Saturday, May 31, 2008

Msg. Of The Day




To be stable means to be firmly set on the seat of self-respect.


Contemplation:


When we are stable in the seat of self-respect, we will be able to

take criticism in the right way. If we work with ego, we will be

upset by even a little criticism that comes our way. On the other

hand, our stage of being in a stage of self-respect will enable us

to learn from all situations.

Application:


When someone criticises me, I need to tell myself that I am a

leader, for it is only a leader who is criticised. I should check

and see if I can learn something from the comment that I get and

incorporate it in my life. If there's nothing for me to learn I just

have to set myself in my seat of self-respect.


Friday, May 30, 2008

Msg. Of The Day




Perceive Positively


True self-awareness, plus the ability to choose our perceptions of

life, the universe and everything, is the basis of free will.

Every situation and scene in front of us has so many possibilities

in terms of how we perceive and interpret. If someone is 10% selfish

and 90% generous what should we focus on, what should we perceive

first within them? Most of us are now well trained to perceive and

focus on the negative, the selfishness in others, and to follow it

quickly with accusation and judgment.


We forget that what we perceive is what we empower within another

and, more importantly what we perceive is what we empower within

ourselves in that moment. And what we choose to see is usually what

we get. So how important is it that we choose to perceive only the

best, the highest, the greatest in another, even if it's only a half

a percent?


Bosses and parents - take note!! Don't forget - your perception is

your reality. Your perception is what you project. And what you

project is what comes back!



MADHUBAN - PANDAV BHAVAN

Madhuban - The Head Quarters

Pandav Bhavan - (Forest Of Honey)

In the north of the enchanting land of India, the Aravali Mountains rise from the parched desert plains of Rajasthan. Chief among them is Mount Abu. In ancient texts and folklore, Abu is praised as a holy place, and is associated with the names of sages and seers. Even today, numerous temples and hermitages are to be found in the area. Many former Rajput Kings built their palaces and summer houses-several of which have stood the test of time-in the surrounding hills. Nestled in the cool heights of the mountains is the rustic hill station of Mount Abu and, just a 10-minute walk away, you find the international headquarters of Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa-Vidyalaya , fondly called 'Madhuban' (meaning 'Forest of Honey'). A living social laboratory and a largely self-sufficient community, it is the place to which a large international family of practicing yogis comes each year. When a person steps inside the holy land of Madhuban, one can feel pure spiritual vibrations that give immense experience of lasting peace and inner joy not available elsewhere. This is because it is the place of divine descent of incorporeal God Shiva; it has long been the karma bhoomi(the land of divine actions) of the founder father Prajapita Brahma and Mateshwari Saraswathi. It is the place where thousands of spiritual effort makers converge to do intense meditation and as a result one could see for themselves the peaceful vibrations evident in the campus. When you discover the true inner happiness and peace and forget the burden on the soul , you would realize that Madhuban is the greatest pilgrim center.

In the Madhuban campus, the principal attractions are the Meditation Hut, Meditation Room and Tower of Peace. Meditation Hut is the place where our founder father, Adidev Prajapita Brahma did intense meditation for spreading vibrations of peace for all the souls of the world. As the name denotes and as one could feel, the Tower of Peace is the tower from where peaceful vibrations emanate for the benefit of the entire world. It is the place where the mortal remains of the founder father were laid to rest. The Universal Peace Hall, also known as 'Om Shanti Bhawan', is the main hall on the Vishwa-Vidyalaya campus An attractive, free-spanning structure, the hall seats 3,000 people and has translation facilities for sixteen languages. The hall has been the venue of major annual international conferences since its construction in 1983 and is visited daily by over 8,000 tourists.

Madhuban hosts a minimum of 35,000 residential guests annually and is home to 500 permanent residents, who operate the 42 departments required to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the constant row of visitors and students from around the world. One department looks after accommodation, others take care of laundry, transport gardens, audio-visual, electrical supplies, sanitation and so on. The kitchen can cater meals for upto 4,000 people at a time; additional specialised kitchens produce toli (much- favoured sweets prepared by cooks in a meditative state of mind) and 'chai', a spiced Indian tea. Everyone works in the atmosphere of harmony, and guests are often amazed as the tasks are accomplished without any obvious direction of supervision.

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

MEDITATION



OM SHANTI - These two words represent the essence of the teachings of Yoga. "Om" means "I am a soul" and "Shanti" means "Peaceful". Hence "I am a peaceful soul".

The most important journey you can take is the journey within. This is a journey to the truth of who you really are. This is the place, just beyond every day consciousness, where spiritual empowerment begins. Spiritual power gives you the power to choose creative thinking rather than automated thinking, response rather than reaction, peace, love and harmony rather than stress, conflict and chaos.

Meditation enables you to embark on this inward journey. Raja Yoga meditation gives you a clear spiritual understanding of yourself, helps you re–discover and use the positive qualities already latent within you, enables you to develop your strengths of character and create new attitudes and responses to life

Meditation also helps you disconnect from damaging habits of thought, feeling and reaction. This results in a conscious, positive release of energy which improves the quality of your attitude, actions, and interactions.

The process of going within, disconnecting from harmful habits, connecting to your innate spiritual resources, and reconnecting with your external life, is personally empowering in a lasting way.

Meditation is taught as a method of raising self-awareness leading to self–realisation. Meditation stills the mind and empowers the intellect to achieve insight and understanding of the spiritual laws and principles which sustain harmony and can bring natural renewal at all levels of life on earth.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

HISTORY



HISTORY


In 1937, the institution Prajapita Brahmakumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya was formally established in Sindh, Hyderabad (now in Pakistan). The institution has a very unique, unexpected and interesting beginning in an atmosphere of incredible divinity. The institution was established by the incorporeal God Father through the human medium.The process of the establishment of the institution and the divine force behind it can be clearly understood when we get glimpses of some extraordinary events that unfolded in the life of an ordinary man called Dada Lekhraj, who himself had the least idea of what was to follow later. With the establishment of the institution Prajapita Brahmakumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya, Dada Lekhraj was called Pitashri Prajapita Brahma, the father of humanity and people called him Brahma Baba. Pitashri Brahma followed the directions of God at every step of his life. He always had good wishes for everyone and carefully guided many to their predestined aim.

The University came into being under the name "Om Mandali" and consisted of only a handful of men, women and children living in Hyderabad. Dada Lekhraj experienced a series of profound visions. The visions revealed spiritual truths about the nature of the soul and God, the Supreme Soul. These concepts were simple in their expression but their meaning so deep that they awakened a powerful sense of recognition in those with whom the visions were shared.
A year after its establishment, the organization moved from Hyderabad to Karachi. For fourteen years, until after the partition of India and Pakistan, the founding group of 300 individuals, lived as a self-sufficient community spending their time in intense spiritual study, meditation and self transformation. In 1950, the community moved to Mount Abu, a quiet place reputed for its ancient spiritual heritage. Nestled high up in the Aravali mountains of Rajasthan, it provided an ideal location for reflection and contemplation.
Brij-Kothi was their first home. This building was located in a vast expanse of bare rocks, uninhabited except for a few recluses living in small caves. A few years later, the community moved to another site which remains the University's world headquarters - Madhuban (meaning 'Forest of Honey'). The potential of the place did not go unnoticed as the location offered opportunities for expansion.
The courtyard of Madhuban, which serves as a meeting place for students from around the world, was once two large stables. These structures were the first to be transformed into classrooms and living quarters. With every year, there came an addition in the form of an extension or new building. In 1952, Brahma Baba, as Dada Lekhraj had become known, felt that it was time to reach out to the rest of India and share this knowledge, as he was aware of the devastating scars the troubled independence process and partition had left on peoples' lives. A few sisters left their haven and moved to Bombay and Delhi 'on service'. Their task was to establish study centers where the knowledge of Raj Yoga would be taught. Today, there is scarcely a town in India where the name of Brahma Kumaris has not been heard. Madhuban serves as the nucleus of the Brahma Kumaris' centers worldwide and Mt. Abu, 'the Father's mountain' is regarded as a pilgrimage place by many who are in search of spiritual rejuvenation.

As an international Institution, the Brahma Kumaris offer people of all backgrounds an opportunity to learn meditation and deepen their understanding of universal principles and innate values through a variety of educational programmes, courses and learning resources. As a worldwide family of individuals from all walks of life, the Institution provides a caring, co-operative and supportive environment which encourages individuals to bring out the best in themselves. As a global organisation co-ordinating worldwide community projects, the Institution has created opportunities for people in 129 countries to participate in a variety of initiatives aimed at creating a better world where people live in peace and harmony. Above all, the Institution emphasises the benefits of moral and spiritual approaches to life. It enables people to develop attitudes and behaviour which stem from universal core values.


INTRODUCTION


Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya OR Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization (Brahma Kumaris in short) is a unique Vishwa Vidyalaya (university) and a well known spiritual value based educational institution. The institution has gained global acceptance and unique international recognition. The institution believes in the parenthood of God and the brotherhood of man and is open to the people of the entire globe irrespective of their caste, creed, age and social, economic or political status.


As a worldwide family of individuals from all walks of life, the Brahma Kumaris offers an education in human, moral and spiritual values. To meet the challenge of change, it initiates dialogue and presents a fresh vision of the future. It recognizes the intrinsic goodness of all human beings and teaches meditation to help each one rediscover their inner resources and strengths. The main focus is the development of human potential. They aim at bringing harmony in human relations and changing the attitudes and outlook of man so that there is the spirit of brotherhood, love and co-operation.

As an international institution, the Brahma Kumaris offers people of all backgrounds an opportunity to learn meditation and deepen their understanding of universal principles and innate values through a variety of educational programmes, courses and learning resources. As a worldwide family of individuals from all walks of life, the institution provides a caring, co-operative and supportive environment, which encourages individuals to bring out the best in themselves. As a global organization, the institution has created opportunities for people across the world to participate in a variety of initiatives aimed at creating a better world where people live in peace and harmony