 The Daily Guardian

spiritual knowledge becomes meaningful when it enriches every part of our life.By:&nbsp;B.K Deepa Source: The Daily Guardian <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://epaper.thedailyguardian.com/2026/10/30/e-paper-today-delhi-31-october-2026/">https://epaper.thedailyguardian.com/2026/10/30/e-paper-today-delhi-31-october-2026/</a> Dated: October 31st, 2026Whether we are engaged in a profession, caring for our family, or serving others through our work, Rajyoga meditation enables us to remain peaceful, positive, and internally stable. Circumstances may change, but our inner state can remain steady, allowing us to approach challenges with clarity and naturally look for constructive solutions.Spiritual knowledge becomes meaningful only when it is applied in daily life. We may accumulate a great deal of information and be able to explain it to others, but unless we practice it ourselves, its transformative power remains unrealized.The foundation of Rajyoga is self-awareness—the understanding that we are spiritual beings, or souls, and that the Supreme Being is the Supreme Soul and the Father of all souls. The relationship with the Supreme Being is not an abstract philosophical idea. It can become a deeply personal and living experience.Four elements help make our connection with the Supreme Being natural: introduction, relationship, love, and attainment. When we meet someone for the first time, we begin with an introduction. As we get to know one another, a relationship develops. With greater closeness, love and trust grow. When we also experience support, guidance, or some form of benefit from that relationship, remembering that person becomes natural.The same principle applies to our relationship with the Supreme Being. As we understand who He is, experience Him as our own, develop love for Him, and recognize the peace, strength, guidance, and support we receive through that relationship, remembrance gradually becomes less of an effort and more of a natural experience.The word yoga means connection. Our minds are connected throughout the day — to people, responsibilities, possessions, work, and circumstances. In Rajyoga, we consciously direct this connection toward the Supreme Power.This practice develops not only remembrance of the Supreme Being but also self-mastery. We begin to learn how to guide our thoughts rather than allowing our thoughts to control us. We learn to direct our minds, focus our intellect, and become masters of our inner world.Four stages form the practical foundation of Rajyoga: withdrawal, contemplation, concentration, and experience.First, we temporarily withdraw our attention from our external roles and responsibilities and become aware of our spiritual identity. We then contemplate the Supreme Being and communicate with Him through our thoughts. The intellect visualizes and focuses on this connection. With regular practice, the mind and intellect gradually become concentrated, leading to an experience of peace, strength, and spiritual closeness.Initially, meditation may require conscious effort. The mind may wander, and external distractions may easily draw our attention away. But, just as driving becomes natural after sufficient practice, meditation can gradually become part of our everyday lifestyle.The benefits of Rajyoga extend far beyond the meditation period. Regular practice can strengthen concentration, discernment, decision-making, patience, tolerance, cooperation, and the ability to face challenging circumstances.Tolerance and the ability to accommodate are valuable in relationships. Discernment and decision-making are essential in professional life. The power to face helps us remain courageous in difficult circumstances, while the power to cooperate enables us to work harmoniously with others. The ability to withdraw helps us step back from external distractions, and the power to let go enables us to release unnecessary thoughts, resentment, and emotional burdens.Cooperation does not always require a major act of service. Sometimes it begins with something as simple as a smile, a kind word, or a message of hope.Rajyoga also teaches the importance of taking small pauses during the day. Just as we recharge a device by connecting it to a power source, we can recharge ourselves by periodically reconnecting with our spiritual identity and the Supreme Source.Rajyoga reminds us that life is a journey. Material possessions remain behind, but our qualities, actions, values, and the good wishes we give and receive become part of our deeper spiritual journey.Every day, therefore, gives us an opportunity to accumulate something valuable: peace instead of anxiety, compassion instead of criticism, patience instead of irritation, cooperation instead of conflict, and good wishes instead of negativity.Ultimately, Rajyoga is not meditation confined to a particular time or place. Its true purpose is transformation. Spiritual knowledge becomes meaningful when it moves beyond words and becomes experience — when peace becomes our nature, we naturally interact compassionately with others, and our connection with God becomes a natural part of our life.<img class="image_resized" style="aspect-ratio:354/328;width:10.16%;" src="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/BK_Deepa_cd4f6d066c.png" alt="BK Deepa.png" width="354" height="328">B.K. Deepa is a Rajyoga teacher based in Mumbai.

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Knowledge must lead to inner strength

When I distribute the gift of good wishes, positive energy flows through my relationships.By:&nbsp;B.K Radha Gupta Source: The Daily Guardian <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://epaper.thedailyguardian.com/2026/10/30/e-paper-today-delhi-31-october-2026/">https://epaper.thedailyguardian.com/2026/10/30/e-paper-today-delhi-31-october-2026/</a> Dated: October 31st, 2026The free flow of energy of any kind is vital to the health of all things. Our blood needs to flow, our breath needs to flow, water needs to flow. The creativity of artists, writers, and musicians needs to flow, for that is when there is harmony and beauty.&nbsp;However, as we all know, life, situations, and relationships throw up all kinds of blockages, obstacles, and potholes. Is there something we can do to remove these obstacles? Is there something we can do to guide this desired free flow? Is there something we can stop doing that may be adding to obstructions?There are specific areas we can explore and work on.<ol><li class="ck-list-marker-font-size ck-list-marker-color ck-list-marker-font-family" style="--ck-content-list-marker-color:hsl(220,9%,46%);--ck-content-list-marker-font-family:Metropolis Medium;--ck-content-list-marker-font-size:20px;font-family:Metropolis Medium;" data-list-item-id="eccdd0a1a1cc57e05d3626f8b9708c6a6">Letting go – this is two fold. Either I am holding on to something I need to let go of, like a bird holding on to a branch while flapping its wings expecting to fly. Or something or someone is holding me in its grip. In the first instance, it could be something as simple as a deep-seated belief about myself. Or it could be letting go of a habit that I come to realize is damaging me.On the other side, we find ourselves tangled in the web of relationships and situations that make us feel like prisoners. It can feel as if a huge wall is obstructing my moving forward; so high, it seems impossible to surmount. What can I do to free myself? We may choose, or need, to stay, but I then understand that I can see myself beyond the wall; I am not defined by this situation. I may have to stay for one reason or another, but I can keep contentment and peace flowing. Nothing stays the same forever, and there are many things to learn. When the situation eventually ends, then let it be with gratitude for what I have become because of it all.Flexibility – and with that, acceptance. A river begins its life high in the mountains as a small, bubbling fountain emerging out of the ground. As it flows through hills and valleys towards the sea, it encounters many obstructions and yet, its destiny is to reach the ocean, and it does. That certainty that the river will meet the ocean can be used by us to elevate our thinking. Wherever I am right now, whatever obstructions appear, I accept that I will eventually reach my destination. On the way I can enjoy the journey; value what I have gained in self-respect as I navigate the world, and share what I have learnt.Being undisturbed, anyway – I can learn to be calm and at peace, whatever suddenly appears to block the flow. Whatever disturbances there are, we need to come out of the turbulence and move into damage control. It is important to keep my energy flowing in the direction I would like and return to my peace and calm, not waiting for things or people to change; I do not need to wait for anyone or anything.</li></ol>All this needs preparation. First, I need to set my intention before starting a task or conversation. What is my intention, what do I want to come out of this, can I generate my highest intention? Setting intention really changes all the feeling with which I do things. I can let my highest energy flow and generate good wishes for those around me.Secondly – set my practice. How do I want to ‘be’ in that situation. Who am I when I speak to my colleagues, or when I speak to a relative, or when on vacation? Can I keep my energy flowing, distributing the gift of good wishes; the energy of peace? This keeps energy flowing.Finally, the connection with the source, the Supreme Energy, through meditation. I may be able to use my own spiritual power to a certain extent, but because I am learning, I need to connect heart and mind to the source of love and peace and wisdom, especially when I cannot find the love or energy to face something. Energy flowing from the Supreme Being to me does not just help me, it helps all around me to keep good wishes, spiritual love, and a deep sense of peace flowing in and around all.<img class="image_resized" style="aspect-ratio:142/182;width:9.49%;" src="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/Radha_Gupta_c270e4c983.jpg" alt="Radha Gupta.jpg" width="142" height="182">B.K Radha Gupta, based in Rome, is a member of the Brahma Kumaris National Coordinating Team in Italy.

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Keep energy flowing freely

Meditation fills the self with qualities that are needed in every relationship.By:&nbsp;B.K Chirya Risely Source: The Daily Guardian <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://epaper.thedailyguardian.com/2026/10/30/e-paper-today-delhi-31-october-2026/">https://epaper.thedailyguardian.com/2026/10/30/e-paper-today-delhi-31-october-2026/</a> Dated: October 31st, 2026Relationships are meant to be deep and beautiful, so that we can support and encourage one another on our journeys through life. Yet, we can see that relationships are now the cause of a great deal of stress. They are no longer as meaningful as they used to be. Early divorces, sudden break-ups, and loss of friendships are a testament to the lack of nourishment we are finding in our relationships. Anger and ego, jealousy and possessiveness are the toxic elements that cause the breakdown of ever more relationships. One of the main elements of a collapse of a relationship is inner emptiness, low self-respect, lack of respect for others, and the inability to communicate honestly and openly with others.Each person has their own mindset and perspective, and these very often differ from our own. Personal goals may not be the same within a relationship, and compromises are difficult to sustain. However, each one has the right to their own pursuit of fulfilment in life. Our life’s purpose is ours alone and the determination to attain that purpose must come from within us.For our own journey, it is important not to heed the negative thoughts and opinions of others, not give them space in our mind or let them distract us from our purpose. Permitting negative comments of others to control our thinking weakens our confidence and self-belief. In the same way, we must not allow any negative judgement or criticism to obstruct the path of another.We should cause no hurt, and no one should be able to hurt our feelings. It is we who allow ourselves to feel hurt as we carry on an internal dialogue about the behaviour and words of another. It is we who cause the hurt because of our thoughts and attitude. Far better to connect with others with sweetness and humility, forgiveness and compassion, and maintain a healthy, loving detachment.Attachment in relationships brings expectation and desire, leading to fear, worry, stress, and ultimately sorrow. Appreciate others, respect their path and purpose, but let them be free from our expectations. Expectations are the seeds of most problems in relationships, and exist because the qualities of love, peace, and joy are not sufficiently strong within the self.Meditation is the way to fill the self with the qualities that are needed in every relationship. Love and peace, joy and wisdom are deepened and strengthened through meditation. In this way our relationships are not formed or sustained because of neediness, but are enjoyed in respectful freedom, full of spiritual love and good wishes.<img class="image_resized" style="aspect-ratio:154/209;width:10.37%;" src="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/Chirya_Risely_cfb256a837.png" alt="Chirya Risely.png" width="154" height="209">Chirya Risely is a Rajyoga meditation teacher based at the Brahma Kumaris Peace Village Retreat Center, USA.

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Spiritual practices to strengthen relationships

The easy way to become free from waste is not through force, but through awareness, practice and the right use of our and intellect.By:&nbsp;B.K. Pushpa Source: The Daily Guardian <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://epaper.thedailyguardian.com/2026/10/23/e-paper-today-delhi-24-october-2026/">https://epaper.thedailyguardian.com/2026/10/23/e-paper-today-delhi-24-october-2026/</a> Dated: October 24th, 2026Just as we remove broken or unnecessary things from our homes because they occupy space and reduce the value of useful things, we must remove waste from our inner life. If good things and useless things are mixed together, we cannot fully experience the value of the former.The seed of waste is our thoughts. When thoughts become wasteful, they eventually emerge through words and actions. Sometimes we may not say anything, but our state of mind is visible in our behavior and face. Jealousy, dislike, hatred, unnecessary curiosity, and repeated thinking about things that have nothing to do with us, all create waste.Thinking is a natural power of the soul. The question is not whether we should think, but what should we think? We have the power of understanding and the power of controlling our thoughts. Just as water flows naturally, but we create channels, tanks, and systems so that it can be used constructively, our thinking power also needs direction. If thoughts are allowed to flow wherever they want, they become waste. If we give them a direction, they become a great power.Therefore, we need controlling power. If something is not useful, why should I think about it? Why should I wonder what someone wore, what someone said, or what someone else was doing? If something is part of my responsibility, then I must pay attention to it. But if it has nothing to do with my responsibility, why should I allow it to occupy my mind?Today we have easy access to information through mobile phones, the internet, and social media. These are useful instruments, but they can also become a web of waste. We may begin with something useful and, without realizing it, move into completely unnecessary things. Therefore, we need to have the controlling power to decide: What should I see? What should I hear? What should I learn? Only that which has value, increases our strength, or helps in our work deserves our attention.Applying the full stop also helps. If a wasteful thought comes, do not give it time or attention. Put a full stop immediately. Even if we are right in a situation, we do not need to keep thinking about it. “I was not at fault. Why did they say this to me? Why did they behave like that?” Such thoughts can continue endlessly and gradually create feelings of anger, hurt, and revenge. One wasteful thought can lead to another and cause turmoil in the mind.The best method is to replace waste with positive, powerful thoughts. We can create or choose one such thought to practice throughout the day. Whenever the mind is free and a wasteful thought arises, we can return to that positive thought.This requires introversion. That does not mean merely keeping the mouth shut even as the mind wanders. It means becoming aware of where our attention is going. We may be looking at something without really seeing it, or hearing something without it entering our consciousness. When the mind is absorbed in study, useful work, or remembrance of God, many unnecessary things naturally fail to attract our attention. The more our mind is engaged in constructive things, the less space remains for waste.The result of such attention and practices is powerful: when our thoughts and words are useful, focused, and powerful, our actions and experiences become likewise. This is the easy way to become free from waste — not through force, but through awareness, practice, and the right use of our mind and intellect.Freedom from waste simply means becoming free from whatever is not useful to our life. If it has no value, let it go. Apply a full stop and move forward with a powerful thought.<img class="image_resized" style="aspect-ratio:186/207;width:11.42%;" src="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/BK_Pushpa_00c760baa1.jpg" alt="BK Pushpa.jpg" width="186" height="207">B.K. Pushpa is a Rajyoga teacher based in Delhi.

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How to be free from waste thoughts

Meditation allows me to create space, and to take responsibility for my feelings and reactions.By:&nbsp;B.K. Samantha Fraser Source: The Daily Guardian <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://epaper.thedailyguardian.com/2026/10/23/e-paper-today-delhi-24-october-2026/">https://epaper.thedailyguardian.com/2026/10/23/e-paper-today-delhi-24-october-2026/</a> Dated: October 24th, 2026A reaction rather than a response shows that there is a loss of control. No one wants to lose their dignity and composure by reacting, even though we sometimes feel quite justified, because there is always an element of regret for having done so. There is always a reason behind a reaction, and it will depend on my beliefs and life experience as to which triggers will provoke a reaction. It is not the same for everyone. For example, a major trigger for someone could be seeing or hearing of some injustice. Injustice is the trigger for the strong emotional reaction, but looking deeper we may find that it is all to do with the feeling of powerlessness, not being able to intervene, unreasonable expectations of others, expecting others to do x, y, or z.On a spiritual journey, we are moving from quick reactions to quiet reflection and choosing to respond in a way that is helpful to all involved.The main reactions include anger, snapping, shouting, becoming defensive, or shutting down into withdrawal, crying, blaming, avoiding, retaliating, taking things personally, and many others.If I fall into reacting in any of these ways, what is this telling me about myself?<ol><li class="ck-list-marker-font-size ck-list-marker-color ck-list-marker-font-family" style="--ck-content-list-marker-color:hsl(220,9%,46%);--ck-content-list-marker-font-family:Metropolis Medium;--ck-content-list-marker-font-size:20px;font-family:Metropolis Medium;" data-list-item-id="ea35d4be3c3beab2af8945da8ffaa0ecc">There is a fear of some kind of loss. It could be loss of respect, identity, position, or my belief system has been threatened.</li><li class="ck-list-marker-font-size ck-list-marker-color ck-list-marker-font-family" style="--ck-content-list-marker-color:hsl(220,9%,46%);--ck-content-list-marker-font-family:Metropolis Medium;--ck-content-list-marker-font-size:20px;font-family:Metropolis Medium;" data-list-item-id="edbeb9be7580eb804df4191227493f5e5">There is some unfulfilled need or desire. There will be many things I feel I need because until we are operating from full spiritual awareness there will be some kind of empty space inside that I need to fill, and if that does not happen, I will react.</li><li class="ck-list-marker-font-size ck-list-marker-color ck-list-marker-font-family" style="--ck-content-list-marker-color:hsl(220,9%,46%);--ck-content-list-marker-font-family:Metropolis Medium;--ck-content-list-marker-font-size:20px;font-family:Metropolis Medium;" data-list-item-id="e011d80c83aa0b18688ec88007b7bd29a">There are attachments I still have to my ideas, my beliefs, about my safety (a feeling of deep insecurity).</li></ol>If we look closely, we will see that the reaction is nearly always way out of proportion to the actual trigger. This is why it is useful to examine what is lying under the reaction.One of the strongest reactions is when I judge, impose my beliefs, my perceptions, on others in any given situation. We keep projecting our version of ‘right’ onto someone else. When I erupt in anger, there is no space or time to choose to respond. The more I am able to understand my reactions deeply, the more I can choose how to respond. Many of us are even reacting to our devices; reading messages and reacting in the mind with waste and negative thoughts, and the person who sent the message is not even in the room.How do we really go beyond?First, I have to evaluate and assess the reactions that keep coming up; why am I reacting to that situation, that person? They are not the cause; they are the trigger.It is important to begin to create space. To begin to do this we can simply count to five. That gives us those few seconds to slow the mind and create a space. Or take a few deep breaths to calm the nervous system.Secondly, I can spend time doing things that give me energy. &nbsp;We react because of a build-up or pressure of waste thoughts, negative thoughts, and this depletes our energy. Without energy, I will have no patience, no tolerance. If I create energy, through regular meditation, or a walk in nature, or spend time in creative expression, it will begin to give me time to see the space inside between my thoughts. There is always a space between one thought and another.Third, learn how to recognize the other kind of triggers, the things that stimulate the strength of my original qualities. Love, peace, kindness, joy, and patience are already there inside to help me respond rather than react. I can build a reservoir of them and have a valuable resource for when I am challenged. We need to build the capacity to respond to the ever-increasing frequency of events that will hold many triggers for us.Meditation allows me to create space, be very honest with myself, and take responsibility for my feelings and reactions. If I blame others, I lose the opportunity for growth. Every interaction is an opportunity to understand myself and others, but they are easy to miss. &nbsp;If I identify with physical appearance, roles and labels, I will definitely react to something or someone. We cannot please everyone, and if I can change the awareness of my identity, that goes beyond the physical, I will find it to be empowering because that is a constant and is independent of what people say or do. Spiritual identity Is based on truth. As soon as I remember that I am a spiritual being of light and soul energy, I can truly go beyond reaction. It is all about creating space.<img class="image_resized" style="aspect-ratio:188/213;width:9.36%;" src="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/Smantha_Fraser_e15ec1e50c.jpg" alt="Smantha Fraser.jpg" width="188" height="213">B.K Samantha Fraser teaches Rajyoga with the Brahma Kumaris and is based at the Global Retreat Centre, Oxford, UK.

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Going beyond reaction

Every stage of our life has something to teach us.By:&nbsp;B.K. Sheilu Source: The Daily Guardian <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://epaper.thedailyguardian.com/2026/10/23/e-paper-today-delhi-24-october-2026/">https://epaper.thedailyguardian.com/2026/10/23/e-paper-today-delhi-24-october-2026/</a> Dated: October 24th, 2026Everything in nature has its season. A seed does not become a tree overnight. It first has to rest in the soil, receive nourishment, develop roots and gradually emerge into the light. A pearl is not formed in a day; it takes time, layer upon layer, to acquire its beauty. Even the butterfly cannot hurry the process of transformation that takes place within the cocoon.Life works in much the same way. We often become anxious when things do not happen according to our expectations. We may have worked hard and made every possible effort, but the desired result may not be achieved. At such a moment, we begin to think: Why is this taking so long? When will things change?Such moments can be seen not simply as delays, but as opportunities for inner preparation. What appears to be a delay may actually be a period when our strength is developing, our character is maturing, our understanding is expanding, and circumstances are gradually coming together in ways that we may not be able to see.Nature teaches us that growth cannot always be forced. A flower has its own time to bloom. Sunrise does not come earlier when we become impatient with the darkness.Similarly, every stage of our life has something to teach us. Sometimes we are ready for an opportunity, but the circumstances are not yet ready. At other times, the circumstances may be available, but we need to develop the wisdom, stability, or strength required to handle what we are seeking.Therefore, instead of wondering why things are not happening according to our wishes, we can ask, "What is this period teaching me?"Trusting the timing of life does not mean becoming passive or giving up our efforts. Our responsibility is to perform our karma sincerely, with a clean intention and a peaceful mind, while allowing the results to unfold in their own time.When everything goes according to plan, it is easy to remain positive. But when doors seem closed, or when repeated efforts do not produce the expected result, our patience, faith, and stability are tested and developed. Spiritual understanding teaches us to recognize that sometimes what we think we need is not what is ultimately best for us. Sometimes, after we have become more mature, we realize that the thing we were desperately waiting for was not the thing we truly needed.When we develop this understanding, we are protected from unnecessary worry, impatience and despair. We develop a quiet faith that, ultimately, things will work out for the highest good. This faith keeps us positive, hopeful and stable. It gives us the strength to continue making our efforts even after setbacks, rather than allowing temporary difficulties to determine our future.The journey may take longer than we expected, and the road may be different from what we imagined, but we can keep walking, keeping our faith alive. There is a time for every stage of our journey, and our task is not to force it, but to prepare ourselves for it.<img class="image_resized" style="aspect-ratio:234/282;width:8.96%;" src="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/2024_11_17_DG_Sheilu_Didi_b6e1203de8.png" alt="2024-11-17-DG-Sheilu Didi.png" width="234" height="282">B.K. Sheilu&nbsp; is a Rajyoga teacher at the Brabma Kumaris headquarters in Mount Abu, Rajasthan.

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We must trust the timing of life

When we change our consciousness, we begin changing our karma, and our destiny.&nbsp;By:&nbsp;B.K. Shivani Source: The Daily Guardian <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://epaper.thedailyguardian.com/2026/10/09/e-paper-today-delhi-10-october-2026/">https://epaper.thedailyguardian.com/2026/10/09/e-paper-today-delhi-10-october-2026/</a> Dated: October 10th, 2026Imagine holding a ball in your hand. The ball is in your control. You can throw it gently or strongly, in one direction or another. In the same way, before we express a thought, feeling, word or action, we have a choice. Our thoughts, intentions, words, and behavior are karma. The moment we release this energy into the world, it is no longer in our control. It has become a cause, and eventually that cause will have a consequence. The ball we throw represents karma, while the ball returning to us represents destiny.The returning ball may appear in many forms: situations, relationships, people, circumstances, work, health or other experiences that come into our lives. We may look at something happening to us and ask, "Why is this happening to me?" From the perspective of karma, we can understand it differently. This may be a ball that we have thrown at some point and that has now returned to us. We may not remember when we threw it. It could have been years ago. Not remembering the action does not mean that the karmic account does not exist.We may have been in one body, in a past life, when we created a particular karma, and may be in a different body, in a new life, when its consequence arrives. But the soul remains the creator of karma. The body changes, while the soul continues its journey. Therefore, when a karmic consequence returns, instead of asking, "Why me?", we can say, "This is a karmic account returning to me. What matters now is what I choose to create."This understanding takes us out of victim consciousness. Life is not simply about what is coming to me. Life is about what I am creating in response to what is coming to me.There are always three dimensions: the past, the present and the future. The past is returning to us in the form of present circumstances. The present is where we are creating new karma. The future will be shaped by what we create now.Sometimes we notice the same patterns repeating in our lives: the same kind of rejection, relationship issue, disappointment at work, or the same kind of conflict. We may ask, "Why does this keep happening to me?" We can look at our own response. If I receive an unpleasant karmic ball and throw back the same energy, what have I created? Another similar karmic ball.If someone behaves aggressively toward me and I respond with anger, I have continued the energy of conflict. But what happens if I change my response? I can create the thought, “I choose to remain peaceful. I send you good wishes." The original situation may have been unpleasant, but my new response creates a different karma. I have changed the ball I am throwing, and therefore I have begun changing my future.This does not mean denying someone's behaviour or pretending that something inappropriate did not happen. It means refusing to strengthen negative energy through our own thoughts.A blessing is not merely a pleasant sentence. It is a high-vibration thought, a pure and elevated intention directed toward another soul. The first person who benefits from this blessing is the self. If I think angry thoughts, I experience anger. If I think of peace, I experience the peace. When we change our thoughts toward another person, we begin healing ourselves. And when we become peaceful, that peaceful energy can also influence the other person and the relationship.At first, changing our thoughts may feel difficult. But the mind can be trained. As children, we learned to say "thank you." Our parents repeated it until it became natural. In the same way, we can train the mind to create positive thoughts in difficult situations. With repetition, the new thought becomes easier.Karma can therefore be understood not merely as a law of reward and punishment, but as an invitation to become conscious creators. The past does not have to dictate what we create in the present.When we change our consciousness, we begin changing our karma and, consequently, our destiny. By repeatedly choosing peace, love, respect, forgiveness and good wishes, we gradually transform not only our own inner world but also the energy of our relationships and the atmosphere around us.<img class="image_resized" style="aspect-ratio:176/198;width:8.81%;" src="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/BK_Shivani_d413054e7a.png" alt="BK Shivani.png" width="176" height="198">B.K. Shivani is a well-known motivational speaker and Rajyoga teacher.

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To change your destiny, change your karma

To live as guest is to live with gratitude, responsibility, and detachment.&nbsp;By:&nbsp;B.K. Dr. Savita Source: The Daily Guardian <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://epaper.thedailyguardian.com/2026/10/09/e-paper-today-delhi-10-october-2026/">https://epaper.thedailyguardian.com/2026/10/09/e-paper-today-delhi-10-october-2026/</a> Dated: October 10th, 2026Many spiritual traditions advise that we should live in the world like a guest. Living like a guest does not mean becoming cold, detached from people, or abandoning our responsibilities. It means changing our relationship with them.A guest receives everything with gratitude, uses what is needed with respect, and does not cling to or possess anything. This simple awareness can transform the way we live. When we see ourselves as guests in this world, we can appreciate people, relationships, and material things without becoming dependent on them for our happiness.Much of our sorrow, fear, and anxiety arises from attachment. We want to hold on to people, possessions, positions, and circumstances, and when we fear losing them, our peace disappears. The more we try to possess a person or object, the more afraid we become of losing them. Detachment, on the other hand, means loving and caring without the desire to possess or control.Whatever we have — our home, wealth, talents, relationships, responsibilities, and even our body — has been entrusted to us for a period of time. We can use everything wisely, care for it and appreciate it, while remembering that nothing is permanently ours.We came into this world without material possessions, and one day we will leave without taking any of them with us. Remembering this can help us reconsider what is truly valuable. Peace, love, good relationships, inner contentment and the fulfilment that comes from living a meaningful and purposeful life are treasures that cannot be measured by what we own.From a spiritual perspective, the soul's real wealth is what it develops within itself. Qualities such as purity, truth, integrity, kindness, generosity, and happiness become part of our character. When we invest our time and energy in developing these inner resources, we are enriching ourselves in a way that is far more lasting than accumulating possessions. These qualities accompany the soul beyond the present life and influence its future journey.Material possessions, titles, qualifications, and positions have their value while we are here, but they remain behind when we leave our body. What remains with the soul is the quality of consciousness we have cultivated and the actions we have performed.This awareness teaches us to live fully while holding everything lightly. We can love people without possessing them, serve without expecting something in return, and achieve success without becoming arrogant.When we understand who we truly are — a spiritual being temporarily using the body and playing our part in this world — our priorities begin to change. We become less concerned with holding on and more willing to give. Less fearful of losing and more grateful for what we have been given.To live as a guest is to live with gratitude, responsibility, and detachment. We use what has been entrusted to us well, appreciate those who share our journey, and continually invest in the one treasure that truly belongs to us: the inner qualities of the soul.When the soul learns to let go, peace becomes its natural state.<img class="image_resized" style="aspect-ratio:214/262;width:11.32%;" src="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/Dr_Savita_Didi_d2177ac711.png" alt="Dr.Savita Didi.png" width="214" height="262">B.K. Dr. Savita is a Raja yoga teacher at the Brahma Kumaris headquarters in Abu Road, Rajasthan.

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Live in this world as a guest

Meditation is the tool to eradicate the negative influence of the past.&nbsp;By:&nbsp;B.K. Viggo Simonsen Source: The Daily Guardian <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://epaper.thedailyguardian.com/2026/10/09/e-paper-today-delhi-10-october-2026/">https://epaper.thedailyguardian.com/2026/10/09/e-paper-today-delhi-10-october-2026/</a> Dated: October 10th, 2026Spiritual freedom is very different from worldly freedom. There is no universal definition of worldly freedom. Everyone has their own definition of what freedom in life looks like.When it comes to spiritual freedom, there is a universal definition. Spiritual freedom means freedom from the legacy of our bondage. All our problems and issues, and not least our mental issues, have their roots in the past. It may be from the childhood, but also from earlier lives. The seeds for what we are experiencing now have been sown in the past. The issues we have reflect the accumulation of traces over time. They can also come in the form of worry or stress, or burdens of feeling sorrow or depression. It is rare for someone to have a stable mind and stay in the same mood or state all the time. The mind is subjected to all kinds of fluctuations. We have no clue as to why a feeling or mood arises, because it is buried deeply in our past. But one important teaching of spirituality is that none of this is random or without reason. It happens for a reason – there is a root cause for anything that goes on in our mind. We cannot understand it always – we cannot remember what may have influenced us in our childhood, but we carry the influences with us throughout our lives.Imagine the self without any past or history – just arriving brand new here in the world. If we had absolutely no imprints from the past, what would we be? We would be in the internal, innate light of the soul, which is peace, happiness, bliss, and contentment, and the feeling of freedom would be innate. In such a state we would not even be aware of this freedom, it would be natural for us. Freedom becomes ‘a thing’ when we do not experience it - when we feel we are held in bondage. Some bondage is very tangible and others are very subtle. It is not just mental states that are impacted but also our reaction patterns and habits; our ways of interacting with others. We have certain tendencies and habits that we would really like to change, but it is very difficult to do so, because they are being used to compensate for some deficiency within us. Being deficient in peace, security, and contentment gives birth to worry and stress. Unless and until we are able to replenish ourselves and become peaceful and secure and have a good amount of love and respect for ourselves, we will not be able to be free of these deficiency symptoms which express themselves in our mental state and in our actions, interactions, and our personality.We will need to somehow reduce or eradicate the impact of our legacy to be able to exercise our free will. The tug of war that takes place in a spiritual life is between the intellect, that holds our values, willpower and determination, and the legacy of our past. The conditioning from the past constitutes a kind of force that is opposing our intellect. The intellect wants us to rise above the conditioning from the past, and the conditioning is pulling us down repeatedly.I do not think we can accomplish this task of transformation without meditation. Meditation is really the tool to weaken or eradicate the influence of the past. However, it cannot do the whole job. The power to change comes from the cognitive level. We have to have self-realisation to see what has to be changed, and this takes great honesty and humility. Those who are stubborn and resist change cannot be changed even with the help of meditation. To fully transform, we need to make a conscious decision to live by our values.Meditation is like a complete medicine; one remedy for lots of issues – worries, waste thoughts, heaviness, resentment, and an endless list of sufferings. This does not happen overnight, but the influences will be weakened and eventually disappear. It is when they are gone that we can really say we are free. That is when we experience no more sadness, fear, or loneliness - we experience a constant stage of pleasure, contentment, and bliss. It becomes our new nature – our original nature – made up of the innate qualities of the soul, of love, peace, and security. That is the inner light that shines through when we have removed all the legacies of the past.<img class="image_resized" style="aspect-ratio:142/155;width:8.06%;" src="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/viggo_simonsen_7709905d36.jpg" alt="viggo simonsen.jpg" width="142" height="155">B.K Viggo Simonsen is an IT consultant and manages the Brahma Kumaris centre in Denmark.

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Freedom in life

Rajyoga is a spiritual method of experiencing a living connection with god.By:&nbsp;B.K. Anita Source: The Daily Guardian <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://epaper.thedailyguardian.com/2026/10/02/e-paper-today-delhi-03-october-2026/">https://epaper.thedailyguardian.com/2026/10/02/e-paper-today-delhi-03-october-2026/</a> Dated: October 03rd, 2026Rajyoga is not merely a technique of meditation; it is an art of living rightly, thinking positively, and becoming empowered from within.Many people wish to remember God, but as soon as they sit down to meditate, the mind begins to wander. This does not mean that the mind cannot be concentrated. Rather, it means that we have not yet understood the method and psychology behind concentration and practised it sufficiently. Just as reading recipes for cooking does not make one a good cook, merely knowing about meditation is not enough; it has to be practised.Today, the word “yoga” is associated primarily with physical postures and breathing exercises. The word yoga essentially means union or connection. In Rajyoga, this means the union or connection between the soul and the Supreme Soul. To experience this connection, it is necessary to understand the soul, the Supreme, and the relationship between them.We often use mantra chanting, prayer beads, devotional songs or recitations as methods of remembering God. These practices are not wrong in themselves, but merely repeating words does not necessarily mean that the mind has become connected with the Divine. The mind is highly creative. While the hand may continue moving the beads and the mouth may continue repeating a mantra, the mind can wander elsewhere. Therefore, instead of merely repeating a mantra, it is more meaningful to understand its significance and enter into the feeling behind it.Rajyoga makes remembrance of God a living relationship. It is not enough simply to say that God is our Father or Mother; the relationship has to be experienced. When we regard the Supreme as our Father, Friend and well-wisher and converse with Him, remembrance becomes more natural. We do not need a mantra to remember someone we deeply love. Similarly, an intimate relationship with the Supreme can make remembrance spontaneous.This process of meditation can be understood through four stages. The first is soul-consciousness — recognising ourselves not merely as physical bodies, but as conscious, peaceful and pure souls. The body is a medium through which we function; the soul is the conscious being within it, responsible for our thoughts, feelings, and experiences. When we see ourselves as souls, it becomes easier to understand our relationship with the Supreme.The second stage is God-consciousness. Having understood the nature of the soul, we turn our attention towards the Supreme. For this, we can use the “third eye” — the faculty of understanding and visualisation. Just as we can create an inner picture of an event while listening to a story, we can visualise the Supreme as a point of divine light and as the source of peace, purity, and spiritual power.The third stage is developing a relationship with the Supreme. Rajyoga encourages us not to approach God merely as helpless seekers asking for favours, but to recognise ourselves as His children and heirs. Instead of repeatedly asking for peace, strength, or happiness, we practise experiencing ourselves as peaceful, powerful, and joyful souls. Such positive thoughts and affirmations can gradually influence our behaviour and deeply rooted patterns.The fourth stage is conversation with the Supreme. Prayer need not be limited to memorized words; it can become a heartfelt conversation filled with love, gratitude, and intimacy. The person or idea with which we constantly connect influences our thoughts and behavior. Similarly, contemplating the qualities of the Supreme can inspire us to imbibe qualities such as peace, love, tolerance, and inner strength.Thus, Rajyoga is not a practice confined to a particular religion or ritual, but a spiritual method of experiencing a living connection with the Supreme. Its essence is not merely to repeat words, but to understand, connect, experience, and ultimately bring that experience into our daily lives. With regular practice, meditation can cease to be something we simply “do” for a few minutes and become an art of living.<img class="image_resized" style="aspect-ratio:162/205;width:8.31%;" src="https://d3dfjidmqdc9yy.cloudfront.net/images-prod/BK_Anita_6dc994e210.jpg" alt="BK Anita.jpg" width="162" height="205">B.K. Anita is a Rajyoga teacher based in Chandigarh.

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