How to attain individual happiness and the path to greatness for societies and individuals!

Many of us reading this post may have already achieved a fair degree of material, educational and career success. Yet happiness and 'peace of mind' remain elusive. If we have a million dollars , we need another five to make us feel secure and happy. If we have a house , we still need a larger one ....and we are never quite satisfied and happy with what we have !

The following excerpts are from the writings of Acharya Shriram Sharma (who was  Ramkrishna Paramhansa , Kabir and Samarth Guru RamDass in his former lives) that nudge us to PAUSE and THINK! They tell us that apart from securing a basic living for ourselves and our family, real happiness does not lie with career or material success. Then where does real happiness lie? How do we reduce stress and achieve peace of mind? The following excerpts from the short, simple and succinct book "Pause and Think" help us find some pointers towards this direction .

Quoted Text -How to achieve individual happiness and ensure collective progress of society :

Thirst for wealth and leaving a monetary  inheritance for children:

"The thirst for wealth, like lust and anger, produces insensitivity and  makes us hard -hearted. Humanity, therefore  does not lie in looting the goods of others, stealing from others and insufficient payment for work done by others. Man be-gets  severe downfall through such acts. 
Do you wish to make your children lazy and useless by leaving such sinful earnings as  their inheritance? Why do you wish to collect that wealth which is not going to accompany you to your next life? Why do you come within its grip? If you forget your soul and the goal of life by becoming a victim of greed, how will such wealth benefit you ? Just leave it. Joy lies only in the income earned through  hard and honest work.

Feelings of jealousy while witnessing others progress:

The feeling of jealousy is another reason for a man's downfall. One progresses according to his capacity and circumstances. When one's capacity is developed with humaneness, nobody's interest is hurt. However, when one develops jealousy and-malice on seeing the prosperity of others, that ensures the person's  personal downfall and there starts the collective downfall of society..

Man's life is not for burning away in malice and jealousy. God has given us this human body for developing within us the attitudes of service, warmth, love,compassion, justice etc. We should imbibe these for developing excellence of character-to make for a purposeful life, to make people happy and contribute towards spreading-happiness in society.

The aim of spirituality:

The aim of spiritualism is to save men from the damage of sins and bad thoughts and lead them to peace and happiness through truth and religion. It is wrong to assume that we will be at a loss by adopting a religious life. That "religion" which causes loss and harm to society cannot be called religion, because the practice of a religious life teaches good behaviour should bring peace. 
The hypocrisy practised by certain Gurus or Baba's or other self proclaimed prophets is not religion and joining such sects always causes harm. Real religion gives correct guidelines of moral conduct and leads to progress both  in this as well as outer worlds. In ancient India when religious atmosphere prevailed in every household, there was wealth, strength, knowledge, love, warmth and  joy. Today when most of us have adopted immoral, irreligious thinking and behaviour, we find hell dominating the households.

Today we find ourselves surrounded by demoniacal tendencies. Our individual lives are also seen to be filled with them. As a result, despite getting the gift of human life, we are living a despicable life. Similarly the social system  is also dominated by corruption and greed , because of which, troubles have taken hold of our health, economy, society, political life, mutual relations, morality, ability, industrial production etc. Thus there is turmoil in every section of the society.

There is only one solution for individual happiness and peace in the society -the development of good tendencies and defeat of demoniacal tendencies. Unless and until the demoniacal tendencies are defeated, the restless atmosphere cannot be ruled out.

Lord Buddha on self interest and selfishness :

Who is the smallest one in the world?” asked a child. Lord Buddha became serious and said, “One who thinks of himself alone and thinks only his self interest as most important”. In these few and simple words he drew the outlines of practical spiritualism. The aim of soul's uplift or development is that man should come out of his narrow mindedness for personal pleasures and become broad -minded and generous towards society. 
Joy  does not lie in taking from others, but in giving to others. As long as man has the ambition and keen desire of only collecting and storing away for himself , he remains  small, lowly, helpless, and useless. But the moment he uses his mind, body, intelligence and his capacities for the greater good of humanity, his greatness also starts spreading its fragrance all round.

Source and credits :

The above are excerpts from the writings of Acharya Shriram Sharma aggregated in a book titled "Pause and Think". Acharya Shriram Sharma wrote in Hindi and the English translations have been done by his readers and followers.
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How to maintain mental balance in tough situations(3): Lose Not Your Heart Series

Enclosed below are inspiring motivational quotes  on how to maintain your mental balance while dealing  with stressful and difficult situations from the  pocket book "Lose Not Your Heart", authored by Acharya Shriram Sharma.

Readers , can print out this  page and put it on the school bulletin board, the  refrigerator, the school library, a local temple etc. This is an easy way to    build  these inspiring and motivational quotes in  everyday life. These short Motivational  Quotes have helped so many people deal with ordinary everyday problems and prevented these problems from becoming larger issues that can overtake our lives.

Do not Depend on Others:

The day you develop faith in the strength of your own hands, feet and heart, your soul will tell you to go forth alone. Keeping high expectations of others is like building castles in the air, unreal and worthless. 

Pinning your hopes on others cripples your own originality and courage. The person who centers his life around another person becomes alone very quickly. Putting your life in another person's hands is like setting sail without knowing where you are going.

Love , is a Great Power:

Love is a kind of power that can further any aspect of life. It is impossible to bring about a change in any one's thinking without love.Healthy mindsets are rarely ever formed through reasoning and arguments. Healthy mindsets as well as trust are developed through prolonged good company. The result of this prolonged good company is love. Therefore, a healthy mindset and trust are both results of love.

We must use love to change others outlook and way of thinking. Logic and intelligent arguments are not sufficient. If what you have to say is full of love and sympathy, the world will be willing to follow you.

The cause of Failure:

We are constantly trying to force others to think and act according to our own beliefs. These attempts to correct other's behaviour neither changes their minds or satisfies us. 

We justify controlling others in several ways. We believe that if we control them we may acquire some immediate gain , or that the person is a hindrance to our progress, or that the person is constantly criticising us , spreading rumours about us etc. Using such reasoning to blame others for your own failure will not benefit you.

Forget Painful Memories:

When you find yourself recalling painful memories, the best thing to do is forget and ignore them. The way to preserve your emotional stability is to replace your unpleasant memories with pleasant ones. If you wish to keep your physical, mental, and emotional health, then learn to remove unhealthy memories in  this way.

Even if someone close to you has caused you grief, will you keep obsessing over your pain? Lose yourself in purposeful work and forget these painful experiences. The best way to free yourself from worry is to forget our misery.

Control over Happiness and Unhappiness:

Instead of being controlled by happiness and unhappiness, establish your mastery over them. This will render your life more interesting and meaningful. It is every persons responsibility to uplift himself and better his life, and you should full involve yourself in this task. 

You can achieve a great deal if you take full advantage of favorable circumstances and are not afraid of adverse ones. Learn from every circumstance and move forward. As you progress, whatever seemed adverse will seem favorable, and then when that time comes you will be free from your sadness.


Find Happiness in all situations:
It is only wise to be prepared for changing times. You should never feel conceited about your successes, happiness, luxuries, or progress, because you do not know how long these will last. If they do not, there is no point in spending your energy, complaining, despairing or becoming angry. Use your  time to think through the situation and devise a solution , or otherwise reconcile yourself to it. In the end this will be more beneficial for you.
Real intelligence comes form finding happiness in whatever is available,and in this way in keeping your mental balance.

Dear readers- if you liked the above  inspiring and motivational quotes  on how to maintain our mental balance while dealing with stressful and difficult situations in Life - we also invite you to read other articles in the "Lose not your Heart" series. 

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Source credits and  References:
If you would like to read the book "Lose Not Your Heart" please click the link below.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/56434985/Lose-Not-Your-Heart-motivational-book-by-Shriram-Sharma-Acharya-Shantikunj

How to maintain your mental balance in difficult situations (2): Lose Not Your Heart Series

Enclosed here are Inspiring Motivational Quotes from Shriram Sharma Acharya's immensely popular pocket book "Lose Not Your Heart". These Inspiring and Motivational Quotes  help us in gaining direction and maintaining our mental balance while facing difficult situations  in life.
These quotes make for  an inspiring daily read. As a suggested method, you could  print out this page and put it on your bulletin board, your refrigerator, the school library, your local temple , in your child's room etc. These short  quotes have helped so many people deal with ordinary everyday problems and prevented these problems  from becoming larger issues that can overtake our lives.

Quoted text from the above mentioned book:

SURRENDER  YOURSELF:
You must be prepared to face hardships in your Life. You may be predisposed to feel that you cannot face them, but where you find doubt, tiredness and despair in yourself you will also find immense strength. Finish your work wholeheartedly and step aside. Let the results come to you in due course of time.

Work to your full potential. Do not get discouraged by any situation. The only actions you can control are your own and not those of others. Do not criticise others and do not hold any expectations of them. There is no need to be afraid; everything will turn out for the best. Do not despair you are standing on firm ground.

LOOK TO YOURSELF FOR GUIDANCE:

One who knows himself to be part of God neither blames failures on others nor attributes  success to himself. He does not become blinded by his own power and fails to see the real situation. Be as cautious of your own ego as you would be of a rabid dog. Avoid attachment to your achievements as you would avoid a poisonous snake, and avoid people who will mock you for this. Direct every effort of your mind and heart towards God.

Depending on others for your happiness ultimately leads to helplessness and misery. Look within yourself for direction and not to others. Your true nature will help you become determined, and this determination will help you reach your goal.

INTROSPECT:

Whatever happens, let it happen. Whatever is said about you, let it be said. You should consider these things as illusory as a mirage. If you have really detached yourself from the world, then why should such things affect you. Focus on inspecting yourself thoroughly for weakness. Only then can you begin the process of growth.

Take advantage of every moment and every opportunity. Your path is very long and time is very short. Concentrate your inner strength on reaching your goal. 

Do not despair in any situation. Have faith not in the capacity of man, but in the capacity of God. God will show you the right path.

WALK ALONE :

Great Men go far on their paths because they walk alone. Their inspirations comes from within. They alone spur their happiness and remove their sadness and they are helped along by their own ideas. 

Loneliness is an undeniable truth. To be afraid of it, or lose sight of it is the greatest folly. What you believe to be Loneliness is actually a kind of solitude given to you to develop your inner strength. When you depend on yourself you are better able to realize your full potential.

THE SPIRIT OF SPORTSMANSHIP:
If you wish to do something extraordinary , do not pay attention to what others think of your goals and plans. If they see you as an unrealistic dreamer, ignore it. Have faith in yourself. Do not let your faith waiver because of someone's words or an adverse condition. If you keep going, you will ultimately find a way to proceed. 
Keep applying your efforts , but do it with a spirit of sportsmanship , do not give up even upon losing!

Dear readers- If you liked the above  inspiring and motivational Quotes on coping with stressful  and difficult situations in Life - be sure to read the other articles in the "Lose not your Heart" series. 

                                                        
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Source and Credits : 
The above Quotes are from Acharya Shriram Sharma's book : " Lose Not Your Heart". To read the book online click the link below:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/56434985/Book-of-Motivational-and-Inspirational-Quotes-Lose-Not-Your-Heart-authored-by-Shriram-Sharma-Acharya

Maintaining your mental balance in difficult situations(1) - Lose not your Heart series.

The enclosed inspirational quotes provide  tips on how to maintain our mental balance while coping  with stressful and difficult situations  in Life.
"Lose Not Your Heart" - is a small pocketbook with great quotes from Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya's writings and thoughts. Acharya ji states that "One fourth of Life's problems can be attributed to previous Karma or circumstances outside of our control, but three fourths of our problems can be attributed to our own attitudinal flaws". Therefore if we can correct the way we THINK we can correct our Life's circumstances and situations and restore our mental balance in difficult situations. 

Quoted Text:

The Combination of Contemplation and Character:

Instead of looking for faults in others, discover your own faults. There is nothing to be gained by finding faults in others. You are only responsible for the mental and physical weaknesses of your own person. One- fourth of the circumstances you receive are a result of your own past actions. Three -Fourths of the situations life gives you are a result of your current outlook and the effectiveness with which you are fulfilling your duties. If you take up the task of correcting yourself, you can solve many of your own mental and physical problems. 

No one is impressed by those who talk a great deal and accomplish very little. Those who have incorporated contemplation and character into their lives , however can influence many people. Such people are the ones who make a difference to their environment.

Believe in the Strength of Your Soul:

It is useless to complain that circumstances are not favourable, or that no one helps you, or that there are no opportunities for you. People say  things like this only to blame their misfortune on others or cover their own personal shortcomings. Some people even blame such things on their fate or luck and beg for better fortune from various deities. This is all because the lack confidence in themselves.

We often fall prey to jealousy and fail to consider that others have achieved happiness because of their own hard work. God does not play favourites. He has given everyone the opportunity and the strength of the soul to make progress.

Awaken your Self Confidence:

When you find yourself in adverse situations and you feel that nothing is under your control, take it as a sign that you lack self confidence.

Until you change your mindset , you cannot be rid of these adverse situations. You cannot create favourable conditions until you fully believe that you are fully capable of doing so. If you do not change your thinking now, the divinity in you will diminish. Tell yourself that the divinity within you is working in your favour and replace your mental weakness with this awakened self confidence.

You are your own friend and enemy:

Do not dwell on repeated failures. You have plenty of time before you. Start afresh and keep performing your duties regularly and diligently; Success will be yours in due time.

Do not beg others for help, because in reality no one has the capacity to truly help you. Likewise, do not blame others when you are depressed as no one has the capacity to cause you pain. You are your own friend and enemy . Every situation you find yourself in, whether good or bad is of your own creation. Change your outlook towards a situation and right away the fear surrounding it will vanish.

Self Confidence and Perpetual effort:
Great Men have always begun as ordinary people.They did not despir or lose self esteem based on their ordinary status. They kept going on the strength of their self confidence and perpetual effort. Even when faced with adverse situations they did not remove their sight from their goal. Even with limited resources and strength they continued to offer their lives up for their country, religion, society and humanity.

Dear readers- if you liked the above  inspiring and motivational quotes  on how to maintain our mental balance and peace of mind while coping with stressful situations , we also invite you  to explore  other articles posted on the blog in the "Lose not your Heart" series. 

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Further Reading - Lose not your heart series of Quotes
1. Lose not your heart ( series 2)
2. Lose not your heart   ( series 3)

Source and Credits : 
The above Quotes are from Acharya Shriram Sharma's book : " Lose Not Your Heart". To read the complete pocket book online please  click the link below:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/56434985/Book-of-Motivational-and-Inspirational-Quotes-Lose-Not-Your-Heart-authored-by-Shriram-Sharma-Acharya

How To Maintain Your Mental Balance in Difficult Situations !

This brief and translated passage from Acharya Shriram Sharma's  book " Rishi Chintan Key Sannidhye Mein"  tells us how to maintain  our mental balance and achieve peace of mind in the face of difficult situations.

Translated Excerpt:

"If you feel that your life should always be successful, be without difficulty, hardship or constraints, then this is an  impossibility. It is also outside of your control to achieve such a state.

Instead life should be viewed as a beautiful sweet smelling garden where along with flowers we also find thorns, grim looking and dry stones and difficult looking cliffs and hard rocks. Therefore in life we have to taste both the sweetness and the bitterness that comes our way.

There is no point in fighting against that which we cannot change in our lives. If we cannot change or avoid a particular situation than what is the point of trying to wish for a change in such a situation? As an example what is the point of interacting with and being angry with a person who is by nature predisposed to picking fights, or  is harsh by nature or is predisposed to creating stressful situations. 
Don’t dwell on the past, on harmful situations and unsuccessful moments in your life as these thoughts will destabilize your mind and take away your mental peace and strength. It is also purposeless dwelling!

What then is in your control? 
What is in your control  is your nature, your good habits, your mental balance,  –all these things are in our control. All these qualities are related to your personal nature and your individual personality. With practice you can achieve all these divine /good qualities and build them into your nature. These qualities when cultivated will give you a peaceful and contended life.

If you want to live happily in this world – focus on the things that are in your control and develop and cultivate those. Do not focus and dwell on or have regrets about what is outside your control. Be the master of your own mind and let what is outside of your control (the world and other people) go their own way."

To read Part 2 of this quote , follow the enclosed link:
http://guidingthoughts.blogspot.com/2012/07/we-are-what-we-think-we-becomethey-way.html

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Translated and adapted from page 200 of the book "Rishi Chintan Key Sannidhye Mein" .This book is authored by Shriram Sharma Acharya.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/87389409/Rishi-Chintan-Key-Sannidhye-Mein