When we forgive, we donot change the past; we change the future.
To feel worry and tension or run away in a difficult situation may work for a short time, but it is not a solution. If we go within and draw upon our fearless courage and the strength of determination to remove the barrier of useless thoughts and create positive thoughts, we canmeet challenges head on and realise they are not that bad.
Life is a game of forgetting and remembering. We lose the game of life when we forget who we truly and eternally are – a spiritual being. When I remember that I, the soul, am a non-physical, imperishable thinking being of light, giving life to the perishable body, my true nature, which is ever-loving, blissful, and peaceful, emerges. This awareness reminds the soul to be light, to think fewer and slower thoughts. When we carry heavy thoughts filled with negativity about others, it weighs us down, and is exhausting. Allowing bitterness and resentment to fester inside will make my relationships guarded and unsatisfying. The more I close down to others, the more I become a stranger to myself.
Inner peace begins when we remember and choose not to allow another person or event to control our emotions. We can protect ourselves byputting a full stop to wasteful thoughts and erasing the unnecessary questions and exclamation marks in our mind. By forgiving and letting go of sorrow and negativity, we can keep ournature open and loving. Our focus needs to be on our own performance, not that of others.
Our personality of peace, love, and wisdom, should be reflected in every role we play. We can perfect our own script – and not the script of others – by replacing negative thoughts about others with uplifting thoughts about their specialties, qualities, skills, and positive personality traits. The more good wishes and kind feelings we have in our thoughts for others, the more our own happiness increases.
We can pass through every scene well by being at ease, relaxed, and by empowering and encouraging our co-actors. We can remind ourselves to bring out our personality of peace and compassion in every role, uninfluenced by others. We will know when we are perfect: We will remain beyond the effect of negative influences of situations and other people in the drama of life. By remaining connected to the perfect being of God, we will reach a constant state of positive thinking wherein we naturally do what is good. What a beautiful and powerful stage that is, and it is only a few thoughts away.
Chirya Yvonne Risely is a Rajyoga meditation teacher, based at the Brahma Kumaris Peace Village Retreat Center, USA