Life 35 (Jan 20 - May 20)

Re: Life 35 (Jan 20 - Jul 20)

Postby winston » Sat Mar 14, 2020 10:03 am

What is the surest way to attain Divinity?

Of the various types of devotion, "remembrance of the divine's name" is best. All great devotees attained the Divine through just this one practice. Why speak of a thousand things?

There can be no better path to liberation than considering the name of the Divine as the very breath of life and with complete faith in good deeds and thoughts, developing the spirit of service and equal love for all.

Instead of this, if one sits in some solitary nook holding the breath, how can one master the innate qualities? How is one to know that one has mastered them?

- Prema Vahini, Ch 62.

To resurrect love and compassion, you must kill jealousy and selfishness and purify your hearts.

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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Re: Life 35 (Jan 20 - Jul 20)

Postby winston » Sat Mar 14, 2020 9:03 pm

Be Aware of Becoming Unaware

Every time you recognize that you have lost awareness, be happy.

The fact that you have recognized that you lost awareness, means that you are now aware.

—Sayadaw U Tejaniya, “The Art of Investigation”
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Re: Life 35 (Jan 20 - Jul 20)

Postby winston » Sun Mar 15, 2020 8:47 am

At times, we may feel that there are flaws in our actions and endeavours. How should we approach such situations?

Every person is liable to commit mistakes without being aware of it. However bright the fire or light, some smoke will emanate from it.

So also, whatever good deed a person might do, mixed with it will be a minute trace of evil. But efforts should be made to ensure that the evil is minimised, that the good is more and the bad is less.

Naturally, in the present atmosphere, you may not succeed in the very first attempt. You must carefully think over the consequences of whatever you do, talk, or execute.

It is not the nature of a spiritual aspirant to search for faults in others and hide their own. If your faults are pointed out to you by someone, don’t argue and try to prove that you were right, and don’t bear a grudge against them for it.

Reason out within yourself how it is a fault and set right your own behaviour. Rationalising it for your own satisfaction or wreaking vengeance on the person who pointed it out — these are certainly not the traits of a spiritual aspirant or devotee.

- Prema Vahini, Ch 63.

When the spiritual disciplines lead to the refinement of the spirit, the experience of oneness with the Divine naturally comes.

Source: radiosai.org
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Re: Life 35 (Jan 20 - Jul 20)

Postby winston » Mon Mar 16, 2020 8:47 am

What is that one trait that is very important for a spiritual aspirant and we are not told enough about?

The spiritual aspirant should always seek the truthful and joyful, and must avoid all thoughts of the untrue, sad and depressing.

Depression, doubt, conceit, will harm one’s spiritual practice.

When one’s devotion is well established, they can be easily discarded if they appear. Above all, it is best for the spiritual aspirant to be joyful, smiling, and enthusiastic under all circumstances. Even more than devotion and spiritual wisdom, this pure attitude is desirable.

Those who have acquired it deserve to reach the goal first. This quality of joy at all times is the fruit of the good done in past births.

A person who is ever worried, depressed and doubting, can never attain bliss, whatever be the spiritual practice one undertakes.

The first task of a spiritual aspirant is the cultivation of enthusiasm. Through that enthusiasm, any variety of spiritual bliss (ananda) can be derived.

- Prema Vahini, Ch 63.

Never get inflated when you are praised or deflated when blamed - be a spiritual lion, disregard both!

Source: radiosai.org
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Re: Life 35 (Jan 20 - Jul 20)

Postby winston » Mon Mar 16, 2020 9:18 am

Seeing Worth in All Things

The sensitive, mindful heart, perceives value and worth in all things.

It does not rely upon drama or intensity to feel awake and alive but draws upon receptivity, stillness, and a present moment wholeheartedness.

—Christina Feldman, “Brief Teachings”
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Re: Life 35 (Jan 20 - Jul 20)

Postby winston » Mon Mar 16, 2020 10:37 pm

Where Fear Should Be Felt

We should not be afraid of suffering.

We should be afraid of only one thing and that is not knowing how to deal with our suffering.

—Thich Nhat Hanh, “Why We Shouldn’t Be Afraid of Suffering”
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Re: Life 35 (Jan 20 - Jul 20)

Postby winston » Tue Mar 17, 2020 8:48 am

Why should we always see the Divine within ourselves and in everyone around us?

Change the angle of your vision. When you practise seeing the world from the point of view of the omnipresence of the Divine, you will get transformed.

You will experience the power of the Divine in everything in creation. You cannot hide anything from the Divine.

Many imagine that He does not see what they are doing. They do not realise that He has myriad eyes. Even your eyes are divine. But you are not aware of your true nature.

When you have faith in yourself, you will have faith in the Divine. Realise that there is nothing beyond the power of the Divine.

Love Him with that supreme faith. Then you will be drawn towards Him. It needs purity.

A magnet cannot attract a piece of iron covered with rust. Similarly, He will not draw to Himself an impure person. Hence, change your feelings and thoughts and develop the conviction that He is everything. The Divine will not give you up when you have this conviction.

- Divine Discourse Feb 27, 1995.

The best spiritual discipline is to strengthen your inward vision.

Source: radiosai.org
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Re: Life 35 (Jan 20 - Jul 20)

Postby winston » Tue Mar 17, 2020 9:33 pm

Let Your Beliefs Evolve with You

Beliefs—even the ones that feel most true—are only mental representations or symbols of our experience.

We need to deepen our presence and ask ourselves: Do they match the actual, living, changing stuff of our experience in the world?

—Tara Brach, “A True Taste of Peace”
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Re: Life 35 (Jan 20 - Jul 20)

Postby winston » Wed Mar 18, 2020 10:49 am

Is it okay to chant and meditate on the different Names of the Divine, as we deem appropriate on different occasions?

Do not change the name and form that you loved, cherished and selected, for remembrance.

Changing the name and form is not a fault, if done in ignorance but after continuing the repetition of the name and meditation on the one name and form faithfully, and after knowing that changing is wrong and harmful, to still change is certainly incorrect.

Concentration is impossible if you change the name very often. Your mind won’t attain one-pointedness.

The goal of spiritual discipline is this one-pointedness. Hence. avoid constant adoption and rejection of different names of the Divine.

Select a single name to repeat for japa and meditation. Be strongly and fully convinced that all the Divine’s names and forms, are but the same name and form that you pray to.

Your chosen name and form must not give you the slightest feeling of dislike or disaffection. Whatever inconveniences you may encounter, continue spiritual practices without any break or modification in your discipline.

- Prema Vahini, Ch 64.

A stick will help one walk up an incline but of what use is it to a person whose legs are amputated? Material prosperity is the stick and virtue is the strength of the feet.

Source: radiosai.org
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Re: Life 35 (Jan 20 - Jul 20)

Postby winston » Wed Mar 18, 2020 9:03 pm

From Momentary Glimpse to Lasting Illumination

Although initially the clinging to self disappears only when we’re very mindful, those moments free of delusion give deeper insight a chance to arise, and eventually wisdom becomes strong enough to trigger a permanent change of outlook.

—Cynthia Thatcher, “Disconnect the Dots”
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