Self-Creation

 One thing is for sure! Our agonizing over relationships only defines our own need. Know that story about the monk who was meditating on a boat on the river in the dark and kept getting disturbed by the collision with another boat? He burst out in anger at the person in the other boat, only to find that the boat was empty and was colliding against his boat due to the winds. In life, we do this all the time. We find situations intolerable and vent our anger! So too, in relationships. If we can think of all relationships as that empty boat, we will cease to be needy. With an attitude that if there IS a person in that boat, smile! And if it is an empty boat also, smile! Nothing can stick to you if you don’t let it. Observing the fleeting nature of things is a great lesson. Sometimes, a “best” friend can part with you for years on account of a small misunderstanding. And sometimes, someone recent in your life can give you the support and caring you would never have imagined. Sometimes, you expect more from those you love and that can really mess you up if that love is not reciprocated in equal measure. It was probably the equation that was to set in but not acceptable to us. The long and short of this is simply to cultivate happiness from within, not giving much thought to what was, what could have been, why it is not the way it should have been, etc. Save yourself the agony. It is completely self-created and harms no one but you. Hard lessons and often taught by people closest to you.

Surekha Kothari

surekhakothari.wordpress.com

www.instagram.com/author_surekhakothari/

Speakingtree Blog: www.speakingtree.in/public/surekhakothari

Generosity

 Everyone is gifted by the Divine. If we can just understand our gifts, we do not need to compare ourselves with anyone. It is when we cannot see ourselves that we feel an imaginary void within us that makes us want to be like someone else, even have what others have. Actually, we have “enough” if only we can KNOW we have enough. And we build on that. This is our responsibility.

I wish I could make each one experience this fact. Generosity and praise for each other just opens up our heart channels and life seems to flow happily if we work on ourselves consistently and simultaneously learn to create happiness in others.

Surekha Kothari

surekhakothari.wordpress.com

www.instagram.com/author_surekhakothari/

Speakingtree Blog: www.speakingtree.in/public/surekhakothari

Quote of the day

 

Quote of the day

 

Goodness

 

The deeper you go into yourself, the more you can understand your motives for your actions. An analysis can really shock you. Because you can see the stark truth. The mind has so many layers that we ourselves cannot fathom the deviousness of our actions which appear to arise out of “ goodness”. We fool ourselves many a time.

The moment there is a tendency to adhere to mere appearances, there develops a cleverness in the mind. Anything that comes from the heart will be real. But the heart is not used much. The brain largely has an upper hand .

We stand revealed to astute people who can decipher the reasons for the overt expressions of bonhomie. Perhaps, if we knew that, we would be careful and perhaps, even reform.

We are not meant to use virtues as tools, to be used sometimes and with some people only. Yes, wisdom does teach us boundaries so that goodness cannot be taken advantage of. At what personal cost is goodness , is a matter of debate .

However, goodness is certainly a matter of personal evaluation. No certificates required other than your own. Because you know the how and why of everything that transpires within your awareness. More than anyone can know about anyone else.

Unfortunately, our personal happiness depends on belonging to people , not to ourselves. This is the main cause of our compromising what we might actually believe in but cannot actualise in our life. Our needs for human contact determine our ability to balance our virtue with the demands of the external world.

If we work on ourselves continuously, at some point, the balance begins to get easier to achieve. But, it is undoubtedly hard work , to learn what does not work and relearn to become wiser with every experience.

Surekha Kothari

www.BodyMindSoulCentre.com

surekhakothari.wordpress.com

Speakingtree Blog: www.speakingtree.in/public/surekhakothari

Attitude

 

We keep ourselves busy throughout the day. But we have never reflected on our attitude while doing our chores or other actions during the day.

Some work is being done with joy but some also under force, not really wanting to but having to.

From where does the “having to” arise? There is an always a reason and once we reflect on our attitude with which we perform daily actions, we can perhaps change every action into an attitude of service.

This attitude of being of service to someone or something with every action transforms it into virtually a prayer. Your actions then acquire a new dimension, that of every action becoming a meditation. Of course, the joy of doing things with this attitude day by day will transform us into beings of light over a period of time.

Therefore, Attitude is most important. We fulfil social obligations as if we are doing a favour to someone… grumbling but attending the event nonetheless. How much we have to lie to ourselves! Instead, if we must go, it can be done gracefully and willingly. This is just one example. There are so many things in the day where we need to take on everything smilingly. If we just can’t, then we just don’t if it is not essential.

Just as a glass remains clear inspite of colored liquids being poured into it, our mind should remain pure, whatever thoughts or actions might require our presence. And one way to do all of this, is to let happiness be our core in whatever is required of us or we WANT to do it ourselves. It makes life simple, stress free and spiritual.

Surekha Kothari

www.BodyMindSoulCentre.com

surekhakothari.wordpress.com

Speakingtree Blog: www.speakingtree.in/public/surekhakothari

Happiness

 Sometimes life turns out very differently than you had planned. You can be uprooted, fired, cheated on, divorced, diagnosed with a terminal disease, lose a loved one or not be able to have a child. Every one of these situations can either bring out the worst in you or the best in you. It all depends what you focus on.

If you focus on the loss, hurt, unfairness, sadness and disappointment, then you will feel hopeless, angry and frustrated. If you instead focus on the wisdom, the lesson and the benefit, then you will feel hopeful, at peace and content.

Stop dwelling on how your plans didn’t work out the way you wanted it and realize that the One who orchestrated your life is more wise and more knowledgeable. Your plan is nothing compared to the master plan.

Once you’re able to surrender to the plan, you will no longer feel anxious or depressed.

Remember that acceptance is one of the most vital ingredients of peace & happiness.

Surekha Kothari

www.BodyMindSoulCentre.com

surekhakothari.wordpress.com

Speakingtree Blog: www.speakingtree.in/public/surekhakothari

Meaningful Existence

If I could select a theme for an epidemic, it would be love and light. I have discovered that our inner light dims because we allow it to. Because we depend on the external world for happiness but invariably get disappointed. And why not? That dependency is the wrong path. There is no permanency if anything out there. We feel incomplete around people. Because we compare, react, become needy and cloud our intrinsic selves with a whole lot of unwanted , undesirable layers of futile thoughts and reactions. It is when our light is shining bright that we can envelope everything else within it, like the sun that illuminates everything it touches with its rays. We can also be like the sun. Each one of us. If we stop focusing on our body and mind and identifying with it under the spell of a mass of illusion which takes us away from our true selves. The sooner we start dwelling on such thoughts, questioning our existence and reflecting upon it all to get some sound knowledge, the better we will feel. And the quicker our worlds will change into a meaningful existence. Surekha Kothari www.BodyMindSoulCentre.com surekhakothari.wordpress.com Speakingtree Blog: www.speakingtree.in/public/surekhakothari

Quote of the day

 

Happiness

 

Among the thousands of thoughts per day, if you analyse them, you will be shocked to see how many are merely ego driven reactions. There is no substance there. But we still internalise them and then go into a frenzy of an emotional whirlpool. “I” am hurt. “I” cannot forgive this.”I” will hit back.

What is this “I” ? WHO is this “I”? Only this one question and its answer can relieve so many toxins that we build up in our systems. What is the point ? Has anyone become happy harbouring so many unwanted toxins ? In fact, quite the reverse.

To be at peace, letting worthless thoughts and reactions slide off you is therapy. For the self , and indirectly that which spills over to others in the form of our attitudes , our mentality.

Nothing should  matter except the pain of our loved ones as well as of those we can help. The energies that we fritter away aught really to be kept intact for benevolent acts , both to ourselves and to others. The main purpose in life is to give back in equal measure what life has given us.

I have understood that by expecting anyone to behave as we want is also an ego exercise to force “other” behaviour into making US feel good. No one is duty bound to make us feel good. That is a personal choice. Happiness is an internal fountain.

Surekha Kothari

www.BodyMindSoulCentre.com

surekhakothari.wordpress.com

Speakingtree Blog: www.speakingtree.in/public/surekhakothari

Satiation levels

 

Right now, this world is rampant with humans who have lost their way. They neither hear their inner voices nor see any signs from the Divine. The foundation of life itself is like a house of cards. It has no substance.

The way God has willed it, whichever path we traverse does have the potential to change course at any time that we understand that the path is taking us somewhere else, away from where we NEED to reach, not where we WANT to reach.

Wants always tamper with our satiation levels. Needs can be satisfied. Once this difference is understood, there is hope.

Today, with the pandemic situation, when so many souls are leaving this contaminated world, we are still not understanding that we have created this reality with our greed and unholy ways. The humanity of humans is under a cloud.

It was said that eyes are the windows of our soul. But these days, we don’t odserve the eyes and if and when we do, the actual soul has been camouflaged so brilliantly with a veneer of “success” and “happiness” that the world is fooled by the superimposition of fake over real.

What’s the point ? Ultimately, nothing gained and everything lost ! But do we care ?

Surekha Kothari

www.BodyMindSoulCentre.com

surekhakothari.wordpress.com

Speakingtree Blog: www.speakingtree.in/public/surekhakothari

Spiritual growth

 Everything that we possess to go through our life’s journey is like a tool kit: our thoughts, emotions, our financial flexibility , our bonds .. everything. Yes, our relationships too… very much so.

The next realisation is how we accommodate all of these with love and gratitude. The “I” that has the tool kit is the one which now needs the wisdom to understand the blessings bestowed upon it.

There are always ways to live , using all that has been gifted to us. But , along with enjoying the journey, we need to see that the journey is not fraught with disappointments and depression. That strife spells out the wrong usage of the kit.

If you have financial flexibility, temper your entertainment desires with spiritual growth. Spend the finances in learning, going for retreats , cleansing , healing … or , just praying from wherever we are. Accelerating the pace of prayer really brings miraculous results because we are one with God and no third to dilute our concentrated energy.

Unfortunately, as long as these remain words and theory in people’s minds, there will not be any change . We actually have to take up a commitment to DO and to practice healing modalities for atleast a desired minimum time to observe their effects.

Many of us don’t turn towards this direction at all. Our choices are directed towards what seems to be , from the external world, a source of happiness . But, soon, that myth explodes. For, behind transient happiness lies its opposite: misery.

The sooner we realise that our real joy lies in developing our soul and witness consciousness, the sooner will we embark or continue on a journey of a God ordained path.

Money, name and fame cannot be our ultimate goals. If we have been misled into thinking that they are, life will teach us that it is not so. And harming God’s beings will definitely not result in any good. The physical world exists to help our consciousness and awareness develop a clean channel which reflects God within us. Nothing less. It depends on each of us as to when we arrive there… in how many lifetimes.

Because I AM THAT.

Surekha Kothari

www.BodyMindSoulCentre.com

surekhakothari.wordpress.com

Speakingtree Blog: www.speakingtree.in/public/surekhakothari

Transformation

 

It is amazing how we gradually develop a lifestyle on how others function and how they want us to function, pretty often like them, to form a “like minded” group. There is nothing “like minded” about this, because the urge to belong somewhere takes away the “mind” . Otherwise, we would not get led away but in fact, would lead ourselves into a more healthy space.

.. until one fine day,you realise the futility of it all. But now, it becomes very hard to reverse a road well travelled , which sadly, never led to the destination that the soul would have chosen.

It is a misnomer that if we choose over all health of mind and body as a priority, that we would become isolated. Yes, there would definitely be habits which would change. But a realignment by the universe is constantly happening. Everything finds its level if we let ourselves get help from it.

I am aware that even one habit is difficult to break. Because it has taken years of a repeated pattern to create it. Our mind also , along the way, has developed crutches to happiness. It rules us in a big way and we think WE are taking the decisions . Not so ! We are being led.

This is how , in extreme habit formation, addiction happens. When you can’t do without something because , that “something” gives you a false , temporary feeling of the “feel good” factor . And so, as an example, liquor is taken to relax. Why not meditation ?

Late nights and partying are a symbol of being cool and feeling happy. Why not getting up early sometimes, and chanting instead ?

Meeting friends through the day fills our lives . Why not try being your own friend for a change and contemplating on why , after all this “full” life, you are not happy still ?

Transformation is difficult because it results in huge shifts in the mind. Because we actually start controlling it and taking informed decisions for our lives. There may be a price to pay in terms of losing some people and some group activities . But, this kind of “ losing” has astounding pluses for the individual…..

What lacks is human will based on awareness . If I don’t know what is good for me, my life will be over without ever attempting to see where it could have gone, with a little courage and faith . A healthy , spiritual life is a choice each one of us makes.

Surekha Kothari

www.BodyMindSoulCentre.com

surekhakothari.wordpress.com

Speakingtree Blog: www.speakingtree.in/public/surekhakothari

Quote of the day

 

Quote of the day

 

Quote of the day

 

Quote of the day

 

Quote of the day

 

Karmic experiences

An open and educated mind thinks beyond personal desires and looks at the various angles of its actions the options available as also the different consequences that might arise. There are a number of people who seem to be living in a bubble, in an alternate world , beyond objective reality and these are , for sure, more prone to shock waves from life . Why ? Because they never figured out that what they wanted might not actually happen and something else might happen. They never thought of alternative and god forbid there could be a heavy price to pay.

We forget that the unseen hand of God strikes hard sometimes when you are oblivious to everything other than yourself. Definitely, there is merit in observing certain good principles in life and support those who are an integral part of your life. Who YOU chose to bring into your life and out of all options, know that compassion goes hand in hand with support and that we all have feet of clay without exceptions.

We may be born with a silver or even golden spoon in our mouths. But humility before our karmic experiences along with understanding where we are straying will go a long way in.

Surekha Kothari

www.BodyMindSoulCentre.com

surekhakothari.wordpress.com

SpeakingtreeBlog: www.speakingtree.in/public/surekhakothari

Forgiveness

Forgiveness is the highest form of kindness in the world, I think. The one who cannot forgive is worse off ultimately, from the one who seeks forgiveness. Imagine how much work people have to put in to genuinely forgive someone ! It is also incredible that you can , in fact, live with yourself without forgiving. How complicated you can become by knotting yourself up within mixed emotions.

As they say, only humans can make mistakes. Also, that you yourself have made many and more , and sometimes have been deliberately offensive, too. So, when you know this , you would also, at some point, arrive at the repentance mode which leads to forgiveness. And then , to unimagined relief and happiness.

Try it , at least 

with those who love you and admit to human error.

Surekha Kothari

www.BodyMindSoulCentre.com

surekhakothari.wordpress.com

SpeakingtreeBlog: www.speakingtree.in/public/surekhakothari