Constructive Thoughts

 

by Smt. Mandira Lahiri

A human mind is a repository of thoughts. There is a huge connection between the thoughts that play in our mind and who we are as a human being. It is to be observed that when we are mentally agitated, or when our mind is filled with negative thoughts...our heart rate goes up, the blood pressure increases, and the feeling of ease vanishes. On the other hand, positive thoughts make us mentally peaceful, and an overall feeling of well-being envelopes us. So, for course correction, we have to keep a check on our thoughts. It has been correctly said: The quality of your thoughts today, determines the quality of your life tomorrow.

Ms. Jaya Row’s February 26, 2021 editorial in The Speaking Tree of TOI titled ‘Transform Into an Outstanding Achiever’, explains this well. Here are some excerpts from that article: -

“Everyone is born with a unique talent and ability. But you must first identify your Svadharma or core interest and invest your energies in that field.”

“In your Svadharma fix a higher ideal or goal. You cannot achieve greatness with a small mind. Enlarge your vision, rise above the obsession with I, me and myself. Espouse a higher cause.”

“The ordinary Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi transformed into the Mahatma when he decided to work for the country. Swami Vivekanand, who initially trembled at the thought of addressing the Parliament of Religions, became a world-famous preacher when he dropped the thought of self. You too can metamorphose into an extraordinary achiever if you rise above thought of self.”

“Thought of self comes in the way of success. A musician sings off key when he thinks of his income and audience rather than his performance. An engineer messes up his presentation when he is desperate for a contract. A chef goofs up when he is anxious to impress his customers.”

“How not to think of yourself? Get inspired with a goal beyond your selfish, self-centered interests. Shed your petty, trivial, insignificant pre-occupations and you will wake-up every morning inspired, enthusiastic and excited to live one more day for your goal.”

“You will be happy as you will be free from the burden of having to cater to yourself. Think of giving and you are instantly happy. The moment you plan and scheme to benefit from anything you are miserable. Watch a child sharing her chocolate with a friend. She beams with happiness. Another child refuses to share her goodies. She has a frown on her face. And thought of self keeps you stunted and handicapped. You never realize your infinite potential.”

We should seek the path of wisdom to avoid misery and grief. So, the mantra is to stop complaining and start celebrating. Anandmurti Guru Maa says, “Don’t analyze too much, don’t judge too much, don’t expect too much. This way you can strike that balance which you deserve, work then will become joy. This balance comes from your mind. See things in the right perspective. Practicing gratitude is very helpful. It shifts our focus to what we have from we do not have in life.”

I came across these words which have profound meaning:

Watch your thoughts

For they become words.

Watch your words,

For they become actions.

Watch your actions,

For they become habits.

Watch your habits,

For they become character.

Watch your character,

For it becomes your destiny.

Once a devotee of our Sadguru Sri Sri Babathakur went to a temple and his slippers got stolen there. The other fellow devotees got perturbed and started searching for the slippers frantically, but the wise man said calmly, “Oh never mind … I must have stolen his shoes in some life, so the scores have been settled now. I am relieved now.” The gentleman’s response was really unique.

Once when Prajnanpurush Sri Sri Babathakur had come to Delhi, we all went to pay him a visit. It was a very hot day.  Sadguru said, ‘I know of a trick which can make you feel better. Sit down quietly and think about the North Pole and South Pole.’ We did what He told us to do and felt better immediately.

One of my neighbors once told me that thoughts pertaining to death, i.e. the fear of death can be overcome by remembering that death has struck us before too....that is how we got our present form. She often tells me that for every problem there is a solution, we just have to think about it the right way.

An elderly couple abandoned by their kids, were living their life in misery. They had no will to live. No amount of counseling helped. They were full of anguish, dejection and sorrow. A wise man came one day and told them that nature was returning to them what they had bestowed on their parents. On hearing this, their thoughts changed. They realized their mistake and accepted the situation. In doing so, something wonderful happened. Their erring children started calling them up to enquire about their well being, and started sending them money on a monthly basis. In other words, their children began to take care of all of their needs. So, just by thinking in the right way, the elderly couple’s woes came to an end.

In Kathamrita it has been mentioned that Master Moshai’s (i.e. Sri Mahendra Nath Gupta aka Sri M.) whole being used to be filled with joy and divine thoughts when he would watch pilgrims going on pilgrimage or returning from pilgrimage. How fascinating! Just by thinking positively, so much joy can be achieved!

Brahmakumaris are taught to do Mansa Seva. When one is unable to do any other service like providing financial help or physical help, then simply sending positive vibrations through the mind helps immensely.

We have observed that many a times when we think of someone, then either we hear from that person or he or she arrives…or some other form of connection happens.

When we want something with our heart and soul, with full devotion and sincerity, then the universe grants us that thing. All our thoughts when focused intently on a singular pursuit, become extremely powerful…hence constructive thoughts can really do wonders.

A couple of limited means came to Bangalore from Bengal to earn their living. The boy’s father, an old man was paralyzed from waist down. He lay in bed full of pain and grief.

Lots of money was needed for his father’s treatment.....so both husband and wife worked hard from morning until night to accumulate money for their sick father. The only thought that would be in their minds was that of them returning to their village to be with their ailing father so that they could nurse him, treat him and make him feel better. Everybody said that the old man would not live for long since his condition was serious. The boy did not pay any heed to all this chatter. Instead, he and his wife put all their energies to toil day and night. After a year when they had collected enough money to fulfill their needs, they decided to go back to their native place. On reaching home they headed straight to their father’s room. The father, who was bed ridden, could not speak; he had become more or less like a skeleton.  Yet on seeing his son and daughter-in-law, a beaming smile spread across his face, and tears of joy started rolling down his sunken cheeks. The son and daughter in law also started weeping and smiling at the same time. People who had assembled there and were watching this sight were so touched and moved, they too had tears of joy in their eyes. The whole atmosphere was charged with pure love.

This incident was narrated to me by Jaya who was the daughter-in-law of the house. This thought-provoking incident made me realize that it does not take much to be joyful. Our constructive and positive thoughts can lead us to extreme joy.

Our Sadguru Sri Sri Babathakur in his book ‘Nectar of Wisdom’ explains, ‘More mind is occupied to think of Self or God, less mind will have time to be preoccupied with other personal feelings which is an expression of ego. The conclusion is simple----think of Self or God more and more, you will get rid of more and more problems and disturbing selfish feelings. Think of the ‘Formula of four-fold A’ {Adapt, Adjust, Accommodate and Absolute] and apply it in life. In due course, mind will be controlled, and the path to follow will be more and more narrow----but as it becomes more and more narrow, the Self light will shine brighter and brighter, and your ability to remain undisturbed will increase with your power of concentration. And do not forget that mind is the king of actors so to speak----and it has disguises and gestures which are difficult for ordinary people to resist. But remember mind is only acting, mind is not reality. If you practice sincerely, mind will be totally immersed in Self, and then one does not give any importance to the world phenomenon, and can experience life as witness, and be totally detached as no desire is left to be fulfilled. Another result is that a person well established in Self-Knowledge will emanate so much Love that nobody can resist, and all negative thoughts vanish.’

I will end my piece with another golden advice from Prajnanpurush Sri Sri Babathakur, ‘Consider yourself as an operator in the Divine play of the world, for an operator has no possibility to create----his only duty is to make the instrument function.’