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Happiness Unlimited: Awakening With Brahmakumaris
The reason why there is so little happiness in the world is dependency. Happiness is not dependent on 'anything' or 'anyone' or found 'anywhere'. We keep delaying our happiness until things are just right in our life. We think we will be happy in the future and then wonder why we are not happy now. Happiness is only possible when we are able to accept everyone as they are, at every moment, in every situation. That means an end to judging or resisting others, an end to complaining and blaming, an end to criticizing and controlling and an end to competing with anyone. Happiness means the awakening and acceptance of self responsibility. It is only when we choose thoughts and feelings that are aligned with our true nature of purity, peace and love that we can shift - from asking to sharing, from holding on to letting go, from expectations to acceptance, from the past and the future to being in the now. We can create a life of joy, contentment and bliss, because we have the choice and the power. Happiness is a decision.
185 pages, Paperback
First published June 30, 2015
289 people are currently reading
1364 people want to read
About the author
B.K. Shivani
12 books26 followersShivani Verma, better known as Brahma Kumari Shivani, Sister Shivani, or BK Shivani is a teacher in the Brahma Kumaris spiritual movement in India.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
April 28, 2018
Her YouTube videos are great. Very glad I read this, an excellent book.
Some notes from the book - most transcribed directly:
Suppose during my journey to success you tell me if I am honest it will take me one year, but if I tell a little lie I can get there in one week. How many of us wouldn't think twice before using the accelerated method. I might end up telling a lie and that's where I compromise on my values and principles during my journey. I will begin to think my principles and values are delaying my process of attaining success and happiness. But can anyone truly be happy when they are comprising their core values and principles?
Once I do it regularly I won't need to stop and look at what I am thinking. I will always be aware of what I am thinking . Suppose today has not been a nice day at work; so I come back and I am siting with the paper, the television is on but my mind is working - it's not interested in the running television. I am thinking - this should not have happened, this is not the way they should have spoken to me - I have been working so hard but I just don't get recognised for my work.
Who is thinking all this? I am thinking. That's all; this is awareness; this is what I am thinking.
The second stage of awareness is; is this the right kind of thinking for me?
The third stage is: can I change it? That is all.
Every thought that I create has an impact on me and my body and the people around me. For 10 minutes I have created thoughts of pain, and in the 11th minute I say, okay enough now, let me change but those 10 minutes. That's why there is the need for constant awareness. It happens with practice, the 10 minutes will become 8 and 5 and 3 and then finally it will be okay this is it. Finally we will reach a stage where we will not be creating it; we will be aware of it as soon as we are about to create it and we will say "okay, change".
Our thoughts and actions create a reality based on our choice.
We always think we need to do things on the outside to change the way we feel on the inside. The reality is we need to change how we feel inside to change the things outside.
Happiness is not something we should expect to get from other people - it is to be created within and shared with other people we meet.
We are not human doings, doing things to be at peace; we are human beings at peace and doing things.
When I change the quality of information coming in, the thoughts change, the way I respond changes and my destiny changes. I have a choice. Postpone the newspaper and the television news and substitute it for something pure and powerful. A simple change to your morning diet will make all the difference. Consuming something positive in the morning and before bed will make all the difference. The first thoughts in our mind in the morning influence our day and the final thoughts influences the quality of our subconscious thoughts and sleep at night.
People say when angry, count one to ten; these are external measures to postpone our reactions. If we take care of our thoughts we will not create even the thought of anger.
Beginning and end the day by reading positive or uplifting information.
Your shirt is white in colour, but if I wear blue glasses it will appear blue, green glasses make it appear green. You are who you are but what I see is coloured by my past, my pain, my ego. Clean your own glasses, don't ask other people to change their shirt.
The past is passed. Full stop. Let it not repeat in the mind; when you do it is like rubbing a wound and therefore not allowing it to heal.
There is nothing to learn from the situation that happened. **The only thing I need to learn is whether I had the choice of responding in another manner.**
Holding on to the past - not letting go - will only create pain within. The situation is the same but the longer we hold on it to, the pain increases.
In relationships, no one is ever wrong, each one is right from their own perspective. Detaching from my own perspective and understanding the others perspective is empathy.
While working toward our achievements, if we take care not to compromise on our value of peace, love and happiness we will always be contented.
Some notes from the book - most transcribed directly:
Suppose during my journey to success you tell me if I am honest it will take me one year, but if I tell a little lie I can get there in one week. How many of us wouldn't think twice before using the accelerated method. I might end up telling a lie and that's where I compromise on my values and principles during my journey. I will begin to think my principles and values are delaying my process of attaining success and happiness. But can anyone truly be happy when they are comprising their core values and principles?
Once I do it regularly I won't need to stop and look at what I am thinking. I will always be aware of what I am thinking . Suppose today has not been a nice day at work; so I come back and I am siting with the paper, the television is on but my mind is working - it's not interested in the running television. I am thinking - this should not have happened, this is not the way they should have spoken to me - I have been working so hard but I just don't get recognised for my work.
Who is thinking all this? I am thinking. That's all; this is awareness; this is what I am thinking.
The second stage of awareness is; is this the right kind of thinking for me?
The third stage is: can I change it? That is all.
Every thought that I create has an impact on me and my body and the people around me. For 10 minutes I have created thoughts of pain, and in the 11th minute I say, okay enough now, let me change but those 10 minutes. That's why there is the need for constant awareness. It happens with practice, the 10 minutes will become 8 and 5 and 3 and then finally it will be okay this is it. Finally we will reach a stage where we will not be creating it; we will be aware of it as soon as we are about to create it and we will say "okay, change".
Our thoughts and actions create a reality based on our choice.
We always think we need to do things on the outside to change the way we feel on the inside. The reality is we need to change how we feel inside to change the things outside.
Happiness is not something we should expect to get from other people - it is to be created within and shared with other people we meet.
We are not human doings, doing things to be at peace; we are human beings at peace and doing things.
When I change the quality of information coming in, the thoughts change, the way I respond changes and my destiny changes. I have a choice. Postpone the newspaper and the television news and substitute it for something pure and powerful. A simple change to your morning diet will make all the difference. Consuming something positive in the morning and before bed will make all the difference. The first thoughts in our mind in the morning influence our day and the final thoughts influences the quality of our subconscious thoughts and sleep at night.
People say when angry, count one to ten; these are external measures to postpone our reactions. If we take care of our thoughts we will not create even the thought of anger.
Beginning and end the day by reading positive or uplifting information.
Your shirt is white in colour, but if I wear blue glasses it will appear blue, green glasses make it appear green. You are who you are but what I see is coloured by my past, my pain, my ego. Clean your own glasses, don't ask other people to change their shirt.
The past is passed. Full stop. Let it not repeat in the mind; when you do it is like rubbing a wound and therefore not allowing it to heal.
There is nothing to learn from the situation that happened. **The only thing I need to learn is whether I had the choice of responding in another manner.**
Holding on to the past - not letting go - will only create pain within. The situation is the same but the longer we hold on it to, the pain increases.
In relationships, no one is ever wrong, each one is right from their own perspective. Detaching from my own perspective and understanding the others perspective is empathy.
While working toward our achievements, if we take care not to compromise on our value of peace, love and happiness we will always be contented.
March 22, 2020
A book on how to be happy. The trick is to not depend on things outside yourself (food, money, clothing, cats, people etc.) to give you happiness. Instead you get happiness from the inside (your own, true nature of happiness, peace, purity etc.)
This is an easy to follow guide. It takes the form of a conversation between the author and some guy who's apparently a famous actor in India (I've never heard of him). He asks questions or makes provocative statements and she responds to them with suitable guidance.
It's well done on the whole. The only time it failed me is when the translation from the original Hindi (the conversations are apparently from a TV series called Awakening, which was filmed in Hindi) is just slightly off for my Western ears.
I came out of the book feeling that my understanding of the art of happiness had become refined by this clear and simple text. Well worth the read, and probably worth reading again.
Read this if your confused about the meaning of life and want a way to cut through the long grass to a place of open skies and sunshine. Avoid it if... Hmm. I can't think if any reason anyone would want to avoid this book. Just read it.
Oh, I just remembered: there's a summary at the end of each chapter. If you're short for tine, just read these thirteen sections and you'll be sorted.
Right. On to the next book.
This is an easy to follow guide. It takes the form of a conversation between the author and some guy who's apparently a famous actor in India (I've never heard of him). He asks questions or makes provocative statements and she responds to them with suitable guidance.
It's well done on the whole. The only time it failed me is when the translation from the original Hindi (the conversations are apparently from a TV series called Awakening, which was filmed in Hindi) is just slightly off for my Western ears.
I came out of the book feeling that my understanding of the art of happiness had become refined by this clear and simple text. Well worth the read, and probably worth reading again.
Read this if your confused about the meaning of life and want a way to cut through the long grass to a place of open skies and sunshine. Avoid it if... Hmm. I can't think if any reason anyone would want to avoid this book. Just read it.
Oh, I just remembered: there's a summary at the end of each chapter. If you're short for tine, just read these thirteen sections and you'll be sorted.
Right. On to the next book.
December 1, 2016
Just finished "Happiness Unlimited". It's adapted from a TV series where Sister Shivani is in conversation with Suresh Oberoi.
******
I'm a fan of her and I've listened to her in TV programs. There is nothing to write in review of this book. It's simply a great book and one must read. It's not like regular motivational or self help book.
*********
Some fav lines from the book :
"When the mind is in pain, physical comfort is immaterial."
"It's not only reaching the destination that matters, it's the quality of the journey that coun."
"You cannot make your child emotionally strong without being emotionally strong yourself, so that's where the responsibility comes - to find it first in yourself."
"Be happy and go to holiday. Not go for the holiday to be happy."
" There is nothing to learn from the situation, we only have to learn from our response."
******
I'm a fan of her and I've listened to her in TV programs. There is nothing to write in review of this book. It's simply a great book and one must read. It's not like regular motivational or self help book.
*********
Some fav lines from the book :
"When the mind is in pain, physical comfort is immaterial."
"It's not only reaching the destination that matters, it's the quality of the journey that coun."
"You cannot make your child emotionally strong without being emotionally strong yourself, so that's where the responsibility comes - to find it first in yourself."
"Be happy and go to holiday. Not go for the holiday to be happy."
" There is nothing to learn from the situation, we only have to learn from our response."
September 10, 2015
When it comes to listening to Sister Shivani, it is a great joy. Unfortunately the book comes no where close to that experience.
January 10, 2022
Life changing.
Life changing discourse in the book format. Thanks for putting these nuggets of wisdom in the book format. Looking forward for more of such books. OM Shanti
Life changing discourse in the book format. Thanks for putting these nuggets of wisdom in the book format. Looking forward for more of such books. OM Shanti
August 26, 2019
**Warning: this text may contain spoilers** A lot of the time when we go through our daily routines in our life, we got so into the motion of life that we forgot to "stop, take a step back, evaluate what is going on inside" rather than the outside. Thoughts is a very powerful tool, and this book will guide you to reform your thoughts into the useful tool that it should be, which will help you flow through the river of life without actually compromising your Peace, Love and Happiness. This book also reminded me that you have to take responsibility of your own thoughts, and only then, the blame game will stop and Unlimited Happiness will grow on its own, in your life. Happiness is independent. Om Shanti! 😊
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2021
Definitely the best read of this year
July 5, 2017
There is so much to learn in this small life. we have no control on the reactions in our environment but we do have control in our attitude towards it. our thoughts create heaven and hell for us. if you have to be happy think positive and send positive vibrations to the world even if you are meditating. our thoughts are nothing but energy vibrations and the world is made around that same vibrations.
August 16, 2020
The book definitely compels you to look inside and understand that break the cycle of relying on people and things for happiness.
I have watched lot of her videos and what she says does make sense.
But its hard to look within and confront your own self because we all want to blame someone, something for all our pain and suffering, this book challenges those believes with everyday examples and simple yet profound way to look at the things differently.
I have watched lot of her videos and what she says does make sense.
But its hard to look within and confront your own self because we all want to blame someone, something for all our pain and suffering, this book challenges those believes with everyday examples and simple yet profound way to look at the things differently.
November 3, 2015
A nice and simple book to read. This book contains the conversation between Sister Shivani of Brahma Kumaris and Suresh Oberoi, a noted film actor. The message of the book is to take responsibility of happiness or unhappiness to yourself as you are the creator of your own happiness. I agree with most of the views of Sister Sivani but not all. An interesting read.
June 8, 2020
This is one book that helps you delve deeper into your mind and decipher your thoughts and feelings. There is enough in the chapters to help you transform yourself - one thought at a time. Happiness Unlimited helps you build on your awareness and learn about focusing on your inner self from Sister Shivani.
November 25, 2015
Explained beautifully. The conversation pattern helps as most of the times you will find asking the same questions. Sister Shivani answers them in the simplest form which helps one get right to the meaning of the words. A book capable of change!
December 21, 2015
A compiled masterpiece for self discovery and renewal of the self from the junks of misjudgments with the courses of time. An everyday keep in the personal bag and just look over it when you feel lost in the midst of the life's vastness.
March 10, 2016
A book that provokes you to look inside, rather than look for answers outside. answers beautifully about every day problems of anger, irritation, feelings, thoughts, responsibility and building a better life.
January 20, 2018
I love reading this book. kind of a mind opener to me. At some point I contradict with the author's view hence I have rated it around 4/4.5 star.
rest, the book is very good to retrospect your inner self
rest, the book is very good to retrospect your inner self
November 28, 2019
Thank you to Amazon for putting this book in unlimited. Its a life changing book for those seeking inner peace and happiness
Simplicity of the book is its USP . Every word us relatable and makes an impact on the mind ..
Simplicity of the book is its USP . Every word us relatable and makes an impact on the mind ..
December 12, 2019
Must read book for every person in universe
If there is one self help book you need to achieve all that you want in life it's happiness unlimited. Sister Shivani you changed my life. Thank you very much
If there is one self help book you need to achieve all that you want in life it's happiness unlimited. Sister Shivani you changed my life. Thank you very much
January 1, 2020
An amazing spiritual retreat on Happiness unlimited.
Indeed a very good self-help book on spirituality. Here Bk Sister Shivani gives a good perspective on everyday problems through meditation and self awareness. Overall a good Q&A session with Suresh Oberoi.
Indeed a very good self-help book on spirituality. Here Bk Sister Shivani gives a good perspective on everyday problems through meditation and self awareness. Overall a good Q&A session with Suresh Oberoi.
April 11, 2020
Simple and Serene. Whole book is outlayed as a conversation between BK Shivani and Suresh Oberoi. A must read for everyone who would like to get conscious about what we think and how we behave with everyone around us.
December 10, 2020
Highly Recommended
Trust me, if you really follow the principles in this book with commitment and discipline, your life definitely changes for better. No doubt at all.
BK Shivani, you don't know how much incredible work you've been doing. Wonderful.
Trust me, if you really follow the principles in this book with commitment and discipline, your life definitely changes for better. No doubt at all.
BK Shivani, you don't know how much incredible work you've been doing. Wonderful.
December 12, 2020
Very lucidly written. Feels like you can hear Shivani and Suresh. Haha. That can be a good or bad thing depending on how one looks at it. For me though, since I am not a fan of screens, better to read it :)
January 26, 2021
A very enjoyable and eye opening book. Would recommend reading it over a period of time and not at a stretch. Teaches us the importance of our thoughts in dealing with life and achieving happiness. Practical and useful information.
April 23, 2021
Decent book with some interesting thoughts. It is a quick read so it shouldn't take you more than few days to finish it.
Giving 4 stars and not 5 because I found some parts repetitive. Also I didn't agree with BK Shivani on some points.
Giving 4 stars and not 5 because I found some parts repetitive. Also I didn't agree with BK Shivani on some points.
June 10, 2021
Om shanti Miraculous words ❤️ Thankyou didi thankyou suresh bhai
Thankyou god Thankyou didi thankyou suresh bhai
Miraculous words ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ perfect book perfectly described beautiful meditation perfection beautiful wonderful waah
Thankyou god Thankyou didi thankyou suresh bhai
Miraculous words ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ perfect book perfectly described beautiful meditation perfection beautiful wonderful waah
November 14, 2015
This book is to give an insight into how and why we think & behave in certain ways, we will always be contended, if we care not to compromise on our values of peace, love and happiness...
March 9, 2017
Good introduction to spirituality
August 17, 2017
Nice spiritual book. It felt relaxing to read it before bed.
July 7, 2018
This is a great read for anyone and everyone. Except few chaoters, I really enjoyed reading every page of this book.
September 26, 2018
Finished reading today
Happiness s a choice .. it's the path not a goal ... It's my creation and my nature
An awesome guiding book
Happiness s a choice .. it's the path not a goal ... It's my creation and my nature
An awesome guiding book
January 15, 2019
Its a must read book to solve day to day problem.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews