Goodbye ordinariness

Today it struck home. I have taken so much from Baba. I have had the incredible privilege of personal sustenance. He has guided me, loved me, taught me, inspired me, sustained me, nurtured me, empowered me, fulfilled me... he has given me this life.

If I use my time, energy, resources... everything in a worthwhile way, in an elevated way, in an unlimited way, as per his directions... his personal sustenance has been worthwhile.

If I use my time or any resource in an ordinary way (let alone a negative way), in a casual way...it means I have not truly recognized him. It means I have not truly recognized myself. It means I have not truly recognized the present time. It means I do not have due regard... It means his time and effort on me is yet to bear fruit. It means that I have to do further groundwork before his sustenance bears fruit. It means I have limited the unlimited one.

This is not the time to be ordinary. This is the time to be a worthy child. This is the time to reveal God. And he will be revealed when I become a practical example of his teachings. And then everyone will see...this is not a human being. This is God's work of art. God's masterpiece.

Baba... I am yours.

Joy of Service

There is joy in each form of service. Helping out with the computers. With the dishes. With sharing an insight or two. But the greatest joy is in serving souls to connect to their own greatness and to the source of all virtues - God.

It is a joy to watch as someone realizes how beautiful they are. It is a joy to watch when a soul starts to relax and be free from worries. It is a joy to watch when a soul is able to connect to its father... the ocean of love.

Actually joy is not the word. It is deeply fulfilling when our presence has made a beautiful difference in another soul's life. God has used me as an instrument. My existence has been worthwhile. My purpose has been fulfilled.

Static

Endless mind chatter. About all sorts of things. Pizzas. Light talk in Gujarati. Weather. The lanes and bylanes of Oxford. Ride in the car. Nice ambience in that other centre... No pull towards anything... like sorting out the jumble of clothes that have been washed and dried and need to be ironed now...

Unless the intellect is alert and active and exercises authority, ordinariness slips in. Then can negativity be far behind? The mind needs an agenda. The intellect needs to set it.

Influence and Empowerment

Witnessed an excellent workshop by [well, does the name matter? To whom? Why? Hmm...]. The speaker presented the content very simply and shared half the answers and provided so much context that the audience continuously stayed engaged and responded with the missing answers.

'We do not have control over many things. But we can have influence over them. In fact, exercising that influence to empower the other [person, situation, thing] may very well be our responsibility.'

Very nice indeed.

Achievement of relaxation

Was put on a biofeedback machine. 'Relaxed quickly and easily and achieved demonstrated success!' How paradoxical! The achievement paradigm is deeply ingrained. Acknowledgement of being an embodiment spiritual qualities is still theoretical... in spite of having many experiences that provide evidence.

Detached and Connected

Opportunities to watch the self and catch the self in action are endless.

When put in a small gathering of like minded souls who are yet to be introduced, there is the tendency to be friendly and connected and engage in small talk. There are the routine gentle questions that help connect with the other and offer a chance to appreciate the other well. The content is nearly pointless... but the intent could be noble and appreciative. It could also be driven by a need to feel good and nice through the interaction. Maybe the motivation could subtly be 'oh yes, so and so said this and that when we met then and there...'

There is also the opportunity to just stay silent, loving and appreciative. Wishing others well without having the need to know and engage. Except when there is an opportunity to make a substantial contribution by engaging through words.

It's not straightforward. There are situations that come where you feel you can 'add value' by offering insights or special prior knowledge about similar situations... that 'Aha, I know, its actually this way...' and yet the value addition may be quite trivial.

Detachment and connectedness. Both invaluable. The former makes the latter more beautiful.

Starting from Scratch

Every now and then there is a need to take a fresh look at everything.

• Who am I?
• What am I doing?
• Why?
• What is life all about?
• Who is God? Really?
• What's going on here?
• What is spirituality?
• What's my purpose in life?
• What do I know for sure?
• What do I not know for sure?

The Coolness coefficient

Just realized that there is something that can be called a 'coolness coefficient'. Its directly related to an individual's personality. Whatever we do, whoever we are, we bring along our coolness coefficient.

Call it the 'wow factor' or the 'creativity bug'. Just like someone brings along their sense of quality or professionalism... there is a tendency to bring along the coolness coefficient.

Which means some people are surrounded by cool things to do or cool projects to implement, cool situations to be in, cool people to be with etc. while some others are surrounded by the boring and the drab... or the exciting and adventurous... or... whatever. We bring to life whatever we are.

And if we want to change our life, we need to work on changing ourselves. In this case... if we want our life to be more 'cool'... we need to become more 'cool'. In other words, enhance the coolness coefficient.

Strangely enough, 'trying to be' something/someone is counter productive. Instead, just 'being' in that state is more effective.

He takes care

Was feeling very uncomfortable. Time in rushing by and am stuck in ordinariness. And there is just no interest in 'the look here and see that,' yet time is swallowed up in paying attention to learning new irrelevant things. After amritvela decided to really set the focus.

Today's murli captured the whole sequence. What that feeling of being caught up is like, how to get out of it, what are the priorities...and what the effort is all about.

Diversity

Spent much time in observing differences in culture, lifestyle, behaviour between the different countries. Even felt a bit conscious from time to time about my strange/'out of place' attire even though no one else seemed to be bothered about it. There is plenty of diversity in the world... but what is my role in all of this?

It was a practical test for staying beyond and I did not pass. Exposure to new/unknown environments is a mine for discovering hidden shortcomings.

Hmm...

New and Old world

A lovely countryside with people endowed with health, wealth and good manners... all facilities and beautiful scenic locations...its like a new world in an old one.

The mind goes blank. There is appreciation... and then an attitude of a quiet witness. There is really nothing much to speak or share.

Saw many customs and traditions...rituals performed...devout life. So many souls, so many roles... it is indeed a grand drama of life.

Quality in action

Witnessed a public program at Global cooperation house... executed to near perfection. Many helping hands. Each one knowing the role very well. The timing, the delivery, the royalty, the grace, the seamless flow of many different events with each person pitching in at just the right pace.

The ground work was already complete. The fliers, forms, handouts, recordings, offerings, pre-cursors and follow ups...

The content was profound and yet simply delivered in 7 easy steps, each step consisting of information, commentary and silent experience. Each step was building on the previous one leading to the experience of contributing to world peace.

Very nice.

Swinging in the swing and 5 aspects of time

There is a tall tree and a lovely swing... and swinging on it gave an experience of what could be behind the phrase - swinging in the swing of bliss and happiness.

Gentle, powerful...and it was such lovely weather...someone said it's satyuga on earth right there.

This is such an interesting life.
One visit provided an experience across the cycle of time:

• The experience of 'being beyond' on the swing reminded of the golden age.
• The beautiful environs reminded of the silver age.
• The palace and the ornate arrangements reminded of the copper age.
• The insects, spider webs, the many signs telling people not to misbehave, the floods, resentment, atheism, big brother watching... remind of the iron age...
• Including God while seeing others in action was a reminder of this lovely confluence age.

Give and Take

[Post amritvela thoughts]

Lovely opportunity to observe, learn, imbibe. Yet after two days of much taking and some sharing, the realization is that this is not accurate. It simply is not the time to sit back and passively absorb. The opportunity becomes a distraction unless used appropriately.

At the present time giving automatically includes taking. There is very little time...  and it needs focus on the aim and nothing else but the aim.

[And what a beautiful verification of these feelings in Dadi's class and the murli today.]

Being myself

Who am I really? What a fortunate life!

There is no need to remind myself of any events or of interactions with people to learn from them. I already have everything...and He will clarify anything that may be needed as per the time.

Its time to just remain in the rich and powerful experience of being myself. Humility and Self respect are twins. Its so beautiful.

On self mastery

Simple, beautiful insights from Dadi Janki on self mastery.

Instruct the mind with authority - you belong to me... now be quiet, be patient. There is no need to think - how is this, why is that, in which way will something turn out...stay quiet. Everything is easy. There is no need to make it complicated.

Those in high positions keep a security guard near them. They don't meet just anyone. Keep elevated thoughts as your security guard. Do not allow just any thought to enter.

I need to keep looking at myself. What is the purpose of my life? What is the purpose for me, for my community, for the world? Around the world, people need peace...they need help. What am I doing about it? Do I just listen to the news and share the news or do I do something about it?

There are three bank accounts that are imperishable. One: effort making for the self and we develop deeper interest in progressing. Two: staying contented and making others contented - this earns blessings from all. Three: serving others from the heart - this accumulates in the account of charity.

Good example on how to use insights directly from the murli, applying to the given context based on the need, shared with love and good wishes. This is maturity. Very inspiring to see the close with a call to action.

What's really going on?

Thoughts reveal my nature. Well not really. They reveal my current nature.

There are noble thoughts that are generated by the intellect that has absorbed knowledge...they may even occur spontaneously based on prior repeated action. These seem 'artificial and contrived' at first glance.

Then there are thoughts that arise in full flow of their accord. These are driven by past experience, by choices based on what was considered useful or interesting in the short term but not necessarily beneficial in the long term. These seem natural as they are spontaneous.

When the 'awakened' intellect is fully alert, it amplifies, redirects or stops the spontaneous thoughts. When the intellect is 'tired', actions may take place before the intellect can register and assess the nature of thoughts and take appropriate and effective action.

Intellect driven change is time consuming and lots of hard work. Hard work at educating the intellect to be effective is necessary... but not sufficient to make changes at an emotional level so that it becomes sustainable (and 'natural').

There is a different approach that focuses just on emotional impact. Decide on any 'appropriate' course of action [alter existing habit or inculcate a new one]...and rely on various techniques that condition the neural network of the brain to respond in that way. This approach is based on research on how the brain works and how any behaviour can be altered quickly.

The challenge is that the second approach seldom has the wisdom to transcend mundane human wants. 

In an enlightened life, the intellect has faith based on knowledge and yoga based on love.  How does this come about?

When one really surrenders.This comes only with realization.

How to realize deeply enough to really surrender? Certainly not with intellectual and academic questioning. It needs subtlety. Otherwise the surrender is also theoretical... and is withdrawn pretty quick.

Hmm...

Key Learnings thus far

1. Recognize what I am passionate about (strangely this is not as easy as it sounds...)
2. Now is the time to do what I am passionate about...
3. I need to create time for myself. Nothing happens automatically. Each step of courage yields tremendous help.
4. Staying surrendered is liberating. Too much planning is challenging.
5. Constant balance of master and child needed.
6. Stay flexible and enjoy
7. Need to keep the compass handy. Its easy to lose direction amidst all the exciting opportunities that come by.
8. Check and change constantly
9. Document/Journal/Blog every key aspect
10. Murlis are the guiding light
11. Live in the realm of experiences
12. Build discipline to weed out old habits.
13. Restlessness is useful.  Go deeper and ponder. Realize the missing aspect and surge forward.
14. Holistic approach is essential (not optional)
15. Experience the stage of elevated self respect. My responsibility... my greatness....
16. Baba takes care of EVERYTHING. Just trust and move on...

Dadis live on Shrimat and follow father...not on personal whims and fancies. Everything has been tried and tested before...

Good vs Great

Good is normal. Good is habitual. Good is status quo. Good is expected. Good is the comfort zone. Good is easy. Good is addictive.

Great needs extra attention. Great is uncomfortable. Great rocks the boat. Great is risky. Great is newness.

After some time, great becomes good. The bar is raised higher. And then it starts again. Good is normal. Good is habitual...

Checking from Scratch

• Body consciousness, lust, anger, ego, greed, attachment... all are still lurking at various levels
• Starting to serve through the mind naturally from time to time
• Starting to detach from ordinariness
• Disinterest in ordinary conversations
• Detecting maya in advance
• Accepting differing views gracefully
• Still needing lot of introspection and pondering for the self. Little service. Little extra study.
• Time is flying by and there is little traction towards the lofty goal.
• Intellect is still dull. No doubt about that.
• Many unfinished projects
• Very little amounts of daily in-depth yoga
• Distracted from main goal of homework - caught up in random services, reading and contemplation
• Thinking > Talking > Action.
• Ate too much dry fruits. Almost thoughtlessly...maya deceives.
• Listening to much sage advice - appreciating but not following it.
• Not surrendered fully - still making alternate plans
• Talked and shared about attainments and things yet to be done. Keeping it incognito would have been so much better.
• Not going deep enough - still superficial
• Big goals and declarations - not following through fully.
• Taking initatives, involving others...then not following through fully.
• Re-prioritizing public goals and not informing in time
• Not sticking to commitments when they (ever so often) seem to be of lower priority than contemplation on basics of life
• Being hard to reach - saying no to random services unless its deemed essential
• Low impact thus far in transforming lives
• Ideas are shared with gusto but little sustainable change seen in the recipients...just a feel good factor for a short while
• Giving unsolicited advice with love...but probably not required
• Still justifying, displaying merit in personal action instead of maintaining powerful silence
• Still having preference for self-development (rather than in being and staying full)...not relying on one Baba
• I still don't know myself well inspite of all the introspection
• Reverence for God keeps fluctuating.
• Still superficial
• Slow implementation
• Too many interests... passionate about too many ideas...
• Got briefly tense and heavy about prioritizing the reading list! Too many things and too little time...
• Doubt - Is the vision too high to motivate accurate consistent action?
• Delight in observing how Baba is taking care of finances...magical.
• Questioning the power of silence
• my silent commands are not being obeyed in time.
• But then I withdraw the commands very quickly - I actually have no wants...
• But this is for service...
• So what? Stay free...
• What a long long way off from the final stage.
• Brief distraction during amritvela due to the muezzin's call... Will I be able to be bodiless in a second when there is chaos all around? Need much more practice...

Theory and Practice

Theoretically I have a right to be equal.
Practically I need the qualifications of being equal.

Closeness to the goal brings a totally different picture of reality...and faith...and trust...

Experienced being peace and purity... Real living is living as a child of God.

Rituals in Gyan

[A four year old article that still seems accurate]

We pride ourselves to be enlightened and rational beings who if need be, bravely defy socially accepted norms of behaviour. We decry superstition. We are always polite but firm in rejecting offers to eat food that does not match our strict standards of purity, cleanliness of the mind and the environs. We are willing to bear the social outrage at our decisions to lead a life of purity and define our own priorities in life. We are quick to spot the shallowness visible everywhere – how people often celebrate occasions such as festivals, birthdays, anniversaries etc without really being sincere.

And yet, rituals are the norm. Every now and then we catch ourselves going through a series of mindless actions. We find ourselves in quite amusing situations. For example: We may …

1. wake up in the early morning hours of nectar (Amrit Vela) to have the most powerful meditation and yet feel drowsy and have no experience of meditation.
2. want to control the traffic of our thoughts in the mind by observing periodic short “traffic control” times sincerely – and while religiously observing silence & stopping physical activity, we may forget to direct the mind to God or any particular focus.
3. like to start and end any activity with silent remembrance of God and yet while there is silence, at times there is no remembrance, just waiting alertly for someone to move their hands or legs thereby signaling the “end of the remembrance”.
4. offer food to God in an effort to give pure vibrations to the food so that it has a purifying effect on our body and mind … and yet find our mind wandering to more mundane pastures of work recently done or to be done.
5. attend spiritual class with full sincerity, understanding well that this is the only study that truly illuminate us souls and is critical for our self-development as a student of the supreme teacher. And yet we may catch ourselves nodding off, or paying attention to the “teacher’s” pronunciation and gestures more than the content of the talk. Sometimes we are concerned about how people ought to behave in class, sometimes alertly pay attention to who is entering or leaving class etc. Sometimes, we listen and even read without any value and therefore experience nothing other than having successfully completed another item to be done.
6. aim at doing ‘Service’ of humanity but forget to see what the intended audience is seeking. We sometimes proceed to ‘force’(though the word seems too harsh for this context) our own ideas and concepts on the trapped listeners. Interestingly, we may also not be following the ‘forcedly delivered’ idea or concept accurately.
7. use that wonderful greeting of peace ‘Om Shanti’ without the consciousness of ‘Om’ (i am a soul) or ‘Shanti’ (my nature is peace).
8. give or receive powerful ‘drishti’ (the soul conscious look that helps the receiver stabilize in soul consciousness and Godly remembrance), and all that happens is a blank yet focused gaze at the forehead of the giver/receiver of the ‘drishti’. Remembrance is cast aside and sometimes various wandering thoughts come by and sometimes thoughts of past interactions with the person in front flash by.

Certainly, there are many more examples that can be cited. Not all ‘rituals’ are performed by everyone… and certainly, all of us may perform these occasionally when we lose perspective and hurry through the ceremonies.

As long as actions, words, and – at the root level- thoughts go unmonitored, it is likely that some or the other ‘ritual’ will get inadvertently performed. A meaningful life and a joyful life are the results of a disciplined mind. The careful weeding out of the wasteful & negative thoughts and the intentional planting of noble, elevated thoughts – this is the process of disciplining the mind. This also ensures that only positive fruitful thoughts translate into corresponding actions.

This kind of wonderful gardening in the field of action, in the field of duty, is done by one who has a divine intellect; one who has realized the truth, and not just known it as a set of facts to be noted. A divine intellect that is full of wisdom applies itself to the work of cleansing the personality traits.

The result of such careful gardening and tender loving attention is a robust and healthy soul whose every thought bears fruit. Success follows every action. A life of constant bliss and peaceful equanimity arrives to stay. Liberation from bondages … liberation in Life… Ah freedom!

Follow Father

In performing actions, follow Father Brahma, and in your stage, follow the incorporeal Father Shiva. You do know how to follow, do you not? – Avyakt BapDada

As we go through the ever changing myriad situations that life brings forth, at times it seems like each of our challenges is unique and cannot really be understood by others. Everyone else’s situation seems relatively easy to handle. “If only there was a way to find out what is the best way out of my unique predicament…” is a common thought. No one likes a life of constant struggle. And yet is it really possible to handle our situations with grace and élan?

There is an old riddle that describes the way to make things simpler.

Question: How to make a line short without erasing any part of it?

Answer: Draw a longer line next to it.

Brahma Baba’s life story provides us that longer line. Brahma Baba offers us an example of how to handle the toughest problems easily on the basis of God’s knowledge. Brahma Baba set the standard on spiritual effort making. God used Brahma Baba as an instrument, as an example, as a demonstration of how to imbibe Godly teachings in practical life. Brahma Baba constantly moulded himself. He re-designed his entire life – his beliefs, his ideologies, his perception of himself, even the teachings that he had shared with all. As he discovered a truth, he was happily willing to forsake old ideas without much ado. His humility, surrender and faith made him a carefree emperor.

Baba encourages us to follow Brahma Baba in our day to day life. But how do we follow father if we have not met him in this life?

We are all actors and have played many roles. Let us, for a little while, consider that we are to enact the role of Brahma Baba. Let us consider each thought experiment below and check our own responses to the situation. Being in his shoes helps us understand his situation. Knowing how he handled it provides us with an accurate method. In comparison our current situation will seem easy to handle.

NOTE: To take full benefit of the following sequence of thought experiments, a prior reading of ‘Adi Dev’ - Brahma Baba’s biography- will be very beneficial.

1. God grants me a vision of a heavenly new world and says, “You need to establish a new world order by transforming this old world…” but He does not tell me how to achieve this task. What are my thoughts and feelings?

2. Everyone in my community is opposing me for having chosen a life of purity. They are defaming me, publishing slanderous articles in the newspapers and are encouraging others around the world to oppose me as well... I had been a highly respected member of my community earlier. What are my thoughts and feelings?

3. People want to come to me and listen to the words of wisdom that I utter… they even see visions of God and of heaven… but they are being chained, beaten up and not allowed to meet me… What are my thoughts and feelings?

4. A bandit has come to assassinate me because I am asking people to lead a pure life… How do I feel? The bandit sees a vision of his beloved deity and drops his arms. He goes away a changed person. I have not granted him that vision and know it is God’s work. What are my thoughts and feelings?

5. I have very established and highly prosperous business and God inspires me to surrender EVERYTHING to Him and His task not leaving any portion of my earnings for my immediate family… What are my thoughts and feelings?
[Note: In the beginning the yagya had to be created so the situation was different from that of today. God’s direction for his children is to take care of the household as a trustee. ]

6. I had been an ardent devotee of Vishnu all my life. I used to read the Gita everyday. I had many gurus. These things do not seem relevant now. I used to think that I am God and that I will merge with the Brahm element. I saw visions of my favourite deities who said Tat-tvam (You are also that deity). I had a vision of destruction that was to happen soon. But it has not happened so far and I don’t know when it would happen though I feel strongly that it will happen soon. I now know that God is different and he is Shiva. Also, I know now that the soul world is different and is our eternal abode. God does not clarify everything at once. I have had to correct my earlier statements many times. What are my thoughts and feelings?

7. People see visions of God when I am near them. When I speak, people feel immense impact and act upon it completely. I have no idea why these things are happening except that it must be God’s work. What are my thoughts and feelings?

8. I know the future of the soul who is in front of me, I know that soul will commit some grave mistake in the near future and that soul comes in front of me for my drishti and blessings… How would I feel? [Will I warn that soul about impending crisis? Will I be able to keep conscience clear and my mind empty from negative thoughts or vibrations of that situation for that soul?]

9. I have been given the responsibility of this GIGANTIC task to transform this world by transforming the deep-rooted sanskars of souls…I know that I myself have had a tough time managing my own sanskars of this birth. What are my thoughts and feelings?

10. God Himself designated me as World Servant. How do I feel?

11. In another two hours the lunch bell is going to ring and more than 300 brothers and sisters will be ready with their plates, but nothing is cooked yet because there is not a morsel of grain in the kitchen… How do I feel?

12. I am responsible for the physical, mental and spiritual progress of 300+ people (children, mothers, brothers etc) and they seem to be of all varieties… Some of them even doubt me now after having taken 14 years of loving sustenance… and want to go away… What are my thoughts and feelings?

13. My body is aging and it has undergone several operations. The hoarse dry cough seems to be constantly there even interrupting God’s murli. God says I must settle the karmic accounts through power of yoga and with tolerance. Those trustworthy souls who helped me establish the yagya (this institution) and helped me at every step are leaving their body one after another some of them having undergone painful diseases… What are my thoughts and feelings?

14. My son comes to me and says he wants to go to the outside world to earn money and come back. I know if he goes he would not come back anytime soon nor be able to claim his complete inheritance from God. Some of my other children refuse to follow that most elevated path that God has made me an instrument for… How do I feel?

15. I know I have to become a world emperor in my next life, but at the moment I have many weaknesses that I am yet to overcome… I tell everyone that Maya first comes to me but people see me as the ideal. They think it is all easy for me. How do I feel?

16. I was appointed by God to transform this hell into heaven. After 33 long years of effort, the world has become worse than when I started. How do I feel?

17. I have been instrumental in starting this spiritual organization that has spread across different parts of India, and the task assigned to me is yet to be completed. Under these circumstances if Shiva Baba asks me to leave this body and join Him, how would I feel?

18. The yagya that I started is expanding all over the world, but the challenges with respect to its administration are also multiplying… How do I feel?

19. I am the father, the ancestor of all humanity. How do I feel? [How would my drishti (vision) be? How would my vritti (attitude) be? How would my response be towards someone committing some mistake?]

20. God says every soul on Earth must follow none other than me. What are my thoughts and feelings?

21. If I were to give the experience of being God’s instrument at every moment to who ever comes in front of me… how do I feel?

After we have gone through the above thought experiments in an experiential manner, it is useful to consider the points of knowledge that Brahma Baba used to handle the situations. These points will prove effective in handling similar test papers in our own lives – and chances are high that our test papers are comparatively mellow in nature.

We have the luxury of having clarity of knowledge as well as Brahma Baba as a practical example in front of us. Let us follow father.

Instrument of God

I am an instrument. Baba is my backbone. I am a carefree emperor. Easy yogi, on the stage as a witness... and an actor.

Wah!

Peace and War

Morning was like:

'Every moment is the last moment... A loving intellect. No pulls of any kind, ready to serve through the mind. Service is an opportunity to check and change...

Self assurance. No longer looking for any approvals. Fundamentally moving forward. Ready to mould. Many signs are slowly appearing. Nearness.'

Evening was like:

'War signs again! Attention to efforts is mandatory.'

Hello ego

Had trouble with the 'meditator' guide and the meditation commentary.

"Its not the proper way to do things... It was fast, too deep and unsuitable for an unprepared audience..."

That was a trap and I neatly fell for it. Focus on what I can do in the situation and not what others are doing...

Wah, your ways of educating are truly unique.

Working by 'touchings'

'Touched by God'.

Working through inspirations is wonderful. Alert. Ever-ready. No questions. Full attention. Master and child at the same time.

"Crew to demo stations please!" Letting go of control. It's your work, you are in charge. I am just an instrument. No 'thanks' to be offered... just Wah!

Wah Baba wah!

Arrived

I have arrived.

No more planning. Just execution. Using whatever is available. Letting go of everything old. Freedom. It is divine.