Life 28 (Apr 17 - Nov 17)

[winston]

Whether we are a beginner in spiritual life or have been practicing for decades, what is the fundamental question we must find an answer to?

You have immense capacities latent in you, waiting to be tapped and used. You have many talents which have to be brought to light.

At times, you all feel the urge to love all beings, to share your joy and grief, to know more and satisfy your intellect, to peep behind the awe and wonder that Nature arouses in you. You are all adept at gathering information about what goes on in all corners of the world.

Let Me ask you: Are you aware of what happens in the corner of your own mind? Do you know the answer to the simple question, “Who am I?” Why have you not felt it essential to answer this important question?

Without knowing this answer, how can you go about rashly judging, labelling and even defaming others? Earnestly ask this of yourself and seek out the answers to the enigma, from within yourself. Our scriptures guide you on the process by which you can discover it yourself!

- Divine Discourse, Feb 19, 1964.

Come into the world with the question, "Who am I?" Leave it with the answer, "He I am."

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Everyone loves to offer flowers at the altar of the Divine. What is the flower that pleases Him the most?

Dedication means offering. You all offer flowers to the Divine. Flowers symbolise your heart.

When you offer the flower of your heart to the Divine, it should be free from the pests of desire, hatred, envy, greed, etc.

So, ask yourself, is the flower of your heart pure or infested? Is it free from Self-conceit and envy?

Self-conceit is the biggest barrier between you and the Divine, and is based on eight different factors: Physical prowess, birth, scholarship, beauty, power and penance.

As long as a trace of this self-conceit is predominant, it is impossible to recognise the Divine or realize your innate reality.

Pride of wealth very quickly brings about your downfall. So carefully demolish these completely. Only when you sacrifice the egoistic pride at the altar of the Divine, can you discover your true nature.

This dedication of your pure and loving heart to the Divine is the first step in the spiritual journey.

- Divine Discourse, Jan 16, 1988.

When your heart is filled with good thoughts and feelings, all that comes out of your senses - speech, vision, action - will naturally be pure.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

“Who am I?”; Experience this magnificent miracle within ourselves

You are the formless infinite, taking the form of a finite human. You are the Absolute, pretending to be the Relative; you are the Self, pretending to be the body! The Universal Self (Atma) is the basis for all the beings.

The sky was there before houses were built under it; the sky penetrated and pervaded them! The houses crumbled and became heaps and mounds over time, but the sky was not affected at all! So too, the Atma pervades the body and subsists even when the body is reduced to dust.

The same inexplicable and invisible electric current when it enters a bulb, a fan, a stove, a cooler or a sprayer, activates each one of them or even all of them together!

So too, the Divine Principle activates all beings. That is the inner core, the Divine Spark, more minute than the minutest, more magnificent than the most magnificent!

- Divine Discourse, Feb 19, 1964.

The human body, so fitted with skills, so capable of great adventures, is a gift from the Divine to each of you.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What is devotion?

Devotion (Bhakti) is the highest form of Love. “Service to the Divine is Devotion” say the Scriptures.

Devotion means constant contemplation of the Divine. The term Bhakti is derived from the root Bhaj meaning to worship.

Devotion means loving contemplation of the Divine, repetition of His Name, worshipping Him and doing penance for Him. Service to the Lord is the highest expression of devotion.

There is nothing that is not attainable through loving service to the Divine. Devotion does not mean merely doing bhajans or performing puja. These forms of devotion at present are based on some kind of self-interest and self-seeking.

True devotion should be an expression of love from within. Devotion is not something to be proclaimed or demonstrated.

True devotion must be free from selfishness of all kinds. Exhibitionistic devotion will definitely result in disaster.

- Divine Discourse, Jan 16, 1988.

Wear the garland of Devotion Gems round your neck and saturate your thought, word and deed with Divine Love.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Why should we persist in experiencing the Light within?

Ignorance can be cured only by knowledge; darkness can be destroyed only by light. No amount of argument, threat or persuasion can compel darkness to move away.

A flash of light is enough to destroy years of darkness! The light is already there in you. But since it is heavily overladen by repressing factors, it cannot reveal itself. Prepare yourself for that flash of illumination!

Everyone must achieve it, whether one is striving for it now or not. It is the inevitable end to everyone’s struggles, the goal to which every being, knowingly or unknowingly is proceeding.

Do not be afraid of reaching the goal of liberation (Moksha). Do not conceive that stage as a calamity.

Liberation indeed is the end of all calamities. It is death to all grief - grief that you will be born again. It is the birth of joy, a joy that knows no decline!

- Divine Discourse, Feb 19, 1964.

Without developing devotion to the Divine, no human quality can grow.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What is the most important diet we must include every morning?

Discipline must be strictly observed. From the moment you wake up, you have to carry out your morning ablutions, meditate on the Divine and then do your prescribed duties in an orderly manner, without deviating from the regular routine.

Variations in the routine from day to day are undesirable. The day's activities should be regulated by the same schedule.

The ambience in the morning is calm and serene. In this setting, immediately after finishing the morning chores, one should devote, at least a few minutes, to loving meditation on the Divine.

Discrimination comes next. The world is a mixture of good and bad, right and wrong, victory and defeat. In a world replete with opposites, you must constantly make the choice between what is right and proper, and what is wrong and undesirable.

You should not be guided by your mind, but listen and follow the directions of your intellect. As long as you follow your mind, you will not be able to attain Divinity.

- Divine Discourse, Jan 16, 1988.

When your mind follows the intellect and starts discriminating, then, you will easily become attached to the Self (Atma).

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Who robs us of our happiness and how do they do it stealthily?

Illusion haunts people as desire. Prompted by desire, you run after sweet sounds that satisfy the ear, and smooth and soft things, that yield pleasure to your skin!

You pursue the forms of beauty that appeal to the eye to satisfy the fire in you. Crave for food and drink that are tasty to appease the water element in you. And enjoy the perfume and pleasant smells to please the inner urge of the Earth element!

The malignant designs of desire, rob you of lasting happiness.

The insufferable heat of the Sun is controlled and reduced by your body, to maintain a congenial temperature of 98.4 degrees.

So also, you must keep the destructive forces of your elemental passions born out of the clamour of sound, touch, form, taste, and smell rigorously in check and bring it down to tolerable levels. Then you can lead a healthy and happy life.

- Divine Discourse, Feb 19, 1964.

Let the waves of memory, the storms of desire, and the fire of emotions pass through, without affecting your equanimity.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What are the key virtues that we must assiduously cultivate?

Wherever you may be, never give room for any differences. Everyone must get rid of all selfishness, self-interest and self-centeredness.

Mutual regard, equipoise and forbearance are basic qualities necessary for every human being. Hence develop love, forbearance and compassion.

Realise that love is present in everyone. Get rid of all differences and adhere to your faith and traditions. Learn to live in love and harmony with all the members of your society.

When differences of all kinds are given up, love will grow in you and you can have a direct vision of the Divine. Without love, verbal prayers are of no avail.

Divine love is the only unifier, motivator and harbinger of joy to everyone. The Divine is love and He can be realised only through love.

All saints and religions have emphasized the greatness of love, truth, sacrifice and unity. Therefore cultivate love.

- Divine Discourse, Dec 24, 1980.

There is no strength greater than virtue.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Why should you control your senses and how?

Without the control of your senses, your spiritual practices (Sadhana) will be ineffective; it is like keeping water in a leaky pot!

When the tongue craves for some delicacy, assert that you will not cater to its whims. If you persist in giving yourself simple food that is not savoury or hot, but amply sustaining, the tongue may squirm for a few days, but it will soon welcome it. That is the way to subdue it and overcome the evil consequences of it being your master.

Since the tongue is equally insistent on scandal and lascivious talk, you must curb that tendency also. Talk little, talk sweetly, and talk only when there is a pressing need.

Also, talk only to those to whom you must, and do not shout or raise the voice in anger or excitement. Such control will improve health and mental peace. It will lead to better public relations and less involvement in contacts and conflicts with others.

- Divine Discourse, Nov 23, 1968.

The tongue should be engaged only in speaking the truth, in speaking sweetly and in consuming what is pleasant and wholesome for the body.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Why and how should we introspect the impact of our spiritual practices and ensure we are doing the right things?

You have listened to hours of spiritual discourses and you spend days and nights in spiritual practices. Have you taken any concrete efforts to sublimate your life?

Endeavour to lead an ideal life. If there is no change for the better in your daily conduct, remember that all your so-called spiritual practices will be futile!

People claim to spend hours in prayer and meditation. But of what use is it if there is no concentration of mind?

It is better if you engage yourself in doing your regular duties or render social service or participate in spiritual practicess. By these means try to bring the mind under control. Then your work will be transformed into worship.

Dedicate all your thoughts and actions to the Divine. You can purify your actions when you do everything with the only goal to please Him.

If you want to experience the Divine, you have to do it through your duties and actions. This is not so easy!

- Divine Discourse, Jan 01, 1991.

Knowledge that is not put into practice is like food that is not digested.

Source: radiosai.org