Sunteți pe pagina 1din 3

L Monthly E-Newsletter of

BRAHMA KUMARIS CENTER FOR SPIRITUAL LEARNING

The Point
Volume 4 Issue 32 February 2010

LIKE the diamond that is trans- coon while a butterfly is being


formed from coal by heat and formed. Similarly, introspection
pressure, one has to face chal- brings about certain changes that
lenges to discover one’s strength. take place in a subtle way.
International lecturer and Reawakening your relation-
Brahma Kumaris national coordi- ship with the source of the spirit
nator for Canada, Denise Law- elicits invisible changes in you,
rence, gives another illustration, but only if you have self-
just as profound but more subtle, awareness. Otherwise, you will
and definitely less traumatic. not feel any of it.
A caterpillar eats all day until it Faith, the life coach says, is a
grows and the skin ruptures. It vital ingredient of change. She
weaves a hard sheath around asks: “If I were to say, ‘You are a
itself, called a cocoon. In this very ordinary human being with
stage of detachment from the quite a few weaknesses, but you
world, wrapped in the cocoon can change into a very powerful,
and doing nothing, it becomes a beautiful soul one fine morning,’
pupa. Eventually, it breaks out would you believe it?” Transfor-
into a butterfly, admired by eve- mation does take place, she says.
ryone for its beauty. “A caterpil- “Sometimes traumatic, some-
lar and a butterfly look and be- times natural—it just happens.
have in entirely different ways,” We just suddenly notice, ‘I am
notes Lawrence. “How one turns not the same being that I was
into the other is a process that is yesterday.’”
most extraordinary.” There is no need to get tied up
She compares many humans in a cocoon of silk thread and
caught up in insatiable desires to literally hide somewhere, Law-
a caterpillar who eats incessantly rence insists. We can still fulfill
until it bursts out of its skin. “We our responsibilities even while
love to acquire something not paying more attention to our-
because we need it, but because selves. Like the chrysalis, we can
it is a religion for many. You get stay focused, not dispersing our
happiness out of it. After a while The BK Retreat Center for Spiritual Learning offers energies, not getting easily dis-
you want something else. All of a quiet spots for solitude. tracted.
sudden, you realize that being a “One day we will find that we
(compulsive) consumer is really are not as extroverted as before,
not where your happiness comes
from.”
Author Mike George clarifies
The need that we prefer to conserve our
time and use our money in a
worthwhile way.” She says this is
this viewpoint: “If we were to
place no value on what was out-
side ourselves, in this material
to hide like the qualities of the butterfly
gradually emerging:
“Butterflies are light, unlike the
world, there would be no art, no aspire to own it or fear its loss.” Like the caterpillar that sheds caterpillar. One of the changes is
technology and probably no Excessive fetishes, attachment its old skin, we can learn to let go that you will feel light about your-
change. The challenge is to remind to relationships and status quo are of what makes our lives mediocre self. Although certain situations
ourselves that our own worth is substitutes for self-worth and a or unhappy by realizing the reality will make you fluctuate, with con-
innate... and that the worth of any trap in the world of emotional of our spirit. The cocoon is a sym- stant spiritual practice, you will
object... lies in... its beauty and dependency which changes be- bol of self-reflection. Nobody sees realize that you are moving to-
function and not whether we can yond our control. what’s happening inside the co- wards your final goal.”

Visit the 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 blog site www.bk-tnt.blogspot.com and our international website www.bkwsu.org.
© Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University 2010.
2 The Point Volume 4 Issue 32 February 2010

A workshop
that soothes
STIMULATING and relaxing activities highlighted
the stress management workshop held especially
for 12 teachers of the Philippine Montessori Cen-
ter’s Kumon faculty. Salud Idio, Center for Spiritual
Learning Coordinator, facilitated the January 7
event.
A much-needed respite from the daily grind, the
workshop is one of the most sought-after among
several programs offered by the Brahma Kumaris. It
illustrates how people have been conditioned to
taking in all types of stresses— work, people, rela-
tionships, possessions— while it leading partici-
pants to realize that only by looking into his own
inner resources can one be truly freed from self-
created burdens.
Besides conversations, lectures and sharings, at
the heart of the workshop is an experience of Raja
Yoga meditation, a form of self-relaxation through Bryle, Gianina, Maja get a self-esteem booster after the workshop.
which gets to acknowledge one’s inner virtues and
qualities, the first step to turn stress into success.
Smiles and grateful feelings were shared at the
end of the workshop. Teacher Pepper said the one-
Finding the authentic self
day retreat gave her a new perspective in life TO THINE ownself be true. she recalled. This drained her energy. The exercises
through “revitalizing, dynamic and happy mo- Shakespeare’s words lyrically summarizes the on being detached and watching every scene as in a
ments.” Teacher Delia said she felt “soothed, re- basic precept of raja yoga –to experience the self as drama, made her come to terms with the turn of
stored and uplifted.” a soul in its original qualities. events. The experiences of silence enabled her to
Students of the University of the Philipines Los look beyond her follies and rediscover her original

Worry is
Baños learned this valuable lesson after attending qualities. Most important, she realized that the
“Depths of Consciousness,” a day-long workshop ultimate relationship is with the Supreme Soul who
held in the BK Retreat Center, which comple- accepts her for what she is.

weakness mented their basic Psychology course. The experi-


ence of soul consciousness, for instance, was a
Lennard Bryle Rosal,18, an Agriculture major,
admits he’s a procrastinator. “I keep saying, ‘I’ll
useful tool in facing issues of self-esteem. The stu- study later’ but I end up sleeping and not studying
POWER finishes unnecessary thinking, says Dadi dents found the exercises in sharing virtues with a at all,” he related. The habit is born out of a sub-
Janki, chief of Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Uni- partner very empowering, especially the parts conscious fear. One of his waterloo subjects is Ge-
versity. "Worry makes us powerless and leads to when they had to say “I am…” and cite their quali- netics, which he finds complicated.
feelings of irritation and hopelessness, and then to ties. The session on stepping back and seeing situa- Meditation gave him the tool, and subsequently
depression," she says. tions without getting caught up and, instead, objec- the power, to go over the hump. He declared,
To gain power, Dadi says, good wishes for oth- tively assessing the scene, gave them confidence to “Now, when I wake up in the morning, I will have
ers. But good wishes spring only from power-full deal with life’s challenges. this determined thought, ‘I will make things hap-
thoughts. She suggests taking five minutes off every Nutrition student Gianina Aquino, 19, felt a pen!’”
hour to check the quality of your thoughts. “Ask sense of renewal upon learning that happiness is Like many idealistic students, he felt that he had
yourself: Who am I? ‘I am a soul and this body is my not based on others’ perception, since happiness is to do something to change the world, first by join-
vehicle. I, the spiritual being inside it, belong to the an innate quality of the soul. The concept of soul ing the student government. But he wasn’t confi-
Supreme, the Almighty.’ From this attitude, inner consciousness freed her from the trap of compari- dent about talking in front of a crowd to proclaim
power and protection are derived.” sons and envy. his platform.
This exercise, Dadi points out, also prevents Maria Janelle Cantong, 19, a Development Com- “Here, we were told that when we change, the
unnecessary or wasteful thoughts, like, “This one munication major, was a university scholar until she world will change,” Lennard said, noting that the
should not be doing this or that.” Positive and pow- was distracted by a relationship. Her grades slipped task of transformation starts incognito, through the
erful thoughts are the true awareness of the self, and she became estranged from family and friends. change of consciousness.
and our purpose in relation to others. Thus, Dadi She admitted that the attachment had derailed her Knowing about the faculties of the soul and how
adds, even actions should be such that they give from living a full life. Ultimately, the relationship the mind works, is envisioned to enable the student
others power and happiness. “When we do things went stale. She felt guilty about how priorities were participants to manage waste and negative
with love and good feelings, others experience that mismanaged and opportunities were lost. thoughts. In sum, the workshop taught them to
and have good feelings for you in turn." “I kept thinking about the past, and regretting,” think before they think.

P R O G R A M
Love Hurts? Love Heals! , 4pm Sat - 4pm Sun, Feb 13-14
Inner Power, Inner Peace , 4pm Fri - 4pm Sun, Feb 26-28
We’d like to hear from you. Write us at thepointfeedback@gmail.com.
3 The Point Volume 4 Issue 32 February 2010

Healthy mind
in a healthy body
“OM SHANTI.” stopped thinking stressful thoughts. And for
Om--- what? The first time one of the sis- the first time in years, I was completely worry-
ters at the Brahma Kumaris Center for Spiritual free—I didn’t mind the work I’d always fussed
Learning in Tagaytay uttered these words, I about. I did not even wonder what my hus-
was not exactly sure what I heard. band and my daughter were doing back in Ma-
I was told that it’s a Hindi phrase meaning, nila. I simply savored every minute of my stay.
“I am a peaceful soul.” The sisters taught us to A bonus, and perhaps one of the best parts

First little step:


say this as a greeting, and after each medita- of my short and sweet stay with the Brahmins
tion. I learned to say it slowly—“Ommmm” as in Tagaytay, was my gustatory experience. I
I inhaled; “shaanntiii” as I exhaled. It felt good had deliberately shied away from anything
inside each time, as if it took away all the nega-
tivity in and around me and made me want to
vegetarian after an unpleasant dining experi-
ence some years back. But the simple yet awe- Reconnecting
smile. I think it’s because the meaning is so some BK vegetarian meals totally made me IT WAS certainly no coincidence that I attended a
positive, embodying all the teachings I was want to convert. Definitely, they’re among the Brahma Kumaris’ (BK) “Solace for the Soul” re-
glad to have learned at the center—freedom, best-tasting and nutritious meals that I’ve had. treat recently in Tagaytay. As Sister Salud told us
love, purity, goodness, forgiveness, peace, As I write, its been a couple of days after the at the start of the first session, we were meant to
knowledge and power. retreat, still I think about the unforgettable be there, all 14 participants. I was meant to be
I was introduced to Raja Yoga, a form of treats—warm, home-baked pandesal (bread) there.
meditation which brings about healing and with butter and fruit jam, pancit and fresh It was God’s answer to my years of pleading,
appeals to find my true identity and purpose. It
power to anyone who embraces it as a way of fruits for breakfast; healthy red rice, crispy
was His way to help me re-connect with Him.
life. Raja Yoga is literally translated as barbecued vegemeat and vegetable soup
We were taught that anger, lust, greed, attach-
“supreme connection,” based on the under- made with squash, moringa and moringa
ment and ego kept us from maintaining a close
standing of the incredible powers of the mind leaves for lunch; and for dinner, yummy baked
relationship with God. The root of these personal
to connect or link with God, the Supreme Be- potato casserole with cauliflower, broccoli,
issues is the fact that people get way too focused
ing and to help us, souls, come back to our carrots and cheese, piping hot celery soup and on things that are perishable. I should know; I am
original state of being purity and goodness, the crunchy lettuce drizzled with a sweet and guilty of this. I, the soul, have lost control over
very attributes of the Supreme Soul. tangy vinaigrette dressing. Nothing was too myself. This, too, I know.
Honestly, my first few attempts at medita- salty or bland, nor did anything taste odd; I’d When a person is heavily burdened by confu-
tion were very challenging. It proved to be very have helped myself to seconds if my tummy sions that he himself created, it is impossible for
difficult to focus the mind and refrain from could still hold it. With vegetarian food such as him to reconnect with his Creator. The good news
getting lost in thought. And falling asleep. Sur- this, I must say the Brahmins really know how is, there is always hope, no matter how hopeless
prisingly, on the third day, at 4 in the morning, to nourish the physical body as well. a situation seems. And the first step to reconnect-
I found it easier to absorb the messages from Finally, the whole experience was excep- ing with the Supreme Being is to appreciate one-
recorded commentaries played while we medi- tionally memorable because of the inclusion of self and re-affirm one's value.
tated. I felt more alert then than I did the night Hatha Yoga by our group organizer, Patricia To start doing this, we learned meditation, the
before. I understood what the sisters had Olabre, herself a Brahma Kumaris student from art of detaching oneself from the world and ac-
said—that our first waking moments, before Oxford in the United Kingdom. It was also my quiring the power to discern between good and
the rooster crows at dawn, is the best time to first time to try the physical yoga exercises that evil. When you meditate, even just for a minute,
meditate. Let alone alert, the mind was clear. Patricia led, and I enjoyed that quite a lot, save you begin to see yourself and your circumstances
For a city girl like me, who has been brought for a few muscle aches here and there, the differently. When there is a shift in perspective,
up and continues to live in the concrete jungle, unfortunate result of my computer potato- change happens. Overtime, this will lead to a soul
engaging in meditation is a refreshing break— hood. reclaiming full control of his faculties, a power
as if I had walked on hot desert sands for a In truth, the muscle aches simply made me that will result in, first and foremost, a more
peaceful mind.
long, long time then jumped into a lake of realize that I needed to take care of my body
The best thing about the retreat was that it
clean, cool water. and make it as flexible as it was before, with
gave emphasis to the self. It reminded us that we
The center felt like a home away from Hatha Yoga, just as I am starting to hone my
should be proud and appreciative of who and
home. The very minute I walked through the mental meditation skills with Raja Yoga. For
what we are—children of the Supreme Soul, who
front door, I immediately felt calmness all me to achieve complete spiritual development, wishes for each one to be His equal in terms of
around. I happily took in the sweet scent of I learned, I should take care of both my mind qualities and virtues.
incense that permeated the bright, airy place. and my body. In due time, hopefully, I’ll be I left Tagaytay, bound for the "real world,"
It was very welcoming. People, mostly women, well on my way to becoming a really peaceful thinking that a lot still needed to be done.
clad in loose white garments they called punja- soul, strongly attuned to my inner self and the Change, after all, doesn't happen overnight. But
bis, nodded and smiled at us, their guests. Supreme Being. now I know what to do—I’ve taken the first little
For the next three days, the place continued Om shanti. step.
to exude serenity, so that I automatically -Farrah Gutierrez -Trina Lagura

S-ar putea să vă placă și