Life 47 (May 24 - Dec 25)

[winston]

What is the kind of Yoga that must be practised, and what is the end result we must aspire for?

It is really surprising that anyone should train people in concentration, for without concentration, no task can be accomplished by man.

To drive a car, shape a pot on a wheel, weave a design, and weed a plot of land - all these jobs require single-minded attention.

To walk along life’s highway, which is full of hollows and mounds, to talk to one’s fellowmen, who are of manifold temperaments – all these require concentration.

The senses have to be reined in, so that they may not distract or disturb; the brain must not go wool-gathering; the emotions must not colour or discolour the objectives one seeks. That is the way to succeed in concentration.

Yoga is chitta vritti nirodha - the cutting off all agitations on the lake of one’s inner consciousness.

Nothing should cause a wave of emotion or passion on the calm surface or in the quiet depths of one’s awareness. This state of equanimity is the hallmark of Jnana (spiritual wisdom).

Sadhana (spiritual discipline) is the drug, and Vichara (enquiry) is the regimen that will cure man of all waywardness and agitation.

- Divine Discourse, Jan 22, 1967.

Iron has to be beaten flat by iron alone. So too, the inferior, low mind has to be shaped better by the superior mind alone.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

How can we ensure that our noble resolves don’t waver with change in place, company or circumstances?

You draw a creeper with many flowers on a piece of paper. When the wind blows, the paper will flutter but not the creeper drawn on the paper.

Likewise, your mind may waver due to the influence of bad company but your heart will remain steady when you are endowed with true love.

Nobody can change the true love that is present in your heart. Love should find place not just in your mind but in your heart.

The mind is nothing but a bundle of thoughts. The love that is sustained in your mind by thoughts will be driven away by another current of thoughts.

Therefore, you should preserve love and sacred feelings in your heart.

True love has three qualities. First, it knows no fear. Second, it does not beg anything from anyone. Third, it is love for love's sake and not for any material gain.

These three qualities are the very core of love. This type of sacred love is actually true love.

- Divine Discourse, Jun 20, 1996.

The bandage of humility, the ointment of faith and the waters of love, will be able to cure this disease that has erupted with this boil of ‘I’.

Source: radiosai.org