Silence - Daily Positive Thinking Quotes.

Silence is not just an absence of speech, but also to be aware of the quality of thoughts. Keeping the mind focused and occupied positively is an essential aspect of silence. Silence also means being in touch with the stillness inside the self, having profound awareness of just being.

Appreciate Higher Power

When I appreciate the Higher Power, the truth, myself as well as other human beings then, in effect I have made the commitment to transforming my life. Appreciating others, appreciating nature, appreciating my fortune, the blessings of circumstances, the value in the lessons of life (especially those that appear to be painful and of loss) is the result of understanding the secrets of this eternal drama of life. Appreciate what you see now and that becomes an eternal moment; disapprove of it and you kill it. Appreciate each second in this way, and then your life will be filled with unlimited moments of beauty and love.

Appreciation, Acknowledgement & Acceptance.

The opposite of appreciation would be disapproval and depreciation - of the soul! Who has the right to comment on and change the script that has been written for every soul? When I start to question, doubt, criticise, complain and correct, then I am not in full appreciation of the Drama of Life, the Director or the actors. If I appreciate my own efforts, the efforts that other people make and the workings of the natural world, then I will continually have respect. Appreciation, acknowledgement and acceptance validate and empower people and allow them to move ahead with confidence.

Appreciating Value

By appreciating all that is happening within us and around us, in reality this joy takes on the form of a living virtue, of pure character and righteous actions. It does not mean idolizing or pretending that things are different from what they really are, but it means taking the time to see another perspective - the other side of the coin, seeing something of benefit and illuminating oneself.

Appreciation - Positive Quotes.

The word appreciation has many valuable meanings and it is so important to imbibe this virtue. Appreciation can indicate enjoyment and admiration as well as denoting thanks and gratitude. It can signify awareness and understanding of and can express recognition of the value or significance of something. Finally, it means an increase in value. As we embark on a spiritual journey, we begin to appreciate, that is, enjoy life, give thanks to the universe, acquire a full awareness of why things are happening the way they are and with all this experience the soul appreciates i.e. increases its value.

See Through God’s Eyes...

You have to see through God’s eyes and feel through God’s heart, to appreciate the value of every soul, including yourself. Even if another soul seems a world apart from you, you will be able to find a bridge.

Self Respect...

Self-respect is often mistaken for arrogance when in reality it is the opposite. When we can recognize all our good qualities as well as or faults with neutrality, we can start to appreciate ourselves as we would a dear friend and experience the comfortable inner glow of respect. To embrace the journey towards our full potential we need to become our own loving teacher and coach. Spurring ourselves on to become better human beings we develop true regard for ourselves and our life will become sacred.

Creative Power...

Fill your heart with the creative power to accept the past, decorate the present and transform the future.

Positive Saying - Humility is a Form of Love

Humility is a form of love, it brings the enthusiasm for creativity and the ability to bring newness in everything that is done. Humility gives me an experience of being a master, of being powerful. This power comes from the experience of being a constant learner, because I have no ego of what I already have. This mastery makes me creative, making me bring newness in every thing I do.

Humility Brings Excellence.

Humility brings excellence. Humility means there is no expectation of being perfect always. So whatever is done comes naturally. There is no feeling of threat about others' opinion, but the one who is humble is able to express inner talent without any fear and expectations. So humility takes one forward towards excellence: When I am humble, I am able to stabilise myself in my state of self-respect always. This naturally is felt even when I am not able to bring perfection in my actions or even when others are not satisfied with me. Internally there is a feeling of satisfaction, knowing that I am constantly learning and moving forward.

Positive Thoughts - Humility.

The magic potent for mixing and matching Sanskaars or personality traits is the precious virtue of HUMILITY. Humility brings harmony in relationships. When there is humility there is the ability to understand and relate to others. There is an acceptance of the other person as he is. There is no pressure on the other person to change according to one's own personality, but there is the ability to provide an environment for the other person's growth. When I am humble, I am able to see and relate to others with their specialities. I do not think about what I have given to the relationship, nor do I expect anything from the relationship. But I continue to enjoy and appreciate what I get. So this keeps me positive even when the personalities don't match.

Pope John Paul II Near Death...

A request to all to join the Brahma Kumaris worldwide in sending powerful vibrations of peace to Pope John Paul II

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Pope John Paul II Near Death
Pontiff's Heart and Kidneys Said to Be Failing
By VICTOR L. SIMPSON, AP

VATICAN CITY (April 1) - Pope John Paul II was near death Friday, his breathing shallow and his heart and kidneys failing, the Vatican said. Millions of faithful around the world knelt, crawled on their knees, bowed their heads and lit candles to pray for the 84-year-old pontiff.

''This evening or this night, Christ opens the door to the pope,'' Angelo Comastri, the pope's vicar general for Vatican City, told a crowd at St. Peter's Square, where up to 70,000 people prayed and stood vigil in the chilly night. Many tearfully gazed at John Paul's third-floor window, wrapping themselves in blankets.

The Vatican said Friday morning that John Paul was in ''very grave'' condition after suffering blood poisoning from a urinary tract infection the previous night, but that he was ''fully conscious and extraordinarily serene'' and declined to be hospitalized.

By Friday night, the pope's condition had worsened further, and he was suffering from kidney failure and shortness of breath but had not lost consciousness as of 9:30 p.m., the Vatican said.

Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan, the Vatican's health minister, told Mexico's Televisa dal Vaticano that the pope ''is about to die.''

''I talked to the doctors and they told me there is no more hope,'' the Mexican cardinal told the television channel.
As word of his condition spread across the globe, special Masses celebrated the pope for transforming the Roman Catholic Church during his 26-year papacy and for his example in fearlessly confronting death.In Wadowice, Poland, people left school and work early and headed to church to pray for their native son.

''I want him to hold on, but it is all in God's hands now,'' said 64-year-old Elzbieta Galuszko at the church where the pope was baptized. ''We can only pray for him so he can pull through these difficult moments.''

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Becoming a Role Model...Positive Quotes

The one who is able to become an example for others by living his life with quality is the one who becomes an inspiration to others. Then there is no need for so many words to express what has to be done. Whatever is required to be done will be done without having to be told. When I have the aim of becoming a role model, I not only improve myself, but also am able to give inspiration to others too. I find that the support and the cooperation comes very naturally and easily. So nothing is difficult for me as I am able to pool in everyone's resources without having to say anything.

Receive Blessings, Good Wishes from Others

To see specialities is to receive blessings. Sometimes people are not able to use their specialities. But even at such times if one has the ability to see their specialities there is the ability to give courage and enthusiasm to them. One can provide them with such an environment that allows their own growth. So whatever the circumstances may be, there is progress. When I am able to see the positive aspect of others, I can keep my mind free from a major portion of negativity. The potential of my thoughts can be used fully for my own inner progress and I can therefore make a contribution for the others too. This earns me blessings and good wishes from others, which further enhances my own progress.

Free from Seeing Negativity...

To be free from seeing negativity in others is to constantly maintain zeal and enthusiasm. Whenever one is busy with watching only what others are doing, one is caught up in the trap of negativity. There is so much of focus on only negativity that there is only carelessness which only takes away all enthusiasm and hence there is no appreciation of whatever comes up in life and there is no ability to enjoy the beauty of it. When I see others' negativity in a detached way, I am able to recognize the fact that to be careless means to lose out on the chance of making the best of the available resources. So this gives me the inspiration to be free from negativity myself and also there is the silent wish for others too to be free from it. So, I always maintain my zeal and enthusiasm and enjoy each and every moment of my life.

Positive Feelings for Others...

To have positive feelings for others is to be saved from sorrow. Everyone has both positive qualities and negative qualities or weaknesses. But the one who is able to see others positivity is able to respond to this positivity. He is able to inspire them to recognize and use these positive qualities. His words are constantly encouraging, giving courage and enthusiasm. When I keep myself free from seeing negativity, I am able to keep myself free from sorrow too. My mind is filled with only good and positive things. I am never caught up with only problems but am able to easily find the solutions for them, however difficult or challenging they seem to be.

Learn from Others' Mistakes...

To learn from others' mistakes is to enjoy easy progress. When we see someone making a mistake, we usually judge the other person based on it. We begin to form an attitude towards that person which doesn't allow us either to learn, or to help others learn from what has happened. So we really are not able to experience as much progress as we should. I sometimes wait for my own experience to teach me what is right and what is wrong. But this would not be necessary when I am able to learn from others' mistakes too. So when I see someone making a mistake, instead of judging the person based on it I need to make use of it to take the learning and move forward.

Be Positive Always...

You never have to be miserable because of someone else's bad attitude. Your own attitude is yours to control, and you can do with it what you please. Others will often attempt to draw you into their negativity. They may whine, scream, glare, pout, or call you all sorts of names, but never does it mean that you must pick up on any of it. You can lovingly and politely choose to stay positive. Simply realize that another person's negative attitude is that person's problem, and does not have to dictate your behavior in any way. The most powerful response to negativity is not more negativity. The most powerful, confident, effective response is to keep yourself focused on moving positively forward. Smile, and know that you are in control of how you feel, what you think and how you act. Offer your best, most sincerely positive face to the world, no matter what kind of faces you find looking back at you. Rather than being pulled down, you'll be lifting up. And that's a powerful, effective place to be.

Respond Positively & Faster to Opportunities.

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.

Remaining Open to Life...

If we allow bitterness and resentment to fester inside, it will make my relationships guarded and unsatisfying. The more we close down to others, the more we become a stranger to ourselves. By letting go of sorrow and negativity, we can keep our nature open and loving. Remaining open to life, with its constant adventures and opportunities to grow, is the only way to reach our full potential.

Fortified from the Inside...

When we are confronted with a difficult problem, we sometimes get dejected, lose faith in those things that sustained us, lose faith in the self. Our speech patterns may change, emotions are jagged and our actions are questionable. We become unstable – quite different from what we would like to be. Do we always have to shake and quake in the face of obstacle? Do we have to be threatened by events? If we remain stable in the remembrance of our true identity, if we always keep in front of us the image of our more elevated form and we understand that we are masters of our own fortune or misfortune (as you sow so shall you reap) obstacles will never shake us. If we are fortified from the inside, in face of the outside happenings we remain ever stable, ever secure, ever sure.

When We Mature Spiritually...

As we mature spiritually there is less need to have our self-respect bolstered by praise and special attention. As our thought processes become more compassionate and less self-obsessed, we feel increasingly satisfied with ourselves and or lives. We relate to people more easily and feel no need to draw attention to our successes or complain about our problems.

Learn to Respect Ourselves...

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.

Determination...

Determination is an essential quality to nurture if we are to continue on our spiritual journey. No matter how much enthusiasm we have or how clear our aim is, without determination we will give up sooner or later. In times of challenge, we take care that determination does not lead to stubbornness; then we can let go of resistance and not oppose anyone or anything with our mind. Instead, we take time for meditation, reflect on the most compassionate way to deal with situation, and quietly wait for an approach to present itself.

Balance In Life...

The indication of balance in life is a sense of well-being, optimism and a clear conscience. The foundation for achieving this is to look after ourselves spiritually – making our mind peaceful, loving and thoughtful at all times. Then we will instinctively know how much time to spend on our own well-being and how much on fulfilling other responsibilities. We can only give our best to others when we are ourselves at our best.

Our Own Light Shines...

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, "Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous?" Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God! Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And, as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

The Only Thing to Fear, Is Fear Itself...

"The only thing to fear, is fear itself." As we move toward different wars and calamities, do not fear...instead have Faith that all things are working as they should. Do not judge with mortal eyes the tragedies of war, for we do not know the higher order of things evolving. Instead, pray for Wisdom and Swift resolution of a war...a war we have no control over. The only thing we can control however, is our thoughts and what we focus on in each Precious Moment of our lives. So as the media bombards us with fear and horror; let us focus on Peace, focus on Love, focus on God's Light and might.

The Power of Transformation...

The first special transformation is the transformation of your form. I am not a body, but a soul. Stabilize yourself in soul-consciousness. The transformation of your nature is the second. You even understand that your nature is not right, and that it deceives you from time to time. You understand this, but even then, you come under the influence of your nature. The third is the transformation of thoughts. Transform the wasteful into powerful within one second. Think and do it practically, apply a 'full stop' to the past, no question marks. In order to apply a full stop, what power do you need: the power of transformation. Those who have the power of transformation are constantly pure and gentle and humble.

Power to Transformation...

By having the sanskars or personality of wasteful thoughts, you increased the duration of a situation. When you have wasteful thoughts, you understand that they are wasteful, but just as there is great force of a river or an ocean, so the flow of wasteful thoughts is so fast that they pull you. No matter how much you try to stop them, they still continue to flow. You understand and you also think that it is not right; you understand that it causes a great loss, but you still continue to allow them to flow. What is the reason for this? The lack of the power to transformation.

Faith in the Intellect...

Just as the sign of having faith in the intellect, is guaranteed victory - such souls will be carefree. They cannot have any type of wasteful thinking. Apart from having pure thoughts, there will be no type of name or trace of any wasteful thoughts. It would not be that waste thoughts came and they had to be chased away. No waste can come to those who have faith in the intellect. After all, what is wasteful thinking?....Questions like How? Why? What? Etc.

Courage to Work on Self, is Finding Beauty Within...

To have courage to work on the self is to find the beauty within. Situations come that challenge one's own strength. At such times the mind tends to become weak displaying weaknesses. Then there is no courage to look within. The one who is able to be introspective at that time is able to find a new learning. He is thus able to express the beauty that is lying within. When I understand that at each step of my life, situations come to bring out some quality from within, I'll never be afraid of situations. I'll have the courage to challenge my own assumptions and move forward based on the learning that I get and the beauty that I have been able to discover.

Importance of Change...

To bring about a change within is to bring about a change outside too. When there are challenging situations, the usual way is to react to them and expect them to change because of these reactions. But the only way to change these situations is to bring about a change within the self. When there is the ability to do this, there is the ability to use all the resources for this purpose. When I have the commitment to bring about a change within myself, I am able to be confident and courageous in all situations. There is neither fear nor the desire for things to change according to my wish. I am willing to work on the situation and change the situation.

To Recognize Inner Treasures...

To recognize inner treasures is to use them well. Time, energy and thoughts are one's greatest treasures. The ones who recognize these treasures are able to look after them carefully and use them for the benefit of all. None of these inner resources are ever wasted. When these treasures are used properly and are put to full use, they bring in the best external treasures too. When I am in touch with myself and give attention to myself, I am able to recognize these inner treasures. These treasures keep me rich at all times, even when external circumstances are not so favourable. Further use of these treasures makes me only richer and richer.

To Enjoy A Carefree Life...

To enjoy a carefree life, renounce the consciousness of I and mine. The more we surrender our ego, the lighter and easier our life becomes. The consciousness of I and mine either makes us arrogant or weak. It creates a lot of conflicts in relationships and finishes the beauty of life. When we consider everything we have as God's property then our responsibilities become His responsibilities. He fills us with extra specialities and powers to carry out His task no matter however daunting it may seem. When we surrender our will to Him everything happens for the best.

Protecting Our Sense...

Protecting our sense of optimism is the best way to remain cheerful. We can do this by starting the day with meditation to pour light and love into the scenes we are likely to find ahead of us that day. And then if we keep touching base with God’s mind and His benevolent way of seeing things, the inner happiness we experience will help us pass through any situation without feeling weary.

Your Attitude...

Your attitude creates an atmosphere around you. Your attitude is the result of the way you feel and think. You communicate your attitude to all around you. Create a positive attitude, filled with good feelings and even just your presence will do wonders in situations.

Assertiveness...

Assertiveness means that you think, express your ideas, opinions and talents. By this you make a difference in the world in your own special way. You are confident about telling the truth about what is just. I practice assertiveness when I tactfully tell people what I really think with a view to bring about good, when I choose not to allow others to lead me into trouble.

Unity...

Unity is a way of seeing the universe as one. It brings about a sense of harmony. It is build from the shared vision for the common good. I practice unity when I refuse to join in when others express prejudice, when I solve conflicts through listening, when I treat all people as members of global family. I appreciate differences and care for the earth and all living things.

Generosity...

Generosity is giving and sharing. It is giving not with an idea of receiving anything in return. It is seeing an opportunity to share what you have and then giving just for the joy of giving. I practice generosity when I give fully without holding back, when I am willing to make sacrifices for others, when I use wisdom about sharing treasured belongings.

Humility...

Humility is not to consider yourself more important than other people. It is to think of others needs are also important. It is to admit mistakes and learn from them. I practice humility when I respect what each person contributes, when I am doing my best just to do it, not to impress anyone, when I am thankful instead of being boastful.

Enthusiasm

Enthusiasm is being cheerful and happy. It is doing something wholeheartedly with zeal and eagerness – giving 100% to what you do, holding nothing back. It is being excited about something and looking forward to it. I practice Enthusiasm when I think of imaginative ways to get things done. I am open to the wonders in store for me everyday.

To Control the Mind

To control the mind means to be the master of the mind. Controlling thoughts is usually understood as clearing out the mind of all negative and waste thoughts when they do arise. So whenever we have negative thoughts we try hard to transform them into the positive ones. Control of the mind is actually to have mastery over my thoughts, so that I am able to direct them as I wish to. So even in the most negative situations I need to maintain my positivity instead of trying hard to convert negative into positive.

Practice Patience...

Patience is enduring a delay or trouble some situation without complaining. It is being calm and tolerant when difficult things happen. It is seeing the end in the beginning. I practice Patience when I set goals and stick with them until they are complete, when I do something now that will help me in future, when I accept things I cannot control with humour and grace. I am gentle with others and myself when we make mistakes.

Importance of Self Discipline

Self-discipline means realizing what is important and getting your self to do it, rather than being a leaf in the wind of your thoughts or feelings. You don’t lose control of yourself when you feel hurt or angry. I practice self-discipline when I get things done in an orderly and efficient way, when I use detachment so that my emotions wont control me, when I create routines for myself.

A Word About Confidence...

Confidence is having faith in someone or something. It means you trust that you have what it takes to handle whatever happens. It brings the strength to try new things. I practice confidence when I learn my own strengths and weaknesses, when I practice until I master something, when I am willing to try new things, when I am free from worries.

Be A Positive Friend Always...

Love is Beautiful...

Because its a feeling controlled by the Heart.

But Friendship is very very Beautiful...

Because its a feeling that controls the Heart itself.

Loving Valentines Day

Smile increases value of Face,

Anger spoils Beauty of Soul,

Faith is force of Life,

Confidence is companion of Success,

So Keep SMILING.

Loving Valentines Day!!!

Daily Happy Loving Messages

Rich People Travel In Cars,
Poor People Travel In Carts,

But

People Like You...
Travel In Hearts!!!

Wising You A Very Happy and Lovely Valentine Day

Please come out of Room!
So that Sun can Rise,
Flowers can Blossom,
Birds can Sing,
because all are waiting
to see your Beautiful SMILE.
Wising You A Very Happy and Lovely Valentine Day.

Have A Fantastic Valentines Day.

DREAMS visit us when we sleep, but commitment wakes us up each day and give us every chance to make our DREAMS come True! Have A Fantastic Valentines Day.

Have A Blessed Valentine Day!

Hear is the weather forecast for today, there shall be showers of blessing all over you and a heavy downpour of God's favor all around you. Have A Blessed Valentine Day!

Happy Valentine Day...!!!

No Sweet Thoughts to forward,
No cute graphics to send,
Just A...CARING HEART saying...
Take Care Always.

Happy Valentine Day!


Do You Love Me Because I Am Beautiful,
or
Am I Beautiful Because You Love Me?

--- Oscar Hammerstein II, Cinderalla.


Will You Be My Valentine :-) ?

Will You Be My Valentine?
I Know That I Am Yours.
You Are Like A Tossing Aea
And I Am Like Your Shores.

You Are Like An Endless Wave
And I Am Your Waiting Sand.
And I Will Wait Forever As
You Come And Smooth My Hand.

I Will Wait Forever, Yet
You Are A Part Of Me.
I Hold You In My Arms, While You
Come To Me Endlessly.

Will You Be My Valentine...?
I Know That I Am Yours.
I Love You With A Love That Yearns
To Be Your Golden Shores...!!!

--- Author Unknown


THROUGH LOVE All That Is Bitter Will Sweet.
THROUGH LOVE All That Is Copper Will Be Gold.
THROUGH LOVE All Dregs Will Turn To Purest Wine
THROUGH LOVE All Pain Will Turn To Medicine.
THROUGH LOVE The Dead Will All Become Alive.
THROUGH LOVE All The King Will Turn Into A Slave ;-)

--- Author Unknown

Perfect Love Is Rare Indeed...
For To Be A Lover Will Require
That You Continually Have
The Subtlety Of The Very Wise,
The Flexibility Of The Child,
The Sensitivity Of The Artist,
The Understanding Of The Philosopher,
The Acceptance Of The Saint,
The Tolerance Of The Scholar And
The Fortitude Of The Certain...!!!

--- Leo Buscaglia


Life is a flower of which love is the honey - Victor Hugo.

For more Happy Valentine Day Messages and Special Love Quotes click here...!!!

Have a Lovely Valentines Day

The Best Cosmetic for the lips is Truth, For the Voice is Prayer, for the Eyes is Pity, for the Hands is Charity and for the Heart is a Friend like you. Have a Lovely Valentines Day.

Valentine Gift Messages - Give As a Love.

Excellence is giving the best that you can give, no matter what you are doing. It is an effort guide by a noble purpose. The perfection of the seed is the fruit that grows from it. I practice excellence when I set noble and realistic goals, when I don’t try everything and when I give myself to whatever I do.

Positive Sayings for Valentine Day.

Peace is an inner sense of calmness that can come in moments of silent gratitude. It is a way of stilling the mind whereby you can understand the deeper meaning of things. I practice Peace when I appreciate the differences, when I avoid harming anyone, not only by actions, but by words also, when I find my inner peace through silent meditation and let it carry me gently along day.

Happy Valentines Sayings

Creativity is discovering new ideas, new thoughts that may never have been discovered as a part of me before. It is seeing something in a new way, finding a different way to get something done or to solve a problem. I practice Creativity when I use knowledge and training to develop my gifts, when I have the discipline to practice, when I think of new ways to make things work better. We must always remember each of us has special gifts and should be willing to discover them. We should be happy with ourselves.

Valuable Messages - Give As a Valentine Gift.

Responsibility is being willing to be accountable for what you do and also what you don't do yourself. It means accepting credit when things go well and also correction if things go wrong. It is the ability to respond ably. I practice Responsibility when I take my agreements seriously, focus on what is required by me and not on someone else’s part, when I am ready and willing to clear up misunderstandings. I give my best to all that I do and keep my promises. I welcome praise and correction for my actions.

Happy Positive Valentine Day Messages

Respect is an attitude of honoring oneself and others and caring about their rights. Being respectful is reflected in the courtesy with which we speak, act and treat others. I practice respect when I am receptive to the wisdom of elders, honour people’s needs for time and space for themselves, Treat people not only the way they deserve to be treated, but also how I would like to be treated myself.

Valentines Special Love Wishes

Flexibility is being open to the need for change. It means getting rid of bad habits and learning good ones. It means not always having your own way, but being open to the opinions and feelings of others. I practice flexibility when I don’t insist on having my own way always, when I can adjust when something unexpected happens, when I try imaginative new ways to do things.

Positive Thinking Quotes

Detachment is choosing how you will act in a situation rather than just reacting. It is experiencing your feelings without allowing them to control you. I practice detachment when I take time out before doing something I would be sorry for later, when I am thinking and feeling together. I choose to be my best self no matter what happens.

Happy Positive Thinking Quotes

Mercy is giving people more than they deserve whereas Justice is giving people what they deserve. It is a quality of the heart. It is the willingness to forgive when you are hurt. I practice Mercy when I overlook hurtful things people do, give people another chance when they make mistakes, put myself in other people’s shoes. I know what people deserve, however I give them more than they have earned.

Happy Valentine Day Messages

Forgiveness means to stop punishing yourself or feeling hopeless because of something you did. It also means overlooking the mistakes others make and loving them just as much as before. I practice forgiveness when I take care of my feelings without taking revenge, take responsibility for my mistakes and remember that everyone makes mistakes. I have the power to keep changing for the better.

Reliability is doing something that you have agreed to do in a predictable way, without forgetting or having to be reminded. You really have to care about doing what you said you would do. I can practice Reliability when I treat my agreements and responsibilities seriously, when I find another way to fulfill my agreements if obstacles occur, when I make promises I can keep. Nothing can stop me from giving my best.

Trust is relying and believing in someone or something. It is having the confidence that the right thing will come about without trying to control it or make it happen. I can practice Trust when I look for a lesson in my painful experiences. I know that I need not to control others. I feel at peace knowing that I am never alone and that in everything that happens there is something good.

Obedience is obeying the law even when no one is watching. It is following what is right and playing by the rules. It means listening to others in authority and to yourself. I practice Obedience when I keep my agreements without having to be reminded, follow the rules even if I feel like ignoring them, question authority respectfully.

Courage is personal bravery in the face of fear. It is going ahead even when you feel like quitting. It is needed in trying new things, in facing the truth and in picking yourself up after a mistake, ready to try again.

When the energy of our consciousness is out of our control - the mind is agitated. We are being emotional. The solution is to detach from the inner storms, stand back and observe the hurricane pass. Detached observation withdraws the energy which your emotions require to sustain themselves. When you watch your own anger, it dies. If you don't detach from it, and observe it ...it will be your master. Today is the day to practice positive, detached observation, and each emotion-filled moment is the opportunity. This is 'real' work. The work of one who is a master of their own consciousness. Are you a master or a slave?

"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."

It's true that we don't know what we've got until we lose it, but it's also true that we don't know what we've been missing until it arrives. Giving someone all your love is never an assurance that they'll love you back! Don't expect love in return; just wait for it to grow in their heart but if it doesn't, be content it grew in yours. It takes only a minute to get a crush on someone, an hour to like someone, and a day to love someone, but it takes a lifetime to forget someone.

It is so important to experience God's mercy and forge a strong relationship with God as our Mother. Knowing that a heart that has been hurt becomes hard, we understand God is the only One who can heal our hearts. Each one should ask him or herself : "What can I do to make my heart softer?" There is such a need of mercy. We have to make our hearts softer and stronger, because a strong heart doesn't experience pain and we know that if we experience sorrow, we cannot serve God.

Self esteem is possible only if I value myself, and that I'm only able to respect someone I value. How is my own value created? - I value myself when I appreciate my own fortune. And for that, my vision has to go inside and not outside. The first step is to think: "Where am I looking? In or out?" Where do I base my own value? - On my fortune, on my experience of God's love, on the way I use my time and energy. I must be aware that if I do not value my time, no one else will. I must do things with excellence so that I'm able to hold my head up right in dignity.

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

The method to clear the mind of negativity is to fill it with positivity. Whenever we come across waste or negativity in the self because of the situations that we are faced with, we first put in effort to remove it. We do work very hard to do that but most of the times we are not able to do so. We then put in more effort or after a period of time give up trying altogether. The only way to remove negativity is to fill the mind with positivity. Just as fresh water added continuously to dirty water cleanses the water, so also positive thoughts clear the mind of waste and negative thoughts. For this I need to give my mind positive food everyday.

Constant awareness of a positive thought enables me to maintain my own inner positivity. The way to remain stable is to apply a full-stop. When difficult situations come my way, it is very natural to have questions and exclamations in the mind. It becomes very difficult to apply a full-stop and finish the situation in my mind. Because of such waste thoughts I am not able to experience stability in difficult situations. I need to bring out in my mind one or the other positive point about the situation. When I understand the meaning behind the situation, I am able to accept it. This acceptance enables me to be free from waste questions and negative thoughts and I am easily able to apply a full-stop. This is what brings inner stability. (No question- mark.... why me, when, how, who...?)

To make thoughts as pure as the actions is to be truly elevated. There is usually attention on the self not to perform any negative acts. There is also considerable attention not to speak any words that are harmful or negative. But very rarely is there that attention on the thoughts. Because of this a lot of negative thoughts tend to remain in the intellect causing trouble for me. I need to understand the fact that my thoughts form the basis for my words and actions. The more I pay attention to make my thoughts positive, the more it will have a positive impact on my words and actions too.

To be a master is to create positive thoughts under all circumstances. The one who is the master of himself creates the right kind of thoughts according to the circumstance. He is not dependent on situations or people for the right kind of response. Since there is mastery over thoughts, there is also mastery over all words spoken and everything done. When I am able to be a master of myself, I am able to constantly create positive thoughts. I am in touch with the inner resources and I am able to make use of these resources in a timely way. I never get confused or pressurized with outside situations, but am able to be in control in all situations.

To check and change thoughts and feelings constantly is to ensure positive change. The one who has a constant check on his own thoughts is able to bring about a change in them. So thoughts when changed to positive bring about change in words and behaviour too. There is no negative waste, or even ordinary behaviour. There is speciality revealed in every act. When I am constantly aware of the quality of thoughts I am creating at each moment, I can keep a check on them. My thoughts are not just positive, but powerful too. These powerful thoughts create a positive impact and I experience constant success.

To be pure is to become an instrument to spread positivity. The one who is pure and clean inside is the one who reflects his purity through his words and actions. Such a person's thoughts are powerful having a positive impact on the thoughts of others too. There is such clarity inside that others are able to take inspiration from him to do what is right. When I am honest with myself, I become more and more pure and clear inside. This purity reveals the power of truth and I get all the more powerful. I don't allow anything negative to influence me and take away my inner purity. This purity becomes a source of powerful inspiration for everyone around.

As we think so is our world. Inspite of our best efforts if things don't turn out the way we expect them to, there is a tendency to get disheartened and we begin to have negative thoughts. These negative thoughts further create negative situations and we find that things get no better. Instead of beginning to change things and situations that are going wrong, I need to work at the seed, i.e my thoughts. I need to keep my thoughts positive under all circumstances, which will make my actions positive too and I slowly find things changing for the better.

The most important part of you is your mind (not your brain - the brain is the hardware and the mind creates the software). Care for your mind, make friends with it, always feed it healthy food, engage it in positiveactivity, exercise it with knowledge and wisdom. Like a garden returnsfragrance and beauty according to the care invested, so your mind will repay you with thoughts, ideas and visions of great beauty when tended and invested with care. Your mind is not made of matter but it does matter what you give it and what you create with it. Where your mind goes, you go. What your mind creates becomes your destiny.

Mindfulness means developing the habit of stepping back and observing your thoughts, consciously directing your mind inward. Just pay attention and take note. Isolate any destructive words and phrases. It’s especially beneficial when your mind and body are relaxed, then you can simply watch the thoughts floating in and out of your head and quietly replace any that are not contributing to your welfare.

“We are what we think, all that we are arises with our thoughts,” said the Buddha, “with our thoughts, we make the world.” In other words, you are constantly creating your circumstances by the way you think. It’s as if you had a guided missile in your unconscious that relentlessly directs you towards its target, and the target is whatever your thoughts dwell on. Think doom and gloom, and that’s what you’ll get. Focus on happiness and optimism, and they’re already yours. The reason why negative thought energies are so detrimental to our well-being is that they frustrate the universal forces that can create a happy, healthy and successful life. They keep our true potential trapped in a mental prison of our own making.

The word transformation is made of three words – trans means transcend, form means shape, and ation means action. It is the action of transcending in which we change our form. At the deepest level we shape our conscious self according to our sense of identity and self image. We have all been taught to identify with our physical form, and we have learned to see ourselves in negative ways. This is what lies at the root of all personal unhappiness and interpersonal conflict. To see and understand exactly why this is so requires time in meditation and self reflection. But more importantly, the correcting, or transformation of our self identity/image, requires the rediscovery of our true form, our spiritual form, to experience the self as it truly is, as ‘I (truly) Am'!

It hasn't been a good ending for humanity this year.
Lets join and oray for those who have lost everything.
It feels painful to wish New Year When so many are in distress,

but life has to go on.
May God give you all the happiness you need.

With the practice of meditation comes the growing ability to know and do the right thing. Wisdom is the awareness and application of what is true, in the right way, at the right time, tempered and made appropriate by experience. For e.g, while it may be right to speak honestly about our feelings to someone, if we know from experience others sensitivities to our emotions, we may decide to delay our sharing to a moment that feels more appropriate. On the other hand we may sense that for another it is good to confront their actions using questions in order to help them to see and break a pattern which is obviously leading to an unwanted outcome.The inner act of drawing together our experience with the our perception of the others state, with our own awareness of what is right, while seeing the future effects of our actions requires a calm mind, a clear and clean intellect and the confidence to act with conviction. Meditation calms, sharpens and facilitates our ability to integrate these various factors prior to action, not just sitting in quiet corner in some lotus position but eventually, with practice, in a split second, in real life real time situations.

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.