Happiness Now
Happiness is not a destination, it's a journey.
Happiness is not tomorrow, it is now. Happiness
is what you are, not what you have.
The Relationship Between Virtues And Vices
When we are internally strong, our nature
characteristics and skills are reflected, from
inside us to the outside, to everyone we
interact in, in the form of virtues. If we are
internally weak, those same traits emerge and
radiate as vices. Vices are just qualities or
virtues that have lost their focus and strength.
For e.g. if we take the quality of love -
when a strong soul radiates love, it is
unlimited and without any conditions. Such a
soul respects and has good wishes for everything
and everyone and under all circumstances,
irrespective of whether love and respect is
coming from the other side or not. When a weak
soul radiates love, he/she tends to restrict the
love to limits e.g. the love would vary from
person to person and from situation to
situation. In a sense, if spiritual might
(strength) and spiritual light (understanding or
knowledge) are taken away from the virtues, they
get transformed into the six vices, which make
us spiritually unhealthy or weak: Ego -
developing an image of the self that is false,
temporary or imaginary. Greed - finding
short term fulfillment by acquiring material
goods, a role in society or money or through the
physical senses - eyes, tongue, ears, etc.
Attachment - finding security by developing a
feeling of possessiveness over loved ones and
material objects. Lust - using excessive
satisfaction through the senses as a means of
fulfillment. Anger - the feeling of
hatred and revenge when any of the other vices
are threatened or being taken away from us.
Laziness - becoming inactive on a spiritual,
physical or mental level.
Soul Sustenance
Tapping Guidance from the Supreme Intellect
(cont.)
In yesterday’s message, we had discussed how no
human entity can fulfill all the necessary
requirements of someone who can guide us
correctly in any difficult situation. Thus to
proceed in such a situation, it’s good to take
the guidance from the intellect of someone who
fulfills all these criteria. That someone is no
one except the Supreme Being or God, who is the
entity possessing the most powerful intellect,
and intellect with the most perfect judgment
power. Sometimes my mind and intellect is
absolutely clean and clear and I am 100% sure
about my right course of action for the future,
but even in those times its good to verify the
course of action from a higher authority. So, in
those times, it is very important to connect for
a few minutes with the Supreme, who is an Energy
of Unlimited Truth. Then, the question to ask
myself at that time is not what do I want, or
what do others want, but most importantly: What
does the Supreme want, what is his wish, what is
his perception of the situation? The deeper
my connection with Him in meditation, the
clearer the answer will come. When it becomes a
regular practice, it will be as simple as taking
guidance from my physical parent or spouse or
friend. I'll know without wasting time and
energy, the right course of action.
Sometimes it may happen that the answer may not
come to me immediately, but by connecting my
intellect with the Supreme’s intellect my
intellect will become clear, which will help me
take the right decision. Also, in some cases the
Supreme may not respond immediately but may
guide me through some other medium, whether
living or non-living after some time or even
after a day or two
Message for the day
The sweetness of the mind brings sweetness in
words and interactions.
Expression:
There is an understanding of the need for being
sweet in words and interactions. But this
sweetness can be expressed only when there is
sweetness in the mind. Sweetness of the mind
means there is not even a trace of negativity.
Such a mind is further open to all that is nice
and beautiful and expresses its own freshness
and beauty in interactions.
Experience:
When I am able to keep my mind sweet, i.e., free
from any kind of bitterness or ill-feelings, I
am able to experience the beauty of life. There
is no feeling of sorrow or negativity but the
mind is nurtured to further positivity with
everything that comes its way. I am then able to
experience constant growth and progress.
Think before you speak
Most of the times we spend a lot of time and
energy in explaining to others about what we
want to say. We not only waste our time and
energy in this but people tend to move away when
a lot is said. We are not listened to properly.
A lot can be said using a few words. When we
check ourselves with honesty and think of what
we want to communicate, we can do it more easily
with fewer words. Thus we save our time, energy
and that of others too. Others are more willing
to listen to us and follow what we expect them
to do.