Life 29 (Nov 17 - Aug 18)

[winston]

To break free from the shackles of life, who can we count on?

At first look, everyone appears to be a devotee, but individuals respond differently to different circumstances.

If you keep a ball of iron and dry leaf, side by side, when there is no wind both of them will be stable and steady. But when there is a breeze, the dry leaf will be blown several miles away. The iron ball however will remain firm.

If one has true love and unwavering faith in the Divine, one will be like an iron ball, steady and undisturbed. On the other hand, if one is like a leaf, running away on account of difficulties and problems, how can one claim to be a true devotee?

Develop pure and steady love and faith. Light has value only when there is darkness; otherwise it has no value by itself. Therefore, in times of trouble and sorrow, whenever problems arise, evoke the principle of Divinity. He will shed illumination and light in moments of darkness!

- Divine Discourse, Feb 17, 1985.

If you feel you are a hundred percent dependent on the Divine, He will look after you and save you from harm and injury.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What made Gautama Buddha worship worthy and what was is His seminal message to mankind?

Lord Buddha underwent great hardships to realise the truth that everyone was endowed with the same principle of Divinity.

Many noble souls who were contemporaries of Buddha acknowledged His greatness. They said that Buddha experienced the truth that they were unable to realise.

As Lord Buddha gave up all desires, he became an epitome of total renunciation. There was nothing in Him except love. He considered love as His very life-breath.

He further taught that people should not have anger, should not find faults in others, and should not harm others as all are embodiments of the pure, eternal principle - the Divine.

He urged people to have compassion towards the needy and help them to the extent possible, understanding and respecting the underlying principle of unity and Divinity in all.

Never have narrow considerations that some are your friends, and some are your enemies. All are one, be alike to everyone. These are the most important teachings of The Buddha.

- Divine Discourse, May 13, 2006.

Love is Divinity. Live in Love.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Why do we face difficult situations? How should we be prepared?

Do not grieve that the Divine is testing you and putting you to the ordeal of undergoing the tests, for it is only when you are tested that you can assure yourself of success or become aware of your limitations.

You can then concentrate on the subjects in which you are deficient and pay more intensive attention, so that you can pass in them too when you are tested again.

Don’t study for the examination at the last moment; study well in advance and be ready with the needed knowledge, and the courage and confidence born out of that knowledge and skill.

What you have studied well in advance must be rolled over and over in the mind, just previous to the examination; that is all that should be done. This is the pathway to victory.

- Divine Discourse, March 1963.

The Divine bestows a favour when He decides to test you, for He is impressed by your achievement and wants to put upon it the seal of His approval.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What should we do to reflect the Divine’s glory within us?

A great painter once came to a prince and offered to do a fresco on a palace wall; behind him came another, who declared that he would paint on the opposite wall whatever painting the first one drew.

The prince ordered a thick curtain in between the painters while they were painting. Both were commissioned to start the task. The second person finished his work the exact same moment the first one completed.

The prince arrived, saw the fresco and admired it very much. Then he ordered the curtain to be removed, and lo, on the wall facing the fresco, was an exact duplicate of the picture that the first man had so laboriously painted. Exact — because the second painter polished the wall, making it a fine big mirror!

Similarly, you must make your hearts clean, pure and smooth, so that the glory of the Divine might be reflected therein, and the Divine might see His own image on it.

- Divine Discourse, March 1963.

There is reaction, resound and reflection, for everything in this world.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What are the signs of intelligent living? How can we know if we are firmly established in peace?

When good things are spoken, you find it difficult to pay attention, but when demeaning and distracting things are said, your ears are alert. This is tragic.

Be the master of your behaviour; do not be led away by the impulses of the moment. Be conscious always of what is good for you.

Carry on your daily tasks so that you do not make others suffer or suffer yourself. That is the sign of intelligent living.

Do not give way to fits of anger, grief, elation or despair. The confusion you exhibit, is the result of dark, dull and emotional qualities.

Be calm, unruffled and collected. The more you develop charity for all beings, contrition at your own faults, fear of wrong, and fear of the Divine — the more firmly established you are in peace.

- Divine Discourse, Feb 27, 1961.

A peaceful mind is the abode of love.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What is the root-cause for all the pain, sorrow, difficulties and losses we experience today? What can we do to fix them?

Many people say that the world today is afflicted with sorrow, losses and difficulties.

I do not subscribe to this view - indeed, they are just our illusion. In fact, there is no unrest or sorrow in this world. I just see peace everywhere.

When there is peace in our heart, we will be able to witness peace all round. Unrest, sorrow, anger, and so on, are the reaction, reflection and resound of the state of our inner being.

Sorrows and difficulties, anger and unrest are of our own creation. They are not natural phenomena in the world.

It is lack of love that is responsible for all the differences, arguments and conflicts in the world, especially in the present times.

Love is the foremost quality of a human being. And faith is the basis for that love. In the spelling of the word Love, ‘L’ stands for ‘Lord’. Thus, Love truly originates from the Lord!

- Divine Discourse, Dec 26, 2007

Develop Love and share it with others. Transform this world into a paradise of Love.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

At times, we may feel that the amount of worship or good work we are doing is insufficient to attract the Divine’s Grace and change our lives. Why does it happen so?

Scriptures declare: Revere the mother and father as the Divine. Mother’s womb is the birthplace of one and all, be it a commoner or the Avatar Himself. Therefore, adore the mother as the Divine.

Uphold her name and respect her. There is nothing greater than mother’s love. Mother’s words are always sweet. At times she may use harsh words, but they are meant only to correct you, not to hurt you.

There may be a wicked child, but never a wicked mother in this world. Most modern youth do not care enough for their mother. They think they are highly educated and that the mother does not know anything. It is a great mistake to think so.

Never look down upon the mother. A mother also should not force her children to accede to her wishes. She must guide the children on the righteous path through love and sincerity. She should aspire that her children be good, they need not be great!

- Divine Discourse, Nov 19, 1999

There is no higher Divine than the mother.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What is the most definitive way to achieve spiritual victory?

The Divine and desire cannot coexist in the mind.

Develop steadiness in the recitation of the Name of Divine and in the worth of that Name. Then even if the whole world says, “Do evil”, you will refuse to obey; your system itself will revolt against it. Even if the whole world asks you to desist, you will insist on doing right.

Your body is a temple of the Divine; He is installed in every body, whether the owner of the body recognises it or not.

It is Him that inspires you to perform good acts and warns you against the bad. Listen to that Voice. Obey that Voice and you will not come to any harm.

You must cultivate four types of strength: of Body, Intellect, Wisdom and Conduct. Then you become unshakable, and you are on the path of spiritual victory.

- Divine Discourse, Feb 27, 1961

The person who discriminates well before engaging in any activity, will naturally be righteous in conduct and behaviour.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

What is the root cause of all the challenges we face today? How can we improve it, individually and collectively as nations?

Country is not a mere piece of land; it is an assemblage of citizens. For countries to progress, its citizens must cultivate moral, ethical, and spiritual values.

It is not possible for citizens and leaders to cultivate these values unless they practice them right from childhood. Life becomes meaningless if one does not take to righteous actions from an early age.

Modern students are not able to refine their lives. So the parents and the teachers should play an active role in shaping the lives of the students.

First and foremost, they have to enquire as to how the students can get rid of their evil tendencies.

Just as a boulder becomes worthy of adoration and respect when it is carved into a beautiful idol by a sculptor, so also the students will become ideal citizens if they are brought up in the right environment.

The teachers and parents are responsible for the good and bad in students.

- Divine Discourse, Jul 26, 1999

True culture consists in the recognition of the unity that underlies the diversity in mankind.

Source: radiosai.org

[winston]

Why is it important to strive to destroy our evil qualities completely?

Do not strive to acquire the status of a great person, always strive to become a good person.

Greatness may induce one to do evil deeds but acts of a good person, always stand out as ideals for others.

One evil trait is enough to cause ruin. Imagine how much worse a fate one will be faced with if one has all six evil qualities - lust, anger, greed, pride, envy, and hatred.

- Divine Discourse, Nov 22, 1999

Fill your hearts with the light of love so that the evil qualities of hate, greed and conceit
find no place therein.

Source: radiosai.org