L Monthly E-Newsletter of

BRAHMA KUMARIS CENTER FOR SPIRITUAL LEARNING

The Point
Volume 3 Issue 29 October 2009

Your inner tutor waits to be heard

OVER a century ago, scientist Louis ently when a person arrives at
Pasteur declared, "Chance favors "Aha!" answers, compared to
only the prepared mind." He finding methodical answers. Brain
meant that instant strokes of crea- activity leading to "Aha!" mo-
tive insight don't just occur, but ments happen much earlier than
are the result of preparation. the time a problem is deciphered.
This was the experience of One study backs up the
participants in the “7 Aha!s For benefit of meditation in problem
Highly Enlightened Souls,” a work- solving. It explains that before an
shop-retreat inspired by the book "Aha!" solution, after the individ-
of the same title by London-based ual has been pondering a prob-
author Mike George. Facilitator lem, the brain briefly reduces vis-
Victoria Mandap designed a pro- ual inputs, with an effect similar
gram that was more introspective, to closing the eyes or looking
requiring the individuals to savor away to facilitate the instant men-
silencing the mind in order to gen- tal flash. It also explains that fo-
erate intuitive flashes. “Concepts cusing the attention inward en-
without experiencing them are use- Flashes of brilliance come after introspection. courages greater understanding
less,” she said. even before a problem presents it-
The participants were made to realize“connection.” The subsequent group discus- self. Hence, the thoughts before problem-
that the 7 Aha!s are meant to be actively util- sion revealed that the words were related to solving begins are just as significant as the
ized in life; hence they are phrased in active their personal circumstances. analysis required after.
verbs: 1) Be Quiet. 2) Let Go. 3) Let Be. 4) Lis- During the “Let Go” session, many Participant Jing Lucas said she appre-
ten In. 5) Accept Everything. 6) Know the Self. admitted that detaching from old habits and ciated the moments of silence built into the
7) Pass On. ideas was more challenging than giving up workshop. “There were so many unanswered
Asked what attracted them to the possessions and relationships. Ultimately, questions in my mind. In this experience I dis-
workshop, which required deep thinking, they they concluded that it was fundamental in covered that there is only one thing you must
replied that they wanted to make sense of becoming an enlightened soul. The group de- experiment about—constant self-awareness
their lives. At the start of the program, they scribed this stage as the awareness of the through meditation. I was able to gain its
identified key words such as “eternity,” individual as a conscient being that is separate benefits with joy and laughter.”
“happiness,” “searching,” “wish,” and from matter. Jing’s husband Lito said the retreat
The workshop encouraged the partici- brought him closer to his true self, which in
pants to process their thoughts and share turn, gave him more clarity. “A highly-
them with colleagues. In their interaction, they enlightened soul is one who is self-aware and
learned that, although each one person is on a is powerful because it is not dependent on
solitary journey, it is still relationships with other people, situation or thing to feel good,”
others that contribute to the quality of every he said. “The 7 Aha!s may appear simple but
individual life. And the quality of relationships they are effective means to achieve personal
depends on one’s relationship with the self. power that comes from within. For me, the
All in all, the sessions debunked the partici- retreat did not end really. Instead, it ushered
pants’ common notion that meditation was all me onto an exciting journey to live the 7 Aha!s
about keeping the mind blank. They learned a in my daily life.”
more practical and effective method that, with Mike George aptly sums it up: “Your
practice, would help them find answers to inner tutor is always available for you. Your
many questions. conscience is you receptacle of truth. Only
There is a scientific explanation be- when you create this quietness in your own
hind the Aha! moment, they also learned. Re- mind can you begin to hear your inner
BK Vicky Mandap with the workshop participants. searches show that the brain operates differ- teacher.”
Visit the Center for Spiritual Learning at 1020 Magallanes Drive, Silang Crossing West, Tagaytay City. Contact us at (046) 483 2128
See our local website www.bktagaytay.com, our blog site www.bk-tnt.blogspot.com and our international website www.bkwsu.org.
© Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University 2009.
 2 The Point Volume 3 Issue 29 October 2009

The veggie sandwich story: how it multiplied

IT all started when Ms. teams separately took the spot-
Evangeline Ram, a psychology light to express a stanza of the
faculty at the University of the song through jumps, turns and
Philippines Baguio and a synchronized movements. Cam-
Brahma Kumaris student in era lights flashed and some of the
that mountain city up north center staff left their stations to
was taking up her PhD in the catch this number.
UP main campus in Quezon To ensure that the ex-
City. There, she met with an- perience was total and unique,
other psychology faculty from vivid video presentations and
UP Los Baños (UPLB) from calming audio commentaries with
southern Luzon, Leslee Nativi- soft musical backgrounds gave
dad. During lunch, she shared the students a bonus taste of
a vegetarian sandwich . meditation. Pockets of silencing
It must have been helped the participants to con-
one very delicious veggie sciously create positive thoughts
sandwich; certainly it was one of the self and others. These
very providential meeting. young people, otherwise bom-
The friendly bond that devel- In the Brown Bag activity, students discover the difference barded with the noise and
oped between the two profession- between their inner and outer selves. “busyness” of the external world, and
als helped initiate a project be- internal commotion in their constantly
tween the UPLB Psychology Department and and protein-packed beans in coconut cream. occupied minds could at last savor actually
the Brahma Kumaris through its Center for The familiar but healthier pancit or noodles becoming still, if only momentarily.
Spiritual Learning (CSL) in Tagaytay City. The merited second, even third, servings. But for many, a few minutes of si-
two pioneering teachers agreed to provide an Over the years, the program title and lence were enough to taste peace, mental
opportunity for all levels of UPLB general Psy- seminar presentation has evolved from the refreshment, freedom from stress and a re-
chology students to experience a different original “Taking Hold” to the current charging of the spirit-- the very objectives that
perspective of consciousness and understand- “Discovering Positive Thinking and the Depths they verbalized at the start. In their reflection
ing of the workings of the mind. Thus, began of Consciousness” seminar. What has re- paper, students described the session as
the regular UPLB Psychology students’ day trip mained the same is the intention of opening a “refreshing and empowering given the new
to CSL. wider vista of the psyche to the students way on how to live life.”
That was in 2004—it’s still going through fun-filled activities. After all, as one Asked why Natividad kept coming
strong in its fifth year. Last month CSL hosted trainer emphasized, “Psychology is the study back, she replied, “I am able to share to stu-
252 UPLB students in a three-day marathon of the psyche, or the soul, and what better dents this wonderful thing-- that they have
session. Unlike the previous year, when each place to study it than in a Center for Spiritual control over their lives and that they are beau-
teacher’s class was divided into two groups, Learning.” tiful souls. That is enough to motivate me to
now they came in bigger batches. A ‘play shop’ keep bringing them here.”
Second servings The assurance, “This is not a work- Samples of requested one-word feed-
At mealtimes, the kitchen and dining shop, but a ‘playshop’” was a balancing act back in the end ranged from “peaceful,”
area turned into a practicum setting for coor- well pulled off. Specific activities, such the “refreshing,” “unique,” “enjoyable,” and “love-
dination and cooperation among the staff. “Brown Bag” and the more serious “Boat” ex- it,” to “inspiring,” “awesome,” and “life-
While half of the crowd lined up for drinks at ercises, were utilized to either experientially changing.” Likewise, the young ones held their
the beverage station, the other half was introduce the different kinds of thoughts, or own in each returning, eye-to-eye, a gaze of
swiftly served their meals. It’s always a won- reinforce a lecture portion on knowing the brotherly love from Sr. Salud and Sr. Yogini.
der how the small kitchen staff smoothly man- self. If enthusiastic participation and laughter They also received the customary “graduation
ages to whip up vegetarian delights to please were to be taken as a gauge of sustained inter- gifts” of blessings and sweets.
the young adults’ taste buds that are used to est, then the objectives were met. This was The CSL staff sent off the bubbly stu-
fast-food. Tops in the approval list were especially evident in the confidence-boosting dents with positive thoughts and a vision that
crunchy mushroom pakoras, toasty veggie creative group dance interpretation of the they may become true students of another
nuggets, saucy mock barbecue, golden squash song “I Believe I Can Fly” by R. Kelly. Five UPLB - the University of Peace, Love, and Bliss.
P R O G R A M S
Forgive and Let Go, 4pm Sat - 4pm Sun, Oct 10-11
Karma, A Time to Heal , 5:30-6:30pm Sun, Oct 18
Solace for the Soul, 4pm Fri - 4pm Sun, Oct 23-25
Living Values Educators’ Traning (by invitation) , 4pm Oct 26—8:30am Oct 30
We’d like to hear from you. Write us at thepointfeedback@gmail.com.