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Re: Life 29 (Nov 17 - Aug 18)

PostPosted: Wed Feb 07, 2018 7:31 pm
by winston
What must we do to win abundant grace in our lives?

Love is vital. Love is Divine. To render an act fit to be offered to the Divine and pure enough to win His Grace, it must be a manifestation of Love.

Preserve Love from being poisoned from evil. Endeavour to cultivate love that is free from hatred and bias of all kinds.

The root of all religions, the substance of all scriptures, the rendezvous of all roads, and the inspiration of all individuals is the Principle of Love.

It is the firmest foundation for man's mission of Life. It is the Light that ensures world peace and world prosperity.

Fill every word and every act of yours with Love. The word that emerges from your tongue shall not stab like the knife, nor wound like the arrow, nor hit like the hammer.

It must be a foundation of sweet nectar, a counsel of consoling Scriptures' wisdom, and a soft path of blossoms; it must shower peace and joy.

- Divine Discourse, Jul 29, 1969.

Virtue is the salt of life; Selfless Love is the highest virtue. Develop selfless love and share it.

Source: radiosai.org

Re: Life 29 (Nov 17 - Aug 18)

PostPosted: Thu Feb 08, 2018 9:41 pm
by winston
What is the first step in the journey to discover the answer to the all important question, ‘who am I’?

More effulgent than the Sun, whiter and purer than snow, subtler than ether in space, the Divine dwells in all, permeating the entire Cosmos, shining in every atom.

You are in that Divinity and that Divinity is in you. You are that Divinity and that Divinity is you.

The first task is to develop awareness of the Divinity within you. The next stage is the realisation of the truth that the Divinity that is within one's self, is equally present in all others.

You must recognise that the veil or barrier that appears to separate the Divine from others, is born of delusion and every effort should be made to remove it.

Only then will it be possible to experience the oneness of all living things which is the declaration of the Scriptures.

- Divine Discourse, Feb 16, 1988.

Real happiness lies within you.

Source: radiosai.org

Re: Life 29 (Nov 17 - Aug 18)

PostPosted: Fri Feb 09, 2018 10:01 pm
by winston
Is the spiritual path extremely difficult?

Of what avail is the study of the Scriptures, if there is no transformation in our thoughts or way of life? You must examine where all your spiritual practices are leading you to.

There must be an urge to change and progress towards a higher state of consciousness. In reality all are embodiments of Truth-Consciousness-Bliss.

Your real ‘I’ exists in all the stages of waking, dream and deep sleep. But in dream and deep sleep states, you are not conscious of your body.

The entity that exists in all three states undergoes no change. You must try to understand the nature of this ‘I’.

You may regard this as extremely difficult, but if you have dedication and perseverance, it will be quite easy.

There is nothing in the world easier than the spiritual path. But when there is no earnestness, it appears difficult. Hence the Scriptures declared: The earnest aspirant acquires the Supreme Wisdom.

- Divine Discourse, Feb 16, 1988.

Constantly remind yourself, “I am the embodiment of Divine Consciousness”.

Source: radiosai.org

Re: Life 29 (Nov 17 - Aug 18)

PostPosted: Sat Feb 10, 2018 10:35 pm
by winston
At times, even though people indulge in Selfless Service, they do not experience the peace or satisfaction. Why?

Most people today are lacking in Love and so in Bliss too.

When people form conflicting groups and plot to destroy each other, how can joy and peace reside in them?

Ancient myths speak of wars of extermination between Gods and demons and between men and demons. But history today is recording wars between demons who call themselves ‘human’.

Why? Because, love is directed towards selfish ends. Sacrifice and charity are indulged in for the sake of self-aggrandizement.

People take part in social service only in order to advertise themselves. How can the sweet contents be consumed when the bottle is tightly closed by the two corks - pomp and personal publicity?

Remove these corks by the screw of selflessness. Selfless Love implies understanding, and consequently, sympathy and compassion. They will confer Divine Bliss.

To experience happiness, peace and joy, you must allow the innate virtues of Love and sacrifice to emerge from within and thus sanctify your lives.

- Divine Discourse, Feb 29, 1984.

Only when you shed your selfishness, you can turn your mind towards the Divine.

Re: Life 29 (Nov 17 - Aug 18)

PostPosted: Sun Feb 11, 2018 2:08 pm
by winston
If we wish to truly love the Divine, what should our attitude be?

It is good to love and adore the Divine, with a view to gain some valuable fruit, either here or hereafter, but since there is nothing more valuable than the Divine, the Scriptures advise us to love the Divine with no touch of desire in our minds.

Love for love’s sake; love the Divine since whatever He can give is less than He Himself; love Him alone, with no other wish or demand.

Once a student asked her master, “Lord! You are undoubtedly the best amongst those who follow the teachings unwaveringly; how did such a terrible calamity happen to you?” She was stricken with sorrow.

The Master replied, “Look at this Himalayan range. How magnificent, glorious, beautiful and sublime it is! It is so splendid a phenomenon that I love it without limit. It will not grant me anything, but it is my nature to love the beautiful and the sublime.

The embodiment of this sublime beauty is the Divine. He is the only entity that is worth loving. This is why I am loving Him. I will not wish for any favour from Him. I will not pray for any boon. Let Him keep me where He loves to keep me. The highest reward for my love is His love".

- Sathya Sai Vahini, Ch 1, 'The Supreme Reality'.

Practice Spiritual activities relentlessly, to discipline your mind and to develop your moral and mental strength.

Source: radiosai.org

Re: Life 29 (Nov 17 - Aug 18)

PostPosted: Mon Feb 12, 2018 1:40 pm
by winston
Why should we earnestly direct our life goal into discovering the Divine within us and in everyone around us?

No living being, except the human, has been endowed with intelligence and discriminative faculty, heightened to this degree, in order to enable it to visualise the Atma (Divine Self).

This is why humanity is acclaimed as the crown of creation and why the scriptures proclaim that the chance of being born as a human is a rare piece of good fortune.

People have the qualifications needed to seek the cause of creation; they have in them the urge and the capacity.

Many great people have directed their intelligence toward the discovery of the omnipresent Divine (Atma) and succeeded in visualising that Divine Principle.

However, amongst millions of people in the Universe, only few have been able to visualise the Universal Atma or the Self in All. The purpose and meaning of the process of living is the attainment of the Supreme Inner Self (Atma).

- Sathya Sai Vahini, Ch 1, 'The Supreme Reality'.

All are One, Be alike to everyone.

Source: radiosai.org

Re: Life 29 (Nov 17 - Aug 18)

PostPosted: Tue Feb 13, 2018 8:20 pm
by winston
What is the significance of Holy Days?

The nature of man is a mixture of progressive and regressive characteristics. One must take note of this and foster the former, to the exclusion of the latter.

The will to renounce, to share, and to give up, is a precious virtue. Curiosity, the longing to know, is another quality which must be used to know the Reality which appears as many and momentary.

This knowledge can be attained only when the consciousness is purified by the grace of the Divine. Holy days are marked only to impress upon your mind your duty to impose a 'fast' on your senses and a 'vigil' on your intelligence, and to keep away from polluting impulses and inclinations.

Even the thought that you have not benefited from the prayers and contemplation, you do should not pollute your faith.

To adhere to spiritual practises is your duty, your innermost urge, and your genuine activity. Leave the rest to the will of the Divine. This must be your resolve on holy days.

- Divine Discourse, Feb 29, 1984.

Be clear and content. Be moderate and wise. Be vigilant and steady. Be earnest and sweet.

Source: radiosai.org

Re: Life 29 (Nov 17 - Aug 18)

PostPosted: Wed Feb 14, 2018 12:56 pm
by winston
What is it that we must love dearly and deeply and why?

Developing faith in the Inner-Self (Atma) principle and loving it earnestly — this is the real worship.

The Inner-Self is the one and only Loved One for humanity. Feel that it is more lovable than any object here or hereafter — that is the true adoration one can offer to the Divine.

This is what the Scriptures teach. The Scriptures do not teach acceptance of a bundle of frightfully hard rules and restrictions; they do not hold before one a prison house where one is shut in by the bars of cause and effect.

They teach us that there is One who is the sovereign behind all those rules and restrictions; One who is the core of each object, each unit of energy, and each particle or atom; and One under whose orders alone the five elements — ether, air, fire, water, earth — do operate.

Love Him, adore Him, worship Him, say the Scriptures. This is the grand philosophy of love as elaborated in the Scriptures.

- Sathya Sai Vahini, Ch 1, 'The Supreme Reality'.

As close as you are to te Divine, so close is He to you.

Source: radiosai.org

Re: Life 29 (Nov 17 - Aug 18)

PostPosted: Thu Feb 15, 2018 4:31 pm
by winston
What is the supremacy of reciting the Divine’s Name and Glory?

You may doubt whether a small word can ferry you across the boundless sea of worldly life.

People cross vast oceans on a tiny raft; they can walk through dark jungles with a tiny lamp in their hands.

The name "Om" which is even smaller, has vast potentialities. The raft need not be as big as the sea.

Recitation of the Divine’s Name is like the operation of boring to tap underground water; it’s like the chisel-stroke that will release the image of the Divine imprisoned in the marble. Break the encasement and the Divine will appear; cleave the pillar, and the Divine who is ever-present will manifest Himself.

Every mother teaches her daughter to churn and bring the butter latent in the milk into view. Similarly in the spiritual field, learn from yogis who gained and offered that fresh butter to the Divine by reciting His Name.

- Divine Discourse, Jan 13, 1965.

Keep the name of the Divine always radiant on your tongue and mind. It will keep the antics of the mind under control.

Source: radiosai.org

Re: Life 29 (Nov 17 - Aug 18)

PostPosted: Fri Feb 16, 2018 10:59 pm
by winston
Why should we change the way we think, particularly when someone criticises or blames us?

Remove all negative feelings. Develop more and more positive thoughts.

Along the way some might criticise you, that’s an opportunity of transformation for you! Think this way, “My parents gave me one name, friends gave another name and others gave me a nickname! This body has many names, that’s all!”

Will you become bad, if someone calls you bad? No! If they call you bad, try to become free of bad qualities, if they are present in you.

If someone points out a mistake, try to free yourself from that mistake if it’s there in you – that’s all!”. Handle criticism gracefully.

In this Kali age, when desires are not fulfilled, people start blaming even the Divine! Don't hate anybody and don't accuse anybody; as much as possible, love all and if not possible, at least don't hate anyone. Develop the spirit of oneness and unity.

- Divine Discourse, Nov 23, 2000.

Noble actions, ideal qualities and sacred thoughts are the basic foundation of character.

Source: radiosai.org