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Hello, my name is Linda! Wanted to reach out and wish everyone well. By day you will see me helping other's find inner peace, if I'm not there, I'm narrating my podcast "Cultivating Calm Within.) I love articulating articles for inner peace and how I came about finding inner peace myself. So, I share my journey and there steps of practice that brought me here. I am looking forward to meeting new people here on Happiness.

The signs of Need? Are you feeling them? I first understood what they were when my heart started beating a thousand beats per minute and panic wretched my body as I grabbed my heart. A stroke? Damn straight, who was I to think that I could be a single mom and take on raising a six-year-old-girl, pay bills, and carry all the demands of life without suffering. Does this sound familiar to you? Phrase: "No one can get inner peace by jumping on it." author unknown, yet, I can totally relate to this phrase. I read and hear people complain about how they are feeling physically and mentally. I'm depressed. I'm unhappy. I'm this or that. But, what I want to hear is what kind of work they are putting into the mind, body, and soul to feel balanced and full of harmony? I call this mental noise with no effort. That stroke I suffered, reality check! A light switch turned on; saying that I cannot leave my daughter alone in this world to fend for herself. What about you?

Your attitude is everything, stay positive, grateful and open to new opportunities!

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When a man and a woman comes to together as one people , they need to have one common things together and that is , feeling , emotional intelligence and respect . One partner need to be wise and other need to fool when its comes to disagreement in communication , they need to be vigilant to continue to promote peace and love so that they will continue to have a strong and healthy family with fear or favour

This is Usman, 37, unemployed due to pandemic. I am having a very tough time because my heart wants to stay with nature, natural living, i think it a most peaceful way. But my surroundings force me to adopt city life and have more money instead.

Need peace

Greetings, fellow seekers of inner peace and serenity, Allow me to humbly introduce myself as Ray, a fellow traveler on this beautiful journey of meditation. In the quiet stillness of our collective presence, let us create a space where hearts connect and spirits intertwine. In this bustling world, we often find solace in the tranquil depths of meditation. It is here, amidst the gentle embrace of silence, that we discover the infinite wellspring of love and compassion within ourselves. As we embark on this shared path, may we open our hearts wide, welcoming each other with warmth and understanding. Let us remember that in this community, we are not alone. Together, we can support one another through the trials and triumphs that arise on our individual paths. Let our words be filled with kindness, our presence be a beacon of peace, and our intentions be guided by love. May this forum be a sanctuary, a safe haven where we can share our insights, seek guidance, and offer solace to those who seek it. In the gentle rhythm of our collective breath, let us discover the profound beauty of connection and the boundless potential that lies within us all. With gratitude for this precious space we share, let us embark on this journey together, illuminating the way with our hearts and radiating love to all beings. Blessings and peace to you all, Ray

My Journey? Hmmm - That's actually a bit too cliché for me but will use what works for others in an attempt to be heard. More often than not I find this world more a place in which people do time. I think now think of Eckhart Tolle and his lectures on the subject: If I may share: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgj7u86e4wc Perhaps not for everyone. I do tend to find him easy on the ear and have spent a more than a few years being open to his core message with respect to here and now. I think I prefer to deal with depression, anxiety, or other mental health challenges through the process of dis-Identifying. Commonly known in Eckhart's circle as dis-Identifying from the mind. Apparently key to becoming present. I make now claims either way but can only say what works for me and share what I see. Quote: "Simple but now easy" Reminds me of Jon Kabat-Zin whom I first came across on YouTube doing a presentation at Google. The quote that just came to mind somewhere from his book 'Wherever you go there you are.' I sense a sadness in him when watching him now but he handles it well. He is his own master of course with his own box of tools. I'd say that source of sadness comes from the irony of having talked at Google and they being what they are. Can be summed up in an article 'Father of virtual reality: Facebook and Google are dangerous 'behavior-modification empires' resulting from a tragic mistake' Jon tried his best and still does today with the odd online meet and greet. I know his has made a positive influence on me. Me ... I'm a sponge and whilst have a failing memory and struggle cognitively when out and about in a world not designed for me, things that resonate with me tend to last for life. Although this can be said for both negative and positive experiences. For me, I am not into cutting people out of my life on a whim because some article claims that's how I will claim my prize. I find such doctrine as it be, a tact like perhaps what google does when assimilating the knowledge of great speakers like Jon then creating an algorithm to hook people in. Everyone promoting themselves behind a veil of excellence and success sold in many other likewise terms. Kind of like how western society adopts and twist other cultures, religion and philosophy. Why not throw into the mix domination and control? Smiles because it's all so challenging that anyone that talks on such things in todays world is quickly such down in a finely tuned machine that sees automated robot responses from humans all over today's info tech world. Indeed, depression, anxiety, or other mental health challenges abound. Just to be clear, I'm not looking for advice myself. Most of my take and approach is also very challenging but not so much for me. It just fly's in the face of main stream ideals as peddled from the machine. I'm acutely aware though of how my own resistance works against me which is why I find the likes of Tolle, Zin and Watts very compelling. That said, I don't find watts as soothing at Eckhart and Jon. He is a little more blunt but still I find enough gold in his sharing to be helpful for me. Grain of salt until it hits a home run, but then I much prefer revisiting such insights until I can either acknowledge them as my experience or not. I don't care much for the dramatic music played in the background and images pasted over the top. That's more part of the trap the Tolle often talks about and even Watt's himself. Much irony abounds in as much at Jon talking at Google and again it being what it be. In that regard the lycra , iconic images and drama used to profile peoples self promoting journeys is also something I recoil from. Smiles again ... no wonder I prefer small groups. arrr ... Now I think of the Life of Brian. Don't ask how I got there. hehe. I also don't take myself too seriously but also keep things true enough for me when creating my own script. I have no purpose that fits into another group ideal although many would propose in their daily speech. "What do you do for a living?" As if to imply I must be 'doing' something in order to live or whatever. "Keeping Busy?" all the way into the new age group that also ask many questions of others "What have you contributed?" Different dynamics, same patterns. The use of exclamations marks following claims of stillness and peace. Tis a crazy world to be sure full of irony at every turn. Yet there are snippets to be had in every irony to be had. "You shall know them by their fruits." The latter being from a book I consider and no more than a book, yet rings true enough. I don't always throw the fruit out either just because it does not look pretty or not pitch perfect in taste. Sadly it seems out culture today is steering more toward said irony more and more. So sad indeed that it's nice to a section like this in a happiness forum that appears to be open to such things. Each to their own of course. This is my world view from what I have seen, experienced and see and seeing. Although it's worth noting such revelations can be hard to cope with. Especially in a world programmed with such an inherent need for validation and approval. Time for some gardening and to quickly share a pic of what keeps me out of such a chaotic and shallow world - more so what keeps me grounded, brings me solace and peace: Is not about the end result but about the experience. Instead of cutting people out of my life on a whim and gong form relationship to relationship, I make friends with that which does do not use open its mouth or take photos of itself: Again ... we all find happiness in our own way. 🙃 Takes more than a fancy profile, well constructed answers to text book questions to build trust in a world of deception. How's that for non-neurotypical? Oh the labels! ← Notes* first exclamation mark. Well done on the drama. Oh how they hand those labels out and how people cling to them. Forgive my candor here but true enough for yours truly. Such is a bit of an epidemic from what I can see. I choose to be none of them but like so many others jump through the hoops in order that I may have the right to live. But yea ... whatever works. I burnt out the sensor on my wife's camera taking the image bellow. It was cheap tiny compact affordable at the time to replace with the newer one - but how lost I was in the taking of that shot. It was an experience which makes this one of so many years later still my favorite. When I am doing well I enjoy taking these kinds of photos. I find much of the essence in the talks given by those I named above in images like these. I'm only just starting to get back into a cycle where I am considering sharing more of these experiences. Minus my world view of course. These kind of shares tend to convey more in a way that's more digestible. That said, writing in our own way from the heart as we see and breathe is also therapeutic. This is why I am often more my own audience but open to all minds. Even those that are not like mine but get the gist of being more open to those that resonate. I'm just not into cutting out people as commonly sold nor all the other aspects of today's selfish algorithm. This makes me a target by being so open, but then I also get to meet real people otherwise isolated by the things of which I highlight. I'm all for those on the fringes - for all those who have been rejected - yet get the boundaries that others use to reason when taking a less painful route. Until next share - have a nice day.

Hello Linda! It's wonderful to hear about your passion for helping others find inner peace. Your podcast, "Cultivating Calm Within," and your articles sound like valuable resources for anyone seeking tranquility. Sharing your personal journey and the steps you've taken to attain inner peace can inspire and guide many on their own paths to serenity. Keep up the great work!

Hi, I'm Sarah Thompson, a dedicated advocate of meditation and mindfulness. With years of personal practice, I've experienced the transformative power of meditation in enhancing well-being and finding inner peace. I would love to connect with others who share the same interest and journey towards inner peace. Feel free to reach out and let's embark on this path together.

I am reading posts concerning anxiety, stress, sexual release, depression, etc. There is only one way out of these insecurities and that is by understanding that there is a spiritual resource. We must have knowledge, faith and trust in a higher dimension that oversees our well being. Of course we must take responsible action and learn from our experiences. In time we become more intuitive to what serves our highest good. Gratitude to God for Love and what's in the highest good of all concerned.?

Disease to Ease is a path that is set by the blend of Yog, Ayurveda, and Dhyaan, and it is a holistic approach to healing and wellbeing. Kaivalyadhama is one such institution that has been at the forefront of this movement, offering courses and programs that combine these ancient sciences to promote optimal health and wellness. Ayurveda, the science of life, emphasizes the importance of balance and harmony in the body, mind, and spirit, while yoga focuses on physical postures, breath control, and meditation to cultivate inner peace and strength. Dhyaan, or meditation, is a practice that brings awareness to the present moment, allowing individuals to connect with their inner selves and find peace amidst the chaos of daily life. Together, these practices provide a powerful foundation for healing and transformation, allowing individuals to move from a state of disease to a state of ease. Through the guidance and support of Kaivalyadhama, individuals can discover the tools and practices they need to create a life of health, happiness, and wellbeing.

If you can maintain a good relationship,then you will have one sooner or later.If not,you’d better stay single.Treat yourself ritually in every respects and be thankful all the time.I think you will like to be single than having the wrong companion that disturb your inner peace which is so precious in your life time.

Meditation offers a wealth of benefits that millions are seeking. By incorporating this practice into your daily routine, you can effectively reduce stress levels, enhance focus and concentration, and attain a deeper sense of inner peace. Whether you're a beginner or experienced, various meditation techniques cater to different needs. How often do you meditate?

I disagree. I think that problems distract people from adapting a long state of mind of peace and joy. Better to have a life governed by a more healthy inner state and less by the negative aspects that stem from outside circumstances. And problems prevent us from maintaining such a strong mental state long term. I think focusing on my inner peace, joy and love based on knowledge that trains my mind to be in an inner state of peace naturally without finding comfort in external things is what makes me alive. And would love to eliminate my external problems because they always come in between my love for peace and quietness of mind and life. I’m okay with problems but it should be like 10% problems and 90% peaceful state. So I can enjoy even the little things like going for dinner and so on.

Please don't mind my quirky sense of of expression. I really mean no harm and like many others wish to make positive connections. Yesterday I read this website's article on how nostalgia can console and aging heart (my take) and noted the mention how various clinical practices are wary of said states of mind. I'm no expert on nostalgia but the essence of that article rang true enough for me. I only mention this stream of thought like so as to introduce an old poem I wrote some time ago that draws upon a time in my life where during adversity I was able to connect with a form of happiness that always been with me. I share this now: Perhaps not your average take on nostalgia but for me, many of my past recollections to do with personal associations that bring me peace are typically experienced through adversity. I only just found this poem this morning looking for through my large collection or personal photos hoping to find a positive association wishing to share another scenic image which typically yields for me a form of peace. I am hoping to get back into the practice of likewise photography in the near future but for now content to use online text. I don't like taking up space so don't suppose I will be hear for long as the inactivity is kind of making me stand out more then I like so perhaps will opt for a blog. Anyhoooows ... while I am here this for me rates as a share. You know, if I heard Eckhart Tolle correctly, I beleive it was a park bench him when he connected with that something within. I remember him distinctly talking about a similar experience that makes me think of how many times my homeless past offered me similar states of mind to much of what he went on teach. Heads Up! - I'm not saying I'm Jesus Christ. Laughs out loud because we got plenty of Messiah Complexes in this selfie age and I recoil from all of them. To be sure I struggle like every other human re my ego and I'm pretty sure it's woven into my text but I do try to be mindful of such things. I'm no guru on any of these things and in fact do not like self professed or glorified people. I don't do well with audiences because of such things and feel sad the way other people hold up popular people and then sell and profit kind of thing. Yet again I am sure we are all guilty of doing the same things on a personal level because is how we are pretty much conditioned to think and feel 24/7 But enough of that before that objective side of me if pegged as cynical. Any form of discomfort is shadow banned. How's that for perception management? Rhetorical Back to the love and light not being as it's always perceived. I finish this post with my take on nostalgia: "...on how nostalgia can console and aging heart ..." 3rd sentence in my above opening. I find as one grows older the distance between such spiritual connections (which I pretty much feel consciousness awakening/deeply felt mindful/'less' experiences are) grows more distance due to intolerance. Yet adversity seems to be ageless and the age factor in my spiel here is not quite right for me as I struggle to grasp with what I am really trying to say. Like I can see how it is that many people blinded by unconsciousness in the waking world only have their first spiritual insight only when their bodies start degrade to a point beyond their control as is inventible. Much of my quirky satire in my previous post includes this same take in the healing and well being industry. In fact much of it is based on avoiding the inevitable. But back to intolerance which and can often be expressed in terms of age but more so time under stress. The latter clinical but more often understood. The connection between time under stress and an aging heart is what I sense I am aiming for when attributing the solace that can drawn when looking back on whatever association. Despite being raised in a very religious surrounding that whilst did more damage than good for quite some time, I had this intrinsic connection with some kind invisible light despite the many who seemed unable to foster me. That said I was still prone to fall victim to another side of myself that played it's part as no more than byproduct in a very toxic system. That part of me is still very caught up in that world where it takes a lot of skill and focus NOT to identify with the many labels; we all have them and many they be. That's my morning share. Now I am off for a simply bicycle ride to catch up with a friend similar but not quite like me. Like minds do not always have to be a thing. hehe little chuckle at that one. Best to remain open no matter what and be accepting of everyone regardless of this world of boxes. Less is best in a world of excess. Quality over quantity but without the contention for that which does not fit. From this square peg ... peace out. 😉

Take me for instance, I come from a well off family, went to university and got 2 degrees from my time there! But something in me couldn’t bare going into the corporate world give my whole life to that! I found that I would eventually be miserable if I don’t do something different. So I said to myself; how about I take a few years to myself, with no eventual savings, or anything that would give me security outside me being a living soul and seeing if I could survive. So I pack the little clothes I could, and left everything behind, from friends, family to romantic relationships, I mean everything including all my life accomplishments. And I went away to figure out if I could make a life without conforming to the norm. And to cut the long story short, it was the best thing I have ever done, and i did this at 26 years old, and I’m now 30 years and I can’t imagine a life with the blended masses. I am completely content with knowledge, and I love quiet and boredom doesn’t exist to me, because nature has become my world and it’s educational to my benefit and also, I find peace in learning.. and having the right desires that have pushed me to be healthy in my thoughts and even down to my actions and things that excite me are simply eating vegetables, water, learning to grow myself even more into inner peace and inner satisfaction … I then challenged myself back into the normal world, reconnect with my family and the ways of this world to see if I can bring my world into this way of life, but wow all of it is loud and it really tastes bitter to my inner being, from the conversations people like to talk about, it’s all draining and full of problems and strife or meaningless things like Instagram and tik toks that I find boring… I allowed myself to watch Netflix with family but most of it promotes greed, lust and sexual desires that take us away from truly being. Obviously I’ve left out so much.. but maybe that can give you a more insight to why I think the way I do. So I’m really struggling to remain in this way, and my family are so attached and holding on to me so much that, I hate to hurt their feelings and go live next to the beach and mountains away from the city by myself but I have this huge craving to never come back this time. So that’s scares me, hence I’ve come on this app. Hoping to meet people to maybe talk about stuff like this, haha so cool to have had you ask the question you asked… Also I find it good for me to finally say it to myself that I’m ready to exist and go live off grid for good. And I haven’t met people who are like minded, in the past I was ok with that. But I think it would be even better if I had a community of people like me around me but better a partner to walk with but apart from that super content … with just me. And don’t get me wrong, a dinner by myself at a cool restaurant, ahhh amazing times at the beach all afternoon, movies at a cinema with a great movie showing like DUNE or something by myself has been wonderful but it’s not my reason for joy. Knowledge is. And when I do get to meet someone and have a conversation after 4 months of no interactions and by that I mean a real intentional conversation , the day I do… it’s very special and I appreciate it more because it’s not something I have placed a great deal of depends on but it has because a mere moment in time… There’s nothing that compares to when everything is quiet and it’s just me and my surroundings, and I’m alone in my thoughts, because of all the knowledge and understanding I’m at my most peace and enjoyment and it’s hard to give that up! Because for me it’s a real reality …

In walking meditation, readings can be a helpful tool to enhance your mindfulness practice and provide inspiration. Here are a few examples of readings that you can consider incorporating into your walking meditation: Excerpts from spiritual texts: Many spiritual traditions offer beautiful and contemplative writings that can deepen your connection with the present moment. Consider selecting passages from texts such as the Bhagavad Gita, Tao Te Ching, Dhammapada, or works by mystics like Rumi or Thich Nhat Hanh. Nature poetry: Poetry that captures the beauty and essence of nature can be particularly fitting for walking meditation. Explore the works of poets like Mary Oliver, Walt Whitman, or Matsuo Basho for verses that evoke a sense of mindfulness and connection to the natural world. Mindfulness and meditation guides: There are numerous books and articles written specifically for meditation and mindfulness practices. Look for excerpts or teachings that speak to the importance of present moment awareness, cultivating inner peace, or finding stillness amid movement. Personal affirmations or mantras: Create your own set of affirmations or mantras that resonate with you personally. These can be positive statements or phrases that help ground you in the present moment and reinforce your intentions for your walking meditation practice. Reflections on walking and movement: Consider readings that explore the significance of walking and movement in various aspects of life. This could include writings on pilgrimage, the art of walking, or the connection between physical and mental well-being. When selecting readings, choose ones that align with your beliefs, values, and intentions for your walking meditation practice. Experiment with different texts and see which ones resonate with you the most. You can read them before or during your walking meditation, allowing the words to guide and inspire your contemplative journey.

Meditation can be a powerful tool for developing awareness and understanding of internal sensations. By cultivating a practice of mindfulness, we can learn to observe and accept our bodily sensations without judgment, which can help to reduce stress, anxiety, and other negative emotions. During meditation, we can focus our attention on our breath, body, or other sensations to help anchor our awareness in the present moment. By focusing on our breath, for example, we can become more aware of the physical sensations of breathing, such as the rise and fall of the chest or the feeling of air moving in and out of the nostrils. As we become more attuned to our bodily sensations, we may start to notice areas of tension or discomfort that we were previously unaware of. By acknowledging these sensations and observing them with curiosity and compassion, we can begin to release physical and emotional tension and gain a deeper understanding of ourselves. It's important to remember that everyone experiences sensations differently, and there is no "right" or "wrong" way to meditate. The key is to approach meditation with an open and curious mindset, and to allow yourself to fully experience whatever sensations arise during your practice. With time and consistent effort, meditation can become a powerful tool for cultivating awareness, insight, and inner peace.

Hi, I'm new to the forum but not to meditation. I found peace of mind in my teens with Yoga although I didn't consciously meditate. In my thirties I started going to a Tai Chi class which taught me a lot about mindfulness, although it wasn't called that at the time. Tai chi is a form of meditation in itself even though it is practiced moving. I got 'into' Tai Chi so much that when a friend asked me to take over teaching a class, I took it on and over the last twenty plus years I have developed that and run a few regular classes every week. To be more precise, just over five years ago I found a Qigong teacher and have gradually changed my practice and teaching to that discipline. For those of you who don't know what Qigong is, it's the precursor of Tai Chi and goes back centuries. My Qigong teacher is very knowledgeable and also practices Shiatsu and has run both Tai Chi and martial arts classes. However, he does not meditate as such, although the way he practices Qigong is very profound and internal. Six years ago I had a mild heart attack, and have suffered from palpitations for as long as I can remember. This means that I find it uncomfortable using internal cues such as the heartbeat in meditation. Whenever I feel anxious and have a high heart rate, I find that listening to my heartbeat or breath is not soothing, and often only magnifies my discomfort. I find daydreaming most effective in calming and lowering my heart rates - imagining a relaxing scenario or 'telling myself a story'. My question is this - is there a way to overcome my discomfort with internal sensations, or alternatively is there something similar to daydreaming that I can harness or duplicate as a meditation? I'd be interested to hear any suggestions.

I lost my ex husband, the father of my four children, may 11th of last year. I’m the only one who knows that it wasn’t accidental, if you know what I mean. And that kills me. My kids range from 6-17 so they are all different and I don’t know how to heal them. Or even heal me. We had been divorced 5 years but still close. I was his fixer for everything. He was remarried but separated from her and dating someone else, lol yes I know it’s a mess. But the day before it happened he called me and talked to my husband and asked if he could live in our camper and work with him and get back on his feet. We agreed. He texted at about 1am that he got his check and would see us soon. The next morning he didn’t show but I assumed the on again off again girl and him were working things out. Until she called me around 10 am saying he wouldn’t answer the door but she wouldn’t go in or call for help. Called his mom she wouldn’t either not would his brother. I called the cops from 300 miles away. I don’t know what happened in the time he text me to the time they found him. That changed so drastically. He was upset about the girl but didn’t seem like he would hurt himself. I said he would be ok and go wash your face, I’ll see you tomorrow, we will fix this. Fml. Why don’t I know???! The initial report said he was naked in bed no drugs no alcohol no phone no wallet….. the ex girlfriend immediately left the state. His phone and wallet was never found. The police report was COMPLETELY different. Said he left a note, it was his hand writing. Said he was sorry. Said they found him in the closet, not naked, still no phone no wallet, there was alcohol and drugs they said. Door was locked from inside. Car in the driveway. Found him in a trailer house closet, hung with a power cord, how does that happen? He could stand up??? I just don’t get it. His mom Says let him rest in peace and stop digging for answers, it’s black and white. But it isnt!!! At all. He was so close to his son Landyn, well all of them but Landyn is autistic and he wouldn’t do that to him. I will never ever accept it or understand. His new wife and mom immediately cremated him, no funeral no respects, nothing. He’s just gone and I can’t accept it and the kids definitely can’t. And I’m struggling sooo much. I can’t make it make sense. I can’t fix it for the kids. Nothing adds up and we’re broken. I quit working. Quit everything basically. I’ve been in bed for a year. I don’t know how to dig myself out of this. Any help is appreciated.

OVERCOMING NERVOUSNESS BEFORE EXAMS Ms. Arsha (D/o Dr. Nikhil & Smt. Devi) asked: My examinations begin tomorrow. How can I overcome my nervousness? Three Steps of Closeness with God Swami replied: O Learned and Devoted Servants of God! You must think that God Datta is always with you like your bodyguard to fight with the nervousness that attacks you and to protect you from it. Nervousness will surely be defeated by God Datta and it will run away. This is your close relationship with God. If you find the nervousness still attacking you, you should come closer to God by thinking that God is in you. This will almost certainly push away your nervousness because no thief dares to rob the house of the police officer. But if you still find that the nervousness persists, you should become closest to God by thinking that you are God Himself! Now, the nervousness has to run away and it dare not come even close to you since there is no worldly force that can attack the omnipotent God. The three steps of (1) being a close devotee of God, (2) being inseparable from God and (3) being identical with God, reflect the three Vedantic philosophies. These three philosophies were given by the three divine preachers, Śaṅkara, Rāmānuja and Madhva respectively. The first step is Dvaita, the philosophy of dualism of Madhva, in which the soul is separate from God even though closely associated. The second step is Viśiṣṭa Advaita or the special monism of Rāmānuja, in which the soul is like an inseparable limb of God. Rāmānuja explains this through the Śeṣa-Śeṣi Sambandha or the Whole-Part relationship. As per this concept, God is the Whole and the soul is its part. The third step is Advaita or the monism of Śaṅkara, in which both God and the soul merge with each other leaving no room for even the slightest duality between the two. Devotees of God can make use these three steps for any good purpose. The Effect and Cause of Nervousness The student has limited energy in the brain to think and do useful work. Nervousness consumes that limited energy to such an extent that hardly any energy remains to do useful work. As per the first law of thermodynamics, the energy supplied to a system is partly used in raising the system’s internal energy and only the rest is available for doing useful work. Nervousness is like the internal energy of the system. If all the energy supplied through food is used only in raising nervousness, there is no energy left for doing work. The situation will be like a computer with no electricity supplied to it. It has all the information stored on its hard disk but in the absence of electrical energy, no information can be displayed on the screen. When the student’s entire energy is consumed in the nervousness, there is no energy left to display the stored right answers in the brain and to write them on the answer script. The devoted student has prepared well for the examinations and the answers are properly stored in the brain. Studying hard and storing the answers in the brain is the duty of the student. But even when there is no deficiency in the student’s effort, the right answers do not come to the student’s mind. The student is not lacking the answers, but is lacking the energy necessary to display the answer in the brain since all the energy is consumed by the nervousness. What is the cause of this nervousness? The punishment of some sin attacks the student in the form of nervousness, even though the student had performed his or her duty of studying sincerely. The fruits of intense good and bad deeds attack the soul here itself (Atyutkaṭaiḥ pāpapuṇyaiḥ ihaiva phalamaśnute). The fruits of normal deeds are received by the soul in heaven and hell after death. However, if the soul is highly devoted to God, God will provide some chance for the soul to get reformed. Getting settled in life is essential before reformation. Getting a good education is a prerequisite for settlement in life. Passing examinations is like crossing important landmarks in one’s education. Souls who are not concerned about God, will be attacked by the fruits of their intense deeds in the form of nervousness. One should not blame God in this context because God is impartial in implementing the established rules of the divine constitution regarding the karma chakra or the cycle of deeds. But devotion to God is also a deed and this deed must also have its fruit as per the rule of deeds. Thus, the student suffers from nervousness as a punishment for his or her intense bad deeds. But as a result of his or her devotion, the student also receives help from God. Such help rendered by God to the devotee is justified based on the student’s devotion and hence it does not violate justice in the divine administration. The same three steps described by Me above were also preached by Jesus also through the following three statements: (1) I am in the Light. (2) The Light is in Me and (3) I am the Light. The first statement says that the divine preacher is a messenger of God. The second statement says that the divine preacher is the son of God. The third statement says that the divine messenger is God or the divine Father Himself. Jesus also said “I am the truth” which also indicates His identity with God. The first statement describes a high devotee who is close to God. This is Madhva’s dualism. The second statement describes an even higher devotee, which is Rāmānuja’s special monism. The third statement describes the case of the Human Incarnation of God, which is Śaṅkara’s monism. There is a fourth special stage of the highest devotee, who is even higher than the Human Incarnation. Due to the devotee’s exceptional devotion, God becomes a servant of that highest devotee! Assuming Monism Without Committing Sins In order to overcome nervousness while doing a good deed, a devotee can use any of these three steps. But the devotee should not exploit them to overcome nervousness while committing sin. Advaita philosophers claim that they are already God. Such a claim is not necessarily a sin. When the little son of a police officer holds a stick in his hand says that he is a police officer, the father, who is the police officer, smiles. He feels happy and is not angry with his son. If the son beats a real thief with the stick, the father becomes very happy saying that his son will certainly become a police officer in the future. But if the son beats an innocent person with the stick, the father becomes angry with his son. He takes away the stick from the son and slaps the son saying that he will never become a police officer and instead will become a thief! Hence, a devotee assuming monism with God for doing good deeds is recommendable. Simply, assuming monism without doing any deed is also enjoyable fun for God. But assuming monism for doing bad deeds must be avoided. Śaṅkara, in His monistic theory stated that the soul is the absolute truth or God and that the world is relatively true with respect to the soul. Through this concept of monism, He was encouraging souls to do good God-like deeds. But the relative truth of the world was misunderstood by some as its non-existence. Yet, Śaṅkara kept silent allowing people to conclude that the world is non-existent. The idea behind His silence was that when the world is said to be non-existent, the follower of monism would at least not have a strong desire to do bad deeds, even if there would be no desire to do good deeds either. Any deed in a non-existent world is also non-existent like an action done in a dream. A soul doing neither good deeds nor bad deeds would remain more or less inactive, assuming the world to be non-existent. At least such a person would not harm others. Thus, Śaṅkara allowed devotees to assume monism to encourage them to do good deeds and He allowed them to assume the non-existence of the world to at least prevent the soul from doing bad deeds. But He also warned any potential misusers of His concept of monism by saying that the punishment received for one’s sins must be also treated as non-existent! To demonstrate this concept, He swiftly ran away to escape from an elephant rushing towards Him. When questioned by the followers as to why He was running away from a non-existent elephant, He replied that not only the elephant, but also, His running away was non-existent (Yathā gajo mithyā...)! On the whole, Śaṅkara preached that the world is non-existent to the real absolute God, while it is existent to every relatively-existent soul. The world is not existent to God and not non-existent to the soul. So, it can be said to be different from both existence (sat) and non-existence (asat). He called it mithyā, which He defined as different from both existence and non-existence (Sadasat vilakṣanā). Ascending to Monism and Descending from It God is pleased when you use these three steps to overcome your nervousness while doing good deeds. He will be furious only when you exploit these steps to do sins. It is also very important that after ascending from the first step of dualism to the third step of monism, you must also descend back to dualism. There is no harm in continuing to be in the first step of dualism. It is, in fact, better to always continue in the first step. The first step is thinking that one is close to God. Even though an ordinary soul is actually far from God, it is better to think that he or she is close to God. It helps the soul remember that God is watching every deed done by the soul. So, every devotee should think that he or she is close to God, which means that God is always closely watching every deed done by the devotee. Some devotees are eager to ascend to the step of monism but they never want to descend to dualism. That is very dangerous since the soul might easily commit sins as a result of continuing to be in monism. The soul begins to think that it is above justice since it is God and can even commit sins. The Gita says that ascending is done for the sake of doing some action (Ārurukṣoḥ...) and descending is done for the sake of maintaining peace (Yogārūdhasya...). Devotees should clearly understand that ascending to monism in this context does not mean that the devotee actually has become God. It is only an assumption to overcome nervousness. Even the Human Incarnation, who has actually ascended to the third step, has to sometimes come down to lower steps while preaching to devotees. Only if the percentage of ego and jealousy in the devotees around the Incarnation is nearly zero, does He declare His monism with God. If the devotees have a moderate level of ego and jealousy, He claims to be a Son of God, corresponding to the second step. If the ego and jealousy of the devotees is a hundred percent, then the Human Incarnation only claims to be a messenger of God, which is the first step. It is for this reason that Prophet Mohammad always claimed to be just a messenger of God. Another advantage of remaining in this first step of dualism with God is that there is place for the spiritual effort. Only when the soul realizes that it is different and far from God, can it take the effort to come closer to God. Of course, there are people who do not want the closeness of God because it makes it inconvenient for them to do sins in the presence of the God who is so close! To avoid this inconvenient situation, some such people have placed God beyond this world. Others have denied the very existence of God! As a reaction to these two attempts of pushing God away, some people have developed the concept that God is omnipresent. This omnipresence of God serves the purpose of ensuring a constant closeness of God with every soul. But it also has a disadvantage. There is a danger of thinking that since God is omnipresent, He must also be in the sinner. In that case, it would mean that God is doing the sin! This, of course, is not true! Thinking that God is only beyond creation and thinking that God is omnipresent in creation are two extreme ends. The middle golden path between these two extreme ends is that God is beyond this creation, but He enters creation whenever and wherever there is a justified necessity. The omnipresence of God is not to be taken in the sense of His physical presence everywhere. It is to be understood in the effective sense. It means that even though God is not physically present everywhere, He is effectively present since He knows and controls everything in this creation. www.universal-spirituality[.]org Universal Spirituality for World Peace

Hello everyone , I am new here I do want to discuss a topic about inner peace from different social categories : singles , couples , married , divorced ...... and from all the races and the ages . I will be so glad to communicate with you through the different social networks . Peace .

Hello everyone that wants to chat with me. Have not posted for a while. Feeling confused and mad that I have to immigrate to another country for peace of mind and safety concerns.