Science and technology can only study and reveal how the brain functions; it is yet to find a way to plumb completely the mind that propels the thinking process. There can be no mind without body although mind does not have a physical form. Mind in a way is affected by external situations and circumstances like living conditions, the food one consumes, susceptibility to body’s demands like hunger, thirst, sleep and other physical needs. But the fact remains that the evolved mind can handle these demands or urges well. Immensity of this subtle, invisible, intangible force cannot be measured. Since mind does not have a gross or physical form, its run cannot be obstructed or restrained. It is said mind travels faster than light. Mind needs to be cultivated or charged to reach its potential power. Buddha said, “The mind is everything. What you think, you become.”
The mind can open up a spectrum of possibilities including inner wisdom, heighten awareness of being and relate to universal cosmic energy. But the same mind, by falling prey to substance abuse, lust and anger, could not only rob itself of its power of reasoning but also cause havoc with physical health. The mind could get trapped in the web of past and future, hardly ever stopping for the present. To become fully alive to the present moment and enter into an elevated state of awareness, the mind has to calm down as it is the seat of perception and interpretation.
One’s state of mind can be divided into pure and impure. When engrossed in worldly ways of material trappings and sexual desires, the mind could adversely affect the journey of life. Mind alone is the cause of liberation and bondage. According to Thakur Sri Ramakrishna, “By mind one is bound, by mind one is freed.” Mind has three dimensions: the subconscious, conscious and super conscious mind. When the conscious state of mind is regulated and undergoes upward evolution, one begins to tread the path towards the super conscious state. Abilities like Extra Sensory Perception, clairvoyance, and telepathy all arise out of sheer mind power. Hyper linking the conscious mind to the super conscious state of liberation leads one to freedom from all bondage.
The Supreme has co-opted humankind as co-creator by giving the human being a highly developed mind, which distinguishes the species from those of any other living entity of this world, whose mind and instincts function only for the basic need and survival. A mind tuned finely with the melody of the universal mind can alter and better the course of life. A mind that is full of positive thoughts will not give space for impure trends. This has to be a constant endeavor even for a mind that has tasted the essence of being because, deluded by objects of senses, it starts seeking illusory sensual pleasures.
Mind motivated by matter is ignorance. Controlling the mind is a lifelong process. The best way is to make your mind your best friend, so that you are able to work in tandem to discover the own natural state. One should meditate on the mind as Brahmn, for all objects are perceived by mind.
Showing posts with label Mind. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mind. Show all posts
Wednesday, 18 April 2012
Thursday, 24 January 2008
The benefits of Surya Namaskar (Good Morning SUN)
Better pray to the Creator rather than the created things.
When you believe that AIR is there without seeing it - the same way believe in the One & Only Creator and not its innumerable created things. Each created thing is created for its specific purpose which it is doing like man created for his worship and he has to worship him ONLY and not his created things.
It tones up the nervous system and improves memory & produces health, strength, efficiency and longevity. It promotes sleep and calms anxiety,refreshes the skin and prevents Skin disorders as well.
It is a religious ritual, actually scientific reason is that during morning when sun is red and the temperature is low, due to low temperature the atmospheric gases composition becomes in such a way that it absorbs negativity from the rays coming from sun to earth.This more positive rays are being received by our fore head generates more positivity in our body.
When you believe that AIR is there without seeing it - the same way believe in the One & Only Creator and not its innumerable created things. Each created thing is created for its specific purpose which it is doing like man created for his worship and he has to worship him ONLY and not his created things.
It tones up the nervous system and improves memory & produces health, strength, efficiency and longevity. It promotes sleep and calms anxiety,refreshes the skin and prevents Skin disorders as well.
It is a religious ritual, actually scientific reason is that during morning when sun is red and the temperature is low, due to low temperature the atmospheric gases composition becomes in such a way that it absorbs negativity from the rays coming from sun to earth.This more positive rays are being received by our fore head generates more positivity in our body.
Monday, 21 January 2008
You are a father
You are a father. It looks like such a simple sentence. But your new role is actually profound; once you are a father, you can never be “not-a-father” anymore. By becoming a father, you’ve embarked on an amazing and fulfilling journey, powerful from the moment of birth.
The day you bring your newborn back home with you is exciting and overwhelming. It’s a cliché, but your life will never be the same. Even if this is not your first child, he is different from your others and you are different than you were before. Each father-child bond is unique and continually evolving.
The child is not the only one being influenced here. As James Joyce once said, “People talk of my influence on my daughter, but what about her influence on me?”
No one has ever been so completely dependent on you as this baby. It feels wonderful to be so needed, but also a bit scary. Fortunately, you have more resources at your disposal than you may think.
That said, I think every prospective parent should watch the movie Parenthood before getting pregnant. The film could easily be called Fatherhood, since the main character is a dad. That movie makes clear some central truths about fathering:
- It is like a roller coaster.
- You can’t know for sure how your actions will affect your children.
- You can guarantee that your actions do affect your children.
My favorite line from Parenthood is when Keanu Reeves’ character Tod says, “You need a license to buy a dog or drive a car. Hell, you even need a license to catch a fish."
With a bit of earthy humor (the kind guys like, right?), Tod explains the biggest dilemma a new father faces: No one trained me for this job. The child doesn’t come with an operator’s manual, plug-and-play attachments, or downloadable upgrades.
Despite this, dads today have more freedom than ever to take “nontraditional” approaches to fathering. Many men take time away from their careers to stay home with the baby while their partners return to the workplace. Other men work part-time or telecommute so they can commune with baby every possible moment. Some men even teach Head Start and early childhood parent education classes!
In other words, you don’t have to father the same way your father or grandfather did. You can be your own kind of Dad. That opportunity is liberating and exciting, but can also be disconcerting. After all, it’s harder to find examples to follow when you’re doing things in a new way.
But did you know that nature provides tools that you may not yet be conscious of? For example, from the moment of birth, you and your baby can instinctively communicate with each other, even though it’ll be a year or more before she uses words.
A pioneering pediatric psychologist, the late Dr. Lee Salk (brother of Jonas, creator of the polio vaccine) urged parents to trust this kind of natural connection. As a new dad, I took comfort and confidence from Salk’s What Every Child Would Like His Parents to Know (Warner, 1973-now out-of-print).
In a refreshing departure for a parenting author, Salk argued that we shouldn’t worry so much about what the latest parenting book says. His book wisely encouraged me to trust my heart along with my baby’s sounds and body. If I “tuned in” to my deep fathering instincts, and the signals my infants “broadcast,” I’d have most of what I’d need to be a good father. As fathering expert Will Glennon says, “The key is to father from the heart.”
The day you bring your newborn back home with you is exciting and overwhelming. It’s a cliché, but your life will never be the same. Even if this is not your first child, he is different from your others and you are different than you were before. Each father-child bond is unique and continually evolving.
The child is not the only one being influenced here. As James Joyce once said, “People talk of my influence on my daughter, but what about her influence on me?”
No one has ever been so completely dependent on you as this baby. It feels wonderful to be so needed, but also a bit scary. Fortunately, you have more resources at your disposal than you may think.
That said, I think every prospective parent should watch the movie Parenthood before getting pregnant. The film could easily be called Fatherhood, since the main character is a dad. That movie makes clear some central truths about fathering:
- It is like a roller coaster.
- You can’t know for sure how your actions will affect your children.
- You can guarantee that your actions do affect your children.
My favorite line from Parenthood is when Keanu Reeves’ character Tod says, “You need a license to buy a dog or drive a car. Hell, you even need a license to catch a fish."
With a bit of earthy humor (the kind guys like, right?), Tod explains the biggest dilemma a new father faces: No one trained me for this job. The child doesn’t come with an operator’s manual, plug-and-play attachments, or downloadable upgrades.
Despite this, dads today have more freedom than ever to take “nontraditional” approaches to fathering. Many men take time away from their careers to stay home with the baby while their partners return to the workplace. Other men work part-time or telecommute so they can commune with baby every possible moment. Some men even teach Head Start and early childhood parent education classes!
In other words, you don’t have to father the same way your father or grandfather did. You can be your own kind of Dad. That opportunity is liberating and exciting, but can also be disconcerting. After all, it’s harder to find examples to follow when you’re doing things in a new way.
But did you know that nature provides tools that you may not yet be conscious of? For example, from the moment of birth, you and your baby can instinctively communicate with each other, even though it’ll be a year or more before she uses words.
A pioneering pediatric psychologist, the late Dr. Lee Salk (brother of Jonas, creator of the polio vaccine) urged parents to trust this kind of natural connection. As a new dad, I took comfort and confidence from Salk’s What Every Child Would Like His Parents to Know (Warner, 1973-now out-of-print).
In a refreshing departure for a parenting author, Salk argued that we shouldn’t worry so much about what the latest parenting book says. His book wisely encouraged me to trust my heart along with my baby’s sounds and body. If I “tuned in” to my deep fathering instincts, and the signals my infants “broadcast,” I’d have most of what I’d need to be a good father. As fathering expert Will Glennon says, “The key is to father from the heart.”
Listen your Inner Guide
Each of us has had this experience: we knew something was going to turn out a certain way, but we didn’t listen to that gut instinct and it cost us. Maybe we missed out on an opportunity, or we had to dig ourselves out of some kind of mess. But we’ve all done it.
So who else is making progress out there? Are you someone who enjoys the learning process of self-help concepts and techniques, but who then looses steam when it comes to practicing what you’ve learned? It’s always fun to get a new book or DVD, or to attend a seminar and spend time thinking and talking about all of this stuff. But putting it into practice is a whole different ball game.
So who else is making progress out there? Are you someone who enjoys the learning process of self-help concepts and techniques, but who then looses steam when it comes to practicing what you’ve learned? It’s always fun to get a new book or DVD, or to attend a seminar and spend time thinking and talking about all of this stuff. But putting it into practice is a whole different ball game.
Spiritual Revolution
These references are emphatically worth noting and initiating Socratic dialogue upon, as opposed to an unfruitful focus on apocalyptic scenarios. We begin by initiating the next Holisitic Quantum Relativity -- HQR* -- Socratic dialogue on Buddhism, the Baha'i faith and The Golden Age of the Unity of Humankind and Peace with the overarching Grace of The Great Spiritual Masters!
HH Master Kirpal has said, "Truth is eternal, and all Masters taught the same old Truth with one opinion, but their commandments differed according to the prevalent conditions of their time." Many people could not understand the deep meaning when His Holiness said, ‘Mind, that the Golden Age is approaching!’
Reflections on Buddhism and the Bahá’í faith
The Spiritual Master, Gautama Buddha, was born a prince in Northern India around the year 563 BC. Buddha means "Enlightened" and he claimed to be one of a series of Buddhas -- Enlightened Ones -- revealing teachings to humanity over many thousands of years.
The Bahá’í Faith was founded by the Great Bahá’u’lláh, Who was born into a noble family in Persia in 1817. Bahá’ís recognise Him as one of the successive Buddhas, the “Buddha of Universal Fellowship”, for whom humankind had been waiting at the time.
Gautama Buddha promised repeatedly that after a long period of time, another Buddha would arise:
“I am not the first Buddha Who came upon this earth, nor shall I be the last. In due time, another Buddha will arise in the world, a Holy One, a supremely enlightened One… knowing the universe, an Incomparable Leader of men… He will reveal to you the same eternal truths which I have taught you. He will preach to you His faith, glorious in its origin, glorious at the climax and glorious at the goal… He will proclaim a spiritual life, wholly perfect and pure, such as I now proclaim. His disciples will number many thousands, while mine number many hundreds.” (Digha-nikaya, IV.26)
When asked how Buddhists would recognize this new Teacher, the Buddha replied, “He will be known as Maitreya, which means He Whose name is kindness.” The other title for the Buddha-to-come was Amitabha (or Amida), which means “The Glory of the Infinite”. The blessed child born in Persia in 1817 was given the name Husayn, which means “kindness”, but later adopted the spiritual title of Bahá’u’lláh, (“The Glory of God” or “The Glory of the Infinite.”)
The Unknowable Essence
Speaking of the Creator, the “First Cause”, the Buddhist Scriptures say, “O disciples, there is a non-born, a non-produced, non-created and a non-formed. If there were not, O disciples, a non-born, a non-produced, a non-created and a non-formed, there would be no issue for the born, the produced, the created, the formed.” (Udana, v.81)
Bahá'u'lláh described the Supra Universal Consciousness in this way, “The birds of men's hearts, however high they soar, can never hope to attain the heights of His unknowable Essence. It is He Who hath called into being the whole of creation, Who hath caused every created thing to spring forth at His behest… Far be it from His glory that human pen or tongue should hint at His mystery, or that human heart conceive His Essence. ” In one of His books, ‘The Seven Valleys’, Bahá'u'lláh described the seventh valley as “true poverty and absolute nothingness”. This, the ultimate goal of life, is explained as “ the dying from self and the living in God.”
The Basic Truths
Although the basic truths taught by Gautama Buddha remain the same, they are expanded and made more explicit, in accordance with the needs of this age. The Buddha taught The Middle Way, between materialism and extreme asceticism. This approached is reaffirmed by Bahá’u’lláh: “In all matters moderation is desirable. If a thing is carried to excess, it will prove a source of evil.”
The Buddha presented the Noble Eightfold Path as a guide to living. As projected by the Buddha, Bahá’u’lláh taught similar noble ideals. Below are some examples of Bahá'u'lláh’s teachings under the individual headings of the Buddha's Eightfold Path:
Right Understanding
“Man should know his own self, and know those things which lead to loftiness or baseness, to shame or to honour…”
Right Resolve
“He is my true follower who, if he come to a valley of pure gold will pass straight through it aloof as a cloud, and will neither turn back, nor pause.”
Right Speech
"Verily I say, the tongue is for mentioning what is good, defile it not with unseemly talk.”
Right Conduct
“They that follow their lusts and corrupt inclinations have erred and dissipated their efforts. They indeed are of the lost.”
Right Livelihood
“It is made incumbent on every one of you to engage in some one occupation, such as arts, trades, and the like. We have made this – your occupation – identical with the worship of God, the True One.”
Right Effort
“All efforts and exertion put forth by man from the fullness of his heart is worship, if it is prompted by the highest motives and the will to do service to humanity.”
Right Mindfulness
“The station of absolute self-surrender transcendeth, and will ever remain exalted above every other station.”
Right Contemplation
“The meditative faculty is akin to the mirror; if you put it before earthly objects it will reflect them… But if you turn the mirror of your spirits heavenwards… the virtues of the Kingdom will be obtained.”
Progressive Revelation
Bahá’u’lláh taught the idea of progressive revelation. The Founders of the faiths of the world, in every age, reaffirm the universal spiritual truths, but also reveal new teachings appropriate to the conditions of the time:
"Every Prophet Whom the almighty and peerless Creator hath purposed to send to the peoples of the earth hath been entrusted with a Message, and charged to act in a manner that would best meet the requirements of the age in which He appeared." Bahá’ís believe that the new Teaching (Dharma) specifically for this age is the recognition of the oneness of religion and the oneness of humankind.
Bahá’u’lláh introduced teachings designed to bring about this universal fellowship. These teachings include:
· Equality of women with men
. Independent investigation of truth
. Elimination of poverty
. Relinquishing prejudice of all kinds
. A world federation
. A society based on spiritual values
These teachings will bring about the Golden Age of humankind, prophesied by the Buddha as “the world system of the Lord Amitabha”, the ‘Pure Land’.
The Bahá'í writings describe it like this:
“The gift of God to this enlightened age is the knowledge of the oneness of humankind and of the fundamental oneness of faith. War shall cease between nations, and by the will of God the Most Great Peace shall come; the world will be seen as a new world, and all men will live as brothers.”
HH Master Kirpal has said, "Truth is eternal, and all Masters taught the same old Truth with one opinion, but their commandments differed according to the prevalent conditions of their time." Many people could not understand the deep meaning when His Holiness said, ‘Mind, that the Golden Age is approaching!’
Reflections on Buddhism and the Bahá’í faith
The Spiritual Master, Gautama Buddha, was born a prince in Northern India around the year 563 BC. Buddha means "Enlightened" and he claimed to be one of a series of Buddhas -- Enlightened Ones -- revealing teachings to humanity over many thousands of years.
The Bahá’í Faith was founded by the Great Bahá’u’lláh, Who was born into a noble family in Persia in 1817. Bahá’ís recognise Him as one of the successive Buddhas, the “Buddha of Universal Fellowship”, for whom humankind had been waiting at the time.
Gautama Buddha promised repeatedly that after a long period of time, another Buddha would arise:
“I am not the first Buddha Who came upon this earth, nor shall I be the last. In due time, another Buddha will arise in the world, a Holy One, a supremely enlightened One… knowing the universe, an Incomparable Leader of men… He will reveal to you the same eternal truths which I have taught you. He will preach to you His faith, glorious in its origin, glorious at the climax and glorious at the goal… He will proclaim a spiritual life, wholly perfect and pure, such as I now proclaim. His disciples will number many thousands, while mine number many hundreds.” (Digha-nikaya, IV.26)
When asked how Buddhists would recognize this new Teacher, the Buddha replied, “He will be known as Maitreya, which means He Whose name is kindness.” The other title for the Buddha-to-come was Amitabha (or Amida), which means “The Glory of the Infinite”. The blessed child born in Persia in 1817 was given the name Husayn, which means “kindness”, but later adopted the spiritual title of Bahá’u’lláh, (“The Glory of God” or “The Glory of the Infinite.”)
The Unknowable Essence
Speaking of the Creator, the “First Cause”, the Buddhist Scriptures say, “O disciples, there is a non-born, a non-produced, non-created and a non-formed. If there were not, O disciples, a non-born, a non-produced, a non-created and a non-formed, there would be no issue for the born, the produced, the created, the formed.” (Udana, v.81)
Bahá'u'lláh described the Supra Universal Consciousness in this way, “The birds of men's hearts, however high they soar, can never hope to attain the heights of His unknowable Essence. It is He Who hath called into being the whole of creation, Who hath caused every created thing to spring forth at His behest… Far be it from His glory that human pen or tongue should hint at His mystery, or that human heart conceive His Essence. ” In one of His books, ‘The Seven Valleys’, Bahá'u'lláh described the seventh valley as “true poverty and absolute nothingness”. This, the ultimate goal of life, is explained as “ the dying from self and the living in God.”
The Basic Truths
Although the basic truths taught by Gautama Buddha remain the same, they are expanded and made more explicit, in accordance with the needs of this age. The Buddha taught The Middle Way, between materialism and extreme asceticism. This approached is reaffirmed by Bahá’u’lláh: “In all matters moderation is desirable. If a thing is carried to excess, it will prove a source of evil.”
The Buddha presented the Noble Eightfold Path as a guide to living. As projected by the Buddha, Bahá’u’lláh taught similar noble ideals. Below are some examples of Bahá'u'lláh’s teachings under the individual headings of the Buddha's Eightfold Path:
Right Understanding
“Man should know his own self, and know those things which lead to loftiness or baseness, to shame or to honour…”
Right Resolve
“He is my true follower who, if he come to a valley of pure gold will pass straight through it aloof as a cloud, and will neither turn back, nor pause.”
Right Speech
"Verily I say, the tongue is for mentioning what is good, defile it not with unseemly talk.”
Right Conduct
“They that follow their lusts and corrupt inclinations have erred and dissipated their efforts. They indeed are of the lost.”
Right Livelihood
“It is made incumbent on every one of you to engage in some one occupation, such as arts, trades, and the like. We have made this – your occupation – identical with the worship of God, the True One.”
Right Effort
“All efforts and exertion put forth by man from the fullness of his heart is worship, if it is prompted by the highest motives and the will to do service to humanity.”
Right Mindfulness
“The station of absolute self-surrender transcendeth, and will ever remain exalted above every other station.”
Right Contemplation
“The meditative faculty is akin to the mirror; if you put it before earthly objects it will reflect them… But if you turn the mirror of your spirits heavenwards… the virtues of the Kingdom will be obtained.”
Progressive Revelation
Bahá’u’lláh taught the idea of progressive revelation. The Founders of the faiths of the world, in every age, reaffirm the universal spiritual truths, but also reveal new teachings appropriate to the conditions of the time:
"Every Prophet Whom the almighty and peerless Creator hath purposed to send to the peoples of the earth hath been entrusted with a Message, and charged to act in a manner that would best meet the requirements of the age in which He appeared." Bahá’ís believe that the new Teaching (Dharma) specifically for this age is the recognition of the oneness of religion and the oneness of humankind.
Bahá’u’lláh introduced teachings designed to bring about this universal fellowship. These teachings include:
· Equality of women with men
. Independent investigation of truth
. Elimination of poverty
. Relinquishing prejudice of all kinds
. A world federation
. A society based on spiritual values
These teachings will bring about the Golden Age of humankind, prophesied by the Buddha as “the world system of the Lord Amitabha”, the ‘Pure Land’.
The Bahá'í writings describe it like this:
“The gift of God to this enlightened age is the knowledge of the oneness of humankind and of the fundamental oneness of faith. War shall cease between nations, and by the will of God the Most Great Peace shall come; the world will be seen as a new world, and all men will live as brothers.”
What is beauty?
What is beauty, and how do we find it?
We live in a culture where feeling beautiful has a profound impact on one’s self-esteem and self-confidence, particularly for women. This culture would have us believe that there is a particular “look” that is beautiful, namely thin, young, and blemish-free.
The Dove advertising campaign has helped to shed light on the many ways that the advertising industry promotes this unrealistic view of beauty. There is a constant message that if you are not perfect, you are not quite good enough; you are not really beautiful.
Statistics reflect the impact of these messages: 80-90% of adult women dislike their bodies. 15% of women say they would sacrifice more than five years of their lives to be thinner, while 24% say they would sacrifice up to three years of their life. 81% of 10-year-olds are afraid of being fat, 78% of 18-year-old girls are unhappy with their bodies, and the number one wish of girls 11-17 years old is to lose weight. 51% of 9 and 10 year-old girls feel better about themselves when dieting, and 9% of 9-year-olds have vomited to lose weight.
The natural process of life seems to be a problem. Anti-wrinkle creams and botox treatments abound. There are millions of diet products, shakes, and nutrition plans designed to help you shed unwanted pounds. It is as if we constantly need to fight against our bodies and their natural processes in order to achieve the desired beauty, the desired “perfection.” This constant focus on what we are not or what we should be eclipses the beauty of who we are.
When we struggle in this way against our bodies and ourselves we are setting ourselves up for pain and misery. When we focus on what we should be or how we should look, we live with a constant state of fear and dissatisfaction.
What if beauty was more expansive then we think? What if everyone was beautiful simply because they exist?
We can learn to see beauty in everyone and everything, regardless of how closely they fit culturally-dictated standards of desirability. When we learn to see beauty in ourselves and the world around us, we discover that we are more than enough. We no longer have to live with a sense of inadequacy or shame; we no longer have to live wishing that our nose was smaller, our stomach flatter, or our hair fuller. We can begin to live from a place of peace, knowing we are beautiful simply because we exist.
Sometimes, however, finding the beauty in ourselves can seem like a herculean task. We are constantly being exposed to messages that we should be taller, shorter, thinner, fitter, wealthier, etc. It is a constant practice of returning to ourselves and affirming with compassion “I am beautiful; I am radiant; I am divine.”
We can soar on the wings of eagles, but we must learn to love ourselves first.
We live in a culture where feeling beautiful has a profound impact on one’s self-esteem and self-confidence, particularly for women. This culture would have us believe that there is a particular “look” that is beautiful, namely thin, young, and blemish-free.
The Dove advertising campaign has helped to shed light on the many ways that the advertising industry promotes this unrealistic view of beauty. There is a constant message that if you are not perfect, you are not quite good enough; you are not really beautiful.
Statistics reflect the impact of these messages: 80-90% of adult women dislike their bodies. 15% of women say they would sacrifice more than five years of their lives to be thinner, while 24% say they would sacrifice up to three years of their life. 81% of 10-year-olds are afraid of being fat, 78% of 18-year-old girls are unhappy with their bodies, and the number one wish of girls 11-17 years old is to lose weight. 51% of 9 and 10 year-old girls feel better about themselves when dieting, and 9% of 9-year-olds have vomited to lose weight.
The natural process of life seems to be a problem. Anti-wrinkle creams and botox treatments abound. There are millions of diet products, shakes, and nutrition plans designed to help you shed unwanted pounds. It is as if we constantly need to fight against our bodies and their natural processes in order to achieve the desired beauty, the desired “perfection.” This constant focus on what we are not or what we should be eclipses the beauty of who we are.
When we struggle in this way against our bodies and ourselves we are setting ourselves up for pain and misery. When we focus on what we should be or how we should look, we live with a constant state of fear and dissatisfaction.
What if beauty was more expansive then we think? What if everyone was beautiful simply because they exist?
We can learn to see beauty in everyone and everything, regardless of how closely they fit culturally-dictated standards of desirability. When we learn to see beauty in ourselves and the world around us, we discover that we are more than enough. We no longer have to live with a sense of inadequacy or shame; we no longer have to live wishing that our nose was smaller, our stomach flatter, or our hair fuller. We can begin to live from a place of peace, knowing we are beautiful simply because we exist.
Sometimes, however, finding the beauty in ourselves can seem like a herculean task. We are constantly being exposed to messages that we should be taller, shorter, thinner, fitter, wealthier, etc. It is a constant practice of returning to ourselves and affirming with compassion “I am beautiful; I am radiant; I am divine.”
We can soar on the wings of eagles, but we must learn to love ourselves first.
Happiness about to be pure
Beyond the high speeds of those imaginary particles we describe
and much further than the field of infinite potentiality of the new verse,
there lies a most shy, omnipotent, innocent and inexplicable joy.
Let’s make believe, like little girls playing at serving invisible tea
that we are hearing this music unheard, and dance, just dance
Bring along the so-called sins and other deviations that spice up the rhythm
yes why not, also the sac of virtues and credits you can spare.
Let’s dare to be absolutely naked in this purity so insane
that it can only be seen in moments of silence and then forgotten,
like sacred oaths unspoken
Pour the cups of non existing tea and share with each other this instant
our little girl hands so poised and elegant as they pour and serve,
the inebriating nothing tea that lies hidden, in the shyness of the explosion
Beyond the accelerated particles of our imagination, way in there,
impossibly near , hiding behind what has never been lost.
Collapsing in intervals so fine you can call them divine
and yet it is all beyond words and languages.
and much further than the field of infinite potentiality of the new verse,
there lies a most shy, omnipotent, innocent and inexplicable joy.
Let’s make believe, like little girls playing at serving invisible tea
that we are hearing this music unheard, and dance, just dance
Bring along the so-called sins and other deviations that spice up the rhythm
yes why not, also the sac of virtues and credits you can spare.
Let’s dare to be absolutely naked in this purity so insane
that it can only be seen in moments of silence and then forgotten,
like sacred oaths unspoken
Pour the cups of non existing tea and share with each other this instant
our little girl hands so poised and elegant as they pour and serve,
the inebriating nothing tea that lies hidden, in the shyness of the explosion
Beyond the accelerated particles of our imagination, way in there,
impossibly near , hiding behind what has never been lost.
Collapsing in intervals so fine you can call them divine
and yet it is all beyond words and languages.
Monday, 31 December 2007
The Power of Positive Thinking
Rules are what we use to define life. People do not realize this, but we need rules in order to appreciate life more. Rules take the chaos that is called life and impose order into it. Some people think rules limit our achievements, but this is not true. When you think about it, you will realize the fact that rules protect our progress as humanity. Without rules, we would have been extinct long ago.
Rules help us define life. Sometimes, we look for rules in order to help us achieve our goals. People create rules in order to help themselves achieve their goals in a manner that they can understand. Rules are also used to help us comprehend life. People give out rules in order to help others get what they have achieved. It is because of rules that we are able to hold on to every discovery made.
It comes as no surprise that people look for 10 rules for the power of positive thinking. It seems that people, when looking for rules, like to stick no 10, which is a nice, round number.
The power of positive thinking and 10 rules in getting it is one of the most popular subjects out there. This is because they have begun to realize that positive thinking does affect life significantly. Whether you see a glass as half-empty or half-full can affect the way you treat your business. We are in control of our lives and our decisions matter.
What are the 10 rules of the power of positive thinking?
Believe - You cannot pretend to be a positive thinker. You need to believe. In positive thinking, you cannot pretend because there’s no one to pretend to. If somebody believes that you are a positive thinker, how can that benefit you? The most important of the 10 rules of the power of positive thinking is that you should believe it.
Be objective - This is very important in the 10 rules for the power of positive thinking. Many people tend to see their lives for their failures and thus, they lose hope of ever succeeding in their goal. Other people tend to magnify their success and, filled with false pride, they make all the wrong decisions.
Take care of your health - One step to achieving the power of positive thinking is taking care of your body. All of the positive thinking in the world can’t help you if you are dead, can it? You need to have a healthy body in order to fuel your positive thinking.
Surround yourself with positive people - When you are engaged in an internal struggle between your positive self and your negative self, you will need all the support you can get. You do not really want to surround yourself with people who will just kick your positive attitude to the ground with their negativity.
Be patient - Positive thinking does not come overnight. You need to train yourself in order to get rid of any negative attitude you possess.
Turn negativity around - When something negative enters your personality get rid of it not by repelling it outright, but by channeling that energy into positive thoughts.
Remember that others can sense your negativity - One reason why people fail is because other people can sense their negativity and want no part of it. Before you try to do something, be sure to have the right attitude.
Find something positive in everything new - When you encounter something unfamiliar, never do what most people do and fear it. Take a hard look at it and see it for the positive effects it brings, this will help you understand things better.
Pace yourself - Remember that you cannot hurry into getting positive. You need to pace yourself in order to prevent yourself from breaking down. Go slowly and take life one day at a time.
Make the change – The main characteristic of these ten rules of the power of positive thinking is the fact that they only show you the door. You need to open it yourself.
Quick Tips to Improve Self Confidence
Here are some quick tips to improve your Self Confidence. If we are committed to have a healthy self confidence there are many things you can do every day to boost your self confidence, each small steps that will help you to reach your goal. The good news is that self-esteem is not fixed and can be improved, try some of the steps below to boost your confidence and self-esteem.
1) Identify your successes. Everyone is good at something, so discover the things at which you excel, then focus on your talents. Give yourself permission to take pride in them. Give yourself credit for your successes. Inferiority is a state of mind in which you’ve declared yourself a victim. Do not allow yourself to be victimized.
2) Look in the mirror and smile. Studies surrounding what’s called the “facial feedback theory” suggest that the expressions on your face can actually encourage your brain to register certain emotions. So by looking in the mirror and smiling every day, you might feel happier with yourself and more confident in the long run.
3) Exercise and eat healthy. Exercise raises adrenaline and makes one feel happier and healthier. It is certainly an easy and effective way to boost your self-confidence.
4) Turn feelings of envy or jealousy into a desire to achieve. Stop wanting what others have just because they have it; seek things simply because you want them, whether anybody else has them or not.
5) When you’re feeling superbly insecure, write down a list of things that are good about you. Then read the list back. You’d be surprised at what you can come up with.
6) Don’t be afraid to push yourself a bit - a little bit of pressure can actually show just how good you are!
7) You can try taking a martial arts or fitness class/course (or both). This will help build confidence and strength.
9) Try to make yourself talk positively at all times. When you hear yourself saying you can’t do something, stop and say you can. Unless you try, you will never know whether you are able to or not.
10) Don’t get wrapped up in your mistakes and dwell on bad points; they can contrast your good points or even give you something to improve. There’s no feeling like being good at something you were really bad at.
11) Don’t confuse what you have with who you are. People degrade their self worth when comparing possessions.
12) Surround yourself with nurturing friends, not overly critical individuals who make you feel inadequate or insecure. This could do great harm and damage to your self confidence.
Some beautiful tips to implement in life
1. God is real, unless declared integer.
2. Before borrowing money from a friend, decide whether you need more.
3. Death is hereditary.
4. There are three sides to every argument: your side, my side and the right side.
5. An expert is someone who takes a subject you understand and makes it sound confusing.
6. Many things can be preserved in alcohol. Dignity is not one of them.
7. Never argue with a fool. People might not know the difference.
8. When you’re right, no one remembers. When you’re wrong, no one forgets.
9. Cheer up, the worst is yet to come .
10. Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else.
11. Well done is better than well said .
12. Everyone makes mistakes. The trick is to make them when nobody is looking.
13. Always borrow money from a pessimist. He won’t expect it back.
14. If you can’t see the bright side of life, polish the dull side.
15. Where there’s a will there are five hundred relatives.
16. Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die.
Mind vs Mood
You do not need to feel overwhelmed by stress, fear, fatigue, or anxiety. Use these simple mind over mood tips to feel better and calmer.
Staying In the Present
A mind over mood strategy that can be very effective is to stay in the present. This means to focus on things that are going on in your immediate environment. Often times worries and stress are a direct result of focusing on things that have happened in the past or being concerned with things in the future. Staying in the present can be accomplished by making a decision to focus on the simple pleasures in life, like a cup of hot chocolate, or a warm bath.
Using Realistic Self-Talk
It is easy to tell ourselves that things will never get better, that there is no reason for hope, or that life is unfair. These things are simply not the case. Things may feel like they will never get better, but the fact is they usually do. It is a valuable mind over mood tool to be able to talk back to our negative inner voices and remind ourselves of reality.
Laugh
At first sight this might not seem like a mind over mood technique, but it absolutely can be. Laughter can be the result of a decision to engage in behavior that makes laughing likely. This can be implemented by watching comedies, listening to comedians on tape, or scheduling some time with a friend who is makes you laugh. Using it in this way it becomes a mind over mood tool that can increase resiliency to stress and help counteract negative feelings.
Picture a Favorite Place
Using mental imagery to control our moods is nothing new. Many of us as kids, if we were unable to fall asleep at night, were told to picture something pleasant. Now, as adults, we can expand on this idea to create more control over our moods. Think of a place that makes you feel relaxed. Close your eyes and focus on this for a few minutes at a time, once or twice a day. After you have done this for several days you will find it easier to use in stressful situations, where the benefits of picturing a relaxing place can be most evident.
Practice Relaxation Techniques
There are many ways to relax. One way is to listen to music that is calming. Another is to flex each muscle, one at a time, and then relax it A third way is to take deep breaths and allow your stomach to rise and fall, which is a way to calm your body, and can counteract our tendency to take short, shallow breaths. Whichever method used, relaxation techniques are a good way to start the day and end it, in addition to any time where you are needing to relax.
Staying In the Present
A mind over mood strategy that can be very effective is to stay in the present. This means to focus on things that are going on in your immediate environment. Often times worries and stress are a direct result of focusing on things that have happened in the past or being concerned with things in the future. Staying in the present can be accomplished by making a decision to focus on the simple pleasures in life, like a cup of hot chocolate, or a warm bath.
Using Realistic Self-Talk
It is easy to tell ourselves that things will never get better, that there is no reason for hope, or that life is unfair. These things are simply not the case. Things may feel like they will never get better, but the fact is they usually do. It is a valuable mind over mood tool to be able to talk back to our negative inner voices and remind ourselves of reality.
Laugh
At first sight this might not seem like a mind over mood technique, but it absolutely can be. Laughter can be the result of a decision to engage in behavior that makes laughing likely. This can be implemented by watching comedies, listening to comedians on tape, or scheduling some time with a friend who is makes you laugh. Using it in this way it becomes a mind over mood tool that can increase resiliency to stress and help counteract negative feelings.
Picture a Favorite Place
Using mental imagery to control our moods is nothing new. Many of us as kids, if we were unable to fall asleep at night, were told to picture something pleasant. Now, as adults, we can expand on this idea to create more control over our moods. Think of a place that makes you feel relaxed. Close your eyes and focus on this for a few minutes at a time, once or twice a day. After you have done this for several days you will find it easier to use in stressful situations, where the benefits of picturing a relaxing place can be most evident.
Practice Relaxation Techniques
There are many ways to relax. One way is to listen to music that is calming. Another is to flex each muscle, one at a time, and then relax it A third way is to take deep breaths and allow your stomach to rise and fall, which is a way to calm your body, and can counteract our tendency to take short, shallow breaths. Whichever method used, relaxation techniques are a good way to start the day and end it, in addition to any time where you are needing to relax.
Create Happiness
It has already been determined, and is a given fact, that the mind rules the body totally. But that is not to say that the current condition of the body does not affect the mind in some ways.
When the body experiences pain, or any other negative physical state, the mind IS affected. The goal here is to use this to create a state of happiness.
Let’s perform a quick experiment. Stand up and hold both your arms out to the sides of your body, perpendicular to the floor. Move them in small circles. Keep doing it.
Soon, you will feel a burn in both shoulders. Keep doing it.
After a time, your shoulders will begin to ache terribly. Now the pain is all you can think about. Keep doing it.
If you can keep doing it, eventually you will feel excruciating pain. Your breath will become labored. Your face will turn red. You will breathe faster and faster through pursed lips. Keep doing it until you can do it no longer.
Now, notice your state of mind. You will find that you are quite likely ready to scream...
Now drop your arms and take some deep breaths. Notice your state of mind now. Relief. You are happy that it is finally over.
The state of the body CAN affect the mind in this way. But what if we could reverse this process? What if we could create a pleasurable state in the body? How would the mind be affected? This, for some of us, is the classical definition of sex. More about that later.
Try this simple experiment. Stop reading for a moment. Now frown as hard as you can, and hold the frown for about 30 seconds.
Next, make the face you make when you smell something terrible. Hold this expression for another 30 seconds.
Now, change again and smile as hard as you can for about 30 seconds.
Ok, now go back and frown as hard as you can again. Notice how you feel. You feel very negative, don’t you?
Again, make the face you make when you smell something very bad. Hold. Notice how you feel. Again, it is not a pleasant feeling, is it?
And finally, smile very hard and note your feelings now. Feels good, doesn’t it.
Your mind is conditioned to create a mental response to a somatic condition. This has been conditioned into you since birth. Here is how this can work to your advantage.
Find a place where you will not be disturbed for a few moments. Stand very still and close your eyes. Now, imagine in your mind an experience that has caused you great mental pain in the past. This could be a failed relationship or maybe a situation where others made fun of you in public. Whatever. Make certain, though, that this situation caused intense distress.
Go over the incident in your mind. The goal is to vividly imagine the pain you experienced.
How did you feel?
What did you see?
What did you hear?
Who was there?
What emotions did you experience?
Work yourself into a controlled frenzy. Make the experience as real as possible. Feel it. Feel it. FEEL IT.
You are now in a terrible state of mind. Notice your feelings of pain, anguish, hatred, disgust, whatever. Make it hurt. Make it hurt bad. Now, stop and...
Smile as hard as you can.
Not just any smile. The biggest smile you can muster. A smile that would make a clown envious. The big one.
While smiling this smile of all smiles, begin to tap your toes. Whistle or hum one of your favorite tunes. Then force a laugh out loud.
Now how do you feel? You have forgotten the pain and now feel quite good!
You see, the posture of your body, if you can control it, WILL change your state of mind completely. This is because your mind, since birth, has programmed a frown to connect with negative mental states, and a smile to connect with positive mental states. All this technique really does is to reverse the process. It is seldom that you can be really angry and have a smile on your face at the same time (unless you are up to something...)
Positive Somatic Linking can be used to INSTANTLY transform a negative mental condition into a positive mental condition by performing a physical action.
This does not mean that it changes your thinking. It changes the emotions you experience.
Of course, I have no idea what physical actions you perform when you are in a happy frame of mind. So, for the purpose of making an example, let us suppose that you smile broadly, hum your favorite tune and clap your hands.
The next time you catch yourself feeling angry, anxious, and sad or any other negative state you wish to eliminate, stop immediately. Smile broadly. Begin to hum your favorite tune. Clap your hands. (Of course, if you are in a business meeting or any other public place, you may want to excuse yourself and head for the restroom).
The point is that the performance of these physical actions will immediately ARREST your negative mental state of mind and transform it into a positive state of mind. It cannot be otherwise. This is a fantastic technique if you will take the time to learn it and practice it. You will no longer be subject to the garbage your mind throws at you, as you will now be able to control IT, rather than IT controlling YOU! However, this technique can be taken one step further.
The science of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) has developed a technique known as "anchoring". Anchoring primarily involves matching a physical event with an emotion. (I highly recommend that you explore NLP as part of your journey towards creating Heaven On Earth. There are hundreds of websites and a plethora of books and pamphlets that describe how NLP works).
This is nothing new. We naturally "anchor" all the time. How many times have you heard a song that reminded you of a past event? The song is an anchor. You may experience joy at the memory or sadness. It has been burned into your brain by emotion. Do you wish to feel happy. Just put on your happy song!
In our system, Positive Somatic Linking is somewhat like hearing that old song, but with a twist. It works something like this.
Close your eyes and think of a time when you experienced the positive feelings and emotions you wish to experience right now. This past experience should be one of the happiest experiences of your life; a time when you felt exceptionally good about yourself and the world. Build this experience in your mind. Remember how you felt. Imagine this experience as vividly as possible. Build it up and up into a climax.
NOW SMILE AS HARD AS YOU CAN. And, when your mind is at the peak of the positive feelings and mental states you experienced back then, simply perform a physical action you never otherwise perform, such as tapping your thumb and forefinger together 3 times. Open your eyes and think of something else to clear your mind. Then, repeat the process.
Do this a few times. Eventually, your mind will come to associate tapping your fingers together three times with the positive emotional experience and with the BIG SMILE! Once this has been accomplished, you can instantly create a positive state of mind at any time, simply by tapping your fingers together 3 times and putting on that BIG SMILE! How useful could this technique be?
Positive Somatic Linking can be one of the most powerful, life changing tools to be found in our system. But it will not work unless you use it. Try it!
When the body experiences pain, or any other negative physical state, the mind IS affected. The goal here is to use this to create a state of happiness.
Let’s perform a quick experiment. Stand up and hold both your arms out to the sides of your body, perpendicular to the floor. Move them in small circles. Keep doing it.
Soon, you will feel a burn in both shoulders. Keep doing it.
After a time, your shoulders will begin to ache terribly. Now the pain is all you can think about. Keep doing it.
If you can keep doing it, eventually you will feel excruciating pain. Your breath will become labored. Your face will turn red. You will breathe faster and faster through pursed lips. Keep doing it until you can do it no longer.
Now, notice your state of mind. You will find that you are quite likely ready to scream...
Now drop your arms and take some deep breaths. Notice your state of mind now. Relief. You are happy that it is finally over.
The state of the body CAN affect the mind in this way. But what if we could reverse this process? What if we could create a pleasurable state in the body? How would the mind be affected? This, for some of us, is the classical definition of sex. More about that later.
Try this simple experiment. Stop reading for a moment. Now frown as hard as you can, and hold the frown for about 30 seconds.
Next, make the face you make when you smell something terrible. Hold this expression for another 30 seconds.
Now, change again and smile as hard as you can for about 30 seconds.
Ok, now go back and frown as hard as you can again. Notice how you feel. You feel very negative, don’t you?
Again, make the face you make when you smell something very bad. Hold. Notice how you feel. Again, it is not a pleasant feeling, is it?
And finally, smile very hard and note your feelings now. Feels good, doesn’t it.
Your mind is conditioned to create a mental response to a somatic condition. This has been conditioned into you since birth. Here is how this can work to your advantage.
Find a place where you will not be disturbed for a few moments. Stand very still and close your eyes. Now, imagine in your mind an experience that has caused you great mental pain in the past. This could be a failed relationship or maybe a situation where others made fun of you in public. Whatever. Make certain, though, that this situation caused intense distress.
Go over the incident in your mind. The goal is to vividly imagine the pain you experienced.
How did you feel?
What did you see?
What did you hear?
Who was there?
What emotions did you experience?
Work yourself into a controlled frenzy. Make the experience as real as possible. Feel it. Feel it. FEEL IT.
You are now in a terrible state of mind. Notice your feelings of pain, anguish, hatred, disgust, whatever. Make it hurt. Make it hurt bad. Now, stop and...
Smile as hard as you can.
Not just any smile. The biggest smile you can muster. A smile that would make a clown envious. The big one.
While smiling this smile of all smiles, begin to tap your toes. Whistle or hum one of your favorite tunes. Then force a laugh out loud.
Now how do you feel? You have forgotten the pain and now feel quite good!
You see, the posture of your body, if you can control it, WILL change your state of mind completely. This is because your mind, since birth, has programmed a frown to connect with negative mental states, and a smile to connect with positive mental states. All this technique really does is to reverse the process. It is seldom that you can be really angry and have a smile on your face at the same time (unless you are up to something...)
Positive Somatic Linking can be used to INSTANTLY transform a negative mental condition into a positive mental condition by performing a physical action.
This does not mean that it changes your thinking. It changes the emotions you experience.
Of course, I have no idea what physical actions you perform when you are in a happy frame of mind. So, for the purpose of making an example, let us suppose that you smile broadly, hum your favorite tune and clap your hands.
The next time you catch yourself feeling angry, anxious, and sad or any other negative state you wish to eliminate, stop immediately. Smile broadly. Begin to hum your favorite tune. Clap your hands. (Of course, if you are in a business meeting or any other public place, you may want to excuse yourself and head for the restroom).
The point is that the performance of these physical actions will immediately ARREST your negative mental state of mind and transform it into a positive state of mind. It cannot be otherwise. This is a fantastic technique if you will take the time to learn it and practice it. You will no longer be subject to the garbage your mind throws at you, as you will now be able to control IT, rather than IT controlling YOU! However, this technique can be taken one step further.
The science of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) has developed a technique known as "anchoring". Anchoring primarily involves matching a physical event with an emotion. (I highly recommend that you explore NLP as part of your journey towards creating Heaven On Earth. There are hundreds of websites and a plethora of books and pamphlets that describe how NLP works).
This is nothing new. We naturally "anchor" all the time. How many times have you heard a song that reminded you of a past event? The song is an anchor. You may experience joy at the memory or sadness. It has been burned into your brain by emotion. Do you wish to feel happy. Just put on your happy song!
In our system, Positive Somatic Linking is somewhat like hearing that old song, but with a twist. It works something like this.
Close your eyes and think of a time when you experienced the positive feelings and emotions you wish to experience right now. This past experience should be one of the happiest experiences of your life; a time when you felt exceptionally good about yourself and the world. Build this experience in your mind. Remember how you felt. Imagine this experience as vividly as possible. Build it up and up into a climax.
NOW SMILE AS HARD AS YOU CAN. And, when your mind is at the peak of the positive feelings and mental states you experienced back then, simply perform a physical action you never otherwise perform, such as tapping your thumb and forefinger together 3 times. Open your eyes and think of something else to clear your mind. Then, repeat the process.
Do this a few times. Eventually, your mind will come to associate tapping your fingers together three times with the positive emotional experience and with the BIG SMILE! Once this has been accomplished, you can instantly create a positive state of mind at any time, simply by tapping your fingers together 3 times and putting on that BIG SMILE! How useful could this technique be?
Positive Somatic Linking can be one of the most powerful, life changing tools to be found in our system. But it will not work unless you use it. Try it!
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मेरे जीवन के सभी गुरुओं को कृतज्ञ नमन A Message of Thanks to My Teachers and All the Great Teachers Around the World! शिक्षक दिवस केवल शिक्...
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