) and emotions about others i.e. how we visualize or label them. Such emotions, no matter how well hidden, are finally always communicated to others on a subtle (non-physical), non-verbal level, and create an atmosphere of tension and unease.
* Not letting go of negative perceptions (understandings) and emotions. The only method to revive our relationship with others is to let go of negativity on a daily basis, to prevent it from building up. Far too often, the build-up happens without us even noticing it and, we wonder why positive feedback is not coming from the other side.
* Lack of silence. To go deep into the self and put our thoughts and feelings into silence enables them to become positive. The silent relaxation defuses (reduces) anger and the blame and complaints that often go with it.
What are the ways to improve communication?
* Listen with both ears. I should be an active listener by tuning in fully and being present fully with the person and with the moment. If I am not, I listen through one ear and let it out of the other, or I only half listen, which finally creates misunderstandings.
* Understand where the other person is coming from. Do not just assume, imagine or judge; when we do this, our critical vision prevents others from expressing what they wish to say. Then, because of wrong or half-right assumptions, others are not given the possibility to improve, or express, outside the boundaries of what we think of them. To give others a true chance to express themselves, we must not place our own boundaries around them.
* Think before speaking. This is not something new, but however often we hear it, we forget to apply it. To think before speaking means to show consideration to the other and then we say the right thing, at the right time, in the right way.
What are the ways to improve communication?
* Say what we mean, always. When we speak with courage and a calm self-confidence without force, then communication is honest, open, clear and trusted. Courage doesn’t mean to say what we think others want to hear. If we lack courage because of the need for approval and acceptance, or because of a lack of confidence, then communication and the consequent relationship remains superficial and artificial. No one feels satisfied with this situation.
* Learn the language of silence. It is the basis of right intentions, positive feelings and clear attitudes. In this language, there is only one grammar: honesty and kindness. Honesty creates clarity and kindness creates respectfulness.
When we take time to reflect on our level of communication with everyone we meet, the realizations we have in silence will be manifested (displayed) in the higher quality and ease of interaction that we will find in all relations: be it with the self, with others or with the Supreme Source of Light.
Communication is not just with others, but also with the self, with the Supreme Being and even nature. Being still, focused and open enables us to tune in to others so that we can respond in an appropriate and meaningful way, not simply in a mechanical way.
Here are some common reasons for blocks to communication:
* Too many thoughts, and an overload of words and actions, results in us being unable to think clearly. We lose the essence of what is trying to be conveyed (transmitted) by the other.
* Being lost in our own feelings or ideas. In such a state we do not listen attentively to others.
* Remembering the past in a negative way. This does not allow us to tune in properly to our present and future. When we do not communicate properly with the needs of the present time, we loose opportunities.
* Lack of sincerity. When our thoughts and feelings are honest and respectful, then the hearts of others will open to us. A positive highway of trust is built and communication flows positively.
* Creating negative perceptions (understandings) and emotions about others i.e. how we visualize or label them. Such emotions, no matter how well hidden, are finally always communicated to others on a subtle (non-physical), non-verbal level, and create an atmosphere of tension and unease.
* Not letting go of negative perceptions (understandings) and emotions. The only method to revive our relationship with others is to let go of negativity on a daily basis, to prevent it from building up. Far too often, the build-up happens without us even noticing it and, we wonder why positive feedback is not coming from the other side.
* Lack of silence. To go deep into the self and put our thoughts and feelings into silence enables them to become positive. The silent relaxation defuses (reduces) anger and the blame and complaints that often go with it.
What are the ways to improve communication?
* Listen with both ears. I should be an active listener by tuning in fully and being present fully with the person and with the moment. If I am not, I listen through one ear and let it out of the other, or I only half listen, which finally creates misunderstandings.
* Understand where the other person is coming from. Do not just assume, imagine or judge; when we do this, our critical vision prevents others from expressing what they wish to say. Then, because of wrong or half-right assumptions, others are not given the possibility to improve, or express, outside the boundaries of what we think of them. To give others a true chance to express themselves, we must not place our own boundaries around them.
* Think before speaking. This is not something new, but however often we hear it, we forget to apply it. To think before speaking means to show consideration to the other and then we say the right thing, at the right time, in the right way.
What are the ways to improve communication?
* Say what we mean, always. When we speak with courage and a calm self-confidence without force, then communication is honest, open, clear and trusted. Courage doesn’t mean to say what we think others want to hear. If we lack courage because of the need for approval and acceptance, or because of a lack of confidence, then communication and the consequent relationship remains superficial and artificial. No one feels satisfied with this situation.
* Learn the language of silence. It is the basis of right intentions, positive feelings and clear attitudes. In this language, there is only one grammar: honesty and kindness. Honesty creates clarity and kindness creates respectfulness.
When we take time to reflect on our level of communication with everyone we meet, the realizations we have in silence will be manifested (displayed) in the higher quality and ease of interaction that we will find in all relations: be it with the self, with others or with the Supreme Source of Light.
Release, Let Go And Be Free
If you don’t let go of the scene, the event, the sounds and the images of other people, whom you mistakenly (incorrectly) believe ‘did you wrong’, if you keep replaying the scene and re-creating your negative feelings, it means you are holding on to it all. Holding on also means you are carrying one huge inner burden. Burdens make life heavy. Holding on means you are just stuck in an inner ‘action replay’ mode, and that only deepens your suffering, driving it deeper into your heart. Isn’t that foolish? Can you give it up and get on with your life?
Here’s the truth of hurt. Well, almost the truth! Every time you think about something hurtful, perhaps something that others said or did, you are only repeating the moment it happened in your own mind. Let’s say you think about it 99 times. The other person only said or did what they did once. But you have done it over and over again in your head 99 times, so who is hurting whom here? You are hurting yourself.
Here’s the truth of hurt. Well, almost the truth! Every time you think about something hurtful, perhaps something that others said or did, you are only repeating the moment it happened in your own mind. Let’s say you think about it 99 times. The other person only said or did what they did once. But you have done it over and over again in your head 99 times, so who is hurting whom here? You are hurting yourself.
Quality Transformation (Change)
The easiest way to understand quality change is to consider the example of roses. These beautiful flowers, although nourished by smelly manure, do not take any of its odour (smell) or colour. They are truly like kings of gardens, in their pink, gold, red and white robes, filling the air with such a fragrance that people who come to the garden do not even notice the manure. The roots of the roses are able to transform (change) the manure to such an extent that the best is taken without any negative side effects. This is an example of quality change.
The human world is like a garden. We are like a variety of flowers surrounded by lots of manure, that is, negativity in all its forms, such as ego, fear, anger, attachment, mistrust, etc. People who are ‘quality transformers’ can accept all these negative things and use them for their personal growth without the negativity penetrating (entering) them; they do not get spoilt, or even touched by it. With understanding and the natural, loving detachment that comes from silence, they realise that the negative person, or situation, in front of them is the Universe’s way of giving them an opportunity to create a tiny, silent miracle in their lives. Quality transformers become the spiritual roses in the Garden of Humanity: they display all their beauty and provide inspiration for all those who see them.
Quality transformers’ can be compared to the oyster. When a tiny foreign particle invades (enters) the oyster’s home, it secretes a liquid that combines with the particle to finally create a pearl. The pearl can live in the oyster’s home for the rest of the oyster’s natural life without causing any disturbance.
In the same way, rather than react negatively to people and events, we can include them and mould with them. Through acceptance, our consciousness jumps to another level of perception (understanding) and we realise that what we might have previously regarded as a problem can, if handled correctly, be a means to develop our strengths and remove our weaknesses. Whether a situation is a problem or a gift depends on our perception. The choice is ours.
The human world is like a garden. We are like a variety of flowers surrounded by lots of manure, that is, negativity in all its forms, such as ego, fear, anger, attachment, mistrust, etc. People who are ‘quality transformers’ can accept all these negative things and use them for their personal growth without the negativity penetrating (entering) them; they do not get spoilt, or even touched by it. With understanding and the natural, loving detachment that comes from silence, they realise that the negative person, or situation, in front of them is the Universe’s way of giving them an opportunity to create a tiny, silent miracle in their lives. Quality transformers become the spiritual roses in the Garden of Humanity: they display all their beauty and provide inspiration for all those who see them.
Quality transformers’ can be compared to the oyster. When a tiny foreign particle invades (enters) the oyster’s home, it secretes a liquid that combines with the particle to finally create a pearl. The pearl can live in the oyster’s home for the rest of the oyster’s natural life without causing any disturbance.
In the same way, rather than react negatively to people and events, we can include them and mould with them. Through acceptance, our consciousness jumps to another level of perception (understanding) and we realise that what we might have previously regarded as a problem can, if handled correctly, be a means to develop our strengths and remove our weaknesses. Whether a situation is a problem or a gift depends on our perception. The choice is ours.
Identity Crisis
The primary quality or the original condition of a pure mind, a pure self, is peace. Initially there was no confusion about ‘who I am’. As time passed by, and we came in the process of birth and rebirth, we began to identify with what we are not, starting with our own physical form, and then with external things like lands, positions, material possessions and people. These multiple identities generated the first confusions. In those moments, our inner peace was broken. This is why today so many people suffer from an identity crisis, but are so used to living in this crisis that they are not even aware that it is a crisis. They are not sure what they should be. They are constantly comparing themselves with others. They regularly aim to be like others. They even imitate (copy) the lifestyles of others: all signs that they don’t know who or what they are. And if they think they are sure about who they are, the stability it brings does not last for long, as it is almost always based on ‘something’ external to the ‘self’, something that must therefore be subject to change. In other words each and every one of us has learned to identify with something we are not.
This loss of true self-identity, at the most deep level, the spiritual level, is what gives rise to fear. And when what we fear might happen actually does happen, we get angry and try to control what we cannot control, so that it doesn’t happen again.
This loss of true self-identity, at the most deep level, the spiritual level, is what gives rise to fear. And when what we fear might happen actually does happen, we get angry and try to control what we cannot control, so that it doesn’t happen again.
Self Empowerment
To empower (strengthen) and help others is to empower yourself. The most successful people in life are not ‘go getters’, they are ‘go givers’, they always hold out the hand of co-operation and ask, “How can I help you achieve your goals?” As they empower others with their encouragement, they empower themselves with their own energy and, in time, this is magnified by the blessings of others which come back in return. The one thing that kills this positive exchange of energy within our relationships is competition.
Exercise: Write down all the advantages and then all the disadvantages of competition. Reflect (think) on the meaning of the words you used to answer the above e.g. if you wrote down ‘competition creates progress’ in the advantages column, what do you mean by progress? Have a competitive conversation with someone tomorrow and then go and ask yourself if it was really satisfying, empowering (strengthening) and beneficial?
Exercise: Write down all the advantages and then all the disadvantages of competition. Reflect (think) on the meaning of the words you used to answer the above e.g. if you wrote down ‘competition creates progress’ in the advantages column, what do you mean by progress? Have a competitive conversation with someone tomorrow and then go and ask yourself if it was really satisfying, empowering (strengthening) and beneficial?
Imbibing (Absorbing) Spiritual Knowledge
The first step into experience, particularly the meditation experience, is knowledge. What does it mean to ‘know’? Knowing involves four steps, which ultimately give the meditator the experience of realization:
The first step of knowing is information. With information, our intellect opens to new ideas and opinions.
The second step of knowing is knowledge, when we begin to reflect and think on the ideas and views that we have listened to. At this point, we often have to select only a few of the ideas we have heard, as it is not always possible to reflect (think) on all the information that is fed to us. In order to deepen our understanding, we reflect on the information and sometimes discuss our findings and thoughts with others.
The third step of knowing is when we move from thinking to doing, that is, from knowledge to wisdom. Wisdom is gained when we commit ourselves to ‘doing’. Knowledge translated into our everyday behaviour is called wisdom, which, in turn, is called quality life. A life of quality is where personal values are not only realised but also lived and experienced through our practical actions.
Doing, or practice, naturally brings us to the fourth and final step of knowing, which is called Truth.
The first step of knowing is information. With information, our intellect opens to new ideas and opinions.
The second step of knowing is knowledge, when we begin to reflect and think on the ideas and views that we have listened to. At this point, we often have to select only a few of the ideas we have heard, as it is not always possible to reflect (think) on all the information that is fed to us. In order to deepen our understanding, we reflect on the information and sometimes discuss our findings and thoughts with others.
The third step of knowing is when we move from thinking to doing, that is, from knowledge to wisdom. Wisdom is gained when we commit ourselves to ‘doing’. Knowledge translated into our everyday behaviour is called wisdom, which, in turn, is called quality life. A life of quality is where personal values are not only realised but also lived and experienced through our practical actions.
Doing, or practice, naturally brings us to the fourth and final step of knowing, which is called Truth.
Motivation
Motivation is an inner positive energy, a combination of enthusiasm and clear perception (understanding) that enables us to accomplish (complete) a task.
Motivation keeps us determined and on course, otherwise it is so easy to be distracted by problems and laziness. What does motivation do? It moves us from one reality to another, from where I am to where I wish to be.
When we want to reactivate our motivation we need to examine the following:
* What do I want?
* What do I wish for?
* What do I value?
* What do I need?
* What do I enjoy?
* What do I understand? and, especially,
* What do I love?
When we sit down and think about the answers to these questions, they become the basis for activating new insights and tasks and for reactivating those insights and tasks, which I have forgotten to pay proper attention to and have not developed properly.
Motivation keeps us determined and on course, otherwise it is so easy to be distracted by problems and laziness. What does motivation do? It moves us from one reality to another, from where I am to where I wish to be.
When we want to reactivate our motivation we need to examine the following:
* What do I want?
* What do I wish for?
* What do I value?
* What do I need?
* What do I enjoy?
* What do I understand? and, especially,
* What do I love?
When we sit down and think about the answers to these questions, they become the basis for activating new insights and tasks and for reactivating those insights and tasks, which I have forgotten to pay proper attention to and have not developed properly.
Anger Management And Prevention
There are some false ideas about anger that we have acquired, which we use to justify and nourish our anger:
1. Anger is a natural response to other people’s behaviour.
Fact:
You don’t realize the danger anger presents to your personal health and well-being. By maintaining this belief, you conveniently avoid the inner work of changing a deep negative habit.
Tip For Transformation (Change):
Meditation enables you to remain kind towards what and who you see, no matter what they appear to have done.
2. In order to be assertive (confidently aggressive or self-assured), I have to use anger as a weapon.
Fact:
Anger is the opposite of assertiveness. When you become angry, firstly you are killing yourself, and those with whom you become angry are only going to give back to you what they get or distance themselves from you completely.
Tip For Transformation:
To make a real and lasting peace with others we need to be anger-free, which can be achieved through meditation.
1. Anger is a natural response to other people’s behaviour.
Fact:
You don’t realize the danger anger presents to your personal health and well-being. By maintaining this belief, you conveniently avoid the inner work of changing a deep negative habit.
Tip For Transformation (Change):
Meditation enables you to remain kind towards what and who you see, no matter what they appear to have done.
2. In order to be assertive (confidently aggressive or self-assured), I have to use anger as a weapon.
Fact:
Anger is the opposite of assertiveness. When you become angry, firstly you are killing yourself, and those with whom you become angry are only going to give back to you what they get or distance themselves from you completely.
Tip For Transformation:
To make a real and lasting peace with others we need to be anger-free, which can be achieved through meditation.
Radiating Peace
The mistake many make in meditation is one of subtle pride (ego). It’s as if we say, “Look at me, I’ve got the best seat on the train. Look at me I made it to my peace. Didn’t I do well?” This of course is one of those old-fashioned self-centred thoughts. As soon as you create it you go against the very essence (nature) of your true self, your peace. To go with the essence (nature) of truth about peace is to realise your peace is not just for you, it is for the world. It is for giving, for radiating, for transmitting, for sharing.
It is a subtle recognition that your peace can only be sustained (nourished) and increased when you give it to those who are peaceless around you. When you realise this, you will also recognise how the vibration of your peacefulness radiates outwards. When you consciously release your peace to others and to the world, that’s when you will feel its power.
It is a subtle recognition that your peace can only be sustained (nourished) and increased when you give it to those who are peaceless around you. When you realise this, you will also recognise how the vibration of your peacefulness radiates outwards. When you consciously release your peace to others and to the world, that’s when you will feel its power.
Emotional Intelligence
Reading the emotions of others
The ability to pick up others emotions is something we can all do naturally. The fastest way to learn to be sensitive to and identify others emotional states is to learn to read our own. If we cannot inwardly read and identify our own emotions it will be impossible to do this for others.
The great danger of getting too close to others emotions is that we fall into them and create the same emotions ourselves. This is often seen as one of the pillars of friendship in an emotional relationship. But to fall into and create and experience the same emotions as another is not sympathy (mercy), and it doesn’t help them climb out of their disturbance. Hence the need to practice ‘detached involvement’, a process in which we stay sufficiently detached to be able to accurately read and understand the emotions of another while staying sufficiently involved with them so we may offer our help to them.
The ability to pick up others emotions is something we can all do naturally. The fastest way to learn to be sensitive to and identify others emotional states is to learn to read our own. If we cannot inwardly read and identify our own emotions it will be impossible to do this for others.
The great danger of getting too close to others emotions is that we fall into them and create the same emotions ourselves. This is often seen as one of the pillars of friendship in an emotional relationship. But to fall into and create and experience the same emotions as another is not sympathy (mercy), and it doesn’t help them climb out of their disturbance. Hence the need to practice ‘detached involvement’, a process in which we stay sufficiently detached to be able to accurately read and understand the emotions of another while staying sufficiently involved with them so we may offer our help to them.
Realizing Your Purpose
You are a source of the most powerful energy on the planet because you have a mind and an intellect, which has the capacity to create thoughts, ideas and actions. If however, there is no purpose (aim and objective) to your creativity, no focus or direction, your energy and your power will leak out in a variety of directions. You will be left with a drained feeling and the subtle guilt that you wasted precious time and energy. Just as a light bulb focuses and radiates the energy of electricity, so a clear purpose focuses and radiates the power of the self. Take time out to consider your purpose in life and then how you can translate that purpose into your day, everyday. You will see your purpose in your mind’s eye. One day it will occur to you, perhaps unexpectedly, perhaps in one single thought, or a clear single image of stunning clarity (accuracy), but you will know it with a certainty that needs no questioning.
Vision, Goals, Strategies And Action Plans
A vision is what you can see but not yet reach. The most powerful dimension of vision is not the long term dimension but actually the way you choose to see yourself in your work, circumstances, relationships, etc. Important changes start occurring by simply choosing to see things and people differently. That will have a huge influence on the decisions you make and the results. This is the power of vision.
Goals are aimed at achieving the vision. They should be achievable in a short span of time and represent what you can see and reach. Goals should be specific, measurable, actionable, relevant and time bound (SMART).
Clarification of goals then sets the agenda for the strategies (how) that are necessary to achieve those goals, to drive those goals forward. The strategies then need to be broken down into very specific action plans.
Goals are aimed at achieving the vision. They should be achievable in a short span of time and represent what you can see and reach. Goals should be specific, measurable, actionable, relevant and time bound (SMART).
Clarification of goals then sets the agenda for the strategies (how) that are necessary to achieve those goals, to drive those goals forward. The strategies then need to be broken down into very specific action plans.
Self Management
It is only in our relationships that we can truly know ourselves. We are a mirror for each other. What we give to others at the level of our thoughts, feelings and attitudes is what we give to ourselves, and will finally come back from others. Our relationships are the real workshop, classroom, learning laboratory of our life. Relationship is not simply getting along with others, it is about understanding, building, nourishing and caring. Every interaction carries a lesson. Take one relationship, look at it, explore it and ask yourself what does it tell you about yourself and your life so far. Let your relationships reveal you to yourself. As you do you will naturally learn what makes relationships work, or not work, as the case may be! And the more you get to know yourself in the mirror of your relationships the more easily you will be able to understand others.
Exercise: Who is one person who is close to you and one person who is not so close? Now reflect (think) on each relationship and write down what each of these people seems to bring out in you when you are with them. What part of your self would you want to see more developed in each of these relationships e.g. humour, patience, humility (egolessness) etc.? What will you do today to develop these aspects of your personality?
Exercise: Who is one person who is close to you and one person who is not so close? Now reflect (think) on each relationship and write down what each of these people seems to bring out in you when you are with them. What part of your self would you want to see more developed in each of these relationships e.g. humour, patience, humility (egolessness) etc.? What will you do today to develop these aspects of your personality?
Types Of Fears
Fear comes daily and often in our lives in the form of stress, worry, anxiety and in a variety of other wasteful and negative forms. Let us look at some of the types of fear human beings suffer from:
* The unknown – for example, death or a new situation.
* Loneliness – sometimes people fear loneliness to the extent that they cannot bear their own company, preferring to lose themselves in superficial (artificial) relationships and activities.
* The future – as the problems of the world increase, whether political, economic, environmental or social, this creates, or adds to, personal and collective fear of the future.
* Illness – sometimes because of fear of disease, people make their sickness worse than it is, or live in fear of inflicting (getting) something horrible.
* Other people – usually this is the greatest fear of all: fear of others’ anger, rejection, judgement and violence.
* Failure- some people avoid doing something, or choose not to act, because their fear of failure weakens initiative and confidence.
* Authority- this can be fear of a parent, of a boss, even of God. Because authority has often been misused, in order to control and suppress people, it is a normal result that fear, in the form of suspicion and mistrust, has become such a negative force, both personally and collectively, in society.
There are many reasons for these types of fear, but the main ones include:
* Past experiences-which brought disappointment, insecurity, or wariness (caution).
* Lack of faith-in one’s self and in others.
* The need for approval-to belong, or to be accepted.
* The habit of seeing things negatively
* The unknown – for example, death or a new situation.
* Loneliness – sometimes people fear loneliness to the extent that they cannot bear their own company, preferring to lose themselves in superficial (artificial) relationships and activities.
* The future – as the problems of the world increase, whether political, economic, environmental or social, this creates, or adds to, personal and collective fear of the future.
* Illness – sometimes because of fear of disease, people make their sickness worse than it is, or live in fear of inflicting (getting) something horrible.
* Other people – usually this is the greatest fear of all: fear of others’ anger, rejection, judgement and violence.
* Failure- some people avoid doing something, or choose not to act, because their fear of failure weakens initiative and confidence.
* Authority- this can be fear of a parent, of a boss, even of God. Because authority has often been misused, in order to control and suppress people, it is a normal result that fear, in the form of suspicion and mistrust, has become such a negative force, both personally and collectively, in society.
There are many reasons for these types of fear, but the main ones include:
* Past experiences-which brought disappointment, insecurity, or wariness (caution).
* Lack of faith-in one’s self and in others.
* The need for approval-to belong, or to be accepted.
* The habit of seeing things negatively
Breaking The Hold Of Routine
Recognize your routines. Check your entire week. What spaces or moments do you have in the entire week when you do not have a responsibility to work or family? What are the habits or hobbies that you indulge in those moments? What experiments can you do to see how you might change these habits and do something different in those moments?
Question the living patterns of your week. How much of your time is spent ordinarily because there is a lack of eagerness to do something different? Are you learning from each day? Does each day hold any moments of special importance, such as keeping a promise to yourself or to another?
Prioritize the things that fulfill you most. Do you have any unrealized hopes or promises? These may be simple things, like finding time to visit an old friend, reading a good book on positivity or spirituality, visiting a welfare organization or serving people in some other positive ways, meditation etc. Include them in the daily pattern.
Question the living patterns of your week. How much of your time is spent ordinarily because there is a lack of eagerness to do something different? Are you learning from each day? Does each day hold any moments of special importance, such as keeping a promise to yourself or to another?
Prioritize the things that fulfill you most. Do you have any unrealized hopes or promises? These may be simple things, like finding time to visit an old friend, reading a good book on positivity or spirituality, visiting a welfare organization or serving people in some other positive ways, meditation etc. Include them in the daily pattern.
Practical Application Of Spiritual Intelligence At Home Or At The Workplace (Office)
Spiritual intelligence is something everyone has but few learn to develop. While our academic education was focused around rational intelligence, some of us may have recently come across and perhaps been trained in emotional intelligence. Rational intelligence manages facts and information, using logic and analysis to make decisions, whereas emotional intelligence is necessary to understand and control ones emotions and feelings, while being sensitive to the feelings of others.
Spiritual intelligence, on the other hand is necessary:
* to develop a clear and stable sense of identity as an individual in the context of shifting workplace relationships.
* to be able to understand the real meaning of events and circumstances, and be able to make work meaningful.
* to find and utilize the deepest inner resources from which comes the capacity to care and the power to tolerate and adapt at home or at the workplace.
Spiritual intelligence, on the other hand is necessary:
* to develop a clear and stable sense of identity as an individual in the context of shifting workplace relationships.
* to be able to understand the real meaning of events and circumstances, and be able to make work meaningful.
* to find and utilize the deepest inner resources from which comes the capacity to care and the power to tolerate and adapt at home or at the workplace.
Live with passion!
1 A real decision is measured by the fact that you’ve taken a new action. If there’s no action, you haven’t truly decided.
2 Beliefs have the power to create and the power to destroy. Human beings have the awesome ability to take any experience of their lives and create a meaning that disempowers them or one that can literally save their lives.
3 For changes to be of any true value, they’ve got to be lasting and consistent.
4 How am I going to live today in order to create the tomorrow I’m committed to?
5 I challenge you to make your life a masterpiece. I challenge you to join the ranks of those people who live what they teach, who walk their talk.
6 I’ve come to believe that all my past failure and frustration were actually laying the foundation for the understandings that have created the new level of living I now enjoy.
7 If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten.
8 If you want to be successful, find someone who has achieved the results you want and copy what they do and you’ll achieve the same results.
9 In essence, if we want to direct our lives, we must take control of our consistent actions. It’s not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives, but what we do consistently.
10 In life you need either inspiration or desperation.
11 It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.
12 It is not what we get. But who we become, what we contribute…
13 It not knowing what to do, it’s doing what you know.
14 It’s not the events of our lives that shape us, but our beliefs as to what those events mean.
15 Life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back by becoming more.
16 Live with passion!
17 Most people have no idea of the giant capacity we can immediately command when we focus all of our resources on mastering a single area of our lives.
18 My definition of success is to live your life in a way that causes you to feel a ton of pleasure and very little pain – and because of your lifestyle, have the people around you feel a lot more pleasure than they do pain.
19 Once you have mastered time, you will understand how true it is that most people overestimate what they can accomplish in a year – and underestimate what they can achieve in a decade!
20 One reason so few of us achieve what we truly want is that we never direct our focus; we never concentrate our power. Most people dabble their way through life, never deciding to master anything in particular.
21 Only those who have learned the power of sincere and selfless contribution experience life’s deepest joy: true fulfillment.
22 Passion is the genesis of genius.
23 People are not lazy. They simply have impotent goals – that is, goals that do not inspire them.
24 Remember, a real decision is measured by the fact that you’ve taken new action. If there’s no action, you haven’t truly decided.
25 Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.
26 Stay committed to your decisions, but stay flexible in your approach.
27 Success comes from taking the initiative and following up… persisting… eloquently expressing the depth of your love. What simple action could you take today to produce a new momentum toward success in your life?
28 Successful people ask better questions, and as a result, they get better answers.
30 Surmounting difficulty is the crucible that forms character.
31 Take control of your consistent emotions and begin to consciously and deliberately reshape your daily experience of life.
32 The higher your energy level, the more efficient your body The more efficient your body, the better you feel and the more you will use your talent to produce outstanding results.
33 The meeting of preparation with opportunity generates the offspring we call luck.
34 The only limit to your impact is your imagination and commitment.
35 The path to success is to take massive, determined action.
36 The secret of success is learning how to use pain and pleasure instead of having pain and pleasure use you. If you do that, you’re in control of your life. If you don’t, life controls you.
37 The truth is that we can learn to condition our minds, bodies, and emotions to link pain or pleasure to whatever we choose. By changing what we link pain and pleasure to, we will instantly change our behaviors.
40 The way we communicate with others and with ourselves ultimately determines the quality of our lives.
41 There is no such thing as failure. There are only results.
42 There’s always a way – if you’re committed.
43 There’s no abiding success without commitment.
44 Using the power of decision gives you the capacity to get past any excuse to change any and every part of your life in an instant.
45 We are the only beings on the planet who lead such rich internal lives that it’s not the events that matter most to us, but rather, it’s how we interpret those events that will determine how we think about ourselves and how we will act in the future.
46 We aren’t in an information age, we are in an entertainment age.
47 We can change our lives. We can do, have, and be exactly what we wish.
48 We will act consistently with our view of who we truly are, whether that view is accurate or not.
49 What we can or cannot do, what we consider possible or impossible, is rarely a function of our true capability. It is more likely a function of our beliefs about who we are.
50 Whatever happens, take responsibility.
51 When people are like each other they tend to like each other.
52 You always succeed in producing a result.
53 You see, in life, lots of people know what to do, but few people actually do what they know. Knowing is not enough! You must take action.
54 You see, it’s never the environment; it’s never the events of our lives, but the meaning we attach to the events – how we interpret them – that shapes who we are today and who we’ll become tomorrow.
-Tony Robbins
A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.
1 Before you put on a frown, make absolutely sure there are no smiles available.
2 Happiness is a journey, not a destination; happiness is to be found along the way not at the end of the road, for then the journey is over and it’s too late. The time for happiness is today not tomorrow.
3 Stress is not what happens to us. It’s our response to what happens. And response is something we can choose.
4 A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.
5 I challenge you to make your life a masterpiece. I challenge you to join the ranks of those people who live what they teach, who walk their talk.
2 Happiness is a journey, not a destination; happiness is to be found along the way not at the end of the road, for then the journey is over and it’s too late. The time for happiness is today not tomorrow.
3 Stress is not what happens to us. It’s our response to what happens. And response is something we can choose.
4 A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.
5 I challenge you to make your life a masterpiece. I challenge you to join the ranks of those people who live what they teach, who walk their talk.
Expressions are forceful.. You cannot hold them…
A white rose with its elegant presence, delicate petals and a pleasing colour reminds you …..
….. that the world around is still so wonderful,
….. that the people are so divine,
and you realise the importance of all the relationships you have in this beautiful world !!!
A yellow rose presenting a sweet image and holding in itself an eye absorbing color imbibes in you …..
….. a sense of belonging,
….. a spirit of joy and security,
that you wish you could take along the whole world with you !!!
A pink rose which is as fascinating in itself forces you to loose hold of yourself to believe …….
….. that you have a fortune,
….. that a fragrant ambience is everlasting,
and you imagine how kind the nature is to you !!!
A red rose with its distinct look and a whole lot of red smily petals do not stop you from realising ………
….. the completeness in yourself,
….. the sense of bliss with mother nature,
and you start to crave for similar kinds of relationships …..
Relationships which are as cute and demanding ;
Relationships which are as caring and understanding ;
Relationships which are as worthy as to crave for ….!!
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