Brahma kumaris

Value: Faith To be connected with people's specialities is to have faith in them. Contemplation: Faith is more based on our perception of people rather than just their behaviour.  When we have the habit of seeing specialities in each and every person, we are able to create space for the use of these specialities.  This automatically reflects our faith in them and their ability to contribute. Application: Let me make a firm practice of seeing at least one positive aspect in each and every person I come into contact with.  Then I will be able to use this speciality in a practical way and help the other person also to use this speciality. In this way, I will be able to increase his capability and my faith in him.

Faith in others wins cooperation from them. Contemplation: When we are working together, we need to have faith in the capabilities of those working with us by seeing their specialities and using them too. This will naturally create a healthy environment where everyone is working together as a team. Application: One thought that would help me in practical situations to work as a team is to have faith in the ones I am working with. When I am able to have faith, I am able to create a positive environment where everyone is able to express his or her best potential. The task would be successful and there would be benefit and personal growth for everyone working in the team.

Creativity is to create even when there is visible destruction. Contemplation: When we are creative, we are not worried about the visible destruction that is going on around us.  We need to understand the fact that the task of destruction is always very conspicuous and the task of construction very incognito but powerful.  So when we continue to sow seeds of positivity we are able to create - using the forces of negativity as manure for growth. Application: Whenever I see someone using negative traits, I need to see within myself what positive traits I can use to contribute to end that negativity. Instead of getting coloured by negativity, I need to contribute positively. This is true creativity, which 'creates' even in the worst circumstances.

Unless I develop self-respect, I will remain under someone else's foot.

Value: Creativity Introversion frees the mind from wasteful and negative thinking and brings creativity. Contemplation: Instead of being taken by surprise and despairing, introversion helps us to remain steady and creative even during difficult situations. Introversion keeps us free from the grip of negative programming and conditioning that is already in the mind and helps us remain focused and capable, using resources in the right way. Application: Even in the most negative situation, I need to practice being detached and rise above the situation and have the aim of moving forward. This gives me the understanding that there is a secret, tailor-made lesson for my own personal development, in every instance of difficulty in my life. Thus I will be able to creatively use everything for my progress.

Be the Magnet of peace so that you can attract peaceless souls.

Many people will want to quarrel and fight with you; realise that the only weapons you need are a smile and a lovable attitude.

Simplicity sharpens the power of perception and brings clarity. Contemplation: When there is simplicity within, the clouds or layers that prevent clear perception begin to fade away and we are able to see the situation clearly. With simplicity we find that there is nothing to colour or change our perception and naturally the decisions that follow become accurate too. Application: Before I take any important decision I need to stop for a while, detach myself from the situation and see it with a cool mind. With this my thoughts will become free from all kind of associated memories and unnecessary attitudes and I will be able to make the right decision.

Value: Clarity The one who has a clear aim, is able to win the cooperation from others too. Contemplation: When we are doing something with a clear picture in our minds, others will naturally cooperate.  If we ourselves are not sure of what we are doing and why, we will not be able to receive their cooperation. So we first need to make sure in our minds our own clarity of our journey and destination. Application: When I want the cooperation of others in what I do, I need to make sure that I am sure of what I am doing.  I first need to be clear in my mind of what I want to achieve and I will find others helping me automatically. Situations too start fovouring me.  In other words, I am able to make best use of the resources available to me.

Concentration is to be powerful under all circumstances. Contemplation: To be positive in positive situations is easy.  But real concentration is to remain positive and powerful even in negative situation.  A long time of practice of having positive thoughts enables us to remain concentrated even in negative situations. Application: Each day let me practice with one positive thought.  With consistent practice when things are going good, I will be able to have concentration even in difficult circumstances

Concentration comes from having a deep insight. Contemplation: When there is the understanding that there is more to life than what we perceive physically, we are able to go beyond the visible situation. This brings concentration of the mind, which helps us accumulate power. Thus we are able to give others by recognizing the mental needs of others. Application: When I find myself caught in anything that is not worth concentrating on, I just need to withdraw my thoughts in a second and concentrate on something positive. It could be giving the mind the task of giving good wishes to others.

To have concentration is to have a powerful mind. Contemplation: When thoughts are many and varied, there is lack of concentration. This naturally weakens thought power.  When all thoughts are focused on one point, there is concentration - and power. Such a mind can then create wonders.  It works like a lens that brings the sunrays together and gets the power to burn paper. Application: Let me practice staying in the experience of one single thought.  I can practice with peace, love, happiness etc.  When I experience this quality there is concentration and this concentration naturally brings power.

Humility comes from an open and clean heart. Contemplation: Humility needs a good home to dwell in.  When the mind is filled with negative feelings or biased ideas towards anyone, we cannot use humility.  So we need to fill our mind with positive thoughts towards everyone. Application: Self-respect is the key to developing humility.  When I am connected to my own specialities, I am able to maintain self-respect.  When I have respect for myself I have respect and positive feelings for others too. This automatically gives me the openness to learn from others too.

To be alert is to have the ability to transform. Contemplation: When we are alert, we are naturally able to recognize the indication that situations are giving us.  We are able to pick this up, realize what needs to be changed.  So we are able to transform easily and quickly. Application: When I find difficulty in changing something,  I need to alert myself and make myself aware of the change that is required.  A little re-thinking and checking will enable me to crystallize the change required and make effort accordingly.  So transformation becomes easy.

To be positive is to increase concentration. Contemplation: When we have negative thoughts, there are a lot of thoughts and they are also disorganized.  So concentration is reduced.  On the other hand, when the mind is filled with positivity, the thoughts are few and well-organised.  So there is increase in concentration. Application: In order to increase the stock of my own positive thoughts, and thereby increase concentration, I need to spend sometime with positive thoughts. Each day let me take a positive thought which becomes a reminder for me of my own inner positivity.  This practice sustains positivity and increases concentration.

The one who is alert is the one who is free from repeating mistakes. Contemplation: Mistakes do happen, but we must keep our heart happy and have the courage for the future.  Whatever happens there is always a lesson to be learnt which would be useful for the future.  When we keep ourselves alert and learn in this way, we are able to enrich ourselves and also move forward with courage. Application: At the end of each day let me think of all those things that didn't go right and see what I have learnt from them.  When I am sure that I have learnt something I will understand what has happened was for the good. When I am alert to my own mistakes and learning I will never repeat what I have done wrong.

Contemplation: The one who is alert is the one who is enthusiastic too. And the one who has this one speciality of enthusiasm, will be instrumental in bringing many other specialities. So there is positivity, courage and hope seen in such a person, which naturally finishes carelessness and laziness. Application: If I am alert to the situation, I will be able to find what is missing and provide accordingly.  I will naturally take up the responsibility of providing what is missing.  When I take up responsibility in this way I will be able to finish laziness and carelessness within me and I will be enthusiastic too.

Contemplation: Difficult and challenging situations come to us in a way that we don't recognize the positivity but only are able to see the negative aspects in them.  So we sometimes find it difficult to do anything to change the situation.  Having a practice of being alert to the positive aspect of the situation helps in dealing better with the challenges. Application: Having a practice of seeing only the positivity in situations helps us at times of need too. A long time of practice helps us even when the situation is seemingly something negative.  We become alert to the little resources that are hidden and are able to use them well to better the situation. Brahma Kumaris

Contemplation: Situations do bring a lot of challenges for us, but where there is fear or worry while facing them, there cannot be clarity in the mind. So we cannot be alert to the solution that is hidden.  On the other hand, the one who has a clean and clear mind is able to see the solution hidden within every problem and so is able to achieve success quickly. Application: When faced with a problem I need to look for the solution with a clean and clear mind.  I need to make special effort to clear mind of all waste and negative, specially about the problem itself.  That means I might for sometime have to even stop thinking about the problem and allow my mind to dwell on something more positive.  This will naturally allow my mind to come up with the right solution.

To be open to mistakes is to enable others to strengthen themselves and progress. Contemplation: When there is respect for others there is actually an environment that is created in which they can strengthen themselves and grow. The one who has this elevated consciousness is not caught up with others'weaknesses. On the other hand, he is able to encourage them to use their specialties. Application: When I see someone working with his weakness, I need to think of one speciality in that person and relate to him with this speciality. Also I need to draw his attention to it and slowly I'll find him getting stronger.