Advantage of looking at one's good character

----------------------------------------------------------
Message for the day 22-08-2011
----------------------------------------------------------

Looking at the virtues in others fills them with enthusiasm. Projection: The best way of filling others with enthusiasm is to look at and relate with the virtues of others. Even if they are disappointed with themselves, when you relate to them with their virtues, you actually encourage them to use them and they are filled with enthusiasm too. Solution: It is good to check my behaviour through out the day, if any of my words or actions are hindering others' progress or if I am able to help others through my words by filling them with enthusiasm. I must always keep an aim of filling others with enthusiasm.

---------------------------------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 22-08-2011
--------------------------------------------------------------

The Two Companions Of Happiness – Peace And Love (A Meditation)

Happiness comes when there is self-sovereignty

---------------------------------------------------------
Message for the day 03-07-2011
----------------------------------------------------------

Happiness comes when there is self-sovereignty

Projection: Being a self-sovereign enables to have control over the self. If not, when there are negative or difficult situations, there would be sorrow. When there is control there will be no expectations from situations to change, but there will be the courage to change oneself.

Solution: When things go wrong, instead of worrying or waiting for things to change, I need to remind myself that I am a self-sovereign and I will be able to bring about a change in myself. When I work on myself and change I can be happy.  

----------------------------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 03-07-2011
----------------------------------------------------------

Take one of the following virtues or values (qualities) per day and spend five minutes thinking about its meaning and its application during the day.

Harmony (Unity)
Forgiveness
Trust
Flexibility
Courage
Gentleness
Freedom
Understanding
Benevolence (Kindness)
Patience
Enthusiasm
Tolerance
Serenity (Peacefulness)
Co-operation
Generosity
Humility (Egolessness)

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Message-for-the-Day-Soul-Sustenance/234792229869205?sk=wall

Happiness is earned by

----------------------------------------------------------
Message for the day 02-07-2011
----------------------------------------------------------

Happiness is earned by those whose actions and attitudes are pure and selfless.

Projection: When the actions are pure and selfless there is no trace of negativity. Where there is no negativity, the mind becomes free from feelings of guilt, fear etc. This automatically ensures constant happiness.

Solution: If there is no happiness, there is definitely some kind of negativity. So check the actions that you perform. Let them be not only for your benefit but also for the benefit of all and you will find that you are able to be in constant happiness.

----------------------------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 02-07-2011
----------------------------------------------------------

Freeing Oneself from Hatred (cont.)

To free yourself from hatred, you will have to take four important steps:

1. Understand that hate is not healthy. When you have a feeling of loss you feel sad. This feeling of sadness, because of the situation, generally gets created inside you before the feeling of hate, anger or frustration. Understand your emotions by observing them closely.

2. Accept that you are responsible for your own rage.

3. The other is free to act as they like, you can't change them, but you can improve your response.

4. Be prepared to observe, challenge and change the beliefs and perceptions that you base yourself on and that create your emotional pain. Some of these beliefs give force to your rage and block your learning. For example, when you think that it is good that you are angry, the belief is that to feel rage is the natural and normal reaction amidst certain situations. Another belief is that anger causes the adrenaline to flow in you and you consider that it is a healthy addiction, that it makes you feel 'alive', that having sudden surges of adrenaline makes you feel energetic and strong. You use any excuse to feel bad and, thanks to that excuse, your level of adrenaline rises!

Emotional suffering indicates to you that you have to change something in you, but you don't change anything. You ignore the messenger and the stress that you create continues to grow. Finally, it turns into such a habit that, if you relax and 'de-stress', you feel uncomfortable! You have got used to your stress.

Become aware of the need for you to evaluate your beliefs and their impact on your life. That way you will be more prepared to change and improve your habits. This is the first step to achieving it.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

True happiness

---------------------------------------------------------

Message for the day 01-07-2011
----------------------------------------------------------

True happiness doesn't come from external things or people but from within.

Projection: As long as we depend for our happiness on external sources, there is every chance that we are disappointed. True happiness is that which comes from within. It is to enjoy and cherish each moment. When we do this our happiness spreads to others too.

Solution: Let me take this thought today to smile at everyone and everything that comes my way. When I believe I am happy I will be able to take even the negative things in the most positive way.
---------------------------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 01-07-2011
----------------------------------------------------------
Freeing Oneself from Hatred (cont.)

Take a moment to reflect upon the last time that you hated someone. It might be difficult to see that your rage is created by no one but yourself. Although it 'seems' that the behaviour of the other person is responsible for your emotional state, the truth is that the hate is your reaction. Each response that you create might be a conscious choice. You forget that you have the choice because it seems that the hate comes out of your inside in a natural way. In reality, you are allowing yourself to act driven by your automatic pilot, where your subconscious habits, which are based on your beliefs and your perception, influence, shape and control your conscious thoughts and actions. That is the sign of mental and emotional laziness; in that state, your intelligence 'sleeps' and it is impossible to think with clarity and take precise decisions.

It is said, "It is impossible to get angry and to laugh at the same time," Rage and laughter cannot exist side by side and you have the sufficient power to choose either of the two. Each time that you choose to get angry due to the behaviour of another person, you are depriving them of their right to be what they choose.

(To be continued tomorrow …)

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

Creativity comes when there is happiness.

----------------------------------------------------------
Message for the day 31-03-2011
----------------------------------------------------------
Creativity comes when there is happiness.

Projection: When challenging situations come our way, there is a tendency to think in a cyclic way to overcome that problem. That is, the mind thinks of the same things again and again to overcome the problem. The more the mind creates such thoughts, the more it is difficult to find a solution. There is no happiness and peace of mind at such times.

Solution: Happiness touches the heart and enables the creativity to come from within. When I am happy I am able to enjoy and make the best use of each and every moment of my life. The one who is happy doesn't wait for the right opportunity to be creative, but uses each moment as a chance for using creativity - for bringing newness. I do something new, unique and different. So I also have the satisfaction of having done my best.

----------------------------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 31-03-2011
----------------------------------------------------------

Creativity comes when there is happiness.

----------------------------------------------------------
Message for the day 30-03-2011
----------------------------------------------------------
Determination with patience brings success.

Projection: When we take up something new, we are quite determined and we would like to give our best to the end. We do that too. Yet we find that many times, we give up the task before we achieve success. We then tend to wonder at the cause for this lack of success, to the extent that we could label ourselves as failure.

Solution: When I begin to do something, along with determination, I also need patience. Patience helps me to wait and watch calmly for the fruit of my effort to be seen. I am not in a hurry, yet I don't give up putting in effort. Patience gives me the ability to go on planting new seeds of effort knowing the fruit is sure to come. And so there is never failure, but only a journey towards success.

----------------------------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 30-03-2011
----------------------------------------------------------

Bringing newness in dealing with life's situations brings happiness.

----------------------------------------------------------
Message for the day 05-03-2011
----------------------------------------------------------
Bringing newness in dealing with life's situations brings happiness.

Projection: Unhappiness is experienced when there is no newness in dealing with the variety of life's situations. We continue to think the same way and act in the same way, so we are caught up in the same viscious cycle. We are not able to see anything new in the new situations that come our way. These turn to burdensome thoughts that drain out positive energy.

Solution: I experience a lot of happiness when there is newness brought in responding to situations. The potential and the energy of the mind is channelised in a positive way so there is an experience of fulfillment and satisfaction. The mind is not caught up with negative or waste but is busy trying for the best solutions in all situations, and life itself becomes more beautiful.

----------------------------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 05-03-2011
----------------------------------------------------------

True happiness is an experience which touches others too.

----------------------------------------------------------
Message for the day 13-02-2011
----------------------------------------------------------
True happiness is an experience which touches others too.

Projection: We sometimes find ourselves in situations where we are not able to make everyone happy. Yet we are not able to understand the reason for it. Inspite of the situation being positive we either are lacking in our own state of happiness or others are not happy with me.

Solution: When I am really happy with something, there is the natural desire to share it with others. This sharing enables me to spread the happiness to others too. Also when my happiness is based on truth, I find that there is no harm for myself or others and only benefit for all concerned.

----------------------------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 13-02-2011
----------------------------------------------------------

Experiencing The Natural Qualities Of The Supreme Soul or God (Meditation)

Real contentment spreads happiness to others too.

----------------------------------------------------------
Message for the day 30-01-2011
----------------------------------------------------------
Real contentment spreads happiness to others too.

Projection: When one feels contentment but the others are not able to perceive that contenetment, it means that it is not true contentment. Real contentment is visible in such a way that others too are able to feel the happiness that is created. When there is real contentment, all thoughts, words and actions are filled with quality.

Solution: When I am content, others automatically recognise the contentment within me. They are able to take benefit from my state. Even in the most hopeless state, I find that I become a source of support for those around me. I am able to give hope to the hopeless and help them get back to a state of happiness.

----------------------------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 30-01-2011
----------------------------------------------------------

Meditation On Experiencing My Original Loveful Nature

The power of good wishes enables disheartened ones to experience happiness.

----------------------------------------------------------
Message for the day 27-01-2011
----------------------------------------------------------
The power of good wishes enables disheartened ones to experience happiness.

Projection: The usual reaction to the negativity in another person is to behave negatively too, i.e., to express negative qualities. This continues although this does not bring about the desired change in the other person. On the other hand, when there is the ability to see the positive qualities in the other person and have good wishes based on that it becomes a source of power to bring about a change to positivity.

Solution: When I have the ability to give positive feelings and good wishes to the other person even when they are negative, they are able to get the power to change the negative to positive. I find that the change that I seek for in others is much more quicker and easier than if there is the emphasis just on negativity.

----------------------------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 27-01-2011
----------------------------------------------------------
The Principle Of Focus and Flow

To find reasons to be happy is to increase happiness.

----------------------------------------------------------
Message for the day 01-12-2010
----------------------------------------------------------
To find reasons to be happy is to increase happiness.

Projection: When the mind searches for reasons to be sad and sorrowful, even situations with no great significance are seen with a vision of negativity. So there is constantly an expression of words and actions that reflect the need for sympathy and reassurance. On the other hand, when there is the search for happiness, then everything is positive giving happiness..

Solution: When I am happy, I start perceiving everything with that vision. It is like wearing coloured glasses. Whatever colour my glasses are, the whole world is coloured with it. Then, I am no longer able to perceive and recognize negativity and I am able to remain happy with everything.

----------------------------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 01-12-2010
----------------------------------------------------------

Practical Exercises Of Self Transformation Through The Power Of Meditation (cont.)

To spread the light of happiness

----------------------------------------------------------
Message for the day 02-11-2010
----------------------------------------------------------
To spread the light of happiness is to become a spiritual lighthouse.

Projection: When we are in situations where there is negativity around or there seems to be no source of happiness, we too naturally tend to feel low and negative. We are totally under the influence of the situation and we can't seem to overcome the feeling at that time. Nothing actually inspires us to make effort to come out of such a feeling.

Solution: We need to remind ourselves that we are a lighthouse, a source of light to all those around us. This thought will give us the inspiration to remain stable and strong even when we are amidst chaos or difficult situations. We will be able to spread our light across and show everyone the right direction by becoming an inspiration to those around us.

----------------------------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 02-11-2010
----------------------------------------------------------
Overcoming Acidity And Stomach Ulcers Through Meditation

To transform waste into something purposeful

----------------------------------------------------------
Message for the day 11-10-2010
----------------------------------------------------------
To transform waste into something purposeful and powerful is to remain light.

Projection: To successfully transform something waste into something powerful and meaningful is to look beyond the situation and see what it has to teach. When there is the ability to do this, there is the ability to go on in spite of the most challenging obstacles. There is the deep understanding that nothing happens without a purpose. There is no time or energy wasted in wasteful company.

Solution: When I understand the significance of everything that happens, I am able to transform in a second. So I am able to remain light because I am able to put in sincere effort and free myself from the burden of waste. I also find that there is no problem in my relationships too, as I am able to understand others and behave accordingly.

----------------------------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 11-10-2010
----------------------------------------------------------
The Search For Peace, Love and Happiness

We are constantly searching for true values. In consciousness we mistakenly think that the physical world and physical relations can provide us peace, love and happiness. However peace, love and happiness are not the properties of matter, nor of the physical identity, but the true properties or characteristics of the soul. This has to be realized.

Imagine a scene in which you are surrounded by all your favourite things; food, music, fragrance, scenery and companions. Just about to enjoy your meal, the telephone rings and you are told that a person close to you has just died. Instantly, that scene of "favourites" melts into a distasteful and superficial experience. Something has happened that shakes the soul and it can no longer enjoy those things. At the same time it finds itself powerless in the face of the bad news as understanding and power are missing. Life is full of experiences such as this and it becomes clear that physical things are not the sources of peace, love and happiness, but that understanding and inner strength are.

One of the basic facts of human psychology is that we do not seek or desire something that has not been experienced previously. For example, if one has never tasted a mango, there cannot be a burning desire to have a mango. This suggests that desires might be arising from previous life experiences. In fact, it is impossible for a human being to act or desire outside the field of his or her own experience. The search for peace, love and happiness is so fundamental to the human spirit because these are the original and true qualities of the soul itself.

In Spiritual Service,
Brahma Kumaris

To work with the inner happiness

----------------------------------------------------------
Message for the day 30-08-2010
----------------------------------------------------------
To work with the inner happiness is to move forward with lightness.

Projection: Usually we do take care not to give sorrow to others, but we sometimes do take sorrow from the words and behaviour of others. This disturbs our own inner state and we are not able to work with lightness. Then we find that we are not able to be effective in our work and this further effects our inner state.

Solution: We need to pay special attention not to take sorrow from anyone. As much as we are careful not to give sorrow to others, we need to make sure we don't take any sorrow too. That means we need to remain light by keeping ourselves open to criticism. We need to take any criticism that comes our way in the right spirit and see that we learn from it without having any negative thoughts.

----------------------------------------------------------
Soul Sustenance 30-08-2010
----------------------------------------------------------

Inculcating Powers Through Rajyoga Meditation -
The Power To Tolerate (cont.)