Just as appearances in life are deceiving, so what we see in within ourselves during our meditation can also be deceiving. While we have two eyes to observe the world around us, we have a third eye through which we can see our inner world of beliefs, experiences, memories, traits and tendencies. This is the eye of the intellect which is designed to give us insight (sight inwards). It is a vital aspect of our consciousness which we need in order to understand ourselves and others. This insight alone reminds us we are responsible for everything we think, feel and do, and that we have the power to choose how we experience and respond to life around us. To someone with a victim mindset this one insight represents liberation. As meditation sharpens the focus of our inner eye, a thousand other insights are possible and enlightenment is never far.

The modern myth that if you get your body well then your mind will follow, is fast fading. While the general health and well being of our body will ‘influence' our mental state, it is the quality of our thoughts and feelings which primarily effect our physical well being. This means real relaxation begins within our consciousness. It is helpful to remember that watching the match or the movie is not relaxation but stimulation. They are mental escape activities which will eventually result in the atrophy of our mental strength and an increase in our emotional instablility. A quiet mind, a slow mind, a mind that has positive thoughts created by the self is a relaxed mind. And a relaxed mind leads to a relaxed body. Meditation is not about stopping thoughts, it is more about seeing our own patterns of thinking, correcting our thought process and consciously practicing the creation of right quality of thoughts as we learn to become the masters of our own consciousness.

The simplest definition of meditation is the ‘cultivation of self awareness'. In a media driven age, where information is largely the currency of exchange, most of us spend our lives being aware of everything except ourselves. Even the idea of self awareness can sound pretentious and unnecessary, if not strange. Yet without self awareness we cannot see what we are doing wrong at the levels of our own thoughts and feelings. In fact we cannot even see that it is ourselves and not someone else who creates our thoughts and feelings! When we fall under the illusion that others are responsible for what we feel we condemn ourselves to stressful life as we become dependent on external sources of stimulation and perform our very own award winning performance of The Victim!

Our spiritual well being can be measured by the quality of our inner peace, our ability to create stillness at will and our capacity to radiate love from our heart into the world. Unfortunately it seems we have decamped from our hearts and moved to take up residence in our minds. We have become unendingly busy, creating thoughts filled with worry, anxiety, frequent frustrations and rising levels of anger. Like the layers of an onion these mental and emotional states gradually accumulate and suppress our spiritual heart. Negative mind sets to starve our physical heart and our everyday relationships of the oxygen of love. Busy minds also lead to busy and tired bodies. Perhaps this is why we now see meditation enjoying a rising tide of interest and practice. Meditation is the oldest and most effective way to quieten the mind, release past hurts, be fully present to know the joy of the moment, transform the quality of our thinking and begin the healing of our heart from inside out.

• Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childish days; that can recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth; that can transport the sailor and the traveller, thousands of miles away, back to his own fire-side and his quiet home! - Charles Dickens, The Pickwick Papers, 1836.
  
  
• Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time. - Laura Ingalls Wilder
  
  
• For the spirit of Christmas fulfils the greatest hunger of mankind. - Loring A. Schuler

In the Chinese language the word for ‘busy' is composed of two characters – ‘heart' and ‘killer'. Only one hundred years ago the breakdown of the strongest pump in the world, the human heart, was still regarded as a medical curiosity. Fast forward to the 21 st Century where ‘busy' is the byword for modern living, and it is no surprise that hundreds of thousands of hearts now fail every year. Yet the true heart of each one of us is not within our body, but within our consciousness. For the spiritually minded it is the soul, because soul is what we are.

"Knowing the self and knowing God brings light into the darkness,and brings love back into our lives whereby we can reach out to others.The world will change when we are able to share this Godly light and this endless love. When I know myself I can really meet others. My vision will not be disturbed by our differences but I will recognise the same essence in others."

There are many reasons why people oppose each other; misunderstanding, resistance to change, competitiveness. If someone decides to hold on to their negativity, no amount of analyzing or reasoning can ease the situation. At such times, only patience and more patience will help a closed mind gently unfurl itself.

The power of Truth is such that you need never be concerned about proving it for this only reveals your own stubbornness. Just be concerned with being it, and living it. Truth reveals itself at the right moment and right place.

The immense power of humility is useful in your protection as well as protection of others. It allows you to learn from and see the benefit in everything, even in the insults of others. You don’t feel the need to get upset. Your self-respect works to keep you steady. Even if the problem is theirs, not yours and there is nothing to change in yourself, humility removes the need for you to say so.

If a problem arises with someone and the problem is not yours, humility removes the need for you to comment.

Happy Deepavali to All of You...!

Deepavali is an Indian Festival...Also known as "Festival of Lights".

Read More About Our Great "Deepavali Festival"

Let us be "Light"

Celebration of Perfection....

No other festival unites Indians around the world, as does Deepavali. A single diya holds infinite beauty and hope. While we celebrate these auspicious days with the same grandeur seen in the past, the pure beliefs held by our ancestors were more enlightening. Deepavali or Diwali is a celebration of victory over evil and the coming of a New Year. But if we probe further, what is this darkness we want to remove? In reality, evil or darkness does not have an astitva or identity of their own - they exist due to a lack of goodness or light. Knowledge, power and all that is pure, are very real characteristics since they are part of us, perhaps dormant yet existing. The Festival of Lights, incidentally seen in every culture, is the fight against evil forces and creation of peace and happiness. Diwali conjures up a number of things in the mind's eye - sweets, new clothes, account books, Goddess Lakshmi, fireworks etc. and in Maharashtra (A state of India), a special 5-day ceremony ensures a perfect celebration. While the physical rituals are necessary, a deeper understanding of the spiritual meaning guarantees that we continue to respect and 'live' our eternal teachings.

We begin with Dhanamyodashi, where families worship Dhanvantari, a special ayurvedic herb said to cure a person of all illnesses. As science too proves, about 98% of all diseases are psychosomatic, meaning the problem lies in the mind. With time and circumstances, human beings have lost a great degree of their inner power, thus making them vulnerable to attacks from the vices (lust, anger, greed, attachment, ego). The weak mind has affected the body too and when we take the medicine of spiritual knowledge, prescribed by the Ultimate Doctor God, we can cure both mind and body.

Our second day is celebrated as Narkchaturdashi. Spiritual Knowledge about Self-realisation, God-realisation etc. can only be taught by the Supreme. Diwali, the tradition of lighting diyas, actually describes how the Supreme Light comes to re-ignite our awareness of being points of energy or souls. This knowledge is used to overcome the foreign elements of vices. In memorial of these efforts, we have the story of Narkasur or destroying of evil.

The third day is spent in invoking Goddess Lakshmi. Today, we have unfortunately lowered the status of Lakshmi Devi to that of a banker. In reality, her name stems from the word, 'Laksh' meaning ' the goal', implying that she stands for the ultimate goal of perfection that human beings can reach. The 'wealth' that she has to offer is of knowledge and virtues; a divine character alone can attain prosperity (material and otherwise) and peace. Homes are cleaned thoroughly in her honour, but we forget that a clean mind and intellect are the easiest ways to attract her.

Moving to the fourth day of Balipratipada, we see success at every step or padh / kadam when we maintain connection with the Supreme Soul. In spirituality, this is symbolic for yoga or union. When I visualise myself to be a point of light, and then direct my intellect and thoughts to the Supreme Parent, I experience God's Shakti and love. This power helps me fight weaknesses and inculcate virtues.

The beautiful process of gaining knowledge, overcoming vices, cleaning the intellect and remembering the Supreme, leads us to appreciate the fifth day, Bhaiyadooj or Bhaibeej. The knowledge of the 'soul' frees us from stereotypes and prejudices based on religion, caste, colour, gender and age. We then see every individual as being a child of God and so part of my spiritual family - the ultimate truth.

Sweets (maintaining loving relationships), new clothes (discarding everything old), new account books (settling karmic accounts), fireworks (burning evil off) and other, interesting rituals prepare us spiritually for the New Year or Age. The darkness of ignorance cannot remain; our deep desire to create a world of happiness will become a reality. The key lies in lighting a single 'diya' - my own spiritual awareness - and then.... "JYOT SE JYOT LAGAATE CHALO..."

People spend a lot of time and energy developing their bodies and making it attractive to other people, but is there ever a thought of developing the soul and making it attractive to God. The body is a physical matter, which will change, age and die. If you have a beautiful body today there is no guarantee that it will remain as such in the future. The soul is an eternal, immortal point of spiritual light. Within the soul there are impressions that form my personality. If I take steps to develop and feed it with spiritual knowledge, my character, my personality will become rich and beautiful. Developing the soul allows us to have full control of the power of thought. The quality of our thoughts determine our own personal degree of happiness.

I should feel love when people don’t love me because love heals and brings happiness. When I feel love towards others, there is benefit all around. To be loving is a natural way to live. If I make effort to become more loving, my own happiness increases immediately and soon the attitudes of others will soften. Many people are burdened with negativity as a result of a shortage of love. It shows up in cycles of critical thoughts and negative feelings, sometimes directed against the self, and sometimes blaming others. Such thoughts and feelings run down energy and deplete everybody’s well being. If I recognize this and become more determined to stay positive, I can end the negative cycles and reveal the power of love in action.

It is true that there is much suffering in the world. But do we need to worry about it? If we focus on the negative, that drains us of the strength to help. Goodness and truth are also at work in our world, as well as darker forces. When I switch on my awareness of positive qualities common to humanity, it is like bringing light into the darkness. The past stops haunting me and I stop worrying about the future. I see more clearly what I need to do now, for lasting happiness and health.

In the normal course of the day, do we know where are thoughts are going? Do we have the strength to focus and direct them where we want them to go? We are normally unaware of the amount of energy that is contained in each and every thought. If we were aware we would pay attention to conserve and utilize it in a beneficial manner. At a time when the world's resources is the lowest we are throwing away enormous quantities of thought by having negative and waste thoughts. Just like the body gets tired when we use up the physical energy, the mind gets fatigued giving rise to frustration, boredom and tension. We need to examine the self and see how our energy is getting lost.

To be honest means to be true. It also means being faithful andtrustworthy. The more you experience this quality, the more your senseof its value will increase.

It is true that there is much suffering in the world. But do we need to worry about it? If we focus on the negative, that drains us of the strength to help. Goodness and truth are also at work in our world, as well as darker forces. When I switch on my awareness of positive qualities common to humanity, it is like bringing light into the darkness. The past stops haunting me and I stop worrying about the future. I see more clearly what I need to do now, for lasting happiness and health.

Often, we get into a 'tit for tat' situation in which I feel bad about someone else, so they have ill-feeling towards me, which confirms my opinion about them, and so on. Everyone loses out. I need to see very clearly the damage this is doing. Illness often comes when I feel ill-treated or deceived. With strength of mind, I can recover my peace and have positive feelings even towards those who don't feel good about me.

When I awaken to the power of the mind I can begin to step back from whatever illness is happening in the body. The more I become the observer, watching what is happening instead of being caught up in it, the more free the mind can become. Even when my body is ill, I can create thoughts and feelings of happiness and peace. These positive feelings then help the body, so that I have the strength to face the illness and quite often pain and sickness decrease or may even goaway.

Love is intrinsic to human nature. But when we lose sight of the fact that we are love, inside, we chase after it outside of ourselves instead. When we let go of selfish desires, we become free of worry and ill-feeling and our lives become loving through and through. This is very healing.

When I observe the inner world of my thoughts and feelings, I can develop new ways of responding to situations and events which help me to keep a positive frame of mind. For example, I may constantly become fearful and upset about ill-health which only makes it worse, but a period of illness could offer me a space to get off life's roller coaster for a while, to rest and look at how I have been living. I may see ways of improving my attitudes and actions. That realization itself brings fresh hope and happiness. As long as I keep looking inside I do have a choice. Why choose worry, which will harm me, when I can opt for positive approach which will uplift me.

I can retain my positivity by working to remove worry and sorrow from my heart and mind. It helps to recognize that negative feelings are triggered by dependency on one or another physical aspect of existence; the body, relationships, wealth, or circumstances in the world around me. If any one of these is in a state of upheaval, I am liable to become troubled. But it is my dependency on these things, not the upheaval in itself, which causes deep distress. If I become free inside, worry and sorrow will finish.

Positivity is a subtle, spiritual attribute or energy, natural to all of us, that can accumulate in the mind just as electrical energy accumulates in a battery. A positive frame of mind promotes healing in oneself, and this energy naturally flows out to others.

Affluent societies have put huge effort into improving physical facilities, but our minds have suffered neglect. Increased levels of negative states such as anxiety, addiction, irritability and depression have accompanied burgeoning desires. As well as undermining the health of individuals, these negative attitudes and emotions harmsociety and the environment by causing a loss of fundamental values in our actions. When we feel sad and empty inside, we become part of the problem. We comfort ourselves by blaming others and circumstances. Instead we have to learn how to make our mind strong. That means fillit with positivity.

Complications seem to be an inevitable by-product of modern living.Simplicity gives birth to inspirations. Keeping our mind calm and clear is the easiest method to sort out messy situations. Maintaining a balance of living simply yet comfortably, and only using what wereally need of the earth's resources, we will always have abundance in our lives.

Pay special attention to keeping your thoughts elevated, pure and happy. With this attention to thoughts, you will be able to recognize the subtle attack of vices and weaknesses. You will then be able to transform them, finish them and become victorious.

The most natural way to bring about change is to change one's attitude, starting at the seat of consciousness or the thoughts. It is better to become an actor instead of a reactor to change. Think your way into a new way of acting. Change the thoughts and automatically the behavior will follow. Purify the thoughts and automatically your actions will become pure. It becomes impossible for anyone to become angry if the thoughts are peaceful. With purity of thought, a clear vision of reality can be seen. It is impossible to accurately view reality through the warped lenses of ego, greed and negative tendencies.

Allowing yourself to be controlled, either by others or by your own anger, represses your original qualities of tolerance and love, and thus creates a very deep kind of sorrow in the soul. To overpower this weakness, we need to be always aware that we are not only children of GOD but also heirs to His Divine qualities.

Cheerfulness comes from a sense of well being and contentment. It is a high quality, but it does not always stay with us. Thoughts of envy, worry, anger and hatred enter the mind, and cheerfulness vanishes. To maintain a "smiling face" we need to focus our attention only on the good qualities around us. When we see bad qualities we retain the defects of others and it poisons our intellect. When we see good qualities then our thoughts will be pure, our action elevated bringing with them a sense of contentment and joy free from a poisonous atmosphere.

If there is love for God, then automatically the soul becomesco-operative with all because God is the seed. By giving water to theseed, every leaf automatically receives water and then there is noneed to water each leaf individually. To be linked in love with thespiritual Father means to have love for all.

Let the power of tolerance be your armor. Without this armor, youbecome delicate to the storm of obstacles and you lose your happinessand enthusiasm and become disheartened. This armor will be yourprotection.

Unity is harmony within and amongst people. It is built with a sharedvision for the good of all and a common goal. Unity is appreciatingthe value of each person and their unique contribution. When there iswillingness to accommodate others, unity blossoms.

Meditation assists to develop the habit of thinking positive that enhances ones clarity of thought at all times and hence the ability to make continuously, instantaneous and authentic decisions. Having good judgmental powers through clarity of thought, we become more aware of our roles and responsibilities and become more focused on our aims and objectives. This is mainly because meditation teaches one to imbibe and inculcate good values and to keep away from being influenced by undesirable company. They are able to neutralize and diffuse potentially volatile situations into laughable ones instead of getting paranoid.

It is said that the mind can be your best friend or your worst enemy. Atevery moment we have the opportunity to choose our company: thoughtswhich bring oxygen to the spirit or those who bring pain. If I amloyal to myself, I will continually strive to go back to my inner coreof positivity. Again and again. I will be patient and loving, andincreasingly my mind will reside in this positive inner truth. When Iam able to be loving and loyal to myself, I can then help others in this same unconditional manner.

Forget The "What" - Focus On The "How"

Do not judge another until you have walked a mile in their shoes.

"DO not cry if the SUN sets at the end of the DAY, because the TEARS will not let you ENJOY the beauty of the STARS"

As the sun is golden at the time of rising as well as setting,
the behaviour of the noblemen is the same during pleasure and disaster.

The ability to enjoy one's own company is one of the greatest gifts life has to offer. Learning to turn our thoughts away from all our responsibilities at the day's end and take our mind into a state of peace and benevolence enables us to carry greater and greater loads without feeling burdened. When our inner landscape is full of beautiful thoughts, everything we do is a pleasure. Gently, we calm down chaotic situations and offer solace to troubled minds.

The benefit attained from meditation is that you have clarity of thought and have the ability to make the right decisions at the right time in every situation. When you make the right decisions consistently, then you achieve all your spiritual goals, desires and objectives with minimum energy. This means that you experience the greatest splendor with minimum expenditure. There is very little or minimum wastage of time, efforts and resources. Clarity of thought therefore is the ability to do the right things the very first time and never have to repeat things. To repeat things is very costly in time, money, resources and loss of opportunities. When you achieve the things that are under your control with minimum energy, then you are contented and where there is contentment there is happiness.

Meditation simply means the management of your thoughts. It is to have the ability to think of what you want and when you want, without interference from other thoughts. Meditation is to develop the ability to concentrate on a particular subject without being attracted and influenced by the five senses, the five vices and the five elements. Yoga, which is associated with meditation, simply means to have union or make connection with some object, subject, person or God. However, yoga is usually associated with spirituality. Yoga is to have connection and to have dialogue or sweet conversation with the divine source of inspiration, whom many call God. Meditation, therefore is a prerequisite or condition that assists spiritual seekers to have unbroken, undisturbed and continuous access with divinity and this experience is called yoga, another form of prayer.

The generic meaning of meditation is the "healing of the mind or to take control of the mind". This is because the mind, a faculty of the soul, is very inquisitive, curious and travels with great speed. Inreality, the mind is where all the thoughts are created or generated. It is similar to an antenna where all signals are received. On theaverage while one is awake, some 25-40 thoughts per minute enter themind of which less than 10 percent are positive. The rest are idle,waste or negative.

Never be afraid to sit awhile and think. ~Lorraine Hansberry, A Raisin in the Sun

"We may not be born happy, but we are born with the ability to create happiness." --Source Unknown

Knowledge of what is possible is the beginning of happiness. - George Santayana

A budget is just a method of worrying before you spend money, as well as afterward.

Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.

Firm faith and self-confidence in your goals determine your destiny. Be surenot to forget your goals; do not allow doubts to come. Instead of seeingproblems, see only opportunities.

Peace is simplicity. Simplicity is beauty. A simple exercise to experiencethis is - Choose a day as your day of simplicity. Speak little, and listenwith attention. Do something incognito and nice for a person you are closeto. Eat simple and natural food. Create time periods for not doinganything - just walk, look around, live the moment. Have your mind open to amore profound and silent sensitivity. Appreciate each scene and each personas they are. In the evening write down your discoveries. Observe the stateof your mind.

In the ocean of silence you may discover your eternal treasures of peace, love and happiness. In silence, you can let bad feelings and past sorrows dissolve. Silence calms your heart. It is a balm that heals the wounds of the soul. It strengthens the spirit and takes you to a world without sound where peace reigns.

Self-consciousness distinguishes you from other animals. It enables you to be aware of your thoughts, feelings and emotions and to understand how they influence your behavior. When your consciousness awakens, you start beingtruly free because you decide your destiny and take responsibility for yourchoices.

You spend most of your life running after things, doing things. You forgotthat being comes before doing. Those who remember this secret make an effortto "be" and discover that when they stop and observe, life helps and bringswhatever is needed. Learning to be is learning to be at peace. It is ourmost fundamental nature.

To attain peace when something unfortunate happens, we have to open up to the possibility that there may be benefit and good hidden in that situation. Accept and learn, then your feelings will be positive and you will find solutions. You will have transformed defeat into victory.

Your true enemies - which will destroy your peace - are negative habits and waste thoughts. Your true attainment is the conquest of the self.

Peace ends when you are emotionally involved in a situation. The practice of being an independent observer helps you stay stable and calm. It is the best way to approach a decision in any circumstance.

It is easy to create new things, change places or do something different. To sustain that sense of newness that creates enthusiasm is more difficult. The secret of newness in life is not to do new things constantly, but to see everything you do with new eyes, new insights and a new perspective.

The sages do not consider that making no mistakes is a blessing. They believe, rather, that the great virtue of man lies in his ablility to correct his mistakes and continually make a new man of himself.

--- Wang Yang-Ming

Self-control is not about suppressing emotions or tolerating the pressure of circumstances. Self-control is to be the creator of your thoughts and feelings, to be creative and find new answers. This helps you to remain calm and cool.

At times there is a weak spot, something you do not want to see about your character. The way to discover it is through others. They are the mirrors that reflect your personality. If something bothers your about someone, you are recognizing an attitude that is actually within you. When you feel it does not affect you and you can respond calmly, it means that this weakness is no longer in you.

To stay happy in every situation remember what has helped you, what has made life worthwhile. Forget the old, the things of no value, and what has stolen your dreams. You grow and progress in life thanks to what motivates and inspires you. You get depressed through remembering your weakness and mistakes.

The most powerful form of teaching is by example. What you see through your eyes creates the greatest impact. The heart accepts it and it does not need many words. You cannot impose peace on any one through force but you can bring this about by being peaceful and creating a peaceful environment.

Peace is not a passive attitude; it is an active state. It requires having constant attention and determination, in order to live and to respond as a peaceful being to any upset in life. You need to brave and vigilant.

Your internal dialogue establishes your way of seeing the world. When you make demands on and reproach yourself, you create a world of stress and pain. To be peaceful, create a loving dialogue with yourself, enabling your inner values to awaken and be expressed regardless of your external world.

When a friend is in trouble, don't annoy him by asking if there is anything you can do. Think up something appropriate and do it.

--- Edgar Watson Howe

Our society encourages distraction and evasion as a means to experience happiness. But actually this takes you far away from yourself and just postpones dissatisfaction. The true solution is to concentrate on what nourishes the spirit and give you life.

Many believe that happiness is achieved through material wealth. It is true that it gives a temporary sense of well being. A rich person is not someone who has more but someone who desires less. Happiness is the result of total appreciation of all that life gives you at every moment.

A mother teaches her child with love and patience until the child learns. Be a mother and teach your mind to have positive thoughts and to let go of worries. Then when your mind most needs peace, it will obey you.

A mother teaches her child with love and patience until the child learns. Be a mother and teach your mind to have positive thoughts and to let go of worries. Then when your mind most needs peace, it will obey you.

Your words might impress others. People will say "He is a good speaker. What interesting things he says". But if you don't practice what you say, others will not feel inspired to do it. It is your actions more than your words which will inspire and show them how to do it.

If you think you can do something alone, either because you don't trust others to do it or because you feel you are the most qualified,

  You will always be busy doing everything,
  You will be unhappy with others because they are not doing what you want,

It is more effective to invest your time in training and developing others.
There is a greater success in cooperation.

In order to create good relationships -

- With your mind, think about what you have to learn from others.
- With your eyes, look into the good qualities of others.
- With your words, recognize, value and appreciate their accomplishments.
- With your actions, cooperate and do something for others.

The root of suffering is attachment. You have created a space in your mind that holds a person or object as a part of you. When that person or object is criticized, neglected or not with you, you feel pain in your mind and you experience a sense of loss. If you want to remain happy at all times, you must learn to love and appreciate while remaining independent.

Cooperate with others

Create cooperation

Teach Cooperation

Inspire cooperation and you will find in your workplace a space to learn and a place for personal growth. Your motivation will shift from earning to learning.

The ability to touch base with my inner calmness whenever I need to protects me from the influence of pressures and demands place upon me. The greater the demands, the more I need to nourish my inner calmness and stability. If I let them, circumstances will throw me around with their unexpected twists and turns. Once I have learnt to generate my own stable happiness and peace there is nothing I cannot handle.

There is an immaculate eternal and constant space within you hidden under different appearances. In that space there is only peace, love and wisdom. Let go and free yourself from the layers that cover that space and you will uncover the secret of life of fullness.

Often, from grain of sand a mountain emerges. If you want to protect your inner peace transform the mountain into a grain of sand. Life will bring obstacles and difficulties. They do not come to stop you. They can strengthen you and help you progress with more experience. Keep advancing. Sometimes you do not find a solution, it is enough to keep moving forward, learning from and leaving obstacles behind.

It is better to say, "This one thing I do" than to say, "These forty things I dabble in."

Washington Gladden

Optimism is essential to achievement and it is also the foundation of courage and true progress.

Nicholas Murray Butler

Optimism is essential to achievement and it is also the foundation of courage and true progress.

Nicholas Murray Butler

Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently.

Henry Ford
(1863-1947, American Industrialist)

We can only feel comfortable adapting to new situations and different ways of doing things if we are light and easy. We often resist new ideas from others or changing circumstances because we harbor jealousy, mistrust or resentment. Letting go of such negativity we can begin to see with positive vision and can embrace new scenes in life with a sense of openness and adventure.

Principle of Reiki by Dr. Mikao Usui, the Founder of Reiki as we know it.
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Just for today
I will live the attitude of gratitude

Just for today
I will not worry

Just for today
I will not anger

Just for today
I will do my work honestly

Just for today
I will show love and respect for every living thing

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It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters in the end.

Usula K. LeGuin

Friendship consists in forgetting what one gives and remembering what one receives.

Alexandre Dumas the Younger
(1824-1895)

We are able to face all types of challenges when we know how to keep our mind clear and calm. And God is always on hand to help if we are brave enough to set aside our negative feelings and worrying thoughts and let ourselves be guided by pure love.

One who has tolerance has the power to accept and accommodate all situations. Appreciative of the richness that different opinions and perspectives bring to the tapestry of life, a person who is tolerant is able to remain calm and contented. Where true love reigns, tolerance has no limits.

One who has tolerance has the power to accept and accommodate all situations. Appreciative of the richness that different opinions and perspectives bring to the tapestry of life, a person who is tolerant is able to remain calm and contented. Where true love reigns, tolerance has no limits.

The practice of silently observing life enables us to understand other people's inner concerns. We become slower to judge and better able to respond openly and thoughtfully.

The abundant life does not come to those who have had a lot of obstacles removed from their path by others. It develops from within and is rooted in strong mental and moral fiber.

-- William Mather Lewis

'Think like a wise man but communicate in the language of the people.'

--- William Butler Yeats

To give real service you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity.

-- Donald A. Adams

The important thing is this: to be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become.

-- Charles Du Bos

The most important thing I have learned over the years is the difference between taking one's work seriously and taking one's self seriously. The first is imperative, and the second disastrous.

-- Margaret Fontey

After receiving grace of God, one can never be the same again, never look at life again in the old way... our thoughts are enlivened, our life is inspired with enthusiasm and energy, and we live daily in the joyous knowledge that everything is all right...

When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.

Helen Keller
(1880-1968, American Writer)

Bravery is the capacity to perform properly even when scared half to death.

General Omar Bradley
(1893-1983, World War II Hero)

It is when we silence the chattering of our mind that we can truly hear what is in our heart and find the still, clear purity that lies within the soul. Spiritual love carries us into the silence of our original state of being. This silence contains the power to create harmony in all relationships and the sweetness to sustain them. And it is when we are silent that we can let God into our heart and mind, filling us with peace, love and power.

The highest reward for a person's toil is not what they get for it, but what they become by it.

John Ruskin
(1819-1900, British Artist and Author)

When we combine the power of self-belief with pure motives there is very little we cannot achieve. Using this power wisely to bring benefit to everyone in our lives, we can rest assured that everything we need will steadily flow our way.

If you're never scared or embarrassed or hurt, it means you never take any chances.

Julia Sorel

It is very easy to create unity and make others a part of unity - if we can only pay special attention to one aspect - accumulate the power of truth. The power of truth alone can destroy the number one enemy of unity - ego. With ego out of the way, it is easy to create an atmosphere of harmony. The greatness of truth is the ability to come together with love, and accept each other's different ideas with love.

When I recognize the value of my own time there is a natural regard for the time of others. Arriving on time for an engagement is a simple way of demonstrating respect. A little attention reduces tension and life flows with the rhythm of each day.

I believe we should all pay our tax with a smile. I tried - but they wanted cash....

I believe we should all pay our tax with a smile. I tried - but they wanted cash....

I believe we should all pay our tax with a smile. I tried - but they wanted cash...

I believe we should all pay our tax with a smile. I tried - but they wanted cash...

The indispensable first step to getting the things you want in this life is this: Decide what you want.

Ben Stein
(Actor, Author, Comedian)

When what you have is not enough to meet your need it's called a seed.

Bishop Joe Imakando
(Clergyman)

"Love and Forgiveness is the most important factor in any kind of relationship."

The real measure of your wealth is how much you'd be worth if you lost all your money.

Bernard Meltzer
(Law Professor)

A ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.

William Shedd

If our mind is still enough, we can see the deeper meaning behind each situation. No matter how bad a problem may seem on the surface, if we remain positive eventually we will see how everything has worked out for the best.

When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure.

Peter Marshall
(1902-1949, Clergyman)

Everyone chases after happiness, not noticing that happiness is at their heels.

Bertolt Brecht
(1898-1956, Dramatist and Poet)

Worrying about how everything will get done or whether we are capable of doing it, limits our ability to respond to challenges considerably. The less we think about doing something and the faster we just get on with it, the fewer problems we cause ourselves. Good planning is always helpful, but time spent fretting and procrastinating is a major drain on our energy. The more willing we are to respond positively to opportunities, the more our capacity will grow.

When we learn to respect ourselves, other people will respect us. How can we develop respect for ourselves? By keeping our mind positive and encouraging ourselves to grow and change for the better. Demanding respect because of our position or background is simply arrogance. On the other hand, listening with humility and valuing other people's advice naturally ears us respect. We get back exactly what we give out.

Humility and arrogance are enemies. Where one exists the other cannot exist. Arrogance usually begins from external things, but ends up deep inside the soul, penetrating everything, destroying it all and giving rise to anger and greed.

Considering how bad men are, it is wonderful how will they behave.

Help your brother's boat across, and your own will reach the shore.
--- Hindu proverb

Great beauty, great strength, and great riches are really and truly of no great use; a right heart exceeds all.

Benjamin Franklin
(1706-1790, American Scientist, Publisher, Diplomat)

"I would rather have a mind opened by wonder than one closed by belief."
--Gerry Spence

Life is a gift, not a prize.

Rick Beneteau
(Author and Internet Marketer)

If you want to win a man to your cause, first convince him that you are his sincere friend.

Abraham Lincoln
(1809-1865, Sixteenth President of the USA)

It hurts to love someone and not be loved in return, but what is the most painful is to love someone and never finding the courage to let the person know how you feel.

Everyone wants to be loved for who they are. When we appreciate others fully it boosts their self-esteem and helps them pass on a loving attitude to others. Even though we may not see the results immediately; love always works.

It takes great courage to be honest. One of the noblest qualities in a person is the ability to say, "I am sorry, I was wrong, you were right". It doesn't really matter about being right, winning arguments or having our ideas accepted. It matters more that we are able to recognize our mistakes, take responsibility for them, learn the lesson and move on with greater maturity.

When we have learned to love and accept ourselves, we no longer compete with others but enjoy encouraging them to reach for their dreams, we can genuinely celebrate their success and enjoy seeing them go ahead.

I care not what others think of what I do, but I care very much about what I think of what I do. That is character!

Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt
(1858-1919, Twenty-sixth President of the USA)

The height of your accomplishments will equal the depth of your convictions.

William F. Scolavino

Non-violence is a very deep philosophy. Not only does it require us to harm no one physically, but also avoid harming anyone's self-respect. Such an ethic requires tremendous awareness and sensitivity. When we have learned to be gentle with ourselves, we can be the same with others.

Happiness is not in our circumstances, but in ourselves. It is not something we see, like a rainbow, or feel, like the heat of a fire. Happiness is something we are.

John B. Sheerin
(Author)

A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.

Christopher Reeve

There is happiness when each moment is used in a worthwhile way. Happiness is such nourishment that it can transform a person from weak into powerful. It makes difficult things easy and heavy things light. To remain happy and share happiness with others is a great act of charity. No matter what happens, my happiness should not be lost.

Without enthusiasm life becomes a dry and tasteless experience. Anyone can become enthusiastic for a little while but to keep enthusiasm steadily flowing through our life is a great art. The secret is remarkably simple; live in a state of appreciation; appreciate the special qualities within everyone; appreciate the wonder of nature and give thanks to the cycle of life and everyone's contribution to it. Enthusiasm is infectious, especially when it is based on an appreciation of, and love for life itself.

It is fashionable to use humour in a caustic way and to subtly criticize.
More often than not, this is hurtful and makes others wary of us. To avoid
any kind of bitter tinge to our interactions we need to let go of mistakes -
both our own and those of other people - completely. When we have learned to
love in a pure way and know how to create positive attitudes at will, we
develop the quality of sweetness in our personality. Let our nature become
so sweet that we never again disempower anyone or draw attention to their
weakness.

The highest discipline is to live by the values that are dearest to us. To do so we may
have to sacrifice something, for example, praise, money or status. However, the rewards are
enormous : self-respect, self-confidence and an ability to face adversity with courage and optimism.

Most people are so busy knocking themselves out trying to do everything they think they should do, they never get around to do what they want to do.

Kathleen Winsor
(Author)

It is often said, Charity begins at home. However it seems easier to give something for the afflicted in a far-off country than to give the right kind of time and energy to the people closest to us. Give respect to those who have no sel-respect, treating juniors with as much sensitivity as our seniors does not come always naturually. We can start by silently speaking to our mind in a loving way. We need to encourage ourselves when we make mistakes.

Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be cumbered with your old nonsense.

Ralph Waldo Emerson
(1803-1882, American Poet, Essayist)

Practice the habit of saying "past is past". Keep facing forward. If something negative happens, don't feel guity about it. Simply have the determined thought to conquer it. Re-channel the energy that usually goes into guilt or regret into positive thought and willpower, so that the soul says: "yes, I am making efforts to change and improve myself.

It's nice to be important
But It's more important to be nice

The practice of silently watching life from the vantage point of being an observer enables me more clearly to understand events and other people's inner concerns and qualities. We become slower to judge and better able to respond openly and thoughtfully, free from any influence of the situation itself and from subtle pull of my own or another's personality.

Accuracy is not just about doing things perfectly and to a set standard. In spiritual terms, being accurate requires that we are aware of the attitude we need, to create harmony in our relationships. If we can inspire enthusiasm, trust and confidence in those around us, our own self-esteem and ability to get things right will also flourish.

Just for today I will be happy. Just for today I will try to live through this day only, not to tackle my whole life problem at once. I can do things for twelve hours that would appall me if I had to keep them up for a lifetime. Just for today.

-- Sybyl F. Partridge

A compassionate person develops an eye for spotting the qualities that make each person special. Even when others are at their lowest ebb, it is possible to help restore their self-belief by keeping a firm, clear vision of their goodness and specialties. By taking a gentle encouraging approach, we must never give up on anyone.

Maintaining a state of inner calmness protects us from becoming a slave to my emotions. It also helps us to keep a cool head when we see others becoming heated and angry. Coolness is not to be distant and uncaring; rather it requires that we develop the deeply caring nature of a peacemaker and server other in the best possible way.

Asking is the beginning of receiving. Make sure you don't go to the ocean with a teaspoon. At least take a bucket so the kids won't laugh at you.

-- Jim Rohn

You only live once -- but if you work it right, once is enough.

Joe E. Lewis
(1902-1971, Author and Comedian)

Going into silence enables you to manage your thoughts better. You will find there is no need to think so much, that most of the answers you are looking for will come to you, without much effort on your part.

There are many reasons why people oppose each other; misunderstanding, resistance to change, competitiveness. If someone decides to hold on to their negativity, no amount of analyzing or reasoning can ease the situation. At such times, only patience and more patience will help a closed mind gently unfurl itself.

Nobody grows old merely by living a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals.

Yesterday's lessons and experiences must be used wisely today to create a better tomorrow.

Before we get any kind of advancement or promotion in life, we need to have earned the right to it. There are no free gifts in life, nor are there any short cuts to success of a lasting nature. Being worthy of any kind of responsibility requires an attitude of service to others. We earn a right only when we have given cooperation to others from our hearts.

The most important place to keep clean and tidy are our minds and hearts. If we allow thoughts to flourish that we wouldn't want to see the light of day, we can never have any real self-respect. By starting each day in quiet reflection and pouring positive, loving thoughts into our mind, we gradually clean out cynicism and unkindness. Our mind should be so beautiful and welcoming that God Himself would want to come and see it.

As we grow in our spiritual life, we give up the habit of worrying. It serves no purpose other than to make us feel tense and miserable. When we stop fretting about things that are beyond our control and focus instead on generating optimistic and kind thoughts, our life can begin to flow in ever more positive directions. Such a light and easy approach to life enables us to take everything in our stride.

"Away! Fond thoughts, and vex my soul no more! Work claimed my wakeful nights, my busy days Albeit brought memories of Rameswaram shore Yet haunt my dreaming gaze!"

"My worthiness is all my doubt His Merit – all my fear- Contrasting which my quality Does however appear "

"Away! Fond thoughts, and vex my soul no more! Work claimed my wakeful nights, my busy days Albeit brought memories of Rameswaram shore Yet haunt my dreaming gaze!"

"God has not promised Skies always blue, Flower-strewn pathways All our life through; God has not promised Sun without rain, Joy without sorrow, Peace without pain"

"All God's creatures are His family; and he is the most beloved of God who tries to do most good to God's creatures."

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"What actions are most excellence? To gladden the heart of a human being, to feed the hungry, to help the afflicted to lighten the sorrow of the sorrowful and to remove the wrongs of injured…"

Even if we don't mean to be critical, We often unconsciously home in on others' weaknesses and mistakes. The more we develop the habit of noticing goodness and only holding onto the good in others and in situations, the more our own sense of well being will rise. When we continually think "He/She is wrong", we create a barrier that prevents us from reaching our own goodness.

"If we encounter a man of rare intellect, we should ask him what books he reads."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

'Blessings are not valued until they are gone.' So much is overlooked and so much of our actions are automatic that it is as if nothing special ever happens. Nothing stays the same. The situations we find ourselves in today can change in the twinkling of an eye and the freedom and amenities we took for granted can disappear. We need to stop and count or blessings and see how fortunate we really are.

"When you speak, speak the truth; perform when you promise; discharge your trust…. Withhold your hands from striking, and from taking that which is unlawful and bad…"

The ability to enjoy one's own company is one of the greatest gifts life has to offer. Learning to turn our thoughts away from all our responsibilities at the day's end and take our mind into a state of peace and benevolence enables us to carry greater and greater loads without feeling burdened. When our inner landscape is full of beautiful thoughts, everything we do is a pleasure. Gently, we calm down chaotic situations and offer solace to troubled minds.

"Thinking is progress. Non-thinking is stagnation of the individual, organisation and the country. Thinking leads to action. Knowledge without action is useless and irrelevant. Knowledge with action, converts adversity into prosperity."

"Thinking should become your capital asset, no matter whatever ups and downs you come across in your life."

Life is like a game of cards. The hand you are dealt is determinism; the way you play it is free will.

Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru

When we are continuously being battered by the storms of life, and our very spirit is ebbing away, then all we need to do is hang onto that gift called "Faith" that one support which will weather the storms. Faith does not depend on a clever head, only belief; belief in the self and the strength that lies within. Faith is the seed of victory and the foundation of making the impossible possible.

I remind myself every morning: Nothing I say this day will teach me anything. So if I'm going to learn, I must do it by listening.

-- Larry King

One of the best ways to remain light, even in the middle of chaos and heaviness, is to keep a conversation with God. Chatting to God, whose responsibilities are unlimited, about trivial matters that are wearing us down gives us a more entertaining view of life. It requires a certain stillness of mind to hear His advice, but with practice we learn to sense His perspective on our minor irritations. Since His mind radiates lightness and love, the very act of opening ourselves up to Him enables us to lighten our burdens.

"Each time you are honest and conduct yourself with honesty, a success force will drive you toward greater success. Each time you lie, even with a little white lie, there are strong forces pushing you toward failure."

-- Joseph Sugarman

"The great enemy of the truth is very often not the lie--deliberate, contrived and dishonest--but the myth--persistant, persuasive and unrealistic."

John Fitzgerald Kennedy (1917-63)
35th US President, Democrat, politician

Push yourself like a machine and you will eventually run low on energy. Love you mind by allowing it spaces of silence and it will serve you tirelessly.

"If you believe in unlimited quality and act in all your business dealings with total integrity, the rest will take care of itself."

-- Frank Perdue

"Change does not necessarily assure progress, but progress implacably requires change. "

- Henry S. Commager

People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them.

-- George Bernard Shaw

Grace is like sunshine, it is always there. To get it, one should remove the
umbrella of ignorance.Spiritual discipline is just the first step!

"When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so Long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us."

-- Alexander Graham Bell

Wishing All Happy Holi !!!

"Any fact facing us is not as important as our attitude toward it, for that determines our success or failure."

--Norman Vincent Peale

"I used to say, 'I sure hope things will change.' Then I learned that the only way things are going to change for me is when I change."

-- Jim Rohn

"Happiness is an attitude of mind, born of the simple determination to be happy under all outward circumstances."

-- J. Donald Walters

"Find something you love to do and you'll never have to work a day in your life."

-- Harvey Mackay

Nothing is difficult to those who have the will.

-- Dutch Poet's Society

"They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel."

-- Carl W. Buechner

Love What You Do.
Do What You Love.

-Wayne Dyer

At the center of your being you have the answer;
You know who you are and you know what you want.

-Lao-tzu

Some people see things as they are and say "Why."
I dream things that never were and say "Why not."

-George Bernard Shaw

One with faith in the intellect always speaks the truth. Some have
faith in the intellect in knowing, some in believing and some in being.

It is misunderstood that a soul who is humble, or who is practicing the
lesson of 'hanji' (saying yes to others), they think it is defeat. For them
it appears to be defeat but infact it is victory.

The journey of life is one full of changes. Life means change, movement and
growth. When the storms of change and inconstancy are swirling all around us
we need an inner eye of stillness and stability. This will give the inner strength
to cope with the new and different situations that come to us and provide a
platform of clear decision-making and powerful thoughts. Anchored in the
eternal and unchanging truths of spirituality, we need not resist change but
can embrace it.

When you do the right thing, enjoy it! When you take positive actions, enjoy them.
After all, they are leading you toward positive results. Pat yourself on the back.
Truly enjoy the fact that you're making positive progress, and the negative temptations
will have no power over you.

-- Ralph Marston

Your character defines your life. And to build character you have to cross a sea of troubles.
Life will strip you off wealth, humble your pride, humiliate your ambition, let you down from
the ladder of fame, and discipline you in a thousand different ways, if it can develop a little
character in you. But in the end a priceless product - your character is developed.

The greatest bondage of all is waste thoughts of the mind. The power of
the mind is special. Waste thoughts weaken the power of the mind.
Be free from this bondage. Someone who is burdened will move slowly.
One who is light will always move with intense speed.

With your mind and intellect elevated thoughts and
accurate power of decision making, create a powerful atmosphere.

The easiest basis of all for contentment is to let others go first.
Continue to say," you first "! Continue to make companions and continue to move forward. Not," I first," but "you First".

According to the atmosphere a few situations will come but maintain courage
and consider those things to be side scenes and continue to move forward.

"Good nature is worth more than knowledge, more than money, more than honor..."

The world we have created is a product of our thinking; it cannot be changed without changing our thinking.
~ Albert Einstein

Judgement comes from experience, and great judgement comes from bad experience.

-- Robert Packwood

Self-reverence, self-knowledge, self-control. These three alone lead to sovereign power.

-- Lord Alfred Tennyson

According to the times, there is a special need in your actions for the
power to tolerate and the power to face any problems and situations.
They are not only necessary in your thoughts and words, but also in your actions.

An angel means one who speaks so that only those who are concerned should hear.
Only speak as much as you need to!

Nothing is difficult to those who have the will. -- Dutch Poet's Society

“Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently." --Henry Ford

Courage makes you worthy of receiving help from god.
Where there is determination there is definitely success.
There is no question as to whether there will be success or not. There is success!

Donate Powers through the Mind.
Donate Knowledge through Words.
Donate Virtues through your Actions.

Work for the fun of it, and the money will arrive some day.
-- Ronnie Milsap

Only those who dare to fail greatly, can ever achieve greatly.
--Robert F. Kennedy

If you can imagine it, you can achieve it.
If you can dream it, you can become it.
-- William Arthur Ward

Even if someone insults you, hates you, disrespects or defames you,
your good wishes must never stop.
We don't want to seek revenge from anyone, but we will definitely change.

Maintain your self - respect and give respect,
means to receive respect.
You won't receive it to give by taking it,
but to give it means to receive it.

You may have to bow down,
you may have to mould yourself in life,
you may have to tolerate,
you may have to listen,
but you must never let go of your thought!
This is called determination.

Daily Positive Quotes for you.

When the Children Take One Step of Courage,
God Gives a Thousand Steps of Help.