Reflection (cont.)

To be dictated to by external situations, which make us run around without stopping internally, brings about unnecessary stress on the mind, which keeps us tied to the strings of the external, like a puppet pulled, pressed and pushed by circumstances.

To break free from this force, to relieve the mind of the weight of stress and waste and routine, I need to step inside and reflect (think) on who I am and where I am going and reassess my value system.

Otherwise, life becomes like a wheel that keeps spinning faster and faster until we become dizzy - we want to get off but it is going so fast we do not know how. 

Reflection and taking time to understand spiritual knowledge bring us to the essence of everything.

Reflection

Reflection (thinking deeply) is a necessary step in digesting knowledge.

Reflection is an exercise of the mind and intellect that goes into the depths of understanding an idea, or realization, or point of knowledge with the aim of practicing it in daily life.

Values in my life are a sign that knowledge has been digested; without this, knowledge simply remains a beautiful aspect, appreciated, interesting information in my intellect but without the ability to give me strength because it is still external; it has not been internalised.

All quality action (quality action is that action which is truly appropriate to person, circumstance and the need of the moment), all newness of perception (understanding), all new insights, or vision, require a space for silent reflection as a preliminary step.

Normally, we are lost in the business of action, its routine and ritual that make our life so mechanical and hence dull and boring, or demanding and hectic.

A mind and intellect that do not give time and attention to reflective silence (meditation) become lazy, though externally there is lots of activity for hours and hours. No new heights are reached because there is no depth of awareness in what we are doing, no reflection on purpose. As a result, we get trapped by routine. 

(To be continued tomorrow .... )

Temper Tantrums

Habits go deep. It's been estimated that eighty percent of our lives are lived by habit. That means somewhere in the past we learned to become easily upset or angry. Perhaps we were influenced by our parents, perhaps we picked up the habit from some friends at school. Just as we may have enjoyed playing with toys as a child, or placing pieces into our jigsaw puzzle, we built a place for short temper (anger) into our temperament (nature). From there it grew into one of our prized habits. If so, now is the time to dismantle (disassemble), break apart and rebuild our temperament (nature) or our personality. It's much easier than we think and does not require specialist help. It requires only our interest, some understanding and the intention to change how we respond to the world around us. Never believe anyone who says, "I can't change... I've been always been like this.... this is the personality I was born with." We didn't inherit our current personality from our parents; we acquired it as we grew up.

Overcoming Phobias (Fears) Through Meditation (cont.)

To overcome any phobia, read over silently and visualize the following positive thoughts:

I am a soul, an eternal, immortal and indestructible (which cannot be destroyed) point of life energy........

Sitting on my throne in the centre of the forehead, I the ruler, perform actions through my body........

I have incarnated (entered) in this physical body from ‘shantidham’, my incorporeal (non-physical) home, original home of light........

I am an actor on the huge world drama stage........

All the other souls are actors too, each acting a unique role through its own individual body-costume........

This spiritual knowledge makes me detached and fearless........

Unimportant scenes of the drama that would have previously brought about fear in me no longer affect me........

Through Rajyoga meditation, the soul can experience all relationships with the Supreme Soul in its day-to-day life. I continue -

I experience receiving powerful vibrations of spiritual might from the Supreme Being........

I fill my mind with thoughts of courage........

When the Almighty is my Father, my Mother, my Companion, my Guide, no one can be my enemy........

Nothing can harm me in any way........

Fear is wasted energy, it has no power in my life........

Now I am becoming a bold person and I am capable of facing all fearful situations with increased self-confidence ........

At the end of the meditation practice, for a few minutes, the patient should create a picture of the fearful situation in his mind, while at the same time learning to relax. This will help him to decrease the anxiety (worry) when he faces the real life situation and he will be able to completely overcome (face) the specific fears.

Overcoming Phobias (Fears) Through Meditation

A phobia is an intense (excessive), continuous and illogical fear of an object, situation, activity, person or animal that's generally considered harmless. Accompanying the fear is an excessive, unreasonable desire to avoid what you fear. When facing the object of his/her phobia, the person may experience negative feelings like excessive sweating, poor control of nerves, difficulty breathing, rapid heart rate, anxiety (worry), etc. In some cases, the avoidance or distress (anxiety) in the feared situation interferes significantly with the person's daily routine, social activities, relationships etc.

By practicing Rajyoga meditation regularly, a person suffering from any type of phobia, can erase (remove) negative thought patterns, which are the main cause of all phobias. It enables him/her to reprogramme his/her flow of mental tendencies.  

Tomorrow we shall explain a simple meditation commentary which can be used to overcome any phobia.

The Alphabet of Change

Awareness - First, become aware of what you need to change in yourself. What is preventing you from attaining contentment? What habits are blocking the way to realizing your full potential?

Belief - Many people think that a change in their personalities is extremely difficult. But in fact it is a reality that lies within your power. It might be useful to ask yourself questions such as "What has held me back from change in the past?" and "What are the stages by which I can bring change about?"
Commitment - Motivation is the key to commitment. We need to want to change, rather than feel it is a duty to ourselves. Try writing down a list of commitments in the form of statements beginning with "I will". They should come directly out of, and be connected with, your overall vision.
Discipline - We cannot change unless we are able to maintain a steady course over time. Think of each sign as a major landmark passed. Even if we find ourselves slipping into old habits, that achievement of even a little bit of change cannot be taken away.

Stress Management

Most of us have learned to believe some stress is both natural and necessary. One of the most powerful illusions (false beliefs) which keeps us locked in a stressful lifestyle is the idea that our stress is caused by circumstances, events and other people. As long as you think this way you will always be in self-created pain. Some people have been in pain for so long they cannot imagine being pain free, and real relaxation is a dim and distant memory. So they justify their pain as a natural part of living and then feel that others are a cause of this pain. This is dangerous. To listen to the messenger of pain means seeing and acknowledging our stress as our own creation. It is the result of how we respond to the uncontrollables in life i.e. circumstances, events and other people. No one else creates our responses.
If you can see and accept that you create your own stress according to how you are responding, you will then see that there is something you need to unlearn as well as learn. The old response needs to be unlearned, and a new positive response needs to be learned. The regular practice of meditation enables you to do that and become free from stress.