Anger Management

We normally experience pain or suffering in response to others' anger filled
behaviour. Given below is a range of responses, the most common response to
the least common response, the shallowest (depthless) to the deepest, check
where you lie on the spectrum:

*Avenging (Wanting to take revenge):* where you want to bring upon the other
the pain you have felt yourself, for which you feel the other person is
responsible.
*
Punishing:* where you wish to take the law into your own hands, even if only
at a mental level.
*
Reforming:* where you wish to change another's personality and behaviour.
*
Forgiving:* where you want to do what you have probably been taught to
believe is the right thing to do.
*
Forgetting:* where you want to drop the past at all levels and get on with
your life.
*
Karming:* where you recognize and take responsibility for all your hurt
because you understand that you always receive the return today of your
actions yesterday (Law of karma).
*
Enlightening:* where you realize that you were never hurt in the first
place.

The Principle Of Focus and Flow

If we look at the sun and the earth, we appreciate a basic and fundamental
law of life, which we as human beings can learn from, that is of great help
in the right movement of life. By means of light, the sun gives life to the
earth; in addition, the sun is fixed in its position (a symbol of “focus”)
to enable the earth (a symbol of “flow”) and all the other planets of our
solar system to continue in their rhythmic, harmonious orbit. Otherwise,
there would be chaos, upheaval and great damage. The earth on the other
hand, constantly moves in repetitive cycles around the sun. This movement
allows for changes and expression on the earth, which have a beginning,
middle and end. In other words, the phenomenon of time is created as a
direct result of the earth's balanced and harmonious cyclic movements.  Both
the fixed position of the sun and the movement of the earth are necessary
for life. The earth has all the potential for life but, without light from a
fixed source, there would be no life.  In the same way, the sun has the
power to give life, but if the moving earth did not hold the potential, even
with light, there would be no sustenance of life.
With reference to the sun and the earth (explained yesterday) - in certain
situations and moments we need *focus *(like the sun), that is, a
concentration of *thought, will power and understanding*.  These three need
to be together in one focused point if we are to reach depth and
newness.  However,
if we become over-focused, then rigidity and pressure gradually set in. This
subsequently leads to an imbalance that makes us lose our creativity and
openness to new vision. Once we have learnt to focus, then it will require
less effort and, eventually, the *flow* (like the earth) will become
natural.

In *focus*, we find *vision, inspiration and understanding*, and in the *
flow*, we find *expression, experimentation and experience*.

It is important not to over-flow, otherwise we get lost in a flood of
over-thinking, over-speaking and over-doing. In such a state, there is no
direction to guide the expression and things become unclear and delicate. At
such a point, we need to recognize that it is time for focus again.

According to necessity, a human being needs to move between focus and flow
and it is only through the ability to discriminate, that we can know when
and how to do this. Everything has its time. We are eternal beings working
in time, so we need to know the balance between *focus *- where we find
truth and purpose - and the *flow* of time - where we find expression and
experience.

Soul Maintenance

In order to take care of the physical body, we give importance to diet , exercise and to proper rest or sleep. 

In order to take care of the non-physical self or soul, we need to make
sure that we feed our intellect with positive thoughts. Attention needs to
be kept on the diet of the intellect. If we keep feeding it with positive
thoughts, then automatically it will make us free from any heaviness and we
will feel the lightness of our own mind.


The regular practice of meditation for 5-10 minutes every morning is the  exercise for the soul. Meditation will help us master our sense organs,think more peacefully and powerfully, maintain our focus of inner attention
and therefore remain undisturbed by external events (at the workplace or at home).

The third important thing is to give enough rest to the soul. We sleep to energize the body. We need to give rest to the soul in the form of silence in the mind. Refuse to do anything in this one minute. Just one minute of silence and calmness every hour gives rest to our mind and will empower (strengthen) us for the rest of the hour. So we are able to do our work more efficiently and effectively.

Transforming (Changing) My Thought Patterns

Why is it that we can't change the pattern of our thoughts so easily?
Imagine a bird being so comfortable in its nest that, though perhaps
sometimes it stands on the branch of the tree to inflate its chest and
adjust its feathers, it never wants to fly and does not even realize it
could fly. It never knows the blissful freedom of flight, never feels the
wind through its wings.  It thinks the other birds that are flying around
are unwise or foolish.  In much the same way, we never really leave our
nests of old thought patterns. Our habitual thoughts become our comfort zone
and each repetitive thought pattern is like a twig in the nest, which makes
the nest stronger and our stay in the nest seemingly comfortable and
permanent.  We never experience our true spiritual freedom or flight or feel
the breeze of our inner beautiful nature.  Even the thought, "I am a soul"
has to be realized eventually, so that we can actually experience its
deepest truth.

In the world of spirituality, thoughts are like the map, but they are not
the territory nor the reality of the experience.  *Thinking "I am a peaceful
soul" or “I am a loveful soul” or “I am powerful soul” is not being
soul-conscious, it is only theory or knowledge, but it is definitely an
essential start.*  Maps are important and necessary, until we know the way
home to *experience*.* Reaching this final destination of experience makes
it easier for us and empowers us to transform or change our old thought
patterns.*

‘Negative Control’ And ‘Positive Influence’

*The power of influence in relationships is extraordinary, but it
practically disappears when we try to exercise control and force. *

You can influence anyone positively in many ways:

   - *encouraging,*
   - *sharing,*
   - *listening, *
   - *communicating in the right way.  *

 In *‘negative control’* we generate stress, frustration and anger. In
*‘positive
influence’ *the energy flows in a relaxed way with harmony and is not
threatening, respecting each one for their specialty and allowing each one
to be as they are.

In order to influence positively we need the power of discrimination and
judgement in relation to what to say and what to do e.g. when you believe
that the other person is the problem; generally the problem is not what
others say or do, but rather how you perceive them. The way that you judge
is what creates your negative feelings about them.
*We have the choice to perceive others as a threat, as a problem, or as an
opportunity*; an opportunity for learning, for change, for dialogue and
understanding. We can choose to have compassion (kindness); to feel that the
other is a problem indicates a lack of compassion.

Concentration

With some meditation techniques, people are given ideas or mantras, which
they often simply repeat. They do not penetrate the mind and do not bring
any sense of meaning. People bounce these ideas around like a ball in their
mind and, from the mind, the ball of thought is bounced to the mouth. Sound
patterns are repeated, but nothing has really been understood. The result of
this is that there is very little power generated from within to bring about
change in behaviour, or personality. Thus, everything continues in the same
way. In these cases, people are not focused on spirituality. As a result,
after a while, such people find meditation boring, they fall asleep, or
think that by repeating words, either verbally or mentally, they are doing
meditation. However, the right type of concentration is not brought about
simply by repeating sounds or ideas.

*Natural concentration is when the mind can hold a thought for a long time,
when thoughts are under our own control.*

Without concentration the mind goes here, there and everywhere, jumping like
a monkey from branch to branch, idea to idea. When there is a natural
concentration, we can control our mind and there is peace. This one-pointed
concentration on a thought, holding it for as long as we like, gradually
collects strength in the mind and in the self.

A strong mind is a mind that is peaceful, stable, satisfied and can remain
in the deeper meaning of a thought. There is no waste caused by
over-thinking, or the high speed of thought. These are the two greatest
diseases of the mind these days, which is why there is so much stress and
mental breakdown.

False Attachments

Are you aware that whenever you lose your true self-awareness
(soul-consciousness), you will identify with and get attached to something
that is not you?   It could be another person, your work, or some material
possession.   Let's say you are attached to your job and one day, due to
rising costs, your company decides to downsize and starts laying off
thousands of its employees - all of a sudden you are asked to leave.  The
attachment to and identification with your position in the company, which
has become a habit (“sanskara”), causes the creation of *fearful and angry
thoughts* (e.g., "I'm going to lose my job" (fear related to the future) or
"How dare they downsize the company and damage my position (anger towards
the company and its leadership)).  *The destructive energy of these thoughts
* *becomes emotion (energy in motion) which then invades your entire mind so
you cannot have clear and calm thoughts *(the prime requirement of that
moment).   *It hijacks your intellect so you cannot make correct, wise
decisions and choices *(also the prime requirement of that moment) for the
future.  Any connection you had with your inner peace is broken.   All this
happens because you forgot who you really are and had begun to think you are
what you do.   When seen from the point of view of this example it sounds
ridiculous that we should identify with what we do or what we have, but this
is currently how the world and its people work.  So, never forget who you
truly are!

Motivation

*For a process to happen effectively, I need to prioritise, that is, to make
the best use of my time, energy and resources.*

To prioritise, I also need to recognise and refuse clever excuses (for
example, 'there is no time') and create a timetable that is realistic and
functional. As I prioritise my values, then the type of motivation I have
becomes clearer. Is my motivation materialistic or spiritual? The results of
one and the other are very different.

Materialistic motivation is based on ambition, competition and a desire for
position. Often we believe we cannot succeed without these and so think and
act on the basis of these values. Often the results include conflict, fear,
attachment, jealousy, possessiveness and over-identification of the self
with a role, a position, which makes us feel threatened by anyone who is
more talented or more praised. For example, when motivation is
materialistic, there is always the fear of loss of something that, in turn,
creates uneasiness, stress and worry.

Spiritual motivation is based on enthusiasm for a task, rather than blind
ambition, co-operation with the uniqueness of others, rather than being in
competition with those differences. Finally, the feeling to serve through
whatever talent, position, or role I have.
* The results of spiritual motivation are respect, harmony, individual and
collective well-being, a sense of purpose and the feeling of a deep
fulfillment in one's being.*

Radiating Love To The Universe

I sit in a comfortable position… I relax my body…I breathe deeply and let go
of tensions…

I centre myself in the present moment… I concentrate my mind… I enter into
the space of inner silence… The thoughts diminish and my mind relaxes fully…
Now experience the following thoughts:

I am a non-physical being of light, full of love, centered on the forehead…
I am a river flowing with love… my source is the Supreme Ocean Of Love, God;
whose child I am… I experience myself sitting under his canopy of the light
of love…

I love each part of my physical body which is my vehicle. I relax it… I love
each thought that I create, it is my creation… I generate gentle thoughts,
tender, relaxing… I feel the energy of love that radiates from within me
towards the universe… I, the soul give off love towards what surrounds me…

I give off love towards other souls… I look at everyone with the
consciousness that each one, whatever their temporary nature may be, their
innate nature is love… I give my spiritual assistance, my good wishes to
them, so that they return back to their original, basic nature, which is
love…

I give off love towards each molecule of the five elements of nature –
earth, wind, water, fire and sky and the planet as a whole. I am love… I
channel this love towards everything I think, feel, do and transmit…
By performing the above meditation and sharing my unlimited treasure of
love, I assist the Supreme Father, through my thoughts, in his task of
creating a world full of love, where all souls and nature co-exist in a
loveful and peaceful manner...

Accessing Spiritual Power

*At the core of the soul there is pure, spiritual power of peace, love,
truth and non-dependent happiness.  This power provides us with the inner
strength needed to change. * *But how do we access this power? Meditation is
the method* – it allows this power to come to the surface of our
consciousness and into our minds to color our thoughts, feelings and
personality.   In much the same way as hot, molten lava flows from the core
of the Earth to the surface through a volcano, we can create volcanoes of
spiritual power when we meditate.  Note, though, that we want to use our
power in a positive way: we are not seeking the kind of power that is
physical in nature and may cause damage, we are seeking spiritual power.

When we get access to our own personal source of the power of peace, love
and happiness, we essentially become free of any dependency on external
sources for feelings of the same.  When we generate our own feelings of love
and self-respect, we stop being dependent on others and our addiction to
their acceptance and approval reduces and finally disappears.  When we
generate our own feelings of contentment and joy within ourselves, we become
free from the need for substances, places or physical experiences in order
to be happy.
*
Using this inner power in the right way allows us to uproot or remove
completely the old negative habits within our personality.* Any unwanted
habit can be changed and the scars of all the negative habits, which have
developed within the soul over a long period of time, during the journey of
birth and rebirth, can be healed in a short time span.

Self Empowerment

Meditation, in practice, means to enter, and re-enter, the reservoir of
peace inside us whenever we need to during the course of the day. This
exercise increases self-control and prevents the explosions and reactions of
anger that drain our strength. The easy method is *not to expect but to
accept*: then tolerance and respect make our life far more comfortable.

There may be many shadows and pollutants inside us, but usually our pain is
centered around these: 'I own', 'I need', 'I want', 'mine' and 'I expect'.
If we learn to recognize the characteristics of such a consciousness, we are
in a position to overcome difficult situations and thoughts before they
overwhelm us. We simply have to remain awake, and that state of alertness
stops these shadows from overpowering us and making us unconscious.

Our needs and wants are truly fulfilled in a healthy way by tuning in to the
original resources of the soul, because their fulfillment is not dependent
on anyone, or anything from outside. When we sustain ourselves from the
inside, then our well-being is secure and progressive. As a result, when we
express and show our original qualities of the self to others, whether it is
peace, happiness or love, they naturally increase inside. The more we give
unconditionally, the more we have. This miracle of 'quality being' is the
result of natural purity, the original state of selflessness, which God
always has and good meditators aspire to return to.

Anger Management And Prevention

Before you begin the journey of becoming completely anger free, it will help
to take a moment to think about your current awareness of anger and themes
like peace and forgiveness, which are, related to it:

1. What is anger for you?

2. How would you describe the most common form of anger that you experience
within yourself?

3. What sets off your anger most?

4. Is anger of any use and if so how could you use it?

5. What does peace mean to you?

6. When are you most peaceful?

7. How do you think you can create peace in your life?

8. Why do you think the experiencing inner peace is so difficult for many
people?

9. What is forgiveness?

10. Why do you think it is so difficult to forgive?

Where Do Our Thoughts Arise From

A large percentage of your thoughts are determined by what you perceive
through your senses. Everything you see, listen to*, *smell or feel causes
some reaction or other in your mind. See how your senses are connected to
your mind. Any negative thing that they pick up or produce will disturb the
mechanisms of your mind. If you want to have spiritual peace, then use your
eyes, ears and mouth with caution.

 Other thoughts arise from the impressions that have been recorded in your
subconscious (identity, personality and/or character), and they may be
positive or negative. The negative ones are often due to deep marks and/or
habits caused by past events or experiences, and also everything that is
deeply established and settled in your inner self (belief system).

The sight and hearing senses are those used most in human beings, with as
much as 80 per cent of the information we receive being processed through
these two senses. We should always be on the alert to ensure that nothing
negative enters these two doors that might contaminate our mind. We need a
guardian to ensure that does not happen. This guardian is our intellect, the
part of our conscience that contains the wisdom (knowledge) and capacity to
discriminate between right and wrong, beneficial and harmful, truth and
falsehood.

Observing the mind, we can be aware of the thought patterns that originate
in our subconscious. It is important to understand that "you" are separate
from "your" thoughts. You are not your thoughts, but your thoughts are
created by you.
With regular practice of meditation you will be able to choose at any time
which thoughts you are going to focus your attention on and which ones you
wish to disregard.

Curing Depression Through Meditation

We all at times experience symptoms like feeling tensed, nervous, restless,
frightened, having difficulty to go to sleep, forgetting important
information, palpitation (fast beating of the heart), undue sweating in
hands etc. The practice of Rajyoga meditation alone can be of tremendous
help in overcoming these minor psychological (related to the mind) problems
known as “neurotic illness”.

In the case of patients suffering from neurotic diseases such as anxiety,
insomnia (inability to obtain sufficient sleep), insecurities, phobias
(fears), neurotic depression, obsessive compulsive disorders, addictions,
etc. routine systematic Rajyoga meditation practice proves useful when
combined with conventional medicines and psychotherapy (the medical
treatment of mental disorders). First of all write down all specific
symptoms, which you experience. Also do some self-analysis and try to
pinpoint the cause of your diseases. While meditating, use the subtle rays
of light and might received from the Supreme Being to remove suppressed
dissatisfaction with self and others. At the end of the meditation practice,
during the last few minutes generate positive thoughts to relieve the
specific neurotic symptoms.
Someone suffering from depression should experience some relief by picturing
(visualizing) the following meditation commentary on the screen of his/her
mind for 15 minutes every morning and evening:

I am a soul, a tiny star, sitting on my throne between the eyebrows........

I picture my destination, a land of soft golden-red light, beyond the sun,
moon and stars........

On the wings of thought I fly there........

Now I am in front of the Father of the soul, a star-like energy like myself
but an Ocean of Bliss (Joy)........

Strong currents of spiritual bliss (joy) are radiating from this Supreme
Point of Light in all directions........

Like a sponge, I soak up this light of bliss within me........

I am overflowing with happiness and super sensuous joy (joy which is not
experienced from the sense organs but through the connection with the
Supreme Soul)........

Now, in a deep meditative state, repeat silently the following positive
affirmations (thoughts):

I can be free of depression, right now........

I am the master of my mind, my thoughts, my intellect........

My thoughts create my feelings........

I free my mind from all worries, fears and memories of the past.........

I think only positive thoughts about myself.........

I feel very confident, energetic and enthusiastic........

I am very strong and can be a winner in every field of life........

By understanding this meditation I have understood the true purpose and
worth of life and am getting more and more interested in it........
I shall now take interest in the activities of day-to-day life........

Do Love And Suffering Go Hand-In-Hand?

There are two things that touch or move us in life: "pain" and
"pleasure". Both create addiction. We feel pain in the body, and sometimes it is even
emotional. But suffering arises in the mind. The suffering in the mind
arises from thinking negatively towards the self, towards others, looking at
them with a vision or attitude that causes grief, sorrow and suffering. Both
extremes, pain and pleasure, can create addiction. On creating addiction it
can start to form part of someone's identity. Later if one tries to stop the
addiction of pain or suffering, it can almost feel like a threat towards the
self, and towards one's own identity as one perceives it, because suffering
is identified with. It is too hard to see oneself as no longer suffering.

An e.g. in this regard is that of a mother, with three children, who was
undergoing a meditation course at one of the Brahma Kumaris centers. Her
daughter had learned to meditate and became very happy and joyful. Seeing
her happiness the mother came to learn to meditate. With a few sessions she
felt much more at peace and had very good experiences, but all of a sudden
she decided to stop the meditation practice and leave the course because she
was starting experiencing a positive detachment, which she perceived as
negative. Now, she "was" "no longer feeling afraid of what might happen to
her children. "The meditation was awakening in her a "love free from fears",
but it brought on in her an inner clash of beliefs between the old and new
beliefs. Her old belief was "that to love someone is to suffer about them or
create pain related to them"
*We have* *the inner belief that love, worry, fear and suffering go together
*. It is difficult to transform (change) fear until we eliminate that
belief. You are love and you need to share that love. Life is a sharing of
love, it is loving the body, loving oneself, loving others, loving God,
loving nature, loving work. That energy of love in the end purifies us and
helps us to go forward. *But while the belief exists that love has to be
linked to fear and suffering, we will be blocked and will put a brake to the
flow of pure love.* In the name of love, we worry, we suffer and we are
afraid. Instead of helping from a place of freedom in love, we help out of
worry and fear, and in doing so we stifle, control, depend, and the other
person feels their inner freedom restricted. We do not let them be.

If we review our personal life and see the moments when we have experienced
most pain in our lives, we realize that *it is with the people we have most
loved, and that have most loved us that we have suffered most. *We
experience pain in a relationship of love, where there is *possession,
control, submission and dependence*. Other times the pain is caused by a
loss that generates an inner emptiness. That person filled me, they gave me
wholeness, they were the reason for my existence and now they have either
left me or they have gone. In the second case, we wouldn't say that they
"have died", but rather that they have gone to another level of existence
i.e.  the soul has taken a new physical costume. *When there is too much pain we cannot lean back into our true power and
experience our energy of love. Only the power of pure love, unconditional
love or love of God, can help us to get rid of the suppressed pain inside
the subconscious.* When you live through a situation that causes pain in
you, you have to love yourself, stabilize yourself and enter into silence.
Observe that pain without being afraid of it. Observe it to let go of it and
understand what it is that it brings about in you.

 The answer, generally, is connected with others: "He/she doesn't love me
anymore and that's why I feel pain", "Things are not like they were before",
"The company of this loved one doesn't give me the benefits it was giving me
before".

If a person loved you and now has stopped loving you, does that make you
feel pain? Or is it your own expectation and your desire for that person to
keep on valuing you or loving you like before that trap you in pain? Is it
that you don't accept change? The truth is, we bring on suffering ourselves.
If you don't want to make yourself suffer, starting from now you do not have
to bear any more suffering. *Nobody can wound you or can cause you pain,
except if you allow it.* So how do you allow it? By being a vacuum that
sucks in everything of the other, the good and the bad, and you suffer. It
is expectations from our loved one that make us vulnerable to the experience
of suffering. .

The Five Powers of a Focused Mind

The  "power of perception (understanding)"   allows us to see into things
and truly understand them, with neither complication nor confusion.

The "power of mindfulness", by which we absorb ourselves into any action or
thought without interference or complication, further energizes us by
allowing the power of our mind to become concentrated, freeing us from
frustration, stress and anger.

The "power of injection" can permit us to energize others with our own
positivity. As we help them to feel positive, good energy bounces back
towards us to maintain the positive cycle.

The "power of choice" requires us to differentiate right from wrong, good
from bad. Having done so, we can select our choice, and at every moment
choose to be positive.
The "power of inner energy" can guide us into new things, encourage us to
change where we feel uncomfortable with ourselves and help us to enjoy life
completely.

Traffic Control

During the day we can stop for some moments to reflect (think) and remember
to be peaceful and silent. This act of stopping is like putting a brake on
the mind.

I observe in what direction my thoughts, words and actions are going and
then, if necessary, redirect them (change their direction) or keep moving in
the same direction with more clarity (clearness) and focus.



 This practice of remembrance is called *'traffic control'*. It is a means to
refresh, recharge and reorient. When we forget to stop, the traffic of the
mind becomes heavy and the driving tense, tiring, stressful and irritating
and our mind and nerves seem ready to explode! To prevent all explosions and
emotional eruptions, which ultimately destroy or damage our effectiveness,
we need to stop. This is one practical use of remembrance.

Being An Observer And An Actor – Maintaining The Balance

In relation to the other, we have the possibility of observing and
intervening (interfering) when we wish to; that is, maintaining the balance
between being an observer and acting; playing between forming part of the
audience and being the actor. On being actors, sometimes we can lose
ourselves in the acting of the other in his or her or their dramas; we get
in so deep with what is happening to the other that we lose distance. We get
mentally and emotionally involved in the other's stories. When our awareness
gets lost in those stories, we stop being the creators of our own life and
of our own story. This habit exhausts us; we lose energy; we lose our
concentration and control over our thoughts and our emotions. We lose our
inner peace and we begin to look for it again.

We can choose to observe the dance of ideas, images and acts of others, and
not get involved in their complications. Only thus will we be at peace with
ourselves and with the world. Remember that you create your own story. If
you want to live in peace and exercise a positive influence on the people
around you, don't try to control or to change the stories of others.
In order to enjoy a painting you do not poke your nose onto it; you remain
at a certain distance so you see it with greater clarity. The same thing
occurs with the painting of life. By learning the art of being a detached
observer and then intervening, of keeping a healthy distance, we manage to
be connected with what is essential without losing ourselves in the waste
and superfluous (excessive). That way, our intervention does not arise out
of a reaction which has shades of frustration, anger and negative
judgements. We are then the creators of spaces of trust and love in
relationships.

Taming (Conquering) The Mind

In ancient times, the mind was understood to be extremely difficult to
control. It was said to be like the wind: you could never catch it, or hold
it - it went where it wished and no human being could become its master. In
other instances, it was said that the mind was like an elephant: extremely
powerful but equally gentle and patient, able to do a lot of work for its
master. However, when an elephant turns wild, its gentleness and patience
completely disappear and it destroys and damages everything in its path.
When the mind is under stress, it resembles a wild elephant; it has no
control and cannot be controlled.

Taming the mind is regarded as a great art requiring time, attention,
practice and, above all, a sincerity of heart where individuals truly want
to change their way of thinking. To relax, to be positive, to be peaceful
and kind all require a change in our thought patterns and this can only
happen when we look deeply within. However hard they try, other people
cannot change us; we must have personal realization and the desire to make
changes through our own effort. Permanent and positive change cannot be
imposed from outside; it is something that we choose.

Meditation To Experience My Inner Beauty

Experience the following thoughts one after the other:
I sit in a relaxed position, I am comfortable…

I let my body relax, keeping my back straight, my legs supported comfortably
on the floor, I breathe deeply...

Now I begin to carefully observe my mind…

What kinds of thoughts arise in my mind? Are they positive, negative? How
are they moving? Slow, fast...

I carefully observe my mind and remember that I can choose my thoughts…

Consciously, I begin to redirect my thoughts...

I create positive thoughts about myself...

I think about my good qualities, I identify a specific quality that is
special to me and which I feel makes me a unique being…

Perhaps the quality is being tolerant, sweet, patient or affectionate…

I create a space in my inner self to discover my best quality, and for a few
moments I think about it…

In my mind I see the beauty of this quality and observe how I feel...

I am sweet, I am kind, and as I experience these special qualities, I begin
to feel better about myself…

Now I imagine using this quality in my interactions with others. How do I
feel when I express and put this quality into practice?

Using a quality makes me grow, at the same time the good feelings I have
about myself as a unique human being also makes me grow…

I enjoy these feelings for a few moments and little by little, breathing
deeply, I am aware that I am here; I express my inner beauty…

God As The Supreme Companion

Meditation is not only something experienced when all is quiet and I am
sitting alone, free from my cares and responsibilities, it is a practical
stage as well. *The best way to experience meditation whilst performing
action is to have a relationship with the Supreme Being or God as a Supreme
Companion.* He is the true companion of the soul, the one who is absolutely
dependable and who never lets you down. Unlike human souls, He is not
limited by distance and time; He can be with you at any time or at any
place. With the Supreme’s company I feel I can face anything on the field of
action. I am not alone. *He is behind me giving me inspiration, in front of
me giving me guidance and beside me giving friendship. *God's role is my
role also. The vision that he has of the world and other souls i.e. creating
a world which is full of His qualities, is the vision that I have. In His
company I am flying, as He protects me from sorrow. I experience complete
detachment. My companion is the ultimate authority. Knowing and having Him
as a friend, I know and have everything. Nothing negative or no negative
behavior of anyone else interests or attracts me or brings me down.

*Meditation** - Gradually experience the following words in your mind:
*I am a soul... acting on this world stage... a companion of God… I am with
my highest and truest companion... the sweet Supreme Being, my Father... who
is ever constant... walking… talking... sitting... standing... working with
me. He is my companion helping me... showing me the way... I am with the
Supreme Authority... Every action is filled with his power... His company
colours me with his qualities...I see others as He sees them... with such
kindness and mercy… I also, just like him, can accommodate all souls in my
heart... I begin to feel so much pure love for others... I radiate His
virtues... His sweetness... I am His instrument to bring about world
transformation (change).

Your Identity is Your Destiny

There is a direct connection between identity and destiny. It's a simple
process to see and understand, even on a daily basis. If you wake up
irritated (in a bad mood) it means you are seeing yourself as an irritated
being (soul). Perhaps you even think and sometimes say to your self, “I’m
irritated today.”

It means your self-identity is negative. So you filter the world through
your negative filter and the world actually looks like an irritable place.
As a result, you think negative thoughts, generate a negative attitude and
give negative energy to others. They in turn will likely return the same
negative energy, which you are sending to them and perhaps avoid you
altogether. So your destiny of the day becomes …. Not so positive! Now see
the same principle and process in life on larger scale. Look around outside
you now, and you will see a reflection of how you see your self inside. Your
circumstances, your relationships and even the events of the day reflect
back to you how you see yourself.

Saying Goodbye To Anger

 *'I expect' is the great illusion, which converts itself into demanding
rights without due respect for others. *

Anger in all its forms is a direct result of an expectation not being
fulfilled and brings cries (although sometimes silent ones) of 'They should
have done this', 'Why did this happen?' or 'Don't you know better?'
Disappointment, accusations and demands are violent energies, which we throw
around very naturally and easily in our daily life when our expectations are
not fulfilled. They are like a burning fire that eats away at our original
spiritual qualities, turning them to a dust that pollutes the self and
others.

Instead, let us continue to practise returning our thoughts to the self and
remembering our original source of peace. In that experience of deep,
natural peace, we will find balance and clarity and the ability to tolerate
and adjust to the unexpected.

One of the keys of meditation practice is to quickly gather our thought
energy and take it inside to connect to our original qualities, no matter
what may be happening outside, or even inside!
*
Let me disconnect from the external and plug in to the internal energies
that support me and then I will be able to say goodbye to anger very easily.
*
**
**

Thoughts As Energy

Just as the physical atmosphere is the result of climatic conditions and air
quality, there is a subtle (non-physical) atmosphere which cannot be seen,
heard or measured but can be experienced and influenced by the mind and
analyzed by the intellect. It is variously described as the "prevailing
mood", the "vibration" and so on. What is the cause of this non-physical
atmosphere, these "vibrations?"
Thought has been proven to be a powerful yet non-physical "energy", which
can influence other souls and matter. Thoughts, emotions, desires and moods
generate a "field" around the soul, (just like an electric field), which can
be called positive, negative or neutral, depending on the quality of its
effect on other souls and on matter. When a large number of souls are all
experiencing positive thoughts, feelings and emotions, then the atmosphere
becomes "charged" with positivity. When they are experiencing negative
emotions, the opposite happens.

*Consciousness*

There are two different basic levels of consciousness; "I am a body" (which
is illusory (false)) or “I am a soul," (which is real). When the feeling is
"I am a body," the thought process is trapped in the limitations, problems
and vision of the physical identity. Its reaction to others is on the same
level.

Given below is an awareness-thought-decision-action-result cycle in the case
of a typical father-son relationship. You will notice the difference
consciousness can make to the cycle.
Awareness*
Body Consciousness:* I am the father. I know the most.*
Soul Consciousness:* I am a soul. My natural state is love and peace.
Thought*
Body Consciousness:* My son should listen to me as he is my own flesh and
blood. *
Soul Consciousness:* My son is a soul too. As a soul he is my brother.

*Decision*
*Body Consciousness:* I will teach him a lesson.
*Soul Consciousness:* I will respect his idea also.

*
*

*Action*
*Body Consciousness:* Father argues with son.
*Soul Consciousness:* Father and son discuss with respect.
*
Result*
*Body Consciousness:* Ill feeling between father and son.
*Soul Consciousness:* Respect maintained.

The Rules of Attraction

If we are alert to opportunities that will satisfy our most serious vision
(ambition) in life, it is surprising how often these opportunities will tend
to come themselves in front of us. These are the rules of attraction - the
most mysterious ways by which on one side your need and on the other, its
fulfillment are drawn together.

Create your vision (ambition). Identify your goals, objectives and tasks.

Make yourself a magnet. This means having faith that you will get the
suitable opportunities to fulfill your vision and recognize the signs they
are giving you - which may not be direct. Look out for such signs with
patience, and act on them when they come.
In order to fulfill our vision, we must not become too "attached" to our
targets. This is not a sign of weak-mindedness or a lack of commitment:
rather it is a sign of wisdom. By "letting go" (becoming detached) of our
goals or objectives, we become more relaxed in our attitude toward them. The
journey is no longer tiring and stressful, because we don't have to
struggle, life's circumstances will present us with the right opportunities.

*Enhancing (Strengthening) Qualities With The Help Of Meditation*

The present lives of most people are filled with frequent periods of
upheaval or stress.  The meditation which we are sharing with you in this
message will help you focus on the *quality* or state of inner *peace* and
overcome this stress.

There is an important *principle* behind the success of meditation - *where
attention goes, energy flows; and where energy flows, things grow.*

*As we 'give' our mental or emotional attention to the idea of peace, we
water it with the invisible energy of our mind or consciousness; as a result
it grows from a thought into a deep feeling and the final result is the
experience of inner peace *- our thoughts and feelings become peaceful, and
our words and actions filled with a peaceful vibration which others around
us also experience and absorb.

Inner peace is not a passive, timid or a submissive state.  It is a state of
inner power and you will soon notice how much more creative, efficient and
powerful you become as you learn to calm your mind consciously and take
control of your inner world.   Experiment with the thoughts we will mention
*tomorrow* in our meditation. You could meditate on other qualities such as
*fearlessness, love, humility, happiness, tolerance, flexibility, *or any
other quality you would like to strengthen or enhance within yourself.
*Experience and visualize the following words in your mind so that you begin
to feel what is being described. Soothing music may be played in the
background.  *

I remove my awareness from my physical body and the room in which I sit and
turn my attention inwards...

I become aware of many thoughts going through my mind...

I become the silent observer of my own thoughts watching each thought come
and then move on like clouds in the sky...

As I witness my thoughts, they begin to slow down... I focus my attention on
the idea of peace...

A wave of peace gently washes over me, removing all anxiety and tension from
my mind ...

There is just peace... In this moment, it is as if ... I ... am ... peace

My mind is now calm and clear - peace feels like water that is fresh, still
and clear…

There is deep contentment within... I realize, this is my most natural state
of being...

Having returned to my natural state of peace… I sit for a while, enjoying
these feelings of calmness and serenity...

Now I visualize a situation that I know I will soon face in my office or at
home…

I see how I can maintain my state of inner peace arid how it affects my
thoughts and words... I can feel the power of peace in my actions...

I gently rehearse the scene and begin to see how the power of my inner peace
is transmitted to others around me through my thoughts, words and actions
and then reflected back to me by them...

With this feeling of total peace, I gently return my awareness to this
physical body to this room.

Practice the above meditation for about 10 minutes at least twice a day.  The
best times are in the morning before the day starts and then once again in
the night, before going to bed.

*Stress Management*

*Standing Back, Observing and Steering -**

Standing Back :** We can do this individually or as a team, when stressful
situations occur. We may take a few minutes to stand back mentally and
physically from the situation or scene.  *

*
*

*Observing :** The next step is to re-view the situation, as if we are an
onlooker or a detached observer. Being as silent as possible, we can ask
ourselves if the thoughts we are having are the ones we wish to keep, if
they are going where we would choose them to. *

* *

*Steering : **In the resulting silence, it is possible to steer (change
direction) our thinking to where we want it to be; perhaps to personal
affirmations (positive thoughts) we use to calm us. The affirmations can be:
'I am aware of myself as calm and peaceful' or, '….as happy and satisfied,
etc.   *

* *
*This technique changes our attitudes and feelings, which influences
positively the situation as well as how others respond.*

*Inculcating Powers Through Rajyoga Meditation - * *The Power To Decide*

Sometimes, there are certain situations where I'm not so much faced with a
choice between truth and falsehood where the power to discern (discriminate)
is required, but I have to balance competing aims or priorities in deciding
on a course of action. There's great value in getting this right, because
poor judgment can entangle me in consequences from which it might take years
to recover. If I'm deflected because of my attachments or desires, I'll lose
my ability to decide accurately.
Understanding myself as a soul, and keeping my heart full and free through
my relationship with the Supreme Soul (meditation) makes my mind free from
waste thoughts. Having a clean, clear and concentrated mind helps me remain
in the best possible position to judge correctly. I'll be like the Statue of
Justice, wearing a blindfold as she carefully weighs the evidence: free from
prejudice (bias) arising from superficial appearances, above the influence
of situations and the emotions and opinions of others, perfectly centered,
she is optimally placed to sense the right way forward.

Repairing The Engine Of Your Consciousness

You can spend your life driving a car and never know what's wrong when it
breaks down. You are then completely at the mercy of others to repair it. At
that moment you probably think to yourself, "God, I wish I knew how this
thing works..." Sounds familiar? Unfortunately, God cannot help with car
mechanics!
It's almost the same with your inner "self". The presence of any stress, or
any form of mental/emotional pain, is a signal that something has broken
down inside the engine of your consciousness. If at that moment you don't
know who you are, and how you work, how will you repair things in the inner
self when they break down? We are not talking about the body here. If you
have something seriously wrong with your body you obviously need to see a
doctor. But even then, if you are a little enlightened spiritually, you know
that the original cause of your physical disease lies within your
consciousness, your state of mind, your feelings and emotions, which, in
turn, lies in your beliefs, most of which lie deep down in your
subconscious. So, if repairs are to be carried inside your consciousness (to
keep the mind and body functioning smoothly) you need to know certain things
- essential things - about your spirit, mind and heart. That's what
spiritual knowledge is all about. Spiritual knowledge is the complete
knowledge of the spirit (or soul) and how it works. Fortunately, the Supreme
Spirit (or God) can help us with this knowledge, that he alone possesses!

Understanding Attachment

Entertainment industries publicize the illusion (false belief) that in order
to be happy we must acquire "things" and form relationships of attachment to
them; that in order to find love we must possess or be attached to the other
person. This confusion between love and attachment has entered into all our
relationships in a number of ways.

To our conditioned minds it appears to be a contradiction (error), but it is
a basic spiritual truth - to be loving it is necessary to be detached.
Attachment is the root of fear and fear and love cannot exist together just
as day and night, winter and summer cannot. The idea and the practice of
detachment are found in almost all the paths of wisdom, over the centuries.
This is so because attachment is one of the deepest habits that we learn to
develop, and we do not realize that anything we attach ourselves to turns
into a trap for our consciousness, for the self, the being. We know we are
attached when we begin to think about someone or something when they are not
present and there is no need to think about them. Our mental energy exhausts
itself and we have the sensation that we lack control over our thoughts and
feelings.
*
*Each time that we automatically cling (hold on) to something, we invoke
(call for or attract) the presence of fear - whether it be of people,
position, power, money or even opinion, any form of attachment means that we
will fear harm or loss. Fear takes on many faces (worry, anxiety, and
tension); it prevents our spiritual growth and frightens us away from or
blocks us from love.

Different Forms Of Anger

*Depending on our basic belief system, past experiences and perception
(understanding) of the present situations we are in, **anger** takes
**different
forms**, which emerge in our mind and get communicated to others through our
behaviour: *
*1. Irritation*
*You create this when day-to-day events don't happen fast enough e.g. your
flight gets delayed, you are made to wait in a queue, etc. *
*2. Frustration** *
*You create this when events don't occur as per your desires and
expectations.*
*3. Grudge** *
*You create this when you believe that you have been wronged by someone in
the past. *
*4. Resentment**
**You create this towards those that you think have insulted or offended you
or when you are jealous of someone. *
*5. Hatred**
**You create this following your deep disapproval of another's actions. *
*6. Rage** *
*You create this following the build up of anger normally in response to
others' actions, which you label as obstructive or interfering, e.g. road
rage.*

Understanding The Mental Laws

The Law of Self-Control
*

The more control we have over ourselves and our lives, the happier and freer
we will feel.

We sometimes get angry with other people. Why does this happen? It is
probably because they have not met our expectations or we were trying to
control them and they have not let us. Sometimes, the simple expectation
that a person should behave as we want them to is in itself an attempt to
control them. When we try to control another person, which is impossible, we
are bound to fail, feel frustrated and stressed.

We are capable of having power over *ourselves*; we can be more responsible
for our thoughts and feelings. We have the capacity to choose how we respond
to different situations and people that we come across in our lives. If we
do not exercise much control over our thoughts and emotions, we easily fall
into the tendency of seeing ourselves as victimized, and we blame others,
making them responsible in our own minds for how we feel. When we do this,
we are forgetting that we create our own thoughts. When this happens, we are
handing over the control of our thoughts to those who influence, criticize,
attack or slander us.

If we want to recover the control over our life, we must learn to control
our thoughts and feelings and not blame anyone else for them. The more
self-control we have over ourselves, the less will we want to control others
and our capacity to influence other people positively will be greater.

Self Empowerment

Make a list of your strengths and weaknesses. Now make up a series of
questions, which will judge how effectively you are using these strengths to
improve your personal and professional life, and what negative effects are
your weaknesses (shortcomings) having on the same. These are some of the
questions that you can ask yourself at the end of each week to monitor your
self-progress:

e.g. Which strengths if acquired would help me improve my worth (value) at
the workplace? Is any weakness of mine proving to be an obstacle (barrier)
in maintaining a healthy relationship with my family? Am I using my
strengths in empowering (strengthening) others? Does any weakness exist
inside me, which if removed would improve my level of contentment
(satisfaction) and lead to greater peace of mind?

Note down three main strengths and three important roles that you play in
your life. Now check if your strengths properly match the roles. If they do
not match, think if there is a new personality characteristic you need to
develop. If a particular role is self-selected, if it does not match your
strengths, is it a good role for you to be playing?

Positive Habits

To overcome a negative habit, we have to ensure that the intellect is strong
and stable enough to lead the mind with knowledge and comprehension. In this
way, transformation is more deep and lasting, creates satisfaction and
fullness, and greatly improves our self-esteem.

Our mind, which is under the influence of an old program, must be left in no
doubt that "I", the original personality, no longer wants to go down that
old road. We must have the strong determination to create a new thought
pattern; this will also be recorded on our memory bank.  This new register
will help us to avoid taking up the old habits the next time something
similar happens. For a period of time the two thought patterns, the old and
the new, will exist alongside each other.

To achieve a long-lasting transformation, we should not suppress our mind
and immediately eliminate all the habits or tendencies to which the mind has
become accustomed to. If we do this, the mind will begin to cry and make a
fuss, and finally, the moment we lower our guard and stop paying attention,
the old habits will emerge again and drag our mind towards automatic
thoughts and actions so that, almost without us realising, we are once again
immersed in our old way of thinking and doing.

We have an alternative: creating thoughts of a greater quality that emerge
from a new conscience. In this way, thanks to these positive thoughts, full
of love, harmony and creativity, the mind will start to cleanse itself,
replacing the old habits and negative tendencies in a totally natural way.

The positive thought that preceded the positive action is still conscious,
but the more we repeat the positive action the less conscious we are of the
thought that created it. The time comes when we don't know why we are doing
whatever we are doing: it has become a positive habit.

Does Greed Fulfill?

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

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

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

Open-Eyed Meditation

One of the special characteristics of Raja Yoga meditation (as taught by the
Brahma Kumaris) is that I learn to meditate with my eyes open. The training
of the mind, so that it creates thoughts, to give a positive experience,
helps me in facing not only my daily routine, but specifically, in dealing
with unexpected practical life situations that test my real power. Mastering
the art of meditating with my eyes open can be of immense value to me in my
practical life.

If I restrict myself to seated meditation with my eyes closed, then I am
prevented from continuing the meditative experience in the course of my
normal activities i.e. walking, eating, cooking, working in the office,
moving around and so on.

Meditation is at the same time an incredibly relaxing experience as well as
brings about an increase of perception (judgement) powers and sharper
reaction response. In this way, I can be walking along the street in a
meditative state and yet have a very quick perception (judgement) and
reaction response to the surrounding pedestrians and traffic.

Anger Management And Prevention

Step One –* Never struggle with your anger. Don't fight it, or resist it,
in any way. That only either strengthens it, or suppresses it until it
emerges another day. So face it and accept its presence.
*Step Two –* As soon as possible, simply observe it. In the act of
observation all emotion must die. Why? Because you are standing back from it
within your consciousness in order to observe it. And as you stand back
within your consciousness you are withdrawing (removing) your life giving
energy from it.
*Step Three –* Through the practice of meditation, return to your centre,
that means the centre of your consciousness, the centre of your self. At the
centre you will find inner peace, and that peace is your power. At the
centre of yourself you will find your love, and that love, when you give it
to yourself and others, is the healing balm of forgiveness.

What Is True Love? (A Spiritual Perspective)

Emotional love can flower into true love when the fire of emotions cools
down and is substituted by a wiser and more mature relationship. True love
needs a fresh and renewing atmosphere, without fears.

When you feel spiritually full, you feel flowing over with pleasure,
happiness, wellbeing, and that state helps you to accept the one whom you
love as they are, because from your fullness you give and share and you
don't need or expect anything from the other. While you need something that
you want the other to satisfy, you will have expectations and the fear that
those needs might not be satisfied, and you will get frustrated more easily.
When you feel like a being of peace, a being of love, a tranquil being, a
being that is spiritually full and satisfied, your relationship with others
is a relationship of sharing on a level on which fear is not generated. You
are not asking for or taking anything from the other. An elevated sharing of
love, of happiness, of knowledge, of wisdom takes place, in which you do not
generate a dependency on the other.

Attachments and dependencies, fears and insecurity, block our experience of
love, of peace, serenity, freedom, happiness. When you have a feeling of
love that takes you to a state of joy, to wholeness, but then you attach
yourself to the object of your love, be it a person, or a property,
automatically the feeling changes into fear: you fear to lose the object of
your love and, instead of feeling wholeness and enjoyment, you feel fear.
Over time that attachment turns into a dependency and you start to become
inwardly empty: that is, your energy level goes down.

Love in its purest form is a like a spring that pours forth for the benefit
of others. Learn the art of loving, being free and allowing to be. Pure,
true, love is an unconditional love that flows freely. Do not cling (hold on
to). Love does not cling.

Meditation And Health

Each original quality of the self or soul is specially required for
nourishing and empowering one human body system. The quality of *peace* is
responsible for taking care of the respiratory system, *joy* for the
gastrointestinal system, *love* for the circulatory system, *bliss* for the
endocrine system, *knowledge* for the brain and nervous system, *purity* for
the immune system and the five senses and *power* for the muscular and
skeletal systems.

*
*

*Each one of us has at least one body system, which is most prone to
disease. When our mind is under the influence of stressful emotions, there
is a decrease in the flow, from the soul to this body system, of that
quality which is required by it for its nourishment, which leads to the
development of disease in this system over a period of time
*e.g. when an individual with a weak respiratory system is in a negative
state of mind, there is a decrease in the flow of the quality of peace to
the respiratory system (refer to first paragraph) which in turn can lead to
a disorder like asthma.

A Basic Meditation For Beginners

Sit comfortably in a quite place, which you have chosen for your meditation
practice...

Close your eyes and, for a minute or two, allow your body and mind to slow
down i.e. less active, by remaining still and quiet...

While keeping your eyes closed, take your attention to your toes...

Clench them tightly for a few moments, then relax them for a few moments...

Work slowly upwards, tensing and then releasing and relaxing *all your body
parts*… do this for your calves, then your thighs, stomach, etc...

Be aware that your whole body is now relaxed in the chair and that all your
attention is focused in the centre of the forehead, just above the
eyebrows...

With your attention focused only on your thoughts, experience that your
thoughts are floating to the surface, now imagine that they are
dissolving...

Allow quietness and peace to fill your mind - as if you were listening to
silence inside the temple of your mind...

If any sensation or thoughts come to distract you, simply let them pass
through your mind...

Then return your attention to the quietness in your mind...

Acknowledge your inner tranquility with a quiet thought, "My mind is now
relaxed, and I feel more peaceful"...

After a few minutes, bring your awareness back to the room in the present
moment.
*Tomorrow we shall explain some of the precautions one can take while doing
this meditation, to make it successful.*
Referring to yesterday’s meditation, *when you sit to meditate, choose the
quietest and most peaceful place you can find, either in your home or in
your office or anywhere else, preferably in a place that you do not use very
often.*  If this isn't possible, sit where the objects in the room around
you won't divert your attention. If you can, set this place aside purely for
the purpose of meditation.  You could also choose to sit in the proximity
(closeness) of nature. Start with ten or fifteen minutes.  Then gradually
increase the time. Soft or subdued lighting will help as will some soft
background music of your choice.

The basic meditation, explained yesterday, is simple to do, relaxing and
energizing, and easy to integrate into your busy schedule, whether at your
workplace or home.  All you need are three or four minutes anywhere, any
time.   Note, how you consciously use your mind to relax your body.  Once
your body is relaxed, it allows you to give your mind with positive,
unbroken attention.  The more you practice this meditation, the easier it
becomes.   Eventually you won't need to work through your body, muscle by
muscle - it will relax almost instantly with just one thought. *This basic
mind-body relaxation experience is the foundation for advanced and deeper
meditations.*

Anger Management

Creating Your Inner Peace Room (Visualization)**
**To overcome anger, visualize a house and in that house there is a 'peace
room'. See the room as an empty space. Then, step by step decorate and
finish the room with the colours and objects, which symbolize peace to you.
See the sun streaming into the room, filling the room with light. Then see
yourself sitting in the room and filling the room with your vibrations of
peace. *
*This is now your 'inner peace room'. Whenever you see yourself experiencing
emotions like anger, irritation, frustration etc. - you can go visit this
room using the power of your mind and intellect (visualization) - it takes
only a second - and peace awaits you. To keep it fresh in your mind write a
description of your peace room.

Important Understandings On Reincarnation

1. The soul has a separate identity from any of the bodies it adopts.

2. The human soul does not take a birth/body of any animal species, just as
a lemon seed does not grow into a mango tree. The human soul always takes a
human body e.g. if the soul of a cow was to take the birth of a human,
wouldn’t it carry ‘sanskars’ of performing all actions like a cow into its
human birth – how would it then function through the human body.

3. The various lives or births of a soul are like different episodes of a
television serial, all different, yet connected with each other.

4. The cycle of action and reaction is never-ending. The soul must continue
to play its entire role until all it has received the fruits for all its
actions. This may require more than one body.
5. Each time a soul leaves an old body and takes a new birth, it carries its
‘sanskars’ from the old birth into the new one. Other ‘sanskars’ that can be
present in the new body (apart from the ones *from the previous birth*) are:

·         *‘sanskars’ from parents*

·         *‘sanskars’ accumulated during the new birth* e.g. from siblings
(brothers or sisters) or from friends, also those picked up during education
and more

·         *‘sanskars’ of will power* (the ability to bring about changes in
the self using will power)

·         *original ‘sanskars’* of peace, love, purity, bliss, joy and power
(the ones that were present in the soul when it first came down from the
soul world into the physical world to play its part)

Out of these five types of ‘sanskars’, in each soul, the ‘sanskars’ that are
visible at different stages of life are varied e.g. in some soul, ‘sanskars’
may be completely different from the ones the parents possess, because the
‘sanskars’ from the previous birth are more visible; in another soul,
‘sanskars’ of will power may be intense, the soul may have brought about a
lot of transformation in its personality since the time it was born; in a
third soul ‘sanskars’ from parents and friends may be most visible; in
another soul, practicing meditation, original ‘sanskars’ may be more
visible, etc.
6. The world's population is increasing at such a rapid rate, indicating
that the souls already here are taking rebirth and also that there are new
ones coming down continuously from the soul world.

7. If one believed that one will receive the fruit of one's actions, if not
in this birth, but in another one, a person would surely feel less inclined
to perform negative actions.

8. Without reincarnation, it is impossible to explain how every soul has
reached its present peaceless state. Thousands of sins have been performed
by each soul in its past births under the influence of the five vices –
lust, anger, greed, ego and attachment. Due to this, ‘sanskars’ of those
vices have accumulated over the soul. The burden of these ‘sanskars’ weighs
heavily on the soul and causes it unhappiness in the present. The present
cycle of birth and rebirth is fast approaching its end. It is precisely at
this time that the Supreme Soul can relieve us from this burden.

What Should We Value More - The Soul Or The Body?

When the soul leaves the body, it's not just the body that dies but it's as
if all the connections with the world of that individual are simply switched
off. Not only the relationships but all specific plans, projects and desires
suddenly have no further means (medium) through which they can be expressed
or put into practice. The powers of thinking, deciding and the personality
traits (‘sanskaras’) connected with the life that is being left behind, stop
and get hidden momentarily to emerge again in a new body, a new life. All
the material things that belonged to that particular individual are passed
on to others.

It's interesting to note that even when the body is sick it can only be
treated when the soul is still present. If we take out the soul no one
remains to look after the body.

On the other hand, the body is a truly marvelous vehicle for the soul to
express itself through. No manufactured machine could hope to compete. For
example, it is calculated that in just one day, the brain is able to
complete a hundred times more connections than the entire telecommunications
system of the planet. Or compare the human eye with any manufactured camera
or the heart with any manufactured pump. The body's importance cannot be
played down or not taken into account.

Understanding The Mind And Its Functioning

The mind is a faculty of the soul, the main function of which is to produce
thoughts. The thoughts we create are energy. In one day we produce an
average of thirty to forty thousand thoughts. How much energy does this
represent? What do we do with it?

The mind works constantly, even when we are sleeping. We cannot separate
ourselves from it, it is our inseparable companion. If you study your mind
you will see that, as well as thinking, it imagines, remembers, dreams,
associates, desires and even produces your feelings.

If you think about some incident that made you unhappy ten years ago, you
will feel that unhappiness again, perhaps even more deeply than before. If
you think of something that made you happy, you will also feel that
happiness when you repeat the event in your mind.

If you create positive thoughts about yourself, you will feel good and your
self-esteem will be strengthened, and if you create negative thoughts, you
will feel depressed, with low self-esteem. The mind opens up the way to the
self. By creating the right type of thoughts you can open up your inner
potential again, and rediscover that as people we are full of positive
qualities.

Effect of Food On The Mind

All foods have their own subtle (non-physical) vibrations or energy levels.
*Food feeds more than the stomach; it not only affects the working of the
body but its subtle energy influences the mind. *Consumption of food allows
the energy levels to have an effect on our system, for better or worse.

Experimenting with the effects of different foods, three categories were
defined corresponding to the particular energy that existed in them.

The first is *'Sattvik' *or sentient food – this type of food if filled with
vibrations of purity, self-awareness, love, peace and joy. This category of
food includes fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, grains, milk and dairy
products. It helps our emotions and mind to remain in a stable and peaceful
state. This in turn affects our thoughts, attitudes and behaviour.
The second group is *'Rajasik' *or mutative food - it contains a mutative
energy of restlessness, constant movement or change. When this force is
consumed, the mind and body become agitated and nervous, unable to calm down
and relax. These foods include caffeinated drinks such as coffee and many
teas, hot spices, fermented foods and some medicinal drugs.

The third group is *'Tamasik' *or static food - this type of food has a
static force of dullness, inertia, intoxication, and attraction towards
sensuality (body-consciousness), decay and death. Death occurs when the
other two energies (sentient and mutative) are spent and the static force is
the only dominant force. Static foods include meat, fish, eggs, alcohol,
mushrooms, onions and garlic.

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 sea gulls; in short, anything
away from the rush and hurry of the city. We also 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 i*t.

Once we start meditating, we start to see physical relaxation as an *escape
*from tension and not a *solution *for it; we no longer see the beautiful
scenes of nature as sources radiating *permanent *peace. But in fact it is
their mere absence of conflict, their harmony of colours, forms and sounds
which temporarily 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.

The Alphabet of Change

*Awareness** - First, become aware of what you need to change in yourself.
What is preventing you from attaining contentment? What habits are blocking
the way to realizing your full potential? *

*Belief** - Many people think that a change in their personalities is
extremely difficult. But in fact it is a reality that lies within your
power. It might be useful to ask yourself questions such as "What has held
me back from change in the past?" and "What are the stages by which I can
bring change about?" *

*Commitment** - Motivation is the key to commitment. We need to want to
change, rather than feel it is a duty to ourselves. Try writing down a list
of commitments in the form of statements beginning with "I will". They
should come directly out of, and be connected with, your overall vision. *
*Discipline** - We cannot change unless we are able to maintain a steady
course over time. Think of each sign as a major landmark passed. Even if we
find ourselves slipping into old habits, that achievement of even a little
bit of change cannot be taken away.*

Are You Dependent On The Look Of The Other?

We have to trust that, being ourselves, we will be well-received and loved
by the world. If we are here, why have we been incarnated on Earth? To
satisfy the look of the other or to bring what is unique and exceptional in
us? We all have two eyes, a nose and a mouth but no face is the same. We are
all a being of conscious energy, a soul, but each one has a colour, an art,
a creativity and something different to contribute. Let us trust in
ourselves and use our talents to bring our difference.

You can be your best friend. Imagine that someone accompanies you in your
life, values everything that you do and finds it to be great: what you do,
what you say; you are the best; extraordinary; a shining being; a star.

Now imagine that you have that person next to you day and night. How do you
feel? On top form and you are fine. This happens in relationships. When
someone falls in love with you, they practically only think about you; they
ring you, they send you text messages, maybe they write you letters or
emails. You feel unique, special and loved. But this does not last forever
and, nowadays, it lasts less and less. The difficulty is that if you depend
on the look of the other to feel fine, sometimes you will be fine if the
person looking at you does it well, but if not, you won't be fine.

How do you look at yourself? This unconditional friend that loves you so
much and that supports you is what you have inside. You can be your best
friend. This gives you security and trust. If someone else likes you or
doesn't like you and criticizes you, you won't collapse within because to be
fine you do not depend on the look of the other.

Fear And The Law Of Attraction

You should be careful with what you are afraid of, because you can invoke
(call for or attract) it.

Fear is like a magnet. If you are afraid that something will happen to you
and you get obsessed about it happening, you are effectively invoking it to
happen.

If you are very afraid that something might happen to you and you begin to
visualize that it might happen or how it might happen, this terrifies you
and it closes you into a phobia and a state of fear. What you are doing is
invoking it to happen, because the power of the mind and visualization is
very great. If you are afraid that you might be robbed, or of meeting with
an accident, or of losing, you are invoking the robbery, the accident and
the loss. Fear of rejection produces rejection.

That is how extraordinary the power of our mind is. That does not mean to
say that we should not take the necessary precautions. An aged woman knows
that to fall can mean her bones might break more easily. She should not be
preoccupied with a fear of falling; she simply needs to apply attention and
precaution when walking. But when precaution is confused with fear, it is
not a healthy precaution or one that is free from worries.

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 do not get angry. The actions of others make me so.**
Fact:* At all times, and in all places you and only you are the creator of
your thoughts and feelings and are completely responsible for them, not
anyone else.
*Tip For Transformation:* The regular practice of meditation empowers you to
become the ruler of your mind, intellect and thoughts.

*2. I need to use anger to motivate others.*
*Fact:* Trust and respect, the foundations (basis) of any relationship, at
home or in the office, are never built by anger. In the long term, angry
outbursts damage any leadership qualities you may have. Anger kills
motivation within oneself and will most probably negatively influence
others' motivation.
*Tip For Transformation:* Meditation helps you practice acceptance and
respect for others as they are.

Symptoms Of Stress

*When we feel stressed we experience certain physiological (related to the
body) and psychological (related to the mind) symptoms, whose importance we
may not fully understand. These are normal signs that we should re-check our
priorities – our body, or our state of mind, is telling us that something in
our lives needs to change. Listed here are some of the common signs:*
*1. **Loneliness** – We may feel isolated (lonely) from friends and family,
or experience a lasting sense of being "lonely in a crowd".*
*2. **Insecurity** – We may suddenly feel shy or exposed around people with
whom we are usually filled with confidence. Or we may believe that we are
always being judged or criticized. *
*3. **Loss of concentration and memory** – We may find it hard to recall
recent conversations or promises. We may often feel confused, so that
understanding and remembering information could also be very difficult. *
*4. **Fatigue (Tiredness) and sleeping difficulties **– Although we may feel
constantly tired, we could also find it impossible to get to sleep.*
*5. **Tears and mood swings** – One of the most common symptoms is that we
cry easily. We may also experience mood swings – joyousness followed by
sadness or vice versa.*

Can Love And Freedom Co-Exist (Exist Together)

Is it possible to love each other and be free at the same time? Yes. To
reach this state in a relationship great wisdom is required. Most people
love one another and tie one another down. Thus they lose their freedom.
When freedom is lost, happiness goes away, and true wellbeing gives way to
unhappiness. Often we look above all for love, a love we believe will change
our life. We see it as the recognition of our inner value by another person.
However, we trip over ourselves in looking for this love. Necessity is what
motivates us and we try to satisfy it with an object or person who matches
up to perfection.

We have an immense emotional need for love, and the fear of remaining in a
state of unsatisfied wanting. In our search to fill our need, we are
prepared to deceive ourselves with unsuitable partners. Many people allow
the love of another person to define their personality to such a point that,
if they are rejected, they lose any sense of who they are and of the purpose
they have in life. Often the relationship is colored, through one of the
partners or both, by fear.

To free ourselves of the tendency to depend, we should have a strong heart,
without any selfishness; a heart that has nothing to hide and that, as a
result, is free and without fear; a heart that does not hold on to closed
beliefs, to old negative experiences; a heart that has good feelings and is
free of bitterness; a heart filled with the true values of peace, love,
freedom and solidarity – which as a result is stronger and fuller.

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.

Creating Positive Habits

Some habits do not upset us, but others can cause irritation, frustration
and desperation. We want to rid ourselves of them: but how?

When we look at the creation and fulfillment of thoughts, it looks like a
closed system: the thoughts lead to actions, the actions create a series of
impressions (sanskars), and these impressions are responsible for similar
thoughts, which lead us to similar actions, this is a vicious cycle.

If we want to change a habit, then where do we start? In other words, where
do we change the system or how do we get out of the cycle? First of all, we
can try changing our negative actions: for example, stop a negative habit
like smoking. In many cases, although we change our behaviour, but because
we have not understood deeply why we wanted to do it, is quite possible that
one day we will go back to this old habit.

We can try changing this system in our subconscious. By analysing what is
recorded in our subconscious, through different therapies, the results are
not altogether satisfactory. There is always some traumatic event, or
painful experience behind a fear which causes us to cling on to a negative
habit. And although we can see and recognise our fears and anxieties, if we
do not replace them with something better, with a more beneficial and
healthier alternative, very often we will feel tempted to cling on to these
old systems, even though they do not work and they make us unhappy. To
eliminate certain things we have recorded in our subconscious, meditation
and silence are the most effect non-violent methods.A

Another method is to try and change our beliefs with positive affirmations
(thoughts) that strengthen our willpower, and thus introduce a new habit to
replace the old one. It is vital not to repeat this affirmation
mechanically, but to introduce it into the system of beliefs we hold, and
act as if we already were what we express in this affirmation.

Meditation On Experiencing My Original Loveful Nature

I sit in silence, letting my thoughts go away from the outer world... I
allow my mind to relax... to calm down... I focus my attention on the heart
of my being... My heart is like a sacred silent place where I can feel what
I really am... I am peaceful and light... a loving soul... strong...
secure... kind...

I have many virtues and qualities that I can share with others... Now my
attention is going towards the quality of love... I imagine love like a seed
in my heart waiting to awaken... grow... and blossom... like a rose... For
this, I only have to accept... believe... feel... that I am a soul full of
love... child of the Ocean of Love… a sparkling conscient star situated at
the center of the forehead… I am a spiritual rose flower... radiating the
spiritual fragrance of love…
Letting go of the past... letting go of expectations... fears... negative
feelings... forgiving... opening my heart... feeling that it is cleansed and
this energy of love is as pure as the clean water flowing from a waterfall.
Nothing and nobody have touched it... this is a love that asks for nothing
in exchange... the love of a clean heart is unselfish... free of ego and
expectations... It makes truth and sincerity grow... acceptance and
understanding... I open my heart completely to love... I inhale deeply... I
visualize my heart filling itself with this energy of pure love... I exhale
slowly... and I visualize radiating this light of love from the deepest part
of my heart towards the world... I am a beautiful soul of light radiating
peace and love... I am love... I love myself and accept myself and others...

What Is Instinct?

Every baby has some tendency or another from the moment of birth, tendencies
formed by past thoughts and actions. The soul does not inherit tendencies
genetically. All that is transferred genetically is the physical appearance,
the colour of eyes, shape of nose etc. There is a certain amount of
influence acquired in the new situation, e.g. for a child we might say - "He
has his father's bad temper". The fact that the soul was born into that
family to payoff its accounts one way or the other, indicates that the soul
has performed similar actions in a previous birth. That someone has a fear
of heights, someone else a fear of being enclosed, indicates that they had
suffered from similar experiences in a previous birth. The soul's desire for
peace and happiness may be termed as "instinctive" but is certainly not
biological.

The Location Of The Soul Inside The Body

The soul has the following basic functions to perform:
To give life to the body and to maintain life inside it.
To express and experience its role through the body,             and
To receive the rewards or fruits of past actions performed in
previous births, through the body.

These functions are controlled and monitored by the soul via the nervous
and hormonal systems from a particular point in the area of the brain which
contains the thalamus, hypothalamus, pituitary and pineal glands. This
region is known as the seat of the soul, or the "third eye". The connection
between the physical (body) and the non-physical (soul) is by the medium of
thought energy. Many religions and philosophies place great importance on
the third eye, or "eye of the mind". When viewed from the front, this region
appears to be between and slightly above the line of the eyebrows. It's for
this reason that Hindus use a "tilak", a dot in red or sandalwood paste in
the middle of the forehead. Christians also make the sign of the cross in
this region. Even when one makes a mistake or expresses tiredness it's to
this region that we put the hands in the gestures of self-dismay or
exhaustion. After all the soul subconsciously knows that it makes the
mistakes and not the body. When people are concentrating deeply in thought
it is this area of the forehead where creases or lines are formed on the
skin. 

What Are Some Of The Benefits Of Positive Thinking On The Mind?

   - You are more creative.
   - You think more clearly.
   - You strengthen your ability to concentrate on quality thoughts that in
   turn produce good feelings.
   - You acquire more self-respect and respect towards others.
   - You generate the ability of self-control and strength in difficult
   situations.
   - You overcome pressures and worries more easily.
   - You experience peace, calm, serenity and happiness.