Life 49 (Nov 25 - Dec 27)

[winston]

What is the one misunderstanding about our identity, which is the cause of our narrow-mindedness?

In Sanskrit, the term Atma refers to the words ‘I’ and ‘me’.

Where the thoughts of ‘I’ and ‘me’ are present, strong attachment develops.

Even in relation to trivial matters, when there is mention of ‘I’, the person concerned places his hand on his heart. This shows that the self (I) that is referred to is not the body but the Atma.

When a person declares, “Whatever the disaster, whatever the trouble I may be confronted with, I am not afraid,” he reveals his confidence in his Atma (Self), which is the basis for his fortitude.

Whatever the flaws in the people who are related to us, we still love them. But when we see a defect in the form or behaviour of a stranger, we criticise and make fun of it. Which means, when there is this idea of ‘I’ and ‘mine’, attachment is more intense.

Unfortunately, today, as we identify ourselves with the physical body, such narrow-minded attachment develops.

We must understand that these terms ‘I’ and ‘me’ refer to the Atma and not the body. And that Atma is one in all.

We should develop such equal-mindedness and oneness, and such sacred feelings. Only then does humanity shine, divinity blossoms, and sacredness is established.

- Divine Discourse, Jan 14, 1990

For all the troubles, chaos and discord present in the world today, the root cause is the attachment to the body, which breeds selfishness and self-centredness.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

How does a healthy body lead to peace and happiness?

Your play and pastime are for your health. A healthy body is a suitable house for a healthy mind. Healthy behaviour comes out of a healthy mind.

These sports and games will foster these three aspects, leading to happiness of mind and heart.

All are aware of the fact that one comes to the singing mood only in a happy state of mind, no matter whether one is in the bathroom or some other place.

Really speaking, sports and games should be confined to providing simple and pure happiness. But unfortunately, these days they are highly commercialised, with the result they are causing ill health, instead of providing good health.

Health is a great wealth. Therefore, everybody, without any exception, must participate in games. But I do not consider bahumatis (prizes) as a healthy practice.

We do not require bahu-matis (also means ‘multiple minds’). What we require is one healthy mind in a healthy body.

Even though these sports and games have been prevalent over several ages, man is not realising their real significance and value. Sportsmanship is more important than sports.

- Divine Discourse, Jan 21, 1988

Sportsmanship calls for selflessness and also the quality of appreciation at others’ abilities. There is more happiness in giving than taking.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What is the cultural and philosophical significance of sports?

Culture is a composite of purity, divinity, sublimity and beauty. This combination is reflected in sports and games.

Although there may be differences among nations in their food and recreational habits, the spirit of harmony and unity displayed in sports, is a gratifying example to all.

It is a distinctive quality of sports that differences are forgotten and persons engage themselves in games, in a divine spirit of friendliness and camaraderie.

Sports help the players not only to improve their health but also to experience joy.

Students, however, should not be content with realising these benefits.

Man has another body besides the physical. It is the subtle body, otherwise known as the mind.

It is equally essential to promote the purity of the mind and develop large-heartedness.

True humanness blossoms only when the body, the mind and the spirit, are developed harmoniously.

- Divine Discourse, Jan 14, 1990

The observance of morality in daily life, the divinisation of all actions and thoughts related to life, and adherence to ideals together constitute culture.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

How does spiritual vision lead to the experience of oneness and the perception of the Divine as all-pervading?

The whole world is filled with Hari (Divinity); Hari encompasses the whole cosmos.
You find Hari wherever you see. But He cannot be described.

Take, for example, the World map. The whole world is represented in it. On the earth, there are innumerable mountains and valleys.

But on the map, you will find, in their place, only some dots. On the map, the whole world looks as one entity, while divisions of countries do exist on Earth.

In the same manner, when you look at the Earth from space, it appears like a single ball. Therefore, the broadness of vision determines the oneness of the world.

When the vision is narrowed, even a small mount appears as big, and even a cluster of trees appears as a forest.

When you develop spiritual vision, you will find Hari (Divinity) encompassing the whole universe.

When one worships with complete faith, even a stone becomes Narayana (Divine).

This difference of outlook can be found between Prahlada and his father, Hiranyakashipu.

The father asked, “Where is Narayana? He is not there at all.” Prahlada replied, “Do not doubt His presence. If you look in the right perspective, you will find Him everywhere and anywhere.”

This kind of total faith is the noblest, most sacred, and sweetest of all beliefs.

- Divine Discourse, Jan 21, 1989

Your love and virtue will have to be expanded from the confines of homes to the expanse of the village and then to the country, keeping faith in Him as your sheet anchor.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Why is Divine Grace essential for a human being to cross the ocean of samsara and how can one prepare oneself to receive that Grace?

The ocean is a vast mystery. It is boundless and as old as time. It has, in its womb, chaotic whirlpools, raging currents and it has a face with furious moods.

No one can hope to sail over it from one shore to another, without a sturdy, reliable boat.

So too, man requires the sturdy boat of Divine Grace to cross the raging ocean of this samsara (worldly life).

This ocean too is vast and full of mystery. It has its unexplored depths! It tosses man about from birth to death and again from death to birth; it inflicts on him many uprisings and downfalls, many illnesses and morbidities;

In it, roll the waves of desires and resolutions; it frightens man by its monstrous denizens like greed; it draws the reason of man into the whirlpools of doubt.

To equip oneself with the ocean-worthy boat of Grace, one has to develop in oneself the qualities of faith and discipline.

One has to clarify and purify the chitta (mind). It is for this purpose that He has blessed man with the gift of Time.

So, man should use it as an instrument for clarification and purification.

Contemplating the glories of the Divine, discovering His presence in beauty, goodness and truth seen anywhere, meditating on His Form, repeating His Name—by these means the process can be made successful.

- Divine Discourse, Nov 15, 1973

When you have Him installed in your heart, who can lead you to destruction?

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

How should one pray to the Divine and what attitude should a spiritual seeker cultivate to remain blissful?

Welcome the Divine who is the embodiment of bliss. He is not satisfied with the appellations like Karunanidhi (treasure house of compassion) and Premaswarupa (Embodiment of love).

He is always blissful. You should not pray to Him to fulfil your umpteen desires. Just pray: “Oh Divine! Share Your bliss with me. Make me blissful!".

Never deride Him as one without compassion. Whatever He does is for our own good. Even the sorrows and difficulties we experience are for our own good. They are preludes to happiness and bliss.

If you cultivate such a positive outlook, you will always be blissful. Share your happiness with all.

Contrary to this, man today is keeping happiness to oneself and distributing sorrow to others. This is not what we should do.

“Suppress your sorrow and manifest inner joy”– this is the spiritual sadhana one must undertake.

When you encounter any difficulty or sorrow, or restlessness, do not mind them at all. Ignore them.

You are always embodiments of bliss. If you constantly contemplate this reality, nothing will bother you.

- Divine Discourse, Jan 14, 2005

Everyone should make efforts to overcome worries and enjoy everlasting happiness.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Why has man fallen into ignorance and suffering despite being divine by nature, and what spiritual disciplines can help him?

Man has fallen into ignorance, egoism and greed because he has forgotten his real nature, which is unaffected by loss or grief.

In truth, man is the embodiment of all the great virtues — love, peace, righteousness and truth.

He has not realised this; he runs after low, vulgarising pleasures, and so, entangles himself in falsehood, injustice and violence.

He has to cure himself of these by the remedies of tyaga (voluntary sacrifice) and yoga (renunciation and self-control).

And, along with these remedies, he must regulate his ways of living and follow the regimen of faith and devotion.

As butter is inherent in milk, the Divine is immanent in the Universe. When it is churned, the butter separates itself and becomes cognisable.

So too, by means of love and the discipline of the recitation of the name, He can be concretised.

Temples in villages are the places where such concretisation has been effected. The temple is for the village as the heart is for the body.

In fact, the temple is conceived on the basis of the body being the temple that man carries about him.

- Divine Discourse, Nov 15, 1973

Manava (human) can become Madhava (Divine) Himself. For it is the destiny and the right of every human to attain that status and be in the limitless bliss it confers.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What is the source of true bliss in human life and how can one cultivate it?

Cultivate love that will help you to experience bliss. “Start the day with Love; fill the day with Love; end the day with Love – that is the way to the Divine.

If you can achieve this, you will not be disturbed by sorrows and difficulties. The heart is the seat of bliss. True bliss flows from a pure and loving heart.

Try to experience such bliss. All other forms of happiness are momentary.

Children are always happy and cheerful. They do not have any inhibitions. When somebody smiles at them, they will also smile innocently. They experience bliss that is the inherent nature of all human beings.

There is a difference between happiness and bliss. In common parlance, “happiness” is momentary. It comes and goes.

Bliss is something that wells up from within. It emerges from the heart, as a result of one’s union with the Divine. If one feels separate from Him, one cannot experience bliss.

You have to experience such bliss in abundance in the days to come. Neither age nor position, nor for that matter anything in this physical environment, can bring about such bliss. It is only a pure and loving heart that is the source of bliss.

- Divine Discourse, Jan 14, 2005

The coming together of man’s effort and His grace is responsible for happiness.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Why is focusing on duty, more important than demanding rights?

The body is given to man to perform actions.

As the Scripture says: Your right is on actions only, not the fruits thereof.

It is the duty of man to perform actions. Duty is very important. Your responsibility is only to perform your duty; you have no authority on rights.

When you discharge your duty sincerely, you will get the rights automatically. But man today forgets his duty and craves for authority.

So take care of your responsibility. If you perform your responsibility earnestly, you will get the rights naturally.

When there is a downpour of rain, rivers flow naturally. Without rain, how do you expect the rivers to flow?

Pray for the rain; you need not pray for the rivers to flow. Likewise, when you do your duty, you will certainly get the reward of your actions. So, perform actions without any desire for fruits.

- Divine Discourse, Apr 10, 1993

Permanent happiness can be got only by performing your duties. First do your duty and then enjoy the fruits.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What are the two disciplines that are essential for students and all spiritual aspirants in general?

In the army, people are assigned different duties. But two things are common to everyone: parade (drill) and use of the gun.

Likewise, two things are essential for students: prema (love) and tyaga (sacrifice). Adhere to these two ideals.

Love all. Be prepared for any kind of sacrifice. Without the spirit of sacrifice, life has no meaning.

For the sake of helping others or for promoting the welfare of society, you must be ready even to give up your lives.

To realise the Divine, continually yearn for Him. You must constantly pray for the opportunity to experience Him.

Pine for Him at all times. When you get His grace, all the planets will be in your favour.

You must ceaselessly try to win His grace. Never give up the search. Do your duty, and His grace will follow.

Pray from the depth of your heart for the well-being of all people.

- Divine Discourse, Jan 14, 1997

All the study of scriptures is of little avail if genuine love of His, does not flow spontaneously from the heart.

Source: radiosai.org