Smile!Happiness is our true nature.

The Pilgrimage continues...

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Kara) — Sat, 15 Apr 2017 15:00:00 +0000

The Pilgrimage continues...

I feel very fortunate to be part of the Avyakt Project. Here are a couple more videos created recently.

#1, Sharing and Listening, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBMGilQ263Q

#2, Perspective, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhzTRnbJpjw

Thanks for watching - enjoy!

Thank you for reading. For more information on Raja Yoga philosophy see www.brahmakumaris.org.

Introducing the Pilgrimage

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Kara) — Sun, 02 Apr 2017 08:35:00 +0000

Introducing the Pilgrimage

Om shanti.

Blogging has taken a back seat to my other priorities lately. I notice it's been over a year since the last post. It is something I still intend to give attention to. I have even dabbled in video blogging with not much success, being hindered by the technical know-how.

Recently, however, a friend of mine started a YouTube channel and was looking for contributors. It's a collection of videos of a spiritual nature called the Avyakt Project. I have decided to join the group adding my own series called The Pilgrimage.

If viewers find it useful, I'll continue posting more - I hope to add some interviews, meditation commentaries and also happy to consider any requests.

The link for the introductory video is below. Do send me your feedback. Thanks!

https://youtu.be/OBzZ0ajawLg

Thank you for reading. For more information on Raja Yoga philosophy see www.brahmakumaris.org.

Silence As Fasting

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Kara) — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 14:31:00 +0000

*this was too good not to re-post

Silence As Fasting

Sister Mohini at the

Call-of-the-Time, Experiment in Silence Retreat

August 6, 2015

In some ways having a period of silence is like fasting. In India there is fasting for many occasions, such as for holidays, but also if there is some kind of an obstacle. They pray and they worship.

The Hindi word for “fast” is upvas and it means to stay in a higher space. For upvas you have to have pure feelings or a clear purpose so you have the strength to stay without food. The kitchen is very attractive during a fast. Even as people are fasting they may be thinking of what foods they are going to make and offer to God when the fast is over.

These days we tend to be intellectual about silence, but actually a period in silence is like a fast from thinking too much. It’s a decision not to allow our minds to go on and on. There are certain spiritual practices that help us to change the habits of the mind. One of them is “the 3 points”:

· The first point is the awareness that “I am a point of light” beyond the pull of the sense organs. This is a way of thinking about the true self.

· The second point is that “the Creator” is also light. This awareness allows my consciousness to go higher, to go beyond.

· The third point is to bring a “full stop” to whatever has happened. Past is past. It is one thing to be aware of lessons learned, but to continue to revisit the situation and the story I have made about the situation is something else.

It is possible to go beyond practices and to move into a natural silence. People sometimes speak about “dead silence,” but beyond that there is sweet silence. In this state we are contented. It is the way we feel after we have eaten a good meal and are completely satiated. A critical mind is not a peaceful mind. Subtle negativities arise from being critical. In sweet silence we are beyond desires. I am not thinking of peace, I am peaceful. So there are spiritual practices, but when you go beyond them, you move into natural silence.

As we move into this time of silence, we should have an aim. What am I looking to develop within me in silence? To face the challenges in our lives, we need power, strength. We want to be firm and to be stable. In silence, there should be a lot of realizations for us to work on.

We talk a lot about habits. It’s very natural to do this kind of fasting of thoughts in silence. We can be natural, not forceful.

You can be in contemplation while you are walking. Many have a habit of going for long walks. You can combine walking with your spiritual practice. Notice the habits of your mind. You may notice that the computer is a pull or that food is a pull. Life should not be governed by habits but by awareness. Every physical habit has a related habit of thinking. If you react to something, it’s a habit. For us to progress, habits have to be changed.

For example if someone has a nature of being attached, then throughout his whole life there will be a series of attachments. Check internally and change the habit of the mind. Change the mental attitude. The purpose of silence is to cleanse the soul. Fasting is cleansing. Feelings come, for instance when we react to something. Thoughts also come. Remove the habitual feelings and thoughts and ask, “What should be my feelings and thoughts in this circumstance?” If your response was not the right response, change your response.

With silence power you can be in the midst of things but be very silent inside. Silence is solitude, ekaant. It is concentration, ekagrata. Silence will increase our focus and concentration. These days the biggest problem, even for those on a spiritual path, is fickleness of focus, a lack of concentration. In our physical and in our spiritual lives we need to look at deficiencies, for example a lack of focus or concentration. With physical deficiencies, your immune system is compromised and you are vulnerable to attacks of diseases. With spiritual deficiencies, you are vulnerable to attacks of negativity.

Catch yourself when you’re doing something unnecessary. Be sensible. This is how you create and maintain energy. When your energy is low, you pick up on tension and negativity quickly. When something happens – say someone leaves – it is not something to worry about in itself, but it is a signal. Realize that when we are making good spiritual effort 98% is good and only 2% needs a little attention. Never criticize. 98% is good.

Om shanti.

Thank you for reading. For more information on Raja Yoga philosophy see www.brahmakumaris.org.

The season of renunciation...

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Kara) — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 07:38:00 +0000

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." - Ecclesiastes 3 v1

In the last few days I've taken to quiet reflection, a sort of sweet renunciation. It came about in a funny way. Facing indirect accusations about my character, I grew frustrated in trying to 'prove' myself.
Of course, this was getting me nowhere. One can not prove themselves virtuous. You either live it or you don't. And even if you choose to live it, it doesn't mean you're without blemish - it can only mean that you are dedicated to constant refinement.
It's a funny old world, and there are days when no matter how much you try to do right, someone will still blame. The ego doesn't like this blame. The ego wants to appear blameless. And any suggestion otherwise the ego will fight. So when I find myself wanting to fight, to defend 'my honour' (aka my EGO), I know this is the season for renunciation.
Renunciation is not easy. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it. :) But when you realize that 'proving and defending' is pointless, then it's time to turn to the power of silence.
The interesting thing is, when taking the path of silence and allowing others their opinion, when the choice is taken to not fight and defend there is a deep peace and a deep love that follows. Ego wants to deny other's their own opinion, but the benevolent soul wants only peace and is willing to 'pocket the insult', in Gandhi's words.
I want to give power to that benevolent soul. And so, what am I really renouncing? I'm merely renouncing the misguided desires of ego.
Om shanti.

Thank you for reading. For more information on Raja Yoga philosophy see www.brahmakumaris.org.

Perfectly Speechless: Describing the Indescribable

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Kara) — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 12:45:00 +0000

Perfectly Speechless: Describing the Indescribable

Consider for a moment a time before the invention of dreams. And the first person who ever experienced a dream - of course, the word 'dream' would not have existed yet - would then try to explain his experience to someone else. It might sound something like this:

'I was in a place, which at the time seemed familiar, but now I can't understand why it was familiar. I was talking to familiar people, but I couldn't tell you why they were familiar or what their names were, and then I remembered I had to be on the other side of town at that very moment. I panicked, I started running, but I couldn't get though the crowds. And then I was lying in bed. It's as if the whole situation didn't really exist - that place didn't exist, those people didn't really exist, and I didn't really have to be somewhere else. My mind thought it was real, but it was all imagined.'

Now, for a bit of fun, let's imagine that the person dreaming came out of his dream, briefly, and then went back into his dream and went to tell someone IN THE DREAM about the experience! 'Why would someone do that?' you ask. I don't know, but let's see where it leads us. The explanation might sound like this:

'I was talking with some friends when I realized I had to be on the other side of town that very minute. I started running, but I couldn't get through the crowds.' The listeners nod - they've all been there before. 'Next thing I knew I was lying in a bed. I had the strangest feeling, it was as if I was somewhere familiar - my bed, my house - but not my bed and house as I know it here. It was beyond this world, it was from another place. And this whole life - this here, this now - appeared strange, unreal, as if none of you really existed. And I thought perhaps you didn't exist except as a distant memory. But then, somehow I came back, and here you all are. Here you are, the same, but different. Different, because I think of you now as part of this world, this world which is fleeting, temporary. But the world beyond, well I don't know much about it yet.'

I expect that those enlightened spiritual leaders might sound something like this when they speak about transformation or enlightenment. It's not something easy to explain to someone who has not yet had the experience. A new jargon is created to define new experiences. Then those following try to get the same experience, they try to learn from the 'enlightened one'. They try to achieve what he has achieved - that waking up into a new world.

We have dreams, we know about dreams and so we use dreams as an analogy. I suppose analogies is all we have in trying to describe those 'a-ha' moments. But analogies don't take the listener to the enlightened stage. How do teachers describe the indescribable? How do they take the students to that stage of enlightenment? Is it even possible? Or does the student have to find their own way there?

Om Shanti

Thank you for reading. For more information on Raja Yoga philosophy see www.bkwsu.org.

The Quest

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Kara) — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 12:40:00 +0000

The Quest

In my search for spiritual/philosophical enlightenment, I was hungry for discourse. I enjoyed those brief moments where I had opportunity to discuss a probing question and maybe get a little closer to those hidden truths. But I also found that when I had opportunity to bring questions to the table, I was completely dry and void of any. Somehow I knew that dialogue will bring us closer to our spiritual aims, but I didn't know how to start, I didn't know how to seek. I was content with the answers I had and so poor on the question front.

Richard Rohr, a Franciscan friar, reminds us in his daily meditation the value of 'quest'. That is, the process of asking questions, seeking deeper insights and understandings, engaging in discourse to emerge the truth. He points out that this tradition of discourse has been replaced by the ego's need to have all the answers and therefore we have lost that powerful tradition.

I appreciate his reminder and understand better why I lack that questioning spirit - I just wasn't taught that way, I was taught to have all the answers! So Fr. Richard gives me something to think about - what are the big questions, the important questions, the questions that are going to lead to spiritual insights. And with these questions I can keep the mind busy on spiritual attainments rather than waste thoughts.

Om Shanti.

Thank you for reading. For more information on Raja Yoga philosophy see www.brahmakumaris.org.

Simple Formula for Happiness

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Kara) — Sun, 07 Jul 2013 07:10:00 +0000

Simple Formula for Happiness

It makes me happy to give happiness to others, and so, my friends, I present to you a simple formula for happiness.

Those who are happy, know what they have.

It all comes down to where you focus your attention. Do you focus on what you have? Or what you feel is missing? It comes back to that proverb, "The grass is always greener on the other side." If you adopt this attitude, that there is something better around the corner, you can never be content, never happy. Constantly focusing on what you don't have, you never learn to appreciate what you do have. By chasing that next million, that next cause, that next job, that next holiday, you end up spending your life chasing, not enjoying.

Take heart, dear friends. Count your blessings and be happy!

Om shanti.

Thank you for reading. For more information on Raja Yoga philosophy see www.brahmakumaris.org.

Letting go....no, REALLY letting go.

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Kara) — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 09:34:00 +0000

Letting go....no, REALLY letting go.

Each morning I go through my morning routine, which starts out very quiet and relaxed. The final part of my morning routine is taking my daughter to school, usually in a rush and usually with her quickly explaining the new revelation on her Pokemon/Minecraft/etc game. By the time I say goodbye at the school gates it's about 8:50am - I walk home, in a rush and with my mind spinning through the day's To Do list. Sometimes I walk to the shop - in a rush with mind spinning through a shopping list. It seems the whole morning creeps into a resulting crescendo and once I'm in that state of flurry, I'm trapped - no way out.

So I have another routine for the walk back (that is, if I remember in my mindless state). First, I slow down my walking pace and my breathing. This tricks my mind into thinking I'm no longer in a hurry. Then I begin the process of letting go - letting go of lists, letting go of complaints, letting go of expectations, letting go of all mind clutter. I get 10 minutes of walking, 10 minutes of letting go, before I reach back home. But ideally, I try to let go in a second - REALLY let go, so that I can enjoy those precious 10 minutes of peace, completely free from stress, free from effort, free from myself and the expectations I place on myself.

Om shanti.

Thank you for reading. For more information on Raja Yoga philosophy see www.brahmakumaris.org.

Keeping Calm and Carrying On - in the workplace!

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Kara) — Wed, 03 Jul 2013 13:27:00 +0000

Keeping Calm and Carrying On - in the workplace!

In this fast paced world where we're expected to produce, log our productivity and then 'tweet' and engage a public we can't see, we tend to get pulled deeper and deeper into the muck and mire of expectation. We're expected to perform, twice as fast, twice as hard, twice as much and twice as long. Those of us who wish to practice a certain mindfulness or detachment are shunned as not being team players, not playing ball. It's becoming increasingly difficult to maintain our spiritual principles where we've set our priorities and still keep the boss happy.

I've been thinking about this a lot and knocking around some ideas - how does one keep the balance? This is what I've come up with so far:

Learn to Act

I remember working in a canteen with a very laid back colleague. He wasn't slow, he just appeared slow and it really annoyed our boss. The boss had no complaint about his speed, but just that he looked too laid back, as if the task was not important enough to 'jump to it'. The boss wanted him to show some energy, some enthusiasm, some urgency and just for show, just to make the customer feel important. Rightly or wrongly, the boss had an expectation that my colleague was not fulfilling. Maybe if he had just put on a small act, put a spring in his step, made it look like he was dashing around the kitchen, he could have kept customer and boss happy.

Manage Expectation

As an eternal optimist, I believe anything is possible all the time and so I say yes to everything and fail to deliver. This is the story of my life. I have learned to say no, but even learning that doesn't mean I always say it when I should. I am getting better at managing expectation when I remember to. When I first notice I'm failing, I try to alert others to let them know it's all falling apart or it's going to be a little late or whatever. Better to admit the slip straight away rather than keeping quiet thinking you have time to recover. More than likely you don't - just face it and admit it. You will gain trust and respect.

Gather Evidence

Having been on the other side, where I have managed others, I see a different point of view. Sometimes the boss (me) has an expectation how the job should be done. For controlling types, especially, there is a need to dictate every last detail, to micro manage. It would be better if bosses didn't do this, but if you have one that does, you really have to protect yourself. I do try to keep quiet and let others get on with their jobs. If there is a complaint that needs addressing, the boss should address it. But if the job is getting done correctly, why should there be concern about the style of how it was done? Some people's styles are mis-matched - like the boss and colleague in the first example. The problem is, if the boss dictates the style, then this can hamper the input of the employee. They become so concerned with being what the boss wants that they completely thwart their own creative process. If you have a boss like this, you need to step back and 'gather evidence'. Does the boss's feedback criticize your style or performance? Have you made mistakes? Is your productivity down? If the criticism is on style, you could suggest to the boss that your own style helps you perform your best. If he's still adamant that your style is unhelpful, well, perhaps you can 'learn to act'.

For your own happiness, you need to find that balance that works for you, and then work your style in with those around you. Listen to the feedback - that will help you find the balance - but weigh each piece of feedback against what is useful, important, keeping those lines of communication open with colleagues.

Om shanti.

Thank you for reading. For more information on Raja Yoga philosophy see www.brahmakumaris.org.

Writer's (or any kind of) Block - Where does it come from?

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Kara) — Tue, 02 Jul 2013 11:01:00 +0000

Writer's (or any kind of) Block - Where does it come from?

Whenever I sit at the keyboard, I believe that words should just flow from my fingertips at will. Whether I have an idea or not, I expect an idea to just come, that I've been spinning my wheels all day on a variety of topics, that I must be able to choose one to write about. But my mind goes blank and I have nothing to write. There is plenty of inspiration, but all of a sudden, nothing seems good enough.

This sort of block is an ego block. Nothing is good enough. Nothing is worthy of the image I'm trying to uphold as a writer. (Or more accurately: Nothing is good enough to disguise how ordinary I really am!)

The trick to going beyond the block is to go beyond the ego. To write as a discipline and to not be concerned with the quality or how it makes you look. Through writing (practice) quality will improve anyway. But one has to start somewhere.

I'm excited by this new idea. I hope it doesn't mean I start producing rubbish and that you all run and hide when a new blog appears (whoops, another ego thought). I do hope to apply this to other areas where blocks exist. Has anyone else tried something similar? Care to share the experience?

Om shanti.

Thank you for reading. For more information on Raja Yoga philosophy see www.brahmakumaris.org.

Remember the Days of Your Childhood... and SMILE!

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Kara) — Mon, 24 Jun 2013 14:36:00 +0000

Remember the Days of Your Childhood...

and SMILE!

Ok, that was weird. I was going over some past blogs (and I've written so little lately that most of my blogs are well in the past) and I noticed that sometimes I didn't recognize the writer. All my blogs have been written by me (unless I note otherwise) but they either made me chuckle or smile in a way that I didn't realize I could make anyone do, let alone myself. So that was a fun realization.

I also noticed that I enjoyed the fun blogs with the funny pictures more - but that might just be me. I particularly liked Duvet Day Revisited with all the monkeys, but now most of the monkey picture links are broken. Sorry. But it did make me think I could use more animals in my blogs - does that go against Vegan principals to use animals for their pictures?

Anyway, I thought as this blog is called SMILE, perhaps I should stick with the light stuff, the fun stuff, the monkey stuff. Don't worry, you will still get something to think about - but it will be cleverly disguised as something fun. Well, that is the aim anyway.

Until then, smile!

Thank you for reading. For more information on Raja Yoga philosophy see www.brahmakumaris.org.

Is there profit in ethics? Should we care?

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Kara) — Fri, 21 Jun 2013 13:36:00 +0000

I read a business article recently which touted a moral stance but only because it would hurt the bottom line not to do so. Another reader pointed out this flaw of character in a letter to the editor - that it wasn't moral principles that precipitated the decision but potential profit loss. It made me take a hard look at myself. Do I tow the line for morality because it's profitable?

If I'm to be brutally honest, I can hear my arguments for taking a moral stance in various situations. There is always a good reason, and the reason is never, 'Because it's the right thing to do.' I've grown up justifying morality. I think it started when at some point in my life it was uncool to be moral and I needed to justify my prudishness. After a while it became habit - as if morality should ever need justification! But having never grown out of the habit, I continued along that way of thinking until I read that letter to the editor.

Morality for the sake of gain might be a step in the right direction - but to stop there and not consider the prospect of morality for the sake of morality or morality for the sake of the greater good, we sell ourselves short. Greatness comes when we do things not for our own gain, but for the gain of the world at large.

Should we care about profits? If our aim is to grow our business, then, yes, we have to care. If our aim is to uphold the highest principles then we don't need a second rate justification.

Thank you for reading. For more information on Raja Yoga philosophy see www.brahmakumaris.org.

Check: Have we become complacent?

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Kara) — Tue, 14 May 2013 08:54:00 +0000

Check: Have we become complacent?

In my ballet class yesterday, the teacher gave us a little 'talk'. She told us she was frustrated. That she thinks we have settled into a comfort zone where we've stopped making effort to progress. That we're somehow satisfied with less than what she knows we're capable of. Her words, whilst difficult to listen to, were necessary. We had adopted the attitude of let's just get through this class instead of let's master this class. This sort of attitude brings you to a standstill. Is that what we want?

When I think further on this, I realize that this does not only apply to ballet studies, but also to spiritual progress. Where do I want to be? What have I settled for? Is this what I want? It's a wake up call that is desperately needed. We think we have plenty of time, that we can put off real effort until next week. But we don't know when our last days are. And more importantly, we don't know what circumstances will arise that will require real spiritual power. We have this opportunity to accumulate now, but if we don't take advantage of that, we won't have what we need when we need it.

If not now, then when?

Om shanti.

Thank you for reading. For more information on Raja Yoga philosophy see www.bkwsu.org.

What I Learned From Hana - Respect

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Kara) — Sat, 11 May 2013 22:02:00 +0000

*Click on comic to see the full strip.

What I Learned From Hana - Respect

As children grow, the relationship we have with them also grows... and changes. Where parents were once the heroes who could fix anything, we become a tolerated societal stigma. And where they were once our precious little bundles of joy, they become something not quite recognizable. What ultimately happens is a break-down in communication - partly because they are still working out what their feelings are and therefore can't quite communicate them to us, partly because we are no longer in control of them and this frightens us.

And therein lies the problem, we feel the need to control their behaviour (after all, society makes the parent responsible) and they feel the need to break away from that control and assert their own independence.

This is how it looks on the surface. But actually, the problem is deeper than that. The problem is a common relationship issue of familiarity. That is, we crossed a line moving from a position of respecting one another to a position of having a right over one another. She should do as I say. I carried her for 9 months, I nurtured and fed her. I provided for her. She should listen to me. I'm her mother. This is not a message of unconditional love - it is now love with a condition. The child who receives this message instinctively knows it's unhealthy and wrong, but they don't know how to express this. Instead they scowl, or hit out, or sulk, or any number of behaviours we read as disrespectful. Put simply, by taking the attitude 'I have a right over this one' we show disrespect to that child, and so what does the child do? She does the only thing she knows to do, the very thing we are teaching her, she shows disrespect in return.

The interesting thing is, this is not just a problem between parents and their children, this is a global problem affecting all relationships. That line of familiarity is crossed, and then we think we have a right over someone - he should remember my birthday, he should consider my needs before making any decisions, he should want what I want - or she should like me as I am, she should not be trying to change me, she should not be telling me how to do it.

What is our thinking before we cross this line? This person is interesting, I want to get to know this person, I like listening to this person, this person is valuable, this person deserves to have good things.

Now, which way of thinking is more attractive? Which way of thinking is going to draw the other close? Which pushes the other one away? Which way of thinking is more suitable for relationships?

Through the relationships we have with children, we see immediate effects of our own words and actions whereas with other adults, we may not see the return of our words until much later. Children give us an opportunity to learn how our own thought processes affects others. Their behaviour is an immediate reflection of our own. If we learn to listen and accept the message they are sending, we can learn to transform our attitude from 'one with a right' to 'one with respect'.

Thank you for reading. For more information on Raja Yoga philosophy see www.bkwsu.org.

"I can't do everything, but I can do something."

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Kara) — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 21:22:00 +0000

"I can't do everything, but I can do something."
- Edward Everett Hale

When I saw that quote today, I felt a great sense of relief. It made me realize that I've been carrying around this 'I can do everything' ego. Worse than that, my ego more accurately says 'I have to do everything.' Such a burden we place on ourselves. This quote was grounding, freeing. Let me start with something. And let that something be useful.

Thank you for reading. For more information on Raja Yoga philosophy see www.bkwsu.org.

Should Have or Could Have?

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Kara) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 14:43:00 +0000

Should Have or Could Have?

I've been playing around with words lately, and two words that make a huge difference in our language are should and could. Just listen to these two statements:

I should clean the house.

I could clean the house.

Say them out loud so you can really hear the difference. The difference being that one is an expectation and the other is an opportunity. When we couch statements as opportunities, we open up possibilities - we allow for choice - we create a positive outlook. When we have expectation, we make ourselves vulnerable to disappointment - we narrow our thinking - we create a judging outlook.

So, I've been playing around with these words. When I catch myself saying should, I replace it with could, I let it sink in, I celebrate the transformation that takes place.

For a long time, I've been saying that I should get back into blogging, and understandably feeling quite heavy about it. I now say, I could get back into blogging, and I feel so light about it, it comes easily.

Thank you all who have encouraged me to write again. I feel like I'm back on track.

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What Newness Will You Create?

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Kara) — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 22:02:00 +0000

What Newness Will You Create in the New Year?

I love this question. As I sit waiting to hear the New Year's message that every Brahma Kumar and Kumari will hear, I consider this question. Past is past. 2010 is now old news - ancient history, even. Lets look forwards to 2011 with zeal and enthusiasm.

Do I resurrect old failed resolutions? No, lets put those to rest and create something completely new. I'd rather celebrate renewed spirit rather than mourn my unfulfilled expectations.

With that in mind I thought I'd try these on for size.

1. Have a clear out - go clutter free. I'm not talking about my living environment or my desk space - already tried that. No, this time I mean to clear out the clutter in the head - the waste thoughts like rehashing the past, or endlessly going through my inventory of to-do lists. I don't need it.

2. Practice the art of giving. Research shows the happiest people are the givers. Why? To give, you have to first know what you already have. When you're in the attitude of giving, you have the awareness that 'I already have more than enough, I have enough to share.' It's an attitude that leaves you feeling full and rich.

3. Celebrate daily. Akin to 'count your blessings' - if I won the lottery, I would celebrate. A lot. But when I count my blessings, my fortune, it's as if I've already won the lottery. It's worth celebrating. To have such fortune and not to celebrate, well, that's akin to being Scrooge. Better to enjoy the fortune through celebration.

Ok, that's enough for now. May 2011 bring you multi-million blessings! And if you've not already found true happiness, may this be your year!

Om shanti.

Thank you for reading. For more information on Raja Yoga philosophy see www.bkwsu.org.

Duvet Day? No way!

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Kara) — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 16:06:00 +0000

Duvet Day? No way!

Remember Duvet Day? If you don't, you can read my earlier blogs on the subject (only a few blogs back). I basically got so moody and miserable I would declare a duvet day.

In the latest blog on duvet day (the one with all the cute monkeys) I mentioned that my doctor suggested I 'not indulge the senses'. So this time around I laid off the sweets, in fact I cut out snacking altogether, including dry roasted peanuts. You would think that cutting out snacks would be enough to make anyone moody, but actually, I had some interesting results.

1. I did not notice ANY mood swings.
2. I did not get the usual cramps.
3. I did not put on weight.
4. In fact, I lost a couple pounds - something I'd been trying to do for the past year.
5. I was generally feeling quite fit and not having the usual bloating.

Wow, could my doctor have been right?!

Have a Snack-free Christmas, everyone!

Thank you for reading. For more information on Raja Yoga philosophy see www.bkwsu.org.

From Golf to Spiritual Bliss

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Kara) — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 08:59:00 +0000

From Golf to Spiritual Bliss

My husband used to take me to the driving range in an effort to cultivate an interest in golf. He enjoyed it and I thought I might enjoy it with him. He always kept me on the driving range though, realising that to allow me to play some holes would only frustrate me, frustrate him, and frustrate those playing behind us! I never quite got the knack of it. But there were moments when I hit the ball just so, and it would fly. It would literally sing though the air. Those were magic moments. Form, contact, swing - everything - was perfect and resulted in a perfect delivery. Good golfers aim to make these moments a regular constant occurrence. I could only manage a few of these, probably by accident! Still, I know the feeling you get when it does happen, I know that it's possible for it to happen and I know that given the time, practice and effort I could become a decent golfer.

Now lets use the same model for seeking happiness, enlightenment, or spiritual bliss. We can experience any one of these in fleeting moments. They happen upon us accidentally. We know they exist. Probably we believe they are gifts, that we have no control over when they come and go. But some make it their life study to make these momentary experiences occur with greater frequency and consistency. And a few have been rather successful at it. Just like golf, it takes a certain practice or effort to increase these spiritual moments. How?

Meditation seems to be the most popular tool. If you consider that happiness, bliss, and enlightenment are stages of the mind, then learning to master the mind and thought processes would seem the logical practice for achieving these. So we light a candle, put on some background music and sit cross-legged verbalizing 'om'. Any results yet?

Meditation is a good starting point. But there is something more, something extra required. Something that takes us beyond a daily physical practice. What is that thing?

I'll stop there to let you think about that. Reply with your thoughts - what do you think that extra something is. Together we can explore and perhaps even answer this deep riddle. Om shanti.

Thank you for reading. For more information on Raja Yoga philosophy see www.bkwsu.org.

Do you know where you're going to?

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Kara) — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 07:56:00 +0000

Do you know where you're going to?

I've had two words rattling around inside my head - Aim and Objective. I was looking for inspiration for a blog and wondered why I couldn't get inspired to write. I often get an idea and can't wait to write it down, but lately I've not felt motivated by anything. So I asked myself, what is the Aim and Objective of blogging?

In Raja Yoga we're encouraged to have an Aim and Objective. Without it, without purpose, you wander around aimlessly. As Lewis Carroll said, “If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there.” Many former down-and-outs swear by the benefit of adopting a purpose in order to turn your life around. Counsellors will suggest taking up a goodwill cause to grief stricken clients. An aim and objective will nourish the soul and give it the will to not only live, but thrive.

Raja Yoga teaches us how to work, play and dance in happiness. It teaches us how to build and maintain healthy relationships. It teaches us the deep secrets of who we are and where we come from. I'm a full time student of Raja Yoga because of the insights it delivers and I'm constantly refining what I've learned. So, I suppose my aim and objective in blogging is to give readers an introduction to these teachings so that they have the chance to work, play and dance in happiness, too.

Thank you for reading. For more information on Raja Yoga philosophy see www.bkwsu.org.

The Science of Happiness

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Kara) — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 12:51:00 +0000

This morning, feeling extremely happy, I wanted to share that feeling by blogging about it. However, a friend of mine has already written a wonderful and short article on the Science of Happiness which I will borrow from the Inner Wave newsletter, Issue 9 (http://www.bkwsu.org/uk/newsletter).

The Science of Happiness, by Dr. Prashant Kakoday

The Greek philosopher Aristotle once said: "Happiness is the meaning and purpose of
life, the whole aim and end of human
existence." Scientists today have also begun
to recognise its importance. So, what can
science tell us about happiness?

Many observations are contrary to commonly
held beliefs. For example, wealth beyond a
certain basic minimum doesn’t lead to happiness.
In fact, it’s been found that the happiest
are those who’ve discovered their own
strengths and virtues and use them for the
greater good.

Studies show a significant link between good
works and psychological wellbeing.
Motivated volunteers are happier, regardless
of personal circumstances. The link between
exercise and happiness is also recognised. In
some studies, regular exercise was shown to
be just as effective as anti-depressants.

There are also some insights into the chemistry
of happiness. Serotonin, a neurotransmitter,
plays a major role in our experience of
happiness - high levels of it within the
synapses are associated with a feeling of
wellbeing. Conversely, most people with
depression have low serotonin levels. If we
artificially raise the level of seratonin, the
body responds by lowering its natural
production. As a result, the ‘resting level’
goes down – when the external boost wears
off.

Things like coffee, chocolates and cigarettes
all artificially raise serotonin but with long
term ‘boom and bust’ results. The same can
happen with TV, Internet, sex, music, alcohol
and violence. A lack of serotonin leads to a
loss of self-control and increases negative
feelings like anger. By rediscovering our inner
source of happiness and freeing ourselves
from even one main dependency, we can
begin to raise our own serotonin levels.

Studies show that for many, one key relationship
in life is often the key source of happiness.
On the other hand, broken relationships
are the biggest cause of unhappiness. As
with other dependencies, we can use another
person like a drug: our serotonin level
becomes linked to the presence or absence
of that person.

So is there a formula for happiness? May I
suggest:

Happiness = Truth / Desire.

The fewer desires you have, the happier you
will be. Having the right information (truth)
leads to contentment. Having the right understanding
of the self, our purpose, our origins
and our true relationships should free us from
the cycles of boom and bust and lead society
to that ultimate happiness.

Dr Prashant Kakoday is a medical doctor, who has been studying Raja Yoga meditation
for over 20 years. He co- rdinates Brahma
Kumaris activities in Cambridge and lectures
around the world on topics ranging from
science and consciousness to the holistic
principles of life and health.

Thank you for reading. For more information on Raja Yoga philosophy see www.bkwsu.org.

Loneliness?

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Kara) — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 07:57:00 +0000

Loneliness?

The last couple days I've been in a funny mood. I feel as if I don't belong anywhere, as if I'm not a part of any group. I feel no connection to anyone and so I just want to leave this world - to escape. Don't worry - these are not suicidal feelings. More like loneliness - feeling alone - feeling like I have nothing in common with anyone else.

I'm not a stranger to this feeling. It comes and goes. And as I get used to it, the need to escape lessens.

The funny thing about this loneliness feeling is that I know that I'm not the only one who experiences this. I'm not really alone! And this is somewhat comforting. For I know it's just another one of those human experiences. I don't have to act on it - merely tolerate it until it passes. And knowing this actually brings intoxication. I may be experiencing something less than contentment, but it doesn't mean I have to give into it. Instead, by letting it exist - by accepting it without letting it rule my life, I can get on with my spiritual work. This loneliness feeling then becomes like a cat, which follows me around until it gets hungry, thus leaving in search of food.

Thank you for reading. For more information on Raja Yoga philosophy see www.bkwsu.org

Duvet Day Revisited

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Kara) — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 17:33:00 +0000

Duvet Day Revisited

If you've not yet read my previous post about my Duvet Day, I suggest you read that before reading this - it will make a lot more sense.

On Monday, I declared it 'duvet day'. Then blogged about it. Then told a few friends about it. I have had some varying responses, which I found interesting and wanted to share.

Firstly, I'll just inform the reader that in Raja Yoga we are taught to have faith in God, faith in the drama (this world life), faith in the intellect (having studied Raj Yoga principles) and faith in the family (the spiritual family). So I listened to what some of my family had to say about duvet day.

My mother was worried about my moodiness, short temper, mental health. (I really should call her.) She gave some suggestions what was behind it. She thought it was a one-off thing. I wrote back that it was a regular monthly thing and that it probably was not really as bad as I made it sound in the blog (everything seems exaggerated when I'm in those states of mind so I really didn't mean to mislead if I did). She also told me she loved me. Awww. :D

My spiritual sister suggested I speak to a doctor. There is medicine you can take to help such a condition. "After all," she said, "you wouldn't want to strangle your husband." What?! Strangle my husband?! The thought hadn't really crossed my mind. But it makes me wonder about whether it crossed hers!

Another senior sister was concerned that I had gotten so bad that I would need to spend the day in bed. "But I didn't spend the day in bed - I was actually quite productive - that was the point of the blog." But she understood why my mother was concerned. Neither of us are the types to stay in bed, even when deathly ill. So I could see her point.

I also spoke with a doctor friend of mine. I asked him what is causing these bouts of emotion and temper. Am I just going through chemical/hormonal upsets or am I really really good at repressing something deep and troublesome? He assured me that it was more likely to be chemical/hormonal. He also suggested that if one resists indulging the senses, one can become less sensitive to bodily maladies and, eventually, they will hold no influence over the mental state. Hmmm.

Do I indulge the senses? Um, yeah - especially during (or just before) those phases. I get terrible food cravings and I give into them. Especially sweets. And looking back on how I feel after indulging, I can't help but believe he's got a point.

So I will be experimenting with renunciation during cravings. All in the name of science, better health and a better mental state.

Om shanti.

Thank you for reading. For more information on Raja Yoga philosophy see www.bkwsu.org.

When the going gets tough, the tough have a duvet day!

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Kara) — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 15:59:00 +0000

When the going gets tough, the tough have a duvet day!

The last few days I've been going through a phase of moodiness and high emotion. I will feel depressed and start crying for no reason. I will lose my temper and bite your head off for the slightest affront. I will drag my feet throughout the day with no motivation. And I will feel guilty for all of it!

Today I woke up to grey skies and the promise from BBC that the sun would not put in an appearance. I decided that instead of moping around, I would just declare it a duvet day. For those who have been following my blogs, you know that a duvet day means wrapping up in a duvet or quilt on the couch and eating some (or all) of your favourite foods. I declared to my husband (my biggest critic - yes, he's harder on me than I am) that I was having a duvet day, and he said nothing. Was this his approval? Or was he afraid of being confronted by Mrs. Hyde / the Incredible Hulkess / the Bride of Frankenstein rolled into one? I don't know, but because he didn't object, I felt ok about having a duvet day. Yes, this was going to be great.

I spent about an hour reading and eating breakfast. Next I got on the internet and did some surfing. I thought, while I'm here I might as well respond to some emails. I caught up on my admin tasks for my business. I then uploaded some photos for listing some items on Freecycle and Ebay. I started an Ebay selling account. When my husband asked if I'd do a small task for him, I responded, "I'll do anything you ask, as long as it's not unpleasant," which could be anything other than eating chocolates. But what he asked would only take 10 minutes of my time, so I generously gave up 10 minutes of duvet day without feeling put out.

The funny thing is, I think I got more done today than had it been a 'regular' day. I still kept up with the daily tasks of getting daughter ready for school, doing the school runs, cooking dinner and getting daughter and friend off to Brownies. I even got daughter and friend to do their homework. I was so productive today it's frightening.

I don't think it would be wise to label everyday 'duvet day' just to up my productivity. But it becomes an interesting case study. What made me more productive? What caused me to enjoy the day and feel refreshed by evening? Why do I feel such a high sense of achievement on what should have been a throw-away day? Why do I feel less moody?

The biggest difference I see is that I moved out of 'I should' awareness to 'I could'. I set no expectations on myself, so anything that got done was a bonus. I gave myself permission to rest, but only used what I needed. I removed the heavy mill-stone around my neck and just enjoyed a burden-free day. I did everything because I wanted to, not because I had to. It was very cool.

I don't know what tomorrow will bring. I feel it's too cheeky to declare two duvet days in a row. But maybe that's just what I need. ;D

Thank you for reading. For more information on Raja Yoga philosophy see www.bkwsu.org.

Renunciation? No, I'll take Substitution, please.

noreply@blogger.com (Heather Kara) — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 17:34:00 +0000

Renunciation? No, I'll take Substitution, please.

There is something odd about taking a stand against something by openly renouncing or boycotting said item, then searching for a substitute. I'm not standing in judgement - I'm observing my own behaviour. When I decided I needed to be dairy free (because of intolerances) I kept looking for a suitable cheese substitute. In trying out various cheese substitutes, not only was I terribly disappointed each time, but I was probably adding a lot of unnecessary chemicals to the body - trying to fix one problem only to introduce another.

Another example I witness often is those who become vegetarian only to eat meat substitutes. One has to ask, isn't the point of being vegetarian to embrace the consumption of vegetables? I know that if I had stayed on the meat substitution track, I would have missed out on a lot of delicious vegetarian dishes - ones that don't need to pretend to be meat.

Other examples include those wearing guilt-free faux leather, animal prints, faux fur. This ultimately says, "I'm willing to give up guilt for animal rights, but not fashion."

Even more subtly, what about smokers who give up smoking only to chew gum, dieters who eat sugar free candy, alcoholics who drink alcohol-free wine, etc, etc. Yes, it's better to substitute than to not do anything at all, but aren't they just perpetuating the myth that they are missing out on something - like the real thing?

We are a people who want to take credit for giving up something without actually giving up anything. And in doing so, we miss out on the true spirit of renunciation and the rewards that come with it. And you can chew on that for a bit - it's meat-free, dairy-free, and doesn't contain nicotine.

Thank you for reading. For more information on Raja Yoga philosophy see www.bkwsu.org.