Global peace… is it a dream?

On September 21^st every year, the world celebrates the International Day of Peace. It is symbolic, but why do we need a particular day to celebrate peace?

The reasons are everywhere as we finish what many have called Long Peace, a period from 1945 without major wars between countries. At a global point of view, the Long Peace is dead as a war rages in Europe and other conflicts threaten our world in the rest of the globe.

But I am not sure the peace we want should be based solely in the absence of war. In fact, this phrase is key:

That since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences (sic) of peace must be constructed[1]

 

That is my belief, as well as so many other people after one of the worse conflicts of mankind. I do believe that the main war starts inside my mind.

Your mind.

Our mind.

And one day, it turns into something more serious.

This is why we do need a specific day to remind us about peace, so that our minds can refocus, diverting its attention from streaming, social network, problems and crisis.

We need an alarm that reminds us to look within and feel our own peace first.

Naturally, when we are peaceful, we will be acting, working, talking and moving around in a peaceful way, generating an atmosphere of peace.

Naturally, others will be touched by our peace and almost gently, their own minds will calm too.

Naturally, the dream of world peace will come to reality.

Are you with me?

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[1] UNESCO Constitution, adopted in London on November 16^th 1945. 

Games of life

One of the things that I find amazing is how many childhood games are played in very different cultures… For instance, hide-and-seek.

You know the drill: one person is chosen to find others, they close their eyes and count, giving time to others to hide themselves. You are found, you lose!

Now, let’s translate that to our present environment, supposing you don’t play that game anymore…

There is a conflict or a situation of crisis among a few people. One of the them, the leader, is with their eyes closed, that is, the leader does not know exactly the cause or the solution for it.

However, there is SOMEONE in their team who knows; maybe they have studied more or they have an experience the leader does not have. The game is to find that person.

When the person is found via interviews or informal conversations, at last the leader has the key to solve the situation.

It is possible the leader does not know who has the key, so they have to go through everyone patiently, talking, trying and checking the results.

It could be a company or a family, a platoon or a group of college students, anytime we think of a group of people as a team, the hide-and-seek game is one way to deal with a crisis. You are found, all win!

In reality, all crisis, big or small, are a chance for us to play with other people, changing roles and activities, challenging ideas and paradigms.

But there is always the risk we forget our ability to play and use other tools, like a fight or even a war.

Please, don’t forget the days of your childhood… and use them as a valuable experience for anything that is taking place right now.

Nothing is permanent, all is eternal

Think of nothing as being permanent…

And your sorrow will fly away…

And your problems will vanish with the sunset…

And your obstacles will look so small…

 

Think of everything as being eternal…

And you will be aware that your victory is eternal…

And you will learn that all you do inspires others…

And you will realize your obstacles are there as lessons to be learnt…

 

By doing that, instead of sorrow, happiness will come in.

And instead of getting worried by problems or obstacles, you will celebrate your victory or learn the lesson.

And most important, you will be a hero, a heroine that will inspire many others to realize that nothing is permanent.

All is eternal.

A sacred bond

A wonderful festival is being celebrated: Raksha bandhan. In the world, thousands, maybe millions of sisters are meeting their brothers and tying the sacred bond to them; at Brahma Kumaris, millions will be tied a rakhi by the sisters, creating a sacred bond between them and God, the Protector. Here is a fictional story based on true events that shows the importance of this festival.

 

She was lost. She was fearful. She looked at her children and her heart hurt by thinking what would happen to them.

Her husband, the king, was dead and very soon the enemies will be at the gate of the palace. The things they will do to her and others are unspeakable.

She then decided. She called a faithful servant and asked her to cover herself as if she was part of their religion and penetrate the lines of the enemy. The queen could see the fear in her eyes and she felt horrible to do this, but there was no other way.

Very quickly she wrote a letter to the invader king, put it in a very beautiful envelope made of the fine fabric and added a bond. A simple and yet elegant bond.

She gave the young woman clear instructions about what to do and she saw her leaving her chamber, the palace and the lands that saw the beautiful love she experienced.

Tears came to her eyes, but this was not time for tears. She took her children and went along with the rest of the workers in the palace to the temple. To pray. To pledge. To hope.

It took a day or two, but eventually they came and she heard the soldiers fighting and trying to protect the palace, honorably but unsuccessfully. All this time they have been at the temple and when the battle ended, she realized all was over.

Some time passed by – hours, maybe? – and she heard very strong steps. Initially, many people, probably soldiers, were walking towards the temple, towards her and her family. Then she heard the steps of just one person who slowly and with determination walked towards the temple.

And the steps stopped. With dignity, the queen looked at the tall man at the threshold of the temple; he was still dirty by the battle, she could see the tiredness in his eyes and…

… The beautiful envelope in his hands…

… And the bond in his right wrist.

She prevented herself to smile, she just kept looking at him, as per protocol he was the new king and he was the one who should speak.

“My queen”, said the new king, “my sister.”

Her heart beat was so fast she was afraid it will be listened; she tightened her hand around her children, but the rest of people were puzzled.

Slowly and gracefully, she got up from her worshipping position. She approached the new king greeting him according to his religion and also her own religion. She and her family, and the workers of the palace – including the courageous young woman who took the letter and the bond to the king – would live the rest of their lives peacefully. The new king adopted the old queen as his own family, respecting her religion.

All because of that letter…

Dear King, I greet you from the depth of my heart at this time of sadness. As you are entering my home, I want to give you this gift, a bond, because from now on, you are my brother. And every year I will tie that same bond to you, to remind us both of this sacred relationship.

I was never granted a brother, so I am glad I have this opportunity. King, oh my King, if you accept this pledge, tie the bond on your wrist and save the life of this brave young lady who took this message to you.

Yours, the Queen.

 

HAPPY RAKSHA BANDHAN!

Profit and loss in the business of life

Profit and loss are part of business life and a good businessman or businesswoman know how to manage them. Now, if we consider for the sake of reflection that life itself is a business, let’s ask ourselves: what is going on with THAT business?

First, your PROFIT means all that you think, speak or do that gives something valuable to your life. REFLECTION makes you understand the real value of everything, small or big. That means it is not only the big charitable acts; for instance, when you smile at someone and make their lives better, the value of your own life increases.

But LOSSES also give you something valuable because when there is a loss what remains is what you really are… In fact, the main subproduct of a failure is the recognition of the real self. So, whenever you stumble in life, focus on the self: your own peace, the love that is inside, all your virtues and inner powers.

Then, check that your profit is big and your losses are being seen with the right perspective. You will feel you are the best in the business of life.

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

 

If you are not meditating, do it now!

There used to be a time that people could choose if they wanted to meditate or not. Not anymore.

I am a meditator for the past 40 years and I have seen the effects of meditation in my life, and they are exactly what people needs right now. Let’ prepare a small list…

You are feeling sad because of what someone told you. By meditating, you experience the best of yourself, you set in your self-esteem and you go beyond sorrow.

You just lost your job! And look at the Economy!!! Calm comes through the experience of meditation and then, new ideas come up to your mind… possibly a solution.

Your partner left you… for NO REASON! Your best friend is your mind, just feel the positive comforting energy that comes from your thoughts.

You have a PROBLEM! Meditation can help you finding a solution to overcome it.

Yes, other paths could help you, if you are having just one problem at a time – great, right? “Problem # 2, wait your turn!”

Meditation and its related processes, like prayer or contemplation, are the only methods that can compensate the present complexity in a successful way.

If more problems come, new ways of meditating will help the self to manage them. And meditation never tires you.

Try it.

Right now!