Tagged: Shiva
Benefit of beliefs about God
“In the west I have heard the following attributes mentioned of God: Omnipotent – all powerful Omniscient – knows everything Omnipresent – His presence is everywhere. According to the gyan and understanding of God shared by Brahma Kumaris are these His (Shiva’s) attributes? If yes, how do these attributes play a part, become meaningful/significant or bring benefit to a student of Raja Yoga? Thank you.”
Dear reader,
Thank you for your great question. I am assuming that intellectual debates as to why God is this and not that are out of your question. You are asking about benefits of a belief and I will answer based on my experience. Please bear with me.
Your question comes at the right time! I will be sharing in an article a couple of videos and insights about Christianity and how the life of an unparalleled historical man such as Jesus, could be made into a religion by followers who do not have spiritual insight but merely the will to promote and to maintain a dogma as long as possible.
The thought that spirituality is about following commandments, rules and regulations is in fashion. Of course, the “helping tool” is not spirituality in itself, but just a helping tool.
Many had experiences with Jesus throughout time; through “miraculous experiences,” attributed to God; but the core of the message, which has always been about “ inner change,” was replaced by devotion and self-righteousness. The popular “We have the truth.” “ We know God.”
A religion was invented. Followers are needed.
I can only answer your question based on Avyakt7’s own experience, but using my current awareness.
First, All of the attributes that you mention about God are just beliefs. A belief as mentioned in previous articles has its “good” side and its “bad” side. A “good” side is the sense of belonging. The sense of protection. The sense of not being by yourself.
When there is a belief, there is a group who has that belief as the means to maintain unity. The strength of that belief will be reflected in that unity.
In my experience in Brahma Kumaris; avyakt7 would have not been able to go through the changes in consciousness without that first “helping hand.” Definitely there was a special power helping me go through those changes. My belief increased.
“God tells me that I need to do certain things to change. I love God, therefore, I will do those things.” End of report.
That “love to God” was an idea that I had with me. That idea gained a form and physicality through the teachings of Brahma Kumaris. I even had the chance to “see God” in “person,” to get messages from God directed to me, etc.
That increases your faith, your devotion, your sense of belonging … but not necessarily your self-transformation.
Avyakt7 couldn’t and wouldn’t change if there wasn’t that inclination to do everything for God.
What Avyakt7 realized later on in his path, was that all I needed to experience was a different consciousness. That was the “Godly help” needed, just to get me there. Once I experienced that consciousness, then the “method” learned to get there, needed to go away so I could see if the change in me was “real.”
Otherwise, if I depend on the method for a change, then there is no change at all. Those who have experienced this, will be able to understand what I am conveying.
Thus, to answer to your question; a student of Raja yoga will get benefit if their belief is wholehearted. That is total.
You can believe any attributes about God. That does not matter practically, in your inner change. Only knowing the attributes of God is of not much value, but as a belief it will give you certainty, it will give you a “little push” to go through the Spiritual metamorphosis with some certainty.
Up until the point where this “different consciousness” is experienced, the child stage of spirituality is still going on.
Every religious path where God, the “father” is named, has that same aim of bringing change or reforming the “child“ from previous “unrighteous” ways (and make him a follower.)
The issue is that without the experience of that “different consciousness,” then to be in a “dogmatic safety box” is all there is. Self-righteousness increases.
We start believing that we have “arrived” already even though our minds have not been observed. We believe that we have arrived when we depend on rituals and practices to maintain our spiritual life. We believe that we have arrived when all we have are beliefs and commandments to follow.
Evidently, there is more in Spirituality. But to be able to open that door of uncertainty is not something that everyone is willing to do.
The child needs to grow up. Going away from home and opening the door to other experiences does not necessarily mean to get “lost in darkness,” when the child has been brought up with kindness, knowledge and unconditional love.
Best wishes!
Questions for June 8, 2103 – Roles, Shiva.
Om shanti brother What does bapdada mean when he mentions become merged in father’s love. Would love to hear your thoughts 2) what is baba trying to explain – become emperor or subject. I believe it is an analogy for something. I can relate to higher state of awareness and reduced state of awareness as we all are number wise.. Look forward to your thoughts Thqnks
Thank you for your question.
Dear soul,
What BapDada means is an experience. It is not a definition. Become merged in love and you will find the Father’s love. Feel that love that you are and you will find “real” love.
That love that you are is not different, in my experience; than the Father’s love.
On question number 2, the Father wants for his children to be the best… That is in a talk suited for a childish mind, that means to become an Emperor, number 1, Narayan, etc; etc.
The Father wants for his children not to slack off, for the children may be thinking that once they reach Paradise that is all and since the children are BKs, then Paradise is an automatic “reward” according to SMs. Then, there has to be something to become, something to compete with others, higher marks to get, percentage, etc to fulfill ; that is the carrot in front of the donkey, so the donkey can continue moving forward. See?
When you become soul conscious like anyone else there, does it make any difference what your role is? If it does, isn’t that “role consciousness,” leading into body consciousness? Could it be possible to be in “paradise” and to think:
“ I wanted to be Laxmi, why didn’t I become that? “ Isn’t that sorrow in Paradise? 🙂
Best wishes,
Dear soul, The thought of an eternally repeating cycle makes me wonder if Shiva has recollection of the previous/future cycles. Surely that must not be the case. I assume that Shiva lives completely in the moment focusing on his role to purify his children and provide the foundation to start the golden age. Also, I have been thinking what does Shiva do between the golden and silver ages. What role does he play at that time? Your thoughts are greatly appreciated. Many thanks brother
🙂 Thank you for your question, dear soul…
In this Drama, no one does anything. Everything gets done through us according to the Drama. A soul receives a role. That role is not the soul, but just a role like in a play for little children.
A child has the role of a donkey, another child the role of a king. In their next life, the child who was a donkey may become a princess, and the one who was a king may be a toad. See?
You are humanizing Shiva as if he “was working hard for us” as the SM mentions ( at the office from 9 to 5 PM, and even overtime…making plans to save the children from the claws of Maya, the villain.)
If Shiva was like us but He could not forget; it would be “severe punishment” for Him, to remember every cycle countless times. Remembering and forgetting is duality. Shiva is beyond that.
Is there any other way that “Shiva can purify his children,” besides reminding them this knowledge through Brahma which will be understood in a “numberwise way”?
We will “do” (remember, we don’t do anything) the rest, according to our prescribed part.
Thus, what Shiva does between the Golden and Silver ages? 🙂
He rests for 2500 years after having a “hard time” trying to convince His children to self transform at the confluence age… 🙂 🙂 🙂
Dear soul,
I apologize for not being able to share anymore on this for now. I hope you understand for there are many levels of souls reading this.
However, as your experience increases in self transformation, you will understand the answer of your question very well. It is just a matter of patience and time.
Best wishes!
.
God, the Benefactor, is about to transform this world into a Land of Happiness. Want to know HOW? BY: BK. T.D Joseph
Article by: BK. T. D. Joseph, Bangalore, India tdjaum(AT)gmail.com – If you have questions or remarks about this article, please contact the author.
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As the world situation is worsening day by day, it is natural to feel: How long will be this decline? For a person who is a sincere follower of Brahma Kumaris’ teachings, this question does not arise as he believes that the world would soon be transformed in to a place of happiness and peace.
Let us see how this is possible:
The BKs [Brahma Kumaris] are told to always carry, with them, a symbolic trident—consciousness of God, Soul and Drama. (Murli 26.12.1979) Living in remembrance of these three realities means living with correct perspective with regard to them, not distorted by the dusty/faulty mirror of the world or of our own minds. It involves the following:
1) One is ALWAYS CONSCIOUS that God, the Supreme Soul, is his Father, and he experiences His love and protection.
2) One is ALWAYS CONSCIOUS that he is His child, a soul, (not body); and is the exact representation of His Father’s very being. He enjoys an ever-increasing intimacy with Him, without being affected by anything that happens around him.
3) One is ALWAYS CONSCIOUS that every one is acting out his role in the Drama. [Drama essentially—not in the literal sense—means we are all actors in this eternal world drama acting out our roles based on each one’s unique sanskar or personality traits] This enables one to view himself as an impassionate, impartial and detached observer of the scenes around him, not an object of other’s actions. This means he never feels that he/she did this to me, and never feels like asking how and why they behave this way! Instead he develops the virtue and power to love and accommodate others unconditionally.
Everyone is inevitably faced with two situations in life—situation we can change, and situation we can not change. There is no point in worrying about things we can change—we simply need to change them. Again, there is no point in worrying about things we can not change—we simply need to accept them! Yet BKs are in an advantaged situation as they know that even the situation we can not change is also going to be soon changed by someone else! For example, world situation is deteriorating day by day in all its aspects. Unrighteousness and irreligiousness have assumed a monstrous form everywhere with even more and more leaders becoming scam-ridden. Yet an eternal decline is logically not possible as there exists a hedge, the very basic nature of God. At some point, God will intervene which is implied in the very name of God.
There is something common between well-known names such as Jesus, Jehova, and Shiva. These historical names contain a profound truth: an awareness of the world’s cycle of decline and the eventual reversal! Catholic Encyclopedia says “The word Jesus is the Latin form of the Greek Iesous, which in turn is the transliteration of the Hebrew Jeshua, or Joshua, or again Jehoshua, meaning “Jehovah is salvation.” Jesus himself testifies: “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing.” (John 5:19) He was simply imitating his Heavenly Father. He copied his Father’s zeal, and using a whip violently removed the hypocrites and exploiters from temple repeatedly, which is symbolic of what God Himself will do in the future globally.—John 2:13-17; Mathew 21:12; compare Daniel 2:44 and 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 11:18.
When God, in connection with a planned deliverance, appeared to Moses in a flame of light, He Himself explained the meaning of His name, Jehova, as “I am that I am.” (Exodus 3:13) This is very simple to understand! Let us use a contrast now. When defrauded by someone, we say “he is not what he was,” meaning a change has now occurred in his character. But if we know someone as always faithful, we say “he is what he is, we can trust him.” Hence when God defined His name as “I am that I am” it has to do with His very basic character that will ALWAYS be there. What is He basically? And what is in Him that will NEVER change? Interestingly, Bible itself answers: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17) Thus He is the source of all goodness, The Supreme Benefactor, who will NEVER change.—Compare also Bhagavat Gita 11:32, 33; 14:27.
Therefore, God’s name means He is one who ALWAYS does good (JEHOVA in Hebrew, and SHIVA in Sanskrit). He is also called “Supreme Ruler of the Universe,” “the Father, Well-Wisher and the Friend of all beings” stressing further the basic character behind His illustrious name. (Bhagavat Gita 5:29; 9:17; 10:1). Being the Supreme Benefactor inherently carries also the idea of being “the guardian of eternal dharma [righteousness and religiousness].” (Gita 11:18) Hence God’s name presupposes that there can not be an eternal decline in the affairs of the world, but He WILL intervene at the right time.
This is the time God descends to teach, train, and guide His children. Irrespective of the innumerable religions that we have and the number of names that we have attributed to Him, He is just one: He is the Father of all the people on earth.
How fortunate we are as we are the generation that is going to see the switch-over to the Land of Peace and Happiness! Let us become alert and wise; let us follow the most elevated teachings of God and become His invaluable instruments in creating “Heaven on earth.”
Readers Remarks: worshiping Brahma Baba
Dear Brother, First of all thank you for your wonderful insights and sharings. I feel really blessed to have found your site! I am relatively new to Gyan….. having ‘followed’ Sr Shivani’s programmes on TV for nearly 4 – 5 years. What really drew me to BK was that this knowledge came from the supreme soul himself….of course via the instrument of Brahma Baba. Having been attending the Centre now for app 1 year, the reverence and worshipping of Brahma Baba can be seen a lot. This I find really confusing. Sisters tell me that if I would sit in front of BB’s picture staring at his eyes, all my questions will be ‘answered’!! I thought we only had to concentrate and focus on Shiv Baba!?? While I understand about BB’s Karmateet stage, I am seriously been struggling with the concept of ‘BAPDADA’ and the ‘bhakti’towards his physical form; and his pre planned seasonal meetings through Gulzardadi! Also the meetings I have seen, it seems to be all Brahma Baba and hardly any Shivbaba words! How can God plan these dates in advance? Please note dearest brother, that I am simply trying to understand these points… not challenging them! I would be so grateful if you would kindly share your valued thoughts and insights to help clarify these points.
Avyakt7 responds:
Dear soul,
Thank you for your kind words.
If you have recognized this knowledge called, “Gyan” as of Godly source or Divine source, then you will have the tools for the next step, which is to be a “self realized” being. It is as simple as that.
Brahma Baba was and “is” an extraordinary being, but so we are. Many times, we are not willing to understand the message and are just happy admiring the messenger. We need to learn to respect that “difference” for everyone is at a different level. In this “university” you have all different grades and levels mixed up. Those who look down upon others, will fail in the subject of ego. Those who feel “bad” when referred in a “low” manner, will fail in self-respect. We learn from each other.
Basically, it works like this: Shiva is God. Shiva had a message. Shiva needs a “chariot” to convey the message. That is Brahma Baba. When both are together, it is known as BapDada. There is always a “filtering” in the message which is brought to us through the filter of Brahma Baba. Dadi Gulzar is the physical chariot for BapDada. There are many other realizations that we could come up with about this, but there is no way to know if we are right or not…but it doesn’t matter! That is not the point. Let us concentrate in the message.
To set a “date” for a meeting with BapDada shouldn’t be an issue, for there is no time in the subtle region.. 🙂 In other words, BapDada is always “there” for us.
Every religion has its own “Godly messenger.” That is how Spirituality is one, but the interpretation of it at different times in history has made the differences. Spirituality has always been about self realization. Consciousness. Everything else are just details.
There are 2 unique things about BK gyan which is important to be aware of: 1) Its philosophy known as Gyan, is able to explain all aspects of life from different points/views of consciousness. Sakar Murlis were based on the physical realm, the intellectual understanding of knowledge based on Hindu devotional background. Avyakt Murlis are in the subtle realm where to understand means to “practice,” to experience. Obviously there is an immense range “in between” these two. That is where BKs are positioned in a numberwise way. Some feel that devotion is love. Some feel that knowledge is to be “interpreted.” Some feel that to know is to interpret things literally, some feel that rituals are part of knowledge, etc, etc.
Find your own “comfort zone,” but respect the rest. Brahma Kumaris as an organization needs to “standardize things,” (like any other religion or large organization) thus, it becomes a religion. It cannot be otherwise, for that standard creates security among followers as far as “how to do things and relate among them.”
Those “standards” may have “devotional” practices to cater to one group, but also there is the possibility to churn gyan in a different way, and that is how you can read this blog. Some like this blog. Others care less. Acceptance is the keyword.
The other unique aspect of Gyan, is that it is typically explained in a “child like language.” In that way, someone without much “spiritual understanding,” nor “intellectually educated,” could grasp the main ideas from their perspective. In this University the teacher teaches to the “understanding” of the “lowest” student. (Unlike any other university.)
That is why, there is “churning.” That is why we have to experience this knowledge and learn from that. That is where your path becomes “personal” from my view.
Dear soul, in my years of experience in Brahma Kumaris, let me suggest this: Learn by churning/realizing the teachings of the teacher. Experiment with that, share your findings not as the “truth” but as your experience and move along with others in accpetance… the rest is of absolute no consequence if you would like your life to prosper in spirituality.
Best wishes!
Question: Does vishnu and shankar knew that there is a paramatma called shiv above their world, when he took many avatars in dwarapayuga and tretayuga.??
Thank you for your question.
Dear soul,
Vishnu and Shankar are just labels to signify something such as “The perfect couple,” Laxmi/Narayan, The Golden age, Sustenance, etc. On the other hand, Shankar is the equivalent of destruction, seed stage, nakedness of the soul, transformation, etc.
In Hindu bhakti, the meaning of those words are taken as “persons,” beings in the subtle region. This obviously is something that Sakar Baba didn’t put his valuable time in “correcting” in the children. I think he had enough when making them understand the real name of God, “Shiva,” (point of light rather than a person) and that Krishna wasn’t God.
If you search those words in the blog, you will find more articles about it.
Best wishes!
Question: brother dear, was it always brahma baba speaking sakar murli or was it shivbaba in him or better still in and out of him. even now in avyakt times, i guess its in the drama for god to sustain in his own mysterious ways and therefore all the rituals of bhog, calling out of names of older senior bks and ‘the gathering’ of frontliner bks must be to fit the ‘purpose’. wen avyakt bapdada refers to a name is it that its brahma baba’s memory who knew them wen he was alive?
Thank you for your question!
Dear soul,
The sanskaras of Brahma Baba has been used to convey the Murli.
The knowledge in those Sakar Murlis that we read in class, are coming from the last 4 or 5 years of Brahma Baba’s existence in the physical plane. Those Murlis are continuously edited to fit the standards of the time.
In Sakar Murlis we can observe that the understanding of gyan which Brahma Baba had which is conveyed in his “churning” has been changing in time. For instance the idea of liberation in life for just BKs, to an “everyone experiences liberation in life” (4-20-2012 – SM.) Also, we can see that gyan wasn’t given in a complete form as if it was a “ready made book,” but rather information was disclosed according to time. This is something which many who do not have a good grasp of the significance of the Drama do not understand. “The knowledge” is primarily meant to “train” BK souls rather than to be a source of information like Wikipedia.
In avyakt times, we can see the same Brahma Baba with a different stage and different understanding. Teachings are more subtle and if we pay attention, we can discover “new” information which is not disclosed in a typical Sakar Murli.
As shared many times, without Brahma Baba we, BKs wouldn’t have a grasp of what God is. There wouldn’t be any sort of communication, even though an experience could be there. It would be like trying to “tell God that my tooth hurts” when God has the understanding of a week old baby. (God is beyond experience.)
All the “BK rituals” are acknowledged as a part of the role that BapDada plays (Father, teacher, Satguru.) Brahma Baba’s knowledge of seniors, etc is part of Brahma Baba’s knowledge while in the physical body and even more…for some Senior Westerners have been called by name.
Brahma Baba is more than the “mouth” for Godly energy. Brahma Baba is also the sanskaras.
Finally, the “role” which BapDada plays is very different than the traditional role that we “think” that God should have. i.e: Telling specifics about the future, correcting and having answers as a “God” should know, displaying “magical powers” etc. That is some people’s expectation of God.
BapDada just comes nowadays to “meet the children” and that is it… 🙂 As you mentioned, there is a purpose behind that, which everyone of us need to discover.
Best wishes!
Question: Dear Brother, In today’s murli baba has said that Shivbaba is the supreme soul, then comes Brahma-Vishnu-Shankar in the subtle world and then Laxmi-Narayan, Ram-Sita all are numberwise… Whenever I listen this point, I get confused because Brahma baba is the deity in subtle world which is existing at sangamyuga… but I am not clear about Vishnu and Shankar… Vishnu is the representation of laxmi and narayan together right? Could you please elaborate on this and please explain the part of shankar… Thank you..
Thank you for your question!
Dear soul, I understand your confusion.
Here is a little background information. This Gyan is explained under the influence of devotional Hinduism. That is why, you have 3 names of “beings” who have a repercussion in Hinduism. You have Brahma known as the “creator,” you have Vishnu known as another incarnation of God and then you have Shiva (in the Hindu trimurti) which Brahma Baba changed to “Shankar” (even though both names refer to the same “deity”) so the difference between God Shiva of being above anyone else could be made.
You know what is the easiest solution?
Forget about all of that. It is not necessary.
Here is the simple explanation without any religious background.
God is the Supreme soul.
The forces of the Drama, which is perceived as “creation,” sustenance” and “destruction,” has been assigned in devotion as the “3 acts of God.” Those 3 acts, have been given names such as “Brahma,” “Vishnu,” and “Shankar.”
Because Brahma Baba is the “father of the Brahmin clan,” and known as “Prajapita Brahma;” Brahma Baba has taken the “spot” of “Brahma” in the trimurti of Hinduism.
That “creation” grows. That is known as “sustenance” and it is represented as “Vishnu” in devotion. That sustenance decreases in “celestial degrees” through time and disappears for “1 second.” That is “Shankar.” Then, Brahma emerges again to continue on in this everlasting cycle.
See?
In a more scientific way we can describe the same thing as; “matter cannot be created neither destroyed. It only transforms.” (First law of conservation of matter and energy.)
What exists (creation) gets transformed gradually (sustenance) until what it was there before, is no longer visible (destruction) for it has converted itself into “something else” (creation.) This cycle lasts 5000 years before the “original” point of reference repeats again.
See?
Or we can say the same thing as when we say that “Brahma emerged from the navel of Vishnu.” Destruction (Shankar) being the “1 second” of separation between the form of Brahma and the form of Vishnu.
As you mentioned, “Vishnu” is a representation of the “perfect couple,” or Laxmi and Narayan or the Golden age or Brahma is his highest stage, etc. Shankar is just the “1 second” destruction that occurs for “one form to change into another.”
See?
In the Sakar Murli Baba uses “Vishnu” and “Shankar” as if they were living beings in the subtle region. That is not so. That is just devotional understanding which needed to be added so the important concept of “trimurti” and “karankaravanhar” (God acting through others) could be digested with the “new knowledge.”
This is why, many times I have mentioned that “pure” gyan does not require Hinduism to be properly understood. As you can see, to fit gyan into a “Hindu” background, brings its challenges and may add confusion in some aspects of gyan.
Hope this clarifies your question. 🙂
Best wishes!
Exploring the Depth of Living 