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B R A H M A K U M A R I S RETREAT C E N T E R F O R S P I R I T U A L L E A R N I N G

The Point
Volume 4 Issue 38 July 2010

Decide in a second!
(Last of two parts) nance that removes the hurt
YOU’RE STROLLING DOWN in the soul, Meera says. “As
the street and a dog blocks your long as there is hurt in the
way. It starts barking—do you heart, I cannot work well
run away, kick the dog, or with the mind to make the
smile? right decision. Letting go,
The subconscious mind starts forgiving and forgetting
working here. “My attitude cre- cleanses the heart. When
ates vibrations. If I have an atti- the heart has been cleared
tude of friendliness, I go on my of negative feelings and re-
way, and the dog goes away. placed with positive ones, it
Deciding to run away makes the is easy for the conscience to
dog follow me. My attitude help the intellect make the
keeps changing if I don’t the right decisions.”
right awareness,” says interna- BE FREE FROM PAST IM-
tional lecturer and senior Raja PRESSIONS. Sediments from
Yoga teacher Meera Na- our past action that are still
gananda. lodged in the soul can also
The ability to make quick and influence our thought pat-
accurate decisions is the fruit of terns, explains Meera. “It is
understanding the thought often referred to a hidden
processes. Meera points out track in the subconscious
that one has to understand the mind, where past imprints
subtle energies working in the reside. I may have settled an
self and constantly watch how. account, but I kept the re-
EASY LIFE. The pure atmosphere in the Brahma Kumaris retreat center is the
KEEP THE CONSCIENCE AWAKE. ceipt. That residue is very sub-
result of collective positive thinking, good wishes for others
“It is the seat of truth. If I make a and harmony of personalities. tle; still, it prevents us from
decision without listening to my making precise decisions. Clear
conscience, that means my intellect is dysfunc- own ego, just like I cannot see my own face— thinking means not even thinking of what hap-
tional. The intellect is not working properly unless I look in the mirror.” And since it re- pened a minute ago.”
because it is not filled with spiritual wisdom.” quires close self-examination to look into the Removing such residue likewise requires
To awaken the conscience, the first step is subtle influences and to free the mind, Meera moments of silence and concentration. “Then I
to understand one’s awareness of the true recommends frequent breaks for silence, “to am able to rinse out subtle vestiges of the
self, the soul and how it is sustained with spiri- settle down and listen to the voice of truth.” past,”Meera says. “It becomes easy to make
tual knowledge. The conscience, she points out, is also the decisions without fear, hesitation, doubt, sus-
“When my intellect is not filled with spiri- place of love. “If I have only wisdom, but not picion or guessing.”
tual knowledge, it’s influenced by other things, bhavna or heart, I cannot make the right deci- ATTITUDE AFFECTS THE ATMOSPHERE.
such as day-to-day experiences. What happens sions. Let’s say I learn to make my mind quiet, “Attitude is thought plus feelings. It is like an
then? The mind starts speaking its own lan- my intellect clear. But if my feelings are mov- aura around the self. I cannot hide my atti-
guage,” says Meera. “ What do I hold in my ing in different directions, I cannot do what I tude. It goes out into the air like fragrance,”
intellect the whole day? Is it spiritual knowl- set out to do.” She asks, why are promises not says Meera.
edge or what people say?” fulfilled? “Because the sentiments don’t match So it is practical and wise to keep a positive
Ego or self-righteous indignation becomes the plans. Bhavna represents love and sincer- attitude towards the self and others. “As is my
an obstacle to clear thinking, Meera stresses. ity. It is the driving force that gets things into awareness, so will be my state of mind. As is
“If my decision is always the best, this means I action.” my state of mind, so is my attitude. As is my
do not recognize the ego of the intellect that This heart is empowered by a loving con- attitude, so is my vision. I create a world ac-
suppresses my conscience. I cannot see my nection with the Supreme, the healing suste- cording to the way I see it.”
Visit the Brahma Kumaris Retreat Center for Spiritual Learning at 1020 Magallanes Drive, Silang Crossing West, Tagaytay City. Contact us at (046) 483 2128
See our local website www.bktagaytay.com, our national website www.bkwsu.org/philippines and our international website www.bkwsu.org.
© Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University 2010.
 2 The Point Volume 4 Issue 38 July 2010

Finding newness and inspiration

FROM THE der what happened.
time the visitors That’s the magic,” he
landed in Manila, said. “Life is short; it
they were so will pass quickly. It’s
sweetly steeped in Picture still to be sent through email important for me to
their hosts’ make extra time for
warmth and hospi- spirituality out of a
tality, that they busy schedule. Every-
were totally oblivi- day I do the disciplines,
ous to the pollu- but it is not enough. I
tion and traffic need to have a beauti-
jams. They were ful bond with the Su-
attending the first preme; it is the founda-
WHITE HOT. The humid weather turned balmy when members of the international BK information
Asian retreat for tion of substance in this
technology group arrived in Tagaytay.
Information Tech- life.”
nology groups at the Brahma Kumaris Center for Allan Schweitz was delighted to see the light Jaydev was impressed with the “service DNA” of
Spiritual Learning in Tagaytay. shine in everyone’s eyes. “Entering the center im- CSL volunteers. “The brothers and sisters do things
While spiritually refreshing themselves, the mediately made me feel at home and relaxed. The with a lot of heart There is this silk thread that
participants spent the week constructing the web- atmosphere was so light. Everything was just so unites everyone. The culture is light. In Tagaytay,
sites of BK international centers. They were im- easy. Seeing the wonder of God’s task and His everything happens very naturally. You are working,
pressed by the purity of the atmosphere in CSL, magic gives me enthusiasm in what I am doing.” then there is time for a snack. The seating arrange-
which was built from scratch, and with great devo- Khu Na Kon said the place initially reminded him ment is changed without being noticed. People do
tion. of Thailand-—Tagaytay could be any province in his things in an incognito way.”
The weather cooperated, changing from in- home country. Beyond that, CSL reminded him of Alexander Polev enjoyed dining al fresco, under
tensely humid to balmy. Noted Vasanti Patel, from his real home. “The atmosphere is full of peace and the stars, what with the candle lights, good food, a
the United Kingdom, “The place was cool even if it also of bliss and love.” cultural program and the overall bonding. He also
was hot outside. And it was so quiet that we had all Jaydev Pinara enjoyed working in a tropical gar- enjoyed meditation and classes in the History Hall.
the space we needed to reflect.” den setting, a welcome break from the jungle of The old photos of BK founder Prajapita Brahma and
She said she had realizations about her unique buildings in London. Realizations came, one after the pioneering yogis were very inspiring, he said.
role in creating a better world. “It’s the attention to another, even while he chatted with fellow partici- “The whole experience opened some newness in
how I play it. It has to be perfect,” she declared. pants over a meal. “I suddenly stop and they won- the understanding of the Supreme.”

Smile, be an example
JOLLY GOOD. B.K. Bhavna Shukla, national
coordinator for New Zealand and Fiji,
shares insights on the lightness of being.
SINCE THE CENTER FOR SPIRITUAL LEARNING IS
the first Brahma Kumaris retreat center in Asia, it
was just fitting that the Philippines should host the
organization’s first Asian Teachers Retreat. Coun-
try and center coordinators discussed administra-
tion, finances and operations in the context of
their individual locations. Beyond the shoptalk,
they enjoyed local hospitality and the pure family
feeling.
BK Bhavna, country coordinator of New Zealand,
commended the Tagaytay team for creativity in
decorating the place and for the good food. She
herself inspired the Filipino students with her ebul-
lient personality and insights on being stable.
Bhavna said the retreat was a gentle reminder for
everyone to not ignore challenging situations and
to give regard to everyone, especially the seniors.
Creating a powerful atmosphere at the center is
also important, she said. This can be achieved by
creative group meditation and regularly observing
a day of silence. Those who find it difficult to con-
centrate, can still experience happiness by sharing
their talents, said Bhavna, because, “ultimately,
the vibrations of the center will help them.”
Asked how she manages to keep smiling,
Bhavna replied, “I don’t keep anything in
my heart. Problems come, I sort them out and
that’s all. I don’t make matters worse by thinking
of them. Too much thinking makes one heavy. In
the West, if things are not right, they will say so in
your face. What we need is lightness. People need
to see an example; otherwise, they won’t listen.
They like to see that you are practicing what
you preach.”

Inner Power, Inner Peace, 4pm Fri - 4pm Sun, July 30-31, Aug 1, 2010
Open House, 9am-12nn / 3-6pm Sat, July 24, 2010
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