Page 14 of 20

Re: Life 37 (Sep 20 - Mar 21)

PostPosted: Sat Nov 14, 2020 10:24 pm
by winston
Keep Your Hope Alive

Hope is a flame that we nurture within our hearts.

It may be sparked by someone else—by the encouraging words of a friend, relative, or mentor—but it must be fanned and kept burning through our own determination.

—Daisaku Ikeda, “On Hardship & Hope”

Re: Life 37 (Sep 20 - Mar 21)

PostPosted: Sun Nov 15, 2020 7:58 pm
by winston
What is a powerful and simple technique to experience bliss and sanctify this birth?

Do not be carried away by worldly pleasures. Take the sacred path and sanctify your time by chanting the divine name.

There is no need to allocate a specific time or place for namasmarana ( constant remembrance and chanting of the Divine's Name). You can do it wherever you are and whatever you are doing.

One needs to pay tax for water and electricity but there is no tax for namasmarana. Nobody can stop you from doing it.

It’s very simple, yet most effective. But people don't realise the value of namasmarana as it is so easy to practise.

They think that the Divine can be attained only through severe austerities. This is a misconception. Without troubling yourself or causing trouble to others, you can chant the divine name.

Cultivate love for Him. That is true devotion. Develop sacred love.

Do not criticise or ridicule anybody. Give happiness to all by sharing your love with them. This is true spiritual practice. Follow this simple path, experience bliss and sanctify your lives!

- Divine Discourse, Feb 24, 2002.

To gain liberation, to win the Divine’s grace, it is not enough to repeat His name; you must practice the Divine principle.

Source: radiosai.org

Re: Life 37 (Sep 20 - Mar 21)

PostPosted: Sun Nov 15, 2020 10:09 pm
by winston
Seeking with an Open Mind

If one seeks understanding with a vacant mind, the moon seems full each and every moment.

—Jiaoran, “A Full Load of Moonlight”

Re: Life 37 (Sep 20 - Mar 21)

PostPosted: Mon Nov 16, 2020 7:31 am
by winston
Why is it very important for every earnest seeker to identify and kill a bad thought the moment it sprouts?

First of all, you should make an attempt to make good use of the mental and physical strengths that have been given to you.

When you are so lazy as not to use them, what are you going to do with divine strengths?

Suppose that you have been given food and drink by the divine grace and strength of the Divine.

Because He has given you enough food on your plate, for you to think that the Divine has to also help you in transferring this food to your stomach is a very lazy idea.

For taking the food to your stomach, the Divine has given you hands, a palate and a mouth. You should make good use of them.

That we may learn to make good use of our mental and physical strengths and other organs, He comes in human form;

He demonstrates how these may be used. The essential quality of an Avatar is to teach you how to make good and proper use of your thought, word, and deed.

- Summer Roses On Blue Mountains, 1976, Ch 6.

Fear is nothing but a bundle of negative thoughts. Counter it with positive thoughts.

Source: radiosai.org

Re: Life 37 (Sep 20 - Mar 21)

PostPosted: Mon Nov 16, 2020 10:02 pm
by winston
Traveling Toward Truth

The Buddha found what he had to see by sitting still but even he had to travel to get to that point, to see through the other roads that would lead nowhere and come finally to the understanding that the truth we’re looking for is no further than the hair on our arms.

—Pico Iyer, “The Long Road to Sitting Still”

Re: Life 37 (Sep 20 - Mar 21)

PostPosted: Tue Nov 17, 2020 7:40 am
by winston
What is the clarion call to everyone who has taken His Name?

Yours is a splendid chance to become guides of mankind. You have this responsibility in an even greater measure, since you must lead model lives of sincere striving.

Having taken the Name, you are bound to act according to the command and shed the light of devotion on all who come near you.

No attempt need be made to run away from the duties of one’s station and status.

Remember, those duties have to be done as worship, as offerings of one’s intelligence and skill, qualities, and thoughts and feelings at the "Feet of the Divine" in a spirit of thankfulness for the chance given, without a trace of egoism or a sense of attachment to the fruits of the actions.

The root of all trouble is the uncontrolled and ill-directed mind. Obligatory actions have to be carried out, wherever you are, with care and sincerity. They award the needed discrimination and non-attachment.

- Divine Discourse, Apr 23, 1961.

Doing one’s duty well is the highest spiritual endeavour.

Source: radiosai.org

Re: Life 37 (Sep 20 - Mar 21)

PostPosted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 8:05 am
by winston
What is the blue-print for a Devotee to win the Divine’s grace?

The first step in spiritual discipline is cleansing of the speech. Talk sweetly without anger. Do not boast of your scholarship or attainments.

Be humble, and eager to serve. Conserve your speech. Practice silence. That will save you from squabbles, idle thoughts, and factions.

Again, practice the attitude of joy when others are joyful and of grief when others around you are grieved. Let your heart move in sympathy.

The joy and grief have to be translated into service; they should not be mere emotions! Train yourself by using the spark of wisdom that has been implanted in you.

Once you try with all your might, the Divine’s grace will be there to help you forward!

When the sun rises, not all lotuses in the lake bloom; only the grown buds open their petals. The others await their time. It is the same with people. Differences do exist because of unripeness, though all fruits have to ripen and fall someday.

- Divine Discourse, Apr 23, 1961.

Do not waste time in idle gossip. Talk softly, talk as little as possible, and talk sweet.
Serve all as brothers and sisters, with adoration to the Divine in them.

Source: radiosai.org

Re: Life 37 (Sep 20 - Mar 21)

PostPosted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 10:32 pm
by winston
Broadening Your Mindset

Adopting a mind that is free from grasping, is a direct antidote to a narrow and fixed perspective.

—Khentrul, “Unity in Difference”

Re: Life 37 (Sep 20 - Mar 21)

PostPosted: Thu Nov 19, 2020 10:23 pm
by winston
Bearing Difficulty

It is only natural that we don’t like suffering.

But if we can develop the willpower to bear difficulties, then we will grow more and more tolerant.

There is nothing that does not get easier with practice.

— Dalai Lama, “Enduring the Fires”

Re: Life 37 (Sep 20 - Mar 21)

PostPosted: Fri Nov 20, 2020 3:37 pm
by winston
What is the role that the Divine has come to play in our lives?

He's the repairer of broken hearts and damaged four-fold instruments of mind, intellect, memory, and ego.

He's like the smith, who welds, mends and sets right.

The Divine will be waiting outside the door of the worship room of the devotee, anxious to fulfil their wish!

Verily, one who has Him as his Servant — that one is the real Divine! Only, do not allow your faith to falter.

Do not become a slave to others; no, not even to the Divine.

Test. Test, examine, and experience. When you find Him, demand as if it is your right. But before you get that right, you should appear for the examination and pass, is it not?

He set tests not as a punishment or because he enjoys putting you into trouble but just to give you the joy of passing! Also, do not yield to despair or become dejected.

It is his resolve that you progress in spiritual development. He has collected all of you and shall lay the concrete foundation and build the walls and erect the roof and complete the mansion.

His resolve never proves ineffective.

- Divine Discourse, Oct 17, 1961.

I have come to light the lamp of Love in your hearts, to see that it shines day by day with added lustre.

Source: radiosai.org