Why to take birth if its suffering.

Brahma Kumaris have explained it so well. Heaven is like living comfortably on 20th floor.  And earth is ground floor.  A kid watches it from above and sees people laughing, running, playing and even fight below.  Wants to go down to play. Parents tell him he might get hurt but he is getting bored.

Goes down. ..enjoys life for sometime but then starts seeing things at closer level and he also starts getting hurt.  He  wants to go back . But has to stay till evening.  When he goes back. His elders heal him. He takes rest.

 For few days doesnot want to go down.  Enjoys drama from above.  But then again he is attracted to something and wants to go down thinking that he will be more careful this time.  He forgets his earlier resolve not to go back.  As he is on descend he again is having change of mind but now he cannot go up again.  Process has to be completed.

I think Our desires n strong attachments
bring us back.  They are pushing us down.  No one else is doing it.

On top it may be good but activity, learning, enjoyments , suffering,  yin and yang...all is on earth.  May be most people do not like monotony above, from where you can see but cannot do anything at all.  When all the perfect, what is left to enjoy and for how long.

Its like giving birth one suffers labour pain but after some time again wants a baby.  Why??   To re-capture the joy felt earlier even if it means suffering again.

Its catch 22 situation...our joy becomes our source of suffering.

Vandana Ritik Mulchandani

Noida

How do positive thoughts help?

It is very difficult to stay positive when things are going all wrong in our life.  When we are suffering,  how can we be positive and why should we be?  Does it help to in any way if we stay positive?

YES, it does help to stay positive during adversity.  And in atleast  three ways:

It helps us come out of state of feeling like a ‘victim’ thus reinstating our self esteem.  We don’t feel guilty. We don’t blame self or anyone for the problem.

Our new positive perspective sets Law of Attraction in motion.  We are open to positive help from unexpected sources of the Universe.

And obviously it saves us from going into depression and other interactional conflicts.

What do we mean by being positive –  It is that state of mind in which we are stable, calm and peaceful.  The mind is silent, in a state of relaxation  and not asking questions(like How could or Why did it happen to me).  A relaxed mind will automatically come out with possible alternatives to issue at hand.

How to stay positive –  If there is no solution to the issue like in event of death then By accepting the situation as it happened and adopting  the  right attitude to face the consequences of the same and adopt ourselves to the changed circumstances comfortably.  

In other cases, positivity signals our mind to start looking for any other possible alternative solution.  Thus we are be open to new opportunities and ready to face new challenges.  We do not give up if things did not work out one way.  

A positive person will look at a ‘dead end’ as a ‘turn’ to reach success via a new untested different route.

Remember WHAT WE RESIST, PERSISTS.  So we better stop resisting and be ready to do something to stabilise our inner turmoil.  When internally we are peaceful, our outward actions are always fruitful.

Possible Positive Inputs -  Spiritual knowledge helps immensely in finding a new positive outlook to face the situation as it is.  We can’t find answers to our emotional turmoil in academic books. Had it been there, we would not be disturbed. Few positive thoughts are as under:

I am responsible for my own happiness.  I cannot blame anyone else for my disturbance.  I will correct it with my own will power (by remaining positive against all odds).  Things will work out fine for me.

Whatever is happening is in perfect order and therefore just right in grand drama of the Universe.

All is subject to law of change every second and thus temporary.   Therefore circumstances will ultimately change in my favour. I will not give up.

Going may be tough as of now but there is always end to a long cold night.  Sun has to shine after the stormy days.

I am a special child of God and chosen specifically to come out stronger out of this crisis.  I am a powerful soul who chose this particular tough lesson to learn something out of it.

If some known sources are out to spoil things for you, BELIEVE that there are some unseen sources too out there working things out for you.  Have faith and patience.  Trust Universe and believe in miracles.

Count your remaining other blessings.  Natural blessings like air, water, ether etc are always around for free…to help you overcome hardships. 

When others leave us, we are never left alone.  Universal saviours, our Guardians and Angels surround us and support us invisibly.  Have you noticed feeling calm amidst the toughest time? Know that you are not alone.  Know that you are a powerful soul and you can do any thing.

Sometimes logic fails to define cause of failure.  Never mind.  Forget logic become reasonable and accept outcome without despair.  Results are never same for similar efforts.  Some gain more while some lose all under same circumstances. 

Taking responsibility does not mean finding fault in self. I means I tried earlier, I will try again too.

God helps those who help themselves and also sometimes seek help from the Universe with firm faith.

PS:  In some situations doing ‘nothing’ is also one important solution.  Under no circumstances, accepting a given tough situation can be considered as a failure by an optimist.  A loser thinks on those lines and gives up.  A winner will always accept the setback and make efforts to overcome it and find a new way out.

Vandana Ritik Mulchandani

Noida

Why do we get negative thoughts during meditation????

Negative thoughts during meditation is  like stirring up still and settled sand at the bottom of a jar.

When we are not meditating our conscious mind is active  that Holds memory required for our day to day activities.  Conscious mind stores a very small percent of our total memory. Major part of our memories, thoughts and desires etc are all stored in our subconscious mind. When we are awake our subconscious mind sleeps.

But when we sit down to meditate, conscious mind slows down.  We have only 3 to 4 thoughts per minute in this area.  We are in Alpha or Theta state of brain activity. Now our sub conscious mind  starts to awaken..  The stirring begins.

First thing that comes up is the sand at the bottom of glass that looked like containing clean water from above. The water now becomes muddy n dirty.

Our trash, negative and wasteful thoughts emerge from bottom of our subconscious mind.  Our mind is full of such thoughts.  As they come up and you label them as waste, they begin to fade away.   Beginners of meditation need to understand that this is essential and part of meditation process.

As we continue to make regular efforts to meditate,  These useless thoughts start to vanish.   These are replaced by thoughts of clarity.  The peace and calm starts to set in.  We can now connect to Universal consciousness too.

The  water is now free of sand and crystal clear.

Vandana  Ritik

Noida 

Do we come with a blue print of our life

Yes I too believe that major part of our life is scripted though our emotions and feelings are not part of that.  Our reactions are part of our free will.  We make an intelligent plan before coming but the moment we enter earth that memory fades and during  that period between birth and death we experience the drama of life.  We get involved in our roles so deeply.  

All saints and wise here say that we have to be Knower and observer only and not to get emotionally involved in various scenes of life.   But for many it becomes very difficult especially when hit by tragedies.   Some come out of it and reinvest in life While for some remaining life becomes a burden especially if we are very sensitive. I think, Being overly sensitive is a big obstacle in our development.  Only through being vigilant and with strong will power we can come out of our emotional mess. 

 AND knowledge is the key.  Knowledge of how things work solves the puzzle called life. Here,   It is said we can understand this knowledge and find a way out  only in human body and that most of us waste it when we get entangled in pain and pleasures of this world which is temporary.

  Nothing is permanent here. All is subject to Law of Change.  Only the knower and observer within is eternal.  If only we could remain centered on this 'I' within me that is watching this show of world. But we are so lost in show itself we forget who is watching.

Vandana Ritik
Noida
17 Mar 2015 

Concept of External, is Internal

I am the SUBJECT that we refer to as 'I'.   I am not my body.  I am ALL THAT IS.  As a human, we are meant to probe within and unearth this Subject, the Source, that is seeing, perceiving and experiencing the whole Object world. 

There is no external object because the perception of all so called objects is internal.  These external world 'objects' are experiences of the Subject, within.

The idea of internal and external is made by our mind/awareness/consciousness.  This distinction is made by our mind with the help of 'I'.

Through out life this Subject within interacts with outside objects of this world.  We look at these objects with our eyes.  An images of these outside objects falls on our eye lens, mind understands and interpretes these images.  None of these objects enter in our body in any gross form.  Does it? 

Sun does not enter our body. Eyes see it, mind reads it image and our knowledge gives us information about sun.   Thus this was all an internal, subtle experience.

A.  All images are multiple but Mind is One;
B.  All reflections in mind are same as mind, since both are subtle ( we cannot see or touch either the reflection or the mind.  Both can be experienced only);
C.  All is inner experience.  These experiences / impressions add on to our knowledge.

Throughout our life, we are experiencing and gaining knowledge (memory / impressions) that is also experience.  Thus experience adds on.  All is inner experience. Perception of everything external is internal.  At our own will.  When we are sleeping. Only before wakeful person,  the world is seen, not to sleeping or dead. 

Therefore, we have to dissolve this differential assessment and have clarity.  This duality was due to senses which created multiple impressions on One Mind.  Mind is subtle and so are these images.  We see a red carpet in mirror.  Mirror does not change itself into red, does it?  Mirror stays as it is.  Mind is much more than a mirror.  

Like a mirror, many images falling on mind screen give an impression of manifold ness, multiple objects all around us.  

We have to correct / nullify/dissolve these reflections in 'waters' of mind.

We have to understand that Any reflection( that is subtle) is not different from mind(in which it is reflected). Correct the understanding(of ignorance) that world has many objects. And reach Inner Supreme Source/ presence, through process of understanding after taking this knowledge pilgrimage, which is superior to any physical pilgrimage.

The entire awareness/cognition in mind of external objects is internal.  There is no external world.

THIS WHOLE UNIVERSE IS MANIFESTATION OF SAME REALITY.


Based on Discourses of Swami  Bhoomananda Tirtha

Process of Divine Apology

अज्ञान दशा में बहुत सी लोहे की बेडि़याँ पड़ जाती हैं! मन क्या कहता है कि मुझे समाधान करावो। ‘व्यवस्थित’ है, ऐसा कह दें तो मन को समाधान हो जाता है। और सामनेवाले के लिए खराब विचार आया इसलिए मन को शुद्ध करो, सामनेवाले से क्षमा माँग लो।  (Aptasutra # 1595)

In the ignorant (absence of self-realization) state, many ‘shackles of iron’ are bound. The mind asks for closure.  If you tell the mind ‘it is vyavasthit [scientific circumstantial  evidence]’, the mind will be pacified. And if you have a negative thought about someone, cleanse the mind by asking the other person for forgiveness. (Aptasutra # 1595)

To read more Daily ‪#‎quotes‬ visit LINK :
http://www.dadabhagwan.org/spiritual-media/spiritual-quotes/english/gnani+purush/

We definitely bind karma when we are cause of hurt to someone.   Knowing this, I don't want to be cause of hurt to anyone. 

Therefore, in morning itself before I start my day, I set intention of not hurting or causing hurt or participate in any hurtful gossip towards any being, living or dead, in any way. Earlier I used to apologize to Supreme Power but off late, in my mind, in presence of Supreme Light, I apologise soul to soul to the person, to whom I might have caused hurt in any way, i.e., either through my Speech, action or even thoughts. I also seek strength so as not to repeat the mistake again. 

PS: I don't seek pardon face to face simply because I feel that the person might become offensive and also may be I am still conscious about maintaining my self respect. However, I have noticed positive change in attitude of people I have mentally apologised to....even my 'enemies' have come and hugged me on their own after I have sent them mental apologies.

As per Dada Bhagwan Foundation, we bind karma in state of ignorance, as a mistake.  This happens because we think of ourselves as our 'name' and 'body'.  We forget that we are pure soul, separate from body.  We are only knowers and seers.  We are not running the show of the world.  All our body functions are taking place on their own.  Similarly air, water, sun, earth and space are also not in our control.  Mistakenly we think we are "our name and our role only and nothing else'.   In this state when we cause hurt to someone whether knowingly or unknowingly, it binds karma.  However, if we recall that we are pure soul and then recognise/accept our mistake, repent for it and promise never to repeat it again, it sets us free from this bondage.

Pratikraman (Divine apology) - The Dada Bhagwan Foundation teaches 3 steps process for seeking soul to soul Divine Apology, from the person who has been offended, in presence of Supreme Divine Self (Dada Bhagwan) wherein one does"

Alochana : Heartfelt inner confession of one's mistakes
                 I Confess my mistakes (recall the mistakes you committed with this person);

Pratikraman: Process of apology coupled with remorse for any wrong doing
                 I apologise and ask for forgiveness for these mistakes;  

Pratyakhyam: Sincere Pledge to never repeat the mistakes
                 I firmly resolve never to repeat these mistakes.  Dearest Dada Bhagwan (the pure Self within), grant me the absolute energy not to repeat these mistakes.

Wise have told us to stay in the state of 'awareness'.  Just 'witness' and 'know' what Vandana (substitute it with your name) is doing.  Because 'I' am the 'witness', the 'Knower' wearing the body garment named as Vandana. 

Swami Bhoomanada Tirtha says that  When I sleep the world sleeps for me ( in actual,  world is always there even when I am sleeping) but the 'I' in me that recognises the world has chosen to shut it off during sleep.  After some time, the 'I' in me decides to wake up and again see the world.  We are mistaken when we think that we wake up with the sound of alarm in the morning.  No. No. No.  There is some divine supreme presence within us that chose to wake up at the sound of alarm.  Therefore this 'I' is very powerful.  It sees changes in its body garment from infant to old age.  Caught up in the external worldly drama around, the 'I' forgets its true state (of being pure, powerful, divine SELF).  It mistakenly thinks of itself as Vandana (the body name) whereas it is INFINITE.

When we seek divine apology, we see this soul state in ourselves as well as in the other beings.  Like Shirdi Saibaba advised 'Remove this wall of division between You and ME. We are one and the same'.  In ignorance we think we are separate and end up hurting each other.  However, when light of the true Knowledge falls on us, the veil of ignorance is lifted and the so called 'enemy' appears 'flawless'.  There are many things happening behind the scenes which we need to understand.  And this understanding comes from within.  When we stop, become still and focus on that presence which animates our body.  When we centre on it for sometime, all confusion ends and we get answers and solutions to all our problems.  All is crystal clear.

This clarity requires grace of supreme Self.  This grace will not come to us, if we hold grudges and resentment against fellow beings (because this means we consider others as separate from us).  The process of 'Pratikraman'(divine apology) as described above makes it possible.  We need to seek apologies for hurting someone and also for hurt caused to us by others.  Easiest part is that we need not go and apologise to the person directly.  We may perform this 'service to self' in our own inner 'temple'.

Vandana Ritik Mulchandani
Noida

Who is running show of the world?

I get it. I recently read many books by Dada Bhagwan Foundation, a spiritual group in India (that doesnot promote any particular religion)  says that no individual God is running this world. Every worldly phase is a natural happening governed by Vyavasthit (Scientific Circumstantial Evidences) which requires many elements to come together for an event to take place.  There is no God overhead as the Do-er of it.

A human being is also one of the element. For example, it is wrong to say ‘I’ made tea. Tea could be made when all elements like water, tea leaves, milk, sugar, fire etc were present. I became an instrument to make it. Left only to me,  I cannot make tea on, say, ... a road side because all evidences are not present. He calls these evidences scientific because even if one evidence is missing event will not take place. Thats why he says when an accident takes place, it requires many many evidences to be present at that particular place and time otherwise there will be no accident. I found this quite acceptable.

Now if we combine this with Laws of Karma, it explains so many things.  Like how a particular person swapped the seat and did not go on that ill fated Malaysian Airline that was shot down recently or why the one he swapped the seat with went on that flight.  Evidences were coming together to make this thing happen in a precise manner.  That doesnot mean that this law will let the offenders of crash go scot free.  Even if they escape justice on earth in this lifetime, the scientic circumstances will bring them to justice in one of the next lifetimes.  That time they will not know the reason and would probably crib as to why this happened to innocent.  The karmic repayment is not exact like eye for an eye.  But the feelings and emotions of suffering that is caused due to accidents will be felt by them.

World often confuses Karma.  When it sees someone being slapped, killed, promoted, demoted, successful, sent to prison, it says this is karma, whereas this is not karma.  This is result of karma.  Karma was already formed earlier and this is result of that.  Karma is formed internally through our bhav(intentions),  our inner communication with ourselves.  Universe records it all and through scientific circumstantial evidences arranges for the result and sends it back to us at appropriate time.  It doesnot necessarily come from same person but the result is the same that we caused to someone else earlier, whether knowingly or unknowingly. When it is said that we are creating our reality and that we are responsible for whatever is happening in our life it means that a man is responsible for his bhaav (innert intention) behind any action of body, mind and speech. This is what human freewill is. While tasting the fruit of past karma(intentions), how a man reacts(creates new or no karma) determines his future.  You reap what you sow.

Our hand gets burned, whether we put our hand in fire knowingly or unknowingly.  A willful act involves strict and precise return whereas unintentional action brings returns too in such a manner that person calls it exceptional.  When we hold anger, greed, resentment, pride, hatred, attachment inside for some person, place or a thing, it definitely attracts returns.  Intense feelings create ‘sticky karma’ for which there is no escape in form of close negative lifetime relationships etc.  When we get such returns in next lifetime we are left wondering why things are happening that way since we did not do anything wrong.  None remembers the deeds of the past.

When we hold strong resentment for someone, it follows us into lifetimes till we learn to love that person.  Act of forgiveness is a sure ticket to freedom from negative bondage. This is the reason why saints and wise have advised us to stay calm in all situations, maintain equanimity and forgive all.

Vandana Ritik Mulchandani

Noida