EMS Sangat for the month of Jan 2013, was conducted at SNM Tracy Bhawan on Jan 13.
Topic of the sangat was: "Your New Yr. Resolution".
His Holiness New Year 2013 Message is at following link:
His Holiness shared in Barcelona (Spain) New Year Samagam:
"Today is the first blank page of the book of 365 pages". So, we need to be wise to write virtuous words and actions on each page of this book. So that we are proud of this book and leave a good example. Likewise, the entire life should be made beautiful by good deeds. Thus it is said "Swas-2 simro govind"..remember god at every moment.
Baba ji said: Make New Yr resolution with resolute mind.
Main Vichar - by Dr. Rai ji:
"One million Americans make New Year’s resolutions. That means that each year, about one-third of the US population gears up for the challenging work of self-improvement. Imagine all of this effort spent on facing our own stubborn selves, who often have one or both of our feet firmly planted in the mud. To make it more difficult, our culture is efficient and task-oriented, so it’s easy to pick a resolution and treat it as another item on our list of things to do, no matter how big of a change we are seeking. How do we put these images aside and resolve to do something based on our own values and interests?
When resolving to do more or less of something, we usually try to get our body and mind to comply to our wishes by mastering them through our willpower—and we keep this up regardless of our spirit, which might be lagging far behind. In the most popular of resolutions, getting back in shape, this means our body and mind were coordinated enough to get on the treadmill, but our heart was still at home on the couch. How do we get the heart and spirit to actively participate when we need it most?
Resolutions wouldn’t be so notorious if there wasn’t something always holding us back. Could a little spiritual development go a long way to wake us up on every level and help create lasting personal change?
These questions lead me to the wisdom Richard Potter author shares in Authentic Spirituality. Potter takes the word “self-mastery,” a guiding concept behind resolutions, and casts it in a whole new light. He relies on the wisdom of Sufi master Hazrat Inayat Khan to help expand the definiton of mastery:
“Mastery is power over oneself that is created by three things:
When resolving to do more or less of something, we usually try to get our body and mind to comply to our wishes by mastering them through our willpower—and we keep this up regardless of our spirit, which might be lagging far behind. In the most popular of resolutions, getting back in shape, this means our body and mind were coordinated enough to get on the treadmill, but our heart was still at home on the couch. How do we get the heart and spirit to actively participate when we need it most?
Resolutions wouldn’t be so notorious if there wasn’t something always holding us back. Could a little spiritual development go a long way to wake us up on every level and help create lasting personal change?
These questions lead me to the wisdom Richard Potter author shares in Authentic Spirituality. Potter takes the word “self-mastery,” a guiding concept behind resolutions, and casts it in a whole new light. He relies on the wisdom of Sufi master Hazrat Inayat Khan to help expand the definiton of mastery:
“Mastery is power over oneself that is created by three things:
- An awakened heart
- self-discipline
- self-control
Find a safe place to heal.
The first thing needed by all seekers is to be seen. Whether we are talking about a spiritual guide or other members of a group of like-minded individuals, someone must see the person for the unique and beautiful spark of consciousness that he or she is and somehow reflect that beauty back upon the individual. Need of a Guru- Swami Vivekananda Qualities of an aspirant: Purity, Real Thurst after Knowledge, and Preservance.
Qualities of a Taecher: Must know the spirit of Scriptures, Teacher is Sinless_Must have spiritual power in him, Motive should not be selfish.
When the divinely appointed teacher comes, serve him with child like confidence and simplicity (page 419 of Vivakanda Book)
The first thing needed by all seekers is to be seen. Whether we are talking about a spiritual guide or other members of a group of like-minded individuals, someone must see the person for the unique and beautiful spark of consciousness that he or she is and somehow reflect that beauty back upon the individual. Need of a Guru- Swami Vivekananda Qualities of an aspirant: Purity, Real Thurst after Knowledge, and Preservance.
Qualities of a Taecher: Must know the spirit of Scriptures, Teacher is Sinless_Must have spiritual power in him, Motive should not be selfish.
When the divinely appointed teacher comes, serve him with child like confidence and simplicity (page 419 of Vivakanda Book)
1.Once an individual feels seen and accepted by a spiritual mentor, spiritual group. Within this zone of safety, a numinous atmosphere exists. If this atmosphere is honored, the heart of even the most wounded person can be gently opened over time.Take charge of the process.
2.With a safe place to grow, the heart can be guided through a series of experiences designed to strengthen and expand it. These experiences are generally of two sorts. First, spiritual practices can be used as an exercise program for the heart. Meditations on themes that expand or deepen the loving nature can be incorporated into daily spiritual practice.
He further explained by sharing a story on the power of prayer:
"In the small Texas town of Mount Vernon , Drummond's Bar began construction on a new building to increase their business. The local Baptist church started a campaign to block the bar from opening with petitions and prayers.
Work progressed right up till the week before opening when lightning struck the bar and it burned to the ground.
The church folks were rather smug in their outlook after that, until the bar owner sued the church on the grounds
that the church was ultimately responsible for the demise of his building, either through direct or indirect actions or means. The church vehemently denied all responsibility or any connection to the building's demise in its reply to the court. As the case made its way into court, the judge looked over the paperwork.
At the hearing he commented, 'I don't know how I'm going to decide this, but as it appears from the paperwork we have a bar owner who believes in the power of prayer and an entire church congregation that doesn't.'
We all have reached a point where we become something else when we are in a spiritual environment, yet once we step out of a temple, church, satsang, etc. we become someone totally different: someone trying to fit into the materialistic world.
Ask yourself: Are you a spiritual person trying to fit into the materialistic world? Or are you a materialistic person trying to fit into the spiritual world?"
Work progressed right up till the week before opening when lightning struck the bar and it burned to the ground.
The church folks were rather smug in their outlook after that, until the bar owner sued the church on the grounds
that the church was ultimately responsible for the demise of his building, either through direct or indirect actions or means. The church vehemently denied all responsibility or any connection to the building's demise in its reply to the court. As the case made its way into court, the judge looked over the paperwork.
At the hearing he commented, 'I don't know how I'm going to decide this, but as it appears from the paperwork we have a bar owner who believes in the power of prayer and an entire church congregation that doesn't.'
We all have reached a point where we become something else when we are in a spiritual environment, yet once we step out of a temple, church, satsang, etc. we become someone totally different: someone trying to fit into the materialistic world.
Ask yourself: Are you a spiritual person trying to fit into the materialistic world? Or are you a materialistic person trying to fit into the spiritual world?"
Main Vichar Video Clips at following links: Two clips
Vichar Video Link 1
Vichar Video Link 2
Let's strengthen the Divine/Spiritual aspects of ourselves by following our resolution for this yr.
"Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending." - Carl Bard
"If we wish to secure peace for ourselves, we must start by championing it for others" - Dalai Lama.
Vichar Video Link 1
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| From EMSJan2013 |
Vichar Video Link 2
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| From EMSJan2013 |
Let's strengthen the Divine/Spiritual aspects of ourselves by following our resolution for this yr.
"Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending." - Carl Bard
"If we wish to secure peace for ourselves, we must start by championing it for others" - Dalai Lama.
