“In the midst of a seemingly endless winter, I discovered within myself an invincible spring. May it be so, for all who need encouragement in these hard times.” — Camus
At last, spring has arrived, the vernal equinox, celebrated as the first day of spring, the dawning of the bright half of the year. Traditionally, we open doors and windows to let the brisk, cleansing spring breeze blow through our homes and sweep away the dust and stuffy air gathered throughout the winter months.
But along with this and first of all, we can do ‘inside’ work and spring-clean the self. We can clear out and ‘throw away’ stale, negative thoughts and excess worries. We can dust the soul to dissolve sad feelings and remove the clutter of memories. Then our mind becomes clear and clean. By inculcating a habit where our thought patterns are polished, positive and powerful no matter what happens, the soul continues to shine ever more brightly.
The types of thoughts we need to clean away are those thought patterns that create negative and defeatist thoughts, when faced with challenging situations. These can be changed through the practice of meditation. In meditation we can train the mind to consciously create the right type of thoughts. Thoughts are the most powerful energy in the world.
When we think and feel pure thoughts, our spiritual vibrations are a cure for the world. Our positive, peaceful thoughts will reach anywhere in a second and have the power to burn negative and violent energy.
With God as our companion, we receive spiritual power to eliminate negative self-talk, and to sweep away the cobwebs of past mistakes and old habits that no longer serve us. He inspires us to polish and make the soul sparkle. At this time God is getting His work done through the ones who remember Him, those who keep the aim to ‘improve’ each day and to serve the world with peaceful and powerful thoughts and actions. He sees those ones as special friends because of the good in their hearts and the good they are doing in the world.
Spring is testimony; no matter how hard winter gets, life comes back and always will.
Chirya Risely is a Rajyoga meditation teacher, based at the Brahma Kumaris Peace Village Retreat Center, USA.