A Hero’s Journey to Becoming a Diamond

 

You are the hero of your own life – always! Yet, at certain moments, we go beyond our personal needs and act selflessly for others. Then from hero we become a hira.

This is the story of a wealthy jeweler who chose exactly that path. Instead of living a comfortable retirement or a religious one, as was common in old India, Brahma Baba took up the mantle of being his own hero.

All of us play the role of hero in our lives, but not everyone realizes it. A hero navigates life boldly, discovering new inner lands, helping others with courage and shaping reality instead of waiting for it to change.

Brahma Baba was one of the few who recognized this. He founded an organization that today serves millions around the world. Rather than waiting for transformation in a harsh world, he planted a seed - and watched a garden grow.

He faced obstacles, even from those he wished to help. It was then the coal - the ordinary human striving to do good - underwent the final fire of transformation and became a hira, a shining diamond.

We too carry that potential within us. We can be our own heroes and, at times, heroes for others. But very few shine like Brahma - a hero for others, an angel for millions.

 

Today, I invite you to be your own hero.
Today, I invite you to begin becoming a hira.

A scholarship in the University of Life

A scholarship is given according to a set of criteria, like merit, diversity or inclusion, athletic skill and financial need[1].

Now, many people consider life as a university – I am included in it. So, what are the criteria in this University so anyone get a scholarship?

Probably the main criterion is effort and endeavor. In my experience, life does reward when someone goes beyond their limitations.

The second criterion is their contribution to the community. I feel EVERYONE contributes something to their community – family, neighborhood, city, country and the whole world. According to that, a reward is waiting for them.

A third criterion is their energy and vibration. Seriously, it is extremely important what others spread around, even though it is invisible.

And the scholarship? A few examples:

• Help will come when the need is there.
• Basic needs will be fulfilled.
• There will be an abundance of opportunities.
• Angels will come on the way, that is, people who will extend a hand or will teach an important lesson.

What are you waiting for? Inscriptions for a scholarship in this unlimited university are open.

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[1] According to a definition in Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scholarship

 

Helping the self

It is a new concept for some, but self-care is IN… Hopefully it is not a fashion and people from next generations will be taking care of themselves more and more.

But self-care does not mean only something physical, there are many dimensions to be taken care including emotions, mental welfare and spirituality.

It means to book some time out of a busy schedule to give the self and so many people could think this is so selfish…

I have learnt many years ago, when I started my spiritual path – which has its origin in India – that the only way to help others is to help first the self, and the example of old sages who used to go to the forest and stay there for years absorbed in deep meditation or contemplation, and then they could go and help other people to overcome their own weaknesses.

You are the most important person and you should be very well. Take your time and learn how to take care of yourself.

When you accomplish that task, many people will be grateful.

How to help someone who is far from me…

During this pandemic, I have had many situations in which the people going through problems were far from me, physically, and the problems were very big.

Sometimes, I was able to talk with the person and give some comfort. Other times, I just talked…

And at other times, I’ve failed and probably, I’ve made it worse.

But there is something I am sure it works, ALWAYS: to send good wishes.

It may sound something… ethereal… and I don’t have proof it works, but we may all do a few experiments:

• Think of someone who is in need and who lives far from you. Think of that person in their best, with a big smile and much energy, and do that exercise during some time, at the same time (hour) and for the same length of time.
• When you talk with someone who is in trouble, before talking with that person, do the former exercise, seeing them in your mind in their best. Make sure you are talking with the person in their best moment…
• After talking with someone going through a bad period in their life, take some time out to wish the best to that person, in your heart.
• Don’t forget that you can only help others if you help yourself first, particularly if you are going through a similar scene in the play of your life. Meditate, empower yourself, study, talk with other people and then extend the hand of your ears and heart to others.

Angels and demons

At many religious traditions, good and evil are shown as two main forces, constantly fighting for dominance. Now, whether they are real beings or imagination, I think it is up to you to decide.

For me they are neither; for me they are stages of any human, stages that can take place in one day or along many years.

Yes, sometimes we are the angels and our eyes shine with love and peace. We are able to help so many people, even changing their lives.

Yes, sometimes we are the demons that torment others and even our own selves. We spread restlessness instead of peace and our decisions are based on envy or anger.

Most of the time this is not a conscious process – after all, I am sure the majority of people would choose to be an angel instead of a demon.

But if we are aware… if we are listening to our own mind and its effect in our life… if we are paying attention, then it is easier to minimize the form of a demon and empower the form of an angel.

So, next time you are losing patience with a relative, you are upset with another person at your work, you see someone in need with indifference or you are insulting others (at least in your mind), just remember the angel you are… and that is what you will become!

What, Christmas again?

Since my childhood, I have noticed Christmas was not as exciting for adults as it was for me, a child. In fact, it seemed some people like my mother were even afraid of it, after all, around Christmas was the day she worked more than the whole year; she was a saleswoman.

Now, as an adult… what can I say?

I do love the time and period, the lights on the streets and a general distinct vibe in the air, but I think we have turned Christmas into a shopping experience, instead of a life changing event, which could be…

Because of the story of Christmas, you may see others under a different light. Just think there is a guiding star for every human being and your job is just helping them to see it. That is real Christmas!

And Christmas smiles emerge from the heart, not from some desire or just the need of pleasing another person. It is a real smile… something we should enjoy the whole year.

During Christmas, people are easy to reach, easy to talk and they are more open to listen to you, or just talk to you. It is the perfect moment you have been looking for a long time, when you at last get that I forgive you.

So, don’t let yourself down this Christmas, just refocus and pay more attention to the real spirit of this celebration.

A Big Hug for you, Merry Christmas!

It is the only way to truly satisfy your debt with the planet – Reason 80

Muhammad Ali drew the attention of a generation: on one hand, due to his skills in sports, but on the other hand the person behind those skills was formidable.

Besides fighting for rights of all kinds – including his own[1] – he promoted several causes and quoted at some point a statement all leaders have in their hearts: Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.

The world has given each of us so much; leaders know it and they happily help others, by going beyond limitations and live in practice the leadership within, by giving benefit to many people and inspire others, then a person can be up to date with his own duties in relation to the world.

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[1] He refused to be draft into the military, due to his religious beliefs.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Ali

(Excerpt from the book 82 Reasons to be a Leader)

How to be a coach for yourself and others

After their victories, many athletes thank their coaches for their success. Why is that?

It is clear the athlete has won, not the coach. It is clear the talent, intelligence or capacity belonged to the athlete who won, not the coach. Why to thank him or her?

Everyone has potentials, but many times it is not properly developed. We got stuck into so many things that we just let our potential to be dormant whilst we are doing our own business. The coach's task is to help an individual to live that potential fully and to show that to the world.

For that, the coach would use many different techniques and skills. There will be an intense training and constant corrections, besides lots of celebrations every time that potential shows itself in a practical form. Without a coach, an athlete as good as they are, will be just another athlete, just another person.

Be your own coach and also help others using that attitude.

• You yourself must have some things clear, like the potential of someone, you or another person, and their dreams. As a coach, your success is your coachee's success.
• When there is a challenge, focus on the potential. The reality is there, you don't need to think of it or make others think of it. Just focus on the possibility of overcoming the challenge.
• Create a routine for training. Don't make excuses, don't accept excuses. Help in such a way the training happens naturally.
• When there is a drawback, talk. Dialogue helps things to be clear and the inner barriers to be removed.
• Never lose hope, never get disappointed. No matter what, potentials go back to their original state, that is, they go back to sleep. When things get bad, just go back to training and dialogue.
• A success has to be celebrated. Celebration helps to make the potential part of the individual, a feature or skill that will be easier to use when time comes.

Should I care about others?

In a world of 24 hours media, where you have access to 7 days week information about anyone you want, from anywhere, should you really care about others?

At any moment, there is a conflict or tragedy going on, so I was just remembering a story a friend of mine once told me. He was a very Catholic person and as a good Catholic, he used to like to give alms to the poor. However, one day he was without much money and there were many beggars waiting for their alms - he shared his inner struggle with me as he contemplated and tried to decide to whom he should give his few coins...

Is that happening now, in a massive scale? Should we cry for the victims of Iraq or USA? Should we send money for the refugees in Africa or to the people affected by the last natural tragedy? Or shouldn't we bother at all?

Many years ago, a huge earthquake affected Gujarat, near a place I go every year in India. People from the whole world started to pour money into that state, but I remember someone saying that all was a question of consciousness...

Am I helping because they are poor and helpless, and I have the money? Perhaps, there is another way to see that situation...

In a traditional family, there is always something going on: Frank is jobless again, Mary has problems with her husband or grandpa is not well and someone has to go with him to hospital. Families share responsibilities, in a natural way. Yes, some will complain, but at the end, there is a kind of balance in a normal family.

If we see the whole world as a big family, then it we are looking at a person who is going through a bad moment in their lives. They are not poor, in a bad sense... they are worthy, and if we see them like that, our help won't be a debt for them. We will really be caring about them, in our hearts, not only externally, not only because television is showing us that, but because they are our brothers and sisters.

Not only we will help them at the moment, we will try our best to create conditions so that won't happen again, ever.

Then, it is worthy to care about others. Otherwise, it is better to change the channel...

The art of social service and spiritual welfare (The 16 celestial arts)

One of the basic human principles is the will to give and help each other. It is natural. In fact, in Internet you will find lots of free things - free things that were prepared by someone who was willing to give it freely.

Of course, what we see in the world today is such a deep need by people that most professionals are not inclined to help the other, except if they have the time, the money, if it is easy, convenient... It is also natural: as human beings, we have the tendency to help first those who are closer to us, our "tribe". Later, the concept of "clan" helped the tribe to be larger. In a later evolution, nation and religion, race and even sexual orientation became a reason for a sense of community and help.

But still, you won't be able to help everyone you want and everyone who needs your help. It will be hard and difficult. On this path of self-development, I have met with several people who help in a very altruistic way, but whose bitterness still confuses me. After all, isn't helping another person one of the best ways to get happy?

If you read "Emotional Intelligence", by Daniel Goleman, you will receive many points that support that idea. Yes, there are material aspects you have to consider, but some aspects are related to emotions and feelings, and many times they are more important than the physical one. After all, if someone you know has lost her or his son, there is really nothing physical that can help the person...

So, it is important to learn the art of helping others with your mind and vibrations. Let's go back to our childhood; I am sure at least at some point you have fallen and felt pain. Just try to remember people helping you at that point. Yes, someone probably tried to apply a medicine or even took you to a hospital, but I am almost sure (and I can see you smiling here!) that you will remember first those who hugged you, or carried you. Those who whispered words of encouragement were more important for you than medicine.

Can you also carry others in your arms, hug them and whisper words? Sometimes you can do it, other times you won't be able to do it. Try this... If you know someone or a population is suffering of something, try to visualize them. See them in the screen of your mind, smiling and peaceful and you would wish them to be. Send them that peace and inner joy. Do that for a few minutes. Then, if you can do something physical, do it, but "hug them" first with the arms of your mind. Let them feel your love deeply in their heart.

When you master that art, something amazing will happen: you will learn how to heal yourself. The logic is that you cannot heal someone else if you are not even able to heal the self...