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The Mindset for Changing Times

September 14, 2024, 5:29 am

One way we can live life is to have everything happen according to our wishes. If that transpires, how do we feel? Peaceful, content, and happy. But how often does everything go according to our plan – there are no challenges, and everyone does exactly what they are told to do? Most people say they do not see a single day like that. And what happens when problems crop up? Do we get stressed, angry, depressed, or remain in control of ourselves and the situation?

Take this example: many people get irritated when they encounter heavy traffic on the roads. Is traffic inherently irritating or do we get annoyed by it? It is important to make the distinction, because situations all around us are changing, often unpredictably, and if we are hostage to them, then there will be little peace and happiness in our life.
The certainties we took for granted in an earlier age are fast vanishing. Not too long ago, people used to retire from the company they joined as a trainee. Once you got a job, it was more or less assured that you would work there until you retired. But now there is no such certitude. Even if you do well in your job, you may be laid off because the employer has decided to downsize and cut costs.

A cloud of uncertainty hangs over nearly every sphere of human life, including our health. Those in their twenties and thirties are being diagnosed with diseases that used to be seen only in senior citizens earlier.

Relationships are also taking unexpected turns all too often. In India, divorce used to be rare a few decades ago and was seen as a disaster in one’s life. The few cases that did occur, usually had major reasons behind them which were mitigating factors. But now couples decide to part ways simply because they find that they do not think alike. Can two people ever think exactly the same way?

These developments are often attributed to the increasing challenges and complexities of modern life. Going by the current trends, the problems will only increase in future. If I believe that I can be happy only when everything out there is to my liking, then what will be my mental and emotional state amidst the growing troubles?

Many people believe that it is natural to be stressed in difficult times – thoughts of fear and worry arise automatically, they say. Do thoughts emerge on their own in response to circumstances? If that were the case, every individual facing a particular situation would have the same kind of thoughts. But that does not happen, and we find different people reacting differently. That is because we choose what to think in every situation. The choice is made in a fraction of a second, and is determined by our perception, beliefs, and tendencies. If we want to be masters of our destiny, not its victims, this is the first thing we need to recognise: our thoughts are our choice and, in our control, not the result of what is happening around us. We can magnify a problem or shrink it with our perspective. As the nature of our thoughts, so are our feelings and vibrations. If I think that a challenge is no big deal, I can cope with it, it will be resolved, then I will feel confident and light. My vibes will reassure those around me and everyone will look at the matter with a positive frame of mind. On the other hand, if I panic and start thinking, “What will I do now”, “How can I deal with this”, “What will happen”, I can very well imagine how I am going to feel. Those around me will be similarly worried, everyone’s energy level will be low, and decisions made in that state of mind would not be the best. Fear and worry constrict our mental horizon and restrict our choices, often stopping us from taking steps that offer a way out of the problem.

The key to facing any challenge is a positive and strong mind. I cannot control other people or events in the world, but I can certainly choose how I respond. The practice of meditation helps a great deal in this. It improves our mental focus and clarity, allowing us to think better, see all the options before us, and take the best decision.
We may not have all the resources needed to deal with the issue at hand, and it may not be resolved entirely to our satisfaction, but a strong mind ensures that we are calm, stable, and even happy while dealing with it – we come away from it unscarred. And that is what matters, because problems come and go, but what remains for the rest of our lives are the memories, the experience, and the lessons from how we coped.

B.K. Shreya is a Brahma Kumaris Rajyoga teacher based in Mumbai.

The power of inner vision

September 14, 2024, 5:25 am

“We see things not as they are but as we are” – Immanuel Kant

What we see is shaped by our inner world. Our inner vision is like becoming aware of the lenses through which we perceive reality, and spirituality introduces a new dimension to that perception. Our beliefs, knowledge, experiences, current emotional state, and our personality are the basis of our interpretation of what we see and hear. If we become more aware of what our inner state of consciousness is, then we are able to perceive the deeper meaning of what lies beyond our physical sight. In the same way as specialists in their subject have a deeper understanding of what they see. A doctor understands patterns of physical conditions and can diagnose accurately. An engineer can see a blueprint and understand deeper structural issues. A lawyer looks at a document in a completely different way from a layman, and understands the nuances and interprets them with a deeper understanding of the law.

Many of us have come to understand that under the law of physics, a solid table is not really as solid as it seems. It is made up of atoms, and is in fact, 99.9 per cent vacuum, yet even having that understanding, we are unable to perceive that constantly, and treat the table as a solid piece of matter. Our physical world is so much more dynamic than we can perceive through our physical eyes. We go about our daily life locked into roles of parent, teacher, our place in society, our nationality, and behave accordingly. If we could hold our inner vision in the awareness of who we really are and what we are really doing, our lives would be so much richer. More than that, we would really see the deeper meaning in everything that is happening, especially what is happening directly around us.

The way to become free of our limited awareness is to understand that life is really just a theatre. All of us have roles to play, but we are not the roles. We do not even originate from the theatre. Just like all actors, we have a home to which we will return. We actors are higher beings, extremely subtle points of consciousness, light, similar to stars. We sparkling entities come onto the stage and adopt our costumes and masks, and initially experience it all to be a glorious and joyful game. However, just as those who like to experiment with virtual reality begin to experience that virtual reality as real, and the longer the headset is on and the game is playing, the more likely they are to ‘forget’ they are human beings, so too, over time we have also lost sense of what is ‘real’. On stage, actors know who they are. Some are very clever at observing themselves as actors while acting their parts – they do not buy into the story and the roller coaster of emotions they are being asked to play out. They keep themselves above and give a perfect performance while understanding what is happening and appreciating the other actors and their roles.
In the same way, the more we can hold on to the awareness of who we really are, the more we are free to play our parts with the full depth of experience and with love and compassion for others. Everyone is good, everyone’s truth is beautiful, whatever is happening, because it is all an immense and seemingly chaotic drama. But, as with all dramas, there is a plan and all is working exactly as it should. We are all on a journey and when we are ‘awake’ to what is really happening, the love we generate transcends all the limitations of the stage.

As with all good plays, there is One who remains beyond all the action. The One who is in a position to remind us that we are not of the stage, but on the stage, as actors. That is the One bright star of Supreme consciousness that cannot be seen with physical eyes. This Friend can be felt and perceived through meditation, and because He constantly sees us in our own perfection, we can define ourselves not through our roles, but through His vision.
Sarah Fitzgerald is an interior designer, English language teacher, and Rajyoga teacher with the Brahma Kumaris in Cambridge, UK.

Your life is right now!

September 14, 2024, 5:16 am

Your life is right now! It is not later! It is not in that time of retirement. It is not when you have moved into the new house, or when you get a better job. Your life is right now. It will always be right now. You might as well decide to start enjoying your life right now, because it is never going to get better than right now – that is, until it gets better right now!
When someone greets us, let us not ignore, nod, mumble or casually say ‘morning’.

Saying ‘Good Morning’ should not be difficult. Rather, be in the moment, experience the energy of the meeting, and the one who has greeted us gets our message plus our pure energy. No matter what mood the person is in, happy, sad, silent, but regardless of their response, in those two seconds we can make their experience of meeting us a good one. Let us not wait for others to greet us on the basis of hierarchies, of age, position, or power. We often overlook the power of simple gestures that add happiness, like making eye contact, smiling, paying a compliment, or waving a greeting. By helping others feel good about themselves, our own happiness significantly grows.

Everyone is looking to be acknowledged, that they matter, through our words and actions. Sometimes, this is all that people need from us. When we greet an old friend, hold the door open for a stranger, or thank a family member, how do we feel? Our kindness in action will let others know we understand their value and importance. Each day, we can have unconditional acceptance of others and give good wishes.

Our responses to situations determine our happiness, and the response begins with the thoughts our mind creates. We can take time early each morning to sit and experience the self as a soul, meditate, and count our blessings, and in this way program our mind with only positive thoughts for a perfect day. Feeding the mind with good thoughts first thing in the day is like planting healthy seeds in fertile ground.

Our inner mental preparation, done with care, creates beautiful outer realities for us. Situations and people may be imperfect, but our state of mind should remain perfectly calm, happy, and peaceful. The outer environment is a reflection of our thoughts. There is no point in trying to change the outer environment – it is only change ‘within’ that will produce the change ‘without’. There’s no time like the present, and the present is all we have. Let us be still and appreciate what is right in front of us, be present, pay attention, really be with the people we are with, because in a flash, it is gone and a new moment has taken its place. ‘In-joy’ each day, moment by moment, right now!

Chirya Risely is a Rajyoga meditation teacher based at the Brahma Kumaris Peace Village Retreat Center, USA.

Poker and the female mind: How women excel in this mental sport

September 13, 2024, 6:56 pm

Poker has long been considered a game dominated by men, but the tide is turning as more women break into the world of professional poker. This shift isn’t just about numbers; it’s about the unique strengths that women bring to the table, making them formidable opponents in this mental sport.

Emotional Intelligence and Patience

One of the key attributes women often excel in is emotional intelligence, a vital skill in poker. Reading opponents’ tells, gauging the atmosphere at the table, and understanding subtle cues are essential for making strategic decisions. Women are often more attuned to these emotional nuances, giving them an edge in anticipating opponents’ moves and bluffing strategies.

Patience is another area where women shine. Poker is a game of endurance, where waiting for the right moment can make or break a player’s success. Women are often more disciplined in their approach, carefully selecting their hands and avoiding impulsive decisions. This patience allows them to stay focused and maintain control over the long stretches of play that can wear down less disciplined opponents.

Strategic Thinking and Adaptability

Women are also known for their ability to think strategically and adapt to changing situations. In poker, adaptability is crucial, as the game is dynamic, with each hand presenting new challenges. Women often approach the game with a long-term perspective, focusing on the bigger picture rather than short-term gains. This strategic mindset helps them navigate the complexities of the game, adjust to different playing styles, and outmaneuver their opponents.

Moreover, women are adept at balancing risk and reward. In poker, knowing when to take calculated risks is essential for success. Women are often more cautious, but when they do take risks, they are well-considered and informed by a deep understanding of the game. This careful risk management can lead to significant payoffs, especially in high-stakes situations.

Breaking Stereotypes and Building Confidence

For many years, poker was seen as a male-dominated space where women were often underestimated. However, as more women excel in this arena, they are not only proving their skills but also inspiring others to follow in their footsteps. Confidence plays a crucial role in this transformation. As more women succeed in poker, they gain the confidence to compete at higher levels, enter prestigious tournaments, and challenge the status quo. This confidence is contagious, encouraging more women to take up the game and pursue professional careers in poker.

Conclusion

From emotional intelligence and patience to strategic thinking and confidence, women bring a unique set of strengths to the poker table. As more women continue to excel in this mental sport, they are not only redefining what it means to be a successful poker player but also paving the way for future generations of women to follow in their footsteps.

Nikita Luther is the Brand Ambassador at Natural8 India.

The Magic of Intention

September 7, 2024, 2:58 am

Intention without action is simply daydreaming or wishful thinking …

Every act we perform, consciously or not, has behind it an intention. Intentions are words and feelings, and like a compass they guide our actions/behaviour to our goals for the day. Intentions are the ‘WHATs’: What should I do/eat/buy today? Motives are the ‘WHYs’ behind the intention. They drive and motivate us and give meaning and purpose to our choices. Having intentions is like going to a supermarket with a list so that we are less likely to be distracted, and can stay focussed and efficient. However, should we be distracted, then intentions work like a GPS that can reroute and guide us to our destination.

Studies in psychology show that intentions are powerful thoughts and feelings. Whatever clear intention we have, sooner or later we will verbalise it. Those words will reveal our attitude and impact our behaviour. For example: a simple intention – “I want to rest all day today” will reflect our attitude for the day and impact our behaviour.

We may try to cloak our intentions, but our words, attitude, and behaviour will reveal them. No matter how polite and logical a salesperson may be, if he is driven by a desperate intention to make a sale at any cost, that intention will be felt and his attitude will make us uncomfortable; we would defend ourselves, confront him, or walk away with a polite thank you.

The impact of intentions on our brain: Today science speaks of the neuro-plasticity of the brain; that is, its ability to adjust and adapt to new learning at any age. If we have an intention to learn to meditate to become more peaceful and less reactive, the brain will attract ‘natural attention’ and bring awareness to us in our situations. A new calm attitude will gradually impact our behaviour.

Setting powerful intentions: Journalling our thoughts and emotions daily without self-judgement can bring clarity and a sense of liberation. Vision boards in cut-out images bring a three-dimensional feeling to our intentions. Positive affirmations such as “I am beautiful…, healthy…, healed…”, with visualisations using our five senses can actualise our intentions.

The power of our mind can access unlimited resources. Whatever we visualise can be actualised. A positive or negative intention is a deliberate effort and the manifestation is simply the result. The question then arises, if I can actualise anything that I intend, then what is the role of fate or destiny?

Man proposes and God disposes, goes the saying. Although our mind has the power to attract and accomplish what we want, there are forces beyond our control that come into play and must be respected. For example, we want a perfect holiday, but a natural calamity such as an earthquake or flood may not allow it. Or, we build a dream home for our family, only to lose it months later due to a natural disaster. That is fate or destiny at play.

The next question that arises is, if we are that powerful and can realise our deepest intentions, then what is the role of God, the universe, and divine powers? Manifestation of our intentions through spiritual faith is to invite God or the universe to be the co-creator in our life. Faith and surrender to God influence the outcome. Therefore, there is more likely to be acceptance of the outcome, with the understanding that the universe is offering us something better. This mental state brings humility, the feeling of being blessed, and resilience in our efforts.

What then, is the art of meditation? Meditation follows the same principles as the above. It begins with a positive intention, followed by high-vibration words and affirmations with visualisation to transform the self into a better and calmer person than you are now.
Here is the magic recipe: Your intention is like a magic wand that you point at the universe to seek its assistance and blessings as a co-creator to realise your desires, while respecting and being in awe of the laws of nature.

Meelu G Wadhwani is a teacher of Rajyoga, based in Dubai, and the founder of www.abundance365.net

Going beyond the Limited Ego

September 7, 2024, 2:56 am

The lenses that we use to view the world and people around us, rose-tinted or not, are affected by factors that contribute to the colour and shape of those lenses. Our emotions, experiences, preferences, and habits pool together in what we call a limited ego, and this makes us believe that what we see and remember is exactly what happened. This ego, spinning around its own interests and associations, positions, colours, and shapes the lens of perception according to its whims. It is like looking at reality through a very tiny keyhole.

The first reducer of perspective are the physical senses. We perceive only about three per cent of the electromagnetic spectrum. We cannot see anything before red and after violet. Dogs can hear and smell better the we can. Bats guide themselves around using sonar. Many insects and birds navigate around due to a map-like spatial memory, better than many human beings. Imagine if, for example, we could “see” people’s vibrations. The advantages of that would be tremendous. In essence, the world that we see, hear, and touch is not all that exists.

Secondly, we are limited by the roles we have to play. A mother sees her children as a mother. A boss sees the team through the eyes of a ‘boss’. In other words, the tasks and responsibilities exert a pressure that means we only perceive things from the perspective of the role. This extends to cultural aspects as well – race, nationality, religion, and so on.
The third limiting factor is our own story. We carry the memory of everything we have gone through in childhood, adolescence, youth, and other stages of life. All the events and experiences that we took from them crowds into a small window of perception. Objectivity becomes impossible as we take most of our experiences personally. For all the above reasons, it is only by chance that we can perceive the same thing in the same way as someone else. When there is an unlimited sense of self, the door opens wide and we can see things as they really are.

To open the door wide and have a full perspective, we need to employ three powerful forms of consciousness.

First, I am the spiritual being, conscious energy, or soul, and I have a body. It is my instrument for expressing what is in me, and experiencing the result of that expression. This consciousness opens the door to be able to see others as souls, and even to perceive dimensions beyond this physical one. After all, if I am a spiritual energy, and not my material form, there are other questions to consider. If I am not matter, then I did not come from matter. The place we try to reach when we meditate or pray, and is remembered in all religious traditions – heaven or nirvana – is a dimension of light, the home of souls.

Secondly, I am the actor and I have many roles connected to my family, profession, social interactions, and even culture, religion, and nationality. I am one and the roles are many. If I have this consciousness, I can fulfil the roles in a better way. I can see that every single human being is an actor in this play of life. I cannot control anyone else’s roles. I have to pay attention to my own roles, to see how to harmonise them with those of others.
And thirdly, I am not my story. I am the protagonist of it. At a particular point in my mother’s pregnancy, I came into the womb, and started giving life to my tiny body. At another moment in the future, I will leave it. In this way, I can understand that I have been around before this life, and will exist after it. I, the soul, will continue to participate in a far bigger story. The story of this life is just one chapter of a book.

Using these three powerful forms of consciousness, I can really change the way I interact with the world. I do not need to kill the limited ego, but learn to operate better by applying these three powerful forms of consciousness.

Ken O’Donnell is an author and the director of Brahma Kumaris’ services in South America.

Who are we?

September 7, 2024, 2:48 am

Our natural inclination is to see the world from a materialistic point of view. But when consciousness is brought into the picture, we gain a new and enlightening perspective. Consciousness is usually sought to be understood as a physical phenomenon, in terms of its relation to the body and the brain. But this approach is illogical and cannot accurately explain the truth beyond a point because that which is non-physical or metaphysical cannot be correctly known from the physical point of view. Consciousness can be understood only through consciousness, or direct personal experience.

The entity having this personal experience is the soul, the sentient being which brings life to the body made up of inanimate matter. The atoms that constitute the body are fundamental components of matter, and while they interact with each other through physical and chemical processes, they lack the characteristics typically associated with living beings, such as awareness and intent.

The soul is a subtle, tiny, sentient point of light. Tiny here means smaller than the smallest particle – the soul cannot be seen or measured under a microscope, because it is a metaphysical entity. The soul is immortal and indivisible. Life begins when the soul enters a foetus in a mother’s womb. When the soul leaves, the body dies.

In the body, the soul resides in the brain, near the hypothalamus, which plays a key role in essential bodily functions, including temperature regulation, hormone regulation, and maintaining a stable internal environment despite external changes. It is from here that the soul controls the body and expresses itself through it.

The soul has three subtle faculties – the mind, which thinks; the intellect, which analyses, discerns, and makes decisions; and latent tendencies or habits, which are called ‘sanskars’ in some Indian languages. Each soul is unique in its capabilities, which may vary over time.
The first and foremost quality of the soul is that it is sentient. Apart from thinking, it can imagine, dream, and rewind recorded memories. Emotions are experienced by the soul, not the body.

The soul uses the body to perform various tasks, many of them consciously and deliberately, and others involuntarily. It is the soul who sees, hears, tastes, smells, and senses through the sense organs. Tiredness and sleepiness are experienced by the soul, which can then withdraw from physical sensations and rest in sleep. During sleep, the soul ‘sees’ dreams with the mind’s eye. The soul remembers or forgets facts and experiences.

Willpower, attitude, and intelligence are all attributes of the soul. Underlying these are the soul’s seven basic virtues: truth, peace, love, purity, strength, joy, and bliss. These traits foster other desirable qualities like compassion, generosity, and sweetness. A person is in a good frame of mind as long as the basic virtues are maintained. When the soul moves away from its natural qualities, vices such as lust, anger, and greed arise. They, in turn, breed negative traits like dishonesty, jealousy, and hatred.

It is to be noted that the above are all characteristics of a sentient being; none of them can be the attribute of a merely physical entity, be it the brain or any other part of the body. What does that tell us about who we are – a collection of atoms and cells, or something more?

B.K. Girish, an engineer by profession, has been a student of Rajyoga with the Brahma Kumaris for 40 years. After working in various IT companies, he now devotes his time to spiritual service, including scripting short films on spiritual subjects.

In the stillness

August 31, 2024, 1:55 am

“Strength for living necessitates finding a point of stillness from which I begin, and to which I return, every day: an oasis of inner peace.”
– Anthony Strano

We were always meant to integrate movement and stillness, and silence and sound, as we live our lives. Yet many of us spend most of our time only in movement and sound – no wonder we sometimes feel out of balance, exhausted, and unable to respond well to the situations we find ourselves in.

Stillness brings us back to self-mastery and harnesses the human potential from the very core. Going into a place of calm and quiet gives access to the greatness of the human spirit. When we look into a body of water that is choppy, full of ebb and flow and turbulence, we cannot see into the depths. When the water is completely still, we can then see what has been there all along. We can see into the deepest parts. In stillness we can see into the depths of the self, the soul.

Spiritual endeavour is about self-transformation. It is very important, when managing self-transformation, to flood the self with stillness to be able to profoundly see what is happening with thoughts, feelings, attitudes, perspectives – the powerful inner depths of the self. The single deepest longing of the human spirit, deep in the heart, is to return to our highest potential.

However, we cannot go directly to the new from the old. We cannot just glue wings on a caterpillar and call it a butterfly – the caterpillar needs the stillness of the chrysalis. This is a critical step. To move in a new direction, I need stillness for that movement.
“In the introspective space – I reflect. I recollect what has been forgotten for a long time.”
– Anthony Strano

In the still mirror inside, I see who I really am. All I have to do is close the gap between that which I really am and where I am now. For this to happen, stillness is the chrysalis that will activate a completely different operating system. We need a reset. Just as when a defibrillator shocks a heart that is out of synch – it will restart and function normally. We emerge from the times of stillness with a different way of being, which means we do things differently, we do things in a new way, the ‘normal’ way of being. We return to responding with clarity to our life’s story, and not reacting in the same old way with the same old outcomes.

What is it that we are connecting with in the stillness? With the long-forgotten true self, in a state where silence heals. Sometimes, physical stillness and physical silence are confused with spiritual stillness and silence. But they are very different. What we aim to do is maintain an inner stillness and silence while in physical action. However, there is something more going on as we return to the self. We are able, in that stillness, to not only return to the roots but also to the Seed. A return to God – a separate entity from I, the soul. That Being exists to remind us of who we really are, and our most intimate and eternal relationship is with that Being. In silence, in that reunion with the self, I have communion with the Divine. Then, when I come back into the field of expression, I am operating at my highest, most gracious potential.

Judi Rich is a graphic designer and fitness instructor. She is the Brahma Kumaris Centre Coordinator in Calgary, Canada.

Gurudev enlightens on calming the mind

August 20, 2024, 3:53 am

This was a question and answer session with Gurudev , Swami Chinmayanandaji, on the 16/05/1984, in Siddhabari as he sat informally outside the old Satsang hall in the evenings. We all gathered around him to ask him for guidance on how to calm the mind.
These are excerpts from my notes. Fortunate to still have them! I produce them as I wrote them then.
Swamiji began answering in his characteristic humorous style.He began, “ Never ask a sanyaasi what he thinks of this and that, you are giving him a full chit to bluff you! Ask only “ What does the Shastra say .? “

Q. Swamiji, what is the mind?
Ans. Mind is thought flow. What you are, depends on the quality of this thought flow, because thoughts crystallise as desires and desires finally manifest as actions. As you think so you become. There are ways of controlling the mind and gaining complete mastery over it.The thoughts should be trained to be pure. We should also control the quantity of thoughts. Thoughts rushing one upon another is a mind agitated. Calm down the thought flow, let it flow gently. Lastly, dam the flow. Learn to hold or release the thoughts acoording to your will. The three ways of controlling the mind are: 1) Quality, 2.) Quantity, 3). Damming it. The equipment is the same, but just the quality of thoughts makes one a saint or a first rate rascal, a noble or a bad man.so, control the mind. Don’t let it make you dance. Let it dance to your tune.

Q. How does one calm the mind?
Ans. Don’t try to quieten the mind with the mind.The controller must be different from the controlled. Hence the importance of an Idol. Humble yourself, surrender to Him and ask for His help to control your mind. It will become quiet. This is the importance of the Ishta, (personalised God).
Another tip to quieten the mind is to narrow its field of activity. The more you let it roam extrovertedly the more restless and jumpy it will become. So narrow its field of occupations.
The physical body should be absolutely still for a long time. Train it to sit erect with the legs and seat firmly on the ground, without moving even a centimetre, for quite sometime. Physical movement does not allow the mind to become calm. Just as in water, a clear reflection is not possible if the water has waves. It has to be completely placid.
The mind can quieten down with total surrender to the Lord. You are your own enemy. You have tied yourself in chains of attachment and then you say that you are shackled! Disengage yourself from all the worldly things of OET (Objects Emotions Thoughts) and just pray to Him. Let the ‘divine potential’ in you be tapped. We all have it, that is our true nature. Relax your facial and head muscles. The more you climb in His lap and near Him, the happier and calmer will be your mind. Some people learn to quieten the mind and go into a stupor, a kind of a hibernation. No, then you will not progress. The mind has to be quiet but the intellect has to be highly purified , alert and vigilant, then the divine joy will tumble out of you. It will unfold to you. It is not a passive experience but a positive one.
Another technique to quieten the mind while meditating is to do japa louder and louder (mentally). May be as loud as you can. That will arrest the mind from wandering.
The sign of an impure mind is likes and dislikes. The less you react to likes and dislikes ,the more pure the mind. True meditation is a state of bliss. If you are ever cheerful and smiling you are in constant meditation.

Q. Swamiji there is a lot of struggle in meditation?
Ans. In the earlier stages a seeker finds it very difficult to disengage the mind from the OET(objects, emotions, thoughts) and pull it inwards. This is because of trillions of years of habits that were extrovert. For example , when a rocket is launched it requires the maximum amount of energy to pull away from the earth’s gravity in the beginning. When it is out of the earth’s gravity the flight is much easier. Once it enters the moon’s circle of gravity it has to make no effort to go forward, it is pulled by the moon itself. Thus the mind has to make a Herculean effort to disengage from the OET. When you progress in sadhana it gradually becomes effortless, and once you reach Poorna Sattva
(Total quietude of the mind) the pure consciousness or Brahman sucks you in. The effort of the mind is not needed.

Q. Do we need to give up all desires? Please could you explain ‘sarva Sankalpa parityajya’?
Ans. Any desire born of Sankalpa has to be abandoned. Those that are natural in you , you will not be conscious of, e.g. Anger. A man who is short tempered will not realise it, it will come naturally to him. Similarly love for singing or dancing etc. that is why we say “ she is a born singer ,or born dancer. “ But any desire that is within the purview of recognition, destroy it immediately. Any desire that causes even the least amount of agitation, destroy it. If the desire is too overwhelming and has to be exhausted, then surrender to the Lord and exhaust it with the mind always established in”Thy will be done, free me from this shackle that I have accrued over past lives.” Come out of it as a man after a bath, not go deeper into it.

Q . Swamiji , what determines thought quality?
Ans. Thought belongs to the world of matter, but subtle matter. ( tan matra). When it is vitalised by Prana it becomes the thought flow: the mind. Anything that moves has direction. So also when thoughts move they move in the direction of your tendencies , whether you like it or not.

The author is the President Chinmaya Mission Delhi.

Overcoming Ego at Work

August 17, 2024, 1:23 am

Most people agree that the hardest part of any job is not the work itself but dealing with people at work. And the hardest part of that is dealing with everyone’s personal egos. Everyone has one, but most people do not know what it is, and how to overcome its influence.

In simple terms, ego is an image or idea we hold about ourselves, which we can get incredibly attached to. Most people think ego means thinking you are always right, always the best, but your particular self-image may be the opposite. Thinking you are no good, is also ego. We form these identities over many years, and they tend to be self-reinforcing as we automatically look for evidence that supports our self-image, and ignore anything that contradicts it.

Our egos are also multifaceted. I like to think of the ego as a castle that has been built from childhood. Each success and failure, each word from an authority figure adds to the castle. Our national identity, our football teams, our jobs, our appearance, our children’s success, our home.

All these and much more, add bricks to the identity castle called ‘me’. Unconsciously, everyone aims to have the biggest, best, most beautiful castle, to show to themselves and others that they have worth.

The problem, however, is that self-worth can never come from anything outside of ourselves. All the bricks, all the things we tend to identify with as being us, are temporary by nature. Every success can become a failure, beauty fades, jobs are lost, teams lose, and people let us down. If we do not find value in our inner selves, then we constantly seek to enlarge and protect our ego castle. And work is a place where most people are seeking to feed their egos. Every time you get approval, a brick is added, and you get a little ego boost. You feel good. But on the other hand, every time your castle is attacked by a look, a comment, a criticism, you feel subtle fear, sorrow, or anger.

Whenever you attend a meeting, if there are five staff members present, there are five egos present. Each ego has its own needs. And it is when these needs clash that trouble begins. If you have ever got irrationally angry in a meeting, got defensive, interrupted others, felt hurt, sulked, hidden the truth, or boasted about your efforts, that was your ego acting through you. Most of the negative behaviours which plague meetings are coming from our insecurities.

Judging, blaming, jealously, controlling, lying, cheating, boasting, insulting, avoiding, shouting, comparing, demanding, all these behaviours have their roots in insecurity. And these insecurities come from holding on to an unsustainable image of yourself. When you fight for your idea in a meeting and you start to feel very nervous, tense, angry, this is because you are not actually fighting for your idea, your ego is fighting in you, for its own survival.

In order not to let ego dominate my behaviour at work, I need to know how ego is working in me. The easiest way to do this is to monitor your feelings. Your feelings are a great GPS to let you know whether your thinking is clear or confused. The presence of anxiety, irritation, dislike, any negative emotions, indicate that the ego is operating within your consciousness.

By watching the ego operating within yourself, you can begin to disempower it. You can remind yourself that it is only an idea, that your self-worth is not based on others’ approval or acceptance. By being self-aware, talking to yourself and reminding yourself of your true inner worth, you can begin to disarm the ego.

You will feel yourself becoming more calm, detached, confident, and cheerful. And strangely enough, people will actually be more interested to hear from you when they no longer sense you are just trying to feed your ego. Your motive becomes more about ‘how can I add value to others through my work’, rather than ‘how can I get validated by others through my work’.

The other wonderful thing that can happen when you start to break free from the power of the ego is that other people get influenced. When you are relaxed, no longer trying to prove yourself or be better than the next person, everyone relaxes and starts to be more authentic. People feel safe around a person who genuinely likes themselves. The atmosphere begins to improve. And before you know it, meetings turn into a chance to actually get real work done, instead of losing time, energy and happiness building and breaking castles!

Jillian Sawers is a professional self-development trainer and has a YouTube channel called ’The Department of Silence’. She is based in Mount Abu, Rajasthan, at the headquarters of the Brahma Kumaris.

The Brain, Mind, and Spirit

August 17, 2024, 1:15 am

The brain continually receives inputs from the sense organs – the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and the skin. These inputs arrive through the process of neuronal firing, by which neurons, or nerve cells in the brain, generate and transmit electrical impulses, allowing them to communicate with each other and perform various brain functions. The neuronal firing terminates in the region of the brain which corresponds to the sense organ. The point of origin of the electrical impulse indicates which sense organ is sending the input. However, the mechanism of neuronal firing remains the same for all sensory stimuli.

Now, which part of the brain decides whether any action must be taken in response to the stimulus, and the nature thereof? The inputs from the senses are unpredictable, and may change every moment. It would be illogical to assume that the brain is programmed to deal with every possible input. In that case the response to one kind of input would always be the same. But that does not happen in real life, where we often act without any physical stimulation – someone idling on a couch may decide to take a stroll, for no particular reason. We also ignore sensory inputs, such as those from routine sounds, whereas we may have reacted to the same sounds with curiosity or alarm at a young age. This would not be possible had the brain been programmed to respond to sensory stimuli.

The structure of the brain indicates that it is an organ that performs assigned duties – it is incapable of changing its working on its own. There is obviously an intelligent entity that makes choices which determine how the brain functions. If consciousness resided in the brain, it would be possible to elicit thoughts by applying electric currents to the brain to stimulate it. Pioneering neurosurgeon Dr. Wilder Penfield tried this in his well-known experiments on patients. He stimulated different areas of the cerebral cortex, the brain’s outermost layer of nerve cell tissue, which plays a key role in memory, thinking, learning, reasoning, problem-solving, emotions, consciousness, and functions related to the senses. No patient attributed the resulting actions or thoughts to his or her own volition.

The electrical stimulation caused the patients to recall dreams and smells, and they had visual and auditory hallucinations, as well as out-of-body experiences. These perceptual illusions lasted only as long as the stimulation. But Dr. Penfield was unable to change the patients’ beliefs or decisions by inducing currents in their brain. He wrote in his book, ‘The Mystery of the Mind’: “…there is no valid evidence that electrical stimulation can activate the mind… none of the actions that we attribute to the mind has been initiated by electrode stimulation.” Further, he wrote: “There is no place in the cerebral cortex where electrical stimulation will cause a patient to believe or to decide.”

It is evident from Dr. Penfield’s ground-breaking experiments that attributing thoughts, beliefs, decisions, and consciousness to the brain alone is erroneous. There is an independent entity exerting a causal influence on cerebral processes and bearing responsibility for thoughts, decisions, and consciousness itself. As Dr. Penfield wrote in his book: “What a thrill it is, then, to discover that the scientist, too, can legitimately believe in the existence of the spirit!”.

Recharging the Soul

August 17, 2024, 1:06 am

The world of matter does have an impact on the mind. Equally, a strong mind can have a massive impact on matter, including our own bodies, which are made up of the five elements. Weak and negative thoughts hurt us and make us unstable and unable to resolve issues in the best possible way. We need to strengthen our minds and make our thought processes powerful. Determined and positive thought patterns are the basis of being able to find solutions to the many situations we find ourselves in.

We need to keep both mind and body active and healthy. Exercise has proven to be vital for the health of the body and mind. Just a walk of fifteen minutes does wonders, but thirty minutes of exercise each day, whether it be through walking, cleaning, dancing, improves brain function. Good food also is needed to maintain maximum physical health, and nutrients are needed for the brain too.

Apart from regular exercise and eating well, the other essential activity for body and soul is meditation. In meditation we engage with the power of the spiritual self, the soul, and bring that power into our everyday living. Neuroscientist have shown what a powerful impact meditation has on the brain. Experiments with groups who were asked to meditate over a few weeks have shown increased growth in neural tissue in the front of the brain, giving more complexity to the working memory and the ability to see nuances of situations more clearly. The amygdala, which is responsible for regulating anxiety and aggression, became smaller, resulting in a calmer approach to life and less stress. The hippocampus, responsible for memory and learning, became larger and consequently, more complex and efficient.

Meditation then, helps us to become more compassionate, less stressed, and have fewer incidents of depression and anxiety. The ability to concentrate increases, and an overall sense of well-being and happiness is experienced, leading ultimately to a higher quality of life. The new neural masses created bring greater ability to find solutions to the problems we encounter in life.

The brain is a physical organ, the soul though, is an eternal conscient point of light sitting in the forehead behind the eyes, approximately 2.5 centimetres into the brain. Whenever we become aware of the self in this way, as light, we begin to access the unique powers within. We access the qualities of love, peace, purity, wisdom, and joy, and all the myriad other qualities that stem from these core attributes of the soul. Our purpose in life is to be all that we can be, and fulfil our whole potential. For this we need a deep relationship with God; the only relationship that can fulfil our spiritual needs – and the way to self-actualisation. By recharging the soul through this connection with the Sentient Being of Love, new and powerful neural circuits are created and we naturally become full of well-being. We are happy to get up every day, do something productive and give our world our helping hand – finding our unique place in the universe.

Lygia Monteiro is a Brahma Kumaris Rajyoga teacher, based in London.

A beautiful mind

June 1, 2024, 4:13 am

‘The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven.’
— John Milton, ‘Paradise Lost’

It is only when we create a beautiful mind, from fully accessing our inner qualities, attributes, and resources, that we begin to experience life as more beautiful, not just for ourselves but we also help others to do the same. We can make a heaven out of any hell.
Aristotle said that there are three transcendental values – the true, the good, and the beautiful. Edgar Allan Poe said that the experience of beauty is something that actually touches the level of the soul; that beauty can transport us, it can uplift the soul. So, a mind that is beautiful will touch the soul. The intellect will deal with truth, and it is the heart that deals with what is good.

At a talk held at Cambridge University, with Dadi Janki, the late administrative head of the Brahma Kumaris, someone asked a very academic question, in a very complicated and convoluted way, and I waited with interest to see what Dadi Janki’s response would be. Her response was very simple, and caused much laughter, though delivered kindly. She said, ‘The trouble with you westerners is that you think too much.’ What she was pointing out was that the mind is very deep, the inner world of the self is very deep, and it requires a depth of silence of the mind to access that deep inner world. The kind of thinking that is done more often in the west, is that we have ended up in a situation where unless we can come up with some theory and we can demonstrate it scientifically, then we deny that something is real. Yet, there are many things in life, like falling in love, that cannot really be analysed scientifically, but those who have had that experience would certainly know it to be a truth, irrespective of scientific proof.

We start to access the capacity to cultivate a beautiful mind, at the level of soul. This is one of the core teachings of the Brahma Kumaris, to know oneself as a soul, occupying the body as a costume, in order to play a part and experience life. As Shakespeare said in ‘As You Like It’, ‘All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players…’.

When we explore the inner world of the self, of the soul, then we access the core qualities of the soul. A mind that is beautiful, experiences and expresses the intrinsic values of peace, love, wisdom, joy, purity, and power. The question is, how do we really cultivate those qualities, and bring the identity of being a soul to the forefront, rather than it being somehow hidden away in the background of our state of being? For this, one thing becomes really important, and that is the recognition and understanding of the nature of God.

At a further meeting in Cambridge University, Dad Janki spent a great deal of her address talking of God. I felt a little uneasy as most westerners do not really feel that comfortable, or even like, talking about God. When Dadi asked if anyone had any questions, I put up my hand and asked: ‘Dadi, what would you say to people who are less happy about the word God, and find it difficult to relate to that word?’ She looked across at me, and said, in a loving yet powerful way, ‘That is because your meditation is not good!’.

There are many concepts of God. Yet if we put aside the word ‘God’ and consider what it would be like to encounter a being who is an ocean of the qualities of peace, joy, wisdom, and purity, and of unending silence, unending stillness, and an ocean of love, that would be the way to tap into and connect with The Supreme Soul. This connection is one of the most powerful meditations we can do – and encounter through thought this perfectly benevolent Being. This encounter will enable us to be more loving, caring, and joyful in our interactions with others, and there is nothing that will do more to create a beautiful mind.

Geoff Marlow is an organisational consultant and Rajyoga practitioner based in Cambridge, UK.