How does ignorance lead to misplaced efforts in the pursuit of happiness?
Once there was a man who had an only son, whom he brought up with great care. One day, when the son was playing with a ball, the ball rolled into a corner of the room.
When the boy tried to retrieve the ball, he was bitten by a scorpion. The boy shouted, “Father, a scorpion has stung me.” However much the father tried, the pain of his son went on increasing.
The father could not bear the sight of the suffering of his son and ran to a doctor. The doctor gave him an ointment and told him to rub it on the spot where the scorpion had bitten.
When he asked his son to show him the spot where the scorpion had bitten him, the son showed him the corner of the room.
As the father lacked intelligence, he rubbed the ointment at the spot shown by his son in the corner of the room instead of applying it on the part of the body of the son affected by the scorpion bite.
All the efforts of man to get rid of suffering and attain happiness are like that only.
Man searches for happiness where it does not exist. Love is within man but he searches for it outside.
You may be very intelligent and learned. But you cannot find something outside when it is within you.
- Divine Discourse, Apr 25, 1996
Accumulation of riches or power cannot endow peace. Peace can come only from the fountain of peace within.
Source: radiosai.org
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Life 49 (Nov 25 - Dec 27)
Re: Life 49 (Nov 25 - Dec 27)
by winston » Sun Mar 08, 2026 9:58 am
It's all about "how much you made when you were right" & "how little you lost when you were wrong"
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winston - Billionaire Boss
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Re: Life 49 (Nov 25 - Dec 27)
by winston » Mon Mar 09, 2026 11:13 am
Where is He, we ask, in our vulnerable moments?
The universe is subject to three processes: creation, sustenance and destruction or dissolution.
None can deny this truth; scientists also cannot negate it.
This is a universal truth perceived by everybody. That which is born is sustained and is eventually destroyed. This is the direct proof of Divinity.
When you enquire into these three fundamental facts, the existence of Divinity becomes evident.
In daily life also, this divinity is experienced. For example, you have seen the dancing lions from Malaysia. However, these are not real lions. But, on seeing them, you can surmise that there are real creatures called lions.
In a similar manner, almost every object of daily life points towards Divinity. The sweetness in sugarcane or hot taste of chillies, sour taste in tamarind or the bitter taste of neem, all are indicators of Divinity.
The stars in the sky, the brightness of the sun, the coolness of the moon, rise and fall of sea waves are also pointers towards the Divine Principle.
Though all these do not directly show you, He per se, they produce positive evidence of the existence of the Divine Principle.
- Divine Discourse, Nov 23, 2000
You are experiencing Divinity in Nature, yet you want to see Him!
Source: radiosai.org
The universe is subject to three processes: creation, sustenance and destruction or dissolution.
None can deny this truth; scientists also cannot negate it.
This is a universal truth perceived by everybody. That which is born is sustained and is eventually destroyed. This is the direct proof of Divinity.
When you enquire into these three fundamental facts, the existence of Divinity becomes evident.
In daily life also, this divinity is experienced. For example, you have seen the dancing lions from Malaysia. However, these are not real lions. But, on seeing them, you can surmise that there are real creatures called lions.
In a similar manner, almost every object of daily life points towards Divinity. The sweetness in sugarcane or hot taste of chillies, sour taste in tamarind or the bitter taste of neem, all are indicators of Divinity.
The stars in the sky, the brightness of the sun, the coolness of the moon, rise and fall of sea waves are also pointers towards the Divine Principle.
Though all these do not directly show you, He per se, they produce positive evidence of the existence of the Divine Principle.
- Divine Discourse, Nov 23, 2000
You are experiencing Divinity in Nature, yet you want to see Him!
Source: radiosai.org
It's all about "how much you made when you were right" & "how little you lost when you were wrong"
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winston - Billionaire Boss
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Re: Life 49 (Nov 25 - Dec 27)
by winston » Tue Mar 10, 2026 8:24 am
Why do we fail to find true and lasting happiness?
There was once an old woman who lost her needle when she was mending clothes in her hut. As there was no lamp in her hut and she had cataracts in her eyes, she could not find the needle.
She went out and started searching for the needle under a streetlight. A student who was passing in the street asked the old woman, “Grandmother, what are you searching for?” The woman replied that she was searching for a needle.
The student said, “Tell me where you lost it; I will help you in searching for it”. She replied, “I lost it when I was doing stitching work with it in my hut”. The boy asked, “Why are you searching for the needle in the street which you have lost in your hut”?
The old woman said, “There is no lamp in my hut. There is light in the street. Therefore, I am searching here.”
See! Lost in the house and searching in the street! This is what man is doing today.
All bliss and love is within but he foolishly searches for it outside. External love and happiness are transient. The relationship with the Divine is eternal.
The human body is impermanent. How can one derive permanent happiness from the temporary body?
We do spiritual practices like yoga, meditation and japa. They also give only temporary satisfaction. Only love for Him gives eternal bliss.
- Divine Discourse, Apr 25, 1996
Take the mind off the sensory pleasures and fix it upon Him; then the feeling becomes pure; whatever you think or say or feel will be for the good of yourself and others.
Source: radiosai.org
There was once an old woman who lost her needle when she was mending clothes in her hut. As there was no lamp in her hut and she had cataracts in her eyes, she could not find the needle.
She went out and started searching for the needle under a streetlight. A student who was passing in the street asked the old woman, “Grandmother, what are you searching for?” The woman replied that she was searching for a needle.
The student said, “Tell me where you lost it; I will help you in searching for it”. She replied, “I lost it when I was doing stitching work with it in my hut”. The boy asked, “Why are you searching for the needle in the street which you have lost in your hut”?
The old woman said, “There is no lamp in my hut. There is light in the street. Therefore, I am searching here.”
See! Lost in the house and searching in the street! This is what man is doing today.
All bliss and love is within but he foolishly searches for it outside. External love and happiness are transient. The relationship with the Divine is eternal.
The human body is impermanent. How can one derive permanent happiness from the temporary body?
We do spiritual practices like yoga, meditation and japa. They also give only temporary satisfaction. Only love for Him gives eternal bliss.
- Divine Discourse, Apr 25, 1996
Take the mind off the sensory pleasures and fix it upon Him; then the feeling becomes pure; whatever you think or say or feel will be for the good of yourself and others.
Source: radiosai.org
It's all about "how much you made when you were right" & "how little you lost when you were wrong"
-
winston - Billionaire Boss
- Posts: 114340
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Re: Life 49 (Nov 25 - Dec 27)
by winston » Wed Mar 11, 2026 5:28 pm
What is the role of the mind in creating pleasure and pain, and what is the remedy given to us by the wise to deal with this nature of the mind?
The joy or distress, experienced by the mind, is the result of the impressions conveyed by the senses.
All experiences are products of the mind. The world itself is the projection of the mind.
The mind can bring remote things near or send nearby things afar. It is the source of pleasure or pain.
The sages have declared: This universe is based on the mind. The mind seeks to acquire something with much effort in the hope that its possession will give pleasure.
But the pleasure derived from it does not last long. And the sorrow caused by its loss is considerable. There is trouble during the process of acquisition.
Possession confers only temporary pleasure. The loss of the object leaves a trail of misery. Very often, the pain from loss exceeds the pleasure from gain.
It is a futile waste of one’s life to go after such transient pleasures. Realising the meaninglessness of such pursuits, the sages practised self-control as the means to enduring happiness.
They evolved the technique of turning the senses and the mind inward to seek the source of lasting bliss.
- Divine Discourse, Jul 31, 1986
Whoever succeeds in fully controlling the strong influence of the mind (chitta) can have a vision of the Atman.
Source: radiosai.org
The joy or distress, experienced by the mind, is the result of the impressions conveyed by the senses.
All experiences are products of the mind. The world itself is the projection of the mind.
The mind can bring remote things near or send nearby things afar. It is the source of pleasure or pain.
The sages have declared: This universe is based on the mind. The mind seeks to acquire something with much effort in the hope that its possession will give pleasure.
But the pleasure derived from it does not last long. And the sorrow caused by its loss is considerable. There is trouble during the process of acquisition.
Possession confers only temporary pleasure. The loss of the object leaves a trail of misery. Very often, the pain from loss exceeds the pleasure from gain.
It is a futile waste of one’s life to go after such transient pleasures. Realising the meaninglessness of such pursuits, the sages practised self-control as the means to enduring happiness.
They evolved the technique of turning the senses and the mind inward to seek the source of lasting bliss.
- Divine Discourse, Jul 31, 1986
Whoever succeeds in fully controlling the strong influence of the mind (chitta) can have a vision of the Atman.
Source: radiosai.org
It's all about "how much you made when you were right" & "how little you lost when you were wrong"
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winston - Billionaire Boss
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Re: Life 49 (Nov 25 - Dec 27)
by winston » Thu Mar 12, 2026 1:27 pm
Why is it most important to understand the workings of the mind and the power of thoughts?
The thought vibrations are the cause for man’s joy and sorrow, health and disease, woe and adversity, birth and death.
Man’s life becomes meaningful if he conducts himself fully aware of the power of the thought vibrations.
The entire world is suffused with mental vibrations. In fact, the whole world is the very manifestation of mental vibrations. Hence, it is necessary to direct our thoughts on noble paths.
Man’s mind shines with resplendent purity if he cultivates noble thoughts, ideas and feelings. It is only by developing the purity of mind that we can ensure the purity of action. Only pure deeds can yield pure results.
We sow the seed of thought and reap the fruit of action; we sow the seed of action and reap the fruit of nature; we sow the seed of nature, we reap the fruit of character; we sow the seed of character and reap the fruit of destiny.
It is evident from this that our destiny rests on our thoughts. For man’s rise and for man’s fall, the thoughts are the cause.
- Summer Showers, May 23, 1993
Man will be able to fulfil himself if he realises the subtle and mysterious workings of the mind.
Source: radiosai.org
The thought vibrations are the cause for man’s joy and sorrow, health and disease, woe and adversity, birth and death.
Man’s life becomes meaningful if he conducts himself fully aware of the power of the thought vibrations.
The entire world is suffused with mental vibrations. In fact, the whole world is the very manifestation of mental vibrations. Hence, it is necessary to direct our thoughts on noble paths.
Man’s mind shines with resplendent purity if he cultivates noble thoughts, ideas and feelings. It is only by developing the purity of mind that we can ensure the purity of action. Only pure deeds can yield pure results.
We sow the seed of thought and reap the fruit of action; we sow the seed of action and reap the fruit of nature; we sow the seed of nature, we reap the fruit of character; we sow the seed of character and reap the fruit of destiny.
It is evident from this that our destiny rests on our thoughts. For man’s rise and for man’s fall, the thoughts are the cause.
- Summer Showers, May 23, 1993
Man will be able to fulfil himself if he realises the subtle and mysterious workings of the mind.
Source: radiosai.org
It's all about "how much you made when you were right" & "how little you lost when you were wrong"
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winston - Billionaire Boss
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Re: Life 49 (Nov 25 - Dec 27)
by winston » Sat Mar 14, 2026 12:10 pm
How do our thoughts influence our personality, our surroundings and the quality of our lives?
If a man has a Champaka flower in his hand, the fragrance of that flower is carried by him wherever he goes. Likewise, he will be carrying a foul smell too, wherever he goes.
It is the same with good or bad thoughts. They radiate their good or bad vibrations around them.
Thoughts have so much power that when they are directed towards great objectives, they can be used to influence the world.
When the mind is filled with good thoughts, such as truth, love, forbearance and compassion, one’s life is filled with peace and serenity.
If on the other hand, one allows thoughts of hatred, envy, anger and conceit to grow, life becomes perpetual misery.
The face is the index of the mind. When you bear ill will towards anyone, your enmity alters your face and manners.
When you entertain good and loving thoughts, your heart is filled with joy and you experience an upsurge of happiness.
If you fill your heart with love, your entire life becomes a saga of love.
- Divine Discourse, Jul 31, 1986
Bad thoughts make the willpower weak. Decline in willpower makes the desires stronger.
Source: radiosai.org
If a man has a Champaka flower in his hand, the fragrance of that flower is carried by him wherever he goes. Likewise, he will be carrying a foul smell too, wherever he goes.
It is the same with good or bad thoughts. They radiate their good or bad vibrations around them.
Thoughts have so much power that when they are directed towards great objectives, they can be used to influence the world.
When the mind is filled with good thoughts, such as truth, love, forbearance and compassion, one’s life is filled with peace and serenity.
If on the other hand, one allows thoughts of hatred, envy, anger and conceit to grow, life becomes perpetual misery.
The face is the index of the mind. When you bear ill will towards anyone, your enmity alters your face and manners.
When you entertain good and loving thoughts, your heart is filled with joy and you experience an upsurge of happiness.
If you fill your heart with love, your entire life becomes a saga of love.
- Divine Discourse, Jul 31, 1986
Bad thoughts make the willpower weak. Decline in willpower makes the desires stronger.
Source: radiosai.org
It's all about "how much you made when you were right" & "how little you lost when you were wrong"
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winston - Billionaire Boss
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Re: Life 49 (Nov 25 - Dec 27)
by winston » Sun Mar 15, 2026 8:10 am
What is the true nature of pure devotion?
The Divine-intoxicated devotees cannot describe their blissful experience in words.
One who attempts to express it has no real experience of it at all.
Those who regard themselves as devotees, should recognise the vast difference between their narrow-minded attitude and the ineffable character of true devotion.
They should resolve to shed petty attachments and develop steadfast devotion to Him as the main object of their life.
For this purpose, the company of the good is essential. Good thoughts are promoted only through association with the good.
- Divine Discourse, Jan 19, 1986
One who is filled with love of the Divine, will not be attracted by anything else in the world.
Source: radiosai.org
The Divine-intoxicated devotees cannot describe their blissful experience in words.
One who attempts to express it has no real experience of it at all.
Those who regard themselves as devotees, should recognise the vast difference between their narrow-minded attitude and the ineffable character of true devotion.
They should resolve to shed petty attachments and develop steadfast devotion to Him as the main object of their life.
For this purpose, the company of the good is essential. Good thoughts are promoted only through association with the good.
- Divine Discourse, Jan 19, 1986
One who is filled with love of the Divine, will not be attracted by anything else in the world.
Source: radiosai.org
It's all about "how much you made when you were right" & "how little you lost when you were wrong"
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winston - Billionaire Boss
- Posts: 114340
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Re: Life 49 (Nov 25 - Dec 27)
by winston » Mon Mar 16, 2026 8:45 am
Why should we be very careful about thoughts that are evil in nature, especially thoughts of harming others?
Thoughts are the very vital breath of man. It is by harbouring the evil thoughts of hatred, envy, anger and ego, that man brings his own downfall.
Man harbours evil thoughts to harm his fellow men. But the harm that these thoughts cause to his fellow man, boomerangs on himself with ten times its strength.
By abusing, criticising, hunting and scandalising his fellow men, man in fact is abusing, criticising, hunting and scandalising the Divine Himself.
Utterly ignorant of the presence of Divinity in others, man indulges in such heinous conduct.
The man who takes the sword shall perish by it; the man who wounds another will be wounded in turn; the man who abuses another will be abused in return.
As is the thought, so is the consequence. As is the feeling, so is the result.
Utterly ignorant of the power of the mind and its might, we underestimate the supreme importance of the mind.
Our whole life rests on the mind. We should make earnest efforts to understand the power of the mind.
- Summer Showers, May 23, 1993
What man sees is like seeds sown in the heart. Evil scenes give rise to evil thoughts. Good scenes evoke good thoughts.
Source: radiosai.org
Thoughts are the very vital breath of man. It is by harbouring the evil thoughts of hatred, envy, anger and ego, that man brings his own downfall.
Man harbours evil thoughts to harm his fellow men. But the harm that these thoughts cause to his fellow man, boomerangs on himself with ten times its strength.
By abusing, criticising, hunting and scandalising his fellow men, man in fact is abusing, criticising, hunting and scandalising the Divine Himself.
Utterly ignorant of the presence of Divinity in others, man indulges in such heinous conduct.
The man who takes the sword shall perish by it; the man who wounds another will be wounded in turn; the man who abuses another will be abused in return.
As is the thought, so is the consequence. As is the feeling, so is the result.
Utterly ignorant of the power of the mind and its might, we underestimate the supreme importance of the mind.
Our whole life rests on the mind. We should make earnest efforts to understand the power of the mind.
- Summer Showers, May 23, 1993
What man sees is like seeds sown in the heart. Evil scenes give rise to evil thoughts. Good scenes evoke good thoughts.
Source: radiosai.org
It's all about "how much you made when you were right" & "how little you lost when you were wrong"
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winston - Billionaire Boss
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Re: Life 49 (Nov 25 - Dec 27)
by winston » Tue Mar 17, 2026 12:02 pm
What is the reason for the incapacity to realise the Divinity within?
If a sculptor could create out of an inanimate piece of stone. a living image of Him, cannot human beings, vibrant with life, manifest the living Divinity that resides in them?
What is the reason for this incapacity to realise the Divinity within?
It is because we do not realise the soiled cover in which it is wrapped up.
If our clothes get dirty, we change them because we are ashamed to appear in dirty garments. If our house is dirty, we try to clean it so that visitors may not get a bad impression. But when our minds and our hearts are polluted, we do not feel ashamed.
Is it not strange that we should be so much concerned about the cleanliness of our clothes or our homes, but are not concerned about the purity of our hearts and minds, which affect our entire life?
To purify our hearts and minds, the first thing is that we have to lead a righteous life. Our actions must be based on morality. Indulging in abusing others or inflicting pain on others is not a sign of human nature.
The evil that we do to others ultimately recoils on us.
- Divine Discourse, Apr 2, 1984
True spirituality lies in removing bad and animal qualities and developing virtues.
Source: radiosai.org
If a sculptor could create out of an inanimate piece of stone. a living image of Him, cannot human beings, vibrant with life, manifest the living Divinity that resides in them?
What is the reason for this incapacity to realise the Divinity within?
It is because we do not realise the soiled cover in which it is wrapped up.
If our clothes get dirty, we change them because we are ashamed to appear in dirty garments. If our house is dirty, we try to clean it so that visitors may not get a bad impression. But when our minds and our hearts are polluted, we do not feel ashamed.
Is it not strange that we should be so much concerned about the cleanliness of our clothes or our homes, but are not concerned about the purity of our hearts and minds, which affect our entire life?
To purify our hearts and minds, the first thing is that we have to lead a righteous life. Our actions must be based on morality. Indulging in abusing others or inflicting pain on others is not a sign of human nature.
The evil that we do to others ultimately recoils on us.
- Divine Discourse, Apr 2, 1984
True spirituality lies in removing bad and animal qualities and developing virtues.
Source: radiosai.org
It's all about "how much you made when you were right" & "how little you lost when you were wrong"
-
winston - Billionaire Boss
- Posts: 114340
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Re: Life 49 (Nov 25 - Dec 27)
by winston » Wed Mar 18, 2026 11:14 am
Why should we vigilantly dissociate ourselves from even seemingly small evil thoughts?
The mind is made of vibrations and there is no end to them. They flow ceaselessly, arising every moment.
As the waves of the ocean are true to the ocean and are of the same nature as the ocean, the thoughts of man are also stamped by the nature of one’s mind.
These thoughts shape, mould and guide, the very course of the world. Hence, it is imperative to make earnest efforts to guide the mind in the right direction.
The man who does not realise the power and the might of the mind, allows himself to fall into abysmal depths day by day.
The evil thoughts will manifest themselves tomorrow, if not today.
He may think that the small evil act he has done will in no way harm him but in fact, the evil actions boomerang on him, tenfold.
It is only by fostering noble and sublime thoughts that the prosperity of the nation and world can be fostered. The world can be divinised if every individual’s thoughts are divinised.
- Summer Showers, May 23, 1993
Utilise your intelligence and thoughts for achieving that bliss which comes from leading a life of righteousness and goodness.
Source: radiosai.org
The mind is made of vibrations and there is no end to them. They flow ceaselessly, arising every moment.
As the waves of the ocean are true to the ocean and are of the same nature as the ocean, the thoughts of man are also stamped by the nature of one’s mind.
These thoughts shape, mould and guide, the very course of the world. Hence, it is imperative to make earnest efforts to guide the mind in the right direction.
The man who does not realise the power and the might of the mind, allows himself to fall into abysmal depths day by day.
The evil thoughts will manifest themselves tomorrow, if not today.
He may think that the small evil act he has done will in no way harm him but in fact, the evil actions boomerang on him, tenfold.
It is only by fostering noble and sublime thoughts that the prosperity of the nation and world can be fostered. The world can be divinised if every individual’s thoughts are divinised.
- Summer Showers, May 23, 1993
Utilise your intelligence and thoughts for achieving that bliss which comes from leading a life of righteousness and goodness.
Source: radiosai.org
It's all about "how much you made when you were right" & "how little you lost when you were wrong"
-
winston - Billionaire Boss
- Posts: 114340
- Joined: Wed May 07, 2008 9:28 am
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