What is the best use we can put our earthly life to?
You have to read the newspaper to know how mad and foolish the world is; how futile is heroism and how momentary the glory. And after reviewing the information it conveys, you throw it aside; it is now a tasteless waste.
So too, you should live but once; live such that you are born but once.
Do not fall in love with the world so much that your false fascination brings you again and again into this delusive amalgam of joy and grief.
Unless you stand back a little, away from entanglement with the world, knowing that it is all a play whose director is the Divine, you are in danger of being too closely involved.
Use the world as a training ground for sacrifice, service, expansion of the heart, and cleansing of the emotions. That is the only value it has.
- Divine Discourse, Mar 28, 1967.
Be clear and content. Be moderate and wise. Be vigilant and steady. Be earnest and sweet.
Source: radiosai.org
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Life 33 (May 19 - Sep 19)
Re: Life 33 (May 19 - Dec 19)
by winston » Tue Jun 25, 2019 5:32 am
It's all about "how much you made when you were right" & "how little you lost when you were wrong"
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winston - Billionaire Boss
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Re: Life 33 (May 19 - Dec 19)
by winston » Tue Jun 25, 2019 7:57 am
Come to it empty-handed
Compassion is not hard to come by when the heart is not filled with the cunning things of the mind.
It is the mind with its demands and fears, its attachments and denials, its determinations and urges, that destroys love.
And how difficult it is to be simple about all this! You don’t need philosophies and doctrines to be gentle and kind.
The efficient and the powerful of the land, will organize to feed and clothe the people, to provide them with shelter and medical care.
This is inevitable with the rapid increase of production; it is the function of well-organized government and a balanced society. But organization does not give the generosity of the heart and hand.
Generosity comes from quite a different source, a source beyond all measure. Ambition and envy destroy it as surely as fire burns.
This source must be touched, but one must come to it empty-handed, without prayer, without sacrifice.
Books cannot teach nor can any guru lead to this source. It cannot be reached through the cultivation of virtue, though virtue is necessary, nor through capacity and obedience.
When the mind is serene, without any movement, it is there. Serenity is without motive, without the urge for the more.
The Book of Life, November 30, HarperSanFrancisco, 1995
Source: jkrishnamurthi.com
Compassion is not hard to come by when the heart is not filled with the cunning things of the mind.
It is the mind with its demands and fears, its attachments and denials, its determinations and urges, that destroys love.
And how difficult it is to be simple about all this! You don’t need philosophies and doctrines to be gentle and kind.
The efficient and the powerful of the land, will organize to feed and clothe the people, to provide them with shelter and medical care.
This is inevitable with the rapid increase of production; it is the function of well-organized government and a balanced society. But organization does not give the generosity of the heart and hand.
Generosity comes from quite a different source, a source beyond all measure. Ambition and envy destroy it as surely as fire burns.
This source must be touched, but one must come to it empty-handed, without prayer, without sacrifice.
Books cannot teach nor can any guru lead to this source. It cannot be reached through the cultivation of virtue, though virtue is necessary, nor through capacity and obedience.
When the mind is serene, without any movement, it is there. Serenity is without motive, without the urge for the more.
The Book of Life, November 30, HarperSanFrancisco, 1995
Source: jkrishnamurthi.com
It's all about "how much you made when you were right" & "how little you lost when you were wrong"
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winston - Billionaire Boss
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Re: Life 33 (May 19 - Dec 19)
by winston » Wed Jun 26, 2019 8:41 am
Why is sense-control important in the spiritual path?
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.
Courage during pain or adversity (fortitude) endows you with self-confidence. Self-confidence generates immense internal power.
Source: radiosai.org
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.
Courage during pain or adversity (fortitude) endows you with self-confidence. Self-confidence generates immense internal power.
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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winston - Billionaire Boss
- Posts: 118788
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Re: Life 33 (May 19 - Dec 19)
by winston » Thu Jun 27, 2019 8:14 am
What should sincere devotees do?
It serves no purpose if you merely acknowledge that the Divine has come but do not yearn to benefit by the Advent.
Offer your entire self, your entire life, to Him; then your adoration will transform and transmute you so fast and completely that you and He can be merged into One.
He thinks, feels and acts as you do; you think, feel and act as He does. You will be transformed as a rock is transformed by the sculptor into an idol, deserving the worship of generations of sincere men.
In the process, you will have to bear many a hammer stroke, many a chisel-wound, for He is the sculptor. He is but releasing you from petrification!
Offer your heart to the Divine, let the rest of you suffer transformation at His hands. Do not defile time, or the physical sheath, or this life's chance, using them for paltry ends.
- Divine Discourse, Nov 23, 1968.
Having been born as human beings, you should overcome Illusion, have the vision of the Inner Self (Atma) and attain Nirvana. This is the purpose of your life.
Source: radiosai.org
It serves no purpose if you merely acknowledge that the Divine has come but do not yearn to benefit by the Advent.
Offer your entire self, your entire life, to Him; then your adoration will transform and transmute you so fast and completely that you and He can be merged into One.
He thinks, feels and acts as you do; you think, feel and act as He does. You will be transformed as a rock is transformed by the sculptor into an idol, deserving the worship of generations of sincere men.
In the process, you will have to bear many a hammer stroke, many a chisel-wound, for He is the sculptor. He is but releasing you from petrification!
Offer your heart to the Divine, let the rest of you suffer transformation at His hands. Do not defile time, or the physical sheath, or this life's chance, using them for paltry ends.
- Divine Discourse, Nov 23, 1968.
Having been born as human beings, you should overcome Illusion, have the vision of the Inner Self (Atma) and attain Nirvana. This is the purpose of your life.
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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winston - Billionaire Boss
- Posts: 118788
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Re: Life 33 (May 19 - Dec 19)
by winston » Fri Jun 28, 2019 7:49 am
What is the connection between our body, mind and the soul? How can we achieve oneness with the Divine?
Knowledge of the True Self (Atma) dawns only when you have purity of heart. This purity can be achieved only through righteous discharge of all your assigned duties (karmas).
The body, the mind and the Atma - all three are inextricably interdependent. When they are separate, life loses its meaning.
When the body is submissive to the mind and the mind is controlled by the Atma, life finds fulfilment.
When the body alone is predominant, the human descends to the level of the animal. When mind prevails over body and senses, human level is attained.
When Atma prevails over mind and body, Divinity is realised. Hence, the Scriptures recommends a three-step path to Divinity:-
1. Engaging the body in good deeds
2. Using the mind to develop good thoughts and
3. Thus becoming qualified to contemplate on the Divine through worship
Continue on the path, you will reach the stage when like a river joining the ocean you will merge in the Divine.
- Divine Discourse, Sep 28, 1984.
Living with a pure heart is the essence of all spiritual practices.
Source: radiosai.org
Knowledge of the True Self (Atma) dawns only when you have purity of heart. This purity can be achieved only through righteous discharge of all your assigned duties (karmas).
The body, the mind and the Atma - all three are inextricably interdependent. When they are separate, life loses its meaning.
When the body is submissive to the mind and the mind is controlled by the Atma, life finds fulfilment.
When the body alone is predominant, the human descends to the level of the animal. When mind prevails over body and senses, human level is attained.
When Atma prevails over mind and body, Divinity is realised. Hence, the Scriptures recommends a three-step path to Divinity:-
1. Engaging the body in good deeds
2. Using the mind to develop good thoughts and
3. Thus becoming qualified to contemplate on the Divine through worship
Continue on the path, you will reach the stage when like a river joining the ocean you will merge in the Divine.
- Divine Discourse, Sep 28, 1984.
Living with a pure heart is the essence of all spiritual practices.
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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winston - Billionaire Boss
- Posts: 118788
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Re: Life 33 (May 19 - Dec 19)
by winston » Sat Jun 29, 2019 5:32 pm
We make many offerings to the Divine but why should we strive to offer what pleases Him?
When some friends, well-wishers or relatives place a gift-article in our hands, we accept it gladly, though it does not please us, because our acceptance pleases them.
When the gift pleases us, our reaction is hearty. We treasure it and are filled with it. Know that the Divine too reacts the same way to what man offers Him.
If the offering is tainted, He may accept it in order to satisfy the longing of the devotee. But when the offering pleases Him in its purity and sincerity, He welcomes it and His joy translates itself as abundant grace.
So you must introspect, discover and decide on the offering that gives Him delight! Offer Him your love and virtues, with purity and sincerity to receive His blessings and Grace in abundance.
Education is a process of culture. Plant healthy and potent seeds in the inner field of your heart, and reap a plentiful harvest of the valuable fruit - the virtues.
- Divine Discourse, Dec 05, 1985.
When your heart is pure, the light of wisdom shines!
Source: radiosai.org
When some friends, well-wishers or relatives place a gift-article in our hands, we accept it gladly, though it does not please us, because our acceptance pleases them.
When the gift pleases us, our reaction is hearty. We treasure it and are filled with it. Know that the Divine too reacts the same way to what man offers Him.
If the offering is tainted, He may accept it in order to satisfy the longing of the devotee. But when the offering pleases Him in its purity and sincerity, He welcomes it and His joy translates itself as abundant grace.
So you must introspect, discover and decide on the offering that gives Him delight! Offer Him your love and virtues, with purity and sincerity to receive His blessings and Grace in abundance.
Education is a process of culture. Plant healthy and potent seeds in the inner field of your heart, and reap a plentiful harvest of the valuable fruit - the virtues.
- Divine Discourse, Dec 05, 1985.
When your heart is pure, the light of wisdom shines!
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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winston - Billionaire Boss
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Re: Life 33 (May 19 - Dec 19)
by winston » Sat Jun 29, 2019 9:29 pm
All pilgrimages are internal.
—Gail Gutradt, “A Pilgrimage Among Friends”
—Gail Gutradt, “A Pilgrimage Among Friends”
It's all about "how much you made when you were right" & "how little you lost when you were wrong"
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winston - Billionaire Boss
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Re: Life 33 (May 19 - Dec 19)
by winston » Sun Jun 30, 2019 9:01 am
When we take up the study of any scripture, what is the one most important point to keep in mind?
People recite the Scriptures, achieve proficiency in expounding it but do not live up to the message.
The Scriptures is interpreted in many ways according to each one's whims and fancies. The scriptural texts are like the Wish-fulfilling Tree. They lend themselves to varied interpretations and meanings. But what matters is not the manifold interpretation but the understanding derived from actual experience.
Without putting into practice the teachings of the Scriptures, we cannot derive the bliss that can be got from it. Reciting it endlessly or listening to it will be of no avail if nothing is done to purify one's heart and get rid of evil qualities like ego, selfishness and pride.
It is better to put into practice a single stanza of the Scripture than to get by heart all the 700 verses. No spiritual study or spiritual practice can help to purify one's heart unless one makes the effort. And when the heart is purified, it becomes a worthy abode for the Divine.
- Divine Discourse, Sep 28, 1984.
Surrendering the fruit of your actions to the Divine is real sacrifice.
Source: radiosai.org
People recite the Scriptures, achieve proficiency in expounding it but do not live up to the message.
The Scriptures is interpreted in many ways according to each one's whims and fancies. The scriptural texts are like the Wish-fulfilling Tree. They lend themselves to varied interpretations and meanings. But what matters is not the manifold interpretation but the understanding derived from actual experience.
Without putting into practice the teachings of the Scriptures, we cannot derive the bliss that can be got from it. Reciting it endlessly or listening to it will be of no avail if nothing is done to purify one's heart and get rid of evil qualities like ego, selfishness and pride.
It is better to put into practice a single stanza of the Scripture than to get by heart all the 700 verses. No spiritual study or spiritual practice can help to purify one's heart unless one makes the effort. And when the heart is purified, it becomes a worthy abode for the Divine.
- Divine Discourse, Sep 28, 1984.
Surrendering the fruit of your actions to the Divine is real sacrifice.
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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winston - Billionaire Boss
- Posts: 118788
- Joined: Wed May 07, 2008 9:28 am
Re: Life 33 (May 19 - Dec 19)
by winston » Mon Jul 01, 2019 8:14 am
What ails mankind today and what is the remedy?
In reality, all the miseries of mankind is caused by mankind itself, not by any extraneous agency.
Having all the instruments of joy and contentment in one's possession, if man is miserable, it is only due to his perverseness and his stupidity.
He has been warned, over centuries, by the scriptures of all languages, that he should give up greed and lust, give up the habit of catering to the senses, and give up the belief that he is just this body and nothing more.
Yet, he does not know the illness that is torturing him. The disease is due to 'vitamin deficiency,' as they say; the vitamins are truth, righteousness, peace and divine love.
Take them and you recover; assimilate them into your character and conduct, and you shine with fine mental and physical health.
- Divine Discourse, Dec 16, 1964.
“I want peace”. ‘I’ is ego, ‘want’ is desire. Remove ego and desire and you have 'peace'.
Source: radiosai.org
In reality, all the miseries of mankind is caused by mankind itself, not by any extraneous agency.
Having all the instruments of joy and contentment in one's possession, if man is miserable, it is only due to his perverseness and his stupidity.
He has been warned, over centuries, by the scriptures of all languages, that he should give up greed and lust, give up the habit of catering to the senses, and give up the belief that he is just this body and nothing more.
Yet, he does not know the illness that is torturing him. The disease is due to 'vitamin deficiency,' as they say; the vitamins are truth, righteousness, peace and divine love.
Take them and you recover; assimilate them into your character and conduct, and you shine with fine mental and physical health.
- Divine Discourse, Dec 16, 1964.
“I want peace”. ‘I’ is ego, ‘want’ is desire. Remove ego and desire and you have 'peace'.
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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winston - Billionaire Boss
- Posts: 118788
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Re: Life 33 (May 19 - Dec 19)
by winston » Mon Jul 01, 2019 4:47 pm
Learning has no past
Wisdom is something that has to be discovered by each one, and it is not the result of knowledge.
Knowledge and wisdom do not go together. Wisdom comes when there is the maturity of self-knowing. Without knowing oneself, order is not possible, and therefore there is no virtue.
Now, learning about oneself, and accumulating knowledge about oneself, are two different things. ... A mind that is acquiring knowledge is never learning.
What it is doing is this: it is gathering to itself information, experience as knowledge, and from the background of what it has gathered, it experiences, it learns; and therefore it is never really learning, but always knowing, acquiring.
Learning is always in the active present; it has no past. The moment you say to yourself, “I have learned,” it has already become knowledge, and from the background of that knowledge you can accumulate, translate, but you cannot further learn.
It is only a mind that is not acquiring, but always learning—it is only such a mind that can understand this whole entity that we call the “me,” the self.
I have to know myself, the structure, the nature, the significance of the total entity; but I can’t do that burdened with my previous knowledge, with my previous experience, or with a mind that is conditioned, for then I am not learning, I am merely interpreting, translating, looking with an eye that is already clouded by the past.
The Book of Life, January 13, HarperSanFrancisco, 1995
Source: jkrishnamurthi.com
Wisdom is something that has to be discovered by each one, and it is not the result of knowledge.
Knowledge and wisdom do not go together. Wisdom comes when there is the maturity of self-knowing. Without knowing oneself, order is not possible, and therefore there is no virtue.
Now, learning about oneself, and accumulating knowledge about oneself, are two different things. ... A mind that is acquiring knowledge is never learning.
What it is doing is this: it is gathering to itself information, experience as knowledge, and from the background of what it has gathered, it experiences, it learns; and therefore it is never really learning, but always knowing, acquiring.
Learning is always in the active present; it has no past. The moment you say to yourself, “I have learned,” it has already become knowledge, and from the background of that knowledge you can accumulate, translate, but you cannot further learn.
It is only a mind that is not acquiring, but always learning—it is only such a mind that can understand this whole entity that we call the “me,” the self.
I have to know myself, the structure, the nature, the significance of the total entity; but I can’t do that burdened with my previous knowledge, with my previous experience, or with a mind that is conditioned, for then I am not learning, I am merely interpreting, translating, looking with an eye that is already clouded by the past.
The Book of Life, January 13, HarperSanFrancisco, 1995
Source: jkrishnamurthi.com
It's all about "how much you made when you were right" & "how little you lost when you were wrong"
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winston - Billionaire Boss
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