​You may be asking yourself if happiness is a state of mind, or if it is a feeling. Happiness as a feeling is transient - it lasts only for a moment or even a day and then is replaced by another feeling. It is therefore important to recognize happiness as a choice you make every day. 

You can choose happiness by choosing to think positively and focus on the positives in your life.

Develop a "thermostat" kind of mindset. This kind of mind does not rely on external things to make you happy. It is based on internal happiness. You choose to be happy even when you face adversity. In this way, you do not let negative circumstances affect your happiness. You believe that you are in control of your own worldview. You can choose to see the good or bad in every situation. 

For example, if you are unhappy with your work, you can focus on the positive aspects (like it helps you to pay your bills) instead of dwelling on the negative parts. 

People who practice mindfulness can find happiness by surrounding themselves with people who think differently than them. They learn to become comfortable with stillness, which is where the brain does its most powerful work. 

What helps further is that, those who are happy tend to cultivate deep human connections with other people. These connections lead to opportunity and possibility, leading to more external 'happy feeling' scenarios. 

Ultimately, happiness is a state of mind, which needs to be traversed like we do any journey and not look out for it, as if it is a destination! Happiness can be cultivated. 

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​Our world as we experience it, is shaped by our beliefs. Though at an apparent level, it may seem like our experiences shape our beliefs, that is not entirely true. Since there are very few situations that people are able to view objectively. Most of the time, people add subjective meaning to their experience and this subjective extrapolation is entirely influenced by their beliefs!
 
When you are experiencing high levels of anxiety, you will start to see things develop that further substantiate your intense level of stress. In other words, if you are feeling anxious about something, you will see that situation as being negative and anxiety-causing. If you are constantly thinking about what is going to happen next, you will see the world as being full of negative situations.

Whether you know it or not, your beliefs play a big part in your life. They determine how you think, behave, and experience life. If you believe you are deserving of a certain position, you will go after it. If you believe you are capable of getting a certain job, then your deep confidence will radiate in your personality, and this will allow you to do better in the interview. 
If your beliefs prevent you from achieving your goals, then you can change them and manifest your dreams. 

Write down your core beliefs and challenge all the negative ones. As you do this, you will realize that you have added a lot of negative-subjective emphasis to what is seemingly a one or two off incident. 

For e.g. just because your two past relationships failed miserably, does not mean that you do are unlucky in love. It simply means that you came across two individuals who were not compatible with your views and expectations for a relationship. That is all… 

When you start to observe your experiences with this kind of objectivity, you will find that you have 'acquired' these beliefs… from your friends and family, your culture, and your own self-talk. 
 
So, if you have acquired these limiting negative beliefs, then you can also surely let them go and choose to acquire positive beliefs that will help you to accomplish your goals and live a happier life. 
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Once you start challenging your negative thoughts and start to actively change them, you will start seeing deep transformation. Soon you will see that your beliefs, which ultimately are nothing but deep core subconscious thoughts, will begin to reflect your new positive way of thinking. Soon, your new beliefs will become your new reality… a happier reality.

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​Productivity depends on two factors: mental energy and a sense of internal motivation. When we're involved in work that we find personally meaningful, productivity naturally arises. But not every task carries deep personal meaning. Nevertheless, maintaining focus on longer-term goals can activate one's drive and energy. 

In addition to being able to achieve your goals, motivation will help you live a more fulfilling life. It will help you be the best version of yourself. By setting meaningful goals and committing to them on a regular basis, you'll be able to achieve them and enjoy your life to the fullest. 

Positive drive in life will help you become a better person and improve your confidence, relationships, and community.

There is an ancient teaching by The Buddha, that highlights this concept. It clearly indicates how being diligent is  important and is the chosen way of a wise person.

​There are many benefits to smudging, and many people use herbs in their rituals for a variety of reasons. Smudging can help cleanse the air of negative energy and transform objects into sacred spaces.

​Sage, for example, has been used as an herbal remedy for anxiety and mood disorders for thousands of years. Its uplifting effect on the mood can help you deal with the stresses of modern life.

​Ancient humans first noticed that a fragrant smoke was produced when dried herbs were burned. The smoke was considered a form of the spirit world, and evidence of spirit within substances is common. These plants have been used in many cultures, from ancient Greece to modern America, for religious rituals. 

Catholics have long used incense to communicate with the dead. It is said that smudging evokes an energy field similar to the feeling of prayer in the heart, and the words of the prayer are spoken with the lips, and the smoke carries the spirit of the dead.

Another popular herb in incense smudging is white sage, which is associated with purification. The smell is fantastic and blends well with other herbs such as thyme and rosemary. 

While white sage is the most common herb for smudging, other varieties of sage can also be used for this purpose. Other herbs such as eucalyptus, which is a native of Australia and grows in warmer climates in the U.S. has also been used for its many health benefits, including as a decongestant for winter colds.

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Ancient Wisdom   and     Life Management   ​

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​If you have ever wondered what is incense smudging, you're not alone. Millions of people around the world practice this ancient ritual as a way to keep negative energies at bay. Read on to discover more about this ancient practice and why it's so popular.

First of all, smudging is a practice of preparing a space for ritual and meditation. This practice can help create a positive energy in a room, which can then be used in rituals. 

​Smudging is a spiritual practice that involves passing cleansing herbal smoke to purify and create a 'sacred' space. This practice has been used for centuries to cleanse objects and ourselves. Smudging is done by lighting various dried herbs such as sage, cedar, sweet grass, lavender and so on… and then fanning them to direct the resulting smoke towards the item, person, space or object that is being cleansed.

The process of smudging is also used to cleanse the air in an area. For instance, a priest or a spiritual practitioner may use incense to purify a room or an entire property. 

In addition to smudging a space, you can also smudge specific objects. This technique is beneficial when purchasing a new home or gift, or even second-hand items. Any object can be smudged, whether it's a mobile phone, a laptop, or a brand new or for that matter even a used car!

The process of smudging involves burning raw herbs or incense in a sacred ritual. These herbs are often wrapped in a wand-like bundle and fanned with the help of a feather. The ash is collected in a fireproof vessel underneath, and the purpose of smudging should be clearly defined and specific. If you're uncertain of how to begin, it is best to consult a spiritual guide to determine which herbs and spices are appropriate for your practice.

While smudging is a relatively simple practice, it is extremely powerful.

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Ancient Wisdom   and     Life Management   ​

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​Anger is an emotion that is very difficult to manage. People who have a problem with anger tend to obsess over "should-s" and "must-s." They tend to think about their own feelings and the thoughts of others. They may ignore the positive things in life, or they may allow small irritations to build up to the "final straw." Then they blow up over something that really should not have bothered them in the first place.

At an apparent level, we may feel that anger is bad, only when it is uncontrollable, as it can potentially lead to violent behaviors. But that is not the case. ALL anger is bad in one way or another, because it leads to a lower sense of self-worth and wellness!

We find that at times, anger is exhibited in more passive ways, such as sulking or ignoring people. In the latter case, a person may attempt to hide their feelings or harm themselves. Self-harm is most common among young people. These behaviors are often the result of past experiences that were never fully processed and expressed.

​Therefore, learning to identify the causes of your anger and then addressing the core points can help you feel more empowered and in better control of your feelings. 

You will realize that no one external has true power over you! Others cannot push your buttons… because ultimately you hold the key to how you feel. Instead of feelings merely happening to you, as if they were some 'reaction' to others people's triggering actions, you will realize that you have the ability to choose your thoughts and actions and these in turn will determine how you feel! 

At the onset, keep a simple goal- where your starting aim could be to reduce the amount of anger you feel in any given instance and reduce the time it takes you to restore back to normal balanced functioning before the triggering situation. 

Learning to not only manage anger, but actually "letting it go"… takes time, discipline, and sometimes even specialized help. In this regards, close friends, well-caring family members or a close-knit support group, such as a spiritual community can help you in myriad of ways to understand the underlying issues behind the anger. They can help you to strategically resolve them, while at the same time, also provide loving support to address and overcome those challenges. 

There is an ancient teaching by The Buddha which clearly indicates how being angry is not only futile, it is actually detrimental and self-harming!

​Keep in mind that choosing not to be angry is NOT about condoning a situation or someone's actions/ behavior! Letting go of anger is not the same as 'agreement'. 

What you are doing by letting go of anger is that- you do not let any external situation or any person have control over your inner well-being. By "letting go of anger", you choose to take back your power which you can then steer towards taking appropriate actions to address the situation… take actions that are in accordance with the Universal principles and also your own wellbeing.

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Ancient Wisdom,   Buddhism   and   Self Development

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​Sufism is a spiritual practice of purifying the lower self from the corrupting influences of the world and connecting with the infinite God. It is believed that such a connection, known as 'fana', can only be made at the end stages of spiritual development, when the seeker loses all sense of self and experiences a deep awareness of God's presence.

If you are curious about Sufism and would like to explore it further, then continue reading…

In the west, when we think of Sufism, we typically think of the Whirling Dervishes. Though there is much more to the Sufi practice than dancing meditatively in a joyful trance! 

A Sufi can be described as a mystic who worships Allah. This is a highly regarded avocation. It is said that the Sufi religion has its roots in ancient India and is a manifestation of the ancient wisdom of the prophet Muhammad. There are also various branches of Sufism, including those that teach meditation, healing, and spiritual awakening. 

​Among the main characteristics of a Sufi is its emphasis on contemplation. While some choose to live withdrawn from society, many seek to satisfy their spiritual journey through altruism and social justice. They avoid violence and claim to be responsible citizens. This means they reject a purely materialistic lifestyle. A Sufi (practitioner of Sufism) believes in service to humanity and seeks to transform society. 

Sufism often involves a more rigorous and spiritual approach to the classical texts. This way is largely suitable for those seeking to study ancient texts and interpret their wisdom thru deep contemplation and long mediation. Because of this, Sufism can seem challenging for people who are not familiar with the Islamic culture and tradition. 

Although there are many forms of Sufism, there are some key similarities. This includes the fact that a Sufi has a history that spans centuries. In addition, the practice is a practical pursuit of mysticism. This openness to a variety of practices and beliefs has drawn many people into its fold. What makes Sufism different from other religions? In particular, it is a form of Islam that is disassociated from fundamentalism or fanaticism.

The Arabic word 'Tasawwuf', which means being or becoming a Sufi, is typically translated as Sufism. Western authors often refer to Sufism as Islamic mysticism.

Both proponents and critics of Sufism have used the Arabic term 'Sufi' in Islamic literature. Classical Sufi texts that stressed certain teachings, practices and teachings of the Quran (practices and teachings of the Islamic prophet Muhammad) gave definitions for Tasawwuf which described spiritual and ethical goals and served as tools to help them achieve their spiritual goals.

All Muslims believe that they are on the path to meet with Allah, and that after their death and the last judement, they will be able to meet God in Paradise. However, Sufis believe it is possible to get closer to God and more fully experience the divine presence in this world itself. All Sufis seek to please God by restoring the primordial state called, 'Fitra', within themselves.

Opposition to Sufi teachers and orders from more literalist and legalist strains of Islam has existed in various forms throughout Islamic history.

While Sufi orders were historically important for the expansion of Islam, they are also important today. Sufi orders were among the few indigenous social organizations that were tolerated during colonial rule in sub-Saharan Africa. This allowed them to play a critical role in developing the faith and the expansion of Islam in the region. The enduring influence of Sufism in the modern era cannot be overstated.