suja - ISKCON Desire Tree

"No matter how much he tried, he could not do so at will. The invitation had to come from that world itself. From Krishna Himself.....most love able thank you "

"Hare krishna prabhuji,
All glories to Sri Guruvayurappan!!!

thank you for a very beautiful narration ...
again and again only one thing sticks into my mind.... to be pure at heart is the main ingredient to constantly remember the Lotus feet of Sri…"

by Mahatma das and Akrura das

Please visit the following link to download to hear the conversation between
HG Mahatma das and HG Akrura Das

http://www.tstrain.com/illuminations/Possibility_Thinking.mp3

Possibility thinking means there is always more than one way of
approaching a situation. Generally we have patterns of thinking which lock
us into seeing situations in a narrow way or the same way over and over
again. But there is always more than one way to deal with a situation. By
being open to other ways of viewing the situation, we begin to see
possibilities we didn’t know existed.

Think "what can I do to improve my service to Krishna in this situation?"

If we really believe in Krishna, we should be thinking that anything is
possible by His mercy. For example, in any difficult situation we can think,
"What else can be done?", “How can I maximize the situation?" "How can I
turn my obstacles into opportunities to serve Krishna?" There is always a
silver lining at the end of the cloud.

What’s good about this?

You can see how bad experiences in the past have helped you become stronger
today. There were valuable lessons learned from those experiences. But at
the time you didn’t know this. Those experiences are blessings in disguise
to learn what we need to learn. So, even the bad, seen in another way,
becomes a source of strength and knowledge.

Once, a king placed a boulder in the middle of a street and hid himself
behind a bush. Most persons just went around the boulder. After some time, a
peasant came and pushed the boulder aside. Below the boulder he found a
purse with gold coins and a note from the king that said "This is a reward
for the person who removes the boulder."

In essence, there is gold at the end of a rainbow. Behind each obstacle,
there is a lesson that Krishna wants us to learn.

Dealing with anarthas

An outside of the box way of viewing anarthas is to see them as things which
are so valuable to us that if we give them up, we’ll be giving up that which
we are dearly attached to. Krishna appreciates it when we offer him
something that we’d rather not give up. So, attachments offer us great
opportunities to serve Krishna.

Since everything in creation must be offered to Krishna, we can offer to
Krishna our determination to drop the anartha or a bad thought and continue
with faith in our spiritual practices. Having a different perspective on how
to deal with anarthas has helped many devotees.

Tools for Possibility thinking

Brainstorming or mind storming

Some persons suggest taking a piece of paper and writing down 10 to 20
possibilities. This forces one to think differently from how one generally
thinks. It is also highly beneficial to do this exercise with a coach or a
mentor.

Is there a third alternative?

Often times, two parties are caught up in "I have an idea" and "You have an
idea". But there could be a third alternative which encompasses or far
exceeds both the ideas. Generally, people think like a funnel, a narrow
pipe. It is said that if the mind has 60,000 ideas in a day, they may all
have the same pattern. People have a habitual way of thinking. Most of our
thoughts are the same day in and day out.

Win win thinking

When two parties come together, its best to come up with an option that is
beneficial for both parties. It’s called synergy or creative co-operation.
Such an approach is very beneficial because it helps one develop respect for
the other person's opinion, the other person's needs, and the ability to
understand the other person.

Obstacles to Possibility thinking

I can't

It is said that what you think to be true is often just your belief or
attitude. When devotees use words like "I can't", "It can't", or "This can't
be done" they are limiting themselves. In fact the words "I can't" can be
redefined as "there is no possibility" of any other way of doing it or
thinking about it. It’s important that we catch ourselves when we use those
words. Instead, it’s a healthy habit to use words like "let's look" and "let
me consider".

Bhakta Henry (Ford), the grandfather of Ambarisha prabhu would say "If you
say ‘I can't,’ you have 100% failed. You have determined your path to fail."

Another alternative is to ask other devotees how they view a situation.
They’ll often have a completely different perspective.

Neglecting the most obvious

Often times, because of our fixed mind set, we tend to oversee the most
obvious things we can do to solve a problem. We are surrounded by all kinds
of solutions and possibilities. We just don’t see them.

Akrura narrates a true story of an African farmer who sold his land and
embarked on a journey to find diamonds. When he was unable to find any
diamonds, he drowned himself in the ocean. The new owner of the land one day
found out that the acres of land that were sold to him were mines of
diamonds. We also have acres of diamonds as wonderful devotees around us
and talents given by Krishna. All we have to do is to open our eyes and look
around.

Routine

We are caught up in a routine and we don't even know what's beyond that. We
don't go beyond our routine to explore opportunities. We can become like
machines who can only do a few things. Then we say, “This is just the way I
am.”

Being satisfied as a mediocre

Devotees often become complacent in their devotional practices. It’s a good
exercise to think from time to time how we can be a better servant of
Krishna. "How can I be a better spouse for the pleasure of Krishna?" "How
can I be a better parent?" "How can I be a better disciple so I can serve
Krishna better?". When we ask such questions, the hidden opportunities for
service start showing up.

The hidden blankets in the cold room of your life

Akrura narrates the story of how he slept in a Slovakian temple on a cold
night with a thin blanket. When he woke up next morning, he found a box next
to his bed with a warm blanket. He obviously did not see the most obvious.
What are you not seeing?

Krishna has given us intelligence, creativity and talents. We have to look
and unveil our talents for His service.

Comments

PRAN NATH October 22, 2009 at 10:24am

hare krishna
raja rajeswari October 14, 2009 at 2:05pm

hare krishna,thank u for urposts.you are most welcome to save balaramdeash's photos.hare bol
suja October 14, 2009 at 8:31am
suja October 14, 2009 at 8:27am
Eternal Muser October 1, 2009 at 2:37pm

Hare Krishna Mataji!
So nice to hear from you... :)
I just noticed your comment on my Page. How is everything in your Krishna-Conscious World? Wonderful, I'm sure... Please leave some merciful message for me. It will certainly help me to become more Krishna conscious!
pooja September 29, 2009 at 1:31pm

hare krishna mataji,
pamo. thank you so much for your kind words.

ys,
pooja
kanaiyyadesh September 28, 2009 at 12:04pm

by Mahatma das and Akrura das

Please visit the following link to download to hear the conversation between
HG Mahatma das and HG Akrura Das

http://www.tstrain.com/illuminations/Possibility_Thinking.mp3

Possibility thinking means there is always more than one way of
approaching a situation. Generally we have patterns of thinking which lock
us into seeing situations in a narrow way or the same way over and over
again. But there is always more than one way to deal with a situation. By
being open to other ways of viewing the situation, we begin to see
possibilities we didn’t know existed.

Think "what can I do to improve my service to Krishna in this situation?"

If we really believe in Krishna, we should be thinking that anything is
possible by His mercy. For example, in any difficult situation we can think,
"What else can be done?", “How can I maximize the situation?" "How can I
turn my obstacles into opportunities to serve Krishna?" There is always a
silver lining at the end of the cloud.

What’s good about this?

You can see how bad experiences in the past have helped you become stronger
today. There were valuable lessons learned from those experiences. But at
the time you didn’t know this. Those experiences are blessings in disguise
to learn what we need to learn. So, even the bad, seen in another way,
becomes a source of strength and knowledge.

Once, a king placed a boulder in the middle of a street and hid himself
behind a bush. Most persons just went around the boulder. After some time, a
peasant came and pushed the boulder aside. Below the boulder he found a
purse with gold coins and a note from the king that said "This is a reward
for the person who removes the boulder."

In essence, there is gold at the end of a rainbow. Behind each obstacle,
there is a lesson that Krishna wants us to learn.

Dealing with anarthas

An outside of the box way of viewing anarthas is to see them as things which
are so valuable to us that if we give them up, we’ll be giving up that which
we are dearly attached to. Krishna appreciates it when we offer him
something that we’d rather not give up. So, attachments offer us great
opportunities to serve Krishna.

Since everything in creation must be offered to Krishna, we can offer to
Krishna our determination to drop the anartha or a bad thought and continue
with faith in our spiritual practices. Having a different perspective on how
to deal with anarthas has helped many devotees.

Tools for Possibility thinking

Brainstorming or mind storming

Some persons suggest taking a piece of paper and writing down 10 to 20
possibilities. This forces one to think differently from how one generally
thinks. It is also highly beneficial to do this exercise with a coach or a
mentor.

Is there a third alternative?

Often times, two parties are caught up in "I have an idea" and "You have an
idea". But there could be a third alternative which encompasses or far
exceeds both the ideas. Generally, people think like a funnel, a narrow
pipe. It is said that if the mind has 60,000 ideas in a day, they may all
have the same pattern. People have a habitual way of thinking. Most of our
thoughts are the same day in and day out.

Win win thinking

When two parties come together, its best to come up with an option that is
beneficial for both parties. It’s called synergy or creative co-operation.
Such an approach is very beneficial because it helps one develop respect for
the other person's opinion, the other person's needs, and the ability to
understand the other person.

Obstacles to Possibility thinking

I can't

It is said that what you think to be true is often just your belief or
attitude. When devotees use words like "I can't", "It can't", or "This can't
be done" they are limiting themselves. In fact the words "I can't" can be
redefined as "there is no possibility" of any other way of doing it or
thinking about it. It’s important that we catch ourselves when we use those
words. Instead, it’s a healthy habit to use words like "let's look" and "let
me consider".

Bhakta Henry (Ford), the grandfather of Ambarisha prabhu would say "If you
say ‘I can't,’ you have 100% failed. You have determined your path to fail."

Another alternative is to ask other devotees how they view a situation.
They’ll often have a completely different perspective.

Neglecting the most obvious

Often times, because of our fixed mind set, we tend to oversee the most
obvious things we can do to solve a problem. We are surrounded by all kinds
of solutions and possibilities. We just don’t see them.

Akrura narrates a true story of an African farmer who sold his land and
embarked on a journey to find diamonds. When he was unable to find any
diamonds, he drowned himself in the ocean. The new owner of the land one day
found out that the acres of land that were sold to him were mines of
diamonds. We also have acres of diamonds as wonderful devotees around us
and talents given by Krishna. All we have to do is to open our eyes and look
around.

Routine

We are caught up in a routine and we don't even know what's beyond that. We
don't go beyond our routine to explore opportunities. We can become like
machines who can only do a few things. Then we say, “This is just the way I
am.”

Being satisfied as a mediocre

Devotees often become complacent in their devotional practices. It’s a good
exercise to think from time to time how we can be a better servant of
Krishna. "How can I be a better spouse for the pleasure of Krishna?" "How
can I be a better parent?" "How can I be a better disciple so I can serve
Krishna better?". When we ask such questions, the hidden opportunities for
service start showing up.

The hidden blankets in the cold room of your life

Akrura narrates the story of how he slept in a Slovakian temple on a cold
night with a thin blanket. When he woke up next morning, he found a box next
to his bed with a warm blanket. He obviously did not see the most obvious.
What are you not seeing?

Krishna has given us intelligence, creativity and talents. We have to look
and unveil our talents for His service.
kanaiyyadesh September 28, 2009 at 12:03pm

Hare Krishna

PAMHO
AGTSP
AGTGG

Dandavat Pranams

Your servant
Mani
Gaurav aggarwal September 26, 2009 at 12:06pm

hare krishna
pooja September 24, 2009 at 8:31am

hare krishna,
PAMO. thank you so much.

ys,
pooja

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