Why are we miserable? The key factor we all have as human beings is love for others.

Most of us are carers of one sort or another and, as the burden becomes heavier, we crumble under the pressure.

This is because we do not recharge our own spiritual batteries and drain ourselves of the power to cope.

What gives us the true power? Honesty, love and detachment which lead to the companionship of God.

This is the message from Dadi Janki, the spiritual leader of the Brahmakumaris, the University of International Spirituality. (www.brahmakumaris.org.uk/Brighton).

Sitting among 50 people who had gathered to share love and pure bliss with Dadi Janki, I felt it was an experience everyone should have.

Attending genuine discourses of truth and spirituality from accomplished, saintly beings has a healing effect beyond all material means.

Why are we miserable? When we don't get what we want, we lament. The sad fact is we borrow a lot of negative feelings from outside our own beings - we are constantly thinking of what others are doing rather than what we want or need to do.

Dadi Janki believes that when we become introspective, we see the mirror inside is covered with dust of ego, anger, greed, lust and attachment.

If we cleanse the mirror, we see our pure and shining, loving self and experience a light of happiness. She suggests three questions we need to ask ourselves for enlightenment and self healing:

"Who am I?"

"Who is He (God or the Creator)?"

"What is it I have to do in this life?"

There are three simple things we have to do to heal ourselves:

Firstly, we must develop a desire and a deep interest to improve ourselves. This is for our own sake and happiness, which will then brush off on others around us.

Our children will learn to live with the same love and pure thoughts to build a healthy and happy society which is the purpose of our advanced civilisation.

Secondly, we need to cleanse our heart of negative feelings and throw them out.

This we can do if we are in the company of good or enlightened people. If we regularly take stock of our thoughts and redirect them into a positive channel that is pure and full of love, we can control the negative thoughts and actions which will, in turn, change our behaviour from bad to good.

Thirdly, we need to still our mind and body regularly and devote some time to genuine introspection to understand ourselves and to fill our hearts with love, to connect with our creator and experience within the radiant light, happiness and love which does not depend on others or on wealth.

Spending time with oneself and experiencing inner bliss does not cost anything and you accumulate the wealth of happiness and spirituality. This helps us to sail through life and cope with difficult situations.

This column is dedicated to Dadi Janki.

Dr Milind Jani works as a conventional and holistic GP and Dr Asmita Jani as Ayurvedic Consultant from 3 Eaton Gardens, Hove. Call them on: 01273 777448 or e-mail: milind.jani@ntlworld.com