Book of Daily Thoughts and Prayers

August Sixteenth
God has given us life that we may express joyousness of heart.

My soul is happy with an inexpressible joy since I saw His smiling face turned toward me. I can never forget that radiant smile; wherever I go it haunts me by day and it haunts me by night. When in grim despair of life, it brightens my path with hope and love.

No man can attain his goal without practising the higher principals of life. No man can be truly happy who is selfish. What possible use is outer light if there is darkness inside? Happiness is a quality of the soul. It enters the soul which has tasted God-consciousness. God is ever cheerful. Life is given us to work out our freedom and lasting happiness.

O Thou Giver of all joy, may I not be unworthy of Thy gifts,
But may I radiate happiness and cheer in every hour of my daily life.
Help me to realize that when I am sad, it is because I am separated from Thee. All my sadness and sorrow will vanish when I seek Thee with open heart.

Source:
Book of Daily Thoughts and Prayers
Swami Paramananda
Page 255

Kree observes Nirjali Ekadashi 3rd June - 4th June 2009

I have had an amazing day on 3rd June, as I observed my first Nirjala Ekadashi, without taking food or water from last night till Thursday morning (4th June). I think it is a miracle that I survived this day on AIR and FAITH alone, not even medication! On a regular day if I skipped a meal I would have an intense headache. My husband Kanthan Vandayar also observed the fast and is overwhelmed that we were able to achieve this. My daughter Thanusha fasted from morning till 4pm and couldn't manage it, but at least she tried. In the evening we went to Papakura Ganesh Temple (4 Dent Place, Papakura) to give Thanks for our Faith and good fortune in this life.
I realised With FAITH, we can conquer anything!! Air + Faith = Life.
By reading this, I pray that you and your loved-ones be blessed to dream BIG and achieve your goals. GOD BLESS YOU :) now and always,
Kree Raman Vandayar

Read about the significance of Nirjali Ekadashi by Narottam Das:
http://www.h4all.org/nirjal_ekadashi.html

Extraordinary Sun Meditation - Monday, June 1st 2009

I really want and need to observe the Nirjal Ekadashi fast on June 3rd.

I am going through a beautiful phase in my life now, I mean spiritually.... Imagine 24 hours of no food and no water! I think it will be proof that we can survive on Faith alone!

Often, my sign to observe a certain fast or perform a certain pooja is the fact that a few days before an auspicious event or religious festival, I start menstruating, thus preventing me from indulging in intimate desires of the body so that I can be 'clean' for the fast. This is how I know that I should observe Nirjal Ekadashi, and if I do, it will be God's Will and Strength.

I want to share with you an extraordianary meditation I had today, Monday 1st June 2009, which was a public holiday in New Zealand to celebrate The Queen's birth. This morning, while chanting the Hanuman Chalisa at my prayer altar, I felt the morning sun shining behind me through the window. Although my eyes were closed, I was overpowered by the light of the sun and changed my seating to face the sun. I had my back to the lamp (although I knew this was not acceptable) but the power of the sun drew me to it like a magnet. I continued my chanting of the Hanuman Chalisa, with my eyes open and taking in all the beauty of the sun. Then I closed my eyes, and just there between my eyebows, I could still see the sun as though my eyes had been open. I slowly opened my eyelids to make sure that I had shut them in the first place...what I saw next was breath-taking! The sun had seven rays, you know...like the way preschoolers draw the rays of the sun in their pictures. Has anyone actually seen the rays of the sun? How did we know about it as children then? The biggest ray I saw was at the bottom of the sun which was making contact with me....I mean I was looking at a ray of light coming from the SUN right into my face (or eyes). It was magnificent. I usually experience this Jyoti meditation when I'm looking at my lamp with eyelids half open half shut....you know what I mean. Anyhow, I kept closing then opening my eyes...the colours and shapes in and around the sun were breath-taking. It felt as though I was floating in space (our Solar System) and witnessing the power of the sun from close-up! Suddenly, I had a revelation that The Black Hole in Space is really our "Third EYE"....the EYE of GOD. Imagine that? Is that where our souls go to after death? An invisible eye? The Third Eye? Is it the Black Hole in the sky? These thoughts were going on in my mind when next I saw the outline of the sun burning a bright yellow light on the inside, then a ring of orange light around that and a ring of red light on the outer side of the sun. Awesome! Then there appeared a dark grey round shape spinning around either inside or in front of the sun, with just a ring of yellow sun shining around it. (Earth? Moon?...I wonder). Around the sun were rings and rings of hot colours, spanning as wide as five times the size of the sun. In my mind, I kept thinking I must paint a picture of these colours....

At last I finished chanting the Hanuman Chalisa, so I instinctively made salutations to the SUN and returned to my normal seating position, giving thanks and bowing in front of my lamp and Sai Baba's portrait. I continued with my reading from "The Book of Daily Thoughts and Prayers" by Swami Paramanda. This was the thought of the day on page 174.

June 1st:

Salient Thought for the Day:

Have Faith! It glorifies the life. It exalts it.

Lines to memorise:

It is the flame of faith that sheds light upon our life's straight and narrow path.

Faith, how oft thou dost come to my rescue as I stand in the dark corners of life, puzzled and helpless. O blessed Faith, Thy transcendent glow hath filled my life! Thy lustre hath brought me new sight. I shall walk now with the light of Thy holy sanctity.

Lesson:

What you need is a basis in life which will bring you upliftment, courage and resourcefulness. At no time do you need to feel lonely, destitute, devoid of help. All will come out right if you have faith. Faith always enriches the life and brings true understanding.

Prayer:

O Thou who art the source of all goodness, may I learn to work, worship and aspire with unaltering faith and selfless spirit. May I gain strength and vigor of mind, high inspiration and peace. May Thy holy peace fill my heart and life.

[The Book of Daily Thoughts and Prayers, Swami Paramanda, p. 174]

Thank you for reading my recount of this amazing experience. I pray that all who read this may feel the same power, faith and peace that I felt.

Love, faith and peace to you and your loved ones.

The BEST PRAYER to start your DAY

Now here is a wonderful prayer, my sister Cindy emailed to me, to start your day the right way.
I like it sooo much that I have printed it for my daily morning prayer. Hope it touches you in the same way that it touched me. Thanks Cindy – I really needed this today!!


" Dear Lord, I thank You for this day,
I thank You for my being able to see
and to hear this morning.
I'm blessed because You are
a forgiving God and
an understanding God.
You have done so much for me
and You keep on blessing me.
Forgive me this day for everything
I have done, said or thought
that was not pleasing to you.I ask now for Your forgiveness.
Please keep me safe
from all danger and harm.
Help me to start this day
with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude.
Let me make the best of each and every day
to clear my mind so that I can hear from You.
Please broaden my mind
that I can accept all things.
Let me not whine and whimper
over things I have no control over.And give me the best response
when I'm pushed beyond my limits.I know that when I can't pray,
You listen to my heart.
Continue to use me to do Your will.
Continue to bless me that I may be
a blessing to others.
Keep me strong that I may help the weak...
Keep me uplifted that I may have
words of encouragement for others.
I pray for those that are lost
and can't find their way.

I pray for those that are misjudged
and misunderstood.
I pray for those who
don't know You intimately.
I pray for those that don't believe.But I thank You that I believe
that God changes people and
God changes things.
I pray for all my sisters and brothers.
For each and every family member
in their households.
I pray for peace, love and joy
in their homes; that they are out of debt
and all their needs are met.
I pray that every eye that reads this
knows there is no problem, circumstance,
or situation greater than God.
Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight.

I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees or everyone who hears it.
Now repeat this phrase and see how God will touch you.
“God I love you and I need you, please come into my heart.”

. . . REMEMBER ME . . .

A Poem from our dearly departed:

. . . REMEMBER ME . . .

I never meant to leave you,

Could I have only stayed;

We would be going on in life,

With all the plans we made.

Now all the hopes and dreams we shared,

Are but sweet memories;

For you to tuck inside your heart,

Now when you remember me.

Remember all the good times,

And all the joy we shared;

Remember how you touched my life,

And how I really cared.

Think back on all the laughter,

And wipe away your tears;

You still have many miles to go,

And still have many years.

Don't look back....look forward,

This day is a brand new start;

And as you travel on in life,

You'll take a bit of my heart.

I never meant to leave you,

But still you'll not be alone;

For as long as my love lives in you,

I'll never really be gone.

Allison Chambers Coxsey©1995 ~ All Rights Reserved

Food for the Soul

Those who revolve in the consciousness of the Divine are safe-guarded.

Didst thou not come naked from thy mother's womb? Didst thou not have thy soul in safety even before thy body's birth? Why art thou then fretful and anxious? One who watched over thee then, watches over thee now; one who loved thee then, loves thee now.
My mind remember this and be still.

[Swami Paramananda, Book of Daily Thoughts and Prayers, p. 186]

Food for the Soul

O Lord, through Thy Grace may I overcome all egotism, pride and self-willAnd realize that Thou art all in all. I am only an instrument in Thy almighty Hand. Do Thou use my hands and feet, my heart and mind to carry out Thy great plan; And may I never forget Thy vastness and Thy glory.[Swami Paramananda, Book of Daily Thought & Prayers, p185]

Food for the Soul

When we are impatient we throw away our opportunities.

Far have I travelled, Long have I struggled, Following the impulses of my restless will. Seeking! Seeking! Seeking! In quest of happiness I sought through life's mansion, But happiness I found not there. I found happiness nowhere till my self will was lost in His Will.

The real sign of a spiritually minded person is his silent, tolerant, patient attitude. He attains his end because he does not interfere with the higher plan. He moves with the higher forces. He is always in harmony with the Divine Will. Anger, impatience, calculation, quarelling and disputes; this is what we find in the world. Those who have taken up the spiritual life cannot afford to indulge in such things.

O Lord, grant unto me calmness of spirit and serenity of heart,Shield me from the entanglements of my lower nature.Help me to seek Thee with perseverence and unswerving consecration.May I never tire in my search after TheeOr turn aside and forget Thee.[Swami Paramananda, Book of Daily Thoughts & Prayers, p. 102]

Food for the Soul

November 13th
Remember that complete surrender alone makes us clear channels for the Supreme.

Since Thou hast given me refuge and taken me into Thy safe-keeping I have lost all fear.
My long night of anxious waking is forever ended.
I sit now with contentment in my heart; I walk with free spirit,
And I sleep with surrender in my soul.

We need Divine guidance from within. There are two wills, God's will and self-will; both are active. The foolish man chooses self-will; the wise man chooses God's will, because he does not feel safe to be separated from God and His guidance. This is wisdom, but this wisdom cannot be imposed. Life has its culmination when we learn to have a true sense of God as supreme Doer. When we acquire spiritual surrender, we rise above all troubles.

I am only an instrument in Thy Hands, O Lord;
Make me an efficient instrument.
Help me never to forget that Thou art behind me in every act.
Take from me all egotism and self-importance;
May I always be a humble instrument, wholly submissive to Thy Will.

[Swami Paramananda, Book of Daily Thoughts & Prayers, p. 352]

Food for the Soul

Thought for the Day ~ October 27th
"We must give up, not because we are dejected or battered. We must give up because there has come a certain ripening within.

The steady-minded by giving up all attachments for the fruits of action, obtains peace, born of steadfastness. The unsteady being attached to fruits through desire, is ever bound by action. (Bhagavad-Gita)

The great secret of life is to learn to maintain an even tenor in the midst of all things. Life as a rule does not run evenly. It has many ups and downs. It has many changes. But those who have found the way of wisdom, have learned how to maintain evenness in spite of all the unnevenesses which circumstances offer. We do not accomplish this by calculation or by any material means. We accomplish it by going within and attaining inner tranquility.

O Thou who art One and All-abiding, I offer up my thoughts , words and actions unto Thee. Grant that each act of the day may be an act of devotion. Thou art the source of my being; I turn to Thee with wholehearted love and trust. In Thee alone do I find rest and satisfaction. From Thee alone can I draw life and strength."

(Swami Paramananda - Book of Daily Thoughts and Prayers)