Slow Down and Stop Rushing

'What is this world if full of care, we have no time to stand and stare...'

Slow Down and Stop Rushing

In todays crazy world its easy to spend a lot of our time rushing from A to B, only to find that those few seconds of haste dont make a significant difference in our day. Rushing around without hardly a minute to spare has become a necessity or even an addiction. In our pursuit of speed, we lose our peace in the soul and create unnecessary adrenalin in the body, which only fatigues the muscles and makes us more tired than productive. Learning to slow down is the key to being more effective!

Imagine a world in which everyone decelerated just a little drivers, motorcyclists, housewives and executives. For a start there would be fewer accidents! Giving way to others with grace may mean that you will be a few minutes later at the most. Is it really so important that you save a few seconds at the expense of your sanity or blood pressure? Imagine living your life at a slightly slower pace, and enjoying the moment instead of always frantically scrambling to whats next.

Very often we jump from one action to the next and forget what we just did or which direction we just came from. We are so heavily consumed in action that we lose awareness of everything around us and consequently we lose the experience of the moment. Then we dont have time to pause, smell the roses or enjoy the moment!

We create for ourselves a vicious cycle. We find ourselves running after time, and as we hurry, we make mistakes, accomplish little and therefore need more time to do the things we need to do!

The key to breaking this vicious cycle is to resist the very thought of haste. To slow down means to step into the present moment, to be alert, conscious and aware. Then as we become focused, we can harness our inner powers and are able better discern and decide. Instead of simply reacting we can choose the most appropriate responses. Its a change of attitude from feeling out of control to being the master.

And when we sit to reflect at the end of the day we are contented and at peace, knowing that every minute was used in a worthwhile way and to its best advantage. In this way we can honour our daily tasks and responsibilities and sail through them with lightness and ease.

The example of the tortoise and the hare is an excellent one slow and steady wins the race!

Its time... think before you speak, think before you act, and to think before you think...! Taking that little extra time to hold this attention will reap greater dividends in the long run. Become like the tortoise, smell the roses and thereafter be the master and go within your shell.

Its Time is spreading far and wide! Feel free to forward this wisdom, but to avoid any karmic rebound.

'It's Time...' by Aruna Ladva, BK Publications London

Amrit Vela - Time of Nectar

Amrit Vela is commonly known as early morning meditation. How early, you may ask... to be precise, at 4am! What is so appealing to yogis about this unearthly hour? Well, Amrit means nectar while Vela means time or moment. As one sits in meditation and in contemplation of God, one is able to taste the nectar, the sweetness, of this divine relationship and take sustenance to empower the self. It is a very special, silent and personal time with the Almighty that is much more difficult to recreate once the world begins its busy, noisy day. It is the only time to take real power from God.

Sikhs believe that the day is divided into 8 parts or 8 'pehrs' of three hours each, and the time between 3am and 6am is the highest energy. Buddhists also have an early morning meditation ritual. In Islam the first prayer of the day, 'Fajr', is also before sunrise. Hindus too believe in the 'Brahma Muhurta', time of God, which occurs exactly for the first 48 minutes, of the one hour and thirty-six minutes before sunrise everyday. This is a time, they say, that is conducive to learning and mastering the scriptures, music and any other art form. There is also a widely held belief that the early morning hours are the time when the gods or angels are encircling the world. They are ready and waiting to bestow blessings... but only to those who are awake! Which gives rise to the saying: if you snooze, you lose!

The benefits of Amrit Vela are endless, and the practice is not as difficult as some may think. Yet some peoples immediate response when asked to try out this daily practice is one of shock and panic, especially those who go to bed at this hour! In response, I would say, try it and give it a chance. Dont look to see what you losing, but look to see what you are gaining! Losing an hour or two of sleep is really nothing, compared to the power, confidence and spiritual stamina you will gain from awakening early and absorbing this early morning spiritual energy. The feeling for me is one of intricately fine tuning myself to Gods vibration, which in turns enables me to fine tune to the world, so that I can begin to know exactly what to think, say and do.

I personally have been waking up at 4am everyday since 1983 and I thoroughly love it. I have never got bored with it. Its a discipline I took up early on, and it has been a part of my life ever since then it is just not negotiable. If due to sickness or travel I miss this early morning appointment, then there is definitely the feeling of having missed something important, like missing an important dose of powerful medicine! Of course in the beginning it is easier when you are practicing with others, but after a while when you get the hang of it, and are enjoying it, then sitting alone is also bliss.

Of course it does help to go to bed early, and to go to sleep with the right type of thoughts: peaceful and positive, in remembrance of the true nature of the self and God. Going to bed at 2 or 3am is not ideal. In truth, one really needs to ask oneself the question; what is the real benefit of the late night entertainment, when perhaps it could be replaced with the early morning one! Late nights mostly drain you and give you hangovers, the morning one will recharge and revitalise you. Amrit Vela, is the only true time to fill up high quality fuel in the soul, for the rest of the day you will not pass such a petrol pump no matter how powerful your meditation is.

So what do you do once you have managed to wake up and get out of bed? Wash your face, and have coffee or tea if you feel you need it to stay awake. Then set a dim light and sit to meditate in your favorite place. Open a window for fresh air and fill your lungs with the morning ozone. Light a candle if you wish, but remember that that is simply a pale reflection of the light that is inside of you, the sparkling light sitting in the center of your forehead.

Amrit Vela is normally a time to bathe in the blissful experience of God, and our higher self. A time to quieten the mind and to keep the thoughts calm and still. Sit and absorb his love, energy and pure vibrations. It is not really a time to think of mundane matters such as work, or to try to resolve the inner and outer conflicts that may be ongoing; reserve those issues for your later meditations. In fact, as one fills oneself with power at this most auspicious time, one is able to gain the inner strength to overcome many of the obstacles that arise in ones life.

Its Time... to wake up in the early morning hours and to fill up from the Supreme Source of love and light. Enjoy the sweet taste of Amrit Vela and awaken not only the body, but also the soul!

'It's Time...' by Aruna Ladva, BK Publications London

It's Critical Not to be Critical

Have you noticed how some people just seem to find fault in everything? You go out with someone and buy them coffee but the cup is just not big enough (or small enough) or the chairs around the table should be blue instead of green, or the flowers on the table are just not fresh! Some people have the habit of commenting on, and criticizing just about everything. What is it going to take to be positive and to look at the brighter side of life?

No one wants to spend a day with a critical person. If you have tried it you know just how it feels. When someone continues to find fault in you, or the objects around you, or the way you run your life, then you feel as though you want to run from them as fast you can. Commenting on a persons possessions or circumstances is almost the same as insulting the person themselves.

Criticism is an expression of disapproval and always follows a judgment. It almost implies that our life needs a performance review and in this case we have failed... at least in the eyes of the beholder! The fact is that criticism usually tells us more about the critic, than the receiver.

Critics are usually critical of most things and most people, usually because they are unhappy people and want to share their dissatisfaction with everyone else. Unfortunately their complaints will not change the world or other people, and so they will never be happy.

Critics have a time and place to carry out their 'vocation', but unsolicited advice, especially when delivered with an air of superiority, never goes down well. Knowing what to say, when, and where, and with whom, an art is. But if we have a tendency to be critical (and who isn't, from time to time?) then the lesson we really need to learn is how to be happy with ourselves.

It is not our true nature to focus on the sad or bad. Focusing on the faults of the child will never make him or her grow up to be a 'somebody'. Rather, he will always be seeking the approval of adults or peers even when he is in his rocking chair because that is how he has learned to measure successes

The soul blooms when there is love, acceptance and acknowledgement. Its much nicer to be complimented than complained about. Take birthdays as an example; the day when your inbox is filled with good wishes and blessings from all over the world. How do you feel?

Try taking a few moments every now and then to just see the goodness in all the things around you and all the people in your orbit at any given time. The critic can always find something to complain about in any situation, but it is really simply a point of view which is coming from a deep seated negative attitude, which can be shifted.

Even if you can see that something or someone needs improvement and can benefit from that, just try in that moment to accept the situation or the person... comment later if need be... but in that moment control your emotions, just try to expand your tolerance level, and increase your acceptance level. This very deed may help the other to seek guidance for improvement, or invite comments. But moreover, you will feel better for keeping a positive vision. You will find your relationships will improve in leaps and bounds.

Another major aspect to this whole exercise is to master the ability to remain quiet with the mind and the lips for a while, especially when I want to jump in or to react. If my mind is like any unleashed dog that barks and bites at anything passing by then it means I do not have a grip on my mind or my tongue.

Learning to stay positive is a training we must give to the mind if we are to survive and not get stressed and stained by life. You may, for example, see the dry bare tree and think how ugly it is, but switch your thoughts to how momentous it is that the tree is still standing, and see its majesty instead. Someone may not get you exactly the gift you wanted, but at least they had the thought. Or, you may have a challenge with your colleague at work, but hey, think again, are YOU perfect? And would it really hurt to be co-operative rather than critical?

Treating ourselves more kindly and shifting our vision towards appreciation and gratitude for the people and things around us are the best antidotes for criticism. When I feel a sense of contentment within, then I dont notice the little things around me that would otherwise bug me. And if I feel content with myself, then I am less likely to feel hurt by the criticism of others. Instead I can send them positive thoughts and good wishes, for they are the ones who are in need!

Its time... to shift your mindset and take a positive view. Being critical is destructive and unproductive, so for your own good and the good of others... its critical not to be critical!

'It's Time...' by Aruna Ladva, BK Publications London

Building Spiritual Capacity

Living in a world where we have become too dependent upon expecting instant results, we have in the process lessened our capacity to adjust or accommodate. Fewer and fewer people are having the patience or fortitude to see things through with love and insight.

People's tolerance levels are dropping fast and temper levels are on the rise. Very often waiting for the traffic lights to turn green makes some turn red with fury! If the telephone does not connect to someone half way around the world in ten seconds or less, we curse the phone lines or the internet company. When the ignition does not flick on the stove in an instant, it is we who get heated!

The above are just basic every day practical things. Yet what about tolerating differing ideologies and beliefs? We are quick to judge, hate or even kill because we cannot tolerate the other for who they are, or what they represent.

To be inflexible or obstinate is ego; the belief that I am right or that mine is the only way forward. If I am at least open and humble, I will be willing to stop, listen, and wait and welcome the outcome. I may even learn a thing or two. But when impatience gets the better of me, I develop a short fuse and the whole circuit breaks down!

A deeper, more subtle aspect to this ego is when I have impatience or intolerance in dealing with my own personality, and especially my negative habits. Because of not wanting to face or manage my own shortcomings, I instead strive to prove that I dont really want anything, need anyone, or aspire to anything in life.

I feel that I am not good at conversation, and therefore I dont need to speak to anyone. Or I say no to golden opportunities that come my way for fear of failure, or my ego tells me that it is better not to try at all than to fail and be made to look a fool! But who am I fooling?

Avoidance means that I am not stretching my boundaries or limits, nor am I learning or growing. My fear, laziness, or selfishness is keeping me stuck. Building capacity is all about taking risks and pushing myself to go the extra mile, and not taking the easy way out by remaining firmly within my comfort zone. To build spiritual capacity, I have to take a deeper look at myself to see where it is that I have installed the 'blinkers' in my life and what I am refusing to deal with. Then I can progress.

Every day should pass with the feeling that I have learnt something new and grown from it. Even if my learning is just to see something in a new light or gain a new perspective, at least I have expanded my thinking. This cannot happen if I always believe that I am the one who is right and therefore no one can teach me anything. I need to be open and engaging otherwise my capacity shrinks rather than expands.

Extending the capability and capacity of the soul is essential in order to deal with life in todays world, but it requires a deep level of understanding and commitment of my own self-progress and well-being. Whatever situation I am faced with, I can ask myself what can I learn from this? Why has this situation arisen in front of me (and not someone else?). And when we really learn the lesson of humility, we may also ask, not only what can I take (learn) but also, what can I give (inspire)? I grow spiritually by giving. Even when, or you could say, especially when I think I am lacking something, then let me give initially. For example, I cant receive love, or respect, until I give it first.

Its not only about others being my teachers but I can learn from observing myself and the entire drama of life itself. Instead of cursing the traffic jam, I choose to use the time to slow down my racing mind. When you think that things have taken a turn for the worse then turn it around and find the benefit in the situation. Let me curious instead of judgmental. Try cooperating with that colleague at work instead of resisting, and see what happens. It may not be comfortable, but you have just extended your capabilities to another level, and that will reap benefits for you in every area of your life.

Its Time... to stretch our capacity, by dropping the ego and by accommodating and adjusting, being flexible and flowing. As we expand out of our comfort zone, we will truly feel we are living and not just living for ourselves. There is a lot life can teach me... if I am willing to learn.

'It's Time...' by Aruna Ladva, BK Publications London

Be Wiser than a Miser

What prevents us from giving when we know its really the right thing to be doing in that moment? Why is it so hard to give, when we have what the other wants, and may even have a lot of it? Why is it difficult for some of us to part with love, kindness, cooperation or other assets such as time and money, when we would not be losing much if we did?

We are not born misers. We become misers along the way. Some develop a paucity or scarcity consciousness. Not because we dont have, but because we fear not having enough, and also more than that, we dont realize exactly the value of what we do have. For example we can brighten up someones day with a smile. And we have arms that can turn into helping hands. We have a mind that can produce powerful thoughts. We have a heart that can generate good wishes and pure feelings to all those around. To give or not to give, is not so much about how much we have or don't have, it is more a state of mind, or a way of being.

Unfortunately, living in a physical world, our vision has become limited to mostly physical things and our life has been defined by physical attributes. Hence, we have learned to place a disproportionate value on material things. Secondly, we have come to hold onto those material possessions ever so tightly for the fear that we may not have any left for ourselves. This tension is the cage that makes us into misers and magpies!

Insecurity is the biggest block in allowing us to be generous and overflowing. But what is insecurity? It is nothing short of fear. And fear, like darkness, is the absence of something. When there is love, peace, light, kindness etc. there is no fear. Sometimes we become fearful of giving, in the event that others may become dependent, attached or sticky towards us! This is when we need to trust, and exercise love and kindness and then it will be in our hands to make only our positive prophecies come true.

Nowadays there is a trust deficit. We are unable to trust ourselves, others, and the cycle of giving and receiving. We dont realize that as we give, we are opening up the flow to receive. Just think: money in the bank does not grow... but money invested yields returns. By keeping it in the bank, we only fool ourselves into thinking we are reducing the risk of poverty. Yet some have learnt through the financial crisis that that is not the case either!

Perhaps it is not that we dont have the assets of time, money or energy to give, but it is just that we prioritize selfishly. Most people reading this article probably have more than they actually need. Its just that they think of themselves first and less of others. Imagine instead, a world in which every day, we did something for someone else first... from the heart. What a different world that would be.

As I focus on my inner qualities of love, peace, bliss, truth and purity, I gradually begin to increase my self-respect and self-worth. I realize how much abundance I already have inside my soul and how much I am overflowing with it. As I pour this out into the universe, the universe returns its flow back to me, and what it brings to me reflects just how deserving I am.

This self-realization or self-enlightenment frees me from having to calculate or penny pinch. I give for no other reason except that I am full, and I am here to shine and radiate my gifts into the world.

Its Time... to trust that what you give will come back to you. You have an abundance of gifts to share with the world. Dont hold back. Be wise, and dont be a miser.

'It's Time...' by Aruna Ladva, BK Publications London

The Power of Positive Affirmations

We may believe that our own thoughts are a private affair... but are they? As hard as this truth might be to swallow, our thoughts have manifested the life we are living currently. And if we dont like our life, then it's time to do something about it. We need to change the way we think, not simply what we do!

Every thought creates a feeling, which in turn influences our perspective and our action. In time the same thought becomes our underlying attitude, it creates our habits and beliefs, and ultimately shapes our character and, yes... becomes our destiny!

If we feel we are living in sorrow and misery, its because somewhere we have become too loose with our thinking and have given permission for the misery to move in, making it our friend and ally! Conversely, if we are successful in life, thats often because we feel worthy and deserving, we keep telling ourselves that we deserve success, we want more and can visualize a life full of plenty.

This is definitely a case of be careful what you ask for, for you will surely get it! Whether consciously or unconsciously we are re-affirming a thought, an idea, a belief to ourselves. And what we give our thoughts to, we are also giving energy and power to that thing. So often we seem to be good at drawing bad luck to ourselves, and so why not use the same principle to attract the good. What we think about, we create.

Conscious affirmations are powerful statements that we repeat to ourselves about the many things we want to manifest or see happen in our lives. Firstly, we need to believe in the idea of being able to manifest what we want. Think about it and empower it with a positive statement, over and over again. You can repeat your affirmations, like you take your daily medicine. Of course the more you believe in it, the more it will work for you and you will be able to have returns more quickly.

These are a few basic rules for creating affirmations:
1) Be clear on what you want
2) It must be a positive statement
3) It must be believable to you
4) It needs to be personal
5) Make it as specific as possible
6) Visualize your goal as though it has already happened

Here are some sample affirmations. You may use these or create your own personal ones. Practice saying them 3 X 3 times a day at least. And make sure the negative self does not sabotage the positive. Eventually your 'affirmation' will become a natural part of your life and your thinking. Not simply a nice thought, but a real deep-seated belief. When our positive thoughts really become part of us, then success is guaranteed!

Affirmations for:

Abundance
There is an ample supply of everything.
I pay my bills with love as I know abundance flows freely through me.
Everything I need comes to me.
My life is full.

Good health
I am fit and healthy.
I give light and might to every cell in my body.
Every cell, tissue and organ in my body vibrates with energy and health.
My body heals quickly and easily.

Love
I know that I deserve love and I accept it now.
I give out love and it is returns to me multiplied.
I rejoice in the love I encounter everyday.
I am loved and I love all.

Weight Loss
I am the perfect weight for me.
I make positive healthy choices for myself.
I look in the mirror and can say with honesty, I love myself.
I love my daily discipline.

Self Esteem
I am special
I believe in myself.
I express my needs and feelings.
I am my own unique self special, creative and wonderful.

Peace and Harmony
My relationships are loving and harmonious.
I am at peace with all.
I trust in the process of life.
I dance the dance of harmonizing my personality.

General
All is well.
Everything is easy and flowing.
I am grateful for everything life delivers to me.
I am liberated and free.

Its Time...to create happiness and success in your life with a few affirmations: I am healthy. I am abundant. I am special. Everything is easy and flowing. I am grateful for all that life delivers to me. Believe in it and it will surely happen.

'The Power of Positive Affirmations' by Aruna Ladva, BK Publications London

How Do You Make People Feel?

"People will forget what you said, People will forget what you did, But they will never forget how you made them feel."  - Maya Angelou.

How many times have you been inspired or expired as a result of what someone said to you? But check, was it really what they said, or the feeling you were left with as a result of their presence and words?

And have you ever stopped to ask yourself how you make other people feel? We are conscious of the feeling we are left with as a result of peoples words and behaviours, but how often do we reflect on the impact we have on others?

Kindness and hostility are not words they are feelings. As we recollect our childhood memories, what left the greatest impact? It was perhaps the teachers reassurance or the bullys taunt. All words have flown away, yet those feelings have stayed locked in our soul til today.

It is often said that words are only 7% of our communication. Tone, intonation, body language, a persons presence and their reputation etc. are so many other aspects that speak to us at the same time as their words.

When throngs of people come to listen to a famous guru or a management pundit, that is not his or her time to impress the people. He or she has done that work beforehand which is why the followers have arrived; wanting to soak in more. And impress is a key word a positive impression has been left on the followers souls.

But how do we deal with negative impressions being cast our way? There was another very powerful lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, who claimed: No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. So this raises the question: Is the one throwing the feeling more powerful, or the one catching it?

I tend to agree with Eleanor! No one can make us feel anything because consciously or unconsciously we choose our responses. It is us who give our power over to the other party, like tossing over our heart to them for them to play with the strings as they wish.

I believe that when Maya spoke her wise words, she was intending for us to take heed of our deeds and to ensure that we leave good feelings in others at all times. And when Eleanor spoke hers, it was to safeguard us against what others are throwing our way. Both are equally important.

Our actions and our aura speak louder than our words. One way to check this would be to ask: are people happier when we arrive, or when we leave? If we are always giving others respect, honor and a good feeling in general, then who would not want to be around us? If on the other hand we always condemn and criticize, people will run a mile. If our words are sweet but our thoughts are not, guess what is being picked up most of the time?

We also need to remember that we are all mirrors for one another. What I see in others is a reflection of what is within myself. This is one of the reasons why the yogi will always aim to see the positive in others rather than look at their faults. It helps us to be more positive and allows them to rise to that vision for themselves.

It is our duty as spiritual beings to choose to create the highest vibration at all times to create good feelings and benevolent wishes for all. It begins with ourselves.

In the end, everything is about feelings. We all do what we do because we want to feel something powerful, peaceful, loved, appreciated, honored. The essence of life is to express and experience the highest and most uplifting feelings.

Its time to check: Are people happier when we arrive or when we leave? People will not remember what you say, but they will remember how you make them feel, glad or sad!

- By Aruna Ladva, London

Raksha Bandhan Celebration - 2014

Today's Step To Become REAL Human Being - 'No Task Too Difficult'

If you do everything with the feeling of happiness, there will be no task too difficult to perform.

Stability

When we are faced with difficult situations, we usually tend to have a feeling that we have no resources or are not able to make the best use of the resources within for best results. Thus we are not able to experience real progress. On the other hand we only tend to experience a lot of negative feelings. When we learn the art of being stable in the most negative situations, we will know how to use the treasures that are hidden within ourselves. Our mind is no longer disturbed with waste or negative thoughts and we find it easy to face and learn from each and every situation.

A Spiritual Perspective Of True Love

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.

Soul Sustenance

Creative Visualization

The incorporeal (non-physical) soul, situated in the centre of the forehead consists of three energies. Although each energy can be given a different name, it is actually the same energy, the soul, functioning on three different levels at the same time. These are the mind, which is the thinking faculty (energy) of the soul; the intellect, which is the decision-making and visualizing faculty (energy) of the soul and the personality characteristics, commonly called sanskaras.

In the practice of meditation, on one hand, the mind is used to create pure, positive and powerful thoughts or affirmations based on the basic qualities of the soul like peace, contentment, happiness, love, joy, power, etc. Along with that, the intellect is used to create visual images of the same thoughts, which is called creative visualization. This process brings about a positive change in our sanskaras. This is the basic principle used in the Rajyoga meditation taught by the Brahma Kumaris. Creative visualization may be used in various ways to experience true relaxation of the mind.

Message for the day

With benevolent feelings and good wishes we can free people from worrying.

Projection: When we come across someone who is faced with a difficult situation because of which he is worrying, we too usually tend to think about it. Instead of helping the other person to be free from worrying, we too begin to worry. This doesn't help either of us in anyway but only adds to the negativity of the situation.

Solution: We need to develop such benevolent feelings for the one who is going through the situation that the power of our positive feelings will spread to them too. It will act like the light of the lamp, which helps to dispel the darkness around. Only when there is positivity in the mind will they be able to think of some solution.

Talk By Brother Charlie: A Future without Fear

The Anatomy of Change

Change happens on three levels. First - within our self, over which we have total control. Second - in the thoughts and behaviors of others, over which we have no control, but perhaps some influence. And third - in the big wide world out there, over which we have no control and almost no influence.

Obvious Truth: An obvious truth is that we can never control any event in the world more than three feet away from us. We certainly cannot change other people. And yet, almost all of our feelings of stress arise from our perception of others’ behaviors and our attempt to control other people’s behaviors and the world.

The Enlightened Soul: An enlightened soul realizes that the ‘emotional reaction’ to others’ behaviors is a sign of weakness and as such he does not respond to a ‘remote control’ (others behavior or change thereof) out there. Our belief shapes our perception. If we change our belief, we will keep our remote control in our hand instead of in others’ hands. So, in a world of rampant changes, you need to ask yourself 3 question. Are you READY? Are you WILLING? Are you ABLE?

Are you READY? The first principle of ‘change readiness’ lies in an easy to understand but hard to practice insight which reminds us that, “I cannot control anything or anyone in the world, all I can do is control my response to others and the world”. When fully inculcated, this basic truth begins to restore our self control and sets us free from the energy draining futility of constant failure. It’s this failure that creates the stress, not realizing that we are trying to do impossible task – change others!

Are you WILLING? Most of us want others to change first and when that does not happen, it creates stress in us. But if we can put a metaphorical arm around them, walk with them, listen to them, understand them, gain their trust and respect, we will remain stress free and the opportunity to influence them will inevitably arise.

Are You ABLE? There are many skills and capabilities that we can develop to ‘enable’ us to deal with a changing world. Being resilient when that changing world serves up ‘the unexpected’ means being able learn from adversity, apply the new-knowledge quickly and bounce back strongly. The capacity to stay light and optimistic, to forgive easily, turn any apparent problems into opportunities, help others and inspire others, are all recognized competencies of the change agent. But it still leaves us with one particular question.

Question: What are the key changes that you see are likely to impinge on your life in the near future?

Reflection: What skills, qualities, abilities etc. do you think you will need in order to navigate your way forward?

Action: Take five minutes three times every day this week and practice slowing your mind and just being still. Notice the effect it has on the quality of energy that you give to others.

Adapted from Mike George’s article “The Anatomy of Change” © 2012

Meditation is...Life Enhanced II

Last month, in the first part of this 2-part series, we discussed how meditation enhances life. This month, let us see how meditation enhances brain development and help us achieve higher grades in school, better career advancement and healthier living.

As we discussed last month, meditation can have positive mental and physiological effects on anxiety, stress (which in turn lowers blood pressure), depression, chronic pain, etc. In fact meditation is a sort of self-directed neuroplasticity, that is, effect of thoughts on the brain. We humans do not use the full capacity of our brain. What this means is that you can teach an old brain new tricks. For example, prisoners of war who were placed in solitary confinement (no distractions) developed unusual cognitive capacities that they did not have before because the only activity they were allowed to do was to think. The POWs were essentially exercising their brains. Similarly, when you meditate and focus on Jyotirbindu, a point of light, even for a few minutes a day, you eliminate all the distractions, thereby by placing your brain essentially in a solitary confinement for a few minutes, your brain develops increased capacity for functions such as memory and understanding complex problems and relationships.

As you continue to practice meditation and focus your attention to Jyotirbindu and inner consciousness, you will have a growth in the number of physical neurons and neuronal connections in sections of your cortex. Those sections are: the right frontal cortex, related to concentration; the right insula, related to emotions; and the right parietal and temporal lobes related to touch and sound. A recent study also showed that after eight weeks of meditation, brain imaging showed reduction in the volume of the amygdala related to anxiety and stress and an increase in the number of neurons and neuron connectivity in the hippocampus, related to emotion, learning and memory, thus increasing the brain function capacity. Amygdala is an almond shaped mass of nuclei located deep within the temporal lobe of the brain that performs a primary role in the processing of memory, decision-making, and emotional reactions. A very recent study showed that meditation increased connectivity in centers of cortex, spinal cord and cerebellum as well. What’s more, the longer people practiced meditation, the more the increased cortical surface area. Another study showed that the meditation decreased the Default Mode Network (DMN) activity. DMN is responsible for daydreaming and non-focused internal thoughts which can include memories, thinking of the future, thinking about others and reliving past experiences. This implies that the mind wanders less during meditation. More significantly, a new type of Default Network appeared that not only increased focus and decreased daydreaming, but also increased self-monitoring.

In other words, advanced meditators had a new type of “Default Mode” with more ability to control thoughts and emotions, and greater ability to stay focused on the present. What this means is that if you make Raj Yoga your way of life and meditate regularly, you can get better grades, advance your career, improve your relationships and enjoy healthier living.

Tao of the Traveller

Meditation is ... Life Enhanced I

In last month’s article, Take Care of Your Self Holistically, we discussed three elements of holistic care of yourself. Meditation is so crucial and intertwined with our life that we will discuss it in a series of two monthly articles; this is the first in the series of two articles.

Just as we get school and college education and learn pleasure and pain of our physical body while growing up, we need to learn stability, non-reactiveness and calmness of our mind from inner consciousness of our soul. Meditation gives us this control over our self which in turn enables us to eat well, exercise and face and embrace even the unpleasant or painful aspects of daily life. The stability and non-reactivity we develop through meditation elevates us to be more compassionate human beings, with pure non-reactive, non-judgmental presence with awareness of the present time in the present time. Meditation gives us the awareness of our thoughts which in turn enables us to disentangle ourselves from our habitual and toxic thoughts, words, and behaviors and connect with our experience, with ourselves, and with others in a healthier and detached way. Twenty three studies conducted in early 2000’s show that meditation is intimately linked to improvements of attentional functions, cognitive flexibility, working memory capacity and some executive functions. These improvements may lead to better grades in school, advancements in your career and better understanding and therefore relationships with family, friends and co-workers!

It is natural for our mind to wander frequently at all times. We are often lost in daydreams about the past or the future, completely oblivious of the present moment. Most of these mental distractions often produce stress, anxiety, fear, worry, and all sorts of emotional suffering. Similarly, have you noticed that sometimes you wake up in the morning all stressed out because of a bad dream? Daily practice of meditation develops our ability to pay attention to our present time – The Now Experience – helping us to overcome pre-occupations and attachments so that we can clearly see what is happening in our actual experience of the present moment. Instead of finding ourselves at the mercy of worry, fear, anger, bad dream and the like, we grow in our ability to choose how we want to act in situations, often in ways that might have been beyond our reach before.

Brahma Kumaris practices meditation with eyes open, being mindful and aware of our thoughts in the same way we practice homework examples of math and science. In meditation, we use Jyotirbindu, the point of light, as an object of awareness and focus. And soon after we focus on Jyotirbindu, all sorts of thoughts, feelings, and sensations are likely to distract our attention and we could find that we’ve forgotten all about Jyotirbindu and mentally moving along with these thoughts and feelings and ready to respond to sensations. When we realize we’ve been distracted, the appropriate response is to simply and gently return to awareness of our focus on Jyotirbindu. As for sensations, delay your response as much as possible. As you continue to practice meditation, you will gain enhanced control over localized (alpha rhythms in the primary somatosensory cortex where) sensations from different parts of body (are "mapped" by the brain). Thus you reach a stage when the sensation fizzles away without you needing to respond. In a newly published neurophysiological review, Brown University scientists propose that meditation enhances control of alpha rhythms and helps people overcome persistent stimuli such as depressive thoughts and chronic pain signals.

Practice meditation daily for a few minutes and gradually increase the meditation time to a fixed amount that suits your lifestyle. Meditation will enable you to get more out of your life than you ever imagined! When you teach your children tradition, culture and lessons of life, make Brahma Kumaris' value system, teaching and meditation a part of your teaching.

Take Care of Your Self Holistically

Have you taken time out to take care of yourself today? Know that if you don't prioritize taking care of yourself, your self will be taking care of you! Your lack of care for you will manifest itself in small ways at first – in the form of fatigue, stress, anger, frustration or getting lost in thoughts and worries. Then, over time, if your self is not cared for properly, serious health problems such as high blood pressure and cholesterol, diabetes and even heart disease could ensue.

So, how do you take care of yourself? Good diet, exercise? Well, therein lies the secret. Take a holistic care of your self to achieve that perfect or near perfect balance between you and the environment you live in. This approach requires eating well, exercise AND meditation. Eating well and exercise keep your body healthy but unless your mind is equally healthy, you are only partially taking care of your self. In fact, unlike food and exercise, meditation is an invisible curator of your health, your consciousness, your being. With mind unhealthy, you will not be able to take care of your complete self.

Eat Well: Eating well is a vital part of looking after your self. Eating well maintains immune system of your body. A balanced diet includes fruit, vegetables and wholegrain bread or cereal.

Cut back on salt and sugar. Ditto for saturated fats and trans fats. They can push up your cholesterol levels and increase your risk of heart disease. Unsaturated fats, on the other hand, can reduce your cholesterol levels and provide you with essential fatty acids.

Exercise: Exercise is vital for your physical and mental health. It strengthens your body’s immune system. It helps you deal with stress and lifts depression. Physical activity also helps boost your energy level, self-esteem and posture. It makes your heart stronger, keeps you supple and reduces all sorts of diseases including heart attack, stroke, diabetes undesirable blood lipid, cancer, osteoporosis, etc.

Meditate: What eating well AND exercise are to your physical body, meditation is to your mind and hence to your entire being. Meditation is the crucial component of the regime of taking care of your self. Make meditation part of your daily routine. It is the easiest activity and requires a least amount of physical effort. If you cannot eat well or exercise - both of which require preparation and equipment - due to your busy, fast track life, you can easily and must take time out of your routine at least for meditation which can be done anywhere including a crowded place where you can neither eat well nor exercise. Just as you drink coffee to break your work routine, meditate to break your hectic routine to calm and reset your mind and to enable it to invoke built-in immune system of your soul that helps develop positive thinking.

While the immune system of the body works automatically, the one for soul needs to be consciously and mindfully activated every day and that is exactly what meditation does. It is the immune system of your mind that keeps your mind healthy, allowing you to think positively, eat well and do daily exercise. Meditation empowers you to take care of your self holistically to restore your consciousness, your being, to a state of consistent wellness!

What has been established by Brahma Kumaris for decades on meditation is only recently – in 21st century - being re established by the western institutions such as the University of Wisconsin at Madison and the University of Massachusetts that meditation induces faster physical recovery from a stressful situation and it can reduce employee stress and burnout respectively. In fact, if you cannot bring yourself up to eating well or exercise, start with meditation to reenergize your mind which in turn will empower you to eat well and exercise leading to your overall wellbeing. Meditation is power within you. Deploy it.