"San ka Humuhugot ng Saya?": A Review

Jenette shares a laugh with Rose Ann during the event 

“A writer, I think, is someone who pays attention to the world."       ~ Susan Sontag

My friend Jenette Vizcocho of Murphy Report came to our event, "San ka Humuhugot ng Saya?" as a guest but she ends up translating the 1 hour talk in Filipino to Rose Ann and later writing about her beautiful experience.

I asked her if I can share her thoughts in this blog and like the angel that she is, she said yes. 

Here's what Jenette has to say about the event.     

I joined a talk on Happiness and where we find it at Brahma Kumaris because I was curious about my notion of happiness and if my practice/daily life is leading to a sustainable form of it. The speaker, BK Gopi Patel, came highly recommended by @smilea who heard her speak in London, and so to have her come here and explain happiness seemed like lucky happenstance.

BK Gopi said that we usually identify our happiness with momentary pleasure: food, material wealth, even people. The problem that cases us to over-anything (eat, spend, form unhealthy attachments) is that pleasure is fleeting. If we make an external thing or person our happiness, we will always be let down. Not to say things and people cannot make us happy, but if we hand the responsibility of our happiness over to others, we never find ways to feel happy with or by ourselves.

So how do we attain happiness? She suggests learning to recognize our thoughts especially the negative, downward spiral, self-sabotaging ones, and learn to dispute them as fears and false truths. She suggests sharing the best of ourselves with others not for their approval or for an expected reaction, but because we are inherently giving. She suggests learning to see the good/joy in everyday life, even in the ordinary days, especially on the bad days.

It's funny because I went there for myself but ended up translating the whole talk to Filipino for Rose Ann, a girl I previously met, who is sick and has to endure daily painful treatments, who thinks going to BK is a grand adventure, who spoke of how when she went to a party, she chose a Batman figure for her nephew instead of the bracelet she really liked because she knew it would make him happy, who sang out loud to Katy Perry during an intermission. It reminds me I am in a very good place in my life, and that one of my happiness comes from sharing my time with her.

It is customary after the talk to receive sweets or toli, so that all our thoughts and words are sweet even after we leave the center. BK Gopi handed me this card and when you look her in the eyes, you see that in her life of simplicity and practicality, is a life of happiness.

P.S. BK Gopi Patel still has one last talk in Manila on August 24, 6:30pm before she flies for London. I hope you get to listen to her.  

invite by Brahma Kumaris Makati

Letter to my 27-year-old self

Dearest Karen,

First off, let me tell you that you will not get your die-at-33 wish like Jesus and Napoleon Bonaparte.  Thank heavens! You will mature and figure out that dying the same age as those 2 great souls will NOT make you great. 

You will soon find out that greatness lies not in the scale of the task or how far-reaching its scope.  What really matter are the purity of your intention and how much love you put into what you are doing.  Actually, you don’t need to impress anyone but yourself.

In fact, you don’t need to do that great thing you always dreamed of- not yet.  You have to take care of yourself first- truly understand and appreciate your value.

My dear, the path you will later choose is unchartered.  Your fears and doubts will try to stop you that’s why you need to build your inner strength.

I know that at this point, you are confused.  You don’t even know what makes you happy and where exactly you are going.

Just keep on moving forward and things will clear up.

You are wiser than you think and braver than you can ever imagine.

Know that you will attain the freedom you’ve always wanted when you come to accept who you truly are and nurture the gifts inside you.

Everything will be ok- promise.  You will come out of whatever it is you’re going through humbled and enlightened.

Will see you at the other side! 

                                                                    Love,

                                                                      Your future self

P.S.  I wish I knew then what I know now.  It would have saved me from a lot of disappointments.  

If you are looking for happiness that lasts and peace which empowers, you are warmly invited to this event for young ones under 40 years old.

You may register at facebook or eventbrite.  See you! 

invite from BK Lighthouse Youth

On keeping one's happiness

Everything that could go wrong did go wrong but I never let go of my happiness.

Two years ago, when I went to India I made a promise to hold on to my happiness- no matter what happens.  As if to test if I really meant this, my recent trip this year was like Ulysses' journey to Ithaca. I encountered so many monsters and challenges along the way.

Every time a situation comes up, I chant this mantra in my head over and over "I will keep my happiness. I will keep my happiness".

Series of Unfortunate Events
On our way to the airport, my travel companion was getting irritated because all the gates out of the village were closed.  We were going around in circles for 30 minutes.  We were lucky that our taxi driver was very composed.  I kept my calm too and  we arrived at the airport prior to the boarding time.

We scheduled a 2 day side trip in Bangkok.  However, we were billeted in the meditation center outside the city which makes traveling quite tedious.  Traffic in Bangkok is worse than Manila- even on a Saturday.  Though we know where to go, it was difficult to navigate around the city because of my topographical disorientation.  My other travel companions were relying on me, the map and my research.  When we ask the locals for help we cannot understand each other (most of  the locals don't speak English).  I felt though that I'm in an episode of Amazing Race but I enjoyed the adventure.  Moreover, staying in the meditation center allowed me to interact with the local students, engage in spiritual discourse and sample the local vegetarian cuisine (I only eat food prepared by raja yoga practitioners).  

When we got to India, our luggages were missing.  Our local guide said, "How inconvenient for you.".  I replied with a smiling face, "I didn't lose my happiness though".  We went back to the airport four hours after our arrival, and we were able to pick up all of our baggages.

At the academy in Mount Abu, we bathe in spiritual study and meditation for two weeks. However, our personal meeting with the most senior teacher was cancelled.  In the same way that Catholics go to the Vatican to meet the pope, students from 137 countries go to India for a single meeting with the teacher.  The 500 students from 50 countries and 25,000 students from India at that time were a little disappointed. Again, I psyched myself "whatever is happening is good".  On the day of the scheduled meeting, we were able to have an unexpected video conference with him.  It only lasted for 5 minutes but it made my journey to India complete.

The lesson
"Experience any upheaval as though you are watching a cartoon show", was the teacher's opening statement.

I was nodding my head in agreement.  I simply looked at the various situations (there were more actually that I can write a novel) and moved forward.  I did not allow it to influence me, hence, it was unable to pull my enthusiasm down.

"Why do you keep the wrong things in your heart? Why do you take something bad?", he asked.

"Don't keep these things in your heart because you have sat the Father in your heart.", he admonished.

For me, that means I have to keep my heart clean and free from the rubbish of wasteful thinking (Why is this happening? This one did this. The other one did that.).  The Almighty Father can only sit in a pure heart.  Whenever I allow anything bad to enter the space reserved for him, I shoo him away.

Lastly, he said, "Always remain happy and share happiness."

Well, I have kept my happiness and now I am sharing with you.   

'Never lose your happiness'

Happy yogis BK Agnes and BK Roshni in front of Om Shanti Bhawan, Mount Abu, Rajasthan, India

“Write it on your forehead I will stay happy and distribute happiness to others.”

“Bolo”, (repeat) the Teacher said in Hindi.  The crowd of 24,000 chanted in unison “I will stay happy and distribute happiness to others”.

I’m  OK

I’ve been to India for four times to participate in a huge gathering of raja yoga meditation students from all over the globe but this is the happiest meeting I’ve had.  I am not dancing or singing or shouting for joy.  Nor am I laughing out loud or shedding tears of happiness.  There’s simply an inner stability and contentment inside.  The mind is clear and my heart is calm.  I am ok and so is everything else around me.  The stillness is like that of the depths of the ocean.  There are no stirrings of worry or pain, no ripples of expectations, and no waves of sorrow.  I am at peace with myself, nothing is bothering me at all- not the distinct smell of Indian spice floating in the air, or my upset stomach, or even the small space I’m cramped in.  Nothing matters at all because I feel so good inside.

Hold on to your happiness

The Teacher explains, “No matter what situations arise, it should not take away your happiness”. Happiness is my inherent treasure.  I don’t have to search for it, buy it, or even earn it.  All I have to do is keep my happiness.  Often, when a challenge comes I allow it to pull me down.  I let it disturb my calm mind with questions and thoughts of worry.  It shakes my peaceful disposition with feelings of fear, pain, hurt and insecurity.  Then, I lose my happiness because at a time my heart can only hold one thing- either love or fear, joy or pain, healing or hurt, stability or insecurity.  It’s impossible to maintain a positive disposition if there’s a tiny bit of ill feeling. 

“Make the situation small, do not make it big”, He admonishes.  I have the power to mold anything on the basis of my perception of it.  If I complain, resist or judge a circumstance, I make it into a monster which comes back to me and haunts me.  If I accept it and move forward, then I overcome it like a bird flying over a mountain.   

Nothing’s wrong

Being on the path of self-development for more than 3 years has taught me that “whatever is happening is good, whatever has happened is good, what is to happen will be good”.  Therefore, nothing is wrong.  Situations come to test me.  If I pass it, it bestows me gifts- patience, humility, maturity, trust.  Then, I move forward in this game of life stronger.  On the other hand, if I don’t pass the test, I will have to take it again and again until I get the lesson.  It’s like a computer game, I can never progress to a higher level until I finish the lower stage.

He makes it simpler, whatever it is you are going through “just be courageous and you will receive help”.  He adds, “Have constant good wishes and pure feelings for everyone”.  It is very easy to justify why a situation is wrong, look at my weakness, or someone else’s mistakes.  He advises us to see only the beauty in everyone and everything.  I feel that when I am confused, hurt, or angry I’m sending out sharp arrows around me which only hurts others and makes the atmosphere heavy.  But when I trust, accept, move forward, and remain happy I give others space and I send out roses in the air whose fragrance uplifts everyone and any situation.

“Make a firm promise, you will remain happy and share happiness.  There is no nourishment like happiness.  There is so much wonder in happiness”.  He continued, “If you like it, raise your hands”.  I raised three- my two hands and the hand of my heart.

Photo by Agnes Roque

I Don’t Want to Lose My Happiness

Those were the words of my travel companion, who lost her luggage, on the first leg of our journey to India  (our route: from Manila fly to KL, Malaysia & ; fly to New Delhi, India &; train ride to Abu road & ; then bus to the university on Mount Abu).  She spoke to me calmly as if nothing happened. 

She related that a similar incident occurred to one of our classmates in meditation some few years back.  While she was sound asleep on the night train, everything was stolen from her- luggage, hand carry bag, passport, and money.  Angry and upset, she went to the dadis (senior sisters) to report what happened as soon as she arrived in the university. 

The first thing one dadi asked her was, “Did you lose your happiness also?”

In one class, Baba, our main guru (teacher) said that it is the duty of the situation to come and my responsibility to pass the situation.

He elaborated that any situation is simply a test. Asking,  Why this happened?  How could you this happen to me? or reacting negatively- getting angry, or depressed will never make any circumstance right.

“If problems come what I have to do is to keep my intellect clear so I know what to do in those situations”, shared Didi Nirmala, the university’s Asia-Pacific coordinator.

Accepting whatever is in front of me and responding to it in the most beautiful manner will make me pass the test with honors. 

My travel companion never got back her luggage.  She had to buy few items from the market, borrow luggage, accept hand me downs, and wash her clothes every single day in our 2 weeks stay in Mount Abu.  I never heard a single complaint from her.  She held on to her happiness and passed her test with flying colors.

The Monkey with the Wooden Apple

There was once a happy monkey wandering the jungle, eating delicious fruit when hungry, and resting when tired.  One day he came upon a house, where he saw a bowl of the most beautiful apples.  He took one in each hand and ran back to the forest.

He sniffed the apples and smelled nothing.  He tried to eat them, but hurt his teeth.  They were made of wood, but they were beautiful, and when the other monkeys saw them, he held onto them even tighter.

He admired his new possessions proudly as he wandered the jungle.  They glistened red in the sun, and seemed perfect to him.  He became so attached to them, that he didn't even notice his hunger at first.

A fruit tree reminded him, but he felt but he felt the apples in his hands.  He couldn't bear to set them down to reach for the fruit.  In fact, he couldn't relax either, if he was to defend his apples.  A proud, but less happy monkey continued to walk along the forest trails.

The apples became heavier, and the poor little monkey thought about leaving them behind.  He was tired, hungry, and couldn't climb trees or collect fruit with his hands full.  What if he just let go?

Letting go of such valuable things seemed crazy, but what else could he do?  He was so tired.  Seeing the next fruit tree, and smelling it's fruit was enough.  He dropped the wooden apples and reached up for his meal.  He was happy again.

Like that little monkey, we sometimes carry things that seem too valuable to let go.  A man carries an image of himself as "productive"- carries it like a shiny wooden apple.  But in reality, his busyness leaves him tired and hungry for a better life.

The Courage to be Human

- Dadi Gulzar's Class in Germany

After almost exactly 10 years Dadi Gulzar graced Germany again with her royal and divine presence.  In the evening Dadiji gave a concise talk. Here's the essence of her talk : 

• Everyone is looking for love, peace and happiness in their lives but why does it disappear even more and more?

• It is because human beings have lost their connection with God. Therefore the spiritual power is missing which is the fourth power after the predominant powers present in today world: Science, politics and religion.

• This spiritual power is the power of realizing: Who am I? If I realise that I am a soul, a being of light, then I have access to the spiritual power of the soul.

• Because we no longer identify with the soul, the spiritual power is missing. Only by reconnecting with God can this power flow again, because God is the Almighty Authority. Being able to keep that connection is called “meditation”.

• The 2 requirements to keep that connection are the thoughts: 

        1.  I am a soul and 

        2. I am His child.  

• Why is our happiness not stable? What are the 2 doors through which it  disappears? Firstly it is when our desires are not fulfilled and secondly we take sorrow when someone is blaming or accusing us. Therefore, remain a detached observer and don’t think about the past but about what you can change in the future. Find a solution!

• If you are able to close these 2 doors firmly, you will constantly stay happy and also give happiness to your country.

• The method to keep that inner happiness is meditation, because that is how we receive powers from God. We need these because the outer world is constantly changing, so we need to have a variety of skills in order to cope with the situations. 

Excuses

by Dadi Janki, Oxford

Recognize who is Dilwala (the Comforter of Hearts). Ask Him what He has in His heart for you. Have chitchat with Him about yourself and about Himself. Tell Him the things of your heart. It is dangerous to tell other people the things of your heart. No need to complain that there is no one who will listen to you. Spend time in Baba’s (God's) room. He is ready and waiting to tell you beautiful things. Speak with Baba (God) about loving things of the heart. Taste this and see. Then you will also find someone who is thirsty to listen to such things and will take benefit from this. These are private matters, but you can taste it and allow others to taste it too. Even though Baba (God) loves so many, He never stops loving me. Therefore, there is no need to have jealousy; in fact we can be happy that others are also receiving His love. Think about the beauty of such a heart where there is no jealousy and no limitations. Does the soul understand the things of Baba’s (God) heart and make itself good? Let your heart be touched by Baba (God).

God says, don’t just sing my praise, but steal the virtues of all and become praiseworthy.... those who are full of virtues (gunvaan), become those who make the donation of virtues (gundaan). You can enable others to become virtuous when you don’t see their defects. Make your eyes good and intellect refined....Simply take the goodness from people, maybe they don’t even realise that they have this.

Make the donation of knowledge, virtues, power and time. Give love and affection to the family and give time in service, then even time will become pleased. Even if you don’t have anything else, give people the donation of time. If you are giving someone time but they are not taking benefit from you then just keep giving but give in a subtle way. All you need to do is give love throughout the whole day. The things of the heart reach everyone. You may not be doing any physical activity, but consider each one to be very good, observe the uniqueness and goodness of each one. Collect this goodness and you will never become sad.

Some people wonder why sadness comes suddenly, without any obvious reason. Once a sad thought (oodasi) creeps into your mind it takes over. Its starts ruling you and so you become a slave (daasi). Such thoughts not only rule over you but they make you consider that to be okay. These thoughts then steal your happiness. You need to remain detached and loving. Everything is good. There are many methods to become free in a second and become successful.

It is a big mistake to catch hold of the situation or let it catch hold of you. You then make others your companions to listen to you and become surrounded by judges and lawyers. This is what wastes a lot of time. Judge yourself. You don’t need to hire a lawyer to win your case. Become such an example and embodiment of support for all so that they can be uplifted.

Ask yourself what you need to do. Become an example for others so that they can receive support and be uplifted.

When you just say ‘om shanti’ morning and evening, the path ahead becomes clear and you develop wings to fly. A bird never asks how to fly, it flies naturally. Put a full stop and the situation is finished. Fly and keep flying, this is service. Even if you feel that you are ready to fly but others aren’t, then become like an aeroplane. People automatically prepare themselves in advance to go in an aeroplane. They pack up, prepare their visa and wait for the flight. The aeroplane waits whilst everything is checked before the pilot and passengers arrive. Everyone is instructed to wear the seatbelt. The plane then taxis slowly before picking up speed and flying off. Make your effort the same. There is no need to see what is happening down below. If something is happening, you have to be detached, you cannot get off the plane and jump down. You have to reach your destination and stop worrying. Just keep giving good vibrations. It is now time to go home. We have packed already, become first class passengers and go with royalty.

Making excuses is what causes sadness. Happiness provides the wings of zeal and enthusiasm. When people see you fly, they too will want to come and see what is up there. They will also become free from fear. Zeal and enthusiasm enables you to fly.

You are all sensible. When you remain engaged/occupied, you won’t be confused about anything. There won’t be any sadness or depression. When all of you begin to fly, there will be great splendour. There is no need to do anything else.