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A Peaceful Soul Finds the Answers

A peaceful soul finds the answers

By Tessie Tomas
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:44:00 03/23/2008

MANILA, Philippines - On Sept. 29, 2007, I embarked on a remarkable journey. I had been invited to the annual Peace of Mind retreat on the Gyan Sarovar campus of the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University in Rajasthan.

MONDAY, OCT. 1

I woke up at 5:30 a.m. to prepare for morning exercises at the Meditation Hall. Exercising while seated seemed simple, but it was effective, relaxing.

Then a silent morning walk into the forest ... quite a long walk and, since I had pain in my back, I did that quite slowly.

Breakfast at the dining hall next, with all the participants from around the world, including France, Spain, UK, Kenya, Congo Republic, Russia ... amazing!

After breakfast, we gathered for an informal discussion, during which we shared our thoughts and feelings. I had the urge to share on a more intimate level; I confided how restless I was about not having a television show, but how another part of me didn’t want to be working just yet. I admitted being at that stage where I felt I could use some solitude.

I recounted my recent trip to the UK and USA, and my solo trip to Vietnam. Then I started to cry. I heard myself actually say, “I don’t know why I’m crying.”

In any case, I said I was truly happy to be here, that I hadn’t planned on making this trip a priority, but that my sked cleared up and ... I made it! I also shared my fantasy of going to Madrid for a year to further study Spanish. And also to sort myself out.

Sylvia, from Australia, said she had seen a movie with a similar plot—I was quite amused to hear that.

At 11 a.m., I went to Harmony Hall for the lecture by Sister Meera from Malaysia, on “Meditation—Experiments and Insights.”

After lunch, we visited the famous 12th-century Dilwara Jain Temple, made entirely from white marble—one of India’s architectural wonders. It was stunning!

From there we took a walk around the village, then siesta from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Back to Harmony Hall at 6:30 for the lecture on “Inner Strength” by Brother Nirwair, from Madhuban (“Forest of Honey,” the BK main campus, about 10 minutes from Gyan Sarovar). His name means “The One Without Enemies.”

Some highlights of his talk:

•My natural personality is peaceful, loving, positive, sweet. Getting upset, or being negative, is unnatural—the result of outside influences.

•A tree with deep roots will not shake, even in a storm.

•Whatever is happening, there is a reason and benefit.

•When I meditate, I cultivate imperishable qualities, like self-respect and spiritual love for all.

TUESDAY, OCT. 2

It’s been a busy day but a special one, indeed! I was up at 5 a.m. to prepare for the 6:30 a.m. meditation at Meditation Hall.

We also did some very pleasant, extremely slow, exercises ... had breakfast of cereal, fresh yoghurt and carrot jam at the dining hall. Then returned to the Meditation Hall for a lecture on “Soul Consciousness” by Sister Shielu, also from Madhuban.

While walking, I was overcome with so much joy over new self-discoveries, and for finding the answer to the nagging question, “Who am I?”

I am not this body, I am a soul.

Some quotable quotes from the lecture on “Soul Consciousness,” by Brother Ramesh, from Mumbai:

•Life is always going ... going ... going. The present is everything.

•Soul consciousness gives me the power to face problems and suffering. It’s like seeing things from an elevated place—my perspective is clearer.

•Life does not allow me to go back or rewrite things, i.e., once words are spoken, I cannot take them back. So I always have to be careful !


WEDNESDAY, OCT. 3

Same routine, and I’m happily getting used to this.

In our Meditation Circle yesterday, I shared my feelings again: I am excited to work on myself—why have I spent so much time working on my body alone? That’s so much time to make up for, so that I might find a deeper meaning to life, deeper happiness.

Today, Sister Meera gave a class again, this one on “Experiencing Connection.”

•Who is God? God is the Supreme Soul. Why Supreme? He doesn’t go into the cycle of birth and death. He is the source of all virtues.

•When I meditate, I should connect with God so that I might become “God-like.” To see Him, I should open the third eye.

•God has a multitude of qualities that I can meditate on: Peace. Truth. Love. Mercy/Forgiveness.

•The fruits of meditation are sweet and nourishing: Quality in every action. Accuracy. Beauty.

THURSDAY, OCT. 4

Again, the routine is the same, but only on the physical (time) level. On the spiritual level, I feel the boundaries are constantly expanding.

I am awed by the simple, pure yet powerful thought that my original self is peaceful, loving, caring—how could I have forgotten and changed so much?

Today, Sister Shielu was back to give a talk on “Raja Yoga.” Some precious points:

•I have to give something back to the world. I have to give something to Nature. I can’t just take and take.

•The first 10 minutes when I wake up are extremely important. The subconscious mind is fresh, open and accepting at that time. I can choose to create only positive thoughts.

•Raja Yoga is, simply, connection to the Raja or the King, the Supreme Being.

•Five blessings I can meditate on:

1) I am a child of God. Success is my birthright.
2) I am a victorious soul, a destroyer of obstacles.
3) I have the power to give peace to everyone. My peace is my power.

•All the problems in the world are the fruits of negative thoughts, negative energy.

•A person’s greatest resource is his thoughts.

FRIDAY, OCT. 5

Now I know I’ve been carrying around excess baggage (maybe due to unresolved issues with my family of origin)—hence my back pain? But I am happy to be spending so much time with myself, for myself. I am a beautiful soul, though momentarily disconnected from the Source. I must reconnect

Dadi Janki, the university administrator, gave the class today on “Laws of Karma and Time.” Sister Shielu translated for her. The main points I picked:

•The soul is the doer, as well as the reaper. If I sow something good, I will reap good things.

•Suppression leads to cancer; aggravation causes heart attacks.

•I should see everyone as a peaceful soul like myself.

•If I change, my family will change, society will change, the nation will change, the whole world will change. Self-transformation leads to world transformation.

SATURDAY, OCT. 6

My first thought upon arising is: I am a diamond—but at the moment, I may be dirty, tarnished. I need to do a lot of “cleansing” so that I may sparkle again!

Sister Jayanti, from London, gave a talk on “How to Meditate Properly.” I took down a lot of notes from this one. Here are some:

•Meditation is a process of going inwards to myself, upwards to link up with God and outwards to serve the world.

•All the treasures are summed up in one word—power. Power that I can harness. Spiritual power is what it’s all about. Peace. Love. Purity. Wisdom. Joy.

•I can be clean, clear without any motive.

•I should constantly ask myself: Am I giving or am I taking?

•External things do not last. But the happiness I get from inner treasures lasts.

•As I gain power, I become a master of Time.

•I am Peace (Om Shanti). The power of peace keeps me safe.


SUNDAY, OCT. 7
I attended my last morning meditation with the group at 6:30 a.m., followed by a delightful breakfast at the dining hall. Newfound friends exchanged good-byes.

A mental picture of that moment has lingered to this day: Seated in the bus, those of us who were leaving waved goodbye to the others who were staying a little longer. We were serenaded by a fellow delegate, a violinist. We could not hear the music clearly, but we could feel that she was playing straight from the heart.

I had to wipe away my tears. I said to myself, I will miss this, for sure; I will miss them.

***
POST SCRIPT

Back in Manila now, I continue practicing morning meditation. My life unfolds beautifully and pleasant twists and turns have sprung. Instead of a television program that I thought I wanted, I have been cast in two very interesting movies: Panoramanila’s “Ploning,” directed by Dante Nico Garcia and set in Cuyo, Palawan; and a Cinemalaya entry, “100” (short for “100 Things I’d Like To Do Before I Die”) written and directed by Chris Martinez.
But yes, I’ve also been told that I will soon be in a TV show in April or May. What more can I ask for?

Every day, as often as I can, I close my eyes and smile ... and summon positive, powerful thoughts: “I am victorious. I am a child of God. Om shanti.”

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