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Month: April 2017

P- ‘Power of Positive Thinking’ #AtoZChallenge

P- ‘Power of Positive Thinking’ #AtoZChallenge

“Change your thoughts and you change your world.” ~Norman Vincent Peale

Some of the best books I have read have come to me when I needed them the most. One such book was ‘The Power of Positive Thinking’ by Norman Vincent Peale. This one I remember having picked during a phase when I couldn’t see beyond the heap of negativity in my life. My choices, the regrets, the sense of despair I was in, amidst the thickest and darkest clouds of uncertainty. Perhaps life has a way of putting something in your hand when you so desperately need it.

It is hard for any amount of positive thinking to break through a mind so walled up with negativity. But while reading ‘The Power of Positive Thinking’, I slowly and gradually opened up to receiving the subtle messages. It made me willing to look beyond the negativity I had embroiled myself in. To start seeing streaks of light in the dark. And it is amazing how the situation you thought was only negative, may or may not change. But your outlook and perspective towards it can surely change to being optimistic. Our attitude to life is the one thing we have in control, not our circumstances.

The key is to replace every negative thought by a positive one. Even if it seems like a tall order, it is possible. For people who are surrounded by the gleam of everything negative and need hope, ‘The Power of Positive Thinking’ is highly recommended.

Key Highlights:

“To become a happy person have a clean soul, eyes that see romance in the commonplace, a child’s heart, and spiritual simplicity.”

“The greatest secret for eliminating the inferiority complex, which is another term for deep and profound self-doubt, is to fill your mind to overflowing with faith. Develop a tremendous faith in God and that will give you a humble yet soundly realistic faith in yourself.”

“You do not need to be a victim of worry. Reduced to its simplest form, what is worry? It is simply an unhealthy and destructive mental habit.”

“Our happiness depends on the habit of mind we cultivate.”

This post is part of the #AtoZChallenge 2017 Blogging from A to Z: http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/.


I write about my spiritual and personal growth influences from A to Z.
My previous posts in chronology:

A New Earth 

Brahma Kumaris

Chicken Soup for the Soul

Dialogue with Death 

Eat Pray Love 

Finding a purpose in life

GANDHI

Healing with Chakras

I Believe in Angels

Jonathan Livingston Seagull

Kahlil Gibran 

Lisa Nichols

Meditation

Neale Donald Walsch

Oprah & Deepak Meditations

 

Image courtesy: http://amzn.to/2olmRas

O – Oprah & Deepak Meditation Experience #AtoZChallenge

O – Oprah & Deepak Meditation Experience #AtoZChallenge

“The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams.” ~Oprah Winfrey

American television host, producer, actress, philanthropist and entrepreneur, Oprah Winfrey is a woman I greatly admire. Rising above her poverty struck childhood and rough adolescence, she went on to become the first African American billionaire. She is a role model for so many young women and surely is an inspiration for me.

Deepak Chopra is an author, public speaker, alternative medicine advocate and a prominent New Age movement figure. He is the co-founder of The Chopra Centre, a premier contributor of experiences, education and integrative approach to complete well-being.

When Oprah and Deepak come together to provide a meditation experience, it is a treat – to our ears, to our mind and to our senses.

“Meditation takes you beyond the mind’s noisy chatter into the pure awareness that is the source of all your happiness, inspiration and love.” ~Deepak Chopra

Every few months, based on a theme comes a 21 Day Meditation Experience by Oprah and Deepak. One meditation a day for 21 days. A warm introduction by Oprah followed by Deepak leading you into a soulful meditation. It is a beautiful combination of a sanskrit mantra, guidance and a centering thought for the day for all 21 days.
Their soothing sounds of calm bring immense peace to the heart. The wisdom that emanates ensues clarity of thinking in your mind. It is an experience I have benefitted from and something I eagerly look forward to.

At present they have an ongoing 21 Day Meditation Experience on ‘Hope in uncertain times’. Click here for details:

https://chopracentermeditation.com/

It is also available as an app on iTunes and Google Play.

This post is part of the #AtoZChallenge 2017 Blogging from A to Z: http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/.

I write about my spiritual and personal growth influences from A to Z. My previous posts in chronology:

A New Earth 

Brahma Kumaris

Chicken Soup for the Soul

Dialogue with Death 

Eat Pray Love 

Finding a purpose in life

GANDHI

Healing with Chakras

I Believe in Angels

Jonathan Livingston Seagull

Kahlil Gibran 

Lisa Nichols

Meditation

Neale Donald Walsch

 

Image courtesy: http://bit.ly/2oo2AQs

N – Neale Donald Walsch #AtoZChallenge

N – Neale Donald Walsch #AtoZChallenge

“The struggle ends when gratitude begins.” ~Neale Donald Walsch

It is such a human tendency to speak to God and to ask Him questions when things in our life get difficult. But what if you would get a response from God! Imagine receiving answers from the Almighty Himself! That is what author Neale Donald Walsch experienced in his low phase. Thus was born this beautiful series of books called ‘Conversations with God’.

A conversation with God where the author poses questions and he gets the answers via a dictation. When he wondered whom does God talk to in this manner, God replied that He talks to everyone, all the time, but who really cares to listen?

Whether we call it our inner voice or our inner guidance, we can seek the answers to our most difficult questions – within. Seek and you shall receive is perhaps most true about our connection with the higher power. For those with an open mind, a limitless curiosity and a sincere desire to find answers, his books are very inspiring.

If you do read this series, go a step further to connect with your own inner voice. I did too in my desperate times*. The conversation is real. And it begins when you decide to be still and listen.

Key Highlights:

“If I do not go within, I go without.”

“All human actions are motivated at their deepest level by one of two emotions – fear or love.”

“What you do in the time of your greatest trial can be your greatest triumph. For the experience you create is a statement of who you are and who you want to be.”

*Read: The Practice of Quiet Time.

This post is part of the #AtoZChallenge 2017 Blogging from A to Z: http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/. I write about my spiritual and personal growth influences from A to Z. My previous posts in chronology:


A New Earth 

Brahma Kumaris

Chicken Soup for the Soul

Dialogue with Death 

Eat Pray Love 

Finding a purpose in life

GANDHI

Healing with Chakras

I Believe in Angels

Jonathan Livingston Seagull

Kahlil Gibran 

Lisa Nichols

Meditation

 

Images courtesy: http://bit.ly/2oOaGWF

M – Meditation #AtoZChallenge

M – Meditation #AtoZChallenge

The thing about meditation is you become more and more you.” ~David Lynch

If there is one daily practice of mine I absolutely look forward to, it would undoubtedly be meditation! What started as an anxious mind seeking solace during a mental storm, meditation has now become a way of life.

The word meditation, is derived from two Latin words : meditari (to think, to contemplate, to exercise the mind) and mederi (to heal). Its Sanskrit derivation ‘medha‘ means wisdom. Meditation means different things for different people.

I look at meditation in several ways –

Meditation for me means awareness. It means getting into a state of alert consciousness. Meditation is to connect with my higher self and to feel the presence of divinity. It is a recognition of my breath.  It is the observation of my mind as a bystander. Meditation is being mindful of my life. It is to live in the present moment. Meditation is who I choose to be in my full consciousness.
Various methods are used to practice meditation for e.g. prayer beads, chanting of mantras, breathing exercises, idol worship, long sitting postures, bodily movements, lighting incense and candles, using crystals, etc. The style you are comfortable with evolves with time and practice, yet the technique is not that significant as is the experience.

How has meditation helped me?

  • Keeping anxiety at bay
  • Better clarity of thought
  • Calmer response to daily challenges
  • Increased sense of intuition
  • Greater productivity
  • Better sleep
  • Improved self-confidence
  • Wiser perspective to life

If you are new to meditation, it would be good to start with focusing on your breath for 5-10 minutes daily. Then gradually begin with listening to meditation music and short guided meditations. There are loads of options available online as well as several meditation groups in your city. It is a process of trying, absorbing and evolving. If you aren’t already meditating, I do hope you get started on this beautiful journey of self-discovery.

This post is part of the #AtoZChallenge 2017 Blogging from A to Z: http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/. I write about my spiritual and personal growth influences from A to Z. My previous posts in chronology:

A New Earth 

Brahma Kumaris

Chicken Soup for the Soul

Dialogue with Death 

Eat Pray Love 

Finding a purpose in life

GANDHI

Healing with Chakras

I Believe in Angels

Jonathan Livingston Seagull

Kahlil Gibran 

Lisa Nichols

 

 

 

L – Lisa Nichols #AtoZChallenge

L – Lisa Nichols #AtoZChallenge

 

“You deserve to be happy, you deserve to be joyful, you deserve to be celebrated. But in order to do that you must first madly fall in love with yourself. “ ~Lisa Nichols

A world-renowned motivational speaker, best-selling author and global personality, Lisa Nichols is a woman I enjoy listening to. For she has a way with the words and many ways to stir your heart. She was voted as the most impressive teacher from the movie ‘The Secret’.

From being a struggling single mom on public assistance to leading a multi-million dollar enterprise, her extra-ordinary personal story is an inspiration in itself. Her courage and determination to massively transform her life has filled many with the hope to bring about positive changes in their lives as well.

I’m not extraordinary. I’m simply an ordinary woman who chooses every day to make extra-ordinary decisions.

Lisa has appeared on The Today Show, Oprah, Steve Harvey show and many other acclaimed TV shows, making her a sought after media celebrity. She is the Founder CEO of ‘Motivating the Masses’ – America’s one of the only publicly traded personal and business development training programs.

Your greatest fear is not that you are going to die. Your biggest fear is that you are going to die before you let the world see who you really are.

Personally for me, Lisa made an impact when I heard her online through a few personal growth sessions. Her words are uplifting, her tone so encouraging and her intent – pure and warm. I look forward to reading her books beginning with ‘Abundance Now’.

Listen to Lisa speak on:

Personal empowerment

Listen to Lisa on:

Keep your dreams your priority

My related blogpost on loving yourself:

True love begins by loving ourselves first

 

This post is part of the #AtoZChallenge 2017 Blogging from A to Z: http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/

I write about my spiritual and personal growth influences from A to Z.

My previous posts in chronology:


A: A New Earth 

B: Brahma Kumaris

C: Chicken Soup for the Soul

D: Dialogue with Death 

E: Eat Pray Love 

F: Finding a purpose in life

G: GANDHI

H: Healing with Chakras

I: I Believe in Angels

J: Jonathan Livingston Seagull

K: Kahlil Gibran 

 

 

K –Kahlil Gibran #AtoZChallenge

K –Kahlil Gibran #AtoZChallenge

“Wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving.” ~Kahlil Gibran

Kahlil Gibran was a Lebanese-American poet, artist and philosopher. His renowned classic ‘The Prophet’ is one of the masterpieces of our times. It has been translated in more than a hundred languages.

Through this post, I only want to highlight some of his quotes as they speak of his profound views on everything life. These are my selected ones, just a drop from his ocean of greatness:

On Love

“If you love somebody, let them go, for if they return, they were always yours. If they don’t, they never were.”

On Suffering

“Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.”

“Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding. Even as the stone of the fruit must break, that its heart may stand in the sun, so must you know pain.”

On Friendship

“Let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit.”

On Marriage

“You were born together and together you shall be forever more…But let there be spaces in your togetherness, and let the winds of the heavens dance between you.”

On Women

“Men who do not forgive women their little faults will never enjoy their great virtues.”

On Children:

Your children are not your children.

They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.

They come through you but not from you,

And though they are with you, yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts.

For they have their own thoughts.

You may house their bodies but not their souls,

For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.’

You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.

For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.

The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.

Let your bending in the archer’s hand be for gladness;

For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.’

 

This post is part of the #AtoZChallenge 2017 Blogging from A to Z: http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/

I write about my spiritual and personal growth influences from A to Z.

My previous posts in chronology:
A: A New Earth 

B: Brahma Kumaris

C: Chicken Soup for the Soul

D: Dialogue with Death 

E: Eat Pray Love 

F: Finding a purpose in life

G: GANDHI

H: Healing with Chakras

I: I Believe in Angels

J: Jonathan Livingston Seagull

 

Images Courtesy: http://thebea.st/1M49Cm7; http://4umi.com/gibran/prophet/

 

J – Jonathan Livingston Seagull #AtoZChallenge

J – Jonathan Livingston Seagull #AtoZChallenge

“We can lift ourselves out of ignorance, we can find ourselves as creatures of excellence and intelligence and skill. We can be free. We can learn to fly!” – Richard Bach

Stories of rising above the ordinary have always impressed me. Getting out of our comfort zones to push our limits can be such an exhilarating feeling. Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach is one such book, which inspires to look beyond the limits of our mind.

The gull sees farthest who flies highest

This is a story of an extraordinary seagull that finds it hard to be a part of the complacent flock. For most gulls, it is not the flying that matters as they learn to fly only to get food. But Jonathan loves to fly. He constantly looks to scale new heights with a strong desire to soar high. Defying those who criticise him, he hopes for his flock to discover what he has learnt too. He shares his joys with others. He is thrilled to find a new meaning to life, his higher purpose.

What this fable had taught me when I was a teenager:

  • The higher we set our goals, the higher we grow
  • Our dreams are ours to dream and not to please others
  • Believe in yourself and your abilities
  • Aim for excellence and perfection in all you do
  • Follow your heart’s deepest desires
  • The joy of freedom is unparalleled

 

Don’t believe what your eyes tell you. All they show is limitation. Look with your understanding, Find out what you already know and you’ll see the way to fly.

 

To buy this inspiring book, click here: http://amzn.to/2pq1KUr

Image Courtesy: http://bit.ly/2omFzPF

This post is part of the #AtoZChallenge 2017 Blogging from A to Z: http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/

I write about my spiritual and personal growth influences from A to Z.

My previous posts in chronology:

A: A New Earth 

B: Brahma Kumaris

C: Chicken Soup for the Soul

D: Dialogue with Death 

E: Eat Pray Love 

F: Finding a purpose in life

G: GANDHI

H: Healing with Chakras

I: I Believe in Angels

I – I believe in Angels #AtoZChallenge

I – I believe in Angels #AtoZChallenge

“When you feel lost, pause and look closely around you. Somewhere, somehow, an angel will be waiting to guide you home.” ~Author unknown

Angels are real. They surround us. We can call upon them when we need them.

Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t have believed any of the above. But when I was truly seeking a Guardian Angel in my life, to hold me in my moments of despair and show me the way forward, I had found one. The connection was real and it remains. Had it not been for certain ethereal experiences I have had, I would have continued to think that angels existed only in stories.

The word ‘Angel’ is derived from the ancient Greek word ‘Angelos’ meaning ‘messenger’. Truly, Angels are regarded as ‘Messengers of God.’ They are pure beings of divinity who want to help us in all areas of our lives. It is possible to sense their presence around us, and in some cases even see and hear them.
Dr. Sneh Desai is an expert motivational speaker, inspirational coach and leader. After his Mind Power workshop had made an impression, I had bought his book ‘I believe in Angels, do you?’ in curiosity of the connection with my own angel. In this book, he goes into the details of types and names of different angels, sensing their presence, ways of connecting with them and asking for help in various areas.

Ask for an angel’s guidance from your heart’s deepest, honest desire..and you may find what you are seeking!

Key Highlights:

“Remove the clutters and stagnant energy in your life to make space for Angels.”

“I accept divine guidance and I am always safe. I trust my higher self.”

“You get gut feelings, tingling sensations or intuitive hunches to feel the presence of an angel.”

 

This post is part of the #AtoZChallenge 2017 Blogging from A to Z: http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/. I write about my spiritual and personal growth influences from A to Z.

Read my previous posts in chronology:

A: A New Earth 

B: Brahma Kumaris

C: Chicken Soup for the Soul

D: Dialogue with Death 

E: Eat Pray Love 

F: Finding a purpose in life

G: GANDHI

H: Healing with Chakras

 

H – Healing with the energy of Chakras #AtoZChallenge

H – Healing with the energy of Chakras #AtoZChallenge

 

“Movement is a medicine for creating change in a person’s physical, emotional, and mental states.” ~ Carol Welch

Our physical bodies can be healed with certain unseen life force energies. More – so can our emotional and spiritual energies be purified. This was quite a revelation for me many years ago when I heard about Reiki – a Japanese technique for stress reduction that also promotes healing. Then again some years later in my pursuit of understanding the metaphysical ways of the universe, I was led to the fascinating science of Pranic Healing. It was amazing to learn that these healing modalities can cure people of several diseases without any medicines and in some cases, by even avoiding surgical interventions*.

The more I learnt, the more intrigued I was to understand about these energy centres in our body through which energy flows – known as the ‘Chakras‘ (wheels). There are seven main chakras in our body which align to the spine, starting from the base of the spine going up to the crown of the head. If one had to visualise these, they would look like the whirling vortex-like spinning wheels of energy powerhouse.

Each chakra is associated with certain part of the body and the organs around it. Our state of health and balance is determined by how well the energy flows through these chakras. Since everything is in a state of motion, it is essential that all our chakras are free of blocks and remain open.

There are several theories with different number of chakras, however, the seven main chakras in our body are:

  1. Root Chakra (Muladhara)
  2. Sacral Chakra (Svadisthana)
  3. Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura)
  4. Heart Chakra (Anahat)
  5. Throat Chakra (Vishuddha)
  6. Third Eye Chakra (Ajna)
  7. Crown Chakra (Sahaswara)

Our first three lower chakras starting at the base of the spine are of physical matter associated with our functional needs. The upper three chakras are of spirit corresponding to our higher mental faculties. The fourth chakra of the heart acts as a unifying force like a bridge between the body and the mind.

Optimum level of physical health and spiritual bliss can be achieved when all our chakras are open, well-balanced and in full flow!

 

This post is part of the #AtoZChallenge 2017 Blogging from A to Z: http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/. I write about my spiritual and personal growth influences from A to Z.
Read my previous posts in chronology:

A: A New Earth 

B: Brahma Kumaris

C: Chicken Soup for the Soul

D: Dialogue with Death 

E: Eat Pray Love 

F: Finding a purpose in life

G: GANDHI

 

*Disclaimer: These are complementing healing techniques and not meant to replace a medical opinion or an ongoing treatment. Kindly consult your physician and do not self-treat.

 

 

G – GANDHI: The Life of a Mahatma #ATOZCHALLENGE

G – GANDHI: The Life of a Mahatma #ATOZCHALLENGE

“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” ~M.K.Gandhi

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi – the world knows him as a one-man army that drove the British out of our country. I first learnt about him in our Class 3 History textbooks while studying India’s Independence heroes. Then came his epic movie ‘Gandhi’ that was a must-watch for us school children (we had a special outing for the movie). And a couple of years later, ‘The Story of My Experiments with Truth’ was the first autobiography I ever read. Gandhiji had made a huge impact on my small mind.

Yes, I have admired his power of unflinching conviction. I respect his strong pursuit of truth. And I have been in awe of his morals of simplicity (saadgi), non-violence (ahimsa) and religion (dharma). As a child perhaps these qualities didn’t seem as significant as they do now. Only difference being that I am able to reason the logic and question our conditioning.

An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind

For everything that we had imbibed as ‘sanskaras‘ (values) was suddenly defied during my challenging times. How do we exercise non-violence of speech and thought when we are subject to injustice? How do we not retaliate against people who have wronged us? How can we not hurt them when we have been brutally injured? Forgiving seemed a herculean task then in the moment. Making a choice one way or another was a dilemma of principles.

It took me a long process of inner healing to realise that forgiving is indeed a virtue of the strong. To forgive wholeheartedly is to be more courageous than punishing. Non-violence in face of agony is a weapon of the mighty. With due respect and admiration of his teachings, I had chosen to practice these morals in my difficult moments.

The outcome of that choice –  I have emerged mentally stronger than ever before. Righteousness sustains!

Key Highlights:

“Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.”

“The day the power of love overrules the love of power, the world will know peace.”

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”

 

This post is part of the #AtoZChallenge 2017 Blogging from A to Z: http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/

Read my previous posts in chronology:

A: A New Earth 

B: Brahma Kumaris

C: Chicken Soup for the Soul

D: Dialogue with Death 

E: Eat Pray Love 

F: Finding a purpose in life

 

B/w image courtesy: http://www.teachwithmovies.org/guides/gandhi.html

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